Life With: Matthew Spade

Life With: Matthew Spade

Life With: Matthew Spade

We had a chat with freelance writer and content creator Matthew Spade who is driven to learn more about things he knows little about and dreams of a workspace where the sun is always shining so he will be able to wear shorts all year round. He is currently working on some video content, product photography projects, and designing a minimal line of ceramics. 


Matthew wears ANOTHER Overshirt 1.0, Teak (see more), ANOTHER Sweatshirt 1.0, Forest Green (see more) & ANOTHER Shirt 1.0, Evergreen Stripe (see more).

ANOTHER ASPECT:

If you weren't working with style and design, what do you think you would be working with?

Matthew Spade:

I could see myself working in the beer industry in some way or form. It's one of my greatest enjoyments in life, and I've met some fantastic, down-to-earth, and inspiring people who work in beer over the last few years. I love hearing about the process, the design, and the culture that can be created around a brand (be that through the style of beer, the branding, the taproom design, community, or the individual staff), and I could see myself finding a place in that world.

But if I could choose any job, my criteria would be pretty small. For example, would I be able to wear shorts all year round? If the answer is yes, that means it's somewhere hot, and that's one of the things I'd love. The other thing is, I wish I'd have taken sports more seriously as a kid. I feel like that could have led me in a very different direction, but I think my love of style could have quickly been married into that somehow.

I'm currently designing a small collection of ceramics with a friend of mine. This still falls into the design, but it's very different from anything I've done before. I look forward to sharing the results very soon.

ANOTHER ASPECT:

Where do you find your greatest strengths as a man with many talents? 

Matthew Spade:

I'm incredibly passionate about people. I love to hear what people are working on and creating and about the subjects that make people happy, regardless of if I know much about the subject itself. It gives me a lot of joy to learn more about things I know little about. For example, when I stepped into the ANOTHER ASPECTs store, I knew how much effort and love had gone into creating something special, not just about the clothing design but the custom furniture, the color choice for the flooring, and the materials used, artwork. It all adds up, and by taking in all this information, I'm able to share this through my platforms to an audience interested in discovering and learning.

So when I see someone visiting a place that I've suggested, try out a coffee roaster that I've visited, or attempt a DIY project similar to something I've worked on, it's a lovely feeling.

ANOTHER ASPECT:

What projects are you working on right now?

Matthew Spade:

I'm currently working with an eyewear brand on some video content, which is definitely out of my comfort zone, but I'm up for the challenge. And then, I've got one or two product photography projects that I need to plan out. And as I mentioned, I'm working on releasing a very small line of ceramics, which is a big passion project for me; off the back of a reaction from people who often ask me about the mugs and coffee-related things I tend to share.

We have been slowly renovating our house away from work, and we have nearly come to the end of working on our front garden. Finally, the hard work is over, and the fun bit starts with choosing furnishings and the right plants now.

ANOTHER ASPECT:

What do you think defines good style?

Matthew Spade:

Time helps, realizing that there are no mistakes, just learning curves. Dressing to work with your body type is often overlooked, too, I'd say. Not everything suits everyone, be it the cut of a shirt or the color of a pair of jeans — once you are comfortable knowing what works, it can help with your confidence and the way you hold yourself. I see the way I dress as a big part of my personality, and as I'm not the loudest or most outspoken guy, I like to think my clothing choices reflect my mood without saying too much.

Matthew wears ANOTHER Shirt 1.0, Evergreen Stripe (see more) & ANOTHER Sweatshirt 1.0, Forest Green (see more).

ANOTHER ASPECT:

You currently live in Blackpool; why did you settle in a smaller city rather than a metropolis like London?

Matthew Spade:

I love London, just as I love visiting bigger cities. But I also love to know I'm coming home somewhere a little quieter. I'd never say I wouldn't move to a bigger city, given the chance of living in Copenhagen, for example, I sure would, but being away from the metropolis has enabled me to travel to a lot of other smaller places that I may have overlooked if I'd have been settled in a capital. So it's given me an appreciation of both sides, which I also feel comes across in my work, the people I've met along the way, and my outlook on life.

Matthew wears ANOTHER Overshirt 1.0, Teak (see more), ANOTHER Sweatshirt 1.0, Forest Green (see more) & ANOTHER Shirt 1.0, Evergreen Stripe (see more).

PHOTOS BY:

Jake Sam Walker

Follow Matthew here: 

@mat_buckets