“The reason to choose Victoria is for the bits of your life where there’s friction — that just disappears completely. You can get on with enjoying the good bits.”
James MacDonald Photography
The
Creatives
Carla Sorrell and Will Sorrell share a love of design in all its forms, from graphics and interiors to architecture to fashion. That passion for design was part of what drew them together when they found themselves at the center of London, U.K.’s vibrant design world, Will through his work with London’s Design Biennale and Carla’s through Central Saint Martins, one of the world’s most renowned art and design colleges.
While London offered so much, its hectic lifestyle didn’t fit their vision for their family’s future. Four years ago, they moved to Victoria, British Columbia, where Carla had grown up and attended the University of Victoria.
Designing a New Life
“You get to the point about thinking, ‘how do I want my life to go?’ instead of just taking the cards you’ve been dealt and just carrying on,” says Will. “I’ve come to realize that balance was very important
“It was scary because we were leaving … our identity,” says Carla.
But they soon found Victoria was the perfect home to pursue their careers and creative ideas. Carla is managing editor of Gray, an international design magazine, and Will is Canada’s national director of the Interior Design Show (IDS).
“[Victoria] had changed a lot since I left 15 years before,” says Carla. “There [are now] a lot more reasons for young people to stay here and all kinds of interesting careers. There’s a ton of artists, there’s a ton of designers. The dynamic of what’s happening here has changed a lot.”
James MacDonald Photography
James MacDonald Photography
Missing London’s vibrant design scene, they decided to shine the light on things that were designed and made in Greater Victoria and create opportunities for collaboration.
The result was Design Victoria. This exciting annual four-day festival shines a big spotlight on the city’s growing design scene, featuring special exhibitions, open houses and events created by local designers and design businesses.
“The city is undergoing massive transformation at the moment,” says Will.
And design, says Carla, is going to play a really big part in shaping it.
