Note:
In late 2010 we opened the doors of Dolly Rogers HQ to a group of students visiting from Falmouth University.  We were going to write a blog post about the visit ourselves but found out someone had already beaten us to it. One of the visiting students, Chrissy Styles, wrote a fantastic summary of her time at Dolly Rogers on her blog. So we we decided to invite her to share her experience at our office on our site.

Enjoy!
Chris.

Last November, I and 30-something other students from University College Falmouth went on a study trip to Amsterdam visiting design studios. For many of us this was the first opportunity we’d had to visit a working studio and expectations were pretty high.

I won’t lie, after three days of visiting studio after studio, I was getting a little disheartened. I understand that designers are ridiculously busy people and having to entertain a load of students for an hour or so is a bit of a hassle, but if you’re not enthusiastic about your own work, how do you expect us to be? I can’t remember how many slideshows I sat through, knowing that I should be interested but slowly nodding off all the same.

Dolly Rogers were the last studio we visited, and when Chris and Jennette bounced into the room (complete with a ukelele) there was a definite sense that they might be different. Instead of presenting to us, they made us do the presentation. I don’t know if you’re familiar with Powerpoint Karaoke but it is terrifying. Basically you’re given a theme or a prop, a partner, a bunch of random slides you’ve never seen and two minutes to cringe at the sound of yourself talking nonsense about whatever comes to your head.

I HATE public speaking, but I didn’t really have a choice. And although it was possibly the longest two minutes of my life, once it was over I sort of got the point of it. Being a creative is about trying new things, taking risks, and thinking on your feet. It wasn’t so bad, really. I mean, everyone was just as cringe-worthy as each other.

So this is what made Dolly Rogers stick in everyone’s minds. They got us involved, gave us a taste of what it was like to be part of their team and most of all, it seemed like they actually enjoyed having us there – it wasn’t a hassle to them. Although that might have had something to do with the fact that watching a load of nervous students make absolute tits of themselves is, as it turns out, a really really good way to spend an afternoon.

Chrissy Styles.

Here’s a bit of history about me: I moved to The Netherlands just a little over three years ago, arriving with a small bag full of clothes, a box of dog-eared photos and a few bucks in my pocket to ensure I could get up to some trouble for a month or two. Then I would have to get serious.

In my pursuit of mischief and good times, one of the very first things I did was go to Mystery Land, the largest and longest running dance music festival in The Netherlands. It was an awesome experience and I promised myself that I would go again. This year I was lucky enough to be invited as a guest by the good folks at ID&T, and together with the crew from Goed Bezig, I partied long into the night.

The best way to describe the festival is to think of it like a living breathing city with different tribes occupying different districts, each celebrating their own culture and inviting anyone walking by to get involved. After spending the whole day there I feel like I only tapped into a third of what was going on, which means another visit to the festival is needed, something I’m not complaining about.

Thanks again to the folks at ID&T for hooking up the Dolly Rogers crew.

In France there is a saying, you either come from Paris or from France. So on a recent trip to France I spent a few days wandering around the streets of Lyon searching for the best gastronomical experiences, the kind that fuels the French stereotype. Well, I was blown away by what I found, some of the most delicious food I have ever eaten. This is where to find it.

Notre Maison – This place was so impressive it even amazed my Lyonnais mates. If you want the authentic experience look no further.

L’epicurie Sarl – This café’s speciality is tartines and has some delicious desserts.

La Limonade de Marinette – This café is in an old general store and is a great place to stop for lunch before you attempt the accent to the Basilica.

La Cave d’à Côté – This wine bar is a hidden gem. Make sure you order a assiette de charcuterie platter here, it’s amazing.

I owe my friends on Twitter a big thank you as your tweets reminded me that I had two tickets to go see LCD Soundsystem. It was a brilliant show where they played their classics with a new rock twist that’s evident on their new album This is Happening. The new tracks got the crowd going and the classics nearly turned the famous Paradiso into a mountain of rubble. If this is their final tour then they went out with style.