The Production Factory: Kappa Luggage

I remember Kappa, you remember Kappa... you aren't going to recognise this bad boy. We produced this shoot with The Grid for Kappa's new luggage line. WHAT a beauty. Heather Favell shot a classic, clean and really sophisticated campaign. We're packing our bags as we speak!

It was a cold couple of days on the platform, but the team wrapped up warm and braved the chill. It may of helped that the meeting point on day one was Searcy's Champagne Bar... I can't be sure... It was a two day shoot in the grand surround of Kings Cross St Pancras, with the beautiful Gothic hotel as back drop. Little nod to Londoner and Victorian architecture-crusader John Betjeman and his statue for saving the famous facade...

"What [a Londoner] sees in his mind's eye is that cluster of towers and pinnacles seen from Pentonville Hill and outlined against a foggy sunset, and the great arc of Barlow's train shed gaping to devour incoming engines, and the sudden burst of exuberant Gothic of the hotel seen from gloomy Judd Street."

Thanks John... and a bit of history? Ohh, go on then, twist my arm...

St Pancras is the patron Saint of teenagers. He was beheaded in Rome for his faith at the age of 14 around the year 304... Pancras, in Greek means "The one who holds everything" ... but that's not why the station is so named, oh no! Simply enough, the station was built in the mid 19th century and is named after the medieval parish and St. Pancras Old Church which is just next door. It is believed to be one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in Great Britain.

Since I've started I may as well finish... The reason it's called Kings Cross? In 1836 a 60ft high statue of King George IV was erected at the major crossroads in the area; The New Road (Now Euston Road), Maiden Lane (now York Way), Pentonville Hill (now Road), and Gray's Inn Road, which resulted in the surround being known as 'King's Cross'. The statue, though was aparently hideous...

It provoked such unfavourable criticism that the whole structure was torn down within 10 years... here it is, being torn down... harsh.

By, we're proud of our lovely London Town!! Loads of brilliant locations like that up our sleeves *wink. Back to The Grid, and the stunning campaign... These shots make us want to pack our case and head off on an adventure. Pack your Kappa, let's go!