Dylan is a quiet intelligent boy at school but turns into a crazy, funny, super competitive busy body at home. He loves his toy monkey and has a whole family of monkeys on his bed which he named after all his family. He also loves his cars, national flags, drawing, cooking and watching Top Gear and sports. He is obsessed with big numbers and giving out Michelin stars for our home cooking. Jen Taylor, his mother, is an architect and has recently launched her design-led brand Hokolo which features products with unique prints and patterns. “Hokolo is an amalgamation of Hong Kong and London, which is what I considered myself to be, proud to be a Londoner, proud to be from Hong Kong” confesses Jen.
Dylan
What is your big dream? Fly an aeroplane
Do you have special powers? I wish I can fly so I can see the whole world
Who is the strongest person in the world? My monkey, he can do anything
What do you want to be when you grow up? A Formula 1 racing driver
Who do you admire? Max, my best friend
Are you scared of anything? Monsters because they eat people
What makes you laugh? When daddy tickles me
Your favourite films, books, apps? I love CBeebies especially Nina and the Neurons and my car books
Something you did recently that you really loved? Bowling, I scored 124 and beat my dad who only had 85.
The best holidays you ever had? Going to Peppa Pig world, I like the rides especially the cars
A place that you would dream to visit? Turkey, I like red and it has a red flag
Your favourite belonging? My monkey
The next item you would so dearly love to get? Paint and paint brushes
If you had a magic wand, what would you do with it right now? Make monkey bigger so he can be 19 years old and go to University
Jen Taylor
A place you saw when you were a child, and that made its mark on you? I was staying in a castle in Scotland with my parents, the room was hexagonal with windows on all sides. In the middle of the night I thought I heard babies crying but they were peacocks. Totally freaked me out, not going back in a hurry.
The place you love near your home? The South Bank, walking leisurely by the Thames, meeting friends at the Royal Festival Hall and checking out the latest exhibitions at the Tate Modern.
Where do you dream to go for your next family holiday? My husband and I love New York and we are yet to take Dylan there. New York is the only place after London we can ever imagine living in, well I can move back to Hong Kong but will be hard to convince my husband.
A film or cultural event that you saw recently and that stayed with you? Got to be the Paralympics in London, so inspiring watching all the athletes competing for their countries.
The film that you love to see with the whole family? Dylan is scared of films so we are yet to watch any together.
The children’s brands your cherish? Polarn O Pyret, Smafolk, Lego
The children’s stores you love to visit and buy from? Polarn O Pyret, H&M, any museum / gallery shops
Last thing you bought for your child? A space shuttle model from the National Space Centre in Leicester
Favourite pieces in your child’s wardrobe? Coloured skinny jeans from Polarn O Pyret
What do you buy online? Food, books, all things heavy! Usually from Ocado and Amazon.
The online destinations that inspire you? Cool Mum Picks, Babyccino Kids, The Cool Hunter, Dezeen, Pinterest, Time Out, Condé Nast Traveller
The product that changed your life? iPhone, no going back now, ever!
What are your main current concerns? Keeping on top of my never ending To-do-list, from getting new products ready for the next trade show to buying more pasta as we are running out again!
Do you have a big dream and if so what is it? Own a restaurant/shop/gallery which I designed, where I can cook all my favourite food for my family and friends, sell my designs and showcase all the nice products and architecture that I love.
Something that you did in your childhood that makes you laugh today? I love cooking and like experimenting in the kitchen since I was a little girl. I remembered pouring nearly a whole bottle of soy sauce in a saucepan hoping to make soy chicken but totally forgot the sugar and it was so salty!
Something that made you laugh out loudly recently? Dylan, every time he looks serious and seems to be in deep thoughts, he always comes out with something funny. He is crazy and I love him that way!
If you could reincarnate in another person, who would that be? Dylan’s toy monkey as I bet Dylan tells him all his secrets.
Florence Rolando
I founded Pirouette Blog in November 2008. Today I am a contributor, looking with delight how the blog is developing with Katie as the new boss!
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