You’re Invited: Dining with Cultural Inspirations — Leanne Armstrong

Design Insider stepped into the mind of Leanne Armstrong, Founder of Black Ivy Design, to explore her ultimate dinner party — a gathering of the people who have influenced her as a designer. Rather than keep things intimate, Leanne supersized the occasion, bringing together 11 extraordinary individuals for one unforgettable night.

“Planning your own dinner party is something of a novelty; a rare indulgence for those of us who dedicate our craft to orchestrating memorable experiences for others,” she explained. “This pursuit mirrors the ethos we uphold in our hospitality projects at Black Ivy Design: an unwavering commitment to spaces that feel both curated and deeply lived in.”

Her imagined guest list spanned design, fashion, literature and cinema — from Coco Chanel, Ray and Charles Eames and Walter Gropius to Zaha Hadid and Es Devlin — each chosen for the richness of thought and perspective they would bring to the table.

Leanne Armstrong founded Black Ivy Design during lockdown, inspired by her daughter Ivy and the empowering ethos of the Black Ivy League movement. With more than 18 years of experience, her portfolio includes The Cream Store, Hush private members club, the Jacobean Hotel, Spire Bar, Sky Blue Tavern and The Green Dragon.

Originally published by Design Insider.