Justin de Blank: 1927-2012
//Marque, Barney Bubbles, 1969.//
I interviewed the restaurateur and fine food champion Justin de Blank – who died last month aged 85 – for Reasons To Be Cheerful; de Blank recognised Barney Bubbles’ design talents when the pair met at the Conran Group’s design studio in the 60s.
//Justin de Blank, mid 70s. Courtesy Melanie de Blank.//
//Barney Bubbles sketch for postcard for JdB's Belgravia shop, 1970.//
When de Blank established his hugely successful food empire with partner Robert Troop in 1969, Bubbles became art director, producing a range of designs which perfectly encapsulated the spirit of de Blank’s mission to improve British gastronomy.
Affected by Parkinson’s in his later years, de Blank remained an impressive communicator, helping me out on much detail for the Bubbles book. He also remained active to the last. His attendance at the launch of the 2010 Bubbles exhibition Process was especially heartening – I showed him around that night. de Blank was particularly pleased at the inclusion of sketches for postcards and livery for his businesses in the early 70s.
See the Barney Bubbles Blog for more sketches produced by Bubbles for de Blank.
Read the Daily Telegraph obituary here.