Bringing a rhythmic, creative energy to our Mare Street space, Eliza oversees our Front of House and digital storytelling. As the founder of Studio Gardn, a London-based creative agency, she brings a professional eye for photography and content curation to the Glasshouse Journal. Eliza is also a soulful songwriter, performing under the moniker LYZE. For her, the Glasshouse ethos of "clean chemistry" mirrors her own creative process—intentional, authentic, and always inspired by a "smooth soul" sensibility.

The Agency Life

You founded Studio Gardn, a creative studio for photography and social media management. How does your experience running your own agency influence the way you capture the daily life and aesthetic of Glasshouse?

I’ve spent many years studying what resonates and connects with people online, visually and emotionally. My intention with Glasshouse’s online presence is to portray the energy and emotion you step into when you visit the salon. Glasshouse is not just about aesthetics, it’s also about human to human connection, resetting into a calmer/softer version of yourself for an hour or so, and feeling taken care of. Because of this, it’s really important that I not only capture ‘What’ Glasshouse is, but ‘Who’ Glasshouse is~ the people who curate the energy of the space. 

Behind the Lens: When you’re photographing the salon or our latest editorial shoots, what are you looking for? Is there a particular "Glasshouse light" or moment you love to capture?

There’s a beautiful moment at around 12pm when (if we’re blessed with sunshine and not grey skies) the light pours through the salon windows and illuminates the shop so effortlessly. Those are my favourite times to capture content because the sunshine does all the hard work for me! I also love capturing the confidence boost a client gets when they see their new hair for the first time. That’s always such a sweet moment. 

Journaling & Songwriting

From Page to Stage: Your Instagram mentions "turning journal entries into smooth soul". Since you now contribute to the Glasshouse Journal, do you find that writing for the salon and writing your music come from the same reflective place?

Songwriting and journal writing have one main thing in common. They’re both storytelling of sorts. Where songwriting is often more conceptual and poetic, leaving more room for the listener to fill in the gaps and find their own connection to the words, journal writing finds ways to reach people within the details. I’m often writing about brand founder stories or how to integrate Glasshouse Shop products into your daily life and routines. Both forms of writing invite the reader/listener to connect with the story and take away something of meaning.

The Ritual of Writing: Does the physical act of journaling help you find clarity in your day-to-day role at the salon, or is it a ritual you save specifically for your songwriting?

Journaling is something I do to keep myself grounded. Without an outlet, I can often spiral into self analysis and become distracted by my own thoughts. Writing it all out and exploring a feeling/emotion in detail, isn’t just great material for song writing, but provides me with more focus and presence during the day. 

In the book ‘The Artist's Way’, Julia Cameron talks about the power of ‘morning pages’ ~ a practice of writing a stream of consciousness first thing in the morning. She explains that doing so can have a dramatic effect on your self confidence as the idea is to release all of the self doubt and negative thoughts that are circling your mind, leaving more space for creative ideas and positive thoughts to take their place. 

I can testify that this practice has profoundly shaped my self-esteem, creative vision and ultimately stops me from getting stuck and stagnant. 

The First Impression: What was your first impression of the space at Mare Street, and what is your favourite time of day in the salon?

One of the first things I noticed about the salon was the calming atmosphere. It feels like such a contrast to the bustling street outside. I also loved the playlist~ so many soul and new-jazz songs I know and love being played. Instantly I felt like “yep! This is my place.”

The Ethos: Glasshouse is known for "modernity meets nature." How does that mindful, low-intervention approach influence your own personal style?

I really love fashion and expressing my creativity through personal styling, but I try my best not to get pulled into the trap of over-consumption and fast fashion. A lot of my wardrobe comes from Vinted or second hand vintage shops. I also love discovering local handmade designers, and I’m currently learning how to sew and upcycle my own clothes (not that I need another creative hobby!)

The Role: As the first face people see at Front of House, how do you like to set the tone for a client’s visit to ensure they feel truly "reset"?

I think a smile and a compliment go a long way. Luckily, there’s always something I can compliment our clients on because they are all really cool people… but something simple like ‘that colour looks really good on you’ or ‘I love your jacket’ seems to ‘pattern interrupt’ and bring them into the present, rather than thinking about their busy day at work etc.

Music & Creativity

The Sound: For those who haven't discovered your music yet, how would you describe the world of LYZE?

Hmm, I hope my music would make people feel seen, understood and give them opportunity to soften and feel into their emotional body. I try to write from the most vulnerable place I can, because, I think when you do that, you give other people permission to join you in their own vulnerability and perhaps discover something new about themselves. 

The Creative Well: Do you find that your music and your visual work for the salon come from the same creative place? How does being a musician influence how you "see" the salon through a lens?

100%. My music and my visual work in general go hand in hand. When I write a song, I’m instantly visualising the music video to go alongside it. Wherever I am, I see the opportunities for capturing visuals- it’s just an integral part of the way my brain works and how I move about the world. So, naturally, when I’m in the salon, there’s 101 ways for inspiration to strike. 

The Playlist: What’s on your "Studio Playlist" right now? Are there any artists or tracks that perfectly capture the Glasshouse soundscape?

Kokoroko is one of my favourite bands right now (we play them all the time in the salon, which is such a treat.)

Cleo Sol is one of my all time favourite artists. She has such a soothing tone, and writes a lot about self love, acceptance and a higher power. Even though I don’t necessarily believe in a God, I find her music really powerful for connecting to what truly matters in life. 

A song I’ve got on repeat at the moment is Anyone Else by ELIZA (yes, she took my name). Her tag-line is ‘Log Off, Look Up. Look in’ which very much fits the Glasshouse ethos. 

The Community: How does the East London creative community shape the work you do, both in and out of the salon?

There are so many creative types in East London. I really love people watching from the Glasshouse desk. I get a great view of all the different artistic outfits and aesthetics walking by. I also love attending music jams and creative events in the area- I always come away feeling inspired in some way or another. 

Hair & Beauty Rituals

The Philosophy: as a curly haired gal, whats is your personal philosophy when it comes to hair? Are you a "low-maintenance air-dry" person or do you enjoy a more structured ritual?

I’m very much a 7-step-wash-day-routine kind of gal. It’s taken me many years to perfect my routine to a point where I can consistently get great results that last until my next wash. The extra time I spend on wash day just means I spend less time styling my hair in between washes, so it evens out in the end!

In the Beauty Bag: If we were to peek into your bag on a studio day, which three Glasshouse Shop staples would we find?

I'm obsessed with the Evolve Bio- Retinol Glossy Lip Oil- Constantly reapplying through the day. As a singer, I also keep the Connect IM_Frequency Elixir with me at all times, just in case my throat needs soothing! The Homework Earth Fragrance is also a daily essential.

The Hero Product: Is there one organic beauty hero product that has become your non-negotiable for keeping your skin or hair resilient against the London elements?

I recently started using the Sans [Ceuticals] Goji Cleansing oil to take off my makeup and it’s been a game changer. Before, I was using cotton pads and micellar water but was getting through so much product so quickly. The cleansing oil is so much more effective and leaves my skin feeling really nourished. Love it!