Leyla Daybelge

Born in Ireland, but living in London, Leyla Daybelge is an author who has developed a distinctive narrative approach to design history, bringing alive the people and stories behind the creation of important Modernist architecture and design.

Leyla's first book, Isokon and the Bauhaus in Britain, co-authored with Magnus Englund was published by Batsford Pavilion in 2019. It tells the story of The Isokon, Britain's first Modernist apartment block and its fascinating cohort of residents, including Bauhaus masters, Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer and László Moholy-Nagy, Agatha Christie and a network of Soviet Spies.

Walter Gropius, an Illustrated Biography, co-authored with Magnus Englund, was published by Phaidon in October 2022. This large-format, lavishly illustrated biography, tells the detailed life story of the founder of the Bauhaus, with previously unseen material and photographs.

Leyla's interest in design began as a child, when she discovered Terence Conran's "House Book", and created an Eero Saarinen-inspired kitchen out of yoghurt pots for a primary school project. She devoured first editions of World of Interiors magazine and whilst still at school, learned the colourful ins and outs of the Irish antiques business, working at weekends for Belfast's only French antique dealer. She moved to London to study English Literature and History of Art at University College London. On graduation, she studied journalism at Emerson College, Boston, USA and later gained a Masters Degree in 20th Century Design from Sotheby's Institute of Art, London & Manchester University.

Leyla spent the first half of her career honing her story-telling skills as a TV news journalist in London. She spent seven years as a producer and reporter for Sky News, later moving to an on-air position, as presenter of the station's morning business bulletins and award-winning Sky Business Report Programme. She moved to ITN to front the 24-hour ITV News Channel as a Newscaster. For six years she presented her own three-hour daily rolling news programme, as well as flagship ITN bulletins, including the Lunchtime, Evening and Weekend News programmes. Leyla hosted three Budget special programmes for the ITV News Channel, the Queen Mother's Funeral from Westminster Abbey, two General Elections, a five-hour special on September 11th, and many other special events. She later worked as a freelance correspondent for BBC Radio Four.

Following the arrival of two lively twin daughters, Leyla changed direction and returned to her love of art and design. She moved to Sotheby's auction house, where she headed up press and publicity for Design, Contemporary Art and Old Masters, travelling internationally, using her journalistic background to promote the company. In addition to her work as a design author, Leyla writes features on culture and travel for the Daily Telegraph, 20th Century Society and other on-line publications.