Inside Room Service: Jenna Elsby-Bennett’s Vision for Creative Intimacy

When I sit down with Jenna Elsby-Bennett, the founder of Studio Collective, a UK based, globally operating “house of creatives”, it quickly becomes clear that she is as multidimensional as the projects she leads.

Studio Collective is a proudly female-founded design studio that blends strategy and artistry, working with global lifestyle brands across event design, product development, branding, content creation, and more. The studio offers what Jenna describes as a “complete 360-degree service” for projects that require both vision and execution, and the company is a true reflection of the ethos that drives her work: creativity is never just one thing.

Her latest endeavour, Room Service: Conversations With Creatives, feels like a natural extension of that ethos. Now filming its second series, the show brings together some of the world’s most exciting creatives, from artists to performers, designers to fashion innovators, in intimate, relaxed settings over actual hotel room service. Guests appear in pyjamas or loungewear, a visual cue that the conversation is about openness, authenticity, and the messy, beautiful path of creation.

Hair & Makeup by Ciara McCarthy. Art Direction by Studio Collective.

We begin where all meaningful conversations begin: by grounding the conversation in the present.

How are you feeling right now, in this moment and in your creative career?

Jenna Elsby-Bennett: That’s a big question. Honestly, like much of the world, I’m feeling anxious. It’s a challenging time to be alive, and I think the creative arts can feel especially vulnerable when society is uncertain. I know incredible makeup artists and designers who haven’t had steady work for a year, simply because when times are tough, creativity is often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. That’s hard. But there’s also hope. Despite the difficulties, the people I work with keep creating, keep showing up, and keep trusting in the long arc of the process. All you can do is keep swimming; keep moving forward, one project at a time.

It reminds me of something I read this morning; Kemi Badenoch talking about “slashing” degrees, questioning the value of creative and humanities paths. It struck me as ridiculous, because our industries form the cultural foundation of so much of the economy and society.

Jenna: Absolutely. I’ve even imagined a dystopian future where creativity is erased, and I can’t help but think we’d be in real straits. What is seen as optional [the arts, performance, design] is actually integral to community, spirit, and what makes us human. That’s why I started Room Service. Growing up in rural South Wales, the paths I knew for a creative mind were limited: advertising, maybe art, but rarely were options presented in a way that showed the breadth of what one could do. I wanted to change that narrative and show the next generation the range of possibilities open to them.

And that’s reflected in how Room Service operates. There’s this raw intimacy on screen, but also a celebration of talent behind the scenes.

Exactly. The show started as a joy project - a “fantasy dinner party” for me, bringing together people I’d love to talk to. But it also became about shining a spotlight on unsung heroes: costume designers, scriptwriters, composers. People whose work drives the industry but rarely receives recognition. I want the next generation to see that creativity is multifaceted. You don’t have to pigeonhole yourself. There’s no single linear path, and that’s beautiful.

Why hotel rooms specifically?

Jenna: From a visual standpoint, I love beautiful interiors and design, so the hotel setting creates a stunning, curated environment. But it’s also a leveller. Guests in pajamas or robes (no stylists, no brand pressures) create vulnerability and comfort. Eating room service together adds an unexpected intimacy: it’s the kind of relaxed interaction you normally have with family or a close friend. That informality allows for open, honest conversations.

Photography by Jason Lloyd Evans. Hair & Makeup by Ciara McCarthy.

It’s interesting. You manage to maintain that sense of luxury and polish while preserving the intimacy. It’s almost like “old money” understated elegance meeting candid, creative dialogue.

Jenna: That’s exactly what I hoped for. The environment should be inviting, beautiful, and inspiring, without feeling performative. It encourages creativity to flow naturally.

How do you see Room Service evolving next?

Jenna: Big plans! I’d love to take it international. New York, Europe, wherever. A special series around a creative event, like Fashion Week or the Cannes Film Festival, would be incredible. Imagine interviewing models, designers, set designers, and the entire creative team, all in one place. It’s ambitious, but that’s part of the fun.

Whilst balancing so many facets, do you ever find you struggle with perfectionism?

Jenna: Oh yes. Clinically, in fact. But over time, you learn balance. You have to know when good is enough and when obsessing doesn’t serve the project…or your mental health. Having anchors in life [a family, a young son] keeps me grounded. The creative process is subjective and imperfect, and that’s the point. The goal is to produce work that’s excellent, yes, but also human.

How do you navigate the tension between art and commerce, creativity and business?

Jenna: Delegation and experience. You can’t be great at everything. Surround yourself with people who complement your skills and let them do their work. Focus on the areas that matter most, the areas that reflect your vision, and don’t let ego get in the way. That way, when things don’t go perfectly, it still feels beautiful because it’s part of the process rather than a personal failure.

Photography by Felix Russell-Saw

You’ve mentioned beauty several times. What does beauty mean to you?

Jenna: Beauty is energy, feeling, and connection. It’s not just aesthetics. It’s what makes your soul sing. A painting, a handmade cup, a pair of boots; you know when something resonates with you. I seek beauty in travel, in people, in art, and in everyday life. It’s about creating spaces, experiences, and moments that elevate the ordinary into something extraordinary.

Room Service: Conversations With Creatives is streaming now on YouTube. Series Two continues to explore intimate, inspiring conversations with creatives in beautiful hotel settings, offering viewers a glimpse into the challenges, triumphs, and infinite possibilities of a creative life.