Press
Blacksheep’s work and company profile have been covered by the press in design, fashion and lifestyle journals all over the world, from Vogue, Wallpaper and ELLE Deco in the UK, Frame in Holland, Artravel in France, Interni and DHD in Italy, IW, Interni & Décor and DECO Journal in Korea, iDS in Malaysia, Monitor in Russia, Attitude in Portugal, Commercial Interior Design in Dubai, Belle and Contemporary Home Design in Australia, The Robb Report in the USA and Design 360, A+A and Interior Public Space in China
Here’s a selection of press quotes on our projects:
Galoupet
‘Galoupet is perfectly pitched: Its clean, white lines, highly designed white seating and artfully lit tilted mirrors.’
Sunday Telegraph, August 2011
Galoupet
‘A new Knightsbridge restaurant where the food is as elegant as the décor and clientele.’
Sunday Telegraph, August 2011
Novotel Manchester
‘Blacksheep also sought to create unique, locally- relevant designs, drawing on inspiration from Manchester Industrial heritage, filled with unique and bespoke design elements.’
Bob Magazine, Jul 2011
Kismet
‘Tim Mutton is the managing Director and co-founder of Blacksheep. He is fast becoming a key player in the leisure design world.’
Mondo dr, June 2011
Jamie’s Italian, Westfield
‘A truly Italian societal and culinary experience, designed by Blacksheep in such a style so as to bring what is best about casual dining to the high street.’
Yatzer.com, April 2011
Fifteen
‘The concept of the refurbishment, designed by Blacksheep, was to reconnect the interior to the history of the building, whilst maintaining its contemporary and urban feel.’
100percentdesign.co.uk, March 2011
Galoupet
‘Blacksheep has designed the first ever restaurant for the owners of the award-winning Provencale vineyard ‘Chateau de Galoupet’ in Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge. The innovative new London restaurant, entitled simply ‘Galoupet’, will house both public and private dining areas as well as a retail fine wine store.’
Architecturelits.com, March 2011
Galoupet
‘The feel of the venue will be informal, welcoming and accessible, with a clean, understated glamour.’
Dudye.com, March 2011
Galoupet
‘All in all, we’d say this’ll turn out to be an uber luxe venue…’
MeDesignMag.com, March 2011
Jamie’s Italian, Westfield
‘On-brand, experiential and immersive'.
Design Week Awards 2011 Brochure, March 2011
Jamie’s Italian, Westfield
‘The atmosphere of Jamie’s Italian unequivocally evokes the sights, sounds and smells of Italy.’
Hinge, February 2011
Inamo
‘Touch-screen menus are the big thing in the restaurant world, as seen at London’s Inamo. So Tron!’
Grazia, February 2011
Puro
‘According to Blacksheep, the new brand is based around simplifying the hotel experience, without taking away any of its pleasures, with a high-tech interface, from interactive check-in to card-activated services to an ‘info wall' for messaging and local and international news, as well as large, highly social public space, in which visitors can eat, drink, work or socialise.'
Sleeper Magazine, January 2011
Fifteen
‘Jamie and Fifteen would like to offer a huge thank you to Jo Sampson and her team at Blacksheep for providing the creative vision.’
Jamie (Oliver) Magazine, January 2011
Puro
‘London based design firm Blacksheep is working with architect APA Hubka to create Puro Wroclaw - the first in an innovative new chain of ‘budget-intelligent' hotels being developed by Norwegian group Genfer across Poland.'
Sleeper Magazine, January 2011
Jamie’s Italian, Westfield
‘Oliver is clearly pleased with Blacksheep’s interpretation of the brand.’
FX, January 2011
Jamie’s Italian, Westfield
‘The result is an organised space that caters to many needs, with an overall industrial atmosphere.’
Frame, January 2011
Jamie’s Italian, Westfield
'An extraordinarily rich and colourful experience, with an obsessive attention to detail and eclectic collection of fixtures and fittings'.
GarethGardner.blogspot.com, December 2010
Blacksheep
‘Founded by Tim Mutton and Jo Sampson in 2002, Blacksheep are known for their inspirational interiors.'
Design Council website, November 2010
Kismet Nightclub for Park Hotels, Hyderabad
‘The firm took cues from the building's architecture and site - its jewel-like skin, fluid form - to create an organic, modern space that leans heavily on local manufacturers.'
Boutique Design – USA, November 2010
Jordan Littler of Blacksheep on iPhone Apps
‘iPhone apps for designers really haven't got off the ground yet. On the whole, they're speedily knocked up, badly designed and even a little bit patronising...'
idFX, November 2010
Tim Mutton on Blacksheep & Hermès
‘We stayed in fashion and worked at the luxury end of the market with Hermès. This is a great ongoing relationship, which began with the design of their London HQ and moved onto us being the implementing designers for all their UK concessions, which we have done since 2007. It's a great business synergy - they are high-end, exacting and really believe in craft and quality: very much the Blacksheep ethos.'
A1 Retail Magazine, October 2010
Jamie's Italian, Birmingham
‘Jamie's Italian, the restaurant chain owned by chef Jamie Oliver, is set to open a new restaurant in Birmingham with interiors by Blacksheep, drawing on modern industrial and classic Italian design.'
Design Week, October 2010
Jamie's Italian, Westfield
‘Every material choice and the story behind was carefully considered as part of the design process and, in order to bring a truly authentic Italian feel to the designs, Blacksheep extensively researched not only the business, but also Italian restaurant and delicatessen culture.'
Dexigner.com, October 2010
Jamie’s Italian, Westfield
‘Presumably in a nod to Jamie Oliver's love of scooters and the fact that the restaurant is Italian, the interior features a large ‘Vespa wall' made up of headlights hung plate-style and set on different pulsating lights for ambience.'
Myfriendshouse.wordpress.com , October 2010
Jamie’s Italian, Westfield
‘Jamie's Italian ice cream van and brand beacon - holy crap! How insanely super awesome is this? Extreme love!'
Yellowtrace.com.au, October 2010
Jamie’s Italian, Westfield
'Blacksheep was appointed by renowned British chef, restaurateur and media personality Jamie Oliver to create a new and site-specific design for the new Jamie's Italian site at Westfield. The 250-cover restaurant displays a design that balances what was generic to the brand with new and exciting design features.'
World Interior Design Network, October 2010
Blacksheep
‘One of London’s most creative agencies.’
Interior Design Yearbook 2011, October 2010
Vista, Hilton Trafalgar
27 design-led things to do this month in London
‘Head up to this newly re-launched rooftop bar, relax on monochromatic furnishings courtesy of designers Blacksheep (who also worked on Whisky Mist in the London Hilton) and sip delicious English fruit cocktails such as ‘Watermelon Cooler’ .’
Elle Decoration, September 2010
Vista, Hilton Trafalgar
‘The whole vibe is very relaxed and comfortable and it’s a wonderful place to hang out with friends.’
About.com, September 2010
Vista, Hilton Trafalgar
‘Will I go back? In a shot! Will I tell my friends they have to visit? Absolutely!.’
About.com, September 2010
Vista, Hilton Trafalgar
‘The impeccable service, the light but sophisticated cocktails evocative of summer in an English garden, the sense of luxury and not least, the passion with which the concept has been put together means it’s a good choice for birthday treats and special occasions.’
The London Cocktail Guide, September 2010
Vista, Hilton Trafalgar
‘Blacksheep raise the bar in London.’
FX Magazine, September 2010
Jamie's Italian, Westfield
'This is probably our most stunning site to date. With some really unique design features including a wall made up of individual Vespa head lights and a gorgeous area for al fresco dining bordered by planters full of herbs, Jamie’s Italian Westfield is really turning heads!'
Jamie Oliver (Jamie's Italian Website)
Vista, Hilton Trafalgar
‘I can honestly say I have never been more impressed with a transformation of a London establishment.’
FashionFoieGras.com, 17 July 2010
Vista, Hilton Trafalgar
‘The decoration is simple and modern and allows for one to focus all their attention on one’s drinking partner or the gorgeous surroundings…my prediction – the next London hotspot.’
FashionFoieGras.com, 17 July 2010
Vista, Hilton Trafalgar
‘Vista is causing so much excitement that there’s already a waiting list to get in.’
Metro, 12 July 2010
Vista, Hilton Trafalgar
'Sounds pretty special – it was designed by the same people who did Whisky Mist (the superswanky, favourite-of-the-royals-and-their-hangers-on at the Hilton Park Lane).'
VisitLondon.com , July 2010
Vista, Hilton Trafalgar
‘Teetering on top of the discreet and boutique Trafalgar hotel like an olive balancing on the edge of an elegant martini glass, Vista commands a view over the entirety of Trafalgar Square, from the tourist-filled stairs of the National Gallery to the bustling entrance to Charing Cross Station.’
TheTravelEditor.com, July 2010
Whisky Mist
‘The brief for Whisky Mist at Zeta was to create a truly aspirational destination venue, appealing to London’s most grown-up party crowd.’
Night Fever books by FRAME, July 2010
Vista, Hilton Trafalgar
‘A spiral staircase, subtly spot-lit at night, transports guests to Vista’s striking terrace. With sleek black and white furnishings with accents of yellow and a musical mix of ambient house and chill out tunes, it’s an ideal venue for lunches, informal meetings and drinks during the day or for champagne and cocktails while the sun sets over London.’
Foodepedia, 7 July 2010
Inamo
‘This restaurant, located in the heart of London’s fashionable Soho district, revolutionises the dining concept through its clever use of state-of-the-art technology.’
Bars and Restaurants book by Link Books, Summer 2010
St Germain
‘Blacksheep’s interior concept adds layers of interest, from textured, black and white vertically-striped paper for the wall opposite the bar, to oversized backlit angled mirrors to encourage restaurant activity at both ends of the dining area.’
Eat Out book by Sandu Publications, Spring 2010
Sleepotel Bar
‘The absolute highlight of The Sleepotel – a unique live hotel environment where internationally renowned architects and interior designers presented their hotel design concepts and trends for the future. This live hotel environment showed first-hand how to capitalise, through clever design, on those often underutilised areas within a hotel. The Blacksheep bar was one of these areas.’
Ege Newsletter, January 2010
Blacksheep
‘Whilst 2009 has been a bad year for most of the retail industry, there is always one sector that tends historically to benefit in a recession – luxury goods. This has certainly been Blacksheep’s experience this year, with new department store concessions created for Hermès and a new store concept for upmarket British brand Kent & Curwen.’
Jo Sampson in Total Retail, December 2009
Blacksheep
‘Strong on glamour, Blacksheep conjure up decadent spaces’
Square Meal Magazine, October 2009
Blacksheep
‘The name Blacksheep reflects their non-conformist attitude; they are ‘house style ’refuseniks.’
Square Meal Magazine, October 2009
Inamo
‘Redolent of Bladerunner’
World Interior Design Network, September 2009
Blacksheep
‘Blacksheep is flying high’
FX Magazine, September 2009
Novotel
‘Blacksheep strike perfect balance between business and leisure at Novotel’s Number One UK Outlet’
Designdirectory.co.uk, September 2009
Inamo
‘In London’s Soho there is a restaurant where the menus appear to be part of the table – you simply choose and touch, and the order goes through to the kitchen. It’s just part of the magic created by Blacksheep’
Book: Creative Island II, Autumn 2009
YHA London Central
‘The designers have played with ideas of harmony, unity and variety in this youth hostel café’
Book: The Fundamentals of Interior Design, Autumn 2009
Tim Mutton
‘Tim’s breadth of clients over the past year has helped make him a name on everyone’s lips’
Theme, May 2009
Blacksheep
‘One of the most prodigious interior design houses of the last year’
Theme, May 2009
Blacksheep
'The 'Leadersheep''
A+A Magazine, China, April 2009
Inamo
'Design-wise, the interior is a well-conceived blend of dark colours, strong vinyl and patterned wallpapers, swirling kaleidoscopic and origami-style designs...though glamorous and luxurious, the ambience is surprisingly warm.'
Frame, Holland, April 2009
Inamo
'The partnership between the innovative and the ancient at Inamo is super ----exciting, addictive and altogether a lot of fun.'
MySpace Design, April 2009
Mercure Eastgate Hotel
'Accomplished and sophisticated'
Sleeper, March 2009
Tite Street
'Elegance and harmony are the design hallmarks of this beautiful four-storey house'
Actuallyhome.com, March 2009
Blacksheep
'Creative geniuses'
Viewlondon.co.uk, January 2009
Blacksheep
'Revered designers'
NIGHT magazine, January 2009
Inamo
'The most exciting and eagerly awaited opening of the year'
GS Magazine, December 2008
Inamo
'Inamo is a futuristic newcomer to Soho and totally unlike its neighbouring Asian restaurants. A funky decor, designed by Blacksheep (of Cuckoo Club fame), sets it apart from the less stylish competition.'
Living Etc, December 2008
Whisky Mist
'Whisky Mist oozes exclusivity with its opportunities for private membership and divine, Scottish-influenced menu. It's a sophisticated design with a traditional twist that makes for a sumptuous and seductive venue.'
X2 Global, November 2008
Inamo
'I haven't had as much fun in a restaurant as I had at Inamo for a long time'
Urban Junkies, October 2008
Whisky Mist at Zeta
'The interior of the bar and club encapsulates the mindset of the elite whisky drinker, with highly subtle and abstracted references to the drink itself, set within a glamorously sleek, dark and glittering environment, full of luxury finishes and reflective surfaces'
Contemporist.com, October 2008
Inamo
One of the '200 coolest things in the world right now.. New oriental fusion restaurant Inamo in London serves up fine food, but by far the best thing about it is the interactive ordering system'
Arena, October 2008
Inamo
'I tell you, it is fun, fun, fun.....How often, honestly, do you concept-dine?'
The Sunday Telegraph, October 2008
Inamo
'Entering Inamo is like stepping into a futuristic dining portal - a vision of what eating out will be like in the year 3000'.
London World, September 2008
Mercure Eastgate Hotel
'With its multicoloured patchwork, the refurbished Eastgate encourages you not to rush, as if you had just stumbled into a delightful fable'
Attitude, Portugal, September 2008
Whisky Mist at Zeta
'One of London's three best new members' clubs.... Sexy and chi-chi'
GQ Magazine, September 2008
YHA, Bolsover Street
'The results are clever but not too tricksy and should generated a fresh market for the YHA without alienating the core customers'
MIX Future Interiors, September 2008
Inamo
'A wonderful visit...the concept restaurant is both creative and clever'
Chictoday.com, September 2008
YHA, Bolsover Street
'The average price of a room is £18, but the low cost has not meant that corners have been cut in terms of quality, welcome, enjoyment and colour'
DHD (Italy), September 2008
Whisky Mist at Zeta
'If you thought they couldn't top royal favourite Mahiki, then go to Whisky Mist and think again'
Theme, August 2008
YHA London Central
`Architecture and interior design company Blacksheep created the public spaces of this new £4.3m hostel...The result is a bright, contemporary and colourful hostel - a world away from the traditional dingy image'
The Observer, 15 June 2008
The High Table
'The difference from its previous incarnation as a student pub could not be more stark'
The Times Online, 6 June 2008
Vendôme
'Glitzily super-stylised, Vendôme in Knightsbridge has a polished white stone bar top and decor inspired by luxury monogrammed luggage, including booths resembling open trunks. With models galore and a cocktail list as long as your arm, Vendôme looks set to become a firm favourite'
London Lite, June 2008
Whisky Mist at Zeta
'Old and spicy, this club is a forbidden treat. I'll definitely be going again...'
London Lite, June 2008
Yoo Building Penthouse
'Take a former showflat in London's affluent Maida Vale, locate it on the fifth and sixth floors of a former Telephone Exchange building, add an award-winning facelift from dynamic architecture and interior design agency Blacksheep and the upshot is 'an extraordinary bachelor pad designed for extremely stylish living' (or so say the judges of the inaugural Commercial Architecture Awards 2007)'
KBB Space, June 2008
Clapham House
'Having researched a huge list of interior designers, I chose Blacksheep, the same company that had designed the Cuckoo Club, one of my favourite hangouts in London'
Client, Clapham House, Homes & Gardens, May 2008
West Hampstead House
'Blacksheep creates a stunning open-plan ground floor and glass extension for a North London House'
Contemporary Home Design, Australia, May 2008
YHA London Central
'London's newest youth hostel has sent a new benchmark for budget accommodation'
The Evening Standard, March 2008
Vendôme
'A colourful, glamorous destination environment'
Total Retail, February 2008
Vendôme
'A very distinctive space that is high on luxury detail and which communicates a precious and female-friendly aura'
Hospitality Interiors, December 2007
Blacksheep
'Blacksheep interior design has thrived ever since they designed the highly fashionable Cuckoo Club and the London headquarters of Hermès. The duo has since diversified into beautifully-designed residential projects too.'
The Robb Report, USA - November 2007
St Germain
'If there was ever a day made for feasting it's Sunday. All that's needed is the right balance of good food, atmosphere and stylish cosiness and you can easily find yourself lazily rolling from breakfast to lunch to dinner. Start as you mean to go on at St Germain, a beautifully-designed New York-feel brasserie in an otherwise bleak Farringdon...'
Urban Junkies, 20 November 2007
The Cuckoo Club
'An exercise in contemporary glamour'
Commercial Architecture Awards, Judges' comments, August 2007
Blacksheep
'Leaders of the flock....one of the most talked-about agencies of the moment'
Bar Magazine, July 2007
The Cuckoo Club
‘One of the most in-demand destination venues in the world’
Night magazine, June 2007
St Germain
‘When you first enter St Germain you are immediately in the bar area and it's pretty tough to even contemplate going past this inviting and vibrant area'
Bar magazine, April/May 2007
The Narrow
‘The Narrow is a sure-fire winner'
The Guardian, April 2007
The Narrow
‘With its azure-painted, waist-high wainscoting, real open fires and comfy chairs that wouldn't look out of place in a posh country house hotel, the bar at the Narrow is a smart and seductive place to be'
Metro, 11 April 2007
The Narrow
‘As pubs go, the Narrow may become a legend in its own lunchtime'
Bloomberg.com, April 2007
The Narrow
‘Blacksheep primarily enhanced any existing details and added character, in an understated way, ensuring an integrated feel between the building's exterior and interior.'
Designdirectory.co.uk, April 2007
St Germain
‘St Germain has taken inspiration from the classic style of Parisian brasseries, with black-and-white chequerboard tiling being the simple key to their chic, modern look.'
Vogue, March 2007
St Germain
‘St Germain is the type of informal, yet classy eating establishment that London could do with more of'
Attitude, February 2007
St Germain
‘Selecting Blacksheep, who recently designed the award-winning Cuckoo Club in Piccadilly, was a shrewd move indeed. They've added some fine design touches and helped to create a genuinely vibrant and exciting venue.'
GS Magazine, February 2007
Hugh Grover Associates
‘The architects not only increased the display potential of the storefront by 115% but also let the whole offer continue to work long after the staff had left the building
Monitor (Russia), February 2007
Hugh Grover Associates
The effect of the work is becoming perceived as a more modern, more technological, crisp and dynamic agency. We have seen a noticeable increase in valuations since the work was completed’
Client, SQM, December 2006
The Cuckoo Club
‘Young London' photo shoot by Mario Testino
‘Violet Naylor-Leyland spends so much time at the Cuckoo Club that friends have nicknamed her Violet Cuckoo'
VOGUE, August 2006
The Cuckoo Club
‘The Cuckoo Club has just been awarded the Best Club Award at the prestigious London Club & Bar Awards held in June. For a brand new club, that's pretty impressive.'
GS Magazine, July 2006
Hampstead House - House of the Week
'How do a pair of very busy professionals cope with a house that hasn't been touched in years? Easy, call in the professionals and get ideas you'd never have thought of. The couple chose Blacksheep...and found themselves embarking on a design adventure.'
Grazia, July 2006
The Cuckoo Club
‘A fantasy playground for adults'
Front Desk, July 2006
The Cuckoo Club
‘The hottest destination for London's most affluent and glamorous party crowd'
Jiantevents.co.uk, April 2006
Hampstead House
WINNER, KBB Awards 2006
Jo Sampson is Kitchen Designer of the Year: ‘Jo Sampson of Blacksheep has designed a family-friendly kitchen that combines function with sleek modern design.'
KBB, March 2006
Offices for N1 Creative
COMMENDED, Design Week Awards 2006:
‘The scheme uses N1 Creative's white, red and dark grey corporate colours, and combines open plan, as well as quieter working and relaxing spaces. The result is succinct and restrained.'
Design Week Awards Brochure, March 2006
The Cuckoo Club
‘The West End's latest hot club, The Cuckoo, is 5,000 sq ft of super-cool super-club.'
GQ, March 2006
The Cuckoo Club
‘A new nightclub in the heart of London’s West End has upped the ante in terms of eclectic opulence….for night owls looking for somewhere new, this could be their idea of wonderland’
My Space, Spring 2006
Interview with Tim Mutton of Blacksheep
Q: ‘What do you consider the most important factor in successful design?'
A: ‘A big smile on a client's face'
Interior Design, February 2006
Yoo Building Penthouse
‘The latest touch-of-a-button technology and a highly individual choice of designer furniture - Internet whiz Bo's penthouse pad mixes work and play to great effect'
Living etc, January 2006
Blacksheep
‘Blacksheep has the courage to stand out from the herd, and has a flock of opulent, high profile interior design projects. Yet, despite its success, it maintains a strong, hands-on DIY ethic.’
Design Week, 8 December 2005
Voyage
‘The effect is dramatic, but approachable, removing the inaccessibility of much couture clothing presentation techniques.’
Retail Design & Visual Presentation (USA), October 2005
N1 Creative
‘We found a great creative synergy with Blacksheep, who incorporated our ideas, pushed us in news directions and created a space that is not only inspiring our own creative output, but is a space we are proud of’
Gavin Mackie of N1 Creative in MIX Interiors, October 2005
N1 Creative
‘The new offices have a very strong and well-lit on-street presence with floor-to-ceiling glazed windows and projecting signage’
www.designdirectory.co.uk, October 2005
Yoo Building Penthouse
‘Danish entrepreneur Bo Bendtsen found Philippe Starck’s designs for his duplex in the Yoo Building too disjointed, and so commissioned Blacksheep to create a series of more delineated, liveable spaces’
idFX, September 2005
Voyage
‘In conjunction with the sense of faded grandeur and reclamation, you get the feeling that you are on the stage yourself.’
Collidoscope book, Nigel Coates, Summer 2005
MBAM
‘The reception features a full-height voile wall, softening the space and giving it a non-corporate feel’
Interior Design, July 2005
Hermès Offices
’It’s a much nicer environment to work in – we have more light, we have a fantastic roof garden…Everything – from the colours used on the walls, to the Hermès branding at reception and the logos on the doors – is much better, much fresher’
Sophie Penn of Hermès, MIX Interiors, June 2005
Voyage
‘In every sense, this looks like a shop designed to give its customers the star treatment’
Womenswear Buyer, April 2005
MBAM
‘Blacksheep has designed a 475sqm open-plan office space for city financier Marble Bar Asset Management, creating a chill-out area, children’s play zone, staff lounge, marketing suite, executive office and boardrooms. The interiors are ‘younger and funkier than many ultra-conservative city counterparts’ according to Joanna Sampson, director at Blacksheep.’
Design Week, 27 January 2005
Diageo
‘Drinks giant Diageo is overhauling its UK development laboratory with a reworked interior design to promote more interaction and ‘creative group working’ across its staff. The research arm at Diageo has appointed Blacksheep to carry out the project, with a brief to ‘create a future-facing scheme’
Design Week, 9 December 2004
Hermès
‘Luxury retailer Hermès is putting the finishing touches to its UK head office, designed by Blacksheep, located above the existing flagship store on London’s New Bond Street. The consultancy was appointed in January following a competitive pitch with a brief to devise ‘chic, modern, simple, functional and high-quality offices’
Design Week, November 2004
Voyage
‘Voyage, a two-level couture store that promises to turn retail into performance art…the Conduit Street venue is Disney trashed and ripped to punky, blow-torched shreds with frills.’
Frame, November 2003
Voyage
‘An industrial tracking system moves clothes around the showroom at the owners’ whim, with art and furniture suspended among the garments’
Art Review, September 2003
Voyage
‘Once inside, the movie theme and carnival atmosphere continues. The clothes are displayed amid a backdrop of distressed Arabic wallpaper, blood-red armoires and trailer-style changing rooms with Donald Duck wallpaper. The effect is startling and very seductive.’
The Times, 16 August 2003
Voyage
‘The new store is a punky collage of colours and textures. Funky light fixtures and multihued clothes hang like art installations against a backdrop of distressed plaster, torn vintage wallpaper and luxurious red drapes. It’s Mozart in rock’n’roll drag; it’s the Sex Pistols taking a trip with Jimi Hendrix; it’s Voyage all over’
FX, May 2003
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