Maybourne Magazine Spring/Summer 2024

Experience a new world on water

Your lifestyle, anywhere.

Nothing compares to the freedom and luxury that a holiday on water presents. Surrounded by breathtaking views in complete seclusion and with endless entertainment onboard, enjoy precious time in the moment with the people who matter most.

ARBEMA, 72m, CRN, 12 guests + 4 staff

FROM THE DESK OF

There is a pleasure in seeing how things work. The best watchmakers know this, which is why the most prized timepieces allow you to see the mechanisms that keep things ticking.

When it came to designing The Emory, our rst new London hotel in over 50 years, we knew that displaying the extraordinary architecture and design that would be required was the right thing to do.

As such, every considered design detail is on show, not hidden from view. The powerful sails add drama and depth to the skyline while supporting the central structure of the building, the staircase has been transformed into feature rather than necessity, as bold pink steel beams contrast against white marble treads and a complex web of external steelworks, rods and ropes show the movement of the hotel in real time. The end result is glorious, unique and, we hope, a lasting and tting tribute to the great Richard Rogers.

Of course, remarkable as it is, there is much more for guests at this all-suite hotel to enjoy than the building itself: here, one will nd some of the best views in the city, with floor-to-ceiling windows stretching panoramically from Old Barrack Yard over Hyde Park and beyond. The peerless JeanGeorges Vongerichten brings his award-winning abc kitchens to a delighted London audience and The Emory’s guests will have access to the capital’s groundbreaking new health and wellbeing space, Surrenne.

In the spirit of going ‘behind the scenes’, eagle-eyed guests will notice a new visual identity for Maybourne, designed to capture the new era of this great hotel brand; namely, timeless elegance with a contemporary edge. To mark the occasion, we have invited celebrated British artist Martha Walmsley to create a unique tapestry to showcase the next stage for these world-famous properties. See it for yourself at maybourne.com.

Meanwhile, this summer sees Claridge’s play host to London’s most exciting photography exhibition, bringing together work from David Bailey and Mary McCartney. At The Connaught, we have launched the new King’s Lodge suite, continuing our partnership with the incredible Turquoise Mountain foundation set up by His Majesty King Charles III. We preview a summer of sport on the French Riviera for those lucky enough to be bound for the Côte d’Azur this season. And, nally, a fabulous and colourful photoshoot with Hollywood’s Aqualillies reminds us all why there is simply nowhere like Beverly Hills for all-out glamour.

Wherever you are in the world, we look forward to welcoming you.

Maybourne CEO Maybourne CEO

Contributors

Divia Thani

is the global editorial director of Condé Nast Traveller. She writes a postcard from London. She loves Abraham Verghese’s magical The Covenant of Water, whisky sours and the paintings of Amrita Sher-Gil. She is particularly excited about launching a German edition of her magazine. Her room service order is tomato soup and grilled cheese, with something spicy on the side.

Lucy Halfhead

is content director at Citizen Femme and a contributor to Elle. She celebrates La Plage at The Maybourne Riviera. She is looking forward to seeing Taylor Swift in concert, drinking margaritas in the sunshine and visiting sculptor Philip Jackson in West Sussex, and can’t stop thinking about Coco Mellors’ Cleopatra and Frankenstein. Her room service order is fluffy pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, to eat in bed.

Fiona McCarthy

is a contributor to The Times and Christie’s, and recently co-authored Studio Ashby’s Home Art Soul (Rizzoli). She visits The King’s Lodge at The Connaught. She loves Oisín Byrne’s Blue Cut Flowers, Luca Bagnara’s massages at Claridge’s and Marianne Cronin’s The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot. Her room service order is a large glass of chablis, lightly grilled fish and salty fries.

Nick Foulkes

is a contributor to Vanity Fair and HTSI, the author of over 25 books and creator of the YouTube series Foulkes & Sons. He introduces The Time Seekers at The Emory. Foulkes is excited about weather suitable for Dan Roma shirts and the opportunity to smoke a Bolivar Regentes in the open air. His room service order is Dover sole.

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Jacobus Snyman

is a photographer who has worked with Cartier, Diesel and Gray M.C.A. He documents David Downton’s portrait of Harris Reed. He loves the ‘trophy husbands’ of Michael Taylor, swimming in Hampstead Heath ponds and creating beautiful things that bring him joy. His room service order is a breakfast of buttermilk pancakes.

Maïa Morgensztern

is a freelance journalist for Ideat The Good Life and FAD, as well as an art tours specialist. She compiles the Mayfair Gallery guide. She is looking forward to the Chu TehChun exhibition at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini and Silvia Costa’s Macbeth at the Comédie-Française. She loves Georges Perec’s writing, Rothko’s paintings and Junmai sake. Her room service order is a selection of side dishes.

Jessica Bumpus

is features director for Twin magazine and has written for The New York Times. She chooses our ‘What to Pack…’ pages. She loves the menswear of Stefan Cooke, Tom Howse’s pigeon pictures and Arto Paasilinna’s charming The Year of the Hare. Her room service order is a knickerbocker glory.

Ben Spriggs is the editor-in-chief of Elle Decoration. He interviews the designers behind Maybourne’s signature suites. He is excited about Luciano Giubbilei’s secret garden at Ladbroke Hall, Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst, The National Gallery’s bicentenary and Refik Anadol’s combination of art, science and technology. His room service order is a fruit plate and chamomile tea.

CLARIDGE’S THE CONNAUGHT THE BERKELEY THE EMORY THE MAYBOURNE BEVERLY HILLS THE MAYBOURNE RIVIERA

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Billie Scheepers

is a photographer whose work has featured in Vogue Czechoslovakia, Madame Figaro and Stylist. She photographed the cover story at The Emory. She loves the imagery of August Sander and drinking a Soho Mule, and recently enjoyed Benedict Wells’ The End of Loneliness. Her room service order is a breakfast of eggs royale, with a glass of champagne.

Mike Daw

is a contributor to the Evening Standard, The Independent and Palate magazine. He experiences Claridge’s roasts. He is excited by Robert Farrar Capon’s The Supper of the Lamb, exceptionally cold dirty vodka Martinis and monthly visits to JMW Turner’s space at Tate Britain. His room service order is steak tartare with Melba toast.

Contributors

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Ajesh Patalay

is a columnist for HTSI and a contributor to the definitive NAOMI (Taschen). He writes a tribute to Naomi Campbell. He enjoys the paintings of Lynette YiadomBoakye, watching fringe sports at the Olympics, reading the fiction of Elizabeth Strout and drinking Gibsons rather than negronis. His room service order is a pastry basket with a pot of Italian coffee.

Alice Lascelles

Nicky Yates

Michael Hainey

is a writer-at-large for Air Mail and author of After Visiting Friends: A Son’s Story (Scribner). He interviews Jean-Georges Vongerichten. He adores the figures of Alberto Giacometti and the imagery of Philip Larkin, and is looking forward to travelling to the North Woods of the Great Lakes this summer, His room service order is nonexistent – as a writer, he prefers to eavesdrop for material in the bar downstairs.

is an internationally acclaimed red-carpet and editorial stylist. She styles our cover shoot at The Emory. She loves the writing of Moray McLaren and Maya Angelou and drinking the occasional French 75. Her room service order is a Caesar salad with prawns and a side of fries.

is a contributor to the FT and author of The Cocktail Edit and The Martini (both published by Quadrille). She meets the team at the Connaught Bar. She loves the needlepoint of Tracey Emin and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver and prefers her Martini 5:1 with a dash of orange bitters, an olive and a lemon twist (discarded). Her room service order is a large mug of PG Tips.

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Edwina Ings-Chambers’

writing has appeared in The Sunday Times Style, You and FT Weekend. She previews the gamechanging wellbeing concept Surrenne. She’s a big fan of Virginia Woolf, Sarah Jessica Parker and the artist Tanya Ling, and prefers a French 77, with St-Germain liqueur. Her room service order is Caesar salad, fries and a glass of red wine.

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Paul Henderson

is the editorial director of NorthSouth Creative and cofounder of British GQ’s Food & Drink Awards. He writes about the South of France’s summer of sport. He is looking forward to seeing what changes Sir Jim Ratcliffe brings to Manchester United, loves Elmore Leonard’s crime fiction and is excited by the film The Bikeriders. His room service order is a classic gin Martini, stirred not shaken.

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CLARIDGE’S THE CONNAUGHT THE BERKELEY THE EMORY THE MAYBOURNE BEVERLY HILLS THE MAYBOURNE RIVIERA

Postcards

From LA

Summer 2024

54 DESIGNED FOR LIFE

Secrets of the new suites

60 AQUALILLIES

The

The

London

La

Claridge’s ArtSpace’s new show

36 AISLING BEA AT THE BERKELEY

The Irish comedian in Belgravia

40 THE EMORY REVEALED

Maybourne’s modern masterpiece

50 KING’S LODGE

The story behind the historic suite

Ago Perrone’s secrets revealed 82 NEW YORK’S FINEST

Jean-Georges Vongerichten

84 SUGAR WORK

Nicolas Rouzaud at The Connaught

86 SUNDAY TIMES

A British classic at Claridge’s

90 INSIDE SURRENNE

A wellbeing revolution

94 THE TIME SEEKERS

The Emory’s horology experts 98 WATCHES

Bill Prince on timepieces

Ming Liu selects her favourites

Stephen Doig on summer tailoring

CLARIDGE’S Brook Street, London W1K 4HR +44 (0)20 7629 8860 claridges.co.uk THE CONNAUGHT Carlos Place, London W1K 2AL +44 (0)20 7499 7070 the-connaught.co.uk

THE MAYBOURNE BEVERLY HILLS 225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills CA 90210 +1 310 860 7800 maybournebeverlyhills.com THE MAYBOURNE RIVIERA 1551 Rte de la Turbie 06190, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin +33 4 93 37 50 00 maybourneriviera.com

104 WOMENSWEAR

Jane McFarland’s selections

106 BEAUTY NEWS

Billie Bhatia’s lotions and potions

108 CHECK OUT

Updates from across Maybourne

110 SET DRESSING

How to host in Beverly Hills

112 PARTY PAGES

Happenings great and small

117 WHEN DAVID MET HARRIS

Fluidity in fashion immortalised

120 DAVID DOWNTON DRAWS

A new addition to Claridge’s gallery

THE BERKELEY Wilton Place, London SW1X 7RL +44 (0)20 7235 6000 the-berkeley.co.uk

THE EMORY Old Barrack Yard, London SW1X 7NP +44 (0)20 7862 5200 the-emory.co.uk

Follow on Instagram: @claridgeshotel, @theconnaught, @the_berkeley, @themaybournebh, @themaybourneriviera, @theemorylondon

For reservations please call +44 (0) 20 7107 8830, email reservations@maybourne.com or visit maybourne.com

With Love

POSTCARDS FROM A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE LOCALS

Divia Thani

LONDON

Condé Nast Traveller ’s global editorial director adores the capital in the summertime

There is something about London in the summer. Come June, the sky is blue and the sun shines until 8pm. I moved here from India just over two years ago, and I’ve embraced summer in Britain with a passion, having attended Wimbledon, the British Grand Prix and Royal Ascot and discovering that they live up to the hype. I have also, weirdly, taken to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

As a girl raised in a metropolis of 22 million (Mumbai) and no green space to speak of, that was a surprise. But I love how the gardeners are treated like rock stars, and I always buy a

terribly beautiful and high-maintenance plant that I manage to kill by October – a symbol of my short-lived summer love a air with the city.

This year, I’m particularly excited to see British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare at The Serpentine (12 April–1 September; serpentinegalleries. org ). The multimedia artist explores themes close to my heart – postcolonial identity, displacement, race, globalisation – with striking paintings, sculpture, photography, film and installations, many of which incorporate African wax print fabric. And visual activist Zanele Muholi is showing more than 260 photographs at Tate Modern (6 June–26

January 2025; tate.org.uk). It’s an incredible opportunity to witness their cause and career.

Outside the museums and galleries, there is a chance to watch Taylor Swift at Wembley Stadium (if you can score a ticket for any of the eight shows across June and August; wembleystadium.com ) or Andrea Bocelli at Hyde Park (5 July; bst-hydepark. com ). Londoners love flying o to Greece and Spain for the summer to sit by a beach, but the city is delightful in the hot months. Hotels, bars, restaurants, galleries and, of course, Bond Street are abuzz with tourists from Asia and the Middle East. My recommendation is to stay put, enjoy the outdoors and show some love to the tourists, who are injecting not just money but enthusiasm, energy and a sheer love for Mayfair. So consider spending part of your summer in the city. Greece is better in September anyway.

Decolonised Structures (Kitchener) by Yinka Shonibare

From top: Cartier during the Chelsea Flower Show; New Bond Street; Miss D'vine II by Zanele Muholi; Les Senteurs in Belgravia

Nicolas Gitton

THE FRENCH RIVIERA

The director of La Fondation Maeght on the 60th birthday of France’s rst contemporary art institution

When culture minister André Malraux inaugurated the foundation ( fondation-maeght. com) 60 years ago, he said, ‘Make no mistake: this is not a museum – this is a magical place.’ I think he was right. It has something to do with the way the building was created by artists, for art. There is an extraordinary balance between inside and outside. In the pine trees, you hear the water, and the cicadas singing: somehow, Fondation Maeght is seamlessly inserted into nature. The views are sweeping – it’s breathtaking, it’s a full sensory experience. And then, of course, there is the collection.

I am really excited about this summer. On 29 June, we are going to open a modern

(Friendships) and explores the bond between painters Bonnard and Matisse. Our founder Aimé Maeght was friends with many of the great artists, which is how the foundation came about.

Summer is amazing. For two months, tout le monde arrives in planes, trains, automobiles – and the odd boat. It’s exciting and glamorous and reminds me of living in New York and London. People talk about places being ‘the new Riviera’ but this is the real thing. The light makes it so special; it brought the artists here. Winter or summer, if you feel jaded, it will remind you why this place is exceptional. It is astonishingly beautiful; everything becomes new again.

underground exhibition space created by architect Silvio d’Ascia. The great thing is that it does not impact the original building by Josep Lluís Sert, but doubles our capacity. Our summer exhibition is called Amitiés

The real secret of the Riviera is how rich it is in culture. There are artists’ houses and architectural oddities – 80 per cent of them you will never have heard of but each is a little gem. From Léger to Chagall, Renoir, Eileen Gray and the Matisse Chapel, the list goes on and on.* Discover more at fondation-maeght.com

Andrew Barker

BEVERLY HILLS

Our LA editor explores the bene ts of being ‘Cali’ sober

Outside the bounds of Los Angeles, there’s a widespread assumption that Angelenos are as tightly bound to sobriety as a socialmedia maven is to her selfie stick. But nothing could be further from the truth. We

‘Make no mistake; this is not a museum - this is a magical place’

Californians just like to drink differently. Cocktails at noon, on a Monday, on The Terrace at The Maybourne Beverly Hills? Certainly. A weekend of wine-tasting, absolutely. But an all-day bender? Not when alarms go o at 6.30am,

for dog walks and a dose of vitamin D. Hiking with hip flasks is not our style. Nor do we drink at the beach – a foreign concept to us, because: a) big waves; b) it’s against the law; and c) we need our wits about us on the freeway home. Now, ponder an altogether di erent concept popular in these parts, that of being ‘Cali’ sober. It entails an alcohol-free existence, allowing for an occasional indulgence in marijuana – legal since 2016 – in its various forms, from edibles to vapes, tinctures to canned drinks. Even Beverly Hills has seen sleek dispensaries sprout up, such as PleasureMed and The Artist Tree, pro ering everything from mood enhancers to sleep aids. A warm haze can take the edge o a bar mitzvah or soften the impact of a friend’s documentary screening. So here’s to the start of summer 2024, whichever way you wish to usher it in. With an impeccable view of the San Gabriel Mountains, I’ll be raising a glass on the rooftop of The Maybourne Beverly Hills, where every day is a Dante martini day. A toast to California living and its spirited idiosyncrasies!

From top: Joan Miró, Personnage, 1972; Henri Matisse, Le Buisson, 1951

PleasureMed in Santa Monica; the Hollywood sign; a Dante Beverly Hills martini

YINKA ILORI

The Designer

‘I’m excited for this summer because it’s when London becomes a melting pot of culture with loads of great events, festivals, performance art and exhibitions! In June, I’ll be heading to Chicago to deliver a keynote talk as a part of NeoCon and will launch an immersive commission for Art on the Mart. It’s going to be a very fun, eventful season!’

RICHARD YOUNG

The

Photographer

‘I’ve got my autobiography coming out in May, to celebrate my 50th year of being a photographer – I started out in 1974. I’m hoping to have a big anniversary party at Claridge’s to celebrate the launch, because I’ve had so many fun times there, where I’ve photographed some really iconic people, like Jack Nicholson and Robert De Niro. And then I’m also really looking forward to the Cartier Queen’s Cup Final in June, which I always photograph. It’s a fantastic day out, especially if the weather’s good. It’s just one of those quintessential British summer events.’

WHAT’S ON YOUR

Hotlist Summer

THIS

OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT'S NEXT

LAURA WEIR

The Creative Director

‘This summer is shaping up to be a cultural romp for London. On my not-to-miss list is Romeo and Juliet, opening at the Duke of York’s Theatre in May, which runs into August and stars Tom Holland. Then I’ll be heading to Selfridges to take part in the store’s summer of sport campaign (I hear there’s going to be a climbing wall to scale!). Over at Somerset House, The Lore of Loverboy exhibition celebrates 10 years of Charles Jeffrey’s luxury streetwear brand, exploring its roots from queer clubbing to the catwalk.’

MARTHA FREUD

The Ceramacist

‘This summer is all about celebrating where music meets art – I am excited about the Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind exhibition at the Tate Modern, as it spans works from her entire career but is centred around her time here in London. Also worth mentioning is the Constantin Brancusi exhibition at the Centre Pompidou in Paris – he is known as the father of modern sculpture. The exhibition is sponsored by jewellery maison Repossi, who I worked with last year on a collaboration.’

HENRY CONWAY

‘Villa Kérylos in Cap Ferrat is well worth a visit – it’s Edwardian Greek revival at its finest, with spectacular views on the promontory. One can only imagine the summer house parties they must have had, full of floating linen and flowing wine. In Cannes, you’ll find me dancing the night away at Speakeasy, where the tequila flows until the early hours – they use it to set the grand piano alight, then dance on it!’

The Man About Town

NANCY CADOGAN

‘I’m hugely excited for the whole of summer 2024! I happen to have an exhibition opening in Bellagio, Lake Como, in May. I also cannot wait to go to the Venice Biennale. Back in the UK, I’m really looking forward to the Phyllida Barlow exhibition at Hauser & Wirth Somerset, The Shape of Things at Pallant House and Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers at The National Gallery.’

JEREMY KING

The Restaurateur

‘Without wishing to be narcissistic, this summer’s opening that is going to preoccupy me the most will be that of my next restaurant – The Park – unsurprisingly located at the entrance to Hyde Park on Queensway. And while that will be all-consuming and preclude me from participating very much in any event elsewhere, I do know that there will be moments of reflection as to what I was doing this time last year. And if you haven’t visited The Maybourne Riviera yet, I urge and beg you to visit Eileen Gray’s Villa E-1027, Thomas Rebutato’s Etoile de Mer and Le Corbusier’s Cabanon*. If you feel a presence around you, it will be my envious spirit, living vicariously.’

ANASTASIA SOARE

The Skincare Revolutionary

‘I look forward to the bold beauty of Pride Month celebrations all year, and the annual parade in West Hollywood in June is second to none. The Ed Ruscha retrospective at LACMA will be a must-see, especially for those who find inspiration in duality, in the spaces between light and shadow. Otherwise, I firmly believe summers are made for turning up the volume – on both the music and my go-to lip colour.’

SUZY MURPHY

The Painter

‘I’ve been inspired of late by Charles Finch’s quarterly publication A Rabbit’s Foot, which covers all aspects of film, art and culture. So, for this summer, I’m very much looking forward to being at his Rabbit Foot dinner, which he holds during the Cannes Film Festival. And in June, attending his Power of Film event, which will take place at the Royal Institution in London. When I leave the studio, it has to be worthwhile!’

LIAM GILLICK

The Abstract Sculptor

‘Although I now live in New York, I just completed my permanent art installation at Claridge’s – Elevated Distribution. I began working on it in 2007. I am curious to see how people respond to my piece on the structural systems that help buildings live and breathe. I wasn’t around for the opening of the Joan Jonas retrospective at MoMA, New York, so it is an essential exhibition to be seen on my return home. However, New Order at Wythenshawe Park, Manchester can’t be avoided this August. So, I will have to turn around and come right back!’

The Artist

JACK SAVORETTI

The Songwriter

‘In April, Portofino has the great tradition of building a bonfire in Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta, where they place an olive branch on top. If the olive branch ends up in the sea, then it will be a great year for fishing. If not, and it's found in the square, it will not be a good year. Also, while I’m there, I really love visiting my team and the sites where we make Portofino Gin. In August, I cherish the quiet time with my family on my favourite island, Formentera. Come September, I will be performing at the stunning Lycabettus Theatre in Athens. It’s one of the most beautiful places.’

JUSTINE SIMONS

The Politician Deputy Mayor for Culture

‘London is the culture capital of the world, and this summer there are so many amazing things to see and do. In June, the incredible queen of funk, Chaka Khan, takes over the Southbank Centre and curates the Meltdown Festival. In September, all eyes will be on Trafalgar Square for the unveiling of the latest piece on the Fourth Plinth. It’s one of the world’s most renowned sculpture prizes and the reveal of Teresa Margolles’s work will be unmissable.’

KATY WICKREMESINGHE

The Connector Founder of The Wick

The Nutritionist

‘I am super excited about Glastonbury this year! I missed the last one and promised myself never to miss another year. I have been going since I was a teenager and it is one of my favourite weekends of the year – seeing the same faces, listening to the bands playing and hanging out at the festival all day and sometimes all night makes me very happy. If you can’t get Glastonbury tickets, go to see Stevie Nicks perform in Hyde Park in July instead.’

‘A born Londoner, I love the summer in the city. I cannot wait to explore the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, curated this year by Ann Christopher. I also look forward to walking to the Serpentine to experience Minsuk Cho’s Pavilion, which promises to push the boundaries of time and space with his renowned architectural style.’

‘As usual, my wife Catherine and I will be avidly checking details of the Royal Ballet’s programme at the Royal Opera House for any performances featuring Lauren Cuthbertson, who is a sublime dancer, as well as a good friend. We are also hoping to see the singer Sampha at Alexandra Palace, Romy at the Roundhouse and Gatsby – Florence Welch’s new musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby –which is scheduled to premiere on Broadway later this year.’

The Architect

JOHN PAWSON

ROSEMARY FERGUSON

A RT&CULTURE

LONDON / CÔTE D’AZUR / BEVERLY HILLS

Gentlemen, start your engines! To mark Father’s Day on 16 June, the 29th annual Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance is a spectacular showcase of automotive prowess – and is less than five minutes walk from The Maybourne Beverly Hills.

WILL SEE YOU NOW Naomi

FROM THE ‘MAGIC RUNWAY BOOM-BOOM’ OF THE 1990S TO THIS SUMMER’S V&A EXHIBITION, NAOMI CAMPBELL BESTRIDES THE WORLD OF FASHION LIKE A COLOSSUS. AJESH PATALAY PAYS TRIBUTE TO A TRUE BRITISH ORIGINAL

Photograph by STEVEN MEISEL

Ihave spent hours in the company of Naomi Campbell. A few years ago, we worked on a book for Taschen about her life and career. She told me about being scouted in Covent Garden aged just 15 and other career highlights, including becoming the first black model to appear on the cover of Paris Vogue (August 1988). Over the years, Campbell has worked with every major photographer, stylist and designer in the business. We had a lot to discuss.

When people find out about this connection to Ms Campbell, they invariably want to know one thing: ‘What is she like?’ Well, that and, ‘Did she ever throw a mobile phone at you?’ This is a reference to some bad behaviour for which she became notorious. It seems impolite to bring it up here but, in characteristic diva fashion, Campbell was able to turn the incident to her advantage. Having pleaded guilty to reckless assault, the supermodel showed up for her court-ordered community service in New York in 2007 dressed in a series of couture outfits, culminating in a Dolce & Gabbana gown and stilettos. What could be more fabulous? Or more likely to vex her critics? What, in other words, could be more Naomi Campbell?

It wasn’t the first time she snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Who could forget the tumble she took during Vivienne Westwood’s A/W 1993 show in sky-high platform heels? ‘Like a gazelle falling’ is how Westwood described it. But Campbell laughed it off. ‘Get up and keep going,’ she told herself at the time. And that’s what she did, landing on the

covers of newspapers around the world the next day. A new exhibition at the V&A marks just how far the British supermodel got up and kept going. Spanning her four-decades-long career, ‘Naomi: In Fashion’ features around 100 looks from her extensive wardrobe, surveys her considerable work as an activist and champion for diversity, and includes an installation (curated by former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful) of photographs by Nick Knight, Steven Meisel and Tim Walker among others. It also features a reconstruction of a suite in Claridge’s, a hotel beloved by Campbell, whether attending Kate Moss’ legendary ‘The Beautiful and The Damned’ 30th birthday party, shooting a paparazzi-themed story with photographer Steven Klein or hosting Enninful and his family after he received his OBE.

The show will evoke Naomi the icon. But I wonder how much it will conjure up Naomi the woman. For what struck me most – and what I always say in response to ‘What is she like?’ – is her largerthan-life, almost electric presence in person. What you might call star power. As designer Anna Sui put it, she seems to ‘embody what a glamorous person is supposed to be; someone who knows everyone, who gets the loudest applause when she walks through the door’. When Naomi enters a room, heads turn. The energy shifts. I know because I’ve seen it happen.

‘When Naomi enters a room, heads turn. The energy shifts’

This has a lot to do with her statuesque beauty and poise. Campbell trained as a dancer and it shows. Her walk is justly celebrated – a one-two, swinging-hip, superstrut that Vogue once described as ‘magic runway boom-boom’. Her presence on a catwalk still causes a sensation. This year alone she closed out Balmain’s men’s show in Paris (the only female model to walk that show), made a surprise appearance on Burberry’s catwalk in London in a sparkling grey maxi dress, and modelled underwear as outerwear for Dolce & Gabbana in Milan.

Naomi has been a muse to countless designers, notably the late couturier Azzedine Alaïa, whom she called ‘Papa’. She has also been a loyal supporter. When John Galliano faced professional ruin, she stood by him throughout. Beyond fashion, Campbell enjoys a Zelig-like capacity for being part of major pop cultural moments. She featured in music videos for Bob Marley’s ‘Is This Love?’, Michael Jackson’s ‘In the Closet’ and George Michael’s ‘Freedom! ‘90’. She joined Kate Moss et al for the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony. She reunited with fellow trailblazers Cindy, Linda and Christy in Apple’s recent hit series The Super Models.

Perhaps most remarkable have been her dealings with world leaders, including Nelson Mandela, who called her his ‘honorary granddaughter’. As a former contributor to British GQ , she interviewed Vladimir Putin, Hugo Chávez and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Naomi Klein tells a story in her book Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World about the Kuwaiti prime minister whose undersecretary calls Klein back only because he thinks she is Naomi Campbell. Oh to be mistaken for a supermodel! The point is that everyone wants to meet Naomi Campbell. As someone who has, I can con rm this much: she lives up to the hype.

Naomi: In Fashion opens at the V&A in June 2024 (until March 2025).

NAOMI (Taschen) is out now.

NAOMI AT CLARIDGE’S

2007

2004

2017

2017

David Downton

Hosting close friend Edward Enninful at Claridge’s to celebrate his OBE

Arriving for Kate Moss' 30th birthday party. Theme: The Beautiful And The Damned

Photographed by Steven Klein in a suite and kitchens for British GQ

2007

Arriving at the Marc by Marc Jacobs AW show, held in the Claridge’s Ballroom

As Josephine Baker, drawn by Claridge’s artist in residence

Mayfair’s Most Wanted

HOW

TO DISCOVER ARTISTIC INSPIRATION IN THE HEART OF LONDON, BY

MAÏA MORGENSZTERN

GAGOSIAN

One of the major players in the field, Gagosian features international artists and group exhibitions that are often timed to complement museum exhibitions. The gallery on Grosvenor Hill is currently staging the fragmented and radical work of Albert Oehlen, which explores the future of painting. gagosian.com

FARM SHOP

Following the success of its Mount Street restaurant and Fife Arms hotel in the Scottish Highlands, Artfarm has opened a high-end delicatessen and affordable subterranean wine bar in the heart of Mayfair. Owned by the team behind Hauser & Wirth, it features work by Royal Drawing School alumni, American artist Scott Conary and photography from Sir Don McCullin. dursladefarmshop.co.uk

DAVID ZWIRNER

The German art dealer has been shedding light on forward-thinking artists since opening his first gallery in New York 25 years ago. His London space currently shows new works by Michaël Borremans. The Belgian artist draws on 18th-century masters to depict uncanny characters who seem lost in their own thoughts. davidzwirner.com

THE COCOCHINE

This four-storey restaurant is the brainchild of adventurous tastemakers: chef Larry Jayasekara and Tim Jefferies, founder of the photography gallery Hamiltons, which represents Richard Avedon. Look out for work by Irving Penn on the walls, plus a Guido Mocafico mosaic underfoot. thecocochine.com

SPRÜTH MAGERS

This gallery emerged in Cologne in the early 1980s to support groundbreaking modern and contemporary art. It now represents more than 70 artists and estates, including Donald Judd, Cyprien Gaillard and Jenny Holzer. Head to Grafton Street to enjoy works by pioneering artist Barbara Kruger and colourful abstract paintings by Marilyn Lerner. spruethmagers.com

PILAR CORRIAS

Always keen to push the boundaries of art, Pilar Corrias champions ambitious projects. The gallery supported Philippe Parreno’s groundbreaking installation at Tate Modern in 2016 and Ian Cheng’s participation at the Venice Biennale in 2019. A strong advocate for female artists, the gallery also shows works by Ulla von Brandenburg, Sofia Mitsola and Shahzia Sikander. pilarcorrias.com

SAATCHI YATES

Power couple Phoebe Saatchi and Arthur Yates set up shop in the chicest part of town to showcase a roster of young and emerging talents. This summer, the multi-floor space welcomes a solo show of highly charged works by Tesfaye Urgessa, whose pieces will also appear at the Venice Biennale. saatchiyates.com

From top: Albert Oehlen Untitled, 2024 at Gagosian; Ewan Venters’ Farm Shop; The Cocochine

CRISTEA ROBERTS GALLERY

Located on Pall Mall, Cristea Roberts focuses on original prints and works on paper. See ‘Tracing Absence’, a group show highlighting reflection in empty spaces, followed by an exhibition of Miriam de Búrca’s works exploring the legacies of colonial systems in Europe and the US. cristearoberts.com

MICHAEL WERNER

If you’re in the mood for avant-garde and modern masters, look no further. This gallery regularly o ers works by Sigmar Polke, Georg Baselitz, Marcel Broodthaers and Piero Manzoni. Head over to Women: Works on Paper 1902-1950: an exhibition spanning 50 years of Francis Picabia’s exhilarating career. michaelwerner.com

SADIE COLES HQ

An early supporter of the Young British Artists movement of the 1990s, Sadie Coles championed visionaries like Sarah Lucas and served on the selection committee for the rst edition of Frieze Art Fair. Kati Heck now takes centre stage, with enigmatic paintings that twist the boundaries of realism. sadiecoles.com

Daria Blum

The winner of the inaugural Claridge’s Royal Academy Schools Art Prize on meeting Marina Abramović, the RA Schools and her plans for Claridge’s ArtSpace

How did it feel to win the rst Claridge’s Royal Academy Schools Art Prize?

Winning was a complete surprise as I didn’t even consider the possibility. I am truly grateful that my work has been recognised in this way.

What do you particularly like about Claridge’s?

I am fascinated by the hotel’s recent renovation and extension, and the process of excavation beneath the building, creating additional floors and areas – including the ArtSpace. I like the fact that the gallery is underground, and the architecture is something I’m excited to work within. The way that Claridge’s embraces its history and tradition, moving with the times, while looking to the future, is impressive.

What makes The Royal Academy so special for artists?

The RA Schools’ cohort is very small in comparison to other postgraduate art courses, with only 10 to 15 students admitted annually. Students can form close relationships in the course of three years: connections that can last a lifetime. The course is subsidised and tuition fee-free, and the RA provides an environment for young artists to expand and challenge their practice. Also, I loved having a studio in central London.

What do you admire about the work of the judges Yinka Shonibare and Eva Rothschild?

I love Eva Rothschild’s brilliant video work in which she set up a camera to lm a group of young boys interacting with her exhibitions. Yinka Shonibare’s work on authenticity and culture as a social construct resonates very much with me and I love his self-portrait series Diary of a Victorian Dandy

What can we expect from your Claridge’s ArtSpace show?

I’m considering creating a new construction that will be a container for my live performance and for the exhibition itself. Text, video and music will populate it, ideas from my research on architecture, embodiment, choreography and memory flowing in and out during the creative process.

Daria Blum at Claridge’s ArtSpace runs 23 September - 4 November claridges.co.uk

Staying at Claridge’s this summer? Look out for artwork from Damien Hirst, Idris Khan, Annie Morris, David Downton and many more. Follow @claridgeshotel and @claridgesartspace on Instagram to see the hotel’s artwork collection

How did it feel to meet Marina Abramović?

Marina Abramović is an icon. But she is approachable and makes one feel at ease. She has a great sense of humour. I admire how her work has opened doors for performance artists, and how it has evolved over time.

From top: Daria Blum; Blum with Richard Cork, Yinka Shonibare and Eva Rothschild; Marina Abramović

Above: Claridge’s ArtSpace; Francis Picabia’s portrait of Greta Garbo

THE

Big Picture A

FEATURING WORK BY DAVID BAILEY AND MARY McCARTNEY, DOUBLE EXPOSURE OPENS AT CLARIDGE’S ARTSPACE THIS MAY. HERE, CURATOR BRANDEI ESTES SHARES HER GUIDE TO STARTING YOUR OWN PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION

a great place to start. There are galleries from all over the world, vetted by a team of curators (including myself) that ensures only the best photography is shown. There is every type of photograph, every style, every technique, old work, new work. You will find out very quickly what you like. So start there.

The Elton John exhibition Fragile Beauty at the V&A will be another art highlight, as is the beautiful Julia Margaret Cameron and Francesca Woodman show at the National Portrait Gallery (until 16 June; npg.org.uk ). Cameron and Woodman were interested in similar ideas and exploring photography, despite living 100 years apart and being seemingly very different.

rt is what keeps us human and reminds us of who we are. Photography is only 185 years old, but has been so important to the development of preexisting art forms. It was used as a way of experimenting and documenting, but it has become a fully appreciated form, collectable in the art market. It is really special for me to curate Double Exposure at Claridge’s ArtSpace photography show and it is an honour to feature works by both David Bailey and Mary McCartney.

Fashion photography continues to be one of the biggest trends in the market, at auction and at galleries. When I started my career 21 years ago, collectors were a bit snobbish about fashion photography. Now it’s such a trend, and is continuing to grow. Richard Avedon, the celebrated American photographer, continues to make and break records at auction – one of his works sold in 2020 at Christie’s for $1.8m.

For anyone who is hoping to start building their own photographic collection, the international fair Photo London at Somerset House (16–19 May; photolondon.org ) is

Everyone makes mistakes when they start collecting art. The most important rule is to buy it because you like it. Look at both the primary and secondary markets, build relationships with auction house people, read books, go to talks, go to events, join the Photographers’ Gallery ( thephotographersgallery.org.uk ). Names to look out for include British artist Cig Harvey, visual artists Bruno V. Roels and Vasantha Yogananthan, and Dutch photographer Awoiska van der Molen – her black and white works are sublime. Above all, enjoy it, know what you like, know what your budget is, understand what you’re buying. Remember that your tastes can change; you can evolve. But have fun!

‘Double Exposure’ runs 14 May - 19 July at Claridge's ArtSpace. Brandei Estes is the Director of Chaussee 36 Photography and Veritas Centre for Photography, and former Head of Photographs, Europe for Sotheby’s

From top: Herb Ritts’ Versace Dress from Elton John's collection; Untitled from the series Mystery Street (New Orleans, 2022) by Vasantha Yogananthan; These People Live In That Door by Francesa Woodman

Funny Girl

FROM AWARD-WINNING STANDUP TO STANDOUT DRAMATIC ROLES IN ALICE & JACK, THIS WAY UP AND LIVING WITH YOURSELF, AISLING BEA IS JUST GETTING STARTED...

Words by ELLE BLAKEMAN

Photography by RACHEL LOUISE BROWN

Shot in THE BERKELEY

Look at this room!’ says Aisling Bea as she walks into the aptly named Grand Pavilion at The Berkeley. ‘I love a nice hotel room because my house is such an Irish immigrant granny house; there’s so many things to dust and bits of paraphernalia and oranges and picture frames and so on. This is just like a clean start. It’s like: “What if I just started again, as a minimalist lady with a landline and exactly four hangers?”’

Bea is not a mysterious person – her words not mine. ‘I do think sometimes it would be nice to have a bit more mystery,’ she ponders. ‘You know how there are some people who have such an air of mystery and enigma around them? I just don’t have that.’ And thank god for that, because in place of that (overrated) characteristic, we have a brilliantly warm and funny woman keen to start a dialogue about all of the wonderful, difficult, messy parts of life. ‘If you send even half a

tangent my way I’m like, “I will take your tangent and stretch it!”’ she declares.

It would be easy to paint Bea as a ‘witty Irish woman’ – the gift of the gab and so forth. And she absolutely is that, of course; hailing from a nation of razor-sharp wits, she’s gone on to become a darling of comedy panel shows (in 2012, Bea became the first woman to win the prestigious ‘So You Think You’re Funny' award in 20 years). Our shoot is punctuated with perfectly timed self-deprecation: ‘Do I look like those “laughing at salad” women in stock shots?’ and spot-on impressions (a Molly Goddard skirt prompts a Scarlett O’Hara moment), but there’s also a disarming vulnerability. She explores thorny, stuff-of-life subjects such as loneliness and depression in her Bafta-winning show This Way Up (which Bea wrote, produced and starred in) and uses her social channels to promote causes close to her heart. She wrote a beautiful essay about her late father that, six years on, still makes

Ostrich feather kaftan, Taller Marmo; earrings, David Morris. Shot in the Snug at The Berkeley Bar & Terrace at The Berkeley

‘Some people have such an air of mystery and enigma around them… I just don’t have that’

people stop her in the street to share their own stories (‘An odd thing, but an absolute privilege’).

Well known in her own country and adopted one (Bea lives in London), her star is rising internationally with a brilliant turn in the quirky Netflix comedy Living with Yourself, opposite Paul Rudd. She took over from Catherine O’Hara as the mother in a Home Alone sequel and played the lead in the absolutely joyful Greatest Days, featuring Take That hits.

How does working in the US stack up against homegrown projects? ‘I love it. The only thing is they don’t go home! The days are sometimes 17 or 20 hours.

‘Working in the UK – and also working in comedy, which is an even tinier budget – you do learn how to make everything smaller. A character wouldn’t come in all barrel-curled hair, and brand-new clothes, and say, “Oh, I’m just having another terrible day. I’m so poor!” But then I go to New York and the makeup artist says: “(adopts strong Bronx accent) Honey! We’re not making a documentary here!”’

A lot of her work seems to focus on the non-linear nature of life; what happens when things don’t go to plan. ‘I like to challenge the question, “Am I really adulting at 32 if I get drunk and don’t have a kid?” You are, yes. You choose. Do your own adventure. That’s what women fought for in the ’70s. I’m like, “Why are you guys so hard on yourselves? You’re all fine!”’

In her latest series, Alice & Jack , Bea plays the betrayed girlfriend. She's only in a handful of scenes, but heart-breaking in each as the woman left behind.

‘I always judge a show by the side characters,’ she says. ‘I play a lot of best friends and wives and it’s not always on the page, but I judge whether they’ll let me have a little go at fleshing it out.’

At the heart of Bea’s extraordinary ability is the conviction that everyone’s story is interesting, and the talent to make us care.

‘I like exploring and writing about the mundanity of life. For a very long time, to have had an exciting life worth writing

and trousers, Eudon

about, you had to have gone to war and thrown a soldier over your back. We weren’t allowed to have big lives, but that doesn’t mean these other lives weren’t worth exploring or putting on the screen.

‘I’ve watched loads of Real Housewives , and for me those lives are worth exploring; it’s friendships and relationships and death and love. In Alice & Jack, I loved playing someone whose life was worth putting on TV, and her story was just that she got left holding the baby, and then moved on, and is probably heartbroken but in a way that most people are. And you can’t get sick leave for it; you know, she didn’t go to Vegas on a road trip – she just had to crack on. I love finding movie-quality-worth storytelling in that.

‘And if people are bored by that then grand – go watch Apocalypse Now... sure there’s loads of stuff out there. You don’t have to watch this story about this Irish lady walking around town!’ Stream Alice & Jack now on Channel 4

This page: jacket

Choi, earrings, Graff; shoes; Penelope Chilvers. Shot in the Blue Bar at The Berkeley

Above: Bea in Alice & Jack alongside Domhnall Gleeson; in Living With Yourself with Paul Rudd

Modern Masterpiece A

AN ARCHITECTURAL TRIUMPH, LONDON'S FIRST ALL–SUITE HOTEL WAS NEARLY 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING. DEYAN SUDJIC DISCOVERS WHY THE EMORY IS SETTING A NEW STANDARD

Photography by BILLIE SCHEEPERS

Styling by NICKY YATES

Headpiece and dress, Harris Reed

Seventeen years ago, Richard Rogers - one of the most influential architects of his generation - saw an extraordinary opportunity. In central London, the chance to design and build a new hotel of serious architectural quality is rare. The Emory would be his opportunity to design a tailor-made, all-suite hotel, with the potential to create a new London landmark.

This is a hotel whose architecture is soft-spoken, yet characterful. Rogers designed the building with his partner Ivan Harbour of RSHP as if it were an exceedingly well-cut Savile Row suit, to match Maybourne’s bespoke approach to hospitality. Rogers and Harbour took care to create a building that, like a good neighbour, lives up to its surroundings but does not seek to dominate them.

From the street, The Emory’s colour palette is restrained: pale-coloured stone, bronze and white painted steel. But its proportions, the rhythmic pattern of the projecting balconies and the instantly recognisable silhouette of the steel masts and cables that carry the weight of the front of the building give The Emory a distinctive character.

Rogers, who always wanted to find a good functional reason for his architectural decisions, used the complex demands of putting a building on a site bounded by a nearby underground railway tunnel to create a steel structure that projects from The Emory’s roof. The jewellery-like steel masts and cables emerging from the roof break up the skyline. They announce the hotel. But they are also working hard to carry the weight of the front of the building, and are designed to use just enough material to do the job they have to do, and no more. Harbour describes it as ‘having the precision of watchmaking.’

The engineering is remarkably elegant, but the bigger challenge for Harbour was to make a building that would be timeless in its appeal to its guests and as a presence in the landscape of central London, rather than a fleetingly fashionable sensation. According to Harbour, this is not a hotel defined by the passing trends of 2024: it is designed to last. ‘The integrity of the central idea – the distinctive skeleton, the building frame – is rooted in basic, original thinking and will give it a unique timelessness.’

The Emory’s immaculately detailed structure is discreet and understated, but unmistakably a modern take on building in one of London’s most sensitive historic areas. The front door is all but invisible. Guests enter the hotel through an inconspicuous courtyard at the end of a private lane. To reach it, drivers must navigate Wilton Place, then swing onto Old Barrack Yard, a cobbled lane where, three centuries ago, the Grenadier Guards used to stable their horses.

Once inside the hotel, guests discover that it is, by any measure, an exceptional site. On one side of The Emory, looking directly across Knightsbridge, is the sublime landscape of Hyde Park. This is a hotel designed to allow you to know where you are as you move in and around it. The central corridor has its own view looking towards Piccadilly. The stairs, finished in one of Rogers’ trademark vivid colours – a shocking pink – are daylit too. It forms both a celebration of movement and a tribute to Rogers’ himself.

The suites have been conceived by a number of different international designers, all with backgrounds as diverse, cosmopolitan and distinctive as that of the hotel’s guests. The penthouse, with expansive views on all sides, has been masterminded by London's Rigby & Rigby. Four international designers have each conceived two floors of bespoke suites, including Hong Kong-based André Fu, New York's Alexandra Champalimaud, the Milan-based Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola and Pierre-Yves Rochon from Paris. While their individual approaches to design are unique, all share an appreciation of what Fu once called ‘relaxed luxury’. These are spaces that have personality and character without seeking to impose themselves.

Each suite reflects a different aesthetic: some spaces are lined with warm timber like the inside of a cigar box; others use carefully crafted marble. There are libraries with thoughtfully chosen books on the shelves, and serious contemporary art on the walls. Every single suite has floorto-ceiling windows – those on the Knightsbridge side of the building make them feel as if they are actually in Hyde Park, not just looking at it from across the street.

Beyond the comfort of the suites, there is much to enjoy, with Jean-Georges Vongerichten's stunning ground-floor restaurant abc kitchens, designed by Rémi Tessier. The amber glass ‘wine cave’ is impressive, as are Damien Hirst's The Secret Garden Paintings – Tessier and Hirst are old friends.

The Emory’s guests have the use of the hotel’s spectacular rooftop, also designed by Téssier, all to themselves. There is Bar 33 for cocktails, with no set menu and each individual cocktail recorded for posterity. The Emory Cigar Merchants, which occupies a second glass pavilion, has a retractable roof for smokers for an unbeatable view of London’s night sky.

Guests can expect the kind of thoughtful luxury that suggests the generosity of an attentive host, including airport transfers, use of a house car, a personalised bar and a dedicated Emory Assistant. It focuses on getting the details right, just like the architecture of the hotel.

Deyan Sudjic is the editor of Anima. Discover The Emory at the-emory.co.uk

Dress, Sabina Bilenko; earrings, Jessica McCormack; shoes, Louboutin

Dress, Valentino; earrings, Jessica McCormack

Dress, Simone Rocha; earrings, Jessica McCormack; shoes, Jimmy Choo

Dress, Prada; earrings, Jessica McCormack; cuff, Tiffany; shoes, Prada

Dress, Erdem; earrings, Jessica McCormack, shoes, Jimmy Choo

Dress, Nina Ricci; earrings, Jessica McCormack

Model: Caro Goeckel at M&P; hair: Errol Douglas; makeup: Samantha Cooper / Carol Hayes Management; stylist’s assistant: Sophie Milburn

Crowning GLORY

CREATED BY GUY OLIVER AND MORE THAN 100 ARTISANS, THE KING’S LODGE IS THE CONNAUGHT’S MOST DISTINCTIVE SUITE YET, DISCOVERS FIONA MCCARTHY

Tucked high in the eaves of The Connaught, there is a unique jewel of a one-bedroom suite, embellished with intricately carved and hand-wrought walls, floors, furniture, textiles and art and inspired by the ancient science of sacred geometry and the exotic beauty of the 16th-century Mughal Empire. The King’s Lodge pays testament not only to the 127-year-old hotel’s longstanding commitment to exemplary craftsmanship but to interior designer Guy Oliver’s decades-long love for the beauty and complexity of ancient decoration.

It also brings to life the incredible craftsmanship of the artisans supported by Turquoise Mountain, a charity founded in 2006 by His Majesty King Charles III (then the Prince of Wales) to help revive historic areas and traditional crafts in war or disaster-ravaged areas such as Afghanistan, Myanmar and the Levant.

The King’s Lodge is quite unlike anything else on the London hotel scene. It is an evolution of what Oliver started in 2010 with the hotel’s Prince’s Lodge, located just across the corridor on The Connaught’s fifth floor. There Oliver worked closely with Afghan master woodcarver Naseer Yasna Mansouri. He drew inspiration from the Peacock House in Kabul, a beautifully carved but dilapidated 19th-century house (once part of a royal palace), restored by Oliver and Turquoise Mountain in the early 2000s. For Oliver’s second collaboration with the charity at The Connaught, the interior designer looked to the Mughal dynasty, one of the richest and longest ruling in India. One of its emperors, the 17th-century ruler Shah Jahan, was responsible for the construction of the Red Fort in Delhi and Agra’s Taj Mahal. In Kabul, Shah Jahan commissioned a mosque to be built in the Gardens of Babur, named after the founder of the Mughal Empire. ‘The King’s Lodge is really a very simple reference to that style,’ explains Oliver. ‘I wanted something that offered a discernibly different aesthetic to the Prince’s Lodge but worked in harmony with its sense of time and place in history.’

Every element across the three rooms in The King’s Lodge has been individually curated by the designer. ‘The miniature Mughal paintings that tell love stories were all painted by people we’ve trained,’ says Oliver. ‘The paintings have been built into the wall panelling, which was carved by the same Turquoise Mountain artisans who carved the four-poster bed.’ Oliver also

experimented with the materials. ‘The fabrics and rugs, based on traditional Ziegler designs, were recoloured by me – informed by ancient examples seen in the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha –and then woven by our weavers in Myanmar.’ For Oliver, this is an international collaboration in the best sense: ‘I often think of my role as trying to conduct an orchestra. Everybody’s talented but it’s my job to bring them together and make a symphony out of it.’

Oliver also wanted to create a narrative for guests entering the suite. Using its three existing windows as a guide for dividing the space, he recentred the entrance door to align with the middle window – you enter through a small, carved fretwork hallway into a cosy seating area. ‘It is like entering a different world, like walking through the wardrobe into Narnia,’ enthuses Shoshana Stewart, CEO of Turquoise Mountain, who has worked with the charity since its inception. ‘I’ve been living in Jordan for the last few years, alongside the artisans doing some of the woodwork used here, and to walk in and see it in place is completely magical.’

Commissions such as the Prince’s and the King’s Lodge –the second of which employed more than 100 artisans – and collaborations with British jeweller Pippa Small and product designer Sebastian Conran have helped the charity train more than 15,000 artisans and builders and restore 150 historic buildings. ‘The King’s patronage is another important element of it, because he’s the most incredible catalyst for good,’ adds Oliver.

‘It is like entering a different world –walking into Narnia’

For Stewart, the reality is that every craft tradition around the world is

vulnerable to globalisation. ‘We started in Afghanistan and now we’re working with refugees in Myanmar, Saudi Arabia and the Levant. We have learned no matter how bad things are, heritage always matters. When everything else disappears – security, economics, identity –the most fundamental need is to feed your family. If you can’t do that, then nothing works.

‘Our goal is to help make sure these traditions exist not only now but for the next generation; to provide these artisans with a means of bringing their work to market, so that they can continue the inheritance passed on to them while providing for their families and giving them confidence, knowing their skills are valued not only locally but on an international level.’

Everything tells a story: from the art on the walls to the books Oliver has chosen to line the seated nook’s shelves. These range from tomes on Afghan and Islamic architecture to ‘heroic travelogues’ through the Middle East by Wilfred Thesiger, Rory Stewart, Robert Byron and Eric Newby.

Renowned Yorkshire-based artist and designer Helen Whittaker – who brought the David Hockney-designed Queen’s Window to Westminster Abbey in 2018 – was also commissioned to create stainedglass windows for The King’s Lodge. ‘Helen and I talked about incorporating the eight-pointed star pattern known as “The Breath of the Compassionate”, derived from the teachings of the 13th-century Sufi scholar Ibn al-Arabî,’ explains Oliver. Its geometry subtly repeats through the patterning of the suite’s mirror-backed fretwork panels and jali screens. ‘We wanted to create a sense of balance and stability while forging a dialogue between different cultures.’

‘Love is the most powerful force because it overcomes so much’

For Oliver, it reflects his deep respect for those he encounters. ‘I feel very at home in Afghanistan, where I’ve always found its many tribes of people – including the Tajik, Pashtun and Hazaras – hospitable and kind.’ What he finds most binds him to the artisans he has worked with is love. ‘Love is the most powerful force because it overcomes so much. They can tell that I love what I do. And I can tell they love what they do. So there is an unspoken language between us, where I could sit with them all day because they are creating something extraordinary. It’s about a love for their craft, and they’re incredibly proud that their work is being seen by the likes of our King and the people who will come through this suite.’

Oliver has zoned each of the three spaces with a single block of colour, drawn from historic Mughal shades: saffron yellow in the bedroom, terracotta in the middle space and pomegranate red in the sitting room. ‘There’s a handwashed texture to the paint, which brings in another layer of cossetting warmth,’ says Oliver. The lime waxed walnut, sourced and carved in the same region, lends a lived-in patina to the panels, doors and columns. In the bathroom, panels richly carved with a motif of lily flowers were made in collaboration with Makrana craftspeople, descended from the Mughal court and considered some of the finest stone carvers in the world. The handmade Mughalinspired doorknobs were designed by Oliver, inspired by the many seen on his travels. Cushions have been fashioned with a zigzag, echoing chevron patterns spotted on a Mughal column.

The overall effect is one of transportation. ‘When someone walks into the King’s Lodge, I want them to firstly feel calm,’ Oliver says. ‘I want them to feel that they can retreat from the world, in a special place that hopefully evokes pleasure.’ The intricate design is intended to be truly revealed only over time. ‘It is also about symmetry and geometry and how the intimacy of the space envelops you. Then, once you feel at home with that, you start to notice all the little details and its charm.’ Certainly, this is one suite that will continue to tell the story of its making and will evolve with the stories of the people who stay in it for decades to come.

A portion of the proceeds of every booking at both The Prince’s Lodge and The King’s Lodge goes directly to Turquoise Mountain (turquoisemountain.org) and their programming to support artisans

From left: the Sitting Area in the King’s Lodge suite; Guy Oliver (right) working with artisan wood carver Abu Nidal in Jordan; the paneled bathtub beneath a carved marble artwork

Rooms of

One’s Own

SPACE, STYLE AND SECLUSION: THE MOST LUXURIOUS ACCOMMODATION

BY

THE WORLD’S DESIGN ELITE

Words by BEN SPRIGGS

Hotel suites hold an undeniable allure. There’s something mysterious and enthralling about these most elegant of spaces, reserved for the distinguished and debonair. They are the stuff of celebrity folklore, the setting for glamorous goings-on and discreet debauchery. Over the years, artists, musicians, billionaires and elusive eccentrics have called them home. It’s no wonder that they are the epitome of what we consider to be luxury accommodation; no wonder that we are all obsessed with what they are and what they represent. Yet to dismiss a suite as simply a supersized hotel room, or a collection of such, is to misunderstand the function of these carefully considered, intimate settings, where ideas of hospitality and home collide. In 2024, discerning travellers have increasingly varied needs

that must be served by the environments in which they stay. Suites need to work as completely personal enclaves, offering space to live day-to-day, with functionality that can pivot seamlessly from private seclusion to a professional setting or one that needs to entertain guests. On a design level, nondescript, understated luxe is no longer de rigueur. The look and feel of a modern-day suite needs to surprise, delight and inspire in equal measure. There needs to be a tangible sense of location too. After all, if you feel like you could be anywhere in the world, why travel at all?

Fortunately, across Maybourne’s properties, a revolution is underway. The world’s most lauded interior architects and designers are reimagining what the suite is, can be and should be for today’s luxury guests…

André Fu’s swirling spiral staircase at The Residence at Claridge’s connects the lounge to the rotunda

André Fu

THE RESIDENCE, CLARIDGE’S

‘In a way it’s a retelling of Claridge’s own heritage and history,’ says HongKong-based designer André Fu of his sensitive approach to this duplex suite, the creation of which was central to the hotel’s recent renovations. ‘I wanted to celebrate the space’s Art Deco aesthetics, but also to add my own vision of luxury. So there are Deco-inspired mouldings and patterns throughout, as well as my own bespoke furniture and lighting designs, alongside original vintage pieces from the hotel. I like creating a dialogue between the familiar and the unfamiliar.’

‘Luxury is becoming more holistic,’ he adds, ‘so we wanted to infuse every aspect of the suite with that idea of it having a genuine lifestyle attached to it, from the palette we used to the warmth of the lighting and every artisanal object we put into the space. The materials used – handcrafted plasterwork, intricate stained glass, antique brass and solid oak – all add to a sense of authenticity.

‘A suite revolves around comfort, entertainment and wellbeing’

‘For me, a great suite revolves around three fundamentals: contemporary comfort, entertainment and wellbeing. Gone are the days when super-suites were all about over-the-top theatre, now guests want somewhere that feels intimate and authentic, where they can spend quality time.’ claridges.co.uk

Right: the Sea View Duplex; below: the California Suite

The crescent hydrotherapy pool at The Residence

Bryan O’Sullivan

SEA VIEW DUPLEX, THE MAYBOURNE RIVIERA CALIFORNIA SUITE, THE MAYBOURNE BEVERLY HILLS

Designer Bryan O’Sullivan was tasked with the creation of the Sea View Duplex, which crowns the group’s Côte d’Azur property and boasts breath-taking vistas of the sparkling Mediterranean below. ‘We very much wanted the suite to feel set apart from the rest of the hotel, its own little world, yet remain rooted in the same modernist vocabulary and with the subtle maritime vibe that is throughout the building. Materials range from oak millwork and tadelakt walls to terrazzo floors inlaid with actual shells, while the streamlined silhouettes of our bespoke beds were designed to evoke diving boards.’ At The Maybourne Beverly Hills, he sought to combine the interior design trends that have shaped California in the 20th century. ‘LA is such a mishmash of eras,’ O’Sullivan says. ‘From Hollywood regency to mid-century modern, we wanted a concept that spoke to all of these.’ The results include pieces from the 1930s, auction houses and custom-built furniture by O’Sullivan. ‘Curved sofas are more suitable for entertaining, a cocktail space with little end tables to put your drinks on. Our goal is to make a space feel uplifting, happy and joyful!’ maybourneriviera.com; maybournebeverlyhills.com

Joyce Wang

HYDE PARK PENTHOUSE, THE BERKELEY

Joyce Wang’s perspective has a razor-sharp focus on her audience: ‘Guests want something unique. When you’re working on a suite, it’s rarely just decoration; it’s structural, architectural. So we ended up taking out the sash-style windows and replacing them with modern picture windows, to really maximise the Hyde Park view and to make the rooms much more light and airy.’

Wang approached the suite as a private residential project. ‘The Berkeley hosts the elite and sometimes they’ll stay for months at a time. It has to be a place that’s flexible enough to cope with different needs and functions. Often you’re going to entertain, so it has to have that presentable wow-factor and there have to be public and private zones. And there has to be an outdoor living aspect. Even in an urban environment you expect that ‘resort’ feel – that’s the ultimate luxury. You’re in the middle of a city, but can still go and sunbathe or have a cocktail outdoors.’ Previously known for a more androgynous aesthetic, Wang embraced the feminine here. ‘We brought in a lot of curves and smoothness. The architecture is simple and we wanted the palette to stay light, with muted pinks, blues, and bleached-out wood veneers. The form had to speak and give the space hits of interest. Suites have to work harder than ever before in terms of what they offer and how they make you feel. They’re just so fascinating to design.’ the-berkeley.co.uk

Joyce Wang’s designs showcase The Berkeley’s dual-aspect views of Hyde Park and Belgravia

‘ You’re in the middle of a city, but can still sunbathe or have a cocktail outdoors’

Maybourne’s latest London property is housed in a building by iconic architect Richard Rogers, overlooking Hyde Park and made up entirely of suite-category accommodation, two floors of which were conceived by Milan-based international design supremo Patricia Urquiola. ‘At the heart of the concept lies the idea of spatial sequence,’ she says. ‘There’s a sense of how the journey unfolds as you move through the suite, from the entrance of the room, leading through the bathroom and living area, and reaching a culmination in the bedroom. This narrative is accentuated by varying ceiling heights: lower in the corridor and bathroom, and elevated in the bedroom and living room. It can’t just be one note throughout.’

‘The layouts are bespoke and strategically designed to showcase the wide windows of Richard Rogers’ architecture,’ she notes. ‘Materials are key. Wainscoting, wooden flooring, textured plaster ceilings and delicate carpets all come together to define the space. The full-height cane-patterned wainscoting in the corridor seamlessly transitions into smooth wooden cladding within the rooms and living spaces, creating a harmonious connection. Bespoke pieces – including a bench positioned in front of the expansive windows, a desk with an integrated vanity, and marble coffee tables in every bedroom – contribute to the distinctive character of the interiors.’

the-emory.co.uk. Ben Spriggs is editor-in-chief of Elle Decoration

The Emory has 16 suites designed by Patricia Urquiola, featuring custom furniture in every room

Patricia Urquiola

THE EMORY

GoingSwimmingly

HOLLYWOOD’S SYNCHRONISED SPECIALISTS AQUALILLIES SOAK IN THE SPLENDOUR OF THE MAYBOURNE BEVERLY HILLS

Photography by BILLIE SCHEEPERS

Styling by NICKY YATES

Interview by LILLIAN CRAWFORD

Aqualillies’ Katya Frelikh, Philicia Saunders, Claudia Coletti, Laurie Wakelam and Alejandra Miranda. Swimsuits, Polo Ralph Lauren. Sunglasses, Cutler and Gross

Water is such a beautiful frame. It’s so serene and magical.’ Mary Jeanette Ramsey is executive director of Aqualillies, the world’s most glamorous waterentertainment company. She was thrilled to bring her performers to The Maybourne Beverly Hills for a bit of vintage Hollywood pizzazz. ‘Our Lillies were so excited to be styled in the attire, with an amazing makeup and production team,’ Ramsey says. ‘It’s so special to have a pool on a rooftop in Beverly Hills. There’s no better backdrop to ask for.’

The sun-soaked beauty of California is the perfect setting for Aqualillies. Mēsha Kussman, who founded the company in 2008, was inspired by its landscape and cinema history. ‘I noticed that the pool was central to events in Los Angeles. It looked like a stage,’ Kussman remembers. ‘It was the combination of the old-world glamour and the fresh choreography that really lit up the Hollywood party scene.’ Aqualillies have worked with artists including Beyoncé, John Legend and Justin Bieber. ‘I think there’s something about the water that translates beautifully to the background of an artist on tour,’ says Ramsey. The troupe have also appeared in a plethora of TV shows, including Glee and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, as well as an Esther Williams’ pastiche in Hail, Caesar! by the Coen brothers. ‘Normally, we are limited either by the size of the pool or the budget of the project,’ Ramsey says. ‘But that was a project where we could really think big, and we worked with 32 performers and Scarlett

Below: swimsuits, Casa Raki; sunglasses, Cutler and Gross. Yellow swimsuits, Aqualillies’ own. Aperol and passionfruit spritz from Dante Beverly Hills

Johansson, who was amazing and very natural in the water.’

Esther Williams is the godmother of water ballet, dazzling audiences during the Golden Age of Hollywood with her jawdropping routines, including in Neptune’s Daughter in 1949 and Million Dollar Mermaid in 1952. Aqualillies celebrate her legacy with a special birthday performance every year on 8 August. ‘We performed for her in person,’ Kussman recalls. ‘She didn’t want to stay in her green room. She wanted to watch us rehearse and get wet. She was right at the edge of the pool, and she was in her eighties at the time. We also performed at her memorial service, which was such an honour.’ Synchronised swimming was recently renamed ‘artistic swimming’, which Ramsey feels reflects the skill involved in Aqualillies’ performance. ‘They’re elite athletes: so, in addition to being able to make beautiful shapes, we can launch somebody out of the water or lift someone up in the splits. It’s fun for us to marry modern skill with the classical aesthetic.’ A couple of the Lillies will represent the USA at the Paris Olympics. This is just the start of an exciting year for Aqualillies. ‘We’re in a phase right now where we are thinking about expanding,’ Kussman says, not wanting to give too much away. ‘We’re doing events across the US and we’re going around Europe. So there’ll be plenty of opportunities for people to come and see us in action.’ Wherever they go, Aqualillies are sure to make a splash. Book your stay at maybournebeverlyhills.com

MEET THE AQUALILLIES

Philicia Saunders

‘As an LA native and actor, I have always admired old Hollywood. I love that Aqualillies get to perform routines that are unique to the time period. Fun, sassy, classic – all words that also describe The Maybourne Beverly Hills!’

Laurie Wakelam

able to perform at such a beautiful venue.’

Claudia Coletti

‘Ever since I was a young teenager, living in Buffalo, NY, I had a dream to move out to California. The Maybourne Beverly Hills is an iconic hotel in the Los Angeles area and it’s an honour to be

‘Performing in iconic pools is the best part of performing with Aqualillies. I feel very proud of being able to represent Esther Williams’ legacy. I am so grateful and can’t wait for more opportunities to have fun!’

Sporting Chance

ROQUEBRUNE-CAP-MARTIN IS A PRIME SPOT TO WATCH THE OLYMPICS, THE TOUR DE FRANCE AND SO MUCH MORE. PAUL HENDERSON PREVIEWS A SUMMER OF SPORT ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA

For far longer than anyone cares to remember, the French Riviera has set its clock to a leisurely pace of life. Over the years, regular visitors to the region, drawn by the romance, glamour and old-school charm of this impossibly beautiful stretch of Mediterranean coastline, have been intoxicated by the blissfully warm weather, breathtaking beaches and captivating Provençal countryside. It is a place where, traditionally, everything happens slowly – gentle strolls along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, a casual game of pétanque in the Colline du Château, meandering boat trips to the island of Sainte-Marguerite or perhaps an elegant ebike ride around the stunning commune of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Close your eyes and you can almost taste that first refreshing glass of Chateau La Tour de l’Eveque, can’t you?

Well, snap out of it. This summer the Côte d’Azur is getting in shape, feeling the burn and going for gold. And we couldn’t be more excited about it. You can still relax, of course, but you should also take the opportunity to experience some of the world’s most spectacular sporting events, set against the backdrop of the South of France at its finest. Instead of meandering along boardwalks, you’ll find Ironman athletes pounding the pavements. Boules isn’t an Olympic sport, but football most certainly is, with matches scheduled for stadiums in Nice and Marseille. That little cruise you had scheduled? It might

‘This summer, the Côte d’Azur is getting in shape, feeling the burn and going for gold’

lose some of its appeal once you’ve seen off-shore racing around the Marseille Marina that is playing host to sailing events as part of the Paris 2024 Games. And for a true spectacle, the Tour de France finishes in Nice on 21 July, while France’s oldest mountain bike race (the Transvésubienne) takes place on 29 September.

With so many blue-riband events happening, the hardest decision is when to visit. In better news, choosing where to stay is easy. Built on a rocky peninsula high above Monaco, The Maybourne Riviera opened in the summer of 2021 and has already established itself as the hottest hotel in France. Designed by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, it is close enough to some of the sporting action taking place that you could almost spectate from the lip of the spectacular infinity pool.

The closest venue to the hotel is the Monte-Carlo Country Club, home to 21 world-class clay tennis courts that overlook the Mediterranean. Officially it is members-only, but guests are welcome to visit and play. Following the ATP visit in April, there is the Summer Tournament in August that attracts plenty of interest and we can’t mention Monte-Carlo without reminding you of the annual Monaco Grand Prix. The highlight of the motor-racing season, it has transformed

the streets of the principality almost every year since 1950 as part of the Formula 1 world championship. Although fewer than 40,000 official tickets are available, it is believed that as many as 180,000 visitors make the pilgrimage in May to watch the race.

In June, endurance athletes will be the main attraction as the AlpesMaritimes area challenges trail runners with eight races covering distances ranging from the fairly sublime (5km) to the ridiculously hard (125km). More than 2,500 competitors are expected to take part in the Ultra Trail Côte d’Azur Mercantour. The hills will be alive to the sound of hyperventilating runners scaling unforgiving peaks and picturesque mountain paths.

On 16 June, the Ironman triathlon (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile marathon to finish) comes to Nice in an event that last year saw Sam Laidlow become the first Frenchman to be crowned world champion. ‘It is an incredible location. The crowds are magnificent and it is a super-special place for me because I have trained in the South of France throughout my career. To seal my first world title there was a dream come true,’ said the British-born Laidlow. ‘It is a tough course, but, from the minute I hit the water at

From left: the Promenade des Anglais; The Maybourne Riviera’s cliff-top pool; Cary Grant and Grace Kelly in the Riviera-set To Catch A Thief; the Monte Carlo Country Club

the Plage des Ponchettes until the nal sprint along the Promenade des Anglais, the spectators’ cheers spurred me on. I just hope my victory can motivate a generation of French athletes, encourage more spectators – and that I can repeat the feat in 2024.’

The highlight of the summer, however, will be the Paris 2024 Olympics in late July and August. More than 10,500 athletes and some 4,500 paralympic athletes will be training in France between now and the start of the games. Although much of the action will take place in the capital, the French Riviera will be hosting several events, including football matches for the men’s and women’s events. The sailing competitions take place at Marseille Marina, famous for its challenging conditions.

SUMMER SPORTING TIMETABLE 2024

9–11 May Antibes Côte d’Azur Rally

24–26 May Monaco GP, Monte Carlo

England Expects

Team GB has a history of excellence in Olympic sailing, having won more than 60 medals (including 31 golds) – more than any other nation. Mark England, Team GB’s Chef de Mission, believes they can add to that tally this summer…

What can the Team GB athletes expect in Marseille?

16 June Ironman Nice

21–23 June Ultra Trail Côte d’Azur Mercantour

29 June–21 July Tour de France (for the first time in Le Tour’s history, the race will finish in Nice rather than Paris)

An Olympic test event last year gave international sailors a preview of what they will be facing. Team GB’s Michael Beckett (competing in the ILCA 7 dinghy category) admitted it is not an easy area to navigate. ‘Marseille is an incredibly tough place to sail – very unpredictable, very hot, very hectic – on and o the water,’ explained the Welsh sailor. ‘It’s a very narrow bay with high land all around it. In terms of the meteorology of the place, there’s a lot going on. You can have flat water; you can have really strong winds that blow everything away. You can also have days where lots of wind is forecast, but you go out on the water and it’s just a calm, hot, sunny day. But being selected for Team GB is the honour of a lifetime and I’m excited by the challenge. I can’t wait.’ Neither can we, Michael. Hopefully, we’ll see you there… Book your stay at maybourneriviera.com

26 July–11 August Summer Olympics, including Olympic football in Nice and Marseille, and Olympic Sailing at Marseille Marina

22 September Ironman World Championship (women’s race)

29 September Transvésubienne mountain bike race

The sailing conditions are about as varied as they come. Marseille is renowned for its mistral wind – a strong, cold, north-westerly wind that blows from southern France into the Gulf of Lion in the northern Mediterranean. It is most common in spring and autumn, but in summer it can switch on when the land overheats. Our sailors will have to be adept at racing in all conditions to succeed.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge?

Heat! During the Paris 2024 test event, temperatures rose above 40 degrees [centigrade]. Fortunately, the British Sailing team is supported by a world-class sports-science team who’ve implemented cooling strategies to ensure athletes can perform at their best despite the temperature. The team also has its own air-conditioned lounge – made from a shipping container – where sailors can escape for rest and recuperation when they’re not required on the eld of play.

From left: Vieux Port of Marseille; the Monaco Grand Prix; the balconies at The Maybourne Riviera; a 1911 Paris Brest Paris cycling poster; the Olympic and French flags

London Instagram WINS

THE UK CAPITAL WAS DECLARED THE MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE CITY IN

EUROPE. WE ASKED OUR FAVOURITE CREATORS FOR PROOF

@EMILYJANEJOHNSTON

The US-born Londoner is on a mission to bring fun, fashion and colour to your Instagram feed. Here, she tells us why London is the best place for style

Ifound my style in London, simply sitting on park benches and watching the incredible outfits that would parade in front of me as I sat in awe. This is a city where every bit of pavement is actually a fashion catwalk and you never know what will inspire you from corner to corner. It's no surprise that London is one of the most popular cities with the fashion social media glitterati. Not only do you have the freedom to march these streets wearing anything from a ballgown to a bathing suit, but you have endless backdrops of historic buildings, beautiful park landscapes and picturesque row houses. The places I draw the most for inspiration from in London, in both style and surroundings, include Notting Hill, Marylebone, St. James’s, Brick Lane, Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill. For shopping, explore the endless shopping arcades in Mayfair, step back in time on Carnaby Street and into Liberty department store for a taste of true London style. Make sure you stroll down the King’s Road, peruse the cobblestone streets of Covent Garden and Seven Dials, and head east for a trendier taste of local fashion in Spitalfields Market. Soak it all in, there's no place like this on earth.

̒This is a city where every bit of pavement is actually a fashion catwalk’

From top: designer Emma Hill's Notting Hill door; the Monocle Café, Marylebone; a row of colourful terraced houses in Hampstead; a staycation at The Berkeley; Portobello Road market

@PRETTYCITYLONDON

Siobhan Ferguson offers the perfect guide to the capital's pockets of beauty, from charming cafés and restaurants to peaceful parks and wisteria-filled mews

I’m not at all surprised that London is regarded as the most instagrammable city in Europe – it is easily the most photogenic capital in the world.

I have lived in London since the late 1990s and, after 16 years of being captivated by everything from charming cafés, restaurants and hotels to peaceful parks and secluded mews, I quit my job and decided to focus on curating a guide to this incredible capital. @prettycitylondon launched in 2015 and quickly became a go-to page for locals and visitors alike looking for inspiration on where to explore. I wanted to share the lesser-known areas. It’s not hard to nd guides directing you to the palace or the London Eye; I want to inspire people to look beyond the famous landmarks and discover the hidden gems.

The best way to start is to simply walk around. The streets of London are particularly beautiful in springtime, with its abundance of blooms like magnolia, blossom and wisteria spilling over the pretty streets. Summertime festivals like Chelsea In Bloom, Chelsea Flower Show and so on create the most beautiful displays across the capital. Autumn foliage also creates a stunning city landscape while dazzling creations around Halloween and Christmas in neighbourhoods like Notting Hill, Mayfair and Chelsea make it a very special and indeed easy city to photograph.

̒I want to inspire people to look beyond the famous landmarks and discover the hidden gems’

Left: Chelsea In Bloom. Above: No. Fifty Cheyne restaurant in Chelsea. Right: antiques shop Alice's in Portobello

From top: Peggy Porschen afternoon tea; London's red post boxes; The zebra rocking horse at Claridge's

@CLERKENWELLBOYEC1

Famously anonymous, the Australian-born gastronome Clerkenwell Boy has visited every worthy café, bar and restaurant in London, providing dining inspiration for all

With a dozen new restaurants opening each month, it’s no wonder London has taken the crown to become the most Instagrammable city in Europe. The #londonfood hashtag has more than 2.9 million posts, showcasing a tantalising array of pastries, doughnuts, bagels and chic dining spots like Sessions Arts Club, nestled in a former judge's dining room. What makes London truly unique is its multicultural blend of flavours from across the globe. Whether you're craving a two-Michelin-starred feast at Gymkhana in Mayfair or enjoying authentic Persian kebabs at Berenjak in the heart of Soho, London's got you covered. A culinary journey in London spans the full day. Kick o with a decadent breakfast at Michelin-starred HIDE or a local greasy-spoon like The Regency Cafe. Enjoy lunch in one of the Royal Parks with a bagel from a local deli, or head down to Chinatown. After visiting a museum or gallery, indulge in traditional afternoon tea at Claridge’s. Sip pre-dinner Martinis at the world-famous Connaught Bar, then dine at the hottest restaurants in town like The Dover or Arlington. Finally, wind down with a late-night Guinness at The Devonshire pub in Soho. In London, every bite is a winner and every scene's a stunner – so why not capture the magic for ever?

̒What makes London unique is its multicultural blend of flavours from across the globe’

Below, from left: langoustines at St. John; Sessions Arts Club; a vanilla flower from Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley; breakfast at HIDE in Mayfair

From top: Brutto in Clerkenwell; Anya Cafe’s 'Chubby Heart'; The River Café’s lemon tart; Bubblewrap's waffles in Chinatown

@LITTLELONDONWHISPERS

The insider guide to London for those in the know, Emma Bevan, aka littlelondonwhispers, brings the finest edit of things to do in this great capital

London is a place to be curious. From boutique galleries to impressive museums, royal parks to palaces, striking architecture to modern art, there is a reason why the ‘tired of London, tired of life’ quote remains so relevant (nearly 250 years since Samuel Johnson uttered those words).

Little London Whispers was created after the 2012 London Olympics, where I was a London Ambassador. It was a glorious moment for our city and, ever since, I have promised to see London through the eyes of a tourist.

For me, nothing beats a morning walk through Green Park; time it right (about 10.30am) and you might catch the Household Division on their way to the Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Whilst there, visit the Royal Mews to get a closer look at the impressive state carriages and the coronation gold coach.

Museophiles will love the immense diversity in museums in this city, from the fashionable V&A and Tate to the impressively grand National Portrait Gallery and Royal Academy; all the way to the boutique versions such as Leighton House, The Hayward Gallery and The Dulwich Picture Gallery. Each have their own charm, and add to the ever-changing cultural narrative.

It’s easy to nd historical treasures in this city. There are some stunning historical Georgian houses; Spencer House in St James’s being one of my favourites. If you go, I suggest popping into the nearby James J. Fox cigar shop, where downstairs you will nd Churchill’s very own cigar chair. Although I agree it is impossible to be tired of London, you can absolutely be tired after a day in London. That is, if you've done it right.

̒There is a reason why the “tired of London, tired of life” quote remains so relevant’

From top: The Trooping of the Colour on The Mall; a portrait of Winston Churchill at James J. Fox; a Westminster telephone box

From top: Gold State Coach at Royal Mews; The Berkeley rooftop; a coffee from The Berkeley; the Victoria Memorial; Kensington cherry blossom

F OOD&DRINK

LONDON / CÔTE D’AZUR / BEVERLY HILLS

from our Mexican-themed pop-up, all with unrivalled views of London’s skyline. Book in advance at the-berkeley.co.uk

Where the heart of Mexico meets the soul of Belgravia, The Berkeley Rooftop Bar is now open for the summer. Enjoy frozen margaritas and piña coladas with freshly prepared guacamole and carne asada tacos

Making

Waves

MAYBOURNE LA PLAGE GOES BEYOND THE BEACH CLUB, DISCOVERS LUCY HALFHEAD

Pure white and orange parasols rippling in the breeze, the sound of rosé corks popping and tanned limbs emerging from the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean – summer on the French Riviera has been defined by glamorous waterfront living since the start of the 20th century, when tastemakers such as Coco Chanel, Pablo Picasso and F. Scott Fitzgerald would frequent its shores. And now, having made its Côte d’Azur debut last season, Maybourne La Plage is reshaping the classic beachside restaurant for a new generation of bons vivants

This sun-soaked spot is found on the rocks at the tip of picturesque Cap Martin, a stone’s throw from the French-Italian border and bustling Monaco but offering a sense of seclusion that is often hard to find. Guests of The Maybourne Riviera, a modernist showstopper of a hotel, can choose to be whisked down in a Moke, the preferred drive for James Bond, Brigitte Bardot and George Harrison, or arrive in style by boat and moor at the club’s pontoon. The design is impeccable: custom-made Harbour loungers with soft coral cushions are positioned to follow the natural curves of the landscape while towering palms in ceramic urns offer shade. Completing the modern-day Slim Aarons scene is a lively restaurant covered by a sail-boat-style pergola and decorated in orange tones that pop against the cobalt-blue sea.

That’s not to say that Maybourne La Plage relies on looks alone – it’s as much about the food as the aesthetic. Created by a team of dedicated local chefs, the innovative seasonal menu takes

beach-club dining up a notch, while showing the local bounty in a fresh light. Gourmets can also sample Mauro Colagreco’s cuisine at The Maybourne Riviera’s rooftop restaurant Ceto, which boasts a Himalayan salt-lined curing room and a Michelin star for its spectacular grilled seafood. Meanwhile, at the hotel’s La Piscine, expect decadent wood-fired pizzas and stunning salads. But it’s the beach club that truly captures the playful golden age of the Côte d’Azur, asking nothing more of you than to enjoy long, leisurely lunches or leaf through a holiday read with a Pisco Sour to hand, before diving off the jetty into the glittering waves. Maybourne La Plage is not just a beach club; it’s the ultimate celebration of summer on the Riviera. Book your stay at maybourneriviera.com

‘Guests can be whisked from the hotel in a Moke or arrive in style by boat’

Years Making IN THE

THE FINEST BAR IN LONDON IS FINALLY REVEALING ITS SECRETS IN A NEW BOOK. ALICE LASCELLES MEETS THE TEAM BEHIND THE LEGENDARY LOCAL

Photography by LATEEF OKUNNU

When I signed a book deal in the spring of last year, I celebrated with cocktails in the Connaught Bar. I’m sure I wasn’t the rst author – and won’t be the last – to celebrate here. And now it’s the turn of the bar’s director of mixology Ago Perrone (together with Giorgio Bargiani and Maura Milia) to toast the publication of their own magnum opus – The Connaught Bar: Recipes and Iconic Creations – a collection of 100 cocktail recipes from 15 glorious years.

‘It was emotional going through the archives,’ says Perrone. ‘Looking at all these old recipes stirred up so many memories.

There was so much to say. I just wish we had more space.’ Working with art publisher Phaidon was a dream come true for Perrone. ‘As a photographer, I have always admired their books – I had wanted to do something with them for years.’

The book’s tactile cover, lavish illustrations and foreword by star chef Massimo Bottura (a friend and Connaught Bar regular) are all uncompromisingly five-star. But the work also captures the warmth and the spirit, the joyfulness, that’s helped make the Connaught one of the world’s bestloved, and most-awarded, cocktail bars. It is also a tribute of sorts to Maura Milia, the manager, who after a decade in service is leaving.

‘We wanted you to hear our voice when you read it,’ says Perrone, ‘The way we’ve shot the pictures, the way the jacket references the wood panelling in the room – it’s all designed to make you feel like you’re sitting in the bar.’ The book was cowritten with cocktail historian Anistatia Miller, a mixologist who brings her expertise with a wealth of colourful anecdotes that accompany the recipes.

There’s a section on the bar’s hallmark Martini. But there are also variations on the theme such as the Number 11, a Vesper-style drink served over an ice diamond in a coupe JacksonPollocked with edible paints. ‘We created it for our 11th anniversary,’ says Bargiani.

‘We wanted you to hear our voice when you read it’

‘It’s still one of our most popular drinks.’ Another signature is the Manhattan-style Good Fellas, which nods to the authors' Italian roots. It’s laced with balsamic vinegar and elicriso – ‘A yellow flower with a scent like vanilla and liquorice that you smell everywhere near my home on the Italian east coast,’ says Bargiani.

Perrone doffs his caps to the classics, but he’s created a few paradigmatic drinks himself: his Mulata Daisy, a white rum and cacao sour created for a competition in 2009, features on menus round the world. Perrone was at the vanguard of the no-and-low movement; several recipes in the book are zero abv. The shocking pink Wayfarer is a sophisticated blend of zero-proof ‘gin’, jasmine, peach and berries. ‘That’s the essence of our bar,’ says Perrone. ‘Whatever the occasion, whether you’re drinking or not, we want to welcome everybody.’ I don’t know how many readers will be up to the task of making ‘lacto-fermented melon’ or a ‘bee balm and cassia cordial’. But there are still plenty of tips, among the more virtuosic drinks, that are eminently practical. (Perrone’s bartending bugbear? ‘Not enough ice in the mixing glass!’) Above all, this book is a beautiful document of a golden age in the British bar scene – one that’s sure to inspire, amuse and stir up many happy memories.

The Connaught Bar: Recipes and Iconic Creations (Phaidon) is out now. To book your table at the Connaught Bar, visit the-connaught.co.uk

From left: the book's cover recalls David Collins' interiors; Maura Milia, Ago Perrone and Giorgio Bargiani; the Number 11 cocktail, inspired by Jackson Pollock

London Calling

JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN, CREATOR OF MANHATTAN’S MOST STYLISH RESTAURANTS, IS BRINGING ABC KITCHENS TO THE EMORY. MICHAEL HAINEY MEETS HIM

It’s mid-morning when I catch up with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who has just returned from some early-bird-gets-the-worm foraging at what he tells me is among his favourite places in Manhattan: the greenmarket at Union Square. ‘It was my inspiration for this place,’ he says, as he looks around abc kitchen, his beloved New York City restaurant. ‘Fresh, seasonal ingredients brought in from all the local farms, all just a block away. And to use them to create a menu that reflects the seasons? The idea to go there each morning for that day’s menu? To me, it was heaven.’

And, like heaven, not everyone can always get into abc kitchen. From the day the restaurant opened, 14 years ago, it gained a reputation for seemingly impossible-to-get tables, and for being a place where everyone from Barack and Michelle Obama to Beyoncé and Jay-Z, as well as Jennifer Aniston, Robert Downey Jr., and countless others are eager to eat and be seen.

The smashing success of abc kitchen energised Vongerichten, and in the ensuing years he created two neighbouring abcs that extended the ingredients-first approach: abc cocina is driven by Latin American recipes and abcV is ‘vegetable-forward’. But while the expansion of the abc world was great news for people in New York, for many there was one major problem: there was no abc in London. Until now. And perhaps no one is more excited than Vongerichten himself.

THE SECRET GARDENS PAINTINGS © DAMIEN HIRST AND SCIENCE LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, DACS/ARTIMAGE 2024

‘abc kitchens at The Emory is, for me, like coming home,’ he says. ‘I opened Vong, my rst restaurant in Knightsbridge, in 1996, so there is a lot of emotion for me in this new chapter.’ If you’ve longed to experience the abc world, you will not be disappointed in this rst outpost in London, as Vongerichten has created a menu that features eight dishes from each of the three abcs (or ‘the trilogy,’ as he calls them). Guests should begin with fresh English green pea guacamole with warm tortillas, followed by crab toast with green chilli, sh tacos with aioli or beef tenderloin with chimichurri.

‘The menu will all be seasonally-driven,’ Vongerichten says, ‘and I couldn’t be more excited about the new possibilities with this kitchen.’ And as if there were any doubt, he then starts to tell me why: ‘It’s an entirely di erent fresh market in London! Just think of the sh alone! In New York there is no turbot, no haddock, no John Dory. It’s the North Sea. A whole di erent ocean!’

The interior of the new space is also dramatically di erent from the New York outpost. While that one occupies the largelywindowless ground floor of a 19th-century warehouse in the Flatiron District, abc kitchens in The Emory has an interior

designed by Rémi Tessier that features magni cent, serene views of Hyde Park and boasts a covered courtyard space. In addition, a series of flower images, The Secret Gardens Paintings, a result of Tessier’s friendship with Damien Hirst, hang on the walls.

All of it marks a tremendous 12-month run for Vongerichten that has seen him open the Tin Building in New York City, a collection of dining venues at the Seaport, and then his new Midtown masterpiece, Four Twenty Five, the subject of a rare New York magazine rave.

‘abc kitchens at

The Emory is like coming home’

When I say that it seems he moves from success to success, strength to strength, Vongerichten smiles and says, ‘I’ve been lucky. Last year, I celebrated 50 years in this business. Growing up, I was never in a kitchen. But when I turned 16, my father took me to a three-star restaurant near our home. As a joke, he said to the owner, “Maybe you need someone to wash dishes?” and he pointed at me. The owner said he did. I started there and it changed my life. Before that I’d never cooked. And now I can’t imagine anything else.’

Book your table for abc kitchens at the-emory.co.uk

From left: abc kitchens at The Emory featuring The Secret Gardens Paintings by Damien Hirst; Spoiled Parrot at the Tin Building; Michael Murphy’s fish sculpture in the Tin Building; dishes from abc kitchen and abc cocina

WorkSugar

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF NICOLAS ROUZAUD, THE EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF OF THE CONNAUGHT PATISSERIE, AS TOLD TO JOHN O’CEALLAIGH

People are surprised to hear that there are 27 people working day and night in our pastry team at The Connaught – our bakers start their shift at 11pm – but I’m lucky to have a fairly set routine. Ordinarily, I’m up at 6:30am to take my two whippets to the park, before making my way into work for about 8:30 or 9am. There’s always lots to do. I oversee the pastries we serve at breakfast, at our Jean-Georges at The Connaught restaurant, at our bars, during afternoon tea and special events, and at our patisserie, which opened in 2020 and has become part of the local community. Everything at the patisserie is made fresh each day and we’ll usually prepare about 100 croissants, 80 pains au chocolate and 60 Danishes, lled with anything from apricot to passion fruit. It’s rare there are leftovers by closing time, but, when that happens, they’re shared in our canteen so everyone’s happy. Mentoring my team is important to me. Our youngest colleague is 19: my own career began at 17. I got a job in a pastry kitchen and loved the warmth and the smell so I never left. Back then, the industry could be militant and aggressive, but now good manners and camaraderie are important to me. At 12:30pm, our team gathers at a huge table in the canteen for lunch, where we talk about anything except work.

patisserie is perhaps most known for our Connaughty Hound pastry. The little dog is normally made from mint chocolate and hazelnut praline, but I enjoy creating seasonal editions. This summer, our Connaughty Hound will be made of coconut and mango, while wearing sunglasses and hanging out by the water.

‘Our Connaughty Hound will be wearing sunglasses’

I’ve always loved summer. I grew up in Toulouse and our garden grew everything from cherries to figs. We’d eat fresh raspberries on the grass while they were still warm from the sun, and the pastries I create are full of fresh fruits and vibrant colours that reflect those memories. This time of year also means lots of our hotel guests are visiting for events like Wimbledon and Royal Ascot, so we enjoy making in-room treats, like little chocolate tennis balls, to celebrate.

Coming up with new ideas is an important part of the job. I get inspiration everywhere –perhaps from a beautiful flower I see in the park – and I enjoy collaborating with Jerome Beraudo, The Connaught's executive pastry chef. If one of my chefs tells me about an orange-and-walnut cake his family used to make, we might infuse that recipe with my techniques to create something new. Our

As the day comes to an end, we look towards VIP requests and developing ideas for special occasions. I often work with guests who want to commission something bespoke. I’m mindful that our customers are celebrating special moments and it’s a privilege to do something that makes people happy. Twice a week, I’ll meet a personal trainer after work. Otherwise, I love visiting restaurants or meeting other pastry chefs, like my friends Thibault Hauchard from Claridge’s and Mourad Khiat at The Berkeley. Pastry’s a small world... and we still learn so much from each other.

Book your bespoke order via WhatsApp: 07840 024388 (48hrs notice) or email patisserie@the-connaught.co.uk. Follow Nicolas on Instagram at @nicolasrouzaud. the-connaught.co.uk

The signature hounds inspired by The Connaught’s logo have delighted Mayfair customers since the patisserie opened in the autumn of 2020

Sunday Best

HOW CLARIDGE’S

RESTAURANT

HAS REDEFINED THE ART OF THE BRITISH ROAST – VIA A TRIP TO THE HOTEL’S OWN WINE SHOP. BY MIKE DAW

Sunday roasts are as ubiquitous in London as Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s red telephone boxes. The day itself brings with it a relaxed mood not replicated in the doldrums of the week and, as such, lunch on Sundays is not to be taken lightly. The meal is a benchmark for the quality of any restaurant in this city.

The new experience at Claridge’s Restaurant makes an undeniable case for London’s best Sunday roast. The food is delicious, of course, but also boasts a new wine offering, whereby guests are encouraged to select their own bottle at Claridge’s wine shop to enjoy with lunch. The bottle is priced to retail rather than restaurant, meaning you can expect a comprehensive selection under £60 (with a 15 per cent service charge in lieu of corkage).

Savviness aside, this also offers dedicated oenophiles the chance to take their time, and talk their way through a plethora of options with brilliant sommelier Emma Denney, without getting telltale eye rolls from teenage guests or less interested connoisseurs. Denney wears her decade of experience (in some of London’s finest Michelin-starred restaurants) lightly, and helps guide guests to what they want, whether that is found on the plentiful rows of Petrus, Chateau Latour and Sassicaia or among the many specialist expressions within the shop.

Back to lunch, one’s handpicked bottle in tow like a stately home owner back from the wine cellar, it’s time to take in the menu. Love of the national pastime is clear.

‘Sunday lunch is, without question, one of my favourite meals of the week,’ says Simon Attridge, Claridge’s culinary director. ‘I love the nostalgic feeling that it brings.

‘The room and the décor – designed by Bryan O’Sullivan and Guy Oliver – deserve a proper Sunday lunch. I wanted to include dishes that guests might associate with family dining, such as roast dinners, smoked salmon and fishcakes.’

The exceptional produce and suppliers are of special significance here, helping to further elevate this British staple. ‘Our roast rib of Herefordshire beef and Norfolk black leg chickens are both from Finclass, a butchers in London’s Smithfield Market.’

The theme of generosity and family-style dining continues with a menu of sharing desserts so delicious that no one would judge you for indulging alone. The centrepiece is a Claridge’s chocolate plate and the classic apple crumble with custard and ice cream. Then a slice of the Colston Bassett Stilton to finish. It’s a revival of sorts, harking to a time of family and togetherness. In short, your new Sunday best. Book your table at claridges.co.uk

STYLE &BEAUTY

LONDON / CÔTE D’AZUR / BEVERLY HILLS

Twenty-five years after she revolutionised the world of fitness with the Tracy Anderson Method, longevity pioneer Tracy Anderson opens her first UK studio this summer in London. Experience a results-proven methodology at Surrenne, Maybourne's next generation wellbeing members’ club in Knightsbridge. surrenne.com

WellbeingRevolution

SURRENNE IS LONDON'S HEALTH DESTINATION FOR 2024.

EDWINA INGS-CHAMBERS GETS THE INSIDE TRACK

Rare is the spa that has its own Scientific Advisory Board. But then rare is the spa that is as concerned with neuroscience and nutrition as it is with essential oils and four hands massage. Created with the not insubstantial aim of ‘setting a new paradigm in longevity and human optimisation’, Surrenne, in Old Barrack Yard, Knightsbridge, is an unapologetic game-changer, ushering in a new era of wellness by combining technology with modern ritual.

Spread over four floors, and involving renowned architects such as Rémi Tessier and the late Richard Rogers, Surrenne was years in the making. The transformational wellbeing club, in the heart of Knightsbridge, brings together some of the brightest scientific minds in the space, with the advisory board including New York cosmetic specialist Dr Lara Devgan, Lifespan author Dr David Sinclair and Dr Mark Mikhail of 3 Peaks Health. They offer members and hotel guests the latest in evidence-based methodologies and neuroscience-backed diagnostics. In short, you will see results.

A portmanteau of serenity and energy, Surrenne is all about personalised treatment and elevating what you consider ‘well’. Like the proverbial boiled frog, most of us are unaware of the toll that the modern world takes on our health. That’s something that Inge Theron, Creative Director of Spa and Wellness, feels is ready to change. ‘The spa industry has blown up in this post-Covid era,’ she explains. As founder of global phenomenon

blood analysis, glucose monitoring and baseline testing, to ensure their fitness journey is based on the ultimate personally tailored programme. That programme could include fine-tuned fitness in the elegant studio, a daily snow shower (a gentler approach to cryotherapy), a purifying white onyx wet spa experience or a few moments in a hyperbaric chamber to increase oxygen delivery to the body, boost energy and fight infection.

There is also serious luxury. You’ll find Dyson Airwraps in the changing rooms, an ‘I need it all’ massage on the treatment menu (a blissful blend of deep tissue, Thai massage, Ayurveda, Shiatsu and trigger points) and your training kit laundered after each visit. Attention to detail stretches even to the tap water, which can be altered to the pH levels required.

'Living longer, better' is the mission and Surrenne is the platform

FaceGym and a former Financial Times ‘Spa Junkie’ columnist, Theron would know. ‘I’ve never seen such a radical global shift in the approach to wellbeing. With the incredible advancements in lifespan, we can all set our sights on 100 now. “Living longer, better” is the mission and destinations such as Surrenne are the platform.

‘What is great about Surrenne is we meet our customer where they are. Not everyone may have lofty ambitions. If you just want to look great in your bikini this summer, we got you. Want to climb Everest? We can help you too. Science-backed and evidencebased protocols help our members achieve their goals. Educating around small behavioural changes can make a huge difference, and creating a sumptuous space where doing good feels great, is the key.’

Those lucky enough to visit Surrenne will have a head start when it comes to living longer, better. Every member is given a medical consultation that includes

Designed by architect Rémi Tessier, each floor is dedicated to one activity. The ‘water, heat and steam’ floor has a 22-metre lap pool with an inbuilt sound system, surrounded by cabanas with ‘press for service’ buttons, a state-of-the-art sauna and steam room (with four aroma infusions to savour), London’s only snow shower and a small café where you can choose bespoke smoothies or champagne (this is still Maybourne, after all).

On another floor is fitness and personal training, with equipment so aesthetically pleasing – Pelotons, Woodway treadmills and customised Technogym equipment – you’ll actually want to work out. There are yoga and Pilates facilities with a highdefinition screening wall, if you want your sound bath or downward dog instruction to come from a Himalayan mountainside. And there are high-tech recovery tools. including a body composition scanner that walks gymgoers through their metrics and provides post-workout macronutrient feedback, and a Hyperice machine that massages tired muscles.

A third floor houses the ‘spa and longevity’ section. There you’ll find a signature crafted wet room and experiences that include scalp therapy, an OxyGeneo machine (which uses oxygen to revitalise exhausted faces) and Ashiatsu massage, in which therapists dangle from bars to tend clients with their feet.

Finally, a whole floor is dedicated to Tracy Anderson Method classes. With cedarwood and traditional rattan, onyx vanity tops, Baccarat fittings and terrazzo flooring, designer Tessier has ensured that the fitness guru’s first UK studio is minimalist, relaxing and serene – an underground oasis in the middle of the city. Daylight filters into the space from the roof, creating a connection

SOME OF THE EXPERTS

BRINGING THEIR EXPERIENCE TO SURRENNE

ROSEMARY FERGUSON

STELLA MCCARTNEY

DR MARK MIKHAIL

DR DAVID SINCLAIR

DR LARA DEVGAN

with the outside world while retaining the privacy you expect. Anderson – the go-to woman for many a flawless celebrity in peak shape (Harry Styles, Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham, to name but a few) – is just one of the experts that Theron and her team have enlisted. Nutritionist Rosemary Ferguson has created a menu and smoothie options with fitness, nutritional and collagen goals in mind. New York-based Dr Lara Devgan oversees a face treatment menu. Stella McCartney offers exclusive facials. Theron has created FaceGym’s first body treatment and the team will open its little black books to invite top-of-their-game personal trainers to the gym floor.

An extensive massage treatment menu – from the ‘Deep Tissue Adaptogenic Massage’ to the ‘Ballet Bodywork’, created with Surrenne's own products and choreographed music –seamlessly blends ancient healing with the highest of tech. An outdoor programme features wild swimming in nearby Hyde Park, complete with collagen-rich bone broth from an outdoor cart. And, for the purists, there’s an organic mani/pedi trolley. Overall, Surrenne is more advanced, sophisticated and comprehensive than anything else out there – and, as Theron points out, it’s where the future lies. It’s also a perfect fit with The Emory hotel, whose guests have privileged access to the space. ‘Crafted in harmony with partners from the cutting edge of modern wellness, the Surrenne philosophy embraces a new era of total rejuvenation,’ Theron enthuses. ‘Every treatment, product and ritual is a bespoke symphony of potent plants and pioneering technologies, to create truly transcendental states of being.’ The future of wellbeing is here. For membership enquiries, visit surrenne.com

Clockwise from top left: the café; the Tracy Anderson studio; a treatment room. Previous page: the main swimming pool at Surrenne

‘ MEET THE Seekers

THE EMORY IS LONDON’S NEW HOME OF HOROLOGY, THANKS TO WATCH-LOVING DUO

NICK FOULKES AND GEORGE BAMFORD

Words by NICK FOULKES

Photography by PHILIP SINDEN

The internet is a marvellous thing. Without it, I would have been aware of neither Playboy After Dark nor its predecessor  Playboy’s Penthouse – American syndicated variety shows that aired on TV during the 1960s, purporting to portray typical parties at Hugh Hefner’s mid-century-modernist home in the sky, at which the viewer was a privileged guest riding the elevator, the floor numbers climbing with the anticipation, until the lift doors slid open to reveal the soigné scene, the rare ed milieu. These vintage TV shows recall a gentler age of entertainment when style still mattered. This was still, just, the America of the Rat Pack but it was in transition, so you were as likely to see the Grateful Dead as you were a sharply suited Sammy Davis Jr., cigarette and tumbler of whiskey in hand, breaking into song.

I was discussing them with my friend George Bamford, and we were imagining what those shows would look like today, if hosted by us and dedicated to our shared love of watches and watchmaking. George is many things, including photographer, businessman, watchmaker, Snoopy a cionado, internet television personality and the o cial

‘Recklessly, The Emory had also given me the wonderful title of horological concierge’

customising partner for the watch brands of the LVMH group. I have been excited by watches since I was about 11 years old, which, believe me, is rather longer ago than I care to recall. I have since authored books, penned articles and edited magazines on the subject. George and I have known each other for over 20 years, but until last year had never shared a stage together. Then came Dubai Watch Week, where, to our mutual surprise, we entertained, delighted, enthralled and otherwise enraptured our audience with a full hour of wit, wisdom and not a little wa le on watchmaking. All of a sudden, it felt briefly as if we were the talk of the United Arab Emirates, nay the entire Arabian Peninsula. We were told that we were a double act that would sell out any stadium. We seriously considered taking up a residency in Las Vegas but somehow The Emory got wind of this and pipped Sin City to the post. As you will already know, The Emory is your new favourite hotel in Knightsbridge. I had already been asked to put together a small library of some of my favourite watch books (including, I may add, one or two that were not written by me). Rather recklessly, The Emory had also given me the wonderful title of horological concierge. What is more, The Emory has a rooftop environment, Bar 33 and The Emory Cigar Merchants,

with panoramic views across London that put Hef’s penthouse to shame. An idea began to form. A series of personality-led rooftop horological events, lmed in front of a live audience and broadcast across the globe on His Majesty’s internet. We love the watch industry, but even the biggest fans of watchmaking, among whom we number ourselves, have to admit it has a tendency to take itself seriously. So we thought of putting together a cocktail of all that we love best about the watch industry: its largest characters, its passionate collectors, its greatest designers, its biggest bosses, its most secret artisans and, of course, plenty of watches vintage and modern; plus a few other things we like (a dash of tailoring, wellchosen music and an occasional cigar); shaken vigorously and served stylishly on a Knightsbridge rooftop. All hosted by a dashing young man who wears training shoes with his suits (George) and an indolent older man dressed as a sort of discount Duke of Windsor (me).

It is a unique window onto the world of watchmaking, as you have never seen it before. Best of all, its rst season is taking place only at The Emory.

Nick Foulkes and George Bamford will host a series of ‘After Hours’ rooftop talks this summer. For details visit the-emory.co.uk

The Time Seekers play on Alexandra Llewellyn’s ‘The Chase’ backgammon set

Foulkes’ own Time Tamed (Simon & Schuster)

Bamford 3 Pocket Watch Roll

The Emory’s designer Richard Rogers’ beloved Bulova Accutron Spaceview

The Art of Horology

Louis Vuitton has repurposed its Escale case to showcase its métiers d’art –enamelling, marquetry and engraving. Three limited editions use a monogram designed by Vuitton’s Japonismeinspired grandson Gaston. Each watch features tableaux that depict carp, snakes and dragons. louisvuitton.com

FORM FOLLOWS

FUN

PERFECT

Timing

WATCHES

TO COVET BY

BILL PRINCE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF WALLPAPER* AND THE BLEND

STORM

BREWING

Ocean of Storms is the sixth instalment in the Blancpain X Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms. Its allblack case and SuperLuminova coated hands and markers cleave tightly to the military spec of the original divers’ watch. harveynichols.com

Aiming High

Richard Mille rose to fame on its uncompromising use of lightweight grade 5 titanium. But it’s also a pioneer in the use of ceramics – a discipline that comes to the fore in a feminine-focused collection inspired by the tutti-frutti tones used by those Italian designers of the 1980s known as the Memphis Group. richardmille.com

Green Day

Bell & Ross made its name with the BR: a range of aviation-inspired watches with substantial exteriors. That moment having passed, the BR 03 is a more conveniently sized 41mm and comes with a handsome copper gilt diala nod to the emergence of bronze as a case material. bellross.com

Three powerful forces at large in the world of contemporary watches combine in this handsome example of the Overseas: namely the continuing appeal of mid-20th-century ‘luxury sports’ designs; the more recent trend towards smaller case diameters; and a healthy appetite for green dials, here highlighted by a contrasting pink gold case and bracelet. vacheron-constantin.com

HONOUR

THY FATHER

Equipped with a minute repeater and alarm movement that will now be retired for perpetuity, the Reference 1938P marks the 85th birthday of Philippe Stern, Patek’s president from 1993 to 2009. patek.com

Heritage Classic is one of London’s most respected car dealers. A short drive from The Berkeley and The Emory, Heritage Classic offers extensive experience and market knowledge. Come and experience the new showroom in Kensington today.

Visit in person at 6 Kendrick Place, Reece Mews, London, SW7 3HF, call (0)20 3005 4422 or email sales@heritageclassic.com @heritageclassiclondon

The aurora borealis inspired the latest collection from David Morris. This fun and vibrant Arctic Dance choker zings with bright pink and cobalt-blue spinel drops that dangle from a glamorous mesh of diamonds, totalling 19.37ct. Matching earrings are available, just FYI. davidmorris.com

Wild at Heart

The ‘My’ in Chopard’s My Happy Hearts collection says it all: the line embraces selflove and independence, with delicious pink jewels that are intended as self-gifting (and all set in ethical 18ct gold to boot). chopard.com

Diamond LIFE

Lotus Esprit

To the lush lagoons of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, home to the magni cent nymphaea lotus – the flower behind De Beers’ Enchanted Lotus diamond collection. The plant was chosen for its links to purity and eternity, but also Botswana, celebrated in elegant designs like openwork studs, rings and a show-stopping brooch bursting with brilliant and pear-shaped diamonds. debeers.co.uk

FROM FLORAL ENGAGEMENT RINGS TO CELESTIAL CHOKERS, MING LIU SELECTS THE SEASON’S STANDOUT PIECES

Love

KING MAKER

As if one needs an excuse to visit Capri, Buccellati’s special edition Capri Bangles pay homage to the mystical island – and are available only at its two local boutiques. We especially love this verdantgreen enamelled Ginepro one, which takes its name from Capri’s juniper tree. buccellati.com

Love is in the air

The delicate beauty of apple blossoms inspired Pragnell’s new bridal collection, with artisans hand-engraving floral motifs into 18ct yellow gold bands. Serving up romantic, irregular patterns that mirror nature’s allure and mystery, the rings are set with round brilliant, cushion or oval cut diamonds. pragnell.co.uk

SOUL MATES

Dubbed the ‘King of Diamonds’ in 1947 by Cosmopolitan, Harry Winston has released many memorable D-themed jewels. Each stone on this King Brooch is set at varying angles to ensure the perfect t within the crescent. Dazzling! harrywinston.com

Wearable and stackable, Fope’s Souls rings, in signature flexible mesh gold, celebrate the bonds between couples. They come topped with a host of coloured stones. fope.com

FLOWER POWER

There are certain style signi ers that you clock on others: a Rolex Oyster Perpetual, Hermès tie or Loro Piana Open Walk. When holiday time comes, it’s the presence of mind to wear Orlebar Brown trunks after you hit the outof-o ce. This season, the house’s new Blossom collection ful ls the summery brief nicely. Modelled by Bridgerton breakout Jonathan Bailey, it is bursting with blooming patterns. orlebarbrown.com

Can you Hackett?

Hackett created its Velospeed jacket a decade ago, and a new edition marks that milestone. Hidden details – adjustable sleeves, internal layers on the elbows for wearand-tear – are helpful, while the look is pleasingly Steve McQueen without going as far as ‘boy racer’. hackett.com

Gentleman’s RELISH

STEPHEN DOIG, THE TELEGRAPH’S MEN’S STYLE EDITOR, PICKS THIS SEASON'S FAVOURITES

The British Are Coming

Hollywood glamour has always loved a touch of British panache and that fine tradition continues with the arrival of Thom Sweeney’s debut store in Los Angeles. Think immaculate wool suit jackets with a polo rather than a standard shirt. thomsweeney.com

BEST FOOT FORWARD

Creating magic

Pharrell Williams joining Louis Vuitton last year was a renegade choice, and he continues to disrupt the status quo. This summer, that means a collaboration with his long-time friend Tyler, The Creator, who’s worked with the musician on quirky suits and casualwear that toy with the codes of that familiar LV logo in to ees and brown. Music to our ears… louisvuitton.com

The humble sandal has become the focal point of the well-pedicured man’s wardrobe. These luxurious thongs in nubuck leather are discreetly statement-making. brunellocucinelli.com

TREASURE CHEST

How to exude a hint of inner peacockery without going the full dandyish degree?

A debonair lapel pin: now firmly the A-list man’s jewellery of choice. As seen on Regé-Jean Page, Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan, it’s a way to add a twinkle to your evening jacket without Liberace overtones.

CHANGING ROOMS

Metamorphosis, the latest collection from Alice Temperley, is designed for glamorous revelry –something the bohemian designer is well versed in. The presentation, hosted in Claridge’s, featured design signatures including leopard-print suits, velvet dresses and tuxedo jackets. temperleylondon.com

Front Row

GRAZIA’ S JANE MCFARLAND ON THE ACCESSORIES TO SEEK OUT THIS SUMMER

Erdem and Barbour have collaborated on a waxed jacket inspired by the late dowager Duchess of Devonshire –think a dramatic trapeze silhouette with chintzy quilted liner (inspired by the textiles of Chatsworth House). erdem.com

Midsommar Magic

After a buzzy show at Paris Fashion Week and moving to new digs in London’s Mount Street, oncecult Swedish label Toteme is about to go mainstream. Katie Holmes, the Duchess of Sussex and Rosie HuntingtonWhiteley are fans of its everyday denim and effortless tailoring. totemestudio.com

Love

striped blazer

Few do quiet luxury like Eleventy. The Milan-based label, with a boutique at The Berkeley, trades in investment pieces that never date. With highlights including a lightweight striped linen blazer and off-white silk separates, consider your summer capsule wardrobe sorted. eleventymilano.it

It’s no news that oversized blockbuster bags are still trending for summer. Look no further than heritage brand Mulberry; the accessory behemoth has an array of wear-everywhere, last-for-ever styles. Our favourite? The brand-new Pimlico – the perfect shoulder bag. mulberry.com

Walpole’s ‘British Luxury Brand of the Year’ in 2023, the familyowned Boodles spans six generations. Using Single Mine Origin gold, with a collection of traceable diamonds, the heritage brand is innovating and inspiring. boodles.com

DAILY

DOSE

Stella McCartney Beauty focuses on natural products, bringing clean beauty to your regime. Alter-Care Supplement is a daily dose of edible active ingredients - including ceramides, omegas and naturally derived vitamin E – to preserve collagen for brighter and smoother skin. After use, book yourself into Surrenne for her exclusive hour-long 99 per cent organic facial treatment. stellamccartneybeauty.com

Beauty NOTES

FROM VIBRANT HAIRCARE TO SUBLIME SKINCARE, BILLIE BHATIA COMPILES YOUR CHEAT SHEET

Throwing Shade

Little Italy

Scent maverick Jo Malone brings the Amalfi Coast to your fragrance wardrobe this summer with her limited-edition creation, With Love From Positano. This zesty and elegant blend combines orange oil, bergamot and star anise to evoke the feeling of a warm breeze on your skin. joloves.com

Burberry’s Her eau de parfum, a favourite of Emma Mackey, has been reimagined for a limitededition run. The fragrance has been rehoused in an archive-inspired glass bottle, encased in floating petals. With dark berry top notes and base notes of creamy amber, this is a dressing table upgrade of your favourite scent. burberry.com

FACE OFF

Ideal for traveling, or easy makeup on the move, the N°1 De Chanel multipurpose balm pairs a beautifully rich pigment with a nourishing formula that melts into skin and delivers effortless radiance. chanel.com

If you’re a fan of Dr Barbara Sturm’s Sturmglow therapies at The Spa in The Maybourne Beverly Hills, this is your next investment. The Exoso-Metic Growth Factor Facial, available in her boutiques, is the brand’s most advanced anti-ageing treatment yet. Using skinregenerating technology, the facial reduces the appearance of ne lines and boosts your complexion. drsturm.com

Check

Out…

THE

NEWS AND VIEWS FROM MAYBOURNE

A hat-trick for The Connaught

Five years after being appointed general manager, Sandeep Bhalla has been recognised as HOTELS magazine’s 2024 Hotelier of the World for his exceptional leadership, calm temperament and remarkable eye for detail: ‘In a competitive industry where excellence is the norm, Sandeep’s focus remains unwavering – on delivering exceptional experiences rather than comparing himself to others.’ Hélène Darroze’s commitment to excellence is similarly resolute. The Michelin Guide agrees, confirming her three stars for another year, making Hélène Darroze at The Connaught one of only six restaurants in London given the accolade. Congratulations are also in order for fellow Connaught expert Adam Lajca, who was awarded ‘Cigar Sommelier of the Year’ by Cigar Journal the-connaught.co.uk

DOG DAYS ARE OVER

Haute Cuisine on the Côte d’Azur

ROMANCING THE STONE

Make 2024 your year of culinary adventure with ‘A Taste of The Riviera.’ Check into your suite or studio and experience the tasting menu at Mauro Colagreco’s Michelin-starred Ceto, plus a welcome bottle of champagne, a cookbook, breakfast, late checkout and valet parking. maybourneriviera.com

Green & Stone has been supplying London’s art scene for nearly 100 years. Established as a picture framer and art-materials specialist since 1927, it is now one of Europe’s most sought-after suppliers. Visit its emporium for impressive service, a gallery space, gift ideas – and a shade of pink that recalls The Emory. greenandstone.com

Class Act

This summer, Claridge’s ArtSpace will play host to Royal Ballet alumnus Eric Underwood, as he teaches a series of ballet classes throughout May, June and July. Not only will pupils be taught by one of the most prominent soloists in the industry, surrounded by some of London’s most exciting art, but the classes are free, with spaces allocated on a rst come, rst served basis. claridges.co.uk

LA STORY

Dante Beverly Hills serves the best negroni on the West Coast - but have you tried every one on the menu? Consider the Mezcalito or the Cielo (made with mezcal and Patrón), or sample the chocolate or co ee variants. For a real showstopper, try 'The Last Sip', inspired by legendary restaurateur Massimo Bottura. maybournebeverlyhills.com

Take Flight

Looking to explore Monaco on your own terms? Through a partnership with executive helicopter service Blade, guests at The Maybourne Riviera can expect flawless service, whether on a rapid transfer (seven minutes to Nice airport) or a more leisurely 30-minute romantic detour. maybourneriviera.com

PRETTY IN PINK

A new hammam treatment is on o er at Claridge’s Spa, inspired by the cocktails served at The Painter’s Room, three floors above it. Guests lie in The Pink Room on a heated onyx bed while a cocktail shaker is used to prepare the treatment. Still not calm? Book a massage with therapist Luca Bagnara, who has a weekly residency at Claridge’s - or just head upstairs for a Martini. claridges.co.uk

Bring On The Night

As the saying goes, no one looks back on their life and remembers the nights they had plenty of sleep. The city of Los Angeles is no stranger to a party and no one takes events quite as seriously as Angelenos. From the décor to the food, the guestlist to the winelist, absolutely nothing is left to chance. With grand ballrooms, discreet terraces and rooftop dining against the spectacular backdrop of the Hollywood Hills, the team can help you host the perfect party, from intimate dinner party gatherings to all-out Gatsby galas. maybournebeverlyhills.com

FIVE MINS WITH…

Sam Jagger General Manager, The Maybourne Beverly Hills

Favourite LA places to visit?

Nothing beats a hike in Runyon Canyon or a stroll through the Huntington Botanical Gardens.

Best souvenir spot?

The eclectic shops on Abbot Kinney in Venice.

Cocktail of choice? A Dante negroni.

Favourite gallery?

The Broad, for its contemporary art and the striking design of the building itself.

What does LA do best?

The outdoor dining scene is unbeatable.

Do you miss anything about England?

A dry sense of humour – and local pub culture!

The Maybourne Beverly Hills offers an unbeatable backdrop for parties including The Garden Terrace

OWN THE MOMENT.

Discover the new Leica SL3 camera, made in Germany. This moment was captured by Pat Domingo.

Guest List

THE BEST OF BRITISH IN LA, WOMEN OF SCREEN, STAGE AND SHOW, PLUS THEATRELAND’S MOST WANTED

Domingo

Bafta’s Tea Party At The Maybourne Beverly Hills

Industry darlings, awards-season veterans and small-screen sensations were in full e ect at a blockbuster evening on the Garden Terrace. Presented by Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic and BBC Studios, it featured cast members from Bridgerton, The Bear, Succession, Ted Lasso and The Night Manager, mingling with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Willem Dafoe, Greta Lee, Carey Mulligan, Paul Giamatti, Colman Domingo, Rosamund Pike, Julianne Moore and Emily Blunt. Guests enjoyed lobster tacos and the visual splendour of Flowerbx decorations.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Rosamund Pike

Carey Mulligan and Emerald Fennell

Ayo Edebiri, Seth Rogen and Jeff Rowe

Paul Giamatti

Elizabeth Debicki and Tom Hiddleston

Cristo Fernández and Sam Richardson

Willem Dafoe and Dominic Sessa

Colman

Julianne Moore

Emily Blunt

Harper’s Bazaar Women Of The Year

At Claridge’s

In partnership with Harry Winston, the evening celebrated inspiring women and extraordinary achievements across the worlds of lm, TV, music, literature, art and culture. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Wednesday’s Jenna Ortega, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, Janelle Monáe and Saltburn writer/director Emerald Fennell were all in attendance –plus the incomparable Marina Abramović, who was residing at Claridge’s for the season.

Camille Cottin

Janelle Monáe

Tory Burch and Naomi Watts

Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Jenna Ortega

Olivia Colman and Emilia Clarke

Marina Abramović

Kim Cattrall

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Arsema Thomas

The Evening Standard Theatre Awards at Claridge’s

London’s most lavish celebration of theatrical talent saw Tom Hiddleston, Rebecca Lucy Taylor, Omari Douglas, Billy Porter, Ruth Wilson, Jenna Coleman, Hayley Atwell, Sir Elton John and Boy George honour a remarkable year in theatre. Nicole Scherzinger won Best Musical Performance for Sunset Boulevard, Patsy Ferran and Anjana Vasan were jointly awarded the Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress and The Motive and the Cue was best play. Susan Wokoma, Lord Lebedev and Sir Ian McKellen presented awards. Guests drank Laurent-Perrier champagne, Bird in Hand wine and Eight Lands vodka cocktails.

The Rake’s Gentlemen’s Evening at The Maybourne Riviera

With a little help from Chopard, ten of the bestdressed men in Europe converged for an evening on the Côte d’Azur. They discussed sophisticated watchmaking, played backgammon and enjoyed the nest cigars while dining at La Piscine.

Billy Porter and Paloma Faith

Sir Elton John and David Furnish

Hayley Atwell

Ruth Wilson

William Anderson

Jenna Coleman

Chamberlin

Shary Rahman

Boy George and Joe Bromley

Guy Belot, Paul Feig and Farhad Heydari

Auro Montari

Ruth Wilson

Eddie Sahakian

Nicole Scherzinger

Beryl Cook Takes

Beryl Cook Takes Los Angeles

at The Maybourne Beverly Hills

Maybourne Beverly Hills

To kick o Frieze week, Beverly Hills got an insight into a particularly British form of art. To celebrate A Hug From The Art World’s exhibition by Beryl Cook, an intimate dinner –hosted by actor Lake Bell and CULTURED magazine – was held at Dante Beverley Hills. Hollywood stars mingled with the art world elite, including Patricia Arquette, Josh and Gina Abrahams, Zoë de Givenchy, Matthew Higgs, Gavin Brown, Anton Kern, Jennifer Guidi and Brooklin Soumahoro.

kick o Frieze week, Beverly Hills got an insight into a particularly British form of art. celebrate A From World’s exhibition by Beryl Cook, intimate –hosted actor Lake Bell and CULTURED – was held Beverley Hills. Hollywood stars with the art world Patricia Arquette, Josh and Gina Abrahams, Zoë de Givenchy, Matthew Higgs, Brown, Kern, Jennifer Brooklin

The Time Capsule at The Emory

How to celebrate Maybourne’s rst new hotel in 50 years? With a time capsule, of course. After a trumpet-led fanfare and rain as only London can provide, the time capsule was buried for 100 years with a speech by general manager Knut Wylde. Guests enjoyed Laurent-Perrier and abc kitchens pizza under a canopy of The Emory umbrellas.

Gavin Brown and Matthew Higgs

Juan Miguel Mora Yanes

The Emory Trumpeters

Kathy Hilton and Tina Chen Craig

Lisa Edelstein, Janine Nabers and Georgina Cohen

Logan Lerman and Analuisa Corrigan

Patricia Pericas and Anton Kern

Michelle Hellman and Adam Cohen

Jason Rubell and Michelle Rubell

Lake Bell

Michael Blair, Roland Fasel, Knut Wylde, Jasper Anderegg and Sebastian Blair

Lisa Edelstein, Janine Nabers, and Georgina Cohen

SINCE 1878

STYLE AND BEAUTIFUL LEATHER

In

Good Hands

FLUID FASHION FIGUREHEAD HARRIS REED REVEALS ALL ON BEING CAPTURED BY CLARIDGE’S ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE DAVID DOWNTON

Photography by JACOBUS SNYMAN

‘I remember going to Claridge’s and seeing the people I’ve looked up to my whole life on the wall, all drawn by David’

Sitting for David is like watching a favourite Fellini lm. The wild stories of all the people he’s met – the designers, models and people I dream about dressing – just tumble out. Like me, he can’t help himself talk and bring you into his world. The moment we sit down, he immediately starts talking and springs into some fabulous – and shocking –story, then suddenly asks me to stay very still while he sketches.

David is such an amazing character. You just don’t get people like him any more. He transports you to another place with his storytelling. There is an art to his presence; he shares his thoughts on fashion, past, present and how he feels it should be.

London is a place of members’ clubs and to be drawn by David Downton is to be accepted into the ultimate members’ club. My rst fashion parties were all at Claridge’s. I remember going to the Harper’s Women of the Year awards and seeing the people I’ve looked up to my whole life on the wall, drawn by David. It’s an eclectic list, really the crème de la crème of fashion, his own hand-picked, gorgeous, divine fashion family. To be 27 and have my portrait next to heroes of mine – Michael Kors, Zac Posen or Alber Elbaz – it’s surreal.

Today, Claridge’s feels like my second home, at least in my head anyway. I got married there last year. Sometimes, I arrive early for meetings and wander around a bit – I love seeing room service trays outside rooms and wondering about the lives of the people inside. Are they a prince? An actor? It’s like a time capsule. Today, everything is so instant; sitting for a portrait is like something from another era. I feel like an 18th-century prince. It’s like making a couture gown. You can’t rush it. In my work, I get to sign o every detail, every decision, so to hand over the gauntlet to someone else feels crazy. I have to trust him entirely. As the afternoon goes on, we chat fluidly about fashion, travel and art. It is such a delicious and cultured conversation.

There is a feeling – and forgive me for saying this but it’s true – like my entire 10 years of designing have led up to these three hours, sitting in The Residence at Claridge’s, with its glorious spiral staircase, glass of champagne in hand, being drawn by David Downton. For a moment I feel like I’ve made it!’

From left: backstage at the FW23 show as part of Paris Fashion Week; behind the scenes at Harris’ SS24 Duet show, lookbook imagery from the SS24 Duet collection

DAVID DOWNTON DRAWS

Harris Reed

Putting the flow into fluid, still in his twenties, Harris Reed trails all before him. As the designer of his eponymous demi-couture brand and the creative director (since 2022) of the storied French house Nina Ricci, he is the master of chic et choc. Along the way he has found time to collaborate with Gucci and Mac; dress Harry Styles, Adele and Beyoncé; write a book, Fluid: A Fashion Revolution; get married and renovate a house in London. All of which he has achieved without an outward sign of angst. Rather, he seems borne along by energy and wonder. Staying true to his vision of beauty and acceptance, he has created his own space and invited the world to join him.

David Downton is artist in residence at Claridge’s. See his Talking Heads gallery on the ground floor. daviddownton.com