THE WISHLIST
ART & DESIGN
Kasmin’s Camera
The summer exhibition presents photographic archives of British art dealer and collector John Kasmin. The images record a wide community of artists, dealers and critics including David Hockney and Frank Stella. Discover the works at the Lyndsey Ingram Gallery on 20 Bourdon Street, Mayfair, pictured right Until 23 August lyndseyingram.com
Paradox Museum
Located opposite Harrods, this new museum is designed for all ages. Presenting mindbending mental and visual illusions, it's designed to challenge perceptions. With more than 50 exhibits and 25 immersive rooms, visitors can defy the odds of gravity. Open now paradoxmuseum.com
EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS
New Myth
The Arts Club group exhibition focuses on six contemporary artists of Native American descent. Inspired by their cultural roots, the vibrant and poetic works balance personal and familial histories with contemporary artistic, societal, and political concerns, forging practices that address our constantly shifting present. On now theartsclub.co.uk
Natural perfume-making workshop
If you're still seeking a signature scent, why not try making your own? In this perfumemaking class at Yougi in Spitalfields, learn how to create your own unique fragrance with essential oils. Led by the fragrance brand's founder Emily Lynam, attendees will learn about perfume notes and families as well as measurements and technical details. 3, 8, 17, 22, 29 and 31 August yougibotanicals.com
Poppy Sturley workshop
Learn how to create blooming beautiful arrangements with talented florist Poppy Sturley, whose Clapham studio classes cover styling bouquets and floral bowls, and include pastries, cakes and lunch left 23 August poppysturley.co.uk/workshops-2
ON STAGE
Bernadette Peters:
Live from London
At Theatre Royal Drury Lane for one night only, the multi award-winning musical theatre icon will perform the Broadway hits that have earned her critical acclaim 12 August lwtheatres.co.uk
The Constituent
The volatile new political play written by Joe Penhall stars Bafta winner Anna Maxwell Martin as an opposition backbencher whose life in public office is tested by the demands of a man in crisis, played by Tony Award winner James Corden.
Ends 10 August oldvictheatre.com
Chelsea Physic Garden
Combine jazz with the flavours of the Mediterranean this summer at London’s oldest garden. As part of the the Physic Garden Café's Supper Club series, dine on a delicious three-course meal, accompanied by a selection of drinks. French cuisine with live jazz is the following week's theme. Tickets are £85 each.
21 & 28 August chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk
Holland Park Opera
Within the formal gardens and woodlands of Holland Park, the summer festival has a wide range of events for opera fans. This year's festival marks the 80th birthday of legendary singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. See the full programme online to book a show. Various dates operahollandpark.com
FOOD AND DRINK
Oranj x Glassette
This Shoreditch natural wine bar has teamed up with Glassette, founded by Laura Jackson, and bespoke ceramicist David Perry to create the ultimate summer bundles, combining design with a choice of chillable red or orange wine, left oranj.co.uk/collections
Akira Back
Within the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Mayfair’s Hanover Square, Akira Back is the spectacular new restaurant with a menu curated by Chef Akira, exploring modern Japanese cuisine through his famous dishes, alongside London exclusive dishes. mandarinoriental.com/en/london/mayfair
Alex Dilling
Through eight delicious courses, diners will try Michelin-starred chef Alex Dilling’s ‘Defining Dishes’. In the acclaimed Hotel Café Royal, the menu will range from clam chowder to hunter's chicken, influenced by his personal and professional life, below. hotelcaferoyal.com/eat-drink
Home House
In the beautiful summertime setting of members' club Home House, members and non-members can indulge in summer dining in the club’s garden. Under the helm of group executive chef Jeremy Brown formerly of Gordon Ramsay restaurants, the menu features gourmet barbecue at weekends. homehouse.co.uk L
LOOK AHEAD
THE GRAPES OF WRATH
At the National Theatre's Lyttleton Theatre, The Grapes of Wrath is based on the great American novel written by John Steinbeck, which centres around the Joad family's journey west for hope and a better life in California. Ends 14 September nationaltheatre. org.uk
200 YEARS OF THE PICTURE ROOM
In Focus is a series of lunchtime talks, held in the Sir John Soane Museum with its curators and lecturers. Next month, attention will be on the Picture Room, behind No.14 Lincoln's Inn Fields, where Helen Dorey will discuss the origins of its design and history. 18 September soane.org
BICENTENARY AFTERNOON TEA
Celebrate the National Gallery's 200th anniversary at Ochre. The carefully curated afternoon tea spread will come with all the artistic trimmings to raise a deserved glass to an iconic cultural institution. Book now ochre.london/ afternoon-tea
ON THE GO
This page: Thierry Henry, pictured with the cleverly designed flex cabin and trunk Kabuto® suitcases – both limited edition pieces – with 3,000 available of each Opposite page: The former footballer during his tenure as one of Arsenal FC’s Invincibles in 2003
“ “
I’m proud of being French, but I call myself a Londoner
THE LEGENDARY FOOTBALLER TURNED SPORTS BROADCASTER
THIERRY HENRY TALKS ABOUT HIS TRAVELS, STYLE AND PERFECT PACKING. BY TALLULAH
RUSHAYA
Thierry Henry is undoubtedly one of the greatest players ‘the beautiful game’ of football has ever seen. Born in France, Henry made his name at Arsenal FC in north London, where he spent eight successful years and scored 228 goals under the guidance of manager and compatriot Arsene Wenger. His love of London still remains strong. Hampstead has been his home on and off since 2001, interspersed with moves to play for France’s national team, Barcelona and New York Redbulls, finally hanging up his boots in 2014. Since retirement, the 46 year old has gone on to build a career as a TV pundit, as France U21s manager, and preparing the French national team for this year’s Paris Olympics.
Recently, Henry has added designer to his many accomplishments. An experienced traveller, he has partnered with Parisian luggage company Kabuto, creating two exclusive suitcases that implement technology reminiscent of a Hollywood film. “The way you can open and unlock it with your fingerprint for me is game-changing,” Henry says. “The world is changing so fast and we don’t necessarily need keys anymore. It’s just quicker and nicer to use the fingerprint option.” A solution to bringing home more from a holiday than you left with, something Thierry admits to doing, the suitcase is able to expand up to 50 per cent, which ensures clothes will not move within the suitcase.
Exposed to the varying styles of the three fashion capitals of the world, Henry’s own personal style is unequivocally cool, with hints of influence from each city. “I love the cut of a Tom Ford suit as I like the way it fits on my body,” he says. “Tracksuits – I live in them too, sunglasses and a cap.” For the jetsetter, comfortable travel attire is essential. “I don’t travel without a hoodie top because my neck is my soft spot and the air conditioning on a plane blasts my neck, so I need to protect it. If I sleep on a plane it’s always my neck I have to protect, so the air con doesn’t affect it.”
The opportunities to travel are not taken for
granted by Henry, who spent his childhood in Paris’ Les Ulis suburb. For him, travel growing up would consist of visiting friends in his neighbourhood. “Occasionally my mum would take me into Paris and I thought it was beautiful. I have memories of her going to a bargain clothes shop where she would buy things really cheaply,” he recalls. One of his earliest memories of travelling abroad was, when playing for France, to Faro, Portugal as a teenager, which subsequently led to trips to Monaco and Italy when his career took off.
Being grateful for the chances to see the world are lessons he implements to his four children, who he acknowledges have a vastly different childhood to his. “Now my kids are so funny as they think going to the Maldives is all right,” he muses. “They’re of the opinion, ‘okay we’ve seen that before’, but still, I try to ensure they know it’s not normal to travel as much as they do and I want them to appreciate everything.” It is the simple things Henry enjoys while on family holidays, where they mostly stay in hotels or rent a villa. From being in nature to the laid-back isolation on an island running, reading and ‘just connecting as a family’. It’s those special moments he cites where he realises how far he has come. With football being a global sport, it’s the exploration of different cultures and religions that make travel especially meaningful.
With many places ticked off the travel list, Henry’s favourite destination is Rio de Janeiro. “Unlike big towns, Rio has it all. I like the fact that everyone in Brazil listens to samba, eats the same food and the connection is all the same,” he says. “Rio is always such an eye opener to me as there are very few cities that have a sense of community in the way Rio does.”
Next on his list? Australia. “I never had a chance to go there, as there was never enough time during my football career because of the distance and getting over the jetlag.”
Wherever his travels take him next, it’s London Henry calls home. “I’m proud of being French,” he says, “but I call myself a Londoner.” L
LONDON CALLING This page: Pick a fabulous bunch –or something a little more elaborate – at wonderful Mayfair florist Wild at Heart; Il Gattopardo restaurant on Albermarle Street serves delicious Italian dishes from across the country Right page: Family-run Partridges on Sloane Square is where foodie shoppers can find groceries that have had a royal seal of approval; Sophia Chivokani founder of beauty brand Code8 is passionate about impeccable service
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THE GREATEST BOUTIQUES, BARS, HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS IN THE CAPITAL – THE ONES THAT CUSTOMERS RETURN TO YEAR AFTER YEAR - HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON: THEY OFFER THE FINEST SERVICE. HERE, LONDON’S MOST DISTINGUISHED SHOPKEEPERS AND TASTEMAKERS REVEAL THEIR OWN PERSONAL FAVOURITES
John Shepherd
OWNER OF PARTRIDGES, DUKE OF YORK SQUARE partridges.co.uk
“As a Royal Warrant Holder for over 30 years, customer service is at the forefront of everything Partridges does. And having traded in Chelsea for over 52 years, many longstanding friendships and associations with customers, fellow retailers, suppliers and stakeholders have been formed. There ’s a real community spirit surrounding the range of speciality food and drinks that Partridges sells with tastings and samplings in-store. To help maintain this community spirit, there are regular events , such as the Christmas Market on the King ’s Road in conjunction
with Cadogan, the World Chelsea Bun Awards and every Saturday the Fine Food Market, which attracts thousands of customers weekly. At the heart of everything Partridges does though , is the simple human interaction of selling good food to local people – finding the best suppliers and seeking out unusual items that many customers are looking for and also assisting start-up businesses on their journey towards success.”
John recommends: Andrews Pharmacy at 149B Sloane Street. “Essentially, it’s a oneman-band of Norman Waidhofer with back-up from two great people. Every London village needs a good pharmacy and Norman has become Chelsea’s go-to chemist for customer service, knowledge and reliability that hints of a bygone era.”
Sophia Chikovani CODE8 FOUNDER, BURLINGTON ARCADE codeeight.com
“Good service is the base of all businesses. It ’s not just about selling quality products, it ’s about building relationships with your customers. With such a saturated market in our industry, it ’s crucial to stand out – and for us, it ’s not just through our high-performing
KEEP COOL ON HOT SUMMER DAYS IN THE CITY WITH THESE STYLISH HOME ACCESSORIES
JUNGLE NOOK RATTAN HANGING CHAIR, £375 NKUKU.COM
Alfresco ambience: 1. Rattan pendant shade, £125, coxandcox.co.uk 2. Citrus juicer in Mint, £149.95, shop.smeguk.com 3. Made-to-measure folding screen, POA), lisondecaunes.com 4. Kimie fabric in Oatmeal, £65, harlequin.sandersondesigngroup.com 5. Iceball maker, £650, themacallan.com 6. Bordallo Pinheiro tumbler, £22, divertimenti.co.uk 7. Handwoven and stitched jute rug, £385, birdiefortescue.co.uk 8. Steel parasol base in Sage, £279, grahamandgreen.co.uk 9. Signature parasol in Terracotta Orange with contrast trim, £1,195, pliaparasols.co.uk 10. Khu Khu hand fan, £63, wolfandbadger.com 11. Rattan ice bucket with tongs, £72, rebeccaudall.com 12. Velvet outdoor cushion in smoke, £95, andrewmartin.co.uk
