THE RURBANIST Elle Macpherson

The GOOD LIFE

Alice B-B find blades of glory at London’s latest must-visit members’ club

En garde: 180 Health Club offers a raft of new classes to try

THE THRILL… of a new space with a fresh vision. This was the feeling as I stepped into 180 Health Club on The Strand, part of a buzzing new work and play space (Soho House is on the top two fl oors). No boring, sweaty gym or warren of treatment rooms; instead vast spaces that morph into training or breathwork areas set in front of screens fi lled with ‘someone’s taken mushrooms’ visuals. In charge of collating London’s best, most exciting trainers and practitioners is super-styler and talent-junkie Alex Eagle. Under her watch you can box with ace trainer Pete Liggins (BoxCleverSports), take Yamuna Rolling classes (somehow makes your limbs longer and leaner) or have an IV infusion courtesy of Koniver Wellness. There’s also cryotherapy, infrared sauna, lymphatic drainage… you can even take gardening courses. Or learn to fence. With an epee – not actually knocking up a fence. Though I’m sure that can be arranged, too (180thestrand.com/180-health-club). HAVE I GOT MY TASTE AND SMELL BACK? This was my postCovid excuse to try the rush of new restaurants. First up: Koyn in Mayfair, sister to my favourite Michelin-starred Indian, Jamavar. The Japanese restaurant is split over two fl oors; bright and perky upstairs, dark and sexy downstairs. My table was upstairs (how I miss those downstairs days). But that was the only downside. Standout dishes include Chilean sea bass with a shiso salsa verde, hay smoked lobster and yellowtail sashimi with truffl e soy – I will go back to Koyn for this alone (koynrestaurants.com). Then I took a seat on the green leather banquette at Dorian – from the team behind Notting Hill Fish Shop and Supermarket of Dreams. I scarfed possibly the most perfect fi g leaf negroni and scoffed a melting sirloin and crab rosti. Fair to say that all my senses are back in working order – much to the chagrin of my Nili Lotan trouser waistband (dorianrestaurant.com). FANCY A WAVE? ‘Go on then,’ I’d reply. And for years, I’d leave the hair salon, catch myself in a shop window and wonder why someone’s auntie was staring at me. Then everything changed; ‘No BORING, sweaty gym I got an appointment with hair god Josh Wood (Tilda Swinton, Elle Macpherson etc…), who not only or warren of treatment rooms; instead VAST spaces that morph into training or BREATHWORK areas’ swapped my naff Chelsea highlights for cool girl dirty blonde, but whose stylists fi nally gave me a blow dry to shout about. So hurray for Josh fans – he’s been given his own mini salon in the spanking new spa at Claridge’s. Visiting dignitaries, Hollywood royalty and Mayfair denizens in need of a fresh barnet now have access to the Wood wizardry (claridges.co.uk). n

THIS MONTH I’LL BE...

HOPING for racy pants in my stocking (nounou.co.uk). SALIVATING over this 18ct gold and rainbow jewel necklace (£15,230, robinsonpelham.com). BREEZING through jet-lag, club-lag or simply life-lag with new sleep aid that induces a state of snooziness similar to that of a just-fed baby (£34.99, leapfrogremedies.com).

The RURBANIST

Elle Macpherson on playing Elvis, building a business and too much Aussie sun

SCENT I’ve always loved men’s cologne and have worn Vétiver by Guerlain for decades. SONG Morning Elvis by Florence and the Machine. RESTAURANT Farmacy in London. HOLIDAY Slopes for days! Carving lines down the mountain for me is a form of deep meditation.

FROM TOP: Nicknamed ‘The Body’, Elle Macpherson started modelling in 1982; she’s a fan of Farmacy in Notting Hill when in London What’s bugging you most right now? Seeing our beautiful world awash with fear and uncertainty. Whose mind do you wish you could change? I’ve learned it’s vital not to try and change anyone’s mind, but I do wish there was a wider appreciation of individual uniqueness and our relationship to nature. What do you wish your parents had told you? First of all, I’m thankful I had the opportunity to learn my own way as my parents didn’t put any expectations on me. Maybe I wish I’d known that kids don’t come with a handbook. What keeps you awake at night? Nothing. I sleep with a grateful heart knowing my body is healing – and I always look forward to the next day. What could you have been arrested for? My sense of humour at times. Best life hack? Learning the art of stillness, listening to your inner sense and a big dose of WelleCo’s The Super Elixir. One tip to save the world? I don’t think it needs saving but it could benefit from some changes – like aligning mind and body with the soul, and enjoying more connectedness with each other and our earth. The pet you most loved… Was our beloved labradoodle Bella, who was a huge part of our family when the boys were growing up. She was very loved, and even had her own modelling contract at one time. The book you wished you’d written? My own and so I am. The film you wished you’d starred in? Elvis. I recently watched Baz Luhrmann’s film and I loved it. You can call me Elle-vis! I’d love to play him. Who would play you in a biopic? Someone who could withstand portraying a 40-year career with grace and a sense of humour. Your greatest failure? There are no failures. I prefer to learn from my experiences, so I treasure both the ups and the downs. Having said that – it could be said my skin has paid a toll for too much Aussie sun. Your greatest triumph? My career highlight is the present. It’s the now. Working with WelleCo. Building a business where the purpose is greater than ourselves; helping people discover and embrace the real unique beauty within themselves. Your epitaph would read... ‘She loved to love and be loved’ and ‘she discovered beauty is soul deep’. Can you have two? For more information about WelleCo, visit welleco.co.uk n

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