Fresheye Magazine. November Edition 2022

eye

How to be an optimist...

Optimism is such an underrated skill; it has so many benefits, including increased wellbeing and better sleep and everyone can adapt their lives to experience it. It’s so simple to incorporate into your everyday life. A good place to start is, to create some positive mantras for yourself, one’s in which you can think back to when times are tough, and which will lead you back onto a positive mental path.

Focus on your successes, and remember the hurdles you’ve over come to achieve them! Having gratitude for your successes will only spur you on to do better.

Have a focus, whether it’s a positive role model, a goal or just to trying something new, it’ll encourage you to think of the most positive outcomes, of which you are aiming to reach for.

Stay positive, everyone is faced with challenges throughout their lives, however it’s not necessarily the challenged which throw us off course, but the way we interpret and reaction to them. You can’t always change events or circumstances; however you can

change how you perceive and respond to them. In any situation think of the positives and also what you can learn and gain from your experience, rather than what you have lost. This is always the first step to bouncing back when it comes to disappointment. And when it comes to tragedy take comfort in the good times, for they’ll never change.

fresh eye Optimism

I keep my eyes on the horizon.

Sponsored by

by Sophie Fitzjohn.

Try to avoid predicting the future, nothing is certain; therefore it’s important to try not to predict the future based on what has happened before. When things don’t go to plan in life, optimists tend to see it as an isolated event; whilst pessimists often look out for reoccurring patterns of bad luck, and think “if it’s happened once, it’ll happen again”. However in life this just isn’t the case. Surround yourself with positive vibes! Spending time with negative people means it’s only a matter of time before it starts to rub off on you. Being around like minded positive people is important to ensure your optimism for life is present and in full swing! This also applies to other influences in your life, such as movies, music and books. Surround yourself with positive influences and see the effect it has on your state of mind. Mindfulness and mediation are great outlets to explore when it comes to seeing the positives in everyday life and remaining grounded.

Do something for yourself and keep a Gratitude Diary. When something bad happens and puts us in a foul mood, it rarely escapes our attention. However how often do

Sophie says.....

we actually appreciate when things are going smoothly? Reflecting in a gratitude journal changes your focus and thinking, and enables you to be grateful for all the things that do go to plan.

Challenge negative thoughts; negative thoughts are often based on our own fears, doubts and low-self- esteem. Therefore to over come this, you need to challenge these thoughts and put them into perspective.

Ask yourself what’s the evidence that these thoughts are true? And the evidence that they are not? All negative predictions are usually just that, predictions.

Always focus on the solution, rather than the problem. To be an optimist, look for the solutions. Pessimists tend to focus on the problem; and that’s not helpful for anyone, as it doesn’t change the situation. Don’t waste time reflecting on what could have been, let go and get proactive planning your next step!

Fake it till you make it! Optimism isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone, and it can take time to change your mindset. So in the meantime, attempt to put the action before the feeling and interpret a more positive outlook. Studies have shown that it is possible to trick yourself into a more positive mindset by going through the motions. Smiling, laughing more and speaking in a positive tone are all ways that can help you onto the road of optimism and happiness!

Quote - “I’m reasonably optimistic about the future, especially the future of the United States - for the century, at least.”

Elon Musk

“I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter.”

Walt Disney

The glass is most definitely half full.

mark of monarchy

Reign

F

or ten days, the British Royal family and millions of people in the UK could pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II during a meticulously planned ceremonial procession that began in Scotland and concluded in London.

The queen’s coffin Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin was constructed over 30 years ago. The box is made of English oak by the same company that made the coffin for Prince Philip. The casket was draped in the Royal Standard flag for the procession

and funerals. During the state funeral inside Westminster Hall, the coffin was placed on a catafalque while guarded by an officer. Each hour, they will change places with other guards so they can rest.

The Imperial State Crown

The elaborated and bejeweled crown was made in 1937 and belonged to the queen’s father, King George VI. The impressive and gorgeous piece comprises 317.4-carat cushioncut Cullinan II diamond and 170-carat Black Prince’s Ruby. It is reported that it has over 3,000 gems.

fresh eye Symbolism

fresheye reflects on the biggest state funeral this century

Hymn - The Lord’s My Shepherd was sung to the Crimond tune, originating from the Aberdeenshire parish by Balmoral Castle, where the Queen died. The hymn featured at the wedding of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, before which the young Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret summoned the Master of Choristers to Buckingham Palace and sang the particular descant, by William Baird Ross, that they wanted to be used.

Attire In a thoughtful fashion move, the Princess of Wales wore a black version of the white Alexander McQueen coat dress she wore at June’s Trooping the Colour during the Platinum Jubilee. The single-breasted coat dress featured a full skirt and two buttons at the waist. Additionally, she borrowed Queen Elizabeth’s four-strand pearl necklace with a diamond claspwhich has also been worn by the Queen and Diana, Princess of Wales - and Bahrain Pearl earrings. It was the same suite of jewellery she wore to Prince Philip’s funeral: a clear gesture of affection.

Symbolism

To rest Windsor: Upon arriving at Windsor Castle, the coffin was transported into St. George’s Chapel, where there was a small family service and the coffin was lowered into its final resting place, in the Royal Vault under the quire.

Queen Elizabeth II was buried next to Prince Philip, her husband of more than 70 years, who died in 2021. Her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the queen mother, as well as Elizabeth’s sister, Princess Margaret, are also interred at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, which is part of St. George’s Chapel.

Left: Previously unseen photo of Queen Elizabeth released after funeral. Courtesy: Royal palace | World News

Above: The black Jaguar XJ State Hearse was designed in consultation with the Queen herself. Jaguar Landrover built the car to include lights so that even at night, or during cloudy days, mourners would be able to see the Queen’s coffin on its journey. It echoes the custom-made Land Rover Defender 130 which served as hearse for Prince Philip. Like the Queen, he consulted on the vehicle, designing a solid load bed cover to bear his coffin. When the Queen’s Jaguar rumbled from Windsor Castle to St Georges Chapel on Monday, it was following the same tracks as her late, beloved husband’s - minutes before she was laid to rest beside him.

Symbolism

Megan Markle cutting a solemn profile at the state funeral

In state Queen Elizabeth lay in state from Wednesday, Sept. 14, until the morning of the funeral. The arrival of her coffin was greeted by Big Ben tolling before it was carried in by a carefully selected group of soldiers and placed on a decorated wooden framework, called a Catafalque. The Archbishop of Canterbury conducted a short service, which was attended by all her children and grandchildren. Prince William and Prince Harry even walked in side by side, while Princess Kate and Meghan Markle arrived by car, quashing rumors that Meghan might not attend due to her strained relationship with the royal family.

Symbolism

Service: The queen’s state funeral service began at 11 a.m. BST (6 a.m. ET) at Westminster Abbey. The last time a British monarch’s funeral was held in the Abbey itself was 262 years ago, for King George II.

Flowers

No flower was without symbolism on the Queen’s coffin. Plucked from the Queen’s royal residences, including the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, and Highgrove House, the arrangement included a romantic nod to the late Prince Philip: the myrtle used in the bouquet was grown from the same plant the Queen carried in her wedding bouquet in 1947. It is also an ancient symbol of a happy marriage. Rosemary represented remembrance and the English oak symbolised strength, a nod to the Queen’s constancy and steadfast duty. The sweet peas were a favourite of the Queen’s and the flower of her birth month.

Symbolism

Spectacle

Considering that nearly 50 million people watched Prince Harry’s 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle on live TV and more than 1 billion watched it via other means, it was safe to assume that the queen’s funeral would be a truly worldwide event, garnering even more views. While viewership numbers aren’t in yet, experts estimated prior to the funeral that more than 4 billion people around the globe would be watching.

Left: 1953. Coronation of Queen Elizabeth: ‘The Procession’.

Symbolism

Above: The year 2002 marked the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of HM QueenElizabeth II.H.M. the Queen rode in the Gold State to St Pauls Cathedral

Left: The crownmade of gold and set with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls, and 4 rubies.

Pomp

Above: A soldier of the Life Guards regiment of the British Army

Left: First introduced in 1606, the national flag of the United Kingdom is the Union Jack, also known as the Union Flag.

Green city

Singapore - Asia’s greenest city by Dennis Sterne.

nown as Asia’s greenest city, , and with one of the highest population densities in the world, Singapore has long favoured innovative environmentally friendly ideas.

Singapore’s meteoric economic rise launched a landscape of towering architecture in the compact city-state, but as the metropolis continues to grow, urban planners are weaving nature throughout, and even into its heights. New developments must include plant life, in the form of green roofs, cascading vertical gardens, and verdant walls.

The push to go green extends to construction - green building has been mandatory since 2008.

Much of that vision to keep Singapore both sustainable and livable stems from Cheong Koon Hean, the first woman to lead Singapore’s urban development agency. The veteran architect and urban planner is credited with reshaping the skyline through landmark

projects such as the waterfront residential and entertainment quarter Marina Bay - whose gardens are one of the city’s top draws - and the Jurong Lake District, slated to be a second business district and home to a new highspeed rail link to neighboring Malaysia.

Cheong is now CEO of the Housing and Development Board, which builds and manages public housing for most of Singapore’s 5.6 million people. Singapore’s sleek version of public housing emphasizes community-centric towns (there are 23) and amenities.

Park Royal on Pickering

The hotel (right)was designed by WOHA, a Singapore-based architecture firm known for incorporating extensive greenery in their buildings. Designed to be a ‘hotel-in-a-garden’, Parkroyal on Pickering features extensive greenery, including green walls, water features and 15,000 square meters of tiered ‘sky

fresh eye Singapore

Above - Park Royal completed in 2013 by award winng archtect Richard Hassell - WOHA.

Left - Gardens by the Bay. Gardens by the Bay is an independent organisation responsible for developing and managing one of Asia’s foremost garden destinations.

gardens’. The hotel’s sky gardens are designed to be self-sustaining consuming minimal energy through solar cells, motion sensors, rainwater harvesting and reclaimed water.

Bishan

Bishan, also known as either Bishan New Town or Bishan Town, is a planning area and matured residential town located at the northernmost portion of the Central Region of Singapore. Statistically, the area is ranked the 38th biggest in terms of geographical size and the 21st most populated planning area in the country. It is located at the most Central point of Singapore, and is made out of Upper Thomson, Sin ming, Bishan North, Marymount and Bishan east. There are also many private residential properties in Bishan. This however, makes Bishan ranked 15th in terms of population density.

Bishan New Town became the first in Singapore to depart from the brutalist design seen in most previous Housing and Development Board (HDB) towns. Instead of slab-like residential blocks that were built in uniformed rows, apartment blocks in Bishan varied in height and were often dislocated. Flats within the town also featured pitched roofs which have since become closely associated with the skyline of Bishan. The town is also home to two of Singapore’s most prestigious educational institutions, Catholic High School and Raffles Institution.

fresh eye Singapore

Bishan Planning Area, as defined by Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority is situated in the Central Region of Singapore, bounded by planning areas of Ang Mo Kio to the north, Toa Payoh to the south and Serangoon to the east.

Bishan derived its name from the Cantonese term for large burial ground, Peck San Theng which literally translates as ‘pavilions on the green’.

Maybach Merc

fresh eye

Mercedes

Mercedes-Maybach redefines what luxury means in our time: the utmost grace and maximum comfort, attention to detail, the aura of grandeur. Welcome to the world of Mercedes-Maybach.

The swooping concept car, rejects all notions of practicality. It measures nearly 18.7 feet long and 6.9 feet wide, yet offers just two seats. The wheels stand 24 inches tall. Although the 6 Cabriolet runs on battery power (its solitary nod to the future) and therefore lacks an engine, the hood makes up about half the car’s length.

Sensation

Ultimate luxury of the future: hot and cool at the same time, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Coupé with its intelligent beauty and a minimised, technoid look perfectly represents their design philosophy.

Mercedes

fresh eye

The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet is designed as an electric car. The drive system has an output of 550 kW (750 PS). The shallow underfloor battery allows a range of over 500 kilometres according to the NEDC (over 200 miles according to EPA).

Diner

Under split winged bonnet, Mercedes-Maybach hides picnic set.

A Sense of occasion

The stunning Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet concept has a roof threaded with gold and a dinner service and luggage set under the bonnet. Yacht-inspired concept from Maybach has storage for dinner plates, cutlery, umbrellas and luggage.

fresh eye

Mercedes

Maybach is a German luxury car brand that exists today as a part of Mercedes-Benz. The original company was founded in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach and his son Karl Maybach, originally as a subsidiary of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH, and it was known as LuftfahrzeugMotorenbau GmbH until 1999.

Inspiration

The rear end tail takes design cues from a luxury yacht. Quilted crystal white leather is used throughout the interior.

University life

Above and right: NUA Boardman House Norwich University of the Arts is a public university in Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom that specialises in art, design and media. It was founded as Norwich School of Design in 1845 and has a long history of arts education. It gained full university status in 2013.

Photography: Dennis Sterne. i-phone 11

Student Luxury example

Fresheye takes note of what a new university student experience can be. New funding, new education, new student living.

Ground floor reception Contemporary lounge and wood panel vibes.

Kitchen dining Colour pop metal frames and charcoal vibes.

Street Riverside.

Interfloor Stairwells accented with ring light wood and brick.

Modern minimilism Flat screen tv and game commune.

Experienced vegan

Vegan is undoubtably cool. Search for #vegan and you are awash with colourful pictures of post workout snacks, and enough avocados to feed a small nation for a week. It’s not just posts in Instagram; the number of vegans has staggeringly climbed by over 350% in the past ten years too. Prolific celebrities have played a part in making veganism to be cool, with characters such as Beyoncé, Brad Pitt and Ariana Grande adopting the vegan lifestyle. And not to mention the recent popularity of Veganuary.

So what does vegan actually mean? Can I still wear blue suede shoes? The vegan society define vegan as “a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation, and cruelty to animals for food, clothing or any other purpose”. So, blue suede shoes are out of the question.

Being vegan in 2018 involves an overhaul of your whole lifestyle: from your diet, to your clothes and even down to the shampoo that you use. But what if you just want to be a bit healthier? What if you only want to look at your diet? How do you get started?

The approved avoidance of animal consumption by Harry Fishpool.

I am vegan and the purpose of this article is to pass on the little tricks that I used to get my self going on a vegan diet. Some people can change their whole lifestyle in seemingly effortless heartbeat. Some people find it harder and, naturally, it takes more time. I am the latter of the two: it took me 6 months to shift onto a vegan diet.

First up, the ‘five colours’ rule. Getting five portions of fruit and veg in can be a bit of a bore, and you feel you are blindly following your grandmother’s eternal message of ‘at your greens’. Start with 5 colours a day; yellow, red, blue, green and green. Get fruits and veggies of these colours in and you’ll be on your way. You can even build it up to 5 colours with a meal. It’s a great way of making your meals a bit more exciting! After all, they say you eat Sponsored by

fresh eye Vegan

Credit Harry Fishpool is studying an a MSc in Human Nutrition at University of Surrey. His wine knowledge gained from WSET level 3 Award in Wine.

Harry says.....

with your eyes.

Your vegan journey will mos likely start in the supermarket. When I first started to explore veganism, one of my tricks was to do a normal food shop, but just before getting to the checkout, I would swap a non-vegan food with something that was vegan. You can swap anything: milk for soya milk, sausages for meat-free sausages, or mincemeat for lentils. The possibilities are seemingly endless. After a while, you will gradually acclimatise yourself to a vegan diet. If you are willing to give it time it is a great way to discover new foods.

Eating out when vegan can be tricky. Most restaurants have vegetarian and vegan options available on their menus. More often than not, vegetarian dishes can be altered slightly to suit a vegan. Normally it will just be the chef giving the dish a miss on the final flurry of parmesan cheese or dollop of crème fraîche. Also, as a guest of the restaurant, it’s your job to hold up your end of the bargain. You can’t suddenly decide you deserve a dessert or a swig of Bailey’s. Nothing annoys restaurant staff more than a flip-flopping customer!

But after you’ve put your order in and your meal comes out of the kitchen, it will arrive to you with crip colour, fabulous flavour and tantalising texture. All your friends will be eyeballing your dinner and licking their lips, whilst you sit with a grin on your face, from ear to ear, and hear jealous cries of ‘oh, I wish I chose that!’.

More and more people are turning to a vegan diet for the health benefits: increased energy, younger looking skin and eternal youth are just some of the claims from enthusiastic plant eaters. Well, eternal youth might be a bit optimistic, but there are certainly many scientifically proven benefits to vegan living when compared to the average western diet.

Artist interview

Now, on YouTube!

fresheye expands its content online

eeting Charlie Edwards six years ago was enlightening. The kind of eye-opener you’d expect when meeting an artist who’s work captures your imagination. I’ve been a fan of graffiti and pop art from a young age. Both forms of art are positioned in the postmodern camp.

The term ‘postmodernist art’ refers to a broad category of contemporary art from about 1970 onwards. The hallmark of postmodernist art is its rejection of the aesthetics upon which its predecessor - ‘modern art’ (1870-1970) was based. However, if you believe that graffiti and pop art is not to be considered ‘real art’ then that puts you into the ‘Stuckist’ camp. The single or double teardrop in Charlie’s work

by Dennis Sterne.

has become one of his synonymous signatures. I found it to be notably striking when I first happened upon his work. He says he knew he wanted to use the stencil technique to communicate his ideas. His ideas are largely centred around the fascination with celebrity. It appears our cultural celebrity intrigue has not lost its luster since the postmodern explosion.

The Name

Why would an artist call himself ‘Pure Evil?’ It’s the common question posed by people when I refer to Charlie. The answer - a rather poignant experience turned memory of the death of a rabbit at the hands of the then young Charlie. It’s fascinating how a childhood experience can have such a profound affect on

fresh eye Art & YouTube

M uCharles UzzellEdwards has exhibited globally. In the early 1990s he was one of the designers for Anarchic Adjustment with Alan Brown and Nick Philip and released electronic ambient music on Pete Namlook’s FAX label

u

the melancholy of an artist. However, Mr Pure Evil’s art in response has a grand sense of bold vibrance, defiance and intriguing celebration about it. All of this is apparent despite the signature teardrop which could be seen as the reminder of his melancholy. You may consider an artist to be layered, complex, or even a vessel by which pent up emotions simply must spew out onto canvas or be shaped in 3d form. Charlie’s nature is notably curious and gentle. I suspect very much like the boy within.

The Gallery

A showcase of Urban artist Pure Evil’s work, alongside other street art. 108 Leonard St, Hackney, London EC2A 4XS

Pure Evil philosophy

• We are opposed to seeing artists as a commodity • No conceptual artists or poseurs

• No curators allowed in the building they will be shot on sight

• Principles before Profit

• Wear your Politics proudly • We are an Alternative Ideological Force

• The Gallery should be a Mecca for Independent artists

Euro recovery

Navigating Europe’s economic recovery.

fresh eye Economy

Illustratrion: Sébastien Thibault creates illustrations that provide sharp political commentary on topics that are relevant today. Based in Matane, Quebec, Thibault uses graphic shapes, simplified form, and intense color to create symbolic images full of content.

Concerns are growing in some corners of financial markets about the longer-term consequences of government and central bank support packages - and two in particular gained attention in 2020. The first is that a huge injection of policy stimulus eventually leads to a pick-up in inflation.

Concepts such as ‘helicopter money’ and ‘deficit monetisation’ have now entered the mainstream, invoking images of Weimar Germany post-World War One. The second is that the costs of providing fiscal support will lead to an unsustainable rise in debt.

These concerns are actually related, since one way of eroding debt burdens over time is through higher inflation. But both are overdone. If current policies remain in place, that makes the threat of higher inflation significant, either because aggregate demand rebounds and economies return to full employment, or because inflation expectations rise and the spectre of stagflation appears.

Russian invasion of Ukraine:

The EU plan for the economic recovery

The EU’s long-term budget, coupled with NextGenerationEU (NGEU), the temporary instrument designed to boost the recovery, form the largest stimulus package ever financed in Europe. A total of €2.018 trillion in current prices* are helping rebuild a postCOVID-19 Europe. It will be a greener, more digital and more resilient Europe.

The funds are being used to address the most important challenges before Europe and support those in need. In the aftermath of Russia’s aggression on Ukraine, the EU budget was mobilised to provide emergency assistance and support, in Ukraine and in the EU countries, and to alleviate the humanitarian consequences of the war.

Different countries will need different responses to deal with the global economic challenge. Risks of spiralling debt or inflation can be controlled with timely and specific decisionmaking on policy.

The Art of transition

eye Wine

Cameron Diaz launched Avaline last month with entrepreneur Katherine Power. It starts with organic grapes, and little else.

Flavour profile: Avaline White is described as a dry wine with a crisp, fresh finish and comes from Spain.

Katherine Power’s story starts with a glass of wine and ambition. Last summer, the business partners introduced their organic wine label Avaline, a brand they say challenges the rules of winemaking.

Wine

Education and Training Actress Cameron Diaz and entrepreneur

Diaz and Power broke from traditional winemaking practices by offering a clean, organic wine that is transparent about its ingredients. Two years after that fateful glass of wine in Diaz’s kitchen, Avaline was unveiled in June 2020. Both have enjoyed their transition into becoming full-time winemakers, with Diaz revealing that her new profession is “a lot less time consuming at this point, because making movies is pretty much the most time-consuming thing that you could possibly do with your time.”

Wine

No Unnecessary Additives

Vegan friendly, full of natural goodness and nothing that doesn’t belong - no concentrates, colors, or added sugars.

Made With Organic Grapes

Working with growers who rely solely on nature to grow healthy fruit, free from synthetic pesticides.

“Wine is one of the only consumables where there are no nutrition facts, no ingredient lists. And really that just set us off on a personal journey to first understand the wine process.” https://drinkavaline.com

Hermès

Hermès brought summer holiday vibes to Paris Fashion Week with pastel colours and a contemporary take on Birkin’s ancestor - the Haut à courroies travel bag.

Shimmery windbreakers and pastels featured in Hermès’ menswear spring Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week.

fresh eye Men’s fashion

Vitality regained Hermès’ signature Haut à courroies bag was given a contemporary update for the brand’s menswear spring/ summer 2023 show.

A succession of minimalist pants and shorts followed, along with jackets in technical canvas in lilac, pink and orange, zippered straight blousons and high-neck jumpers in cashmere.

“Having a great brand means you get to play capitalism in easy mode.”

Brand

fresh eye

Ethos

Branding is the nuanced art of actively shaping a brand. Branding allows the building of relationships with an audience, which can eventually turn them into loyal customers.

Brand is arguably one of your organization’s most important assets.

Apple is one of the leading branding companies in the world. Marketing experts like Marc Gobe argue that Apple’s brand is the key to the company’s success. It’s got nothing to do with products like the iMac or iPod.

Product

Coca-Cola, or Coke, is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company.

Originally marketed as a temperance drink and intended as a patent medicine, it was invented in the late 19th century by John Stith Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia.

Giving people options and choices

From sparkling water to dairy, to refreshing soft drinks and natural juice, we offer over 200 brands worldwide, including reduced-sugar drinks and smaller packages.

Brand

The world’s largest athletic apparel company, Nike is best known for its footwear, apparel, and equipment. Founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, the company became Nike in 1971 after the Greek goddess of victory.

Foundation

The history of Rolex is inextricably linked to the visionary spirit of Hans Wilsdorf, its founder. In 1905, at the age of 24

The face of Rolex Rolex SA is a British-founded Swiss watch designer and manufacturer based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Founded in 1905 as Wilsdorf and Davis by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, England, the company registered the word Rolex as the brand name of its watches in 1908, and it became Rolex Watch Co. Ltd. in 1915.

Brand

Take the Best that Exists and Make it Better”. Since these words were spoken by the marque’s co-founder, Sir Henry Royce, Rolls-Royce has experienced evolutionary change, from the creator of the ‘Best Car in the World’, to the world’s leading House of Luxury.

The story: Back in 1954, a man named Ray Kroc discovered a small burger restaurant in California, and wrote the first page of McDonald’s history. From humble beginnings as a small restaurant, they’re proud to have become one of the world’s leading food service brands with more than 36,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries.

Brand

Gucci is an Italian fashion label founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci, making it one of the oldest Italian fashion brands in operation today.

fresh eye Craftmanship

Aesthetics aside, Lockwood may soon have an answer to the eternal “left it on a train” heartbreak. Rumour has it they’re considering adding GPS devices.

Get customising now at: www. lockwoodumbrellas.com.

Lockwood Umbrella

Quality that’s singing in the rain.

Lockwood umbrellas – the best umbrella manufacturers, are known the world over for their strength and durability and highest quality craftsmanship. Each umbrella is handmade in North London employing centuries old techniques, sourcing the finest cloth, ethically sourced buffalo horn and hardwoods from sustainable woodlands from around the globe. Built for durability using a Grade A steel frame, hand sewn reinforcements, lathe-turned brass fittings and proofed water resistant cloth. These elements, if cared for correctly, ensure that your Lockwood umbrella lasts a lifetime.

Newborn

A newcomer in an achingly traditional industry, Lockwood was launched in 2014 by Moses Manley and Edward Gucewicz, who previously worked in the world-renowned James Smith & Sons umbrella shop on New Oxford Street. The boys get top marks for their superbly easy-to-use online bespoke service. Here, you can design your own umbrella

choosing from six different woods for the handle (oak, maple, hickory, hazel, ash or chestnut), eight shades for the waterproof cotton canopy, and five different fastening buttons. Select your height, and Lockwood will run you up a made-to-measure brolly for a flat fee of £280.

Each umbrella arrives in a bag hand-printed with its owner’s name and details.

Going Cript underground

St Martin-In-The-Fields.

T

he Café in the Crypt is, as the name suggests, a café in the crypt of St Martin in the Fields. One of Trafalgar Square’s best kept secrets (until we go and include it in this guide), the café has been serving up excellently priced for food for central London for the past 30 years. And it’s got atmosphere in bucket loads with the original brick-vaulted ceilings and historic tombstones lining the floor. It’s going to beat any Starbucks in the area, that’s for sure.

Where: St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JH.

Monday - Tuesday:10:00 - 20:00. Wednesday:10:00 - 22:30. Thursday - Saturday:10:00 - 21:00 Sunday:11:00 - 18:00

Website: www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org

fresh eye Cafe