Harrods Magazine November 2014 by Harrods online

NOVEMBER 2014

THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE

THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE FAIRY-TALE GOWNS • MAGICAL GIFTS ENCHANTING BEAUTY • FESTIVE FEASTS harrods.com

Pumps in suede goatskin and calfskin « Oxer » bag in mat crocodile, taurillon Clémence and Barénia calfskin

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MAGAZINE DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE MARKETING DEBORAH BEE DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE OPERATIONS BETH HODDER ART DIRECTOR BARNEY PICKARD PUBLISHER DAWN HALL

EDITORIAL EDITOR JAN MASTERS ACTING ASSOCIATE EDITOR GUY WOODWARD FASHION FEATURES EDITOR LINDSAY MACPHERSON LIFESTYLE EDITOR AMY BROOMFIELD CONTRIBUTING WRITERS LEWIS FIRTH, MARIA MILANO ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR REBECCA BAIO CHIEF SUB-EDITORS LISA HILLMAN, NICOLETTE THOMPSON SENIOR SUB-EDITOR CAROLINE HUNT

ART DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR SONJA BURRI ART EDITOR NATALIE BOO MOSQUERA SENIOR DESIGNER RACHEL ESCUDIER JUNIOR DESIGNER GINA HOLLINGSWORTH ART ASSISTANT JENNIFER KAY PRODUCER EMILY SELLERS PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKINGS EDITOR WENDY HINTON PICTURE ASSISTANT KIAAN ORANGE PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKINGS ADMINISTRATOR LAIDE PITAN

FASHION FASHION EDITOR VICTORIA GAIGER DEPUTY FASHION EDITOR POPPY ROCK SENIOR FASHION ASSISTANT BECKY BRANCH JUNIOR FASHION ASSISTANT OLIVIA HALSALL

DIGITAL DIGITAL MANAGER ARNAUD BURTIN DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER CLAUDIA ORRELL HEAD OF DIGITAL DESIGN BOB DEVSI DIGITAL DESIGNER JAIME RIVERA JUNIOR DIGITAL DESIGNER TAK YEUNG CHEUNG DIGITAL SUB-EDITOR JANICE MORTON

PUBLISHING MANAGING EDITOR SUZY CHAPMAN ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER RACHEL MONCUR PUBLISHING ASSISTANT PHOEBE FISHER PA TO DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE MARKETING & DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE OPERATIONS

MADALAINE MCCARTHY PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER HAYLEY YOUNG PRODUCTION ASSISTANT CAMILLA JOSEPHS

HARRODS STORE IMAGE GROUP DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS KATHARINE WITTY DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT AND PERSONAL SHOPPING CHIARA

VARESE

HARRODS MEDIA MEDIA SALES DIRECTOR GUY CHESTON HEAD OF MEDIA SALES CHARLOTTE MARKS ACTING HEAD OF MEDIA SALES AND MEDIA SALES MANAGER, HOME CHRIS MEDIA SALES MANAGER NICOLE IVASCHENKO MEDIA PROMOTIONS PROJECT EXECUTIVE LARA KELLY

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MEDIA MARKETING MANAGER KATIE ARNAUD MEDIA MARKETING EXECUTIVE LAURA PARSONS DIGITAL MARKETING EXECUTIVE MEI WILSON MEDIA PLANNING & OPERATIONS MANAGER CASSANDRA ASHFORD MARKETING & MEDIA SALES MANAGER, BEAUTY & HOME VIRGINIE DUIGOU MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVE, BEAUTY LOUISE FISH MARKETING EXECUTIVE, BEAUTY ABIGAIL SEKWALOR MARKETING ASSISTANT, BEAUTY & HOME EMMA EDMONDS MEDIA SALES MANAGER, FASHION & FASHION ACCESSORIES SOPHIE READ MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVES, FASHION STELLA BUBEL, OLIVIA YOUNG MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVE, FASHION ACCESSORIES LAURA MONTIGIANI MEDIA SALES ASSISTANT, FASHION GABRIELLA INWANG MEDIA SALES MANAGER, FINE JEWELLERY, FINE WATCHES AND LUXURY JEWELLERY LUCINDA ANDREWS MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVE, FINE JEWELLERY, FINE WATCHES AND LUXURY JEWELLERY HARSHEEL BAINS MEDIA SALES ASSISTANT, FINE JEWELLERY, FINE WATCHES AND LUXURY JEWELLERY ELISE HAWKINS MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVE, FOOD HALLS, RESTAURANTS AND WINE SHOP NATHALIE NÖTZOLD MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVES, HOME ADELE BROUSSE, HASHIM JAVAID

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HARRODS, 87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL Tel. +44 (0)20 7730 1234 • www.harrods.com All information and prices are correct at time of going to press. Offers and promotions may have limited availability. We hope you enjoy reading Harrods Magazine. As we are committed to providing the highest level of customer service possible, we would love to hear your comments. Please email magazine@harrods.com The paper in this magazine originates from timber that is sourced from responsibly managed forests, according to strict environmental, social, and economic standards. The manufacturing mill has both FSC and PEFC certification, and also ISO9001 and ISO14001 accreditation. To discover more, download the digital edition of Harrods Magazine from the App Store or Google Play or visit magazine.harrods.com

THE FINE JEWELLERY ROOM, GROUND FLOOR

117,776 Period: 1st January 2014 to 30th June 2014

EDITOR’ S LE T TER

Main photo Phoebe Hanna; cover image Ruven Afanador

Hush. Come closer. Welcome to our winter’s tale. Magical ideas to celebrate Christmas. Inspirational touches to cheer and charm. Fashion steps into an ice-queen kingdom with ethereal gowns in silk and tulle – fairy-tale creations that conjure an air of enchantment; wish-list fulfilment on the grandest of scales. Meanwhile, menswear is set to turn heads as tailoring offers a new freedom of self-expression. Festive feasts are on the menu with delectable dishes from four top chefs, while we style the Christmas table with snowy-white linen and magnificent centrepieces: think showstopper cakes and a pavlova wreath that’s almost too pretty to eat. Almost. And Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without bakery treats – snowman cupcakes and the most amazing gingerbread house you ever did see. To celebrate, Harrods is hosting two special Festival of Christmas weekends in November. During the first weekend, from the 7th to the 9th, amid a winter wonderland of silver birch trees and drifting snow, entertainers, carollers and uniformed helpers (many masquerading as mice) will be serving up fun and games, candy canes and chocolate coins. Throughout that weekend, Rewards customers can also benefit from 10% off all purchases.* Naturally, there are mountains of enticing presents for all, including modernday magic with the cleverest technology this side of the moon. And our ultimate decorations from the Hideaway collection are inspired by a Scandinavian chalet in a frozen forest. Trim the tree with felt and furry baubles. Deck the halls with ceramic hearts and stars. And don’t forget to download the Harrods Magazine app, which has Christmas films to cast a festive spell. May all your wishes come true.

Jan Masters Editor * For terms and conditions, please see harrods.com/rewards HAR RODS M AGAZINE

CONTENTS

NEW THIS MONTH 35 TOP 20 Launches, special offers and events for November 39 ZEITGEIST What everyone’s talking about this month 45 NORTHERN SOUL She’s your quintessential successful actress, with an enviable résumé in film and TV. Yet take her away from the spotlight and Charlotte Riley’s heart is where her home is COVER

Photographer RUVEN AFANADOR; Hair KEIICHIRO HIRANO at David Artists using Bumble and Bumble; Make-up YASMIN HEINZ at DW Management using Chanel Sublimage L’Essence and Christmas 2014; Nails CHISATO at Terri Manduca; Model FREDRIKA LARSSON at Select wearing Monique Lhuillier gown £9,250 and Bee Goddess bracelet £7,950

November 2014

FASHION 49 BLANKET APPEAL Cosy fabrics, fluid cuts and capacious dimensions are the defining features of this season’s most compelling cover-ups 52 THE BIGGER PICTURE The public’s perception of Donna Karan is defined by her design credentials, but there’s much more to NYC’s woman in black 56 TREND WATCH: BALL GOWNS Floor-skimming and dramatic, the ball gown commands attention from wearer and spectator alike 58 WOMENSWEAR NEWS Everyday sparkle from Links of London; edgy denim from NYC’s R13; exclusive Fashion Lab T-shirts; designer Aruna Seth’s favourite things 60 WILD CHILD For a fresh update on the fiercest of prints, look to the AW14 catwalks where designers had taken their cue from the urban jungle – with contrasting textures and sleek styling 62 WOMENSWEAR NEWS Exclusive charity watches from Frédérique Constant; Zuhair Murad’s glamorous gowns; luxe bags from Barbaroux; an interview with Patricia Bonaldi 66 MENSWEAR NEWS East meets west at Brioni; Montblanc’s Extreme accessories collection; SalonQP 2014 at the Saatchi Gallery; The Grooming Guru takes the sting out of shaving 68 CLASH OF THE TARTANS Far from playing it safe, this season’s spin on plaid is all about unexpected colour pairings and attitude-packed styling 74 RED ALERT The colour of lipstick and love is big on the catwalk this season with accessories hot on its heels 75 THINK PINK When even Barbie’s unicorn is rocking a colour, you know it’s time to get with the trend – in any shade from candy to fuchsia

116 76 GREEN WITH ENVY This season’s smart gifts have a decidedly verdant vibe, good to go in every shade from moss to mint 77 INTO THE BLUE Surprise someone special and wish them a cool yule with presents that are taken straight from the chill-out zone 80 A WINTER’S TALE Furs and fantasy gowns in silk and tulle, embellished with ethereal details, conjure an air of festive enchantment 94 ALTER EGO A more relaxed attitude in tailoring gives men the opportunity for a little self-expression. Headwear optional

BEAUTY 107 GLACIAL GLAMOUR Calling all snow queens and ice maidens. Iridescent powders, sparkling nail enamels, crimson lipsticks and brightening serums make your look Christmas-ready 112 HIGH FIVE Editor Jan Masters reveals her top five beauty treats for the month 114 BEAUTY NEWS Linda Cantello for Giorgio Armani; Acqua di Parma’s new Rose Nobile collection; Sisley’s Phyto Teint Expert foundation; Miss Heaven Scent 116 RAVEN BEAUTY A touch of theatre. A flight of fantasy. This party season, black is going from strength to strength as the most imaginative – and versatile – shade. Be bold. Be daring. Never be without it 126 DESK ’TIL DAWN There’s working hard. Then there’s playing hard… sometimes in the same day. Renowned make-up artist Mary Greenwell shows how to strike the right note for both using Sensai 128 EFFORTLESS BEAUTY Aerin Lauder, granddaughter of the late Estée Lauder, heads up her own cosmetics brand. She talks Monet and maximalism

FOOD, INTERIORS & LIFESTYLE 136 FOOD NEWS New Christmas dishes from Tom Aikens; La Maison du Chocolat’s Tree of Wonder; Harrods hampers; seasonal fruit 139 WHITE CHRISTMAS From delicate canapés to magnificent centrepieces, a table set with a festive feast makes a sumptuous, seasonal statement

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146 THE BIG CHEESE Self-proclaimed “cheese artist” Hansi Baumgartner combines innovative techniques with a chef ’s artistry. The result? Spectacular creations to be savoured slowly 149 FOUR CHEFS A-COOKING Classic and not-so-classic Christmas fare delivered by a quartet of top chefs. It’s up to you if turkey rules the roost 156 CHANGING TASTES More variety in Christmas cuisine is mirrored by a broader approach to festive wine, with rich reds flowing from across the wine-producing world 161 GRAINS OF TRUTH Is it the peaty terrain, the barrel ageing, the human influence or the barley itself that gives Scotch whiskies their character? 165 SUGAR AND SPICE From show-stopping gingerbread houses to figgy-pudding cupcakes, bakery treats come with a sense of fun this Christmas 171 STAR BAKER Step into Fiona Cairns’ kitchen, where it’s never too early to start preparing for Christmas 172 THE ULTIMATE FESTIVE SCENE With its Scandi-chic style, the Hideaway collection makes a cool decorative statement 175 INTERIORS NEWS The versatile Iride cocktail table by Roche Bobois; Clive Christian’s Honey Oak sofa; the Carve collection from Bethan Gray; an interview with Philippe Nigro 177 NEW TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL The latest in home computing, audiovisual, photographic, cellular and digital lifestyle collections 192 LIFESTYLE NEWS The Glazebrook House Hotel; Harrods Gift Wrapping Service; an alfresco winter cinema on the rooftop of the Berkeley hotel; five book suggestions for the forthcoming festive season 194 PEAK PERFECTION Quebec’s mountainous Charlevoix region seduces, whatever the season 198 MY STYLE: MARTHA WARD The supremely feminine stylist and vogue.co.uk contributing editor stands out from the fashion crowd with her “granny chic” (her words) ensembles HAR RODS M AGAZINE

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3H\UJOLZ ZWLJPHS VăLYZ HUK L]LU[Z MVY 5V]LTILY 1. Burberry Prorsum menswear AW14 There was a painterly touch to Christopher Bailey’s AW14 Men’s collection with floral blanket coats and bags. £1,995. Men’s International Collections, Ground Floor 2. Cartier Panthère necklace Marking 100 years since the original pantherspot wristwatch, Cartier has produced a new 56-piece Panthère jewellery range. £29,300. The Fine Jewellery Room, Ground Floor 3. Chloé resort collection Architect Le Corbusier’s graphic lines were the inspiration behind Clare Waight-Keller’s latest resort collection for Chloé. Dress £2,650. International Designer, First Floor 4. Loewe Amazona 75 bag Spanish leather brand Loewe’s first collection from Jonathan Anderson includes pieces such as the Amazona 75 bag in python. From £2,595. Luxury Accessories, Ground Floor 5. Saint Laurent menswear AW14 Continuing his rock’n’roll vibe, Hedi Slimane’s show featured teddy-boy blazers and drainpipe skinnies. Jacket £1,425. Men’s International Collections, Ground Floor 6. Lanvin Resort 2015 Femme fatales of French cinema inspired Lanvin’s latest resort line with seductive lace jumpsuits and T-shirt dresses. Jumpsuit £3,199. International Designer, First Floor 7. Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Talisman The latest timepiece from Van Cleef & Arpels features the signature Alhambra motif, with a diamond-set bezel and pavé dial. £26,900. The Fine Jewellery Room, Ground Floor 8. The Gift Concierge The Gift Concierge team will hand-pick gifts and wrap them for next-day delivery. Please contact The Gift Concierge on 020 7893 8000 or giftconcierge@harrods.com 9. Dolce & Gabbana childrenswear AW14 The latest Dolce & Gabbana children’s range downsizes the adorable floral dresses from the grown-up collection. Dresses from £735. Children’s Designer Apparel, Fourth Floor 10. Stelle di Stelle pop-up restaurant This month Michelin-starred chef Gennaro Esposito will be hosting. Lunch from £65, dinner from £115. Please book on 020 7893 8700 or stelle.di.stelle@harrods.com. Stelle di Stelle, Lower Ground Floor HAR RODS M AGAZINE

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11. Fendi Baguette bag The Baguette started the whole “it bag” trend; 17 years later it’s still evolving, with the addition of adjustable straps. £9,150. Luxury Accessories, Ground Floor 12. The Harrods Terrace The revamped winter menu at the Harrods Terrace celebrates all things British, with traditional dishes such as slow-cooked lamb. The Harrods Terrace, Fourth Floor 13. Prada SS15 Miuccia Prada showcased 15 women’s looks featuring ’70s shapes and exaggerated embellishment. From £245. International Designer, First Floor 14. Audemars Piguet Millenary watch The new Millenary Minute Repeater from Audemars Piguet teams traditional mechanisms with rose gold. Price on request. The Fine Watch Room, Ground Floor 15. Balenciaga gift with purchase Throughout November, receive a canvas clutch with each purchase of Alexander Wang’s crisp debut fragrance B. Balenciaga. 75ml, £79. The Perfumery Hall, Ground Floor 16. Paul Smith Baby Boy & Girl AW14 The latest pre-schoolers range from Paul Smith has everything from penguin socks to jungle foliage-printed dresses. From £14.95. Baby Designer Apparel, Fourth Floor 17. RéVive Artbox In collaboration with Markus Linnenbrink, RéVive has created its 12th Annual Artbox, housing five key products from the brand’s Renewal range. £375. The Beauty Apothecary, Ground Floor 18. Bottega Veneta Knot Floral-fresh Bottega Veneta Knot is the olfactory equivalent of holidaying on the Italian Riviera. 75ml, £86. The Perfumery Hall, Ground Floor

20. Christmas At Home Whatever your interior style, Christmas at Home has a decoration to fit, with five distinct themes to choose from: Hideaway, Balmoral, Hyper-Luxe, Magical Forest and Ice Princess. Christmas at Home, Second Floor

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Christmas interior Sarah Hogan

19. Festival of Christmas weekends On the 8th/9th and 29th/30th November, there will be special Festival of Christmas events across the store. Rewards customers will also enjoy 10% off all purchases during the first weekend. Festival of Christmas, 8th/9th and 29th/30th November

PEOPLE & PLACES in the air in November BY

FASHION Jonathan Simkhai, Designer “I design clothes to make girls feel confident,” claims Jonathan Simkhai. “Inspiration comes from a different place each season, but that’s my constant.” The 29-year-old developed his discerning eye at an early age, discovering his life’s calling in the process. “I was in grade school when my mother started asking me for style advice,” he explains. “I’d never really felt good at anything before, but after that fashion became my voice.” At 14, Simkhai started working as a buyer at a boutique in his hometown in the New York suburbs, then honed his design skills at NYC’s Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons before founding his self-titled label in 2010. Since then, his blend of borrowed-from-the-boys tailoring, architectural lines and sleek silhouettes has attracted the attention of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (which invited him to join its prestigious Fashion Incubator programme two years ago) as well as a host of high-profile supporters such as Taylor Swift and Linda Evangelista. But his biggest fan? “My mom,” he says. “I can’t imagine not having an outfit for her in the collection.” Available from Fashion Lab, Fourth Floor HAR RODS M AGAZINE

BALLET Don Quixote

This enthralling version of Marius Petipa’s ballet – choreographed by Carlos Acosta, Principal Guest Artist of The Royal Ballet – is bursting with colour and spectacle. In the tale of eccentric knight Don Quixote and his loyal servant Sancho Panza, Acosta plays young lover Basilio in a ballet with breathtaking virtuoso dancing and splendid designs by Tim Hatley. From 25th November to 22nd January 2015 at the Royal Opera House

BOOK Art Nouveau Fashion by Clare Rose

THEATRE Made in Dagenham

From 1890 until the outbreak of the First World War, the fashion world was turned upside down by a refreshing new look that left the staid traditions of the Victorian era far behind. Mixing the Arts and Crafts movement’s relish for ornate design with innovative 20th-century fabrics and forms, the fashion designers of the Art Nouveau era dressed women in a sumptuous style unlike any seen before. Fashion historian Clare Rose applies her expertise to explain how Paul Poiret, Charles Worth and Jeanne Paquin created a school of dazzling design that continues to exert a profound influence even now. £25. Available from The Harrods Bookshop, Second Floor

Directed by Rupert Goold – whose American Psycho was the hottest ticket in town last year – this musical-theatre adaptation of the 2010 British film comedy of the same name has the makings of a hit. Bond girl Gemma Arterton stars as Rita, a factory worker in the late 1960s who finds herself in a battle of the sexes with her bosses. With lots of laughs, and show-stopping tunes by award-winning composer David Arnold, brace yourself for a night of feel-good fun. From 9th October at the Adelphi Theatre

Angel Blue takes centre stage as the doomed Mimi in La Bohème

Gemma Arterton battles for equal pay in musical Made in Dagenham

OPERA La Bohème Replete with some of Giacomo Puccini’s most glorious arias, La Bohème is an intoxicating operatic experience, however familiar we may be with its music. In his acclaimed production, Jonathan Miller has elevated the tragic love story between the impoverished poet Rodolfo (played by rising star tenor David Butt Phillip) and the doomed Mimi (Angel Blue) to compelling new heights. While the setting has been moved from 19th-century Paris to the city’s Left Bank artists’ quarter between the wars, the emotions and passion remain. From 29th October to 6th December at the London Coliseum

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Carlos Acosta © ROH, Johan Persson; La Bohème © ENO, Donald Cooper; Made in Dagenham Alex James

Carlos Acosta as Basilio in Don Quixote

ZEITGEIST

BOOK Sex, Sense and Nonsense by Felicity Green It was a time of heady and revolutionary change in society and fashion, and, as one of the most influential figures on Fleet Street, Felicity Green was not only a witness to the events of the Swinging Sixties, she was also at the heart of things, pretty much writing history for the nation’s newspapers as it was being made. Green’s rollicking memoir brings readers up close to her A-list friends, from Mary Quant and Twiggy to Vidal Sassoon and photographer Terry O’Neill. Packed with unforgettable anecdotes and evocative images of the decade, this is an unputdownable journey into the past for anyone interested in what made our style and culture the way it is today. £29.99. Available from The Harrods Bookshop, Second Floor

Matthew McConaughey stars in sci-fi thriller Interstellar

FILM Interstellar

EXHIBITION

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

The creator of the Batman trilogy and the incredible imaginings of Inception, director Christopher Nolan rarely has his ambition set any lower than sky high, and never more so than with his latest science-fiction epic. The time is not so far in the future, and mankind is struggling to survive on an increasingly depleted earth. The answer is simple – we must look towards the heavens, and travel to planets around distant stars. With echoes of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, this is surely another classic in the making, and Matthew McConaughey as an astronaut leaving his family behind to save us all grounds the action in a tellingly emotional human tale. Opens on 7th November in the UK

Now in its 50th year, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition celebrates the photographers whose works capture the natural world. Thanks to their dedication, the rest of us can delight in the extraordinary images. In Poland, Lukasz Bozycki discovers an ethereal bat hanging upside down in a disused war bunker. In a forest in Spain, Marc Montes has a disturbing eyeball-to-eyeball encounter with a snake. Meanwhile, Bernardo Cesare’s shot of multicoloured rocks in a quarry in India becomes an abstract of the most radical modern art gallery. Expect the unexpected at every turn. From 24th October to 30th August 2015 at the Natural History Museum

Power dressing comes in many guises in [OPZ YL]LHSPUN ZLSLJ[PVU VM V\[Ä[Z J\YH[LK by architect Zaha Hadid. Encompassing H ^PKL ]HYPL[` VM WYVTPULU[ MLTHSL ÄN\YLZ Women Fashion Power includes ensembles from Margaret Thatcher and Princess +PHUH HZ ^LSS HZ NLTZ MYVT [OL ^HYKYVILZ VM J\YYLU[ ÄN\YLZ Z\JO HZ AHUKYH 9OVKLZ and Naomi Campbell. From 29th October to 26th April 2015 at the Design Museum

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Zaha Hadid, curator of the Women Fashion Power exhibition

Winter hang-out Lukas Bozycki; Zaha Hadid Luke Hayes

EXHIBITION Women Fashion Power

I N T E RV I E W

Northern SOUL

She’s your quintessential successful actress, with an enviable résumé in ﬁlm and television. Yet take her away from the spotlight and Charlotte Riley’s heart is where her home is BY DEPUTY F

ADE

espite the A-list roles, the film-star other half and looking like a Polly Pocket Hollywood starlet, there’s nothing pouty or clickyfingered about actress Charlotte Riley. She’s still endearingly Northern in her pronunciation – from County Durham, she sounds like a softer-spoken Cheryl Fernandez-Versini – and sweetly unaffected in her ways. Neatly summing this up is the 32-year-old’s reaction when asked if she and her fiancé, actor Tom Hardy (of Inception, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Dark Knight Rises fame), might consider becoming a brand. “Tomlotte” perhaps? “You are joking, right? No?! Well, that’s one of the weirdest things I’ve ever been asked!” she says, dissolving into an incredulous fit of giggles. “I don’t see the appeal. I mean, if you think you can make a living from it and have that kind of strength to be so public, then good on you. But for us? No way.” Raised in a village near Stockton-on-Tees, as a child she performed “laughable” puppet performances behind her parents’ sofa. But it wasn’t until she was at Durham University that the acting bug fully took hold. Here, she discovered she loved writing and performing sketches for the Durham Revue (the university’s comedy sketch group) and, after “funding my way around Europe by selling all of the tat out of my parents’ loft”, she won a place at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. After graduating, she cut her teeth in film and TV bit parts opposite other up-and-comers, including Sheridan Smith and Holliday Grainger. But it wasn’t until she was cast as Cathy in the ITV production of Wuthering Heights (2009) that her life became, well, simply rather fabulous. Not only was it her first lead, and opened up other doors – notably in World Without End (2012) with Ben Chaplin and later opposite Tom Cruise in 2014’s Edge of Tomorrow – but it was also where she met and fell madly in love with her future beau (Hardy, you no doubt recall, played the dashing Heathcliff). The couple have been engaged since 2010 although rumours began circulating earlier this year that they had secretly wed after Hardy, in interview mode, referred to Riley as his “wife”. A Freudian slip, I ask? “Well. Hmmm,” she stammers. “He did say that…” She trails off. So are you married or not, I press on, as gently as possible. “It’s, um, an area I’d…we’d…rather keep private,” she X

Roberto Cavalli dress £4,620; Cartier Juste un Clou bracelet £4,850 HAR RODS M AGAZINE

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eventually volunteers. It’s no confirmation but certainly not a flat-out denial, either. Still, whatever their marital status, if evidence of them on the red carpet is anything to go by, the good-looking duo are still very much in the smitten phase of their relationship. They will also once again share screen credits in season two of the rather brilliant BBC drama Peaky Blinders. A gangster family epic set in 1919 Birmingham, the real-life mob were dubbed “Peaky Blinders” because of the razor blades they hid in their caps. Hardy makes a cameo as a feared gang lord while Riley stars as wealthy aristocrat May Carleton who develops an unusual association with Tommy Shelby – the charismatic yet fearsome leader of the association, played by Irish actor Cillian Murphy. It’s testament to Riley’s modesty that she bigs up her colleague, rather than herself, when we chat about the show. “It was a dream to work with Murphy,” she says. “I saw him in a play years ago and was blown away by his performance. I thought to myself, one day, I’d like to work with that man. It was an honour to share screen time with him.” Telling, too, is her revelation that, if she hadn’t been playing the glamorous Carleton in the show, she would have wanted to play one of Shelby’s right-hand men. “Not only do they look amazing [and it’s true – the Peaky Blinders haircut, for example, is an extremely short back and sides with length on top, which can currently be seen doing the rounds on the coolest streets of east London] but the action scenes looked like total fun to film.” Given this admission, it’s no surprise that in day-to-day life, Riley admits to being “a bit of a tomboy who hates

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THIS PAGE Dennis Basso shirt £875 and trousers £875; OPPOSITE PAGE Donna Karan dress £2,399; Cartier Paris Nouvelle Vague necklace £76,000

Available from The Fine Jewellery Room, Ground Floor; and International Designer, First Floor

trying clothes on”. Still, today’s shoot is teaching her that, sometimes, it is worth pushing her own boundaries. “I’d never have automatically picked something like the silk Dennis Basso trouser suit, but I’m pleased the stylist made me open my eyes a bit. It’s a cliché but that old saying, ‘You can’t tell what it’s going to look like until you’ve tried it on’ is so true.” Of all the outfits, the appliquéd, electric-blue Roberto Cavalli dress “is something I’d wear to an event; I like structure,” while the ruby Donna Karan number is a winner due to its theatrical feel. “I can really move in it, and it creates some great shapes,” she says. When it comes to their wardrobes at home, she claims Hardy’s is much better stocked than her own. “He’ll kill me for saying it, but he has the largest T-shirt collection you’ve ever seen in your life,” she says, laughing. “He’s also mad about trainers and caps, while I’ve just got this silly collection of vintage dresses that I only dip into occasionally.” An antique market at Barnard Castle in County Durham is where she’s discovered some of her favourite frocks – her style era of choice is the Sixties – while she cites French singer Françoise Hardy as a style icon. “She looks so chic and her music is incredible.” Something of a retro magpie, she likes nothing better than a rummage in a car-boot sale on weekends off and while on a recent holiday in the south of France, she picked up an ancient pitchfork from the local flea market. “I kept being stopped by these old French men hobbling along on walking sticks. I was with my friend, who’s fluent in French, and she explained they were saying what a rare fork it was and asking where I got it from. It’s now on a wall at home.” She’s clearly a homebody, as talk is peppered with tales of friends and family. Her closeness to both is why there’s no danger of her and Hardy upping sticks to LA anytime soon. “We really enjoy living in London and England is where all of our family is,” she explains. “To be a success there’s no need to live in the States these days. You can audition over Skype and with Warner Bros. studios in Watford, there’s a lot more happening in the UK.” Filming schedules permitting, she and Hardy try to never be apart for longer than two weeks. And at least once a month, she goes back up north. “My brother lives near Ripon and that’s a really beautiful part of the country. It’s nice to think that, one day, we might have a place there.” But for the time being, at least, home is in southwest London, where Hardy was born and raised (his parents still live round the corner). She loves being stepmum to Hardy’s five-year-old son Louis and is also devoted to their rescue dog Woody (“a real gentle giant”), who helped her overcome a lifelong fear of dogs after she was badly bitten by an Alsatian as a toddler. When it’s just the two of them, the couple relaxes by playing “Hillbilly Half Hour” – shooting tin cans with soft air guns – which she says is “good fun”. But when all’s said and done, she’s at her happiest when “on the couch, Come Dine with Me or Geordie Shore on telly, the dog and my family next to me, and eating Indian food from our local takeaway.” You can take the girl out of the north, but you can’t take the north out of the girl. HMN Series 2 of Peaky Blinders is currently on BBC2 Niki Browes is Associate Editor of InStyle Magazine

I N T E RV I E W Hair CHARLIE MCEWAN Make-up JULIE JACOBS at One Represents using YSL Nails LUCY TUCKER at One Represents using Chanel Photographer’s Assistant OSCAR MAY

Credits TK Images

“To be a success there’s no need to live in the States these days. You can audition over Skype and with Warner Bros. studios in Watford, there’s a lot more happening in the UK”

HAR RODS M AGAZINE

THE LATEST LOOKS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CATWALKS

Blanket APPEAL

Cosy fabrics, ﬂuid cuts and capacious dimensions are the deﬁning features of this season’s most compelling cover-ups Credits TK Images

Burberry Prorsum blanket £895 HAR RODS M AGAZINE

S int L u ent

FA S H I O N

The These new exaggerated proportions mean a degree of restraint is a requisite: paired with oversized separates, these pieces could appear perilously close to 2009’s wildly popular Snuggie blanket, or its equally ubiquitous cousin, the Slanket. On the catwalk, the key was in the contrast. Polished tailoring provided a counterpoint for the fluid, pastel-toned cashmere ponchos at Ralph Lauren, while at DKNY (where Donna Karan christened a cowl-neck dress-coat the “drama cape”), styling was kept understated. There is an option for every aesthetic. Roberto Cavalli’s slew of sized-up wrap-arounds (in plush fox fur, bouclé wool and black leather) was executed with the same rock-star polish that underpins all his endeavours, while equally true to form were the trinity-knit capes at Hedi Slimane’s ’60s-inflected Saint Laurent show. Not all the designs were quite so cosily capacious. Ever the contrarian, Acne Studios’ Jonny Johansson took his new-season cues from time spent surfing in Stockholm. Worn pinned, poncho-style, across the upper body, his swirling, psychedelic-print woollen blanket scarves brought to mind ’70s beach towels. While that might seem like an unsuitably summery take on winter outerwear, further inspection reveals that the wraps are double-layered, leather-lined and made from super-warm wool and mohair. Perhaps Johansson was on the same page all along: the new cover-ups are simply too good to keep under wraps. HMN Available from International Designer and Luxury Collections, First Floor; and Fashion Lab, Fourth Floor

H A R RODS M AGA ZINE

Roberto Cavalli cape £1,340

Chloé coat £2,499

Models backstage Jason Lloyd-Evans; alph Lauren and DKNY catwalk Catwalking; fabric background iStock

DKNY

DKNY cape coat £475

Chloé

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Burberry Prorsum blanket £895

l h L u en

Ralph Lauren cape £5,450

obe to C v lli

Ralph Lauren coat £4,790

obe to C v lli

Roberto Cavalli cape £7,660

The Row wrap £2,299

Acne scarf £440

Acne

lessed with a CEO who has both a clairvoyantlike ability to conjure up the season’s most agenda-setting pieces and a trail-blazing attitude towards live streaming, Burberry Prorsum always stages one of the world’s most watched catwalk shows. Still, it would seem to take a special type of sorcery to send Instagram into overdrive over a blanket. Of course, Christopher Bailey’s cover-up was no conventional poncho (instead it was monogrammed, cashmere, and draped serape-style around Cara Delevingne) and, as the fashion weeks progressed, it became clear that it wasn’t going to be the only wrap star in the AW14 collections. A profusion of similar styles suggested that, after several seasons of form-fitting silhouettes, fashion’s pendulum might be swinging back in favour of more fluid cuts and pronounced volume. Clare Waight Keller is often a close second to Bailey in the prescience stakes and, for her AW14 Chloé collection, she proposed “a sweatshirt attitude for unstructured coats”. That modus operandi yielded designs so loose and relaxed that it was debatable whether they qualified as outerwear at all. A muted, ecru-coloured cashmere coat was reminiscent of a dressing gown, albeit the most desirable, and discreetly luxurious, rendition imaginable. A similar sense of ease permeated The Row’s presentation, where snug comfort (courtesy of the Olsen sisters’ 900g double-faced cashmere), supersized dimensions and deft draping reigned supreme. Here, floor-skimming fringed blankets hung from models’ shoulders, and colossal cape-coat hybrids enveloped those wearing them in a bear hug.

Saint Laurent cape £1,770

FA S H I O N I N T E R V I E W

The bigger

PICTURE The public’s perception of Donna Karan is deﬁned by her design credentials, but there’s much more to NYC’s woman in black

s she here yet?” says a gravelly woman’s voice from the corner of the studio. No one replies. “Is she? Here?” Patti Cohen, Executive Vice President of Donna Karan International, is sitting on the end of a long wooden table with her feet tucked under her, hunched over her mobile. She is head to toe in black: black suede fitted jacket with a waterfall collar; black skinny jeans; black wrap Lycra top; black suede ankle boots. Her trademark red hair is cut to frame her face, but falls long down her back. She hasn’t looked up from her BlackBerry since she arrived. It’s like an extension of her fingers. “Did she come in yet?” she says, still not looking up. The hair and make-up ladies are hovering. They are clearly attuned to Karan’s “black is more” ethos. They rearrange their brushes, again. The room is silent except for the occasional click as the film crew fits the light-stands together. It is 12 noon. Karan is not expected until one. Nevertheless she is much anticipated. The Greenwich St studio is the upper floor of a former factory building on New York City’s Lower West Side that Karan’s husband, artist Stephan Weiss, who died 13 years ago, renovated and made his own work space. Downstairs is used as an exhibition hall that houses a multitude of elegantly lit artworks. The contrast between the busy street and the Zen-like calm of the gallery is deliberate. Upstairs the table is set with snacks, but it being New York, and it being Donna Karan, these are no ordinary snacks. There are squares of black seaweed, wafers of dried mango and something unidentifiable but also dried. All displayed on square lacquer plates. There is water in a carafe, and glasses filled with either green or red juice. The sound of heavy heels hitting wood breaks the silence. A fresh-faced, apple-cheeked girl in a scarlet dress and thick beige sandals clumps across the floor. She is clearly not a Karan-ite. Not yet anyway.

H A R RODS M AGA ZINE

Cohen’s eyes flick up and take in the scene. “Is she here yet?” The girl nervously shakes her head and makes for the stairs. Each step is marked by the clack of her heels. Karan arrives unannounced, in flat black, silent ballet pumps. There’s a flurry of activity from the make-up and hair ladies. Among all that black she’s hard to find. She’s smaller than she looks in pictures. Her hair is scraped into a ponytail and her make-up-free face is not the one she sets for the press. She looks a little vulnerable. “I was just doing my yoga,” she is saying to everyone, anyone, rubbing her back, “and all of a sudden, bang, and I was like, I can’t get up. So they call up my realignment specialist and get an appointment and, anyway, it’s like fine now, but they said whatever you do, whatever you do, don’t sit down.” She sits down. The consummate professional. Coincidentally she is wearing exactly the same outfit as Cohen. Not nearly the same, precisely the same. Neither acts like it is unusual. “Do you want a green juice?” says Karan from the chair. “Um, no thanks, I’m fine,” I say, not knowing the constituent parts of the green juice. “Do you want a red juice?” “No thanks, really. Fine.” Same problem. “Water? You need some water, right?” “Er, no. I’m fine thanks. Nothing.” The make-up artist is back at work. “What about wheatgrass juice?” says Karan. The makeup artist stops again. “You’d like a wheatgrass juice, yes?” “Er, thanks, no,” I say. Cohen, still looking at her phone, says quietly, to no one in particular, “I hate wheatgrass.” I whisper, “Me too.” Karan overhears: “It’s so good for you, you know. It’s the mother in me. Makes me want to make sure everyone is OK. We can get you wheatgrass juice.” The apple-cheeked girl suddenly finds her conviction. “If God had meant us to eat graaasss,” she drawls, with a hint of a southern twang, “he’d have given us multiple stomachs. Like a cow,” she adds, with a nod. X

Photographer’s Assistant Isabella Stahl

Credits TK Images

SEC TION

HAR RODS M AGAZINE

FA S H I O N I N T E R V I E W

“I never wanted to be in fashion. I wanted to dance like Martha Graham and sing like Barbra Streisand” The sentence hangs in the air, then the make-up and hair ladies resume. Karan takes a slug of her juice; Cohen returns to her messages. Twenty minutes later, with sleek bouncy hair, chiselled cheekbones and eyelined eyes, Donna Karan appears. As Donna Karan. Thirty years on from the launch of one of the world’s best-known fashion houses, Donna Karan is still very much Donna Karan. Did your childhood influence your life? I was born on 7th Avenue, the place in New York City where fashion is born. My mother worked on 7th Avenue as a showroom model; my father made custom suits for men – and for my mother. Fashion was in my blood. Did you know early on that you wanted to be in fashion? I absolutely never wanted to be in fashion or be a fashion designer. I swear I was just telling this to somebody this morning: fashion was not part of my wish list of what I wanted to be when I grew up.

What did you want to do? I wanted to dance like Martha Graham and sing like Barbra Streisand. And I wasn’t a good enough dancer and I wasn’t a good enough singer. Then I wanted to be an artist, an illustrator. I went to Women’s Wear Daily and they said, “You’d better take up design.” So I went to Parsons School of Design, but I didn’t finish my training there – I failed draping! Kind of funny. I went to work for a woman by the name of Anne Klein as a summer job and they said: “Jesus, why would you go back to school when you’re doing what you want to do?” I go: “Well, I have to finish school!” But I never did. Until recently: I got my diploma. What advice would you give to your young self from where you sit now? If I reflect on the would haves, should haves and could haves, perhaps I could have travelled more, seen more of the world. I say to the students I teach at Parsons: go out and feel the world. You know, pay community service. See other things before you settle in, because once you’ve got that job, you’re hooked. I’ve been on 7th Avenue my whole life. Has the workplace changed for women? I think it’s easier today to empower yourself to go out into this world. But I never saw myself as a woman or a man: I was a designer. It was other people who said: “Oh, you’re a woman designer.” It’s like, women actors are actors. They don’t say, “I’m an actress.” I suppose the fact that my mother was a working woman made it easier for me. That was very unusual. When I was at school, my mother was the only one working, so I kind of felt odd. When I went to work, I didn’t want to be a working mother. It was my plan to stay home and be with my daughter, and to this day I feel badly that, as I was giving birth to her, my head was concerned with a collection that was due the next day. So has she gone to work or stayed at home? I figured my daughter would be the real mother type, at home, all of that; right now, I think she’s crazier than I am. She’s just about to open her third Tutto il Giorno restaurant in New York. She was a stylist, she loves furniture, she loves the environment, she loves entertaining, she loves caring for people. I always hoped she’d do Donna Karan, but she sort of had it with design. She used to have to come to all the fashion shows; these days even my grandchildren don’t want to come to my runway shows: “Oh, Grandma…” But the boy’s starting to get it – he likes watching the girls walking down the runway! Why did your clothes make such an instant impression? When I started, I was simply designing for myself. I’d been into yoga since I was younger and I was always wearing a bodysuit so I was like, OK, what can I wear that will last day to evening. Clothes then were either “ladies who lunch”, or women were wearing men’s clothes: suit, tie, shirt, all of that. There was no sensuality. There were no clothes that took me from work to play to travel. That was where my passion for black came from. Wear a red jacket and it’s like: “Oh, I already wore that red jacket”; black takes you from day to night without being too obvious. X

FROM TOP

Donna Karan gown £12,500, jacket £1,825, coat £9,899 and dress £2,475; DKNY dress £310 and coat £525 Available from International Designer, First Floor; and Fashion Lab, Fourth Floor HAR RODS M AGAZINE

FA S H I O N I N T E R V I E W

“For me, there’s no differentiation between philanthropy and commerce. We can’t just sit in our isolated world called ‘fashion’” What do you believe in? I believe that I’m not only dressing people, but I’m addressing them. I think I’m very, very sensitive to people and what they’re going through. When the AIDS epidemic broke out and we started Seventh on Sale [an NYC benefit launched in response to the impact of the disease within the fashion industry], I realised you have to build an awareness with consumers. From my yoga practice, I also realised the importance of the mind, the body and the spirit. The holistic me. What I eat is as important as what I wear. Women are constantly on the go, constantly caring about other human beings. For men, it’s a little bit more… [mimes a straight-up-and-down line]. But that’s why we need men, to keep us a little bit on line. Women have these hearts that go out to God-only-knows who. It’s always about our children, sisters, brothers, friends, husbands, home. Then it’s, “Oh, I forgot about me.” You embraced yoga before most people had even heard of it… I started yoga at 18. For me, being is yoga. People say: “Donna, do us a yoga pose,” and I say, “I’m doing it…” Yoga is not putting your legs around your head. Yoga should be taught in schools because it helps with attention. People used to go, “Oh, there goes Donna and her woo-woo trips”; everybody’s walking around with a yoga mat now. How easy is it to blend commerce and philanthropy? When I go to Bali and see the Green School [created using bamboo] and I think about the deforestation, for me, there’s no differentiation between philanthropy and commerce. We can’t just sit in our isolated world called “fashion”. I was out for dinner with a guy who’s done these amazing bags out of Pepsi bottle caps. He is taking something raw and making a difference. I’ve always been involved in the bigger picture, it was never about design only. Design is craft, it’s art, it’s soul and it’s spirit. It’s part of the whole picture. Since my husband passed away from lung cancer – and he was my partner in crime and everything – I have realised that there are healthcare issues that need to be aired. And I think our educational system needs to be more considered. How did you stay positive after your husband died? I didn’t. I was very sad. What did I do? I got myself busier; fill up the cup, fill up the cup. I went to Turks and Caicos, to this island where we took our marriage vows and I had a piece of property, and I built a mini-hotel. At Urban Zen, where we sit today, which was my husband’s studio, the energy is magnificent. He’ll never be without me; I’ll never be without him. Of course, I miss the physical touch of him, you know, and his genius: he doesn’t answer me quick enough. He is the inspiration behind everything I do. I didn’t understand why everyone loved Stephan. I would introduce them to him, and immediately I was ignored. He raced motorcycles, he was an artist, he was a sculptor, he made fragrance, he started my company with me. And he gave me three beautiful children – my daughter and my two stepchildren. So how do you decide what you can fit into your schedule? Say the summer’s coming. I’ll want to go to Bali. To India. To an ashram. To Africa. To South America. And I’ll want to go on a boat trip with my daughter. But there’s only three months in the summer. I also want to do a big trip, on the back of a motorcycle, and document all the people and artisans I meet on the way. That would be amazing – it would make a great book. And I think you’ve now answered everything I could possibly hope for… All this time I’ve been thinking, you guys haven’t eaten. That’s the mother in me. You’ve come all the way from London. I’ve got to feed you guys. You really need some wheatgrass juice. HMN

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Trend watch: BALL GOWNS Floor-skimming and dramatic, the ball gown commands attention from wearer and spectator alike BY LA

TON

The truth is that by wearing a ball gown at all, you’re making quite a statement. After all, no one wears a fabulous J. Mendel gown – all swishy black skirt, sheer panelling and lavishly patterned waistband – and thinks they’re sitting on the fence. But the crucial thing with a ball gown is that you are in harmony with the statement you’re making. To wear a sumptuous evening dress in the same manner as one might wear a velour tracksuit would be the equivalent of writing a serious statement about the plight of the Ecuadorian Amazon and publishing it in a Comic Sans typeface. This is not a time to play things off the cuff. One has to rehearse wearing a ball gown. One has to know its every stress and syllable; how to give it pace, drama and flourish. Consider your vibrant Carolina Herrera gown with its angular neckline. To appreciate its subtlety, to understand quite how to deliver such a dress, you will probably want to give it several run-throughs at home before unveiling it to the public. Stand before your mirror. Pause. Breathe. This is not a dress you want to rush. Its cut and colour will ensure a rapt audience, and your task is to bask in that admiration, giving the faintest dip of a shoulder, the softest tilt of the head and rustle of the skirt, the better to present its magnificence. Should you not feel able to muster the necessary showiness for such a gown, consider instead this Dennis Basso frock with its grand ruby-coloured skirt and low-cut gold bodice. The glory of such a dress is that it is a statement in its own right, allowing you to simply exist quietly inside, demurely assessing the room or contemplating your to-do list while others marvel at your splendour. Think of it as something akin to setting your car to cruise control, then sitting back and enjoying the journey. On the subject of which, it would be remiss not to address the art of manoeuvring a ball gown. Anyone wearing an exceptional Monique Lhuillier dress, with its fitted black-detailed body and frouffed white skirt, will appreciate that there is quite some technical skill required to move about in such a construction. Short of fitting your outfit with sensors, it’s best – at least on first wearing – to always overestimate the amount of room you need to perform any particular move, be that exiting a cab, dancing the cha-cha-cha or simply turning around. Walk boldly so other dress-wearers must give way to you and your gown. Attempt no tight or reckless moves. And lastly, remember: it’s probably best to leave the parking to the valet. Available from Eveningwear, First Floor. To watch a video of this feature, download the Harrods Magazine app Laura Barton is a feature writer for The Guardian. She also writes for Q, The Word, Vogue and Red

FROM TOP J. Mendel gown £6,560; Carolina Herrera gown £5,950; Dennis Basso gown £9,800; Monique Lhuillier gown £9,250

NEWS

Everyday GLAMOUR

Who says you have to save diamonds for after dark? Links of London’s Diamond Essentials collection offers an understated way to introduce a touch of sparkle into your everyday look, with a collection that includes 18kt gold and rose gold vermeil pieces. The sleek, minimalist pendants, bracelets and earrings feature simple circles or hearts with pavé diamonds. Wear a single piece or layer them for a contemporary bohemian effect. Links of London Diamond Essentials bracelet £180 and earrings £195. Available from Luxury Jewellery, Ground Floor

American dream With a rebellious aesthetic taking cues from the American Revolution, NYC-based R13 burst onto the US fashion scene in 2009. It quickly gained fans for its boyfriend-style denim jeans, leather biker jackets and slogan T-shirts, and recent lines with chunky zips and extensive frayed and slashed denim have created a punk femininity on which the brand now prides itself. Though R13’s design ethos is as American as it comes, its materials are more international: premium denim is sourced from Italy and Turkey, while production takes place in small, specialised factories in Japan and Italy. And all the company’s products are made to age, adding soul and personality that reflect the wearer’s lifestyle. From left R13 T-shirt £140 and jeans £260; sweater £235. Available from Fashion Lab, Fourth Floor

TEE TIME

Five designers who are joining Fashion Lab this November have created exclusive T-shirts to mark the event. Just Cavalli’s leopard piece is a lo-fi take on the glamorous print, while DKNY’s slogan tee is a fitting homage to the label’s eternal muse, the New York girl. With a black lace trim, Red Valentino gives the essential grey T-shirt a romantic spin; Love Moschino’s design features a typically tongue-in-cheek cartoon; while Paul Smith’s boyfriend-fit T-shirt has a photo of St James’s Park in London snapped by the designer himself. From top Red Valentino T-shirt £140; Just Cavalli T-shirt £245; DKNY T-shirt £145. Available from Fashion Lab, Fourth Floor

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ARUNA SETH

y f vou te things The daughter of a shoe designer, London-based Aruna Seth worked in investment banking before launching her self-titled line of embellished Italian-made satin shoes in 2009. Seth tells Harrods Magazine about the butterfly ring that inspired her bestselling heels. “As a child, I adored Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel The Secret Garden and, since then, anything to do with English country gardens has captured my imagination. I’ve always had an affinity with butterflies in particular – perhaps it’s their femininity or the fact they represent freedom. “I’ve collected butterfly designs for ages and this ring caught my eye in Dubai about five years ago. I was browsing in a little jewellery souk in the mall and bought the ring as a good-luck gift to myself because I was just about to launch my shoe label. “In the Emirates, tastes tend to be slightly more glamorous than in FROM TOP Aruna Europe, and my ring Seth’s butterfly ring; Aruna Seth Pointy Toe and Crystal is a really intricate, Butterfly suede shoes £600, original mixture of Cristy Silver sandals and gold and silver. I love Pointy Cristy Swarovski it, yet I hardly ever crystal shoes, from a wear it because I don’t selection. Available from want to risk losing it. Harrods Shoe Heaven, I prefer just to think Fifth Floor; and harrods.com of it as a lucky charm. “The ring was part of the inspiration behind our crystal butterfly emblem. As a designer, you can never predict what will resonate with people, but our butterfly shoes were successful from the start – Pippa Middleton wore a silver pair on the day of the Royal Wedding. Now, butterflies are synonymous with our brand. “It’s a dream job for me. My father has owned his footwear company for over 40 years and, growing up, I worked in the family business. His company produces practical trainers, though, and I always wanted to make glamorous shoes. Early on, I developed a special, plush leather padding that’s so soft it feels like cashmere. So – just like a pair of trainers – you can wear our heels all day.” – By Lindsay Macpherson

FA S H I O N

Maison Scotch trousers £120

Pierre Balmain blouse £330

Maje coat £370

l in

Balmain dress £9,250

Ted Baker gloves from £59

For a fresh update on the ﬁercest of prints, look to the AW14 catwalks, where designers had taken their cue from the urban jungle – with contrasting textures and sleek styling

The Kooples blouse £175

Chloé coat £9,675 and dress £1,125

Reiss coat £1,250

Bags with ANIMAL MAGIC

Accessory designers are deploying fashion’s wild card too: think big cat prints, python skin, alligator and everything in between

Fendi bag £2,770

*EDITOR’S

Ethan K minaudière £2,900

Tabitha Simmons boots £675

Reworked into a classic jacket silhouette, leopard print casts off its after-dark associations. Maison Scotch jacket £210

Chloé

CHOICE

The Kooples belt £115

Jérôme Dreyfuss bag £635

Available from Designer Accessories, Lower Ground Floor; Luxury Accessories, Ground Floor; International Designer, First Floor; Fashion Lab, Fourth Floor; Harrods Shoe Heaven, Fifth Floor; and harrods.com

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Stylist Olivia Halsall

Wild CHILD

NEWS

Heart of GOLD Peter Stas and Aletta Bax – the husband-andwife team behind luxury watch brand Frédérique Constant – have swiftly established themselves as one of the most exciting partnerships in fine horology, but their focus isn’t purely on aesthetics. In 2014, for a second consecutive year, the brand is supporting the World Heart Federation’s Hearts of Children campaign, for which it has created the World Heart Federation Collection of watches. Features include delicate engraving and diamond-set bezels, while two of the four models incorporate the brand’s signature Double Heart Beat aperture at 12 o’clock; a sophisticated way to wear your heart on your sleeve. £3,560. Available from The Fine Watch Room, Ground Floor

STAR ROLE Canny celebrity stylists know that when their client needs a scene-stealing red-carpet look, Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad is the man to go to. Witness Beyoncé resplendent in a crimson creation at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, or Taylor Schilling radiating screen siren allure at the 2014 Emmys. For Resort 2015, Murad took inspiration from exotic travels, giving safari chic a lavish new spin. His signature figure-hugging dresses are opulently embellished, but imbued with a lightness courtesy of daring transparent panels, slits and silk chiffon inserts, while a palette of sand and gold is enlivened with shots of red and midnight blue. The collection is glamorous, feminine and, naturally, red-carpet worthy. From left Zuhair Murad gowns £5,699 and £5,599. Available from Eveningwear, First Floor

Jet-set style

A life spent travelling was the inspiration for businesswoman and designer Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud to launch her own bag collection, Baraboux. Each Baraboux piece is carefully designed to fulfil the demands of a busy on-the-move lifestyle. Take the signature Reema bag: the sleek multitasking clutch is cleverly curved and features two separate compartments allowing it to discreetly hold more than you might expect. In luxe crocodile with Italian enamel hardware, a new, exclusive collection – in which each piece is handmade by expert artisans in Florence – comes in a jewel-toned palette. Baraboux Reema clutch £3,500, exclusive to Harrods. Available from Luxury Accessories, Ground Floor

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An inte vie

ith

PATRICIA BONALDI by Lindsay Macpherson

Brazilian-born designer Patricia Bonaldi launched her first boutique in 2003 and quickly gained a cult following for her embellished cocktail dresses and full-length embroidered gowns. The former lawyer talks to Harrods Magazine about switching from the legal profession to design, Brazilian style and starting an embroidery school for women. “I made my first dress when I was just eight, and for as long as I can remember I’ve been enthralled by cocktail wear. I trained as a lawyer, but dress design gradually became a career calling that I couldn’t ignore. First I started a multi-brand boutique in Brazil which taught me how to run a business; then I began designing one-off pieces for my clients. Brazilians are style hungry. Right now FROM TOP Patricia Bonaldi we’re experiencing dress £1,575 and gown a huge influx of Available from international brands, £1,950. Eveningwear, First Floor but what’s lovely is that there’s still a real appreciation of and support for local brands. Most Brazilians will mix and match international and local labels, so they get the best of both worlds. Brits can be quite eccentric and conceptual in their style choices, while Brazilians always like to look glamorous and feminine. But no matter the city, country or culture, what all women have in common is that they want to feel special, beautiful and comfortable when they put on a gown. The process of producing my pieces is challenging and time consuming, but ultimately the craftsmanship and time invested in a dress is what makes it special. In 2012, I started an embroidery school in my hometown of Uberlândia, where our company headquarters are. The aim was to empower local women by offering them the opportunity to develop traditional skills while improving their employment prospects. Today we have 105 recruits who produce our rich embroidery and embellishments.”

PROMO T ION

Vintage SPARKLE

Using the styles and sounds of the 1950s, Ted Baker has created a new collection with embellishment and elegance in equal measure

his season’s catwalks were revelling in adornment, from mirrored bodices to elaborate 1920s beading, transforming the colour palette with sparkle and light. At Ted Baker HQ, however, this is not so much a new trend as something the London brand has been perfecting for some time. Lightness, volume and fun are in the house’s DNA; adorning its womenswear is part of its aesthetic; and for AW14, the new Take the Lead collection demonstrates the Ted Baker desire for decoration at its finest, incorporating 1950s styles inspired by the decade’s music scene. From the Jamice sequined bomber jacket and joggers, to the whimsical Graise dress with pleated skirt and blushpink jewelled neckline, the new collection is all aglimmer. Think tunic dresses heavily encrusted with gems, and coats finished with jewelled collars. Then there’s the Christmas party show-stopper: the Aroha dress. Exclusive to Harrods, the long black dress has clean lines elegantly subverted with golden sequins worked over the shoulders, back and down each side to give a nipped-in-waist trompe-l’oeil impression. Elsewhere in the collection, musical and vintage influences come into play with flowing silhouettes

“The long, black Aroha dress has clean lines elegantly subverted with golden sequins”

LEFT Ted Baker Aroha dress £499; ABOVE Ted Baker Pheabea dress £349

that evoke a sense of movement, and celebrate colour and print. The effect is sophisticated on the one hand, gamine and girly on the other. The lace-covered Caree tea dress, delicately floral Dixee skater dress, and Pheabea – with its full 1950s skirt – sit alongside figure-skimming shifts, such as the Rozean and Candiss, both in opulent floral prints that have a timeless appeal. In keeping with all things feminine, pink features heavily. At one end of the spectrum, the powderpink Nevia cashmere-blend coat and complementary structured bag are not only all grown up, but are perfect transitional autumn-to-winter pieces. At the other end of the scale, the brand delivers the fuchsia Elenna pencil dress, exuding an old-school Manhattan-style polish, as well as the Eekky drop-waisted skater dress covered in cerise hothouse florals. Enduring style with a sense of fun – what’s not to love? Available from Fashion Lab, Fourth Floor

NEWS

EAST meets west

With Brioni’s illustrious heritage, the house’s current Creative Director, Brendan Mullane, is spoilt for choice when it comes to archival inspiration. This season his starting point was Brioni co-founder Gaetano Savini’s timeworn travel journal, which lovingly documented his 1963 trip to Japan. The resulting AW14 collection seamlessly blends Italian and Japanese influences: a moody colour palette borrowed from Baroque painter Caravaggio is used for tailoring woven from Japanese wools, while silk shirts have been hand-painted by renowned kimono artists. Contemporary yet unmistakably Brioni, the impeccable collection is proof that, sometimes, looking to the past can be the best way to move forward. Brioni shirt £1,100, trousers from a selection. Available from Men’s Luxury Collections, Ground Floor

Going to extremes Finding the perfect everyday accessories – ones that complement rather than complicate your life and wardrobe – is trickier than it sounds. They need to be stylish enough to make an impact, sturdy enough to endure daily use, classic enough to last longer than a season and anonymous enough to be versatile. Enter Montblanc’s Extreme collection: elegant, understated leather accessories that combine traditional design with an imaginative technical spirit. Manufacturing processes dating from 1926 are used alongside groundbreaking new techniques to deliver durable, strong and light pieces. The pared-back, all-black collection includes a rucksack, tote bag and tablet case – essential additions to the sartorial arsenal of the urban adventurer. Montblanc Extreme tote £555. Available from The Great Writing Room, Second Floor

Show TIME

Celebrating exceptional craftsmanship and innovation, the SalonQP exhibition of fine watches is a key date in the luxury horological calendar for established houses and independent watchmakers to showcase their new collections. SalonQP 2014 will be held in London’s Saatchi Gallery and is sponsored by Harrods, which will host a lounge and bar there during the event. In addition, at the Harrods SalonQP lounge, five themed showcases – Formal, Sport, Weekender, Diamond Set and Contemporary – will display a selection of hero pieces available year-round in The Fine Watch Room in-store. Ulysse Nardin Freak Cruiser £70,000. From 6th to 8th November at the Saatchi Gallery

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The G

ng Gu

takes the sting out of shaving

The daily shave might be one of the most automatic of all male grooming tasks, but it’s also often one of the least well executed and, given that many razors have blades finer than a surgeon’s scalpel, one of the most hazardous to boot. Little wonder, then, that we sometimes end up with nicks, cuts and unsightly razor burn. However, with the right technique and correct tools for the job, you can easily transform a chore into a pleasure. Key to achieving an irritation-free shave is proper preparation. Wet stubble is much easier to cut, but for ABOVE, FROM LEFT Bottega really smooth results, Veneta Pour Homme Exfoliating Scrub 200ml, Bottega Veneta’s £35, After Shave Balm shave collection is 100ml, £47 and Shaving hard to beat. Try the Cream 200ml, £47; BELOW, FROM LEFT Cowshed Exfoliating Scrub Neville Shaving Brush before shaving. and Stand £105; Acqua It removes razordi Parma Collezione clogging dead cells Barbiere Razor and Stand and lifts hair in £175. Available from The readiness for cutting. Gentleman’s Lounge, Lower Ground Floor; The Next, create a Apothecary and The cushion between skin Beauty Perfumery Hall, Ground and razor with a rich Floor; and harrods.com shave preparation – Bottega Veneta’s subtly fragranced Shaving Cream ensures smooth razor glide. To whip up a decent lather, use a wet shaving brush: Cowshed’s Neville Shaving Brush and Stand is ideal. Then, take your razor (I like Acqua di Parma’s Collezione Barbiere Razor, which is weighted to provide stability) and use short, 2cm-long strokes, always shaving in the direction of hair growth and resisting the temptation to press too hard. After your shave, rinse thoroughly and protect skin with an aftershave product. The last in my trio of Bottega Veneta must-tries is the After Shave Balm which helps soothe, rehydrate and gently fragrance freshly shaved skin – taking the sting out of shaving. Lee Kynaston writes about male grooming for The Telegraph and has his own blog at groomingguru.co.uk

Ermenegildo Zegna Couture coat £5,490; sweater, price on request; trousers £970; and shoes £1,205

Lanvin T-shirt £270

Clash of the TARTANS

Far from playing it safe, this season’s spin on plaid is all about unexpected colour pairings and attitude-packed styling

cQueen

The Kooples shirt £150

Alexander McQueen sweater £799 and kilt £875

S int L u ent

STATEMENT SWEATERS Tactile textures and graphic motifs give tartan sweaters maximum impact

Balenciaga sweater £599

Givenchy sweater £699

Markus Lupfer sweater £335

Alex nde

Markus Lupfer trousers £325, exclusive to Harrods

E enegildo Zegn

outu e

FA S H I O N

Neil Barrett sweater £230

Sandro sweater £195

*EDITOR’S CHOICE

Saint Laurent coat £2,299

Eschewing his signature Californian grunge, Hedi Slimane took style cues from English Teddy Boys in stellar plaid outerwear.

The Kooples bag £50

Saint Laurent coat £1,250

Available from Men’s Contemporary Collections and Men’s International Gallery, Lower Ground Floor; Men’s International Collections, Ground Floor; Men’s Fashion Lab, Fifth Floor; and harrods.com

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IN FINE STYLE

Steeped in the wool trade, and dedicated to creating the ďŹ nest Merino fabrics, Loro Piana has now launched The Gift of Kings line

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Smythson diary £76

Annoushka necklace £9,500 and earrings £2,800

Aspinal of London cuff £125

Aspinal of London charm £75

Manolo Blahnik shoes £460 Balenciaga clutch £1,175, exclusive to Harrods

Pomellato earrings £3,670

Jo Malone London candle £120

RED alert Marco Bicego ring £2,160

Alex Monroe pendant £285

Boucheron 18kt pink gold Hérisson ring from £3,530

Bric’s holdall £750

Charlotte Olympia shoes £475

Dolce & Gabbana The One 75ml, £73

Available from The Beauty Apothecary, The Fine Jewellery Room, Luxury Accessories, Luxury Jewellery and The Perfumery Hall, Ground Floor; Christmas at Home, The Great Writing Room, Smythson and Travel Goods & Luggage, Second Floor; Harrods Shoe Heaven, Fifth Floor; and harrods.com

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Stylist Olivia Halsall

Harrods bauble £39.95

The colour of lipstick and love is big on the catwalk this season with accessories hot on its heels

GIF T S Teksta robot kitten £59.95

Stella McCartney hat £45 Hunter boots £60 Burberry coat £185

Razor Bella electric scooter £379

Harrods decoration £24.95

David Charles hair band £59.95

Think PINK

Miki House bag £98

When even Barbie’s unicorn is rocking a colour, you know it’s time to get with the trend – in any shade from candy to fuchsia Barbie Ballet Wishes £47.95

Little Marc Jacobs jacket £160

Woouf Yummy beanbag £119

Le Toy Van Honeybake set £82.95

Lelli Kelly shoes £59.95 Barbie Unicorn £25.95

Available from Christmas at Home, Second Floor; Toy Kingdom, Third Floor; Children’s Designer Apparel and Children’s Shoes, Fourth Floor; and harrods.com

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The Rug Company Key Shadow rug £640 per sq m

Smythson A5 zip case £410

Ermenegildo Zegna bag £24,765

Burberry London coat £1,995

Kiehl’s Oil Eliminator 180ml, £18

Roche Bobois Lady B chair from £1,380

JeanRichard Terrascope watch £2,100, exclusive to Harrods

Aspinal of London wallet £75

More Fire Glass Studio bauble £39.95

GREEN with envy This season’s smart gifts have a decidedly verdant vibe, good to go in every shade from moss to mint

Smythson diary £250

eShave razor £69

Montblanc cuff links £230 Balenciaga backpack £875

B&B Italia Tabano chair from £3,865

Burberry London sweater £450

Available from The Gentleman’s Lounge, International Gallery and The Men’s Shoe Salon, Lower Ground Floor; The Beauty Apothecary, The Fine Watch Room and Men’s International Collections, Ground Floor; Christmas at Home, Gifts & Stationery, The Great Writing Room and Smythson, Second Floor; B&B Italia, Roche Bobois and The Rug Company, Third Floor; and harrods.com

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Stylist Olivia Halsall

Balmain trainers £725

GIF T S

Plumdog £16.99 Felt So Good decoration £7.95

Harrods of London jacket £299

VTech InnoTab Max £109 The Nights Before Christmas £19.99 WowWee MiP robot £109 Jellycat Paxton Puppy £19.95

Into the BLUE

Gallucci boots £165

Baby Dior coat from £2,400 VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch £39.95

Lego Star Wars R2-D2 £149

Burberry hat £74.95

The Blue Fairy Book £45

Surprise someone special and wish them a cool yule with presents that are taken straight from the chill-out zone

Kenzo sweater £74.95

Elias Glass Studio bauble £39.95

Cody Foster & Co decoration from £9.95

Ash trainers from £85

Available from Christmas at Home and The Harrods Bookshop, Second Floor; Toy Kingdom, Third Floor; Children’s Designer Apparel and Children’s Shoes, Fourth Floor; and harrods.com

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CLOTHING Les Copains fur coat £8,925; Badgley Mischka Couture gown £4,425; Bee Goddess ring £1,500; Brunello Cucinelli necklace worn as bracelet £1,725; HOMEWARES Roche Bobois bust £195

FA S H I O N

A WINTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TALE Furs and fantasy gowns in silk and tulle, embellished with ethereal details, conjure an air of festive enchantment F

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SEC TION

THIS PAGE Dennis Basso

Credits TK Images

fur, price on request; Talbot Runhof gown £975; Jenny Packham cuff from a selection; OPPOSITE PAGE Monique Lhuillier gown £9,250; Bee Goddess bracelet £7,950

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Credits TK Images

SEC TION

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CLOTHING Alberta Ferretti gown £2,599; Shaun Leane earrings £350 and necklace £300; Rupert Sanderson shoes £675; HOMEWARES Timothy Oulton candlestick £450

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CLOTHING Roberto Cavalli fur £2,920; Temperley London gown £3,499; Bee Goddess bracelet £1,750; HOMEWARES, FROM LEFT

Timothy Oulton chess piece £95; Flamant Mendine urn £239; Timothy Oulton black candlestick £100, large candlestick £450, fur throw £85 and medium candlestick £150

SEC TION THIS PAGE Alexander

McQueen gown £33,500; Bee Goddess ring £1,500;

OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOTHING

Credits TK Images

Ralph & Russo gown £47,500; Rupert Sanderson shoes £675; HOMEWARES Flamant Mendine urn £239

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Credits TK Images

SEC TION

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CLOTHING Dennis Basso gown £9,800; Brunello Cucinelli bracelet £1,725; HOMEWARES Timothy Oulton candlestick £450

Hair KEIICHIRO HIRANO at David Artists using Bumble and Bumble Make-up YASMIN HEINZ at DW Management using Chanel Sublimage L’Essence and Christmas 2014 Nails CHISATO at Terri Manduca Model FREDRIKA LARSSON at Select Set Builder ALUN DAVIES Art Assistant JENNIFER KAY Fashion Intern TRINA OUTRAM Photographer’s Assistants HENRY HUNT, MARIO JIMENEZ, ANNA MICHELL, HAYDN VOOGHT and NERISSA NORTJE Available from Luxury Jewellery, Ground Floor; Eveningwear and International Designer, First Floor; and harrods.com . To watch a video of this feature, download the Harrods Magazine app

FA S H I O N

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FA S H I O N

OPPOSITE PAGE Prada suit from a selection,

shirt £535 and shoes £570

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Credits TK Images

FA S H I O N

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THIS PAGE Etro jacket £950, waistcoat £430, shirt from a selection and trousers £430, Harrods of London tie £120 and cane £121, Kurt Geiger boots £150; OPPOSITE PAGE Burberry Prorsum coat £2,495, shirt from a selection, trousers £495; Falke socks £12.95; Kurt Geiger boots £150

THIS PAGE Ermenegildo Zegna Couture coat £2,820, shirt £245, tie £130, trousers £370 and shoes £905; OPPOSITE PAGE Saint Laurent coat £2,675, sweater £599, shirt £315, trousers £495 and shoes £710; Falke socks £12.95

FA S H I O N

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FA S H I O N Dior Homme coat £1,850, shirt £400, tie £125 and trousers £490; Ermenegildo Zegna Couture shoes £905

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THIS PAGE Brioni suit £4,150, shirt £825 and tie £169; Tod’s shoes £325; OPPOSITE PAGE Tom Ford jacket £3,090, polo neck £660, trousers £729 and shoes £940

Grooming JULIE THOMAS at Terri Manduca using Clinique and Bumble & Bumble Model MARC FAIELLA at FM Fashion Intern TRINA OUTRAM Photographer’s Assistants BRENDAN RYALL and IVAN SHAW Felt fox and raven masks GLADYS PAULUS (gladyspaulus.co.uk) and all other masks NATIONAL THEATRE Available from Men’s International Gallery, The Men’s Shoe Salon and Tom Ford, Lower Ground Floor; Men’s International Collections and Men’s Luxury Collections, Ground Floor. To watch a video of this feature, download the Harrods Magazine app

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P L A Y

S H O P

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SKINCARE / COSMETICS / FRAGRANCE

Glacial GLAMOUR

Calling all snow queens and ice maidens. Iridescent powders, sparkling nail enamels, crimson lipsticks and brightening serums make your look Christmas-ready BY

PICTURE POWDER

Fabulous to flaunt, but not just for show, enchanting compacts give cheeks and shoulders a sprinkling of stardust. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Chanel

Camélia de Plumes Highlighting Powder in Platine £47; Bobbi Brown High Light Powder in Pink Glow £34; Skincolor de la Mer The Illuminating Powder £65; Dior Diorific Golden Shock Illuminating Pressed Powder in 002 Pink Shock £46; Guerlain Météorites Voyage Exceptional Pressed Powder in 01 Mythic £105 HAR RODS M AGAZINE

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NICE ICE BABY

Seasonal metallics, glitters and frosts are poised to paint your fingertips with a touch of festive glimmer. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT OPI Nail Lacquer in Glitzerland £12; Lancôme Vernis in Love in 550, £13; Guerlain La Laque Couleur Gold Leaf Effect Top Coat in 901 L’Oiseau de Feu £18.50; Givenchy Le Vernis in 23 Folie Scintillane £15.50; Dior Vernis in 803, Metal Montaigne £18.50; OPI Nail Lacquer in My Voice is a Little Norse £12; Lancôme Vernis in Love in 560, £13

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CRIMSON KISS Rich red lips add classic glamour to a winter look. Keep eyes nude to ensure the mood stays modern. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT By Terry Rouge Terrybly Lipstick in 201 Terrific Rouge £33; Tom Ford Lip Color in Cherry Lush £37; Lancôme Rouge in Love in Red my Lips £21.50; Sisley Hydrating Long Lasting Lipstick in L23 Flamant Rose £34; Chanel Rouge Allure in 104 Passion £26; Givenchy Le Rouge Lip Color in 306 Carmin Escarpin £25

BE AU T Y

COLD COMFORT BALM Prime and pamper skin with innovative CRIMSON serums, illuminatorsKISS and make-up bases that give complexion a gorgeous glow. Richyour red lips add warmth to winter’s neutral pallete. Choose a bold berry shade for that festive touch.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Givenchy Smile ’n Repair Intensive Wrinkle Correction CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Chanel Rouge Allure in Passion Serum £66.50; By Terry Cellularose Brightening £XXX; Sisley Rouge a Levres in L23 Hydratant Longue Tenue Serum £75; Tom Ford Illuminating Primer £54; £XXX;& Chanel Le Rouge N.306Sheer Carmin Escarpin £XXX; Tom Dolce Gabbana The Primer Radiance Ford Lip in Cherry £XXX; Lancome Rouge in Love Make Up Color Base £43; ChanelLush Le Blanc Illuminating in Crazy Tangerine £XXX;£98 By Terry Rouge Terrybly Lipstick in Brightening Concentrate Terrific Rouge £XXX

Available from The Beauty Apothecary and The Colour and Cosmetics Halls, Ground Floor; and harrods.com

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HIGH FIVE

Editor Jan Masters reveals her top ﬁve beauty treats for the month

It’s v seductive. And v audacious. I’m talking about Robert Piguet’s new fragrance, V. Intense. And given the brand’s mission is to create fragrances in the spirit of the founder, it has certainly pulled it off with this daring and dramatic concoction. Opening with a burst of bergamot, pear and saffron, soft rose and sweet ylang ylang unlock a heart of fruit and florals. It all comes to rest on an incensey base. Rich and, if I may say so, slightly risqué. 100ml, £150, exclusive to Harrods

Developed by plastic surgeon Dr Yannis Alexandrides – in collaboration with space scientists no less – the 111SKIN range helps protect the skin against environmental damage, as well as targeting the signs of ageing. Now, Bio Cellulose Facial Treatment Mask has been created to brighten, tighten and moisturise skin. This gel sheet, 500 times finer than cloth masks, adheres to the skin and aids absorption of three antiageing ingredients: arbutin, silk amino acids and centella asiatica. 23ml x 5, £85

Truffles are a rare indulgence, particularly the special “black diamonds” from the southwest of France, and I was fascinated to see that Estée Lauder is now using them in its Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Sculpting/Refinishing Dual Infusion – two elixirs, sealed in a duo of vials, that mix upon application. In one, black diamond truffle extract helps preserve and restore skin’s density and suppleness. In the other, re-texturising ingredients and illuminating particles of South Sea pearl bring bright uniformity to your complexion. The combination is as luxurious as it is refining, enhancing the skin’s luminosity. What a treat. 25ml, £255, exclusive to Harrods

Available from The Beauty Apothecary, and The Cosmetics and Perfumery Halls, Ground Floor; and harrods.com

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Cream smudges Alamy

It’s a Bond No.9 tradition. Every year, the fragrance house introduces a scent with a single, dominant note, giving the ingredient a 21st-century urban twist. Following the likes of New York Oud and New York Patchouli, there’s now New York Sandalwood. Of course, all stars need a supporting cast, and here sandalwood shares some of the limelight with earthy carrot, spicy cardamom, ripe fig, papyrus, oakmoss and amber. Inviting and warming, it’s a lovely sensual blend that can be worn by men and women. 100ml, £275, exclusive to Harrods

Ah, my love affair with nightcreams continues. This month, I’m opting for a rich (non-rinseoff) mask. EviDenS de Beauté Night Recovery Solution has a velvety, gel-like texture that works to improve moisture retention with hydrators, amino acids and antioxidants. It also lessens the appearance of fine lines and gives you get-upand-glow in the morning. Use in an intensive 10-night programme or simply let it cover the evening shift two to three times a week. 50ml, £95, exclusive to Harrods

NEWS

MIX IT UP When Linda Cantello, International Make-up Artist at Giorgio Armani prepares models for the runway, she dabbles in backstage mixology. Such expertise has certainly influenced the brand, renowned for its colours and textures. Cantello has now designed three shades of red, influenced by spices from around the world, available in two textures: Lip Maestro, a couture velvety matte; and comfortable, ready-to-wear Rouge Ecstasy. Joining the latter is Black Ecstasy, a light-as-air, carbonblack mascara made with a black-boosting polymer that heightens colour intensity. Lipstick £26.50 and mascara £25.50. Available from The Colour Hall, Ground Floor

THE NOBLE ART

Inspired by the scent of rose that drifts through Italy’s finest private gardens, Acqua di Parma has chosen the celebrated bloom to add to its Le Nobili collection. On first spritz, refreshing bergamot and mandarin bring a citrus flourish to the scent’s floral heart. At the base, grey amber and cedar wood express the wild nature of the rose as it rambles and scrambles over walls. 100ml, £98. Available from The Beauty Apothecary, Ground Floor

Good all-rounder

Looking for a foundation that ticks all the beauty boxes? Sisley’s new multi-tasking Phyto Teint Expert fits the bill. The soft-focus base contains different grades of powders and an optical blurring gel for a smooth and even complexion, while crystal mica reflects light for a radiant finish. Volatile oils, fixing polymers and pigments enveloped in soya lecithin blend seamlessly for a second-skin finish that lasts up to 12 hours. If that wasn’t enough, it has active skincare ingredients too. Now that’s just showing off. 30ml, £79. Available from The Cosmetics Hall, Ground Floor

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“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” So said John Keats. Not six months, one season or until something newer comes along. Forever. I reference this because, in the beauty world, there seems to be a sea change that chimes with this sentiment. Novelty culture is being eschewed and an appreciation for things of true beauty, skill and longevity is where it’s at, be it faces, formulas or fragrances. French make-up superbrand Nars, for instance, has made Charlotte Rampling (yes she’s 68, yes she’s still devastatingly beautiful) the face of its new advertising campaign; Christy Turlington is back on billboards in Calvin Klein underwear giving 19-year-olds a run for their money; and Linda Evangelista is playing muse to Spanish fashion house Loewe. In the case of Evangelista, she has inspired Loewe’s new fragrance, Aura Eau de Toilette, a follow up to last year’s Aura Magnética. The new accord is a fresher, more relaxed interpretation of the original. The fragrance tells the olfactory story of its muse, and she is immortalised in top notes of lychee and lemon, a heart of rose, magnolia and jasmine, and a base of amber and musk. Elsewhere in fragrance, the same principle of quality over novelty has been applied to formulations. Parisian brand Jean Patou decided that the best way to celebrate its 100th anniversary was to go right back to the beginning and reissue its first ever fragrances. Quaint as it might sound, the original 1925 Jean Patou fragrance triptych was devised to work with your hair colour. FROM TOP Loewe Aura Eau Today the reprised collection comprises de Toilette 80ml, £73; Jean Deux Amours, Que Sais-Je?, and Adieu Patou Deux Amours, Que Sagesse. The first is a green floral for Sais-Je? and Adieu Sagesse elegant blondes, the second a chypre 100ml, £150 each; YSL Paris Rebel Collector 75ml, for warm brunettes, the third has white florals and gardenia for opulent redheads. £81. Available from The Perfumery Hall, Ground What’s particularly noteworthy is that Floor; and harrods.com each is as beautifully crafted and relevant now as it was almost 90 years ago. Over at YSL the creators have again looked into the archive for inspiration and come up with a new edition of the house’s muchloved Paris fragrance, which celebrated its 30th birthday last year. This new edition, Paris Rebel Collector, maintains the light-filled, girly spirit of the original rose-centric fragrance, with a sensitive (but bold) update in the form of tomato leaf notes, making it a so-called “green rose” scent. Sounds odd; totally works. – By Fleur Fruzza

ose Alamy

MISS HEAVEN SCENT ﬁnds quality never goes out of fashion

BE AU T Y

A touch of theatre. A ﬂight of fantasy. This party season, black is going from strength to strength as the most imaginative – and versatile – shade. Be bold. Be daring. Never be without it BY J

Just as the LBD is indispensable in your wardrobe, so is the colour black in your make-up bag. Never more so than now. Coming out of the shadows at many autumn/winter shows, there was simply no escaping its haunting, sometimes haughty presence. Graphic and smudgy shapes in ebony took centre stage at Missoni and Saint Laurent while, at Roberto Cavalli and Tom Ford, smoky eyes were less grunge, more glam, with a distinct wing shape. The evolution of eyeliner continued at Rag & Bone, with a flick that flew higher than the norm, while Erdem and Emilio Pucci embraced the complete definition of the upper and lower water line, finely traced in kohl. Even brows took a heavy stroke of charcoal that gave the face a whole new balance. For those in full theatrical flow, try a touch on lips, too.

Lancôme City Miracle CC Cream £27; By Terry Eye Powder-Kajal in 1 Noir £29; Guerlain Terra Ora Khôl Me Kajal in Noir Ebene £24; Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Waterproof mascara in Noir £25; Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Color in Brigitte £21

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BATS FOR LASHES Recreate the feathery eyelashes seen at Versace or make them more doll-like à la Gucci. Maintain stand-out appeal by keeping the eyelids pale. Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide foundation £34; Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Noir Intense £23.50; Clarins 3-Dot Liner in Intense Black £20; YSL Couture Palette in 1 Tuxedo £42; Lancôme Grandiôse Mascara in 01 Noir Mirifique £24.50; Tom Ford Lip Color in Vanilla Suede £37

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PAINT IT BLACK Plumb the depths with a deep, inky shade on lips. An almost-black hue threatens to subvert the traditional glamour of red. Wicked or what? Dior Diorskin Star Foundation £32; Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen in 01 Deeper £42; SENSAI Mascara 38°C Volumising in MV-1 Black £23; YSL Rouge Pur Couture lipstick in Noir Laque £22

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PITCH PERFECT Eyeliner doesn’t have to follow the classic flick. Once you reach the outside edge, trace a line towards the temple and then pull it back to the centre of the eye for a whole new angle. Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion foundation £40; Dior Crayon Eyeliner Pencil in Noir Black £19; Lancôme Artliner 24h in Black Diamond £20; Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara in Black £22.50; MAC Lipstick in Siss £15.50

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DARK DRAMA Not all smoky eyes are created equal. Forget softness and give shadowing a clear shape. Strike the lid through with a slash of black for that dash of difference. YSL Le Teint Encre de Peau foundation £30.50; Chanel Ombre Essentielle in Ebony £40; Dior Addict It-Line in Black £24.50; Nars Eye Paint in Black Valley £18.50; Chanel Rouge Allure in 227 Volage £26 HAR RODS M AGAZINE

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Make-up NINNI NUMMELA at Streeters Hair KEIICHIRO HIRANO at David Artists using Bumble and Bumble Model EDDA OSCARS at Select Assistant Beauty Editor REBECCA BAIO Photographer’s Assistant NEAL JACKSON Available from The Beauty Apothecary, and The Cosmetics and Perfumery Halls, Ground Floor; and harrods.com

BLACK OUT The brave brow is so now. At Giorgio Armani and 3.1 Phillip Lim, brows weren’t just defined, they were given star billing. The key to making it work is to maintain some natural softness at their innermost end. Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF35, £29; Giorgio Armani Eye and Brow Maestro in 1 Black £26.50; Shiseido Natural Eyebrow Pencil £19.50; Laura Mercier Smoky Suede Eye Palette £38; Sisley So Intense Mascara in 1 Deep Black £39; MAC Lipstick in Yash £15.50

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BE AU T Y

GET THE LOOK

Carbon copy the AW14 catwalk with this season’s midnight shades CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen in 01 Deeper £42; Estée Lauder Pure Color Stay-on Shadow Paint in Sinister £20; Laura Mercier Smoky Suede Eye Colour Palette £38; Dior Diorshow Mono in It-Black £22.50; YSL Couture Palette in 1 Tuxedo £42; Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Waterproof mascara in Noir £25; YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Noir Laque £18.50; Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35, £29; Christian Louboutin Nail Colour in Khol £36; Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide foundation £34

Available from The Colour and Cosmetics Halls, Ground Floor; Harrods Shoe Heaven and Urban Retreat at Harrods, Fifth Floor; and harrods.com HAR RODS M AGAZINE

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DESK ’til DAWN

There’s working hard. Then there’s playing hard... sometimes in the same day. Renowned make-up artist Mary Greenwell shows how to strike the right note for both using SENSAI BY

EBECCA BAIO / PHOTOG

APHE

ACHELL SMITH

HOT DESKING STEP 1: Back to basics “After the skin has been prepped, apply a few pumps of SENSAI Cellular Performance Brightening Make-up Base over the face then use the new SENSAI Cellular Performance Cream Foundation – it achieves even coverage in an instant. Apply a small amount of Make-up Base as a highlighter by dabbing onto brow and cheekbones. It reflects light, defining facial contours.”

STEP 2: ed alert “You can’t beat red lips. They push the boundaries of a work look while keeping it sophisticated. This is all about ease – impact that takes only moments to achieve – so apply the rouge straight from the bullet. I’ve chosen the exact red used on Eva Green in Casino Royale: SENSAI’s The Lipstick in Tsuyabeni. Create an outline first using the tip, then smooth the colour over lips. Because the red is so strong, it’s important to warm cheeks with a touch of blush. This softens the look and takes it from theatrical to charming.”

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FROM TOP LEFT SENSAI Cellular Performance Cream Foundation in CF 22 Natural Beige £65, Cheek Blush in 03 Usukurenai £32, Cellular Performance Brightening Make-up Base £54, The Lipstick in 09 Tsuyabeni £40

BE AU T Y

OUT OF OFFICE STEP 1: Va-va violet

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP SENSAI Loose Powder £35, Triple Touch Compact £40, Designing Duo Bronzing Powder £35, Cellular Performance Total Lip Treatment £70, Volumising Mascara 38°C £23, Cheek Blush in 02 Shirosakura £32, Eye Shadow Palette in ES11 Benifuji £35

THIS PAGE Rachel Gilbert gown £1,650; OPPOSITE PAGE Sandro shirt £165

“You’ve already got your base on, so touch up where necessary and take SENSAI Triple Touch Compact – a creamy matt concealer – and blend underneath the eyes. This eradicates any shadow before you work with colour. For this look, I’ve chosen the new compact by SENSAI, Benifuji – a palette of three violet shades. Violet is a becoming colour to wear on eyes, as it’s a similar hue to the natural vessels beneath the lids. In fact I would say that violets are the easiest colours to wear besides nudes. You can make this really dramatic by layering the three shades. Take the palest shade under the brow, the mid-tone of lilac all over the lid, and then the dark violet on the socket of the eye, working into the crease. There’s a deep purple liner as part of the palette – sweep this along the lash line for a liner effect.”

Hair DAVID WADLOW Nails AMA QUASHIE Model CAROLINA BALLESTEROS at Next Photographer’s Assistants LEONI BLUE FLEMING, OLIVER RUDKIN and LUBE SAVESKI

STEP 2: Turn up the volume “No look is complete without mascara if you want drama. I’m using my favourite of all time – SENSAI Volumising Mascara 38°C. This will only wash off at 38 degrees, which is incredibly useful as it won’t fall beneath the eyes. Comb through the top and bottom lashes to separate and volumise. Add colour with the Designing Duo Bronzing Powder and blend a touch of Cheek Blush in Shirosakura beneath cheekbones. Finally, moisturise lips with Cellular Performance Total Lip Treatment and manage shine all evening with SENSAI Loose Powder.” SENSAI is exclusive to Harrods. Available from The Cosmetics Hall, Ground Floor; Eveningwear, First Floor; Fashion Lab, Fourth Floor; and harrods.com . To watch a video of this feature, download the Harrods Magazine app HAR RODS M AGAZINE

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Q&A

Effortless BEAUTY

Aerin Lauder, granddaughter of the late Estée Lauder, heads up her own cosmetics brand. She talks Monet, meadows and maximalism BY J

Perching on a squashy sofa in her suite at Claridge’s, Aerin Lauder, with her glowing skin and long, honey-brown hair, is every inch the “face” of her polished brand, but a mile away from fussy, Park-Avenue-princess territory. Her look is groomed but natural. Her voice, though assured, is soft. And she’s easy to engage with. That’s because as a genuine hard-worker (she is also Style and Image Director for Estée Lauder), living in New York with her husband and two children, she relates to other busy women. The rationale behind her fragrance and beauty brand, therefore, is simple. It’s all about what pleases and eases, from modern scents that lift the spirit to a cosmetics collection that makes the getting-ready process a breeze. While she’s in the UK for a flying visit, we catch up for a chat. When did you realise you wanted your own brand? Well, I’d been at Estée Lauder since 1992, working in various creative roles and in product development. I was constantly giving interviews about the brand and about Estée herself, and people were always asking, “What’s in your make-up bag?” and “What can’t you live without?” And I thought there was something really interesting about an edit. Then the concept of the essential make-up bag grew to encompass other categories from fragrance to home. I thought there was a real void in the marketplace for a modern, feminine lifestyle brand. It launched in 2012. What key features do you want your brand to possess? Storytelling, luxury, femininity and surprise. How did Estée inspire you? It’s funny, I’m probably more like my grandmother than my mother, because my mother’s sensibility leans towards minimalism, while Estée had five million things on her night table: flowers, notepads, fragrances, candles. I’ve always loved the idea of embellishment. What inspires you in life that you bring to the brand? A little bit of everything. Certainly, travel, and even if I don’t physically go somewhere, I’ll look at global trends in magazines, books and on websites. I don’t travel much at the moment because I’m at home with my children. If you planned an escape, where would you go? I find cities inspirational and I’d love to go to Istanbul. I adore the museums and the mix of people. What did you want to achieve with your two new scents, Waterlily Sun and Iris Meadow? Waterlily Sun is dewy and fresh – I wanted something green in the collection. It’s inspired by Monet’s garden at Giverny. When I was a little girl, I went to see it with my

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FROM TOP Aerin Lauder; Aerin Iris Meadow and Waterlily Sun 50ml, £85 each

mother and sister. I’ll never forget that magical place, so lush. I love the idea of incorporating art and storytelling in my perfumes. There was a field across the street from my parent’s house in Long Island and Iris Meadow takes me back to a peaceful moment there. Tuberose Gardenia in the private collection smells like you have an armful of flowers. Is it a favourite of yours? An armful of blooms – that’s just what I wanted it to be like. Tuberose is the first flower I fell in love with and so I tried to capture that. And gardenia is delightful, but tricky to recreate in scent. It’s a delicate and complicated flower. What have been the proudest moments in your life? Having my children. Getting married. And graduating from the University of Pennsylvania where I majored in Communications – that was the hardest of all. I enjoy learning, but I don’t like the pressure of exams and papers. To this day, I get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach on Sunday nights. With my children, it’s like I’m re-living it. Does it also make you proud when someone tells you they appreciate one of your products? It makes me so proud because everything we create is the result of a long process and it’s got to be the best. I always say, “Great is not good enough, it has to be amazing.” HMN Available from The Cosmetics and Perfumery Halls, Ground Floor

CHRISTMAS FOOD SPECIAL

It’s a kind of MAGIC

FOOD

NOW FOR THE FUN PART Decisions, decisionsâ&#x20AC;Ś As if all that gift-buying werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough to tax the mind, coordinating â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and cooking â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the festive fare can add to rising stress levels. Turkey or goose? Pinot or cabernet? Cake or cheese? Which cheese? Allow us to help.

Page 131, photographer Mowie Kay; food stylist Emma Marsden

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seasonal specials, sourced from some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ă&#x201E;ULZ[ WYVK\JLYZ [HRL *OYPZ[THZ PUK\SNLUJL [V H UL^ SL]LS @V\ÂťSS Ă&#x201E;UK W\TWRPU HUK [Y\Ä L JHUHWtZ H WH]SV]H *OYPZ[THZ wreath, and the gingerbread house to end all gingerbread houses, plus classic and not-so-classic festive recipes courtesy of four fabulous chefs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from Tom Aikensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; turkey to a partridge in a pear tree from Richard Corrigan. Serving food designed by star chefs is all well and good, but Michelin-worthy dishes demand Michelin-worthy, well, dishes. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a certain magic in bringing out the best tableware for the festive season, when the presentation of the feast can add that extra sparkle to the occasion. Indeed, for many people, dressing the Christmas table is almost as moodLUOHUJPUN HZ KYLZZPUN [OL [YLL HUK `V\ÂťSS Ă&#x201E;UK WSLU[` VM PKLHZ for that in these pages, too). Whichever part of the preparation NL[Z `V\ PU [OL `\SL[PKL ZWPYP[ Ă&#x201E;UK `V\Y PUZWPYH[PVU OLYL

NEWS

Festive flair

Looking for a helping hand in the kitchen in the lead-up to the Christmas festivities? The Michelinstarred Tom Aikens, Harrods Chef of the Season, has developed an exclusive line of classic Christmas dishes available right through until the New Year. A selection of canapés spanning turkey rillettes, beetroot-cured salmon, seven-hour lamb croquettes and a chocolate hot pot is perfect for entertaining at home, while, if you’re seriously stretched, roast turkey breast comes with all the trimmings. There’s also a venison casserole with cranberry and root-vegetable mash that has Boxing Day written all over it. Available from Food Halls, Ground Floor

Bough DOWN

We’ve all seen decorations that look good enough to eat. But this exclusive piece from La Maison du Chocolat looks too good to eat. Christened the Tree of Wonder, the entirely handmade chocolate masterpiece stands two feet high and is assembled from 25 dark-chocolate discs, 130 dark-chocolate pine cones in various sizes, and 10 drop-shaped ornaments in dark or blonde chocolate, each containing an assortment of almonds, hazelnuts, pecans and pistachios encased in dark-chocolate beads and gold leaf. While the pine cones can be plucked throughout the festive season, we recommend eating from the top down. Oh, and don’t stand it next to the fireplace. £700. Available from Food Halls, Ground Floor

Se son l f t

Fuji apple The Fuji apple was developed in Japan as a crossbreed of two US varieties. It is sweeter and crisper than its counterparts, with a thick skin, and is ideal for slicing and eating.

Clementine Succulente A cross between a mandarin and an orange, this small, easy-to-peel seedless fruit is incredibly sweet, juicy and bursting with vitamin C.

GIVING JOY Is there anything better than receiving a sumptuous festive hamper bulging with seasonal goodies? Well, giving one, perhaps. Either way, this year’s selection of 66 hampers promises a magical spread of yuletide yumminess – from the modest Teatime Treat of loose-leaf tea, preserves and chocolate to the majestic Decadence, comprising a show-stopping array of wines accompanying everything from foie gras to a leg of Ibérico ham. For those who can’t make up their minds, a bespoke service is available. £25 to £20,000. Available from Food Order Desk, Food Halls, Ground Floor

Cactus fruit (prickly pear) The cactus fruit, a Mexican staple, has three edible sections: the pad, which can be treated like a vegetable; the petals; and the crisp pear centre that has a candied melon-like flavour.

Pomegranate Packed with antioxidants, the pomegranate is a great addition to marinades and salads. The ruby-coloured sacs of juicy flesh are sweet, encasing a more bitter-tasting edible seed. Available from Food Halls, Ground Floor

Tom Aikens portrait Andy Bate; Quince Getty Images; all other fruit Alamy

Quince This perfumed, pear-like fruit is the perfect partner for cheese, or can be caramelised to use in tart jams, dessert wines, brandy and liqueurs.

FOOD

WHITE CHRISTMAS From delicate canapés to magniﬁcent centrepieces, a table set with a feast of festive treats makes a sumptuous seasonal statement

Prop stylist Jennifer Kay

TAMIN JONES / FOOD STYLIST SEIKO HATFIELD

FOOD, FROM LEFT Pavlova Christmas wreath £40; Flocon de Neige macaroon £7.95; ricotta and amarena cherry zuccotto £25; HOMEWARES, FROM LEFT Waterford Lace cake plate £1,000, Castletown tumbler £175 and Lismore candlestick £115 per pair; Le Jacquard Français Bosphore napkin £19.95; Meissen Mesh platinum saucer £72; Bernardaud Divine service plate £194; Vera Wang for Wedgwood Lace Platinum plate £22.50; Baccarat Harcourt candlestick £175

FOOD, LEFT Goat’s cheese and balsamic glaze éclairs £7.95 each; foie gras and fig éclairs £8.95 each; FOOD, RIGHT Smoked salmon gâteau £9.95 per slice; HOMEWARES, LEFT Silver bauble £4.95 and glass bauble from a selection; Waterford Lismore Essence cake plate £130; HOMEWARES, RIGHT Christofle

K+T salt and pepper shaker set £249; Jasper Conran for Wedgwood Platinum plate £17.50; Carrs Coburg dessert fork £319 and knife £179; Aston Martin Vero dinner plate £95; Vera Wang for Wedgwood Sequin Champagne saucer £70; Baccarat Harcourt candlestick £175

FOOD, LEFT Foie gras and pistachio macaroons £6.95 each; FOOD, RIGHT Potato cake with beetroot smoked salmon £7.95; salmon slices £9.95 each; HOMEWARES, LEFT Vera Wang for Wedgwood Lace Platinum 16cm plate £17.50 and saucer £15; Meissen Cosmopolitan platter £179; Waterford Comeragh white wine glass £145, Castletown claret glass £175 and tumbler £175; silver bauble £4.95; HOMEWARES, RIGHT L’Objet dessert plate £50; Bernardaud Divine cake platter £549

FOOD

Pumpkin and truffle, pea and lobster, and cauliflower and salmon globes £4.95 each; HOMEWARES, FROM LEFT Waterford Comeragh white wine glass £145, Castletown claret glass £175 and Lismore candlestick £115 per pair; Linley Somerset wine decanter £395; Baccarat Harcourt candlestick £175; Greggio cake stand £325

FOOD

FOOD, FROM LEFT White chocolate bûche de Noël yule log £55; lemon meringue praline cake from £45; grand magie de Noël £65; kugelhopf £21.95; HOMEWARES, FROM LEFT Meissen Cosmopolitan square plate £234; Waterford two-piece domed serving plate £4,900, Castletown tumbler £175 and claret glass £175, Lismore footed votive £60 and Snowflake Wishes serving plate £1,980; Wedgwood Medici votive and Snowflake votive £34.95 each; L’Objet dessert plate £50; Linda Bloomfield cake stand £63.95; Greggio cake server £125; Linley Somerset decanter £395; baubles (on Christmas tree) from a selection; Ligne Roset Paola White Ash chair £499 per pair; Harrods of London throw £599

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FOOD

FOOD, FROM LEFT Mandarin and olive oil tart £8.95; mini patisserie £23.95 for 16 pieces; branche au trois saveurs £7.95 each; HOMEWARES, FROM LEFT Vera Wang for Wedgwood Sequin Champagne saucers £70 each; Bernardaud Divine bread and butter plate £71; Christofle Malmaison silver-plated pastry fork £68; Waterford Lismore candlestick £115 per pair, footed votive £60 and Castletown tumbler £175; Baccarat Harcourt candlestick £175; Greggio cake stand £515; Rosenthal platter £119. Available from Food Halls, Ground Floor; Entertaining at Home and Wedgwood & Waterford Crystal, Second Floor

Self-proclaimed “cheese artist” Hansi Baumgartner combines innovative techniques with a chef’s artistry. The result? Spectacular creations to be savoured slowly BY

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ALBO /

TAMIN JONES / FOOD STYLING SEIKO HATFIELD

Credits TK Images

THE BIG CHEESE

PROV ENA NCE

here’s a lot more to making cheese than meets the eye. Or the nose. Delivering a fine cheese to the table, perfectly aged, is an art that involves all the senses. You need to time it just right, so the cheese gives its best a day or two after it is bought, releasing its aromas and attaining the perfect consistency, be it runny, crumbly or firm. The artisan dairyman or shepherd’s wife who hand-makes that cheese may not have the space to store or age it for long periods of time. Nor are they likely to have the distribution network needed to get it into the best shops or restaurants. For that, you require someone with special skills. The French – who are experts in these things – call this cheese-ager an affineur (or affineuse); the Italians use affinatore (or affinatrice). Hansi Baumgartner, on the other hand, calls himself a cheese artist. A well-known Italian chef from Alto Adige, or South Tyrol, the autonomous region of northern Italy that borders Austria and Switzerland, he and his brothers Karl and Siegi first opened their restaurant, Pichler, in 1980. It soon earned a Michelin star. Six years later, when his brothers left to open Schöneck, another fine-dining restaurant nearby, Baumgartner stayed on at Pichler. But in the meantime, he had developed another passion. “When we started our restaurant, there was no culture of cheese awareness in Alto Adige,” he says. “In France, and even in Piedmont, the cheese course was a wellestablished part of a meal. I wanted to feature more local foods in our cooking, and I began by focusing on cheese.” Baumgartner encouraged small producers in his area to make it, especially using raw, unpasteurised milk. “We have the most pristine pastures up in these mountains, with many varieties of wild grasses. Only raw-milk cheeses reflect that complexity and are able to evolve their taste and texture over time: that’s why they’re the most interesting products to work with.” By 2002, Baumgartner had hung up his chef ’s whites and launched DeGust, a business that follows the cheeses from the pasture to the plate. “Each cheese has its own requirements,” he says. “This means having several cellars with differing amounts of humidity, temperature and airflow to allow for individualised ageing.” A World War II bunker provided a perfect “natural” habitat. Baumgartner designed several “cells” within the bunker, each with its own microclimate. “It’s a hands-on business, as every cheese needs attention: turning, brushing and tasting. Cheeses are very delicate natural products, and we need to coddle them until the moment they’re ready to be eaten, without using any preservatives or additives.” For centuries, cheese makers have used natural elements to cure or flavour the outside of their creations: fig, vine or chestnut leaves; straw and hay; beeswax and vegetable ash; even the grape residues that remain after a wine has been pressed. Baumgartner has expanded the repertoire by using cocoa beans, seaweed and even edible gold. With his chef ’s artistry, he combines cheese with other ingredients to enhance its taste and appearance. This Christmas, Baumgartner has created two exclusive showcases for his skills. The impressive Blue Queen does indeed have a regal look. This cow’s-milk blue cheese was aged in DeGust’s cellars before its centre was scooped out, combined with chocolate, citrus fruits and a passito dessert wine from Alto Adige and returned to the cheese.

“Cheeses are very delicate natural products, and we need to coddle them until the moment they’re ready to be eaten”

OPPOSITE PAGE Blue Queen cheese £75 per kg; HOMEWARES Linda Bloomfield 22cm starter plate £22.95 and 26cm dinner plate £31.95; Christofle Albi silver-plated cheese knife £71; ABOVE Hansi Baumgartner

The top is decorated with a mosaic of candied peels of lemon, orange and Sicilian bergamot, surrounded by a ring of vegetable ash dotted with gold leaf. Citrus Blue is another organic-milk blue cheese, made on the German North Sea island of Sylt. It has whole pistachio nuts running through it and is decorated with citrus fruits, cinnamon bark, cocoa beans and cloves. The results are spectacular. “I recommend serving these cheeses alone, or as a pre-dessert course,” says Baumgartner. “They go well with port, a fine Marsala wine, Calvados, rum or Armagnac. The important thing is to savour them slowly to fully appreciate their unique, aromatic flavours.” And by “slowly”, he probably means over the course of days, rather than hours. HMN Cheeses available from Food Halls, Ground Floor. Homewares available from Entertaining at Home and Luxury Home, Second Floor Carla Capalbo is an award-winning food and wine writer based in Italy and London. Her most recent book, Collio, won the 2009 André Simon award for best wine book

FOOD

FOUR CHEFS A-COOKING Classic and not-so-classic Christmas fare delivered by a quartet of top chefs. It’s up to you if turkey rules the roost

Photographer’s Assistant Lizzie Mayson; Prop stylist Jennifer Kay

EMMA LEE / FOOD STYLIST

PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE by RICHARD CORRIGAN HOMEWARES, FROM LEFT Sia Victoria candlestick £36.95; Alexandre Turpault napkin £24.95; Carrs Bead fork £45.95 and knife £51.95; Jasper Conran for Wedgwood Strata plate £18; Villeroy & Boch Bernadotte goblet £23.50

FOOD

RICHARD CORRIGAN

PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE Serves 4

I love food that’s hearty and wholesome at Christmas. It’s the one time of year when you can afford to sit back and relax with a glass of good red wine. At Christmas you want to spend as much time with the family as possible, so the best thing about this partridge dish is that once you’ve done the initial preparation, you can leave the bird to cook. Keeping it simple in the kitchen is key; don’t spend too much time fussing. Careful timings and lots of moisture keep this naturally lean meat succulent. Partridge is a great alternative to the traditional turkey. Contrary to popular belief, it’s inexpensive, full of delicate and subtle flavours, and satisfies that craving for comfort food you get in winter. Young partridge are typically more tender than older ones. But don’t forget that they’re small birds, so they normally only feed one person. I serve it with fruit and vegetables that are in season, such as chestnuts and winter roots, including parsnip and celeriac. As a young boy I would usually spend Christmas morning harvesting and cleaning vegetables from the farm with my father, then I remember my mother chopping them into large chunks. And there was always something hanging – though I don’t recall if it was ever partridge.

4 partridges, plucked, drawn and singed 3 tbsp butter 1 shallot, finely chopped 200ml full-bodied red wine 50ml port 20g dark chocolate (at least 70 per cent cocoa solids) 1 tsp sherry vinegar 1 pear, peeled, cored and chopped into quarters lengthways 200ml whole milk 2 parsnips, peeled and chopped 4 leaves kale or cabbage, sliced

Richard Corrigan is Head chef and owner of Corrigan’s Mayfair, Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill, and Bentley’s Sea Grill at Harrods

1 Preheat the oven to 200˚C/400˚F/Gas 6. Using a sharp knife, remove the legs and breasts from the partridges and set them aside. Place the remainder of the birds on an oven tray and roast for 20 minutes or until the bones have browned and the juices are caramelising. 2 Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium pan and sweat the shallot. Take the birds from the oven and chop them roughly so they fit comfortably in the pan with the shallots. 3 Add the red wine and port to the pan. Simmer until the liquid has reduced by two-thirds, then remove from the heat. 4 For the sauce, sieve the wine mixture into a small pan, whisk in the chocolate and the vinegar, and warm over a low heat. Make sure it does not boil or the chocolate will go grainy and lumpy. 5 Heat a heavy pan and add 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the pear quarters to the pan and roast until coloured and slightly softened. 6 For the parsnip purée, heat the milk in a medium pan and add the parsnips and a pinch of salt. Simmer until the parsnips are soft, then transfer them with the poaching liquid to a blender and whizz with a little butter until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm. 7 Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the kale or cabbage and cook until just tender. 8 Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a frying pan. Fry the partridge legs for 3 minutes, then add the breasts and brown for a few moments. Transfer the pan to the oven and cook for a further 5 minutes. To keep the meat moist, be careful not to overcook it. 9 Serve the partridge with the parsnip purée, the kale or cabbage and a wedge of the pan-roasted pear. Spoon a little chocolate sauce over the top.

Serve with... Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz 2011, Barossa Valley, Australia £54.95

TOM AIKENS

CLASSIC TURKEY Serves 10

It’s great to get together with friends and family at Christmas. And now that I have two little girls, it’s so much more special sharing this time with them. For me, it’s about eating great, simple food and having fun with people close to you. And that’s why I like this recipe in particular: there’s nothing too fancy about it. It’s a traditional dish, so there’s no point in changing it to something it’s not supposed to be. In-store this Christmas I’m making some special canapés, including seven-hour lamb croquettes and beetroot-cured salmon. But for the main course on Christmas Day, it has to be a whole turkey. I’ve always loved the idea of turkey at Christmas, but for some cooks it can be a little tricky – getting it prepared properly and cooking all the trimmings at the same time. There are, though, some obvious shortcuts you learn as a chef, so it’s easy enough to plan ahead and turn your attention to all the other things going on without it becoming too stressful.

1 x 8kg turkey

Serve with... Tom Aikens is Chef/Patron of Tom’s Kitchen and Harrods Chef of the Season

Cono Sur Ocio Pinot Noir 2012, Casablanca Valley, Chile £39.95

Tom Aikens Andy Bate

For the stuffing 25g butter 120g onions, finely diced 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 12g fresh thyme 8g coarse sea salt 12g fresh sage, finely chopped 1kg sausage meat Large pinch dried, mixed herbs 6g fresh parsley, finely chopped 4 egg yolks 25g breadcrumbs

1 Remove the turkey from the fridge at least 2 hours before you start cooking so that it reaches room temperature. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. 2 To make the stuffing, put the butter into a pan over a medium heat. Once it has melted, add the onion, garlic, thyme and 2g sea salt. Turn the heat down and cook for 10–14 minutes until the mixture starts to soften and caramelise. 3 Add the sage and take the saucepan off the heat. Mix in the sausage meat and the remaining ingredients. 4 Once the stuffing has cooled slightly, use it to stuff the turkey neck end. Then, with floured hands, roll any remaining stuffing into 4cm balls and refrigerate. 5 Place the turkey on a rack over a roasting tray. Cook at 200°C/400°F/Gas 6 for the first 30 minutes; then turn the oven down to 170°C/325°F/Gas 3 and cook for a further 25–30 minutes per kg. 6 Leave to rest for at least 20 minutes before serving. 7 While the turkey is resting, lightly flour the stuffing balls. Melt a little butter in a pan with a small amount of vegetable oil, add the stuffing balls and fry until golden, moving them around to ensure an even colour. Then cook in the oven at 170°C/325°F/Gas 3 for 15 minutes.

CLASSIC TURKEY by TOM AIKENS HOMEWARES, FROM LEFT Villeroy

Credits TK Images

& Boch White Pearl platter £101; Alexandre Turpault napkin £24.95; Christofle Kawali tumbler £123; Sia Victoria candlestick £36.95; Villeroy & Boch Miss Désirée wine glass £23.50

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DRY-AGED BEEF RIB-EYE WITH PANCETTA, MUSHROOM AND TARRAGON SAUCE by MARCUS WAREING HOMEWARES FROM LEFT Wedgwood Intaglio platter £65, and sauce boat and stand £65; Christofle Albi carving set £346; Villeroy & Boch Bernadotte goblet £23.50

MARCUS WAREING Christmas is always busy for me as I try to juggle the restaurants’ schedules with seeing my family. Normally I start the day at home and prepare the Christmas dinner before handing over to my wife, Jane – thankfully, she’s an excellent cook. I then go into Marcus at the Berkeley and wish my team and the guests a Merry Christmas; it’s important for me to spend time with my guests, particularly on a day as special as this. I will then go to The Gilbert Scott – my restaurant in St Pancras – and the newest family member, Tredwell’s, in Covent Garden. Afterwards I head home to finish up the dinner. I always make the sauces: the gravy, bread sauce and cranberry sauce. We are quite traditional on Christmas Day. We normally go for goose with roast root vegetables, and sprouts with chestnuts and pancetta. Sometimes, though, we like to do something a bit different, and this year we’re making something extra-special, as we will have lots of family with us. I’ve gone for a beef rib-eye. The marinating makes the beef so tender, and the flavours are delicious – especially with the pancetta, wine and mushrooms in the sauce. It’s a fantastic addition to the traditional fare and will hopefully be a welcome surprise for our guests. Marcus Wareing is Chef/Patron at Marcus, The Gilbert Scott and Tredwell’s

ANNA HANSEN I grew up in New Zealand (my mum moved there when she was six), but our Danish heritage was very strong, so on special occasions we would eat pickled herring, red cabbage, rolled pork shoulder, meatballs, that sort of thing, all washed down with schnapps. It wasn’t ideally suited to the New Zealand Christmas climate, when everyone else was eating cold cuts and potato salad. Danish fare is definitely better suited to the UK winter. A lot of those flavours, like red cabbage, have a savoury sweetness to them. For me, at Christmas, there should always be a sweet-savoury kind of dish. Braised red cabbage with roast pork is what I normally have, because of my Danish background, but in this dish, chestnuts add that sweet-savoury element. I’d never eaten a chestnut until I came to the UK in my twenties and had a bag of them roasted from a seller on the side of the road. It was a revelation. Then I had chestnut sprouts, and they were terrible. So when I started cooking here, I was keen to do something I really liked with them, and I came up with this purée. And I love venison – I think people should eat more of it: it’s perfect for winter, tasty and lean, and slightly healthier than pork. People think it’s going to be really gamey, but these days, most venison doesn’t have that full-on flavour. Anna Hansen is Chef/Patron at The Modern Pantry

FOOD

DRY-AGED BEEF RIB-EYE WITH PANCETTA, MUSHROOM AND TARRAGON SAUCE Serves 3–4 1kg dry-aged beef rib-eye, bone on For the marinade 100ml olive oil 50ml vegetable oil 4 cloves garlic, flattened ½ bunch rosemary ½ bunch thyme For the sauce 4 tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion 2 carrots 1 leek, white part only 3 cloves garlic 500g beef trim and bones 250ml red wine ¼ bunch thyme ¼ bunch tarragon 500ml beef stock 200g button mushrooms 200g smoked pancetta, diced into 1cm cubes ¼ bunch tarragon, leaves chopped

1 Place the rib-eye into a bag or container, add the oils, garlic and herbs, and marinate for 48 hours. 2 For the sauce, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large saucepan. Peel and finely chop the vegetables and garlic; add, brown well, then remove and set aside. Heat another tablespoon of oil in the pan, add the trim and bones and brown well. Add the red wine and simmer until reduced by half. Add the browned vegetables, herbs and stock, and bring to a gentle simmer. Skim thoroughly and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve into a clean saucepan, bring back to a simmer and reduce to the desired thickness. Season to taste and set aside. 3 Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. On the hob, heat the oil in a frying pan until smoking; season the rib-eye on both sides, then place into the pan. Cut the butter into 8 cubes and add, one by one. Once the butter is foaming, add the marinade and spoon the foaming mixture over the meat, turning the ribeye to cover both sides, then place the pan in the oven. After 4 minutes, turn the rib-eye over and cook for a final 4 minutes. Place the beef on a wire rack and let it rest for 20 minutes. 4 To finish the sauce, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a medium frying pan. Quarter the mushrooms, add to the hot pan with ½ teaspoon of salt, brown well, then remove from the pan. Heat the final tablespoon of oil and brown the pancetta. Return the mushrooms to the pan with the tarragon and add the liquid from the meat pan. Season to taste.

Serve with... 2 tbsp vegetable oil 100g unsalted butter

Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Puente Alto, Chile £59.95

OLOROSO-MARINATED VENISON LOIN, CHESTNUT & TONKA BEAN PURÉE AND TOMATO SALSA Serves 4 For the marinade 70ml Oloroso ¼ red onion ½ clove garlic ¼ tsp Aleppo chilli ¼ tsp sweet, smoked paprika 50ml extra-virgin olive oil Venison haunch (700g) 50g butter For the chestnut purée 3 shallots, finely sliced ¼ bunch thyme, chopped 60g butter 600g vacuum-packed chestnuts 250ml double cream ½ tonka bean For the salsa 125g tomatoes 25g lime flesh, diced 20g shallots, finely diced 40ml extra-virgin olive oil 15ml muscatel vinegar 5g coriander 4g chervil 4g mint

1 To make the marinade, heat the Oloroso to burn off the alcohol, then allow to cool. Finely slice the onion and garlic using a mandoline; mix with the Oloroso and the rest of the marinade ingredients. 2 Marinate the venison for 24 hours – you should use a whole venison haunch to allow four servings of around 170g each. 3 Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. Add a little vegetable oil to a non-stick frying pan; once the oil is smoking, place the venison in the pan and sear on all sides. Add 50g butter and transfer to the oven. Cook for 7 minutes, then remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack in a warm place to rest for 10 minutes. Slice it into four. 4 For the purée, cook the shallots and thyme in the butter until soft. Roughly chop the chestnuts, then add to the pan and cook for 10 minutes. Mix in the cream and approximately 250ml water, bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until the chestnuts are tender. Grate in the tonka bean and blitz in a food processor. Adjust seasoning if required. 5 For the salsa, wash and quarter the tomatoes and finely chop all the herbs. Mix the ingredients together and season to taste.

Serve with... Cornas La Louvée 2007, Rhône Valley, France £74.95

Changing TASTES More variety in Christmas cuisine is mirrored by a broader approach to festive wine, with rich reds ﬂowing from across the wine-producing world BY GUY WOODW

he matter of food and wine matching is a fraught one. Myriad essays, dissertations and books have been written and re-written on the subject, many contradicting one another, and offering ever more prescriptive advice on the issue. Ultimately, though, with an occasion as grand as Christmas, the prime – in fact, almost sole – requirement from a wine is that it’s a good one. A very good one. Perhaps with a bit of stardust and status attached, to lift it from the everyday. Beyond that, most of us will naturally veer towards a relatively hearty red – something that not only marries with the rich flavours of the food, but counters the usually inhospitable late-December temperatures. So, a special bottle of a very good red, with a bit of heft. OK, we’ve not narrowed down the choice much. Time, then, to consider what will be on the plate in relation to the flavours emerging from the glass. Traditionally, with menus revolving around turkey or goose, this has come down to a choice between Bordeaux and Burgundy – or, in today’s language, cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir. But as shown by the Christmas recipes conjured up by our star chefs on the preceding pages, turkey is no longer a given on the big day. And in the same way, most of us are less beholden to the old-school giants of the wine world.

FROM TOP Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, £59.95; Cono Sur Ocio Pinot Noir 2012, £39.95

Anna Hansen’s venison with chestnut purée combines sweet and savoury elements – a combination that often works well with the dark fruits of a rich shiraz. And if Bordeaux is the home of cabernet, and Burgundy the root of pinot, for shiraz (or syrah as they call it in France) we naturally turn to the Rhône Valley. Here the ebullient Jean-Luc Colombo made his name reinvigorating the region of Cornas, whose red wines must be 100 per cent syrah to carry the name of the appellation. His flagship wine, Cornas La Louvée 2007 (£74.95), has just the right amount of maturity to offset its natural power and should prove a fine match for venison’s delicate gaminess. Richard Corrigan’s partridge and pear contribution is a more noticeably gamey dish (though still with subtle flavours – and that sweet element), so it works nicely with the spice and dark fruits of a more gutsy shiraz. For that, Australia delivers – not least, the meaty Penfolds’ Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz 2011 from Barossa (£54.95). Don’t tell Colombo, though: a decade ago, he accused the new world of “vulgarising” wine. That said, he would surely acknowledge the winemaker’s heritage – the source of arguably Australia’s most famous wine, Grange, Penfolds is a producer of singular rigour and invention. When it comes to turkey (as created with classic simplicity by Tom Aikens), I’ve always favoured pinot noir’s silky, bright-red fruit tones to enrobe the meat’s coarse texture (especially if cranberry sauce is involved). Burgundy and, increasingly, New Zealand provide the benchmark examples of the grape, but for a bit of extra weight, California is the place to go, and Capiaux Cellars’ Chimera Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2012 (£29.95) characterises the state’s rich, ripe style. Chile, on the other hand, tends towards more understated summer-fruit tones: Cono Sur’s Ocio 2012 (£39.95) from Casablanca Valley is a classic rendering. The made-for-each-other combination of a rib-eye steak (particularly Marcus Wareing’s version) and a killer cabernet tends to discourage much in the way of physical activity thereafter. As such it’s ideal for Christmas. From the same stable as the Cono Sur pinot, and fitting the bill perfectly, is the rich, majestic Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (£59.95) from Concha y Toro – the supreme exponent of quality and quantity. In a similar vein is the lush Château Clinet Pomerol 2006 (£100). Wines from the Pomerol appellation tend towards the more opulent end of the Bordeaux range – though often with more merlot than cabernet, adding a menthol note to Bordeaux’s naturally more savoury renditions of the classic blend. If you’re really looking to step on the revs, though, the PlumpJack Winery Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 from Oakville, California (£79.95) harnesses the horsepower for which the Napa Valley is renowned. From its inky purple hue to its sweet cassis, vanilla-scented, fruitcake flavours, this is a favourite of American critic and kingmaker Robert Parker, whose palate is not known for its subtlety. But don’t let that put you off. It is Christmas, after all. HMN Available from The Wine Rooms, Lower Ground Floor

Main image StockFood

WINE

FJORD FOCUSED

The cold, clear waters off Norway’s coastline offer the perfect conditions for prawns, red king crabs, cod, haddock and salmon – the stars of Scandinavia’s thriving seafood scene

PROMO T ION

t should come as no surprise that Norway has great seafood. All the ingredients for a flourishing fishing industry are there – from a coastal setting to a piscatorial heritage dating back thousands of years. In addition to the mainland, the country is made up of more than 50,000 islands – giving it a coastline that stretches further than the distance round the equator – and with its glacier-fed fjords and seas, it offers a perfect breeding ground for cold-water fish and crustaceans. Consider too that 90 per cent of Norwegians live within a few kilometres of the sea, and you get a feel for the importance of fishing to the country’s character. Arguably more significant than the size of Norway’s seafood industry is the quality of its catch. Few gastronomic pleasures can compete with discovering the sweet white meat beneath the spiny shell of a Norwegian red king crab. Seafood connoisseurs love the Scandinavian delicacy, which can be used in any number of ways, from decadent potted crab to Asian-style dishes with chilli and ginger. But however it’s prepared, the real joy lies in the crustacean’s natural flavours. Introduced by scientists to the Barents Sea from the Sea of Okhotsk on Russia’s Pacific coast in the 1960s, the red king crab has since made its way east into Norwegian waters, where it has thrived. On average, they weigh in at a plump 4kg, compared to 2.7kg elsewhere. Whatever the science behind its amazing taste, a life spent in the clear, icy waters of the southern Barents Sea (in temperatures as low as –1.7°C) will have played a big part. What’s more, the fishermen who catch red king crabs treat them with respect. Caught in conservative numbers from small fishing boats, the prized shellfish are individually handled to reduce their stress levels and maintain quality and flavour. Feasting on the crabs also comes relatively guiltfree, as they contain little fat, no carbohydrates and are abundant in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The red king crab may be the jewel in Norway’s seafood crown, but it’s by no means the only gem. Cod, haddock, prawns and salmon all thrive in these waters. More than 36 million Norwegian seafood meals are eaten daily in over 150 countries. This consumption, plus the Norwegian Seafood Council’s responsible stewardship of its seas, makes Norway a world leader in sustainable fishing. Its stewardship even extends to cod, whose numbers are carefully managed in Norway to ensure that a consistent supply of top-quality fish can be enjoyed now and in the future. This approach has enabled the Norwegian cod quota to remain at a mammoth 443,735 tons this year, and much of the catch will make its way to the UK to be enjoyed by fish lovers. Thankfully, quantity doesn’t impact on quality; those flaky chunks of firm flesh taste delicious whether encased in crisp beer-batter or roasted with lemon and thyme. Fighting for the top spot on any Norwegian seafood menu is the wild coldwater prawn. These ice-fresh Arctic gems pack serious flavour and, as with so much of Norway’s seafood, the key to their taste lies in the plankton and tiny crustaceans on which they feed. The prawns mature slowly in temperatures from 0°C to 8°C, which imparts them with a sweeter taste than their warmwater-dwelling cousins, as well as firm flesh and a vibrant red colour. Such is their depth of flavour that, as well as scattering them on a simple green salad or packing them

THIS PAGE FROM TOP

Coldwater prawns in a simple salad; freshly landed Norwegian red king crab; OPPOSITE PAGE A fishing village in the Lofoten Islands

into a crusty sandwich, they can be a surprise show-stopper when served as a delicate canapé with a dash of mango salsa. Best of all, the prawns are available year round, so they needn’t be just an occasional treat. Other stars of the Scandinavian seafood scene are Norwegian salmon and haddock. While many search out salmon for the fresh flavour of its rich, oily flesh, others consider the meaty haddock – smoked or en papillotte – a staple. Like their Arctic counterparts, in addition to their delicious flavour, perfect texture and vibrant colour, haddock have undeniable health benefits, and are responsibly and sustainably harvested. Two years ago, Norway was voted the best country in the world in which to live by the United Nations Development Programme; its national diet, rich in seafood, may have played a key role in this accolade. Who wouldn’t want to live a coastal life fuelled on fresh fish and crustaceans packed with minerals, vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids? All of this, no doubt, contributes to Norway’s average life expectancy, which is an impressive 81.1 years. Luckily for the rest of the world, they’re willing to share. Available from Food Halls, Ground Floor

PROV E NA NCE

G AINS

OF TRUTH

Is it the peaty terrain, the barrel ageing, the human inﬂuence or the barley itself that gives Scotch whiskies their character? BY GUY WOODW

Islay (top), Bowmore barrels Corbis; Islay (right) Alamy

ood wine, it is said, is made in the vineyard. That phrase is repeated endlessly by wine purists, who employ it to stress that it is the quality and character of the grapes that play the key role in determining the quality and character of the final wine. Inadequacies cannot be ironed out by winemaking trickery in the cellar, or lengthy ageing in plush oak barrels. The same, however, is not universally recognised by connoisseurs of whisky; according to a certain school of thought, good bottlings can – and indeed are – made in the distillery. Countless words have been written about the influence of a vineyard’s “terroir” – its soil, topology and climate – in relation to grape varieties. In contrast, comparatively little is recorded about the nuances of the land used to grow the barley which makes up the core ingredient of Scotch whisky. To a degree, this is understandable. Little happens to the grapes that make wine (other than crushing and fermentation) before the resultant liquid finds its way to a stainless steel vat or an oak barrel for a year or two. The barley that eventually yields Scotch, on the other hand, has quite a journey ahead of it. After being soaked in warm water, it is malted – now, largely, using pneumatic malting rather than the traditional method whereby it was laid out on a malting-house floor and regularly turned. The malting is completed by

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT The Hebridean

island of Islay; Bowmore oak barrels; Bowmore’s Islay distillery; Laphroaig 18 Year Old Scotch whisky £107

drying the barley in a kiln where, if peat is being used, the smoke will infuse its flavour. Next it is ground down, “mashed” several times in more warm water to extract the sugar, fermented and distilled – generally twice, at various different temperatures. Finally it is matured in oak casks over an extended period (Scotch must spend at least three years in cask in Scotland to qualify for the name, though many at the top end of the market spend far longer, hence the five-, 10- and 20-year-olds that pepper the shelves). In short, unlike with the grape, there are myriad outside influences on the grain en route from grass to glass. The major differences in the flavour of Scotch whiskies, then, come not so much from the barley itself, but the processes this barley goes through before bottling. The two key elements are the malting (notably the drying of the grains with – or without – peat smoke) and the ageing in oak casks. And while it is generally acknowledged that the latter imparts the majority of the flavour profile of the final product, the source of the water used to soak the grains, and the type and origin of the peat smoke used to dry them, is also worthy of note. In these areas, regional differences certainly exist, but it is not as straightforward as saying that all whiskies from X taste of Y, or vice versa. Scotland has five recognised whisky regions: Speyside, Highland, Lowland, Campbeltown and Islay. Each has a broad stylistic footprint, though this is easier to define in Campbeltown and Lowland, each home to only a handful of distilleries, than in Speyside, which has more than 30. An interesting, unofficial sub-region is that of the islands – Arran, Jura, Mull, Orkney and Skye. Although these remote spots officially fall within the Highland classification, their geographical influences seem to have more in common with the island of Islay, further south than the others, which has its own regional category. X

PROV E NA NCE

ORKNEY

THE ISLE OF MULL ISLAY

WHISKIES, FROM TOP

Tobermory Tobermory 15, £92.95 and Ledaig 10, £44.95; Highland Park 18 Year Old £99.95; RIGHT Barrel ageing in Orkney; BELOW Mull’s Tobermory distillery

floral-tinged smokiness with a hint of honey. The 21 Year Old (£145) showcases more candied fruit notes, with burnt orange and butterscotch tones leading to a drier smokiness. Mull is Scotland’s fourth-largest island, but home to fewer than 3,000 people and just one distillery, Tobermory, which makes two whiskies, Tobermory and Ledaig. The Tobermory 15-year-old (£92.95) is unpeated, while the Ledaig 10-year-old (£44.95) is made from barley dried directly over a peat flame. The difference? The Tobermory has a fruity, sweet roundness; the Ledaig is noticeably spicier and smokier, with an almost salty, seaweed influence. Are these flavours derived from the use of peat? Or from the overall climate and landscape? To a degree, both. Ultimately, though, a whisky’s origin is only part of the story. The type of barrel used for its ageing remains a key component. American oak, favoured by Bowmore and Laphroaig, yields warmer spice, vanilla, pine, sweet toffee and eucalyptus. Sherry oak, used by Highland Park, lends a gentler spice with fig, dried fruit, clove and incense tones. There’s far more to it than that, of course – and far more components to take into account. But that’s for another time. For now, it’s probably time to settle into a nice, comfy armchair and pour yourself a dram. HMN Available from The Spirits Room, Lower Ground Floor

Orkney images Corbis; Isle of Mull Alamy

The maritime influence is particularly strong, impacting the type of vegetation found on the islands (fewer trees, more heather) and, in turn, the type of peat used in the kilns. Cultural influences shouldn’t be dismissed either, with distilleries on the islands tending to remain more wedded to traditional techniques. Peat was used originally to fire kilns because it was the only fuel available, with the smoke produced an almost incidental by-product. While the mainland has now generally switched to coal and electricity, on the islands, peat (still employed by some as a domestic fuel) continues to be used in the kilns; as a consequence, whiskies from the islands tend to have a more noticeably smoky, peaty flavour. Laphroaig’s bottlings, known for their peat-smoked tones, are a fine example of this. The Islay distillery’s Triple Wood (£56.95), which goes through three types of barrel ageing, thereby imparting a relatively balanced oak influence, shows an initial hit of smoke on the nose and peat flavours on the palate, giving way to creamier vanilla and caramel sweetness. Its 18 Year Old (£107), on the other hand, produced in limited quantities and matured in bourbon casks, carries more overt oak influence from this extended ageing, via a nutty sweetness, but still with that soft, smooth Islay peat-smoke tang on top of floral notes. Bowmore, also based on Islay, again has a signature smokiness, as shown by its 10-year-old Tempest Batch No. 5 (£59.95), where the peaty element marries with citrus fruits, vanilla and salted caramel. In contrast, the longer ageing of the distillery’s 18 Years Old (£92.95) encourages tropical, ripe fruits and spice, on a lighter smokiness. While Islay is home to eight distilleries, most of the other islands have just one. Orkney has two – with Highland Park the headline name where, again, the peaty, smoky character pervades. Dark Origins (£64.95) is dry and spicy, its attack leading to riper, nuttier flavours on the finish. The 18 Year Old (£99.95) is a liquid fruitcake, wrapped in

FOOD

SUGAR AND SPICE

From show-stopping gingerbread houses to ﬁggy-pudding cupcakes, bakery treats come with a sense of fun this Christmas MOWIE KAY / FOOD STYLIST

FROM LEFT Rosalind Miller snowman cupcake £3.95; Prestat snowball truffles £8 for 100g; William Curley chocolate tree £40; Délice sweets £12 for 100g; mini gingerbread house £11.95 and tiny gingerbread house £5.95

FOOD THIS PAGE Gingerbread house with nuts and dried fruit £150; OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM TOP LEFT Star biscuits £7.95 for 100g; Fiona Cairns elf cupcake £8.95 for 6; melted snowman biscuit £5.25; sleeping Santa cupcake £4.50; Harrods bear biscuit £4.95; Fiona Cairns iced gingerbread man biscuit £4.95 and decorate-your-own gingerbread man biscuit £3.95

FOOD

FOOD THIS PAGE, FOOD, FROM LEFT

Fiona Cairns Christmas cake £39.95; kugelhopf £21.95; stollen bites £5.25 for 100g; mince pies £9.95 for 6; HOMEWARES, FROM LEFT Linda Bloomfield dinner plate £31.95 and cake stand £63.95; OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT

Harrods Christmas lattice bauble £8.95; Rosalind Miller bauble cupcake £6.50; William Curley Christmas pudding bauble (contains shortbread) £14 for 100g; Rosalind Miller snowflake biscuits £6.50 each; William Curley chocolate bauble (contains meringues) £12.50 for 100g; Rosalind Miller bauble cupcake £6.50 Available from Food Halls, Ground Floor; Christmas at Home, Second Floor; and harrods.com

PROV ENA NCE

STAR BAKER

Step into Fiona Cairns’ kitchen, where it’s never too early to start preparing for Christmas BY PA

CGUIGAN

ext time you go on a summer holiday, spare a thought for Fiona Cairns and her team of expert bakers. While most of the country is sunning itself on a beach somewhere, they are immersed in the spirit of Christmas at their Leicestershire bakery, working hard on beautiful biscuits and cakes for future festivities. “It’s basically Christmas here all year round,” Cairns says. “It’s such an important part of what we do that we start planning in January and by the summer we’re getting busy preparing for the key Christmas months.” After nearly three decades of baking, she could be excused for suffering festive fatigue, but Cairns and design director Rachel Eardley are still as enthusiastic about snowflakes, reindeer and Santa as they were when the business launched. “You’d think, after all these years, we’d be bored, but that isn’t the case,” she says. “We talk for hours and hours about cakes and designs for Christmas. If my husband is around he often says, ‘Haven’t you two had enough yet?’” The long discussions, combined with Willy Wonka-style experiments by Eardley in the test bakery, have paid off. The treats created exclusively for Harrods this year would bring a smile to the face of Scrooge. There are fairy cakes topped with cheeky elves, a colourful Christmas tree sponge and cake-pops that look like Christmas puddings, while budding artists will love the gingerbread men icing kits. Grown-ups can also look forward to some Christmas indulgence with elegant cakes and biscuits adorned in white and gold icing, plus a show-stopping, three-tier fruit cake. Each product has been hand-decorated by a skilled baker, giving the range a wonderful home-made appearance. “People who come to the bakery can’t believe how much we do by hand,” Cairns says. “Every little snowflake and elf hat is made in exactly the same way as I would at home. The fruit cake recipe is the same one I used when I first started the business in my kitchen.” That was in 1986 after Cairns had given up a fledgling career as a graphic designer to work at Michelin-starred restaurant Hambleton Hall. Her natural artistic talent meant she gravitated towards the pastry section and soon began experimenting with cakes and biscuits at home. Cairns’ husband, Kishore Patel – who is the company’s Managing Director and has been instrumental in its success – encouraged her to take things further, and it wasn’t long before she had set up a company under her own name. Today the business operates from a 35,000sq ft bakery and employs more than 100 people.

FROM TOP Fiona Cairns in the kitchen; Fiona Cairns three-tier Christmas cake £75 and Christmas tree cake £29.95

Cairns’ reputation as the Queen of Cakes was confirmed in 2011 when she made the wedding cake for Prince William and Catherine Middleton. The eight-tier fruit cake, which weighed more than 100kg, was decorated with 900 sugar-paste flowers and lace detail from the Duchess’ dress. “If I was to think of a dream brief in terms of our style that cake was it,” she says. The recipe for the royal wedding cake was similar to the one used to make Harrods’ Christmas cakes, which are packed with fruit, nuts and spices. The company uses butter and free-range eggs, along with plump sultanas, roasted nuts, cherries, crushed ginger, nutmeg and citrus zest. But the real secret to a good fruit cake, reveals Cairns, is alcohol. “We plump the fruits overnight by soaking them in French brandy, and we add more when the cake comes out of the oven. We then mature the cakes for at least 35 days, usually longer. It’s vital to allow the ingredients to mingle and mellow.” Then it’s all about waiting for Christmas. HMN Patrick McGuigan writes for Square Meal, ShortList and Restaurant Available from Food Halls, Ground Floor

U LT I M A T E

The ultimate

FESTIVE SCENE

With its Scandi-chic style, the Hideaway collection makes a cool decorative statement Knitted, felt and furry baubles. Pure white ceramic hearts and stars. Pared-down shapes and played-down shades. It’s all too cool for yule. The Hideaway collection of decorations takes Scandi-chic as its inspiration. Think minimalist styling with imaginative accents, such as an Advent calendar that lights up, and a simple, sculptural Christmas tree, both in natural woods. Complete the look with handmade antlers on the wall and a reindeer-skin rug on the floor. And relax. Available from Christmas at Home, Second Floor

FROM TOP Tree

decorations from £3.95; blue nobilis fir tree from £189; Lauren Baker antler wall decoration £1,099; Gisela Graham Advent calendar £44.95; large golden star £159; Sherri’s Designs deer £44.95, exclusive to Harrods; Coral & Tusk stocking £49.95, exclusive to Harrods; natural wood tree £49.95; Harrods luxury crackers £499 for 6; reindeer skin £249, exclusive to Harrods; Amica Schnauzer dog decoration £32.95

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H A R RODS M AGA ZINE

COOKING MASTERCLASSES

Throughout November, leading kitchen appliance brands including Vitamix, Kai and Miele will be creating winter warmers and Mediterranean-inspired dishes featuring speciality hams

Massimo Bottura

Saturday 8th November, 2pm–4pm* Chef-patron of a three-Michelin-starred restaurant – one of the most celebrated in the world – Massimo Bottura is a leader in modern Italian cuisine. He will be signing copies of his new book, Never Trust a Skinny Italian Chef, and demonstrating how to make some of the mouthwatering dishes featured in its pages.

ELEGANCE IS IN SIMPLICITY Prepare all your favourite coffee shop drinks using fresh beans and fresh milk; the only way to create that perfect, authentic Italian cup of coffee and all at the touch of a button. Make a classic crema-rich espresso or insert the patented milk carafe to make silky smooth lattes or the ultimate frothy cappuccinos using the new LatteCrema technology. Creates cappuccinos so luxuriously creamy, your sugar will rest on top of the dense foam bubbles! Enjoy the latest coffee drink to hit the UK coffee shop with the exclusive Flat White coffee button on the Eletta Cappuccino Top.

For a demonstration or to sample a coffee, please visit the De’Longhi Concession, Second Floor.

Vitamix

Friday 7th, Saturday 8th, Sunday 9th, Friday 28th, Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November, 10am –7pm Using the impressively speedy Professional Series range, which dices, blends and heats, the Vitamix team will be making a pea and ham soup.

Miele

Friday 7th November, 1pm–6pm Renowned for transferring professional kitchen techniques to everyday home cooking, Miele will be using the Steam Combination Oven to create an array of Catalan-inspired treats, from stuffed prunes to croquetas.

Sage

Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th November, 11am–7pm Join the Sage by Heston Blumenthal team for a lesson in blending. Using the new blender – the Boss – the chefs will be whipping up hearty soups.

SMART

Friday 21st November, 12pm–4pm Experts in simplifying home cooking, SMART will be sharing the secret to creating the perfect pizza using the new Rotating Stone Baked Pizza Maker to produce a crispy, even base.

Kai

Eletta Plus

Eletta Cappuccino

Eletta Cappuccino Top

Saturday 29th November, 12pm–5pm Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese sword-making, and with more than 100 years’ experience in making blades, Kai knows its knives. The chefs will be working with the Shun range to make Ibérico-infused crostinis, jamón-stuffed figs and ham-wrapped asparagus. *Tickets may be required for the book signing. For further details, please call 020 7730 1234 and ask to speak to The Cookshop

NEWS

An inte vie

ith

PHILIPPE NIGRO by Phoebe Fisher

STYLE AND SUBSTANCE Time and again, Roche Bobois has excelled in designing furniture fit for purpose with useful elements – not least, the famed Mah Jong modular sofa with interchangeable sections that champions flexible living, and the latest balloon-inspired Bubble sofa, which can be extended for maximum comfort. Now designer Alessandro Busana has done it again with the Iride cocktail table. Based on the themes of movement and light, the glass-topped table features wave-like curved legs in lacquered steel, incorporating a clever storage element. Bubble sofa from £3,960 and Iride table £1,870. Available from Roche Bobois, Third Floor

Laid BACK Choosing the right sofa can prove a challenge, but the Honey Oak from Clive Christian’s Classical Collection ticks all the boxes. Sumptuous cushions? Check. Just the right amount of give? The sprung back and wool support have that covered. Feather-filled cushions? Naturally. Resilient construction? Absolutely, thanks to the solid hardwood frame. In addition, it’s luxuriously upholstered in velvet – just the type of grandeur you’d expect from the British designer. £14,259. Available from Clive Christian, Third Floor

Shades of GRAY Having ruled the roost at Habitat, Bethan Gray bowed out six years ago to start her own label. In 2013, she was crowned Best British Designer and she shows no sign of slowing down – an in-store pop-up, part of the London Design Festival, is her latest venture. Gray’s ethos is all about a playful take on everyday items. Reflecting the Cardiff-born designer’s roots, the Carve collection combines marble tabletops with solid oak bases in a reimagining of a traditional Welsh cricket table. Meanwhile, the Alice Herringbone chopping board and accessories all come across as very Lewis Carroll. Carve collection from £650 and Alice Herringbone chopping board £269. Available from Bethan Gray, Third Floor

Having won the Designer of the Year award at the 2014 Maison & Objet show in Paris, Philippe Nigro is now collaborating once more with Ligne Roset. The French designer talks about his inspirations and how he sees design evolving. How would you describe your style? This depends on who I am collaborating with. I try to remain true to the brand’s roots. Designing is not only about creating objects; it’s about capturing everyday life, our changing needs and cultures, and then interpreting this. How did you start collaborating with Ligne Roset? I had a chance to develop projects with VIA [Valorisation de l’Innovation dans L’Ameublement]. One of those was the “intersection” sofa; FROM TOP Ligne Roset Cosse sofa from £2,595 Ligne Roset saw it, and Fold table £1,131. and enthusiastically Available from Ligne offered to feature it, Roset, Third Floor so we transformed the prototype to create the Confluences sofa. Then, this year, I continued my dialogue with Ligne Roset for the Cosse sofa. What was the inspiration behind that? I wanted to express comfort in a simple shape. I looked to nature, to shells and seed cases. I was interested in thin supports with a minimal base to make it look like the sofa is suspended. What do you see as interior design’s future? Scandinavian designs are really beautiful and each country seems to have something to say. I believe the eco-friendly theme will become more and more important; I am continuing to learn about it, from fabrics to production. Any advice for young designers? Being a designer is a beautiful and exciting job, but you also need a lot of patience. My mentor Michele De Lucchi taught me that once you have formed an idea, have the courage to discuss it and reconsider it. Is there one product that you wish you had designed? Unfortunately there are lots… probably the one I would pick is the Parentesi light by Achille Castiglioni. HAR RODS M AGAZINE

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NEW TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL

Technology GIFT GUIDE

TECHNOLOG Y

Photograph, previous page Chris Turner

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PREVIOUS PAGE Monster DNA Pro Tuxedo headphones £249

M U S T- H AV E S

Composed FINISH

Space-age styling or a retro vibe: the choice is yours. Either way, crystal-clear sound is guaranteed

Stylist Jennifer Kay

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Sonos

Play:3 speaker £249; B&O Play S8 speakers £999; Stelle Dwell pillar speaker from £299; Roberts Revival radio £199; Bose SoundTouch 30 music system £599 Available from Bang & Olufsen and Harrods Technology, Third Floor

GA MES

Playing for KEEPS

From 1980s arcade-style machines to the latest car-racing simulator, and hand-held consoles to minidrones, new devices are ready and waiting to get you hooked

BESPOKE ARCADES

Offering experiences from ’80s nostalgia to the latest technology, Bespoke Arcade machines come with access to over 800 classic games and are available in three formats: Play recalls old-fashioned arcades; Media is for the social-media-savvy, with built-in Wi-Fi, jukebox and external USB ports; and Elite has every modern bell and whistle, including Bose speakers, 3TB of storage, Quad Core i5 processors, nVidia GTX graphics and a Blu-ray drive. All three machines come with PC options and speaker upgrade choices. From £3,200

PS VITA

VRX RACING CAR SIMULATOR Z-180

Created to offer an immersive experience for motor-sport and gaming enthusiasts alike, the Z-180 is as close as you can get to driving a real race car without stepping onto the track. The simulator emulates the sights, noise and motion of a race via a 4.5-metre wraparound screen and canopy; a powerful 500W surround-sound system; and a four-actuator, commercial-grade D-BOX motion system that shakes and tilts the cockpit according to what is happening in the game. Designed with comfort and realism in mind, the simulator has been built with hand-polished aircraft-grade stainless steel and aluminium components with a carbon-fibre chassis. £125,000

Both a stand-alone console and an accessory for PS3 or PS4 systems, PS Vita incorporates “Remote Play”, allowing players to experience games over a wireless connection, halt them and pick up where they left off. The console’s Wi-Fi can also be used to play online through its dual-analog sticks, or even to download games on its five-inch screen. Its 8GB memory card and Mega Action pack enable users to download five titles, including Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition and Killzone: Liberation. Gaming has never been more flexible or more portable. £199

PARROT MINIDRONES

XBOX ONE

Succeeding the wildly popular Xbox 360 released nearly a decade ago is the Xbox One, which comes with a new multitasking “snap” feature. This mode enables gamers to open multiple panes in a single window, “snapping” to other apps so they can browse the web, watch live TV or even Skype while they play. So no more pausing vital online matches to catch a season finale or to view that hilarious Vine a friend just recommended. Not only that, but the Xbox One console can now be controlled via voice commands. £329

Any place can become a playground with Parrot’s two minidrones. The Rolling Spider and Jumping Sumo are smartphone-controlled and enabled on iOS, Android, Windows 8.1 and the Windows Phone 8.1. Rolling Spider can fly, scale walls and leap across roofs while taking bird’s-eye-view photos; it also has a free-fall mode and will start to fly if dropped. Ground-based Jumping Sumo comes with a “kicker” to remove objects in its path and can jump up to 80cm high to get over them if they prove immovable. Both drones are approximately 20cm at their widest point, and can record and stream live video. £99

Available from Gaming, Third Floor

TELE V ISIONS

Picture PERFECT

Curved screens, complete connectivity and Ultra HD clarity mean today’s TVs are more immersive than ever, whether you’re losing yourself in a box set or chatting on Skype

LG EC930V

OLED technology has been embraced wholeheartedly by LG. This sophisticated technology produces a sublimely crisp picture. OLED TVs don’t need a backlight, meaning they can produce “true blacks”, thus increasing the breadth of colour significantly. Also, without a backlight, a TV can be ultra-thin and lightweight, extending its placement options. LG’s curved, 55˝ EC930V is 3D-ready and has LG’s unique webOS smart functionality, meaning you can access online applications such as BBC iPlayer, NOW TV and Netflix or simply surf the web, while its intelligent and sleek design wouldn’t look out of place in a glossy sci-fi flick. £3,499

BANG & OLUFSEN BEOVISION AVANT-85

Using the latest advances in audio and visuals, Bang & Olufsen’s 85˝ 4K Ultra HD television has a 360-degree light sensor that assesses the ambient light in a room, adjusting the anti-reflective screen’s configuration to make sure optimum quality is maintained. Popular apps such as Spotify, Deezer and YouTube can be downloaded too and you can play music through the TV’s three-way channel speakers and bass speaker. Alternatively, you can connect to wireless speakers for a captivating experience. £18,290

SAMSUNG CURVED HU8500 Unconventional in shape, the Samsung HU8500 UHD TV creates the most immersive of viewing experiences thanks to its beautiful, subtle, curved design. With wider viewing angles, a greater sense of image depth, and clearer and more natural colour, plus four times greater resolution than Full HD, this model will change the way you watch TV forever, whether you’re viewing live programming or watching on Blu-ray. From £2,899

SONY X95 PANASONIC VIERA

Ultra HD is now almost commonplace, but Panasonic’s latest release, the VIERA TX-65AX802B 3D 4K Ultra HD 65˝ LED TV, is still remarkable. Its 65˝, 4K screen has a 3840 x 2160 picture resolution and can support Blu-ray, HD gaming and 3D viewing. It also comes equipped with “Freetime”, which enables rollback TV, meaning programmes you missed in the last seven days can be viewed with ease. There’s also a built-in app store and Info Bar, which can project live news, reminders, notes and recommendations based on viewing habits and preferences. It’s a TV that goes one step further to deliver a personalised viewing experience. £3,599

With over 8 million individual pixels, and four times more detailed than Full HD, the Sony 85˝ X95 4K lends a natural clarity to the moving image. A specific backlighting configuration produces a range of brightness three times greater than standard LED technology, and the 85˝ screen means the ultra-sharp definition can be enjoyed up-close or at a distance. It also has a built-in HD camera and echocancelling technology for Skyping with friends. £19,950 Available from Harrods Technology, Third Floor

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PROV E NA NCE

New VISION

One of the world’s oldest electronics brands, Loewe, continues to stretch TV’s technological boundaries

1985 CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP

An advertisement for Loewe’s first electronic television; the world’s first portable TV, the Loewe Optaport; Loewe Connect from £1,999; Loewe Art 1; co-founder Dr Siegmund Loewe with Albert Einstein

they watch their favourite content. The Connect range is Loewe down to a T: thinking of the customer; thinking of current trends; but more importantly, thinking ahead. Today’s consumer – and future consumers – are central to all its design processes. “What do they want now? What will they want next year, or the year after?” These are the questions that the electronics giant constantly asks. Transcending its 1931 innovation, the brand continues to be a strong presence in modern consumers’ lives. From that perspective, the Loewe brothers’ legacy challenges even that of their friend Einstein. HMN

Having befriended Albert Einstein in the 1930s, the Loewe brothers are well served by the saying, “a man is judged by the company he keeps”. The mantra, though, reflects equally well on the hirsute scientist. Because of all the technological feats of the 20th century, one arguably stands out: Loewe’s invention of the electronic television. Loewe (pronounced “Lur-ver”, and founded by brothers Dr Siegmund and David Ludwig Loewe in 1923) is the German company that brought us the gogglebox. Its chief engineer, Manfred von Ardenne, adopted the cathode ray tube to transmit and receive signals, which replaced the severely limited capability of mechanical TV technology. Another pioneer joined Loewe’s team too: British-born John Logie Baird, the man behind the first transatlantic television transmission in 1928. The Loewes had assembled a think-tank capable of spearheading a revolution – and that revolution would be televised. Loewe debuted the world’s first electronic television at Berlin’s 8th Radio Show in 1931. The launch would impact on generations to come. Imagine the moon landings without the power of pictures; the Berlin Wall’s dismantling going unseen; or the Netflix culture stymied at birth – no more bingeing on Game of Thrones and Orange Is the New Black. Loewe is one of the oldest consumer electronics brands in the world, and it is still delivering key innovations; but they all have their roots in the brand’s Iris model, from 1951. Released in West Germany, it was the first serialproduction TV, and the one on which millions watched their country’s World Cup victory in 1954. Three decades later, in 1985, came the Loewe Art 1, which amalgamated technically superior features with aesthetic appeal, its sleek form consigning the bulky and unattractive chassis to history. Exhibited in New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the model became a design icon, driving the demand for flat-screen technology. Fast-forward to 1998, when Loewe launched the first television set with internet connectivity; and in 2005 it released the Loewe Individual, enabling consumers to customise the product to suit their own interior design. Today, the Loewe Connect is the brand’s new 4K Ultra HD flagship range. Its Smart tv2move app showcases Loewe’s understanding of the millennial generation’s smart-device-dominated lives. The app allows live TV or recorded content to be streamed to a tablet while another channel is being watched on the TV itself. There’s Loewe’s unique internal hard drive, too, with remote recording via a smartphone, allowing users control over how and where

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Available from Loewe Televisions, Third Floor

STYLE

Sony Prestige MDR-1ADAC headphones £250

Bose QC25 headphones £279

Bose SoundTrue headphones £149

NOISE control

The clearest sound, delivered with style, sophistication and – in some cases – a degree of DJ swagger Monster Diamond Tears headphones £199

Monster DNA Pro headphones £139

Sennheiser Momentum headphones £269

B&O Play H6 headphones £329

Beats by Dr Dre Solo2 headphones £169

Available from Bang & Olufsen and Harrods Technology, Third Floor

CA MER AS

Image MAKERS

Model good looks and pictureperfect performance are some of the features captured in a new generation of cameras. Snapping just got stylish

FUJIFILM SIGNATURE X

Whether you’re looking to liven up a camera you already own or plan to buy a new eyecatching model, you can now inject some personality into your purchase using Fujifilm’s new customisation service. With a selection of nine colours and textures, you can put your personal stamp on a selection of Fujifilm models including the X100S, X-E1, X-E2 and X-Pro1. Choose from lizard skin in jade green, light blue, yellow or beige; a crinkled texture in navy blue or white; or smoothtextured burnt orange, racing green or deep pink. From £1,100

CANON EOS 100D AND DESIGNER BAG Introduced as the world’s smallest and lightest APS-C DSLR camera, Canon’s 18-megapixel EOS 100D White is now available as a limited-edition bundle with a beautiful Stella McCartney-designed Linda camera bag. The bag is named after the designer’s photographer mother and will allow you to take the EOS 100D White everywhere. The camera delivers superb-quality photos and video and features an optical viewfinder and intuitive touch-screen controls. Creative filters also allow the user to experiment with different effects, and shooting video in full HD (1080p) means you can capture all the details. Small in size, big on quality. Camera and bag £1,400

SONY RX100 M3

If your photography skills are tested merely taking selfies, Sony’s DSC-RX100 M3 could be for you. A three-inch, tiltable LCD screen makes taking photos of yourself as simple as pressing down the shutter. Ghost and flare are reduced and precise blurring of backgrounds optimised via the Zeiss lens. The camera also incorporates intelligent technology to ensure optimum picture quality and supports Wi-Fi and NFC (near field communication), letting you control the camera from your smartphone. £749

PANASONIC DMC-GH4 LEICA M SPECIAL EDITION “RED”

Remember the classic snap of the American sailor in Times Square leaning his girl back to kiss her? World War II had just ended, and it was a Leica that captured that moment. Images like this define the brand’s 100-year history and, to celebrate the centenary, a limited-edition Leica M – with body and adjustable strap in a naturaltexture, red cowhide leather – is being released, engraved with “Centenary Edition 1914-2014”. Features include a 24-megapixel CMOS sensor and HD video, while live view allows the LCD screen to be used as a viewfinder. Camera body £7,200

The high-clarity Lumix DMC-GH4 has raised the technology bar to new heights with its groundbreaking 4K video facility (allowing the capture of 8-megapixel images), an OLED viewfinder, rapid quad-core CPU and a 16.05-megapixel MOS image sensor. All of which means that the camera packs the punch of a DSLR via its lifelike colour reproductions, but in a lightweight model. And uploading photos to the internet or smartphones is just a touch away due to in-built NFC and Wi-Fi. £1,399

Available from Harrods Technology, Third Floor

M U S T- H AV E S

MOBILE masterclass

Staying connected on the move has never been easier – and the style bar has been raised too

Stylist Jennifer Kay

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Microsoft

Surface Pro 3 tablet from £649; Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10-inch tablet in white £419; BlackBerry Porsche Design smartphone £1,400; Vertu smartphone from £4,200; Apple iPhone smartphone (SIM free) from £319 Available from Apple Shop, Harrods Technology, Porsche Design and Vertu, Third Floor

H E A LT H

Fit for PURPOSE

Put the latest technology through its paces. From tracking a run to monitoring sleep patterns, these clever devices deliver vital data to help improve your health

ACTIVITÉ WATCH

A watch for fitness aficionados, the Withings Activité can track distance travelled (whether walking, running or swimming) and calories burned, and can even monitor sleep patterns. It has a vibration alarm for wake-up calls or completion of workout objectives and a Swiss-made Connected Movement so it automatically displays the correct time, even when travelling abroad, by connecting to a smartphone. All information is transmitted via Bluetooth to Withings’ iOS app, giving accurate and real-time data, and the watch comes with a calf-leather strap. £349

SMART BODY ANALYZER

AURA SMART SLEEP SYSTEM

Do you have mixed feelings about bathroom scales? Try thinking of this new device as providing a holistic analysis of your health, measuring body composition, heart rate and air quality (as well as weight) to give a rounded overview. All this can be accessed through Withings’ Health Mate app, which allows goals to be set and gives encouragement if they’re not being met. Up to eight users’ health statistics can be monitored at one time on the Analyzer, too, so it’s ideal for competitive families. £139

We sleep for around a third of our lives, so maximising its benefits is important. Withings’ Aura is a highly sensitive mat (placed under the mattress) that records information while you sleep, with a hub that sits on the bedside table to interpret the data while producing ambient light and sound to create a soothing environment. Aura tracks body movements, breathing cycles, heart rate and the room’s environment. Data is synced to an iOS smartphone (Android compatibility coming soon) enabling interpretation of the highs and lows of the previous night to help you avoid those under-eye bags from restless nights. £249

PULSE TRACKER

UP24 ACTIVITY TRACKER

Sleek in style and simple to use, Jawbone’s UP24 activity tracker monitors daily activity with precision. It can record sleep patterns, food intake and workouts and deliver real-time information to smartphones through its Bluetooth technology, so you can keep track of and meet your targets. With helpful insights delivered daily, your UP24 encourages you to eat better, sleep soundly and move more to improve your day-to-day routine. Notifications can be set when goals are met or missed. It’s like a personal coach, but without the decibels. £99

Technology is downsizing with no compromise on performance. Take Withings’ Pulse. Whether it’s worn as a watch or slipped in the pocket, it accurately monitors steps, calories burned, distance travelled, elevation gained, sleep patterns, heart rate and blood oxygen levels. Lowenergy Bluetooth technology automatically transmits data to a connected smartphone, which processes it into easily readable graphs. Part of a new generation of personal physical trackers, Pulse can be seamlessly integrated into any lifestyle. £99 Available from Harrods Technology, Third Floor

NEWS A

GIFT BOOKS

fo he festive se son

Through the LOOKING GLASS

Distinct and original – as you’d expect with Alice in Wonderland as a source of inspiration – the family-run Glazebrook House Hotel in south Devon has been refurbished by furniture supremo Timothy Oulton. Bedrooms are named after Lewis Carroll’s characters – you can stay in White Rabbit, Caterpillar or Cheshire Cat, for example – and there are references to his tale throughout. MasterChef: The Professionals quarter-finalist Ben Palmer has devised the hotel’s restaurant menu, so you’d be mad as a hatter not to tuck in. From £199 per night. www.glazebrookhouse.com

IT’S A WRAP

No longer will the festive season bring the added pressure of wrapping presents. The Gift Wrapping Service does the hard work for you, with a personal touch. Embellish and beautifully finish each gift with toys and candy canes, fabric, lambswool and ceramic decorations or pine cones, cinnamon sticks and dried fruit. Choose from more than 60 combinations of ribbon and paper as well as several methods of wrapping and styles of bows. Demonstrations by professionals are also available on 7th–9th and 21st–23rd November. From £6.50. Gift Wrapping Service, Third Floor

Sister hotel to the Connaught and Claridge’s, the Berkeley has a 300-year history, Hyde Park on its doorstep, award-winning restaurants and bars, and elegant suites. But adding to its charm this winter is a rooftop cinema. From 24th November until 2nd January, the hotel’s terrace will be transformed with pine trees and three wooden chalet-style cabins – each accommodating one couple and some cosy Moncler blankets. The alfresco cinema has all you need to get in the festive mood for classics like Miracle on 34th Street, including heating lamps, hot chocolate and homemade mince pies. From £55. www.the-berkeley.co.uk H A R RODS M AGA ZINE

Cartier in the 20th Century by Margaret YoungSanchez Showcasing Cartier’s jewellery and drawing from its archive, the collection of essays and photos documents the brand’s origins and its links with royalty and Hollywood stars. £45 Never Trust a Skinny Italian Chef by Massimo Bottura Inspired by watching his family cook as a boy, Bottura is chef at a threeMichelin-starred Italian restaurant. His new recipes are accompanied by mouthwatering photography. £39.95

COLD COMFO T

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Vogue: the Gown by Jo Ellison Paying particular attention to seismic economic and social changes, Jo Ellison, Features Director at Vogue, highlights 300 gowns from history in five thematic chapters. £75

One Savile Row by Marcus Binney, Simon Crompton & Colin McDowell The art of British bespoke tailoring is explored in depth with materials drawn from Gieves & Hawkes’ historical archives. £60 Annie Leibovitz, Art Edition by Annie Leibovitz The leather-bound volume comes with a signed print – Keith Haring (contact sheet), New York City, 1986 – plus a custom-made Marc Newson tripod and four dust jackets. £3,500 Available from The Harrods Bookshop, Second Floor

Quebec’s mountainous Charlevoix region seduces, whatever the season BY

’ll never forget the moment. Black cormorants were flying and the craggy cliffs, festooned with green lichen, reflected like Rorschach inkblots on the slate-blue water. The only sound I could hear? The swish of paddles, until the silence was broken by the cry of: “Whales at 2 o’clock!” Looking in the direction of my guide’s outstretched hand, I watched two beluga whales put on an acrobatic display just a few metres away. Just one of the highlights of sea kayaking on the St Lawrence River in the bucolic region of Charlevoix. Sculpted millions of years ago by a 15 billion-ton meteorite, the valley over which the Laurentian Mountains soar is one of the planet’s few inhabited craters. It’s also the birthplace of the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil, and one of its co-founders is using his creativity – as well as his own capital – to draw more visitors to his homeland. While some multimillionaires treat themselves to a private island, Quebec native Daniel Gauthier bought a mountain, Le Massif, and, from the start, he’s been willing to share it. Canada’s highest ski mountain east of the Rockies, with peaks that tower over the mighty St Lawrence, is an upsidedown kind of resort; the main lodge and parking area are

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H A R RODS M AGA ZINE

FROM TOP The doubledecker Train du Massif de Charlevoix; shopping in Old Quebec

Train Benjamin Gagnon

Peak perfection

on the top of the mountain, from where skiers thread their way down the maple-studded slopes with jawdropping views over the ice-filled river at every twist and turn. Le Massif de Charlevoix’s other wintry delights include tobogganing, snowshoeing, ice kayaking and snowmobiling. But part of Gauthier’s plan was to make it more than a winter-sports destination and, to that end, he bought a double-decker commuter train from Chicago, stripped out the upper floor to create extra-large windows, and acquired the old railway line from Quebec City to La Malbaie to run the train on – all so visitors could appreciate the majestic area all year round. To see if he succeeded, I took a trip there this autumn. As soon as I gazed out of the window of Le Train du Massif de Charlevoix, I was captivated by the view. The train rumbled past Montmorency Falls, a cascade of water that’s higher than Niagara; the picturesque village of SaintJoachim, one of Canada’s earliest colonial settlements; then fields of corn that gave way to marsh as it skirted the river. En route, I was served gourmet local fare – artisan cheeses, smoked meats and fresh bread; just a taste of what was to come in Canada’s foodie heartland. The train dropped me at Baie-Saint-Paul station, almost at the door of Hôtel La Ferme, the third element of Gauthier’s project. Since the beginning, he’s put the emphasis on collaboration with the community, and local artisans made everything at this minimalist eco-chic hotel – from troubled-teens-turned-carpenters to ladies who create hand-loomed throws using age-old techniques. Built on the site of the region’s largest farm, Gauthier has kept its spirit alive at the Sunday farmers’ market, where I sampled produce from the region’s vineyards, smokehouses, bijoux cheesemakers and artisan bakers. Early the following morning, I clambered into a motorcycle sidecar for a bigger bite of the Flavour Trail, and an exhilarating journey along Charlevoix’s snaking roads, where the fertile valleys are topped by cobalt-blue skies, flanked with evergreen slopes and dotted with charming clapboard farmhouses. There are more than 20 producers along the route and my first stop was unexpected: an emu farm. I sampled the

T R AV E L

Quebec

ANADA QUEBEC, C High 25°C RE Low -16°C, TEMPERATU ar Canadian Doll CURRENCY

Charlevoix countryside Corbis

LANGUAGE

French

bird’s gamey meat and also tried applying emu oil – which apparently cures everything from wrinkles to joint pain – to my skin. Equally unexpected was organic tomato wine brewed from heirloom tomatoes, which pairs perfectly with local favourites such as cheese, foie gras and seafood. Later, in search of more whales, I headed along the coast to Tadoussac. Here the warm, fresh water of the Saguenay River collides with the frigid salt water of the St Lawrence, churning up krill and attracting a galaxy of leviathans, including humpback and blue whales, from May to midOctober. As our Zodiac boat bobbed up and down far from the shoreline, we found ourselves in the midst of a boisterous group of sea lions. Then fin and minke whales joined the party, some as long as 20 feet. Back at Hôtel La Ferme, I had time for a leisurely soak under a star-studded sky in the Spa du Verger’s alfresco hot pool, then found a cosy spot in front of the log fire in the lounge, the perfect place for a glass of Prémices d’Avril, the local maple wine. More deliciousness was to come upstairs at Les Labours restaurant. Perching on a stool beside the open kitchen, I watched the chefs conjure up a gourmet take on Quebec’s quintessential dish, poutine, with fingerling potatoes in place of chips, and a slab of organic foie gras – made using age-old Basque techniques in the nearby village of Saint-Urbain – instead of cheese curds. I followed it with local rainbow trout and washed it down with flavourful micro-brewed beer from Baie-Saint-Paul. The return journey to Quebec City was as leisurely as the first, with the low afternoon sun glinting off the river. The province’s enchanting Francophone capital is one of the oldest cities in North America and its name stems from the Algonquin First Nation word “kébec”, meaning “where the river narrows”. It was colonised by the French in 1608, and, even though it was surrendered to the British in 1759, the Québécois, its fiercely patriotic residents, have spent more than 400 years striving to preserve their heritage. As I explored inside the fortified walls of Old Quebec, horse-drawn calèches (carriages) clattered down the cobbled streets lined with boulangeries, patisseries and cafés. In the lower town, Le Marché du Vieux-Port is a sprawling market where the stalls heave under the weight

of produce: sun-ripened corn; enormous blueberries (they say it takes only four to make a pie in Quebec); Île d’Orléans blackcurrant wine; pear cider; charcuterie; artisan chocolate; and more. To work off these gastronomic delights, I took a stroll along the Governors’ Promenade, a scenic boardwalk that hugs the cliffs overlooking the St Lawrence, and climbed the long staircase up to the vast green expanse of the Plains of Abraham for views over the entire city. Looking back, I could see the fairy-tale turrets of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac towering over Old Quebec. It opened as a hotel in 1893 and, over the years, has accumulated a star-studded guest list including Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Grace of Monaco. It’s also the most photographed hotel in North America. This grande dame has recently undergone a US$75 million renovation, preserving its château-worthy furnishings – polished wood panelling, brass doors, sparkling chandeliers – and adding sleek furniture, contemporary touches and new restaurants. That night, I sampled a creative cocktail at Bistro Le Sam before tucking into chef Stéphane Modat’s cutting-edge Québec cuisine at Champlain Restaurant, unable to resist my final taste of the Charlevoix terroir. Hanging from the restaurant ceiling is an artist’s representation of Quebec’s vital artery, the St Lawrence, with its many sinuous curves. From the terrace, I looked out over the real thing. Passenger ferries sauntered up and down instead of whales, and electric lights twinkled instead of stars, but it was no less magnificent for that. HMN Sarah Gilbert writes for Condé Nast Traveller, Wanderlust and The Guardian Luxury Canada specialist Bridge & Wickers’ tailormade journey through Quebec costs from £1,650 per person and includes two nights at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Montreal, VIA Rail train to Quebec City, three nights at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, scenic trip on Le Train du Massif de Charlevoix, three nights at Hôtel La Ferme, international flights and private transfers; bridgeandwickers.co.uk

FROM TOP Skiing Le Massif; Fairmont Le Château Frontenac hotel; Hôtel La Ferme cuisine; Charlevoix countryside

HAR RODS M AGAZINE

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HANS CRESCENT Knightsbridge, SW1 This two-bedroom, 1,006sq ft (93sq m) apartment, complete with air cooling, is situated on the fourth floor of a red-brick Knightsbridge mansion block adjacent to Harrods. The building offers 24-hour porterage/security and underground parking, and is ideally placed for the shops, restaurants and transport facilities of Brompton Road and Sloane Street. EPC rating C. Leasehold: Approximately 987 years remaining Guide price: ÂŁ3,450,000 020 7225 6506 leila.dyominova@harrodsestates.com

HARRODSESTATES.COM

GREAT CUMBERLAND PLACE, Marylebone, W1 A newly renovated, two-bedroom apartment of 993sq ft (92sq m) now benefits from the latest cutting-edge design and bespoke interiors, the highest quality of workmanship throughout and a lighting system to enhance any mood. The property includes a large reception/dining area perfect for entertaining, a modern kitchen, two double bedrooms and two bathrooms. The apartment is located moments away from Marble Arch with its wide choice of shops and restaurants, and there is a 24-hour concierge service to help with day-to-day needs. EPC rating C. Leasehold: Approximately 124 years remaining Guide price: ÂŁ2,200,000 020 7409 9047 robert.cox@harrodsestates.com

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: +44 (0)20 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1 1QF T: +44 (0)20 7409 9001 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: +44 (0)20 7225 6700 HARRODSESTATES.COM

MY STYLE Bobbi Brown Extra SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm 30ml, £34

d’s stels e s te f vou

At London Fashion Week in September 2012

Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in Passion £26

Nichol s Ki

y style

ood shoes

MARTHA WARD

Valentino

Valentino sweater £690 and skirt £2,595

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H A R RODS M AGA ZINE

In an age of spray-on leather leggings and sporty bomber jackets, the supremely feminine stylist and vogue.co.uk contributing editor stands out from the fashion crowd with her “granny chic” (her words) ensembles BY

Have you always been into fashion? I’ve always had a love for clothes. Whether that could be considered “fashion” when I was a little girl, I don’t really know, but I’ve always been specific about what I like. Visuals and photography were big things for me when I was growing up. I was always poring over magazines, tearing out images and creating mood boards. My mother’s dressing-up box was a bit of a hobby, too. You’re known for your girly look. How would you describe your personal style? I suppose my style is feminine and whimsical – I like bows, skirts, pretty dresses, blouses and the colour pink. I don’t adhere to trends, I wear things I like and they can be eccentric and, at times, probably granny-ish. I like to think of it as granny chic. Is there a look you wouldn’t be caught dead in? Rock chick couldn’t be further removed from my aesthetic, so when that crops up from year to year I steer clear. There’s very little black in my wardrobe, no lamé leggings, no leather jacket, and no studded or tasselled numbers. Describe your dream party outfit. An embellished dress, preferably in a pale shade, with a voluminous detail of some kind. And a pretty headband or ribbon to top it off. Do you put your own personal aesthetic aside when you work as a stylist or does it influence you? My own style comes into my work in many ways, but it’s crucial as a stylist to be dynamic. Story ideas come from all areas of fashion and therefore styling influences come from multiple sources.

Who are your favourite designers? Season after season I lust after Valentino and Chloé. And Erdem and Roksanda Ilincic are two of my favourite British designers. What are your top styling secrets? Avoid runway looks head to toe – always mix it up a bit. Team high-end with high-street or vintage. Never try too hard – less is more. And never go anywhere without a couple of safety pins! They’re always immensely useful, so keep some in the bottom of your handbag. Which pieces in your wardrobe do you turn to again and again? Easy day dresses, either floaty and pretty, or little A-line, ’60s numbers. Also throw-on pieces for when you don’t have time to think about what to wear. Does make-up play a big part in your look or is it more natural? I’ve never been one for much make-up. Lashings of moisturiser, the occasional lick of mascara and Bobbi Brown’s Tinted Moisturizing Balm. But on a night out, a slick of red Chanel lipstick may come into play. What would be your ultimate Christmas present? I’m partial to a bit of embossing, so anything monogrammed. It could be a leather piece, a trinket box, even a pair of white cotton pyjamas or a robe, frankly – I’m easily pleased. Available from The Colour and Cosmetics Halls, Ground Floor; International Designer, First Floor; and harrods.com

Shoes Getty; AW14 Fashion Week Rex Features; pink swatches iStock

Chloé

Chloé sweater £599 and culottes £599

In London at AW14 Fashion Week