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www.internationalexcellence.co.uk 2014 WINTER
E N I Z A G A M
ASTON MARTIN BRITISH LUXURY TOUR WHAT’S ON-BEST HOTELS-YACHTS-WATCHES-INTERVIEWS-FASHION-SUPERCARS
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Bespoke is a fashionable word
always read the label
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10 Savile Row, London W1S 3PF • Tel: +44 (0)20 7287 2941 • Fax: +44 (0)20 7734 8794 Email: info@dege-skinner.co.uk • www.dege-skinner.co.uk
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QUINTESSENTIALLY BRITISH SINCE 1934
Luxury Leather Goods and Accessories Hand Crafted in the United Kingdom www.ettinger.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 8877 1616
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LOVE EXCELLENCE
CONTENT
The place to go for all your shopping needs and desires, check out the latest and greatest gifts.
CLIVEDEN HOUSE LUXURY HOTEL Lord and Lady enjoy the delights of the historic stately home, following in the footsteps of Nancy Astor, Christine Keeler, Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill, to name a few..
18 38 TALKING TECH This season’s pick of the latest, hottest gadgets and luxury technical innovations.
PUBLISHERS
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36 FASTEST YACHTS Tim Stevens looks at speed and luxury on the water.
International eXcellence, is a celebration of all that is truly outstanding, online, mobile and in print, courtesy of The eXcellence Group. As the name suggests, we are all about excellence from around the world, presenting the best brands, products, artists, designs, businesses and people who are passionate about their life and work. For all advertising enquiries please call: +44 203 289 9779 or 07957 246845. Copy enquiries to: editorial@internationalexcellence.co.uk
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LIP WatchES
cloud nine marshmallows
A History of Lip Watches, an excellent French watch brand with many firsts in the world of watch making. Superb designs over the last century by many of France’s greatest designers.
We interview Murphy Williams, the creator of these heavenly marshmallows, that have to be tried to be believed!
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GLAMPING FASHION
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DARREN TURNER
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MELDRUM HOUSE
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EDITORIAL
Welcome to our Winter issue of International eXcellence. And so we’re in to the final straight of the year, a fairly hectic time with much to keep us all busy. Remember to keep a little time for yourself, for “life is short and if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”. Enjoy every minute, have a wonderful Christmas and in the meantime, sit back and immerse yourself in eXcellence and enjoy our Winter issue of International eXcellence!
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ENB TOUR WITH
LONDON JAZZ
WINCHESTER ICE
WINTER
SWAN LAKE
FESTIVAL
RINK
WONDERLAND
8th Oct - 18th January The English National Ballet are a bold company of ambitious dancers, choreographers, costumiers, musicians and designers. They perform ballet anywhere. ballet.org.uk
14th - 23rd November Following the spectacular success of last year’s 21st birthday celebrations, the Festival returns in the finest of form, spreading the jazz word throughout this most vibrant of cities. londonjazzfestival.org.uk
20th Nov - 4th January Experience an exhilarating skate under the stars .The Cathedral’s Inner Close is transformed by our Christmas Market and open-air real ice rink. winchester-cathedral.org. uk
21st Nov - 4th January Hyde Park Winter Wonderland provides a spectacular festive destination. Rides galore, a huge selection of food and drink and the beautiful Christmas Market. hydepa rkwinterwonderland.com
WINTER What’s On in the UK... Wrap up warm and get out and about, and not just to go shopping! There is plenty for you all to do this festive season. Relax with a superb Swan Lake, or treat the children to the Nutcracker, take in some indoor tennis or show jumping and head over to Ascot for some new year racing. However, if all else fails, grab some friends, dress up and head over to Covent Garden for the serious business of competing in the Christmas Pudding Race!
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THE LIMITED EDITION LONDON BOX
P R I VAT E C O M M I S S I O N S | F U R N I T U R E & U P H O L S T E RY | G I F T S & A C C E S S O R I E S | F I T T E D C A B I N E T RY | I N T E R I O R D E S I G N
www.davidlinley.com
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STATOIL MASTERS
CHRISTMAS
THE NUTCRACKER
INTERNATIONAL
TENNIS
PUDDING RACE
BY THE ENB
HORSE SHOW
3rd - 7th December This spectacular event at the Royal Albert Hall features some of the greatest tennis players of the modern era, reliving their rivalries. Tim Henman opens the proceedings. statoilmasterstennis.com
6th December This year sees the 34th year for the Great Christmas Pudding Race in Covent Garden. It is organised by CRAC on behalf of Cancer Research UK. xmaspuddingrace.org.uk
11th Dec - 4th January Led by their Artistic Director, Tamara Rojo , the ENB reach for innovative collaborations, creative excellence and bold ways of honouring, but adding to, traditional ballet. ballet.org.uk
16th - 22nd December The best equestrian Christmas party! The Injured Jockeys Fund is to be the charity of this year’s Show at Olympia. Fun packed programme with some great entertainment. olympiahorseshow.com
LONDON BOAT SHOW AT EXCEL
CLARENCE HOUSE CHASE RACEDAY ASCOT
9th - 18th January If you have a love of getting on or in the water or would like to try it for the first time, whether it’s boats, equipment, training, or technology there is something for everyone within the South hall of ExCeL. Visitors are able to explore the Show inside and out to hear and learn from the experts as well as see hundreds of products and boats. londonboatshow.com/2015/index.html
17th January The New Year gets under way in style at Ascot with the Grade 1 Sodexo Clarence House Steeple Chase, arguably Ascot’s best-loved race over the Jumps. With a prize fund of £125,000 the race is a vital stepping-stone to the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, attracting the very best speed chasers in Europe. ascot.co.uk/2015clarencehousemeet/
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DRESDEN
ART BASEL -
ANTIGUA CHARTER
DUBAI SHOPPING
CHRISTMAS MARKET
MIAMI BEACH
YACHT SHOW
FESTIVAL
27th Nov - 24th December Traditionally called Striezelmarkt, it is located in the historical city centre and is Germany’s oldest Christmas Market with a very long history dating back to 1434. germanychristmas-market.org.uk
4th - 7th December The favourite winter meeting place for the international artworld. Over 250 of the world’s leading galleries participate, drawing over 70,000 visitors each year. artbasel.com
5th - 11th December Takes place at the Nelson’s Dockyard Marina in English Harbour, the Falmouth Harbour Marina and the Antigua Yacht Club Marina both located in Falmouth Harbour. antiguayachtshow.com
1st Jan - 1st February Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2015, the Dubai Shopping Festival is the largest shopping and entertainment extravaganza in the Middle East. mydsf.ae/
WINTER What’s On around the World... While it may be bitterly cold here, there are sunnier climes to escape to , namely Antigua for some messing about with boats. However if sub-zero temperatures are your thing, then China is the place to be for the amazing Harbin Ice Festival, alternatively St Moritz, with its snow polo world cup, would be an ideal destination.
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HARBIN ICE
ISAF SAILING
CLASSIC CAR MONTE
SUNDANCE FILM
FESTIVAL
WORLD CUP - MIAMI
CARLO RALLY
FESTIVAL
5th Jan - 5th February The festival opens with the theme “Happy Ice Snow, Exciting City”, there is a grand opening ceremony, fireworks display and a series of theatrical performances. chinahighlights.com/
25th Jan - 5th February The regatta is a mainstay on the winter circuit for sailors who are campaigning for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Competitions. sailing.org /worldcup
28th Jan - 4th February This is the 18th run of this challenging rally through Europe, which is open to all the cars which participated in Rallyes Automobiles Monte-Carlo between 1955 and 1980. acm.mc/en/
22nd Jan - 1st February Bringing the most original storytellers together with the most adventurous audiences for its annual program of dramatic and documentary films, shorts, and music events. sundance.org/festival
SUPERYACHT CHALLENGE ANTIGUA
ST MORITZ SNOW POLO WORLD CUP
29th January - 1st February This is an annual event, held at Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua where yachts in excess of 80 feet are invited to participate in an exciting, friendly event, designed to be solely for the pleasure of superyacht owners, their guests and crew. The magnificent fleet take part in three days of spectacular racing, using the International Superyacht Racing Rule. superyachtchallengeantigua.blogspot.co.uk
29th January - 1st February The world’s most prestigious winter polo tournament on snow takes place on the frozen lake of St. Moritz. Four “high-goal teams” compete for the highly coveted trophy. The matches require concentration, skill, courage and endurance from the world’s top ranked players and also the horses. Elegance, speed, and British sporting spirit: World-class polo at its finest! snowpolo-stmoritz.com
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ASTON MARTIN BRITISH LUXURY TOUR International eXcellence Magazine took the Aston Martin Volante DB9 convertible in Bronze on a British Luxury Tour to experience Britishness at its best. We combined great British automotive design, classic British luxury hotels, Michelin starred restaurants, sky diving and country scenery in a five day extravaganza. The Aston Martin DB9 Volante is a magnificent, sleek, desirable beauty of a car. One covets it immediately. Even stationary it looks like sex in motion. If money was no issue it would be wonderful to have it on a pedestal in the living room, as it is a veritable sculptural masterpiece. We were taking this Bronze beauty on a British Luxury Tour and the weather could not have been more perfect.
admittedly half a second or more behind other supercars but who are we to quibble over half a second. Plus whatever it lacks in raw power it more than makes up for in style.
Yves de Contades Luxuriates in True British Style in the Aston Martin DB9 Volante
And it is the style of the car where it truly excels. Car manufacturers over the last decade have really come to know their niche and their audience. Aston Martin have done an excellent job of modernising one of the
We started early in the morning as the mists were lifting and hit the road for Winchester, one of the oldest towns in England and home to the imposing gothic Cathedral and Winchester College. We were immediately impressed with the power of the car as it takes some skill merely to pull out of a side road without a throaty wheel spin. Some may argue that it is not quite powerful to be in the supercar category but we say tosh. It may be less powerful than the Vanquish but it really has more than enough for any situation. The DB9 has a torque of 620 and 517 PS reaching 62 MPH in 4.6 seconds. Now this is
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Aston Martin Glass Key
“Aston DB9 Volante in Bronze At Cliveden House
few country lanes and see how she performed. This is where I personally fell in love, not the careless, immediate first lust that I experienced when I initially sat in the car, but a more thoughtful and deep ardour that comes from recognising a fellow soul. The car drives like a real classic. It has not been computerised to such a degree that you have little or no involvement in its performance beyond pushing the pedal to the metal. It is a driver’s car, in that it has fabulous raw power and yet you are still responsible for how it handles. One hundred miles an hour feels fast, you are not so cosseted that you have no feel for the acceleration or its speed and both are a pleasure to experience. Its movement and road holding really remind me of the great classic We rumbled into the old town of Winchester cars, infused with all the modern technology to and pulled into the Hotel Du Vin which is a make it safe and more powerful. superb little boutique hotel and restaurant with an interior walled garden that would Our next port of call was the legendary luxury not be out of place in the South of France. hotel Cliveden House in time for a short stroll The service and decor match and we enjoyed by the river before dinner. The journey was far too short and we regretted not planning much a lovely lunch in unseasonal sunshine. longer as we were seriously enjoying the car, but Once refreshed we headed off to the hills a few hours later we purred into the famous long The shape and feel of the car continues the above Winchester to push the car through a driveway past the ornate neo-greek fountain greatest style legends in the automotive world. The designers of this beautiful car took a risk in creating a modern classic dash board with push button gears. That’s right, there is no gear stick. Now at first we thought this seemed like a brash and risky move, leaving out one of the masculine macho tenets of driving, the gear stick, the manipulation of which separates the skilled driver from the pack. Of course we all know that automatic gear boxes and paddles are far superior. However the gear stick has been left in most cars as a respectful nod to the past, even if it merely serves as a large button. So all the drive choices are sleek buttons up on the panel and whilst it took a little while to accept, now when I see a gear stick it strikes me as somewhat anachronistic. It’s the final acceptance of the fusion between cars and computers, the buttons should be easily accessible and be truly functional and we loved this move which dispensed with dropping the arm down to ones side to shift a lever.
modernisation of this legendary British style icon. The body is a sublime futuristic evolution of the classic DB design. In a nutshell this car is the epitome of style and this is where its niche lies. It is a gentleman’s car, of whatever age, true style is ageless and timeless. It manages to convey an understated but serious luxury finesse that any one who drives it will feel, “Yes, this car was made with me in mind”. It reminds you of this as you drive with an engine sound that surely must have been created by an orchestral composer, the acoustics from this V6 are pure jazz growl with the soul sound of Louis Armstrong.
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and statue. The view of the house is superb as the sun sets and we had barely stopped in front of the entrance when our bags were whisked away as the porter took the car keys with evident relish. I’m trying not to use the Bond reference but here’s where I fail. This hotel is where many of the leading politicians, celebrities and musicians of the 60’s enjoyed a network meeting or a hopefully discreet frolic with friendly ladies. Not so discreet as some famous rendezvous hit the press in spectacular fashion. To get back to Bond, this is somewhere he would definitely have come for a little r&r between missions, obviously with someone unsuitable he would not have taken home to M. The hotel grounds are sumptuous and much visited, it is part of the National Trust, and they even have two classic wooden tenders, lovingly hand crafted, that can glide you up and down the river for a wonderfully relaxing evening. Dinner was excellent though the service a little bemused as they are going through some changes. The chef is André Garret who is really making a name for himself using the freshest local ingredients and for combining them in perfect harmony to bring out the very best flavours. The next day we wandered over to the new Spa and pool which is magnificent, first accompanied by a little light rain, swiftly followed by blazing sunshine, which was much enjoyed in the hot tub followed up by a full body massage to ease the non existent tension of our weekend. After a hard morning in the walled garden we reluctantly left the exquisite surroundings and friendly service to speed over to Marlowe for lunch at The Hand and Flower which is the only two Michelin starred pub in the UK. Quite a boast, which we were keen to see if it was deserved. It’s located bang on the main road into Marlowe and from the outside looks like any other nice little English pub. However there is a lovely atmosphere when you walk
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in and whilst it is very nicely decorated it is clear that they have concentrated on the food and the service. It is here they excel, this is no ordinary pub, even in this rapidly growing fine gastro pub country. This 4 Rosette pub is owned by Tom and Beth Kerridge, with Tom as the chef, and Beth, a sculptor, who designed the warm and welcoming front of house. Our meal was a wonderful combination of modern traditional dishes finished off with a sumptuous desert served with a specially brewed fine beer that beautifully compliments its flavours. You can even get a beauty treatment before or after your meal, just to get those juices flowing, as
long as you are staying there! Our Aston Martin tour would not be complete without a truly Bondesque bit of adventure and we had plumped on skydiving. The very best way to start in this sport is indoor skydiving with Airkix who have the nearest venue to London, with three locations in the UK. We parked the Aston outside the building with its giant fans whirring away inside and suited up with our instructor who was brilliant throughout. The best thing about indoor skydiving is that you get as much time in the air as you like, instead of a measly one minute with all the kerfuffle of getting up there in
Aston Martin Dashboard & Front Light
Aston Martin DB9 Guildford Cobbled High Street a plane etc. It is the most extraordinary fun, apparently I was a natural and I do admit that it seemed the most relaxing sport in the world. Much akin to swimming at depths, you feel very comfortable and weightless. After our session our instructor G then showed us how it was done with an aerial ballet, spinning upside down, soaring upwards, somersaults, air voguing and generally making birds look clumsy and like they really could have taken the whole flight thing much further. After the excitement of flying we raced along the Hog’s Back towards the old market
town of Guildford for a little drive by up the iconic cobbled streets where we stopped for some luxury shopping. The parallel high streets undulate upwards to overlook green meadows that scintillate in the sunset. Guildford is a mere half hour from London yet boasts some of the very best country landscapes and views over the Surrey hills, perfect for enjoying the Aston with its roof down. Once the boot was full with the necessary requirements from Gerard Darel, Links of London, House of Fraser and the like, we
headed for home, Moneypenny in the driving seat insisting this was not solely a gentleman’s car and I have to agree, this car looks the “Couilles du chien” with a pretty lady at the wheel!
astonmartin.com/ clivedenhouse.co.uk thehandandflowers.co.uk/ hotelduvin.com/ airkix.com/
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Aston Martin DB9 Cliveden House 16
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The Bentley luxury convoy
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CLIVEDEN HOUSE LUXURY HOTEL This glorious stately home has hosted parties on a lavish scale with high society guests such as Churchill and Chaplin, while also being involved in that most scandalous affair of the time, the Profumo Affair, and so the thought of a stay here conjures up wonderful feelings of being a part of the glamour, intrigue and history. The full background, though too long to go over in full detail here, is really something we would advise you to look into before, or indeed during, your stay as it is quite magnificent and adds to the whole experience. Cliveden was first built in 1666, though in subsequent years destroyed by fire not once but twice. William Waldorf Astor bought it in 1906 as a wedding present for his son and daughter-in-law, Nancy, and it became the centre of high society parties and entertainment. Today it is owned by the National Trust (given to them by the Astors) and they take care of everything outside the house, while the interior is leased as a luxury hotel to Ian and Richard Livingstone who acquired it in 2012 from the collapsed Von Essen Hotels group. This is clearly an extremely well regarded hotel with an impressive history and it was with great anticipation that we turned in to the grounds, preparing ourselves to purr up the driveway in the Aston Martin DB9 Volante. Sadly this was not to be as there was a National Trust automobile event in full swing in the long driveway up to the house, and we had to content ourselves with a slight diversion - never mind. We pulled up outside the front door to be
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immediately greeted by the wonderful doorman, who eased us out of our Aston Martin and into the hotel, where we were passed into the capable hands of the general manager, Sue Williams. As I mentioned we were arriving on a sunny Sunday, and the entrance hall was packed with partakers of afternoon tea, that wonderful British institution that establishments like Cliveden do so well. The entrance hall is wonderful, panelled and imposing, yet comfortable, and a perfect place for afternoon tea, however this is also where the check in area is, which is slightly cramped, with no waiting area available when this busy event is in full swing. Finally we were whisked off to our room, we were staying in Warrender in the East Wing, which has just been totally refurbished. The West Wing is due their turn next and then the Mansion in the new year. Meanwhile outside the Terrace is undergoing some much needed restoration as part of a 3 year project. It is clear that the new owners plan to restore the hotel to its former glory. Our room was very welcoming and comfortable, inviting you to stay and make yourselves at home - however the sun was shining and looking at the time we realised that the National Trust hordes would soon be leaving and so we could enjoy the gardens and grounds in peace. We walked down to the river Thames and to Spring Cottage, where Stephen Ward stayed with his guests Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies, and then climbed the hillside behind for a truly magnificent view looking back at the House. With an appetite well and truly built we headed back to the comfort of our room and before too long were sitting in the, now
Lord and Lady Review
deserted, entrance hall for a drink before dinner. Another little moan I’m afraid - we love hotel bars, there is nothing better than a seriously good hotel bar, and we love all sorts: the piano bars, the oak panelled smart ones, the relaxed noisy ones, art deco, country casual - the lot, as long as they have a really good barman - a sign of a truly good hotel. Sadly Cliveden does not have a bar, which I think is a shame. However, we cheered ourselves up with a cocktail, which always works, and the Cliveden 66 was said cocktail. This was created in 1666, so the story goes, to celebrate the completion of the house, it is vodka, Grand Marnier, rose liqueur, brown sugar, gold leaf and champagne, and is absolutely delicious! After that, the house champagne, Taittinger, was a marvellous accompaniment to the olives, spiced almonds, divine humous and cracked bread that were laid out for us. Dinner, courtesy of Andre Garrett - formerly of Park Lane - was fantastic, both in terms of choice, food and setting, the service unfortunately did not quite match. It started well, our drinks brought through, we perused the menu, revelling in the atmosphere. The tasting menu was suggested as the perfect choice which we wholeheartedly agreed with, sadly five minutes or so later once our order had been taken to the kitchen, we were informed (very apologetically, it must be said) that unfortunately the chef does not in fact do the tasting menu after 9pm and as the hotel had booked our table for us, at 9.30pm, we were too late. The meal itself however, was sublime, Foie Gras and Seared Isle of Skye Scallops for our starters, and then New Season Devon Lamb and Fillet of Cornish Turbot. The icing on the
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
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cake came in the form of Pave of Araguani Chocolate, and Caremelised Banana Soufflé with peanut butter ice cream. The food is seriously good, beautifully presented and lovely quantities, though through sheer gluttony I could have eaten the entire meal again. The only slight frustration during the meal was having to ask for a glass four times before it arrived. Breakfast the following morning in the same restaurant but with a very different feel to it was an equally good affair, wonderful buffet and menu service. After a heavenly smoked salmon and scrambled egg, my decadent breakfast of choice, though I did decline the glass of champagne this time, we adjourned to the spa for a little pampering. Entering the (in)famous Walled Garden does feel fantastically special, and we were soon swimming off our greed in this sublime sun-
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trap before settling into the hot tub and relaxing prior to our appointments. With relaxation levels already high, or should that be low, we were led off for our treatments. The Pavilion Spa is a perfectly petite spa, with indoor pool, six treatment rooms, full gym and luxurious ladies changing rooms. His lordship failed to comment much on the men’s, which is not an indication of them being below par, just that changing rooms are functional things in his view and that’s that; I on the other hand adore the effort put in to making the mundane (changing) an elegant and enjoyable place. Chewton Glen Spa is another wonderful example of luxury ladies changing rooms. I digress…. Marvellous massages: in depth, complete and far too relaxing, as afterwards the power of comprehensive speech was beyond us. We then lounged by the pool catching a few
rays before we had to tear ourselves away and return to the real world. There are so many good things about Cliveden, with just a few points not quite up to scratch in our opinion; clearly a separate bar is our personal choice, others may be quite happy with being part of the entrance hall, however excellent service is key in a hotel of this calibre, and some personnel are not quite there yet. Cliveden is a magical place, and undeniably worth a visit. The setting is magnificent, the famous parterre is breathtaking and the restoration work on the terrace will no doubt return the exterior to its glory days. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay there and look forward to returning next year to see the finished refurbishments. The sense of history and decadence at Cliveden is beguiling and something you very much want to be a part of, in addition to that you’re guaranteed some seriously good food!
Cliveden 66 Cocktail
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THE HAND & FLOWERS Lord and Lady Review So we decided to take the Aston Martin DB9 over to the Hand and Flowers in Marlow. The chef is Tom Kerridge and in 2011 he had the distinction of being the first pub to receive two Michelin Stars, putting him up there with chefs like Michel Roux at Le Gavroche and Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. As we were on a British Luxury Tour, this pub seemed like the perfect stop for lunch on our way to Cliveden Hotel and Spa, where we were staying the night.
at the one Michelin starred Adlards.
Be warned though they are booked up well in advance, however you can always find a little place at the bar, which is actually a great place to eat and watch the trendy British crowd. This is the Marlow set, everything from older yahoo Henry’s who moved out from Sloane Square years ago, to the more corporate entrepreneurs making their mark in tech, liberally scattered with the usual property bods. The atmosphere is posh gastro pub with little decorative touches everywhere and a convivial warm atmosphere. You immediately feel you are somewhere fun and exciting where you are assured of a good meal.
Soon after we were installed and sipping a light champagne, the waiter brought over some fried whitebait in a newspaper cone as an appetiser, which was absolutely delicious, myself and my colleague who normally dislikes small piscine starters thoroughly enjoyed them. The accompanying sourdough bread was also soft, plump and satisfying.
Originally from the West Country, Tom started in country house hotels and restaurants in Gloucestershire. He moved to London in his early twenties, where he worked with wellknown chefs such as Phillip Britton, Steven Bull and Gary Rhodes. Leaving London, he moved to Norwich where he was Head Chef
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Tom and his wife, Beth, set up The Hand and Flowers in 2005 and they were awarded one star in the Michelin Guide in 2006. Since 2012, the pub has held two stars in the guide. In 2013, Tom published his first book, Proper Pub Food, with a BBC television series. As a chef he has appeared on the Great British Menu, MasterChef and Saturday Kitchen.
First up I had Salt Cod Scotch Egg, a picture of rounded loveliness that perfectly balanced the soft flowing egg with the salty fish texture. My friend went for her preferred dish of Carpaccio of “Unsmoked” Salmon with Avruga Caviar, Home Made Sea Salt, Whisky and Blinis, which was every bit as good as it sounds. You may notice that Tom has a love of sea salt and I heartily concur in this passion. For a main course my colleague had another starter, she is thinner than Posh Spice, but that’s how she stays that way and plumped for the Glazed Omelette of Smoked Haddock
and Parmesan, which was beautifully presented in a heavy iron pan, that melted in the mouth. For my main I picked very well with the Slow Cooked Duck Breast with Savoy Cabbage, Duck Fat Chips and Gravy. I could have had two of those, the duck was moist and flavoursome with immaculately carved chips and crispy cabbage. The sourdough bread came in very handy for finishing the fine gravy. At last it was time for the deserts and we both went for the Hand & Flowers Chocolate and Ale Cake with Salted Caramel and Muscovado Ice Cream. This was a chocolate heaven and made far greater than the sum of its parts by the addition of a small tumbler of Connoisseurs Choice N01 Quadruple Ale. A fantastic fusion of flavours. This brown beer is known in Belgium as a Grand Cru for the way it is made and is much stronger than normal ales, typically around 10%. It’s brewed by the Sharps Brewery in Cornwall, makers of the now famous Doombar beer. A perfect finish to a perfect lunch, had we not been driving it would have been a great pleasure to investigate the Ales a little more closely, but we still had a little drive to Cliveden for dinner. Marlow is very fortunate to have this little gem of a pub in the town, please could others take note and bring this new level of cooking sophistication and quality to the rest of the UK.
Hand and Flowers Bar
Salt Cod Scotch Egg
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HOTEL DU VIN WINCHESTER There are 15 Hotels Du Vin across the UK so one might be tempted to think of them as merely another chain, but they run the whole business with care and passion, concentrating, despite the name, on the British character of their locations. The Hotel du Vin in Winchester came recommended to us by friends who are chefs and it made an ideal stop on ourAston Martin British Luxury Tour as we had wanted to visit the Cathedral and the surrounding countryside for a while. We had booked a table in the courtyard as it was a beautiful September day and were very pleasantly surprised on arrival by the picturesque walled garden with its wicker chairs and parasols. It had a lovely English summer’s day atmosphere that demanded relaxation and a little fine food and wine. We were fairly thirsty as we’d been tearing along with the roof down and ordered a
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nice bottle of Laurent Perrier Champagne to get the relaxing off to a proper start. The waiter was attentive and the glasses arrived promptly so we took a little time to enjoy the menu. The cuisine is a British French assortment, with plenty of meat and fish and they pride themselves on locally sourced fresh seasonal ingredients. To start we shared a perfect platter of nibbles, parma ham wrapped grissini, bread sticks with mixed dips, pesto, mayonnaise and chopped tomatoes. For my main I had the Bouillabaisse and Spinach which was quite lovely conjuring up the smells of the South of France, the sea and warm summer days. My colleague had the Rump of Lamb with Chorizo, Potatoes and tender stem Broccoli. The Lamb was a perfect pink and as tender as any we have ever tasted. For pudding we both plumped, and that is definitely the appropriate word, for the Mint Choc Chip Tart with Creme Fraiche. It was
Lord and Lady Review creamy and filled with enough chocolate goodness to impart plenty of energy for the drive ahead. You can’t beat mint and chocolate as a combination for some reason. We continued relaxing for some time in that charming garden, absorbing the Indian summer sunshine and just kicking back for a while without a care in the world. Definitely a place to pop into on a regular basis, a little haven of peace in this old world town of Winchester. They even have a cigar shack for those that really hanker after the ancient art of inhaling high quality burning leaves. The rooms are well designed too in an English boutique style with roll top baths at the end of the bed for those that enjoy reading a good book next to their aquatically immersed naked partner. A quaint fairy tale place to stay.
Hotel Du Vin Inner Garden
Hotel Du Vin Bar
Hotel Du Vin Room
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GLAMPING FASHION PHOTOGRAPHED BY YVES DE CONTADES
Hats off to Paris Time is Money
Photography Yves de Contades
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Joseph jacket Joseph trousers Dunhill shirt Oswald Boateng tie Bally shoes
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For full credits see internationalexcellence. co.uk/fashion
makers of the world’s finest sporting guns and rifles n ew Y ork +1 212 752 7755
+44
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AB YACHTS FASTEST IN THE WORLD A Visit to a Leading Italian Builder of Fast Yachts 300kph in a car; few people even motoring journalists have achieved that speed. A few more will have travelled at 50+ knots in a power boat. However, only a small minority will have travelled at that speed in a comfortable cruising motor yacht, doubtless with a glass of something good like champagne to hand. Perhaps it is a case of more fizz in the yacht than in the champagne? Twenty five skilled craftsmen were the core of the team that built the latest AB Yachts 116 (36.2m.) motor yacht in a remarkable six months. They were rewarded with a ride on the final sea trial which was to determine the top speed required under the build contract. A cargo of twenty five keen pasta eaters was no hindrance on the speed front; 52.8knots. Fipa, the parent company had accepted a stiff penalty clause that probably would have put off their competitors from accepting. Less than 50 knots would have triggered the penalty payment. Fipa have always concentrated at being the yard that innovates and push back boundaries. In the 1970s, this family owned business was amongst the first builders of yachts in fibreglass; they have never shied away from exploring new opportunities and that has lead them into serving differing needs very effectively. Fipa’s yachts cover different areas of the market; AB Yachts concentrates on speed and the range covers numerous models of yachts from 20m. to 42.7m. They were one of the earliest exponents in introducing waterjet propulsion in the early years of the new millennium. Expanding their interests in the 1980s to enter a high luxury line of
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yachts; they gained control of Maiora Yachts where speed was secondary to high comfort levels with build standards to match. They call Maiora Yachts their prestige brand with yachts from 20m. to 50m., I would have used the same description with all three of their brands. Nearly a decade ago, they purchased CBI Navi which took them from a composite builder into steel and alloy construction. Their range of yachts was increased as their longest composite yacht is 50m. whilst the steel and alloy capability with their existing yard facilities gives them a maximum of 80m. length. A 77.7m. yacht is now in build. In travelling around the Viareggio area, wherever we went, the conversation was interrupted with “that is where we build….” with a hand pointed at yet another yard. Their work is all very serious as the volumes are large and anything they do has equally large impact. However, there are many different approaches in the yachting business, all are serious on the business front and many follow that through with their whole approach. The team at Fipa are a breath of fresh air when it comes to client relations, they follow the yacht show calendar but they also focus on the people having fun in life as they recognise they are selling pleasure. Italians are great exponents on enjoying life, the yachting industry is one of the areas where they are successful in business, combining the two is a good recipe. The international polo social scene comprises many hedonists and yachting fits in well with their style of life. Fipa sponsors polo and their team has just won the tournament in Viareggio; their local event. Their infectious enthusiasm works well for them and drives the group forwards.
Tim Stevens Looks at Speed and Luxury on the Water
Achieving fundamentally high speeds starts in the drawing office, it needs skills and confidence to set aside speed enhancing trim tabs and perhaps stepped hulls. A slippery hull shape has to be the start to which they add the Hi-Tech elements of light, but immensely strong composite materials of Kevlar and carbon fibre. They are complemented by a range of engine options, the power of which is the pushed through water jets. The larger yachts are semi-custom so that whilst the hulls are fixed in dimensions and some structural necessities create some constraints, owners can reconfigure the layout according to their needs and wishes. Back to speed. The need for speed is ever present, modern social media puts us in a position to change our plans by the hour “Great party in St. Tropez tonight – where are you?” “We are enjoying an early dinner in the Martinez Zplage restaurant in Cannes”. You can go by road in an hour or so but to have your yacht there changes everything as the ‘post-party’ is always the best party and on your yacht …., nothing beats that and with a cruising speed of 40 knots, everyone can enjoy the party. For me, leaving and arriving at a bay or harbour on a yacht are two key elements of enjoyment, the prospect of somewhere new and the experience of the arrival. If the trip is along the coast, you have the ever changing scenery but if it is out to sea on an inter-island passage, there are no outside interests and that is where speed opens your horizons as your scope of new bays, harbours and nightlife expands dramatically. You are in control of where you travel and when you travel, so take off on a whim and enjoy the freedom.
Yacht Sea Force One
Yacht Elizaveta
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TALKING TECHNOLOGY Wearable Technology: Simplicity and Control be so far developed beyond immediate comprehension that the world around us will function as if by magic.
quickly. The progress of ideas is accelerating even faster than the speed and storage of computers.
You will not need a degree in computer engineering to use the latest innovations, but will employ the greatest and latest software and hardware with the flip of a wrist, the swipe of a hand or a casually voiced command.
The Nixie wrist band quad copter that will fly out to take pictures or video us at a gesture or spoken order, the Hendo Hoverboard that will glide us through the busy streets like Iron Man, the Ducati super bike that will speed us around from 0 to 60 in less than 3 secs, the Microsoft Band that will monitor our health and 3D Printers that will conjure up anything we can imagine and draw on a computer.
No one person can keep up with this progress, it almost takes a hive mind to assimilate it all. This is what the internet will become, a kind of human hive mind, storing and sharing out information worldwide. How long before we are directly wired in. iMind not the iPhone.
There really will be no difference in the next few years between science and magic as the technology behind the latest wearable gadgets and digitally linked products will
Most of these ideas are concepts, but even a few years ago it took a decade to go from concept to working product. At most it is now two years and that is set to get shorter very
It’s all about wearable tech; the latest buzz is not robots ruling the world, but people wearing the tech and interfacing more closely with the digital environment around us. We will slowly merge with the technological revolution and it will be all about simplicity.
The automation of this world and everything in it will be remarkably swift, why wait for anything when it can be delivered, paid for and consumed in an instant. We will all be sorcerers with vast powers of control over the world around us. It will be interesting, that’s for sure.
Ducati 1199 PANIGALE SUPERBIKE The 1199 Panigale is a super bike to drool over. Also the photo campaign by Moto Corsa is hilarious. Enjoy.
They did the usual super bike shots with a scantily clad model and then swapped in a few more beefy chaps to even the playing field and give women something to enjoy. It’s a great parody and shows Ducati really do have a sense of humour as well as making dream super bikes. This great looking superbike breaks with Ducati tradition by adding a name to its 1199cc engine capacity, making a significant association to Ducati’s historic roots in the Borgo Panigale area of Bologna. In an Italian area known as “Motor Valley” where high performance and racing runs through the veins of its passionate people. 1199panigale.ducati.com/en/ 38
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NIXIE FLYING CAMERA BRACELET It’s a wrist band you wear like a watch which unstraps and turns into a quad copter that can film or photograph you then fly back onto your wrist. Still in the design stage, but if they get this off the ground it will sell faster than the iPhone. We all want one, our own personal flying robot butler and film crew. flynixie.com/
MICROSOFT BAND Microsoft Band, a device powered by Microsoft Health, helps you achieve your wellness goals by tracking your heart rate, steps, calorie burn, and sleep quality. It also helps you be more productive with email previews and calendar alerts . A personal trainer right on your wrist which works on all platforms. microsoft.com/microsoft-band/en-us
Hendo Hoverboard Sea-Doo Watercraft This Sea-Doo GTX Limited iS 260 is the ultimate British luxury Thefrom Hover Board coming, promised so Watercraft!Cruise your yachtisto port inas this ultra plush many ago4-Tec in"Back To The Future". This Bat bike, propelled by ayears Rotax® Engine with an innovative concept board has been engineered by Greg S³ Hull™ with drag reducing design for a super fast stable ride. Henderson and uses hisfor patented hover engine Boasts the worlds only on-water brake stylish docking! Cruise control fortechnology. sports fanshendohover.com/#/ too. uk.sea-doo.com
DISCOV3RY 3D PRINTER PRINTS FOOD The Discov3ry offers printing enthusiasts a simple, ingenious and affordable hardware add-on solution for printing a wide range of pastes. Now Makers can quickly and inexpensively experiment with easily sourced materials, like silicone, clay, cake frosting and even Nutella. structur3d.io/ #discov3ry
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Winter is here, and more importantly Christmas - the most excellent shopping time of the year! Love eXcellence is our beautiful luxury on-line shop. Wonderful gift ideas from the everyday to the extraordinary - marshmallows to space travel, heaven either way and both truly excellent! Fantastic furniture to enhance your home, radios, speakers, glassware
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and comfy cushions. Amazing fashion and accessories for you, beautiful bags, gorgeous jewellery, sublime sunglasses and wonderful watches. There’s also plenty for the art, fishing, boating, cycling, motorbike enthusiast and fitness fanatic. Something for everyone, whatever the budget and all truly eXcellent! Happy Shopping!
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Spiced Cranberry and Chocolate Marshmallows £6.95
Blended with spiced cranberry juice, Port and orange zest, layered with drizzles of Belgian dark chocolate, and decked with more ruby-like cranberries, this is a bountiful seasonal treat, dreamt up to embody the spirit of Christmas. Fa-la-la-la-la! Marry with a bottle of festive fizz for a splash of winter wonderment’. Gorgeous Merino Wool Booties £22 - £32 Available for Him, Her and Children, they are made from pure merino sheep wool that is renowned for its natural warmth and health benefits ensuring that your feet will never be cold again. With a thick wool pile and non slip soles these are the ultimate luxury for your feet providing incredible warmth.
Christmas Dinner Apron £18.95 This vintage inspired typographic Christmas Apron lists a medley of all your festive food favourites, it’s sure to get you feeling christmassy. This festive design is also available on a Tea Towel and Mug to create the perfect Christmas gift set.
Silver Plated Ice Bucket £65
Tote Hidee Handbag £185
Silver-plated and lacquered Ice bucket, from Royal Warrant Holders Veritas, suitable for chilling wines and champagnes. Dimensions: 195 diameter at top. 210mm high. Perfect for diamond engraving.
Travel everywhere with the Hidee Tote! Perfect for the autumn/winter season, the Tote is black waterproof canvas with leather trim and handles. The leather is deep red/burgundy distressed for a unique look. The Tote is securely zipped on top with an exterior zip pocket for keys, travel passes etc The leather trim on the side doubles up as an alternative handle.
iDream DAB Clock Radio £80 This stylish DAB/FM RDS digital stereo clock radio comes with a dock for an iPod. The iDream enables you to listen to your iPod through its stereo speakers and charges your iPod at the same time.
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loveexcellence.co.uk Dynamite Stick £20 A box of all 5 x 55g jars - Insane, Explosive, Mild, Tandoori Twist and BBQ Twist. Comes in a beatiful gift box - a great gift idea for friends and family who love chilli. Teddi Hidee Necklace £2,500 These beautiful 9mm Tahitian pearls have a wonderful lustre enhanced with gold glitter beads and a gold hammered ball clasp. Suitable for special occasion or formal day-wear, it is a timeless inheritance piece.
Wizard Jude Purple Haze Straight Cut Jeans £125 Straight cut and full rise, they benefit from very high quality ‘pocket control’ to ensure a svelte look. This style features a silver grey double ‘W’ embroidered on both back pockets and the Wizard star on the ticket pocket. A truly classy and elegant jean.
Cuddly Panda Soft Toy £9.99
Chrome Glass Fibre Pen £35
These handmade Panda soft toys are British designed by Keel Toys. Keel Toys use the finest materials and their toys are extremely plush and cuddly.
Contemporary styled chrome-plated and silver grey, glass fibre ball-point pen. Suitable for engraving beneath the clip area. Takes standard Parker refills.
Spinning Moon Cufflinks £65 These lovely cufflinks show the moon turning and are a perfect gift for the man who dreams of one day landing on the moon or simply looks to the stars for inspiration. 42
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Black Megaphonemini iPhone Speaker £165 Passive Portable Amplifier for iPhone made of ceramic. The shape is designed to optimise the sound output reducing the size of the object. Can be placed anywhere in the house, carried in your bag or backpack, to listen to their music with everyone, even outdoors, without the use of cables and electrical energy.
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Lip Watch GDG Automatic Milanese Chrome £250 The “General de Gaulle” watch is so called because it was offered to him by Fred Lip in 1958, and is the first model to benefit from the avant-garde technological evolution of the beginning of the 60’s: an electronic movement.
The ONE Lakes English Whisky £29.95
Christmas Bowl Overs £8 Set of six bowl covers for bowls in three useful sizes with jolly festive messages on top - perfect for covering up your festive leftovers. Each set has two small (10.5cm diameter), two medium (17cm diameter) and two large (22cm diameter) covers. 100% Cotton
A unique blend of exceptional British Isles whisky, with its own distinctive characteristics, and these have been blended with great care and passion, resulting in a whisky of intriguing complexity. Slightly smoky, sweet and fruity, nutty, with hints of spice.
Brown Faux Fur Scarf £35 Handmade and hand-finished in England by Moore & Moore. It has been designed with a simple pull through fastening so that it sits in a classic cross over. The exterior is faux fur whilst the lining is made from soft velboa (a fleece-like fabric).
Bloom Flower Creole Hoop Earrings £75 MiluMe Men’s Boxer Shorts Otto Green £35 Designed and made in the UK from beautiful Liberty tana lawn, these men’s boxer shorts are cut with a built-in seat at the back for extra comfort. No more seams digging in where they shouldn’t!
These stylish little 1.5cm creole hoops of flowers, from Jana Reinhardt Jewellery, handmade in shiny sterling silver or matte textured 24ct gold plated silver with shiny lines, will really jazz up your wardrobe.
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Black Leather Cufflinks Box £45 Chic calf leather cufflink box, from Royal Warrant Holders, Veritas, with light grey suede lining features two compartments for cufflinks and accessories.
Bridget £26 The World’s No.1 Bridge Building Strategy Game. Battle your opponent to cross the board: blocking building and counter-blocking in an attempt to bridge the gap and win the game. Bridget is an intense game of strategy and skill for ages 7 to 107.
Limited Edition Snowflake Umbrella £937.95 A festive delight, which will have heads turning! Snowflakes are hand sewn onto the umbrella canopy, and will not spoil in the rain, or the snow! Umbrellas come in a range of colours, with colour choices for the detail too.
Slinks Black Luxury Sandals Set £99
Mistletoe and Pine Cone Christmas Lights £26
The perfect present and travel companion - the luxurious sandal base with interchangeable uppers. A stunning pair of black leather sandal bases with two different sandal uppers all wrapped in a softly padded, silk bag.
MiluMe China Blue Knickers £23.50 Made from beautiful Liberty tana lawn cotton, these little knickers are comfortable and sexy.
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This festive garland of mistletoe and pine cones is interspersed with little LED lights. The twigs can be bent into any shape - we made ours into a heart!
Chocolate Fondue in Stoneware Pot £12 The stoneware jar keeps the Chocolate Fondue warm and melted on your table for 45 minutes minimum. May be kept and reheated several times until finished. Available in extra dark, milk/praline and white chocolate.
Wizard Redford Jeans £120
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Men’s Super Cool Mid-Rise, Straight Cut Jeans in Stonewash Blue with 34” inside leg - the ultimate chic look with white T or shirt and jacket.
Beige Python Ladies Purse £85 Purse in beige python print on calf leather from Royal Warrant Holders, Veritas. Interior features zipped coin pocket, two note sections and eight card sections. Dimensions: 190mm x 100 mm. Meunier & Cie Rosé Champagne £50 This soft yet refreshing Rose Champagne is a harmony of calm and flamboyance, making this the perfect Champagne for dinner parties with friends or for a meaningful toast.
Livia Shoulder Hidee Handbag £225 This handbag is a wardrobe essential. The bag is black suede which makes it light to carry and luxurious to look at. The gold interior makes it easy to see everything when you look inside. The top compartment is secured with a magnet and there is a small interior pocket in the top compartment.
Roger Black Boot £175 BoBo’s edgy take on the much loved Chelsea boot. Asymmetrical heel counter design and contrast elastic gusset. An elegantly proportioned effortless pull-on design makes this pair perfect for round the clock wear.
Harris Tweedd Wash Bag £50 This fine quality wash bag is handmade from Harris Tweed. A hand-crafted and durable gift, the wash bag has a waxed cotton waterproof lining and the cloth has been treated to be water and stain resistant. It is also machine washable.
TreasurePods 29mm Sterling Silver Locket £110 TreasurePods glass memory lockets come in a choice of sizes and are available in gold, silver or gold plated. Choose your locket and then add your charms and birthstones to create those special memories.
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INTERVIEW WITH DARREN TURNER AT ASTON MARTIN Aston Martin teamed up with engineering group Prodrive in 2004 to get Aston Martin back into racing with the DBR9 and they have been very very successful promoting some of the best driving talent around such as Darren Turner. They also have Bruno Senna, David Hannson, Pedro Lamy and Alex MacDowall on the team! Darren Turner won the Le Mans in 2007 and in 2008, a celebrated double. Aston Martin has also been a major presence at the Nürburgring, Spa and Silverstone this year with Darren on the podium for the 6 Hours of Silverstone.
but my mum wouldn’t let me. I used to go and watch people karting at the track and, in the end, I persuaded my parents to let me have a go. The rest is history How did you come to join Aston Martin Racing? I was already driving for Prodrive so when Aston Martin Racing was formed between Aston Martin and Prodrive ten years ago, it was a natural progression. What do you love and hate about the sport?
Darren Turner races for Aston Martin Born: 13 April 1974 Camberley, England Nationality: British Lives: Banbury, England Helmet: Black, blue and red Category: PRO Career highlight: Le Mans 2007 and 2008 winning GT1 in an Aston Martin DBR9 International eXcellence Magazine caught up with Darren between races for this interview. What makes you so passionate about racing? The competition. I’ve been very competitive since I was a child. Where did you grow up and how did you get started in racing? I grew up a couple of miles from a kart circuit in Camberley. I wanted to race motorbikes 46
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I love the travel, seeing some amazing places. I hate the bureaucracy and red tape and the negative impact it’s having on our sport. Who are your mentors or figures you most admire? When I was younger, Senna was my idol. I’ve been very lucky in my career and had some great team-mates who I have learned a lot from. For instance David Brabham has been very influential.
past it and carried on with the race. A small shower can be fun, but this left us in the lap of the Gods. What is so fascinating about the Nurburgring for you? It’s the purity of the racing. It’s a real oldschool circuit and every part of it is a challenge. Racing is very competitive sport, how do you balance that working in a team with other drivers? You are always measured against your teammates but, as you get older and more experienced, you realise that there are a lot of good people at this level and you can’t beat them all every day but, you need to be consistently up there. It’s actually really good having top-level teammates as it pushes you on. How do you prepare mentally and physically for the racing season?
The Le Mans 24 Hrs was exciting and challenging with that sudden rain on such a hot day and the various pit stops, how was it in the driving seat?
Physically it’s about keeping a good level of fitness. I’m not a gym-enthusiast - I’d rather be outside running or cycling. Mentally, it’s about resting and relaxing and trying to switch off - actually trying not to think about it too much.
Stressful! The rain this year was a lot harder and more intense than last year and it caught a lot of people out. I was relieved that we got
Which is the hardest race you ever had?
Le Mans 2005 - because of the cockpit temperatures. It was 71 degrees centigrade. Doing an hour stint was nearly impossible. What is your favourite race of the year? Nürburgring - I really enjoy the thrill. Every corner is a challenge and, with all the traffic, no two laps are the same. If you could have only one car from any period which would you pick ?
what’s really important in life. DBR9 will always be my favourite. It was mega to drive and we had some amazing results in it. If there was any way I could own one, I would give up my house for it! What would you say were the most important things for maintaining a great quality of life? Enjoy life! Everyone takes everything so seriously (even I’m guilty of that, though). Being a dad has given me perspective about
What other passions do you have in life, both work and leisure? My home. I live in the countryside and love being outdoors with my dog. astonmartin.com darrenturner.net/ prodrive.com/
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MELDRUM HOUSE HOTEL & GOLF: ADDRESSING THE HAGGIS Meldrum House Hotel and Golf is truly an idyllic spot about 20 minutes from Aberdeen and without doubt my favourite place to stay in the area for its stunningly beautiful golf course and its warm hospitality. As your car enters the grounds you pass a swan inhabited lake on the left with the golf club house on the right and the imposing grey stone hotel appears looming impressively over the stunning landscape. The surrounding country side makes you think of a soft rolling eiderdown, rich in greens, browns and reds, sprinkled with dark verdant ponds and sparkling yellow bunkers. You immediately get a great sense of peace and relaxation, this is a bolt hole far away from the strains and stresses of life, dedicated to the pursuit of good food, fine whiskey, evocative scenery and carefree golfing. Exactly what I was here for. I was was warmly greeted by the hotel staff who clearly take pride in this lovely old baronial manor house and its centuries of history. The house was originally built here in the 13th century under the lordship of Sir Philip de Phendarg who is believed to have first carried the tile of Meldrum, which comes from the Gaelic “Meall Druim” meaning the ridge on the hill. Its rich history continues down the centuries to today. Some of the names associated with the house are simply wonderful and redolent of the age, Sir Henry Preston, Sir Alexander Seton, 1st Lord Gordon,
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John Urquhart of Craigfintray, Colonel Garden Beauchamp Duff, Colonel Garden Beauchamp Duff and Lady Doris Duff. Oh for a time machine to be able to go back and meet some of these people. In 1954 Robin Duff turned the house into a hotel whilst he was personal assistant to the Maharaja of Bundi. There is clearly a marvellous book to be written following the characters in this house’s history that could eclipse Downton Abbey in popularity. Do read more on the history here: http:// www.meldrumhouse.com/history My room was a lovely suite overlooking the lake side of the golf course with a very comfortable 4 poster bed and very generous bathroom with free standing bath. I made straight for the driving range and it was heavenly, knocking balls out over a lush green landscape bordered by waving trees, with only the greens tractor to mar the setting. My two companions enjoyed aiming at the tractor to enliven the drive and did very well considering neither had played for a while. One of the best discoveries of the trip was the valley behind the stables. It is quite breathtaking and so immaculately landscaped that it seems to benefit from cinematic special effects. It can only be described as a Scottish Shangri La, a mini valley strewn with ponds and lavishly
International eXcellence Enjoys Robert Burns Famous Poem, Haggis, a Big Knife and a Few Whiskeys.
decorated with Scottish heather, banks of multi coloured flowers and the odd long horn cow. It is a mesmerising beautiful corner of the world. The next great find is the Cave, otherwise known as the hotel bar. It is the old storage room and at over 800 years old is a venerable, warm, inviting home away from home to enjoy Scotland’s most famous tipple. The bar boasts over 100 malts, which would take even myself and my companions a little while to savour them all. After a few wee drams to warm up we all convened for dinner in the private dining room where we were to attend a special evening with a whiskey tasting and “Addressing the Haggis”. Addressing the Haggis is an old Scottish tradition and should be on everyone’s list of things to have done at least once. Graeme Cruickshank, the distillery manager for Chivas, lead the ceremony and started off with the Selkirk Grace “Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, And sae let the Lord be thankit”. Soon after the starter, the main course of Haggis arrived on a large silver dish, piped in on the bagpipes by Norman Fiddes, so we all stood and marvelled at the noise and ceremony of the occasion. Graeme then Addressed the Haggis, reciting Robert Burns famous poem in a strong Scottish brogue with a mixture of gusto and aggression that was wonderfully dramatic.
Salt Cod Scotch Egg
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Did I mention he is holding and waving a large blade during this recital which he sharpens animatedly and then, as the poem draws to a close, employs to hack and carve up the haggis with tremendous enthusiasm. It is a fantastic experience, mixing poetry, acting and insane knife wielding to great effect. The atmosphere was well and truly set for our subsequent whiskey tasting. We toasted this performance with a little measure of Ballantines in the Quaich, which is a small silver dish with handles either side, used for toasts or ceremonies. Then we all had to upend the Quaichs on our heads to prove they were empty before moving on to the whiskey tasting proper. We supped all the various whiskeys of different ages that go into the making of
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the Ballantines blend with Sandy who is the Ballantines master blender and no more affable and expert blender could you find to oversee this experience anywhere in the world. Sandy’s passion for whiskey and sharing that enjoyment guarantees that you will appreciate all the intricate points of these fine malts and the part they play in the final Ballantines blend. We tasted amongst others, Ballantines must keep a few secrets after all, a 20 year old Scapa Highland Malt, which was smooth without that smoky flavour you get in Islay Malts, as it’s matured in American Oak barrels, a 32 year old Glenburgie, which was superb, part of only 324 bottles Sandy has set aside for another two years in the pursuit of perfection, and ended with a few different Ballantines blends of various ages to fully appreciate the provenance of the different
flavours. The old discussion of whether to add water is down to individual taste but Sandy advises adding a wee drop so the palate can fully appreciate the spices and aromas. The dinner ended amongst much bonhomie and discussion of the flavours each detected in the whiskeys and their own personal preferences. We capped the evening off in the Cave Bar and vowed to Address the Haggis again someday. Meldrum House Hotel & Golf meldrumhouse.com/ Ballantines ballantines.com/en Scapa Malt scapamalt.com/Home.aspx
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MURPHY WILLIAMS INTERVIEW Murphy Williams is the creator of Cloud Nine Marshmallows. These exquisite marshmallows, such as salted caramel and peanut or pistacchio and white chocolate, are adapted from a traditional French recipe and prepared in small batches with exciting, natural ingredients – convivial childhood favourites transformed into luxurious puffs of perfection. - Where did you study and what is your background? I read American Literature at Sussex University, and my background is in journalism - I spent 20 years writing and editing at Vogue, GQ, Esquire and The Telegraph magazine, so no connection with marshmallows there! I always loved cooking though, particularly cakes and festive food, so making gourmet marshmallows felt perfect for me.
came flooding in and we became Selfridges’ marshmallow supplier. - How did you finance your business in the beginning? Before I had proper labelling, I would print it all myself, until I made some money at festivals and fairs, which paid for the design and printing of the present packaging. I borrowed money for equipment and building a dedicated kitchen, and by Christmas it was all paid back. - What were the biggest challenges? Choosing which of the many wonderful marshmallow flavours I or my friends dream up should go into production, filling out the endless forms for Selfridges and stopping people from gobbling up all the samples at food fairs!
- How did you get your business started? - Who or what most influences your work? Once I’d had the idea, just under two years ago now, I was raring to go. The only equipment needed at first was a food mixer and a sugar thermometer, and once I’d worked out how to get the texture as light and fluffy as possible, I gave out samples at a local restaurant, the Long Gallery in St Germans. They sold sold seven packets on the first day so after that great start, I commissioned the all-important packaging, and then some beautiful photographs, taken at Port Eliot, my husband’s family estate. I built the website myself and then focussed on getting some press. Cloud Nine was featured in the Daily Mail, the Telegraph, The Times, Vogue, Vanity Fair, The Sunday Times and Grazia. Orders 52
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Anything from the mouth-watering menu at Vanilla, an ice cream shop in Polzeath, Cornwall, to the macaroon counter at Fortnums. - What made you choose your particular medium and why? I always loved the deep winter and high summer associations of marshmallows, but had no idea you could make them yourself, let alone flavour them. The delight I felt in making my first batch, and then getting the texture as light as feather falling on a pillow, made me want to share them with others.
International eXcellence Interviews the Cloud Nine Marshmallows Creator
- Take us through the creation of one of your designs? The flavours usually start with puddings I love. The Stem Ginger and Madgascar Vanilla, for example, is a take on classic Ginger Cake and Custard, the Lemon Meringue is based on the pie. Then I will work out how to how to make them taste and look really distinctive. If there is an alcohol involved, as with the Creme de Violette for example, it will involve a few tastings of the various violet liqueurs available. The labelling comes next, choosing a colour for it, and then at last the shoot. - What great mentors have you had in your life? My partner Louis Eliot has a particularly fussy palette, and was never a fan of marshmallows, so I know that when he’s had two bites of a new flavour, I’m getting somewhere. - What aspect of your work gives you the most enjoyment?
Converting a marshmallow hater to its possibilities is always a pleasure. I have been catering for lots of weddings this year, and getting feedback from brides such as “The response was unanimous, what fab treats they were!’ makes it all worthwhile. I also love running stalls at festivals and fairs. People soften towards me when they’ve tried a sample, and often start revealing their innermost secrets. It makes me feel like a cross between the Juliette Binoche character in ‘Chocolat’ providing my customers with a blissful confectionery escape, and Walt White in Breaking Bad, working all hours to a precious formula in my would-be laboratory. - What impact has technology had on your business? Most of my business is online, through my own shop or various partners, such as Love eXcellence, so Cloud Nine would not exist without the internet.
In the Cloud Nine kitchen, my microplane zester has been a bit of a life-changer! Out of there, I always carry my beloved cordless portable speaker - What are you working on now and what are your plans for the future? Getting ready for Christmas - making sure I have enough of everything, boxes, ribbons, tags. Last year was insane. The new kitchen wasn’t ready and we took over the kitchen, playroom, conservatory, front hall and front staircase of our ramshackle farmhouse. This year we will be prepared! Otherwise I have just come up with two new flavours I am really excited about and am just working out the labels now. - List some brands, people, works that you consider excellent? Vivienne Westwood; Nicholas Cage, Dinny Hall Jewellery, The Idler Academy, Teddy St Aubyn, Port Eliot Festival, Elvis Costello.
- What one luxury can you not do without? internationalexcellence.co.uk
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VICTORIA TRYON INTERVIEW Victoria Tryon is an award winning designer jewellery, who creates bespoke and limited edition luxury jewellery collections. Her beautiful jewellery can be seen and bought on the luxury shopping site loveexcellence. co.uk - Where did you study and what is your background? I grew up in a picturesque village in Wiltshire and was educated locally at Marlborough college. I studied Gemology with the Gemological Institute of America.
Precious materials are not only beautiful, but also a good asset. - Take us through the creation of one of your designs? I will usually be out walking and something I observe will trigger an idea. I then conceptualise it, sketch some ideas and then transfer them to the computer. On the computer we can create a 3d image and eventually print a model. I enjoy the technical challenges that many of my designs present.
- How did you get your business started?
- What else outside the art world influences you in your work?
With enthusiasm and passion!
Nature and travel
- How did you finance your business in the beginning?
- What great mentors have you had in your life?
I was fortunate to have a sizeable number of deals lined up as the business launched and took it slowly, feeling my way.
My mother - who ran a successful business with 4 young children.
- What were the biggest challenges? Inventory management. There would be a trend for a collection and it was trying to predict how many to make of each piece. - Who or what most influences your work? I am constantly astounded and inspired by the wonders of the natural world - What made you choose your particular medium and why?
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- What aspect of your work gives you the most enjoyment? The pride I feel when I see how thrilled clients are with my work. I relish the opportunity to be part of monumental occasions in people’s lives and the emotions surrounding that. Also the knowledge that many of my creations will withstand time and behanded down through generations. - What impact has technology had on your business?
International eXcellence Interviews the Founder of Victoria Tryon Jewellery
Technology has been hugely impactful. The fact that we can create a 3D image of a piece and even print a model is incredibly helpful. It’s very reassuring for clients that they know exactly what they’re getting. It provides confidence and minimises error.
collection, due to be launched imminently. Watch this space! I am looking to expand my distribution.
- What one luxury can you not do without?
I respect those who dare to be different but not just for the sake of it such as Sophia Webster shoes, Azzedine Alaia fashion and Jar jewellery.
Sleep
- List some brands, people, works that you consider excellent?
- What actions do you take to keep a certain quality of life? Aim to nurture in all aspects of life, particularly yourself. - What are you working on now and what are your plans for the future? I am currently working on my next internationalexcellence.co.uk
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LIP WATCHES: A HISTORY
Lip Electronique
Lip watches are a French brand with a great deal of history and some fantastic designs. The designs stand out for both encapsulating and representing the best style of a period and yet also so elegantly designed that they are timeless and stylish to wear today. We have picked out some of our favourite watches here and we also present a short history of this excellent brand.
In 1905 Fred Lip was born, the grandson of Emmanuel Lipman, he was originally regarded as a bit of an academic failure and after a course at the watch making school in Besancon was sent off to America in 1928. There he studied manufacturing processes at Harley Davidson where he developed a passion for motor sports that would later influence his watch making designs.
Emmanuel Lipmann started Lip watches at 23 years old as a clock workshop in Besancon. The “trading post Lipmann” hired 15 employees and was located at 14 of the Grand Rue.
It appears that opinion was divided as to whether he was mad or a a genus, generally the sign of someone who is talented but erratic. He was soon nicknamed “the Fred” and set about innovating in the watch industry and becoming the first watch maker in France.
Lip watches were the first to use phosphorescent dials so that the hands and numbers would glow in the dark. Emmanuel asked Pierre and Marie Curie to find a material that will allow someone to read a watch in any light. Since they had discovered radium properties in 1898, they came up with the first phosphorescent dials for Lip Watches. A huge first for the watch industry, even though Radium was not an ideal material to be worn on the wrist. No watches today use Radium anymore for obvious reasons. 56
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In 1908 Lip was registered as a watch brand and the dials marked with the Lip logo of the three letters LIP. Much like Apple Mac today Lip watches were marketed internationally through representatives and the price rigidly controlled with an international guarantee. In 1934 Lip was the first company in France to give paid holidays to its employees. This really was a company that innovated. In 1935 Lip equip the “Croix du Sud: the
Lip T10 Jean Mermoz
famous plane flown by the equally famous aviator Jean Mermoz. These on board watches are known as Type 10 or as the Lip T10 Mermoz today and it is a beauty. In 1946 Lip set up an education program. During the two years of the education program the young employees received a normal wage. In 1949 Lip gave the time on French TV station RTL. At the Liberation of France after the war, Lip advertising campaigns started again with the catch phrase “Watchmakers in Besancon since 1867”. In 1952 Lip sold the very first electric watch in the world. Fred Lip had initiated a research program in 1946, that soon developed the first electric watch, baptised “Electronic”. It was presented on the 19th of March 1952 and sold in december 1958. This is another huge world first for Lip watches.In 1954 Lip Watches had 1500 employees producing 300,000 watches and a factory in Palente in Besancon, France. In 1960 The Palente watch factory was inaugurated in Besancon: The most modern factory in Europe with a transport network for
the employees, a restaurant and a company nursery. In 1967 Lip created the first serious diving watch. The legendary NauticSki created to celebrate the Centennial anniversary of the company, Lip sold the Nautic-Ski at the Printemps department store in Paris in 1967. It’s the first watch to be water resistant at depths of 200 m under water (20 atmospheres) complete with an inner rotating bezel positioned under the glass to avoid any movement that could cause a diving accident. In 1968 Fred Lip decided to partner with Prince Francois de Baschmakoff. This celebrated colourist, renowned for his drawings in fashion magazines, collaborated in the creation of the new Lip models. This is how the first de Baschmakoff watch was born with its digital face. Still a classic today and one of our favourites. In 1969 Lip conquered the silver screen in France with a new advertising campaign that presented the production of a watch through “ORTF” (Office de Radiodiffusion-Television Francaise) . Sadly things went downhill from there very quickly, the introduction of the quartz watch wiped Fred Lip out and by 1971 he retired. In 1973 Lip faced a rapidly evolving market and went bankrupt in April. Some interesting historical social events followed
Lip Big TV
this bankruptcy with the famous formula “we produce, we sell, we pay ourselves”. In January, Claude Neuschwander took over the management of the company without forgetting the Lip Spirit : technology, reliability and avant-garde. Eventually after 329 days of conflict “Lip is alive” on the 11th of March and back in business. 60% of the workforce are women and post war they enjoyed a freedom that had been denied them. The mostly female workforce set up a communal society: hosting, management, production, selling, nursing, catering... Engaged, they go on strike with their children in the streets of Besancon. Motherly, they give a sisterly touch to the conflict. In 1974 Claude Neuschwander, who worked for Publicis, was once again Lip’s general manager and hired 7 new designers. These 7 designers all came from different backgrounds and were considered the best in their respective fields. They collaborated on the 1975 collection: Roger Tallon, Rudolf Meyer, Marc Held, Michel Boyer, Isabelle Hebey, Michel Kinn and Jean Dinh Van. The result were brilliant, and are still considered so today. In 1990 Jean-Claude Sensemat bought the Lip brand and relocated it to Gers in Lectoure, where he grew up. In 1998 Lip started the very first e-commerce watch shop in France.
In 2001 to commerorate the memory of Jean Mermoz’s birthday in 1901 Lip start ed producing the Type 10 Lip watch that was on his aeroplane. In 2002 Jean luc Bernerd created the “Manufacture Generale Horlogere”, MGH for short, to use the Lip trademark and restore its legendary brand status. In 2005 Lip re-adapted several models such as the Mach 2000 by Roger Tallon. In 2007 Prisca Briquet, who was in charge of the Lip collections, created the Mythic, keeping in mind the brands values: technology and vanguardism. In 2009 respecting the legacy of the 70’s and the 7 designers, Lip hired Hicham Lahlou. The Franco-Moroccan was the pioneer of Moroccan design and had proved himself on the international scene with his creative, sincere and intellectual approach. He created the Lalla watch with a double display. In 2010 Lip reissued the Panoramic model by Michel Boyer, which was both fresh and simple. In 2011 Espace Lip was created in Lectoure and a Concept Store in Toulouse. Lip was the first watch making brand to receive a special mention (IFOP) and in 2012 Lip watches won the Gres d’Or prize for the best initiative in favour of sustainable development. See the whole range of the best Lip watches here:loveexcellence.co.uk/catalog/lipwatches
Lip LCD Gold
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‘IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS…’ Many feel that wearing jewellery should be confined to special occasions and belongs to the glamour of a bygone age. Happily many people now appreciate that a stylish and modern piece of jewellery be it a necklace, brooch, earrings, cufflinks or watch can lift the spirits to carry one through a working day. Widening the scope of craftsmanship in precious metals, a beautiful piece of silver, perhaps to display just a single flower on your dressing table or pour the forbidden cream onto your breakfast porridge, bring immense enjoyment. When better than Christmas to indulge your loved ones with an individual piece from a designer/craftsman (many girls rank highly!) rather than the treadmill of high street offerings? It reflects your taste and will be a constant reminder of a thoughtful gift. If you buy direct from the designer/craftsman these items of desire are either unique (to your commission) or very limited editions, there is no middleman and so do not have to cost any more than many mass-produced items in the high street. David McCaul – www.davidmccaul. com David’s exquisite rings really only come alive when they are worn and the fluidity and movement are highly original. Whilst each ring is easily wearable for the occasion it is designed for, it transcends the traditional format thus becoming a conversation
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piece. The ‘shape’ rings sensuously caress the contours of the hand and fingers with sweeping curves, accentuated with tiny sparkling gems – some say in a way that is pure Sex in the City! Be warned, anyone who tries them on will be really hooked. His latest three stone set cocktail rings are gorgeous. If you are in London you will find him in his own shop in London’s Exmouth Market. Kamilla Ruberg - www.ruberg.co.uk Kamilla has consistently evolved her jewellery styles and was one of the earliest to adopt the use of laser welding. The latest can be seen in her ‘Special series’ ‘Anamorphic’ page of her website, she teases you as to whether the pieces are 2D or 3D in dimensions. Her shop is in London’s Camden Passage. Ray Walton – www.raywaltonsilversmith. co.uk Ray makes small boxes that have a tremendous sense of fun in addition to being functional. Within his designs he explores a theme of ‘spirals’, using gilding and pagination to add colour and texture – silver, gilded or bronze, one could imagine them being used as chequered chess pieces. His other little boxes with fossilised ammonite lids set in silver and wood are also very appealing together with his delightful ‘Shiva Eye’ silver beakers. Brett Payne – www.brettpayne.com Brett is
Bonnie Stevens Looks at Some Great Christmas Ideas
probably best known for his highly versatile sterling silver candlesticks and tableware. They are highly contemporary and original in their simplicity particularly the clean, elegant lines of his candlesticks. These are designed to be orientated through 90 degrees which enables them to be styled vertically or horizontally, allowing endless arrangements to suit any occasion or table. This great innovation enables further candlesticks may be added when there is a suitable occasion or when you can afford to. Kayo Saito – www.kayosaito.com Kayo creates an unusual delicateness in her work with a strong influence from plants and the organic world. The delightful but very affordable ‘brooches’ made with silver stems and delicate polyester petals made a real statement a few years ago, but she is always evolving her designs to add a finishing to any girl’s outfit. The paper-like fragility of the petals which combine satin finishing highlighted with polished edges on her sculptural gold and silver necklaces and earrings, provide a contemporary and dramatic feel to her pieces. Kayo is respected by her contemporaries as a one of the elite band whose work will transcend any passing fashion to stand the test of time – every girl’s dream of a beautiful piece of jewellery. Olivia Schlevogt – www.oliviaschlevogt.
com Olivia’s work is characterised by strong, clear and simple shapes, softened by matt texture and surface detail. The geometric forms are made in gold or silver with a matt finish and yellow or white gold ornamentation, some with precious or semiprecious stones. Her work is reminiscent of the simplicity of the Scandinavian style but she is very much her own woman. Do take a look at her unisex cufflinks – understated but very, very stylish. Whoever said that craft and design is dying out should take a look at the following people’s offerings. Simon Jewell – www.theartofcontainment. com Simon makes exquisite jewellery boxes made using rare and beautiful decorative veneers, hand cut and intricately inlaid to produce unique contemporary pieces. These are of the highest possible standard and are of heirloom quality – just the thing in which to keep your precious valuables. However,
his stylish and modern wall clocks are great fun and anybody would love one on their wall. Simon also produces bespoke furniture and can occasionally be persuaded to make wonderful kitchens. Nikky d’Aguilar – www.nikkydaguilar. com Nikky is an artist producing the most beautiful and vibrant designs which are transferred onto fabric to make lively products. They really do stand out and are utterly irresistible. The selection of silk and cashmere scarves are extremely elegant and her make-up and toilet bags simply gorgeous. Her inspiration comes from the vivid colours in her wild garden on Bardowie Loch in Scotland – you cannot fail to feel uplifted by the colour combinations and want to smile. A treasure trove of gifts, all hand-picked for their quality and originality, and again not found on the high street can be found online at www.spirit-boutique.com Here are couple to whet your appetite.
Globee International – www.globee. co.uk Don’t you think umbrellas should be fun and brighten up a dull day? Well I have just the thing for you – four different designed umbrellas ‘embroidered’ with maps of London, Paris, New York or Sydney. So take your pick. They also have a selection of unique, innovative educational gifts and souvenirs suitable for all ages. Their choice of unusual globes are great fun. Tregear Pottery – www.tregearpottery. co.uk The Tregear Pottery is situated on the coastline of the Isle of Wight and produces a beautiful range of hand thrown stoneware pottery. The inspiration is drawn from the surrounding landscapes. Lovely lamp bases, mugs, bowls and hand basins decorated with bands of fish were particularly striking. They also have translated the fish and gull designs onto silk scarves.
Simon Jewell Box
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FABULOUS FOOD
A WONDERFUL FESTIVE TREAT, AND GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO MINCE PIES. PERFECT FOR TEA BY THE FIRE. SERVES 24
FESTIVE MINCEMEAT MUFFINS from our eXcellent chef, Lucy Rowe 275g self raising flour ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 tsp mixed spice ½ tsp cinnamon 75g caster sugar 1 egg 250ml milk 75g butter, melted 1 x 411g jar mincemeat 75g raisins
1 Preheat the oven to gas mark 6/200C/180fan. Grease a muffin tin. 2 Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and mixed spice in a large bowl. Stir in the caster sugar. 3 In a separate bowl mix together the egg, milk, melted butter and mincemeat. 4 Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined, mixing in the raisins at the end. 5 Spoon into 24 paper cases, they should be quite full. 6 Bake for 20 minutes until risen, golden brown and quite firm. 7 Cool on a wire rack and dust with icing sugar to serve. 8 Lovely eaten while still warm, they are just as good cold and will keep fine for a few days. They also freeze very well. 60
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www.heveningham.co.uk email:sales@heveningham.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1489 893481
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