NEWS

Well, it’s been quite a year. Finally though, lockdowns are now behind us and life for most is gradually getting back to normal. It’s wonderful to see the streets, shops and businesses of Kensington and Chelsea bustling and full of atmosphere again, and gearing up for what we hope will be a fabulous Christmas for all.

We’ve a special festive issue coming soon, but wanted to celebrate this season of bounty first, and provide some inspiration for future travel and adventure, dining, cultural experiences and specially curated best luxury buys in everything from beauty and style to gadgets and cars. Our team has been out and about to discover local and more distant treats to share with you, our most valued readers.

So, pour a coffee, sit back and join us inside for an hour or two’s pleasurable escape.

The KCR team

CONTENTS

4.NEWS

All the latest in the Borough.

8.ARTS AND CULTURE

The best in upcoming art shows you can see

22.DINING

Afternoon teas to fine dining

24.TRAVEL

Road and culture trips to exotic island escapes

42.SHOPPING

What we’re splashing the cash on this month.

44..BEAUTY

Autumn skin care specials to get a glorious glow

PUBLISHER

Talismanic Media

FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR

Sid Raghava

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Lisa Curtiss

SUB EDITOR

Sarah Rodrigues

OFFICE MANAGER

Lee Marrero

CONTRIBUTORS

Sid Raghava Sarah Rodrigues Kate Weir Lisa Curtiss Andrew Coles Victoria Lidster Tozzi Sarah Lavigne Tracy Borman Sarah Moran

All material in Kensington & Chelsea Review is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without prior permission of the publishers. Colour transparencies and photographs submitted for publication are sent at the owners’ risk and while every care is taken, neither the publisher or their agents accept liability for loss or damage however caused. The publishers can accept no liability whatsoever of any nature arising out of nor in connection with the contents of this publication. Opinions expressed within the articles are not recessarily those of Kensington & Chelsea Review and any issues arising therefore should be taken up directly with the contributor

READ ALL ABOUT IT

A RUNDOWN OF NEWS AND THINGS THAT INTRIGUE US FROM THE WORLDS OF ART AND CULTURE, ALL HANDPICKED FOR THE ROYAL BOROUGH RESIDENT

The Dalmore Decades No.6 Collection Achieves Record Sale at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Auction

The Dalmore Highland Single Malt has secured a record sale of HK$8,750,000 / US$1,124,000 for a one-of-one, exceedingly rare collection of six extraordinary whiskies at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong. The Dalmore Decades No.6 Collection, the only complete set of its kind, sold as a dedicated single lot. This price achieved represents the highest value for a whisky lot sold at Sotheby’s so far this year and the most valuable whisky lot ever sold by Sotheby’s in Asia. Collectors from Hong Kong, Taiwan and the UK competed to secure the six-bottle collection, with the winning bid going to an Asian private collector. £100,000 from the sale - will be donated to Scotland’s first design museum, V&A Dundee, as part of a four-year partnership between the prestigious cultural institution and the fastest growing single malt whisky worldwide. www.vam.ac.uk/dundee

Introducing the world’s most iconic sustainable, hand-crafted wooden bikes

Coco-mat Bike is a range of seriously stylish and sustainable bikes and e-bikes. Its iconic collection of 11 handcrafted wooden bikes and e-bikes, all of which are made with love using sustainable wood sourced from certified renewable forests. With a range of aesthetically beautiful models and a number of sizes to choose from (from children’s bikes to adult models), all the family can ride in style and comfort - wherever their travels take them, whether that be their daily commute, or enjoying the beautiful countryside on the weekend. The bike was born in Athens, Greece after founder Paul Evmorfidis’ bicycle broke down whilst riding in The Alps. Determined to create a better solution, he spent endless hours researching and testing to create a range of robust, eco-friendly bikes that would withstand the test of time – without compromising the environment. www.coco-matbike.uk

Architectural Gems both Fictional and Non-Fictional

October saw the launch of Stories from Architecture: Behind the Lines at Drawing Matter by Philippa Lewis , a delightful and charming book, features fiction and non-fiction stories based on illustrations at Drawing Matter in Somerset. This collection of twenty-five stories revolve around the human figures represented in architectural drawings. Lewis captures the personalities of architects and artists, onlookers and clients through reminiscences, anecdotes, conversations, letters, and monologues. Factual stories include Frank Lloyd Wright’s previously untold correspondence with a Wisconsin librarian regarding her $5,000 dream home, or letters written by the English architect John Nash to his irascible aristocratic client. Fictional stories include the dilemmas facing a Regency couple who are considering a move to a suburban villa. Image: Henri Guerbois (1885–unknown), elevation of corner-site, Barker’s department store, 1921. Pen, ink and watercolour, 675 × 975 mm. DMC 2715. www.drawingmatter.org

Bee a Goddess

Magic is in the air this season as Bee Goddess, the world’s first talismanic jewellery brand, unveils their new collection locally at their boutique in Harrods, Knightsbridge. Bee Goddess who recently joined forces with Amazon Prime Video for their highly anticipated film “Cinderella”, this month unveils their new ‘Live Your Dream’ fine jewellery collection at an exclusive Pop Up Store. The new range is inspired by this contemporary Cinderella and celebrates the film’s messages of female empowerment and global sisterhood, which echo across generations. Bee Goddess first opened their boutique in Harrods in 2013 and it is located on the 1st floor in the Luxury Jewellery room. The Pop Up store will be running until 5th November 2021, where customers will find an array of luxuriously crafted, magical and meaningful gifts for Christmas. https://beegoddess.com/

Coppa Club

Coppa Club is delighted to announce that it will be opening in Putney, London, on 2nd November 2021, bringing a distinct café culture experience to Southwest London. The café, bar, restaurant, lounge, terrace and private dining space is their second London opening and the ninth Coppa Club following the successful openings in Clifton Village and Cobham earlier this year. Situated on the riverfront, the space in Putney will create a welcoming riverside retreat for locals and guests alike to enjoy from morning to night. Following a stroll along the river, visitors can sit out and enjoy a Pimm’s in the sunshine or cosy mulled wine during the winter. www.coppaclub.co.uk

Yohan Poonawalla’s cars win major international awards at the Salon Prive Concours d’Elegance in the UK

Leading Industrialist and renowned collector Yohan Poonawalla scooped up major awards at the Salon Prive Concours d’Elegance in the UK, one of the world’s leading automotive events with a jury of esteemed ICJAG judges. Poonawalla’s trio of automobiles included two Maharaja cars shown in Britain for the first time in 70 years and a Rolls Royce that served as the transport of Queen Elizabeth II. The awards represent both the rich automotive heritage of India as well as the strength of the Yohan Poonawalla Collection which features diverse and historically significant cars that have won critical acclaim in international circuits. www.concourselegance.com

Shortlist Announced for the Robert Walters New Artist of the year Award

From a record breaking 963 submissions, the top 10 entries have been shortlisted for the second edition of the Robert Walters UK New Artist of the Year Award 2021, the 10 shortlisted artists will have the honour of having their work exhibited at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery in London on Thursday 4 November 2021, where the overall winner of the £10,000 cash prize will be announced at a VIP awards evening. The exhibition will remain on view, with free public entry, from Thursday 4 November through Sunday 7 November 2021 at Saatchi Gallery. The runner up will receive a cash prize of £5,000 to go towards the development of the artists’ future career in the industry. www.robertwaltersgroup.com

Royal Opera House celebrates Black History Month

Throughout the month of October, ROH will present live-streamed performances featuring artists from both The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera, alongside a range of archival content and dedicated social media takeovers from our global community of Black creatives and performers. These performances will include Insights: Storytelling in Opera, a live panel discussion curated by Peter Brathwaite seeking to explore how the theatre industry can move towards more embedded representation on its stages through the stories told, the people who perform them, where they are performed and why. www.roh.org.uk/black-history-month

London Art Fair returns

London Art Fair returns to the UK capital from 19-23 January 2022 (VIP Preview 18th January) to launch the next international art calendar. Tickets have been available from 30th September 2021. The Fair aims to connect both seasoned and aspiring collectors with the best galleries from around the world, providing them with a unique opportunity to discover outstanding modern and contemporary art, from prints and editions to major works by internationally renowned artists from the 20th century to the present. In addition to over 100 exhibiting galleries, the Fair returns with a number of highly regarded curated spaces which sections broadly classified as Platform, Photo 50 and Art Projects. www.londonartfair.co.uk/

iFi Hip-Dac 2: Just the Tonic for Headphone Fans

With a sound as flavoursome and richly detailed as a delicious single malt Scotch, the hipdac 2 portable USB DAC/headphone amp delivers the perfect pick-me-up for any music lover on-the-go. The hip-dac is one of iFi’s most popular USB DAC/headphone amps, beloved for its affordable price, extensive hi-res specification, distinctive design reminiscent of a hip flask and fittingly intoxicating sound. Now, some 21 months after the original hip-dac launched, iFi has updated its design with internal enhancements and a brand-new colour. With Christmas around the corner, go grab that funky hip flask! http://ifi-audio.com

Lazarides in Soho

Banksy’s former agent and street art impresario Steve Lazarides has recently launched a physical iteration of his Laz Emporium store in the heart of Soho at 25 Lexington Street. Serving as a shop and exhibition space, the new store purveys a range of eclectic art merchandise spanning homeware, furniture, print editions, original works, collectibles, books and more. A go-to destination for edgy curiosities curated by Lazarides’ fertile imagination, some of the centrepieces of the shop include pieces by prominent British artists Jonathan Yeo and Jamie Hewlett, co-creator of the band Gorillaz. The new art, homeware and esoteric designs in stock have been created by many of Britain’s most eclectic contemporary artists and creators including Jake Chapman, Charming Baker, and War Boutique. https://lazemporium.com/