NEWS

The first, official interior renderings from the 222-metre superyacht Somnio have been unveiled. Owners of the 39 customisable apartments on board will have the chance to work with either Winch Design, Tillberg Design of Sweden or Luttenberger Design on an individual brief from purchase, which will offer owners the opportunity to decide the room configurations, materials, furniture, lighting and artwork, for a truly tailored solution. The luxury apartments are now available for purchase onboard Somnio, with prices starting from €9.5 million. The process is by invitation or referral only and owners will remain a tightly guarded secret. www.somniosuperyachts.com

6. Seven Dials presents three days of merrymaking with live music, creative workshops, seasonal menus, and Christmas shopping in the heart of London’s West End.

The Seven Dials Winter Festival commences November 19th, with ticket holders able to expect an array of festive on-street entertainment; creative workshops; late night shopping and exclusive discounts. The festival line-up will feature everything from traditional brass bands and gospel choirs, to complimentary glitter stations and wreath making, as well as a pop-up pantomime. Mulled wine carts, hot chocolate stations and festive food will line the streets, with everything from s’mores and roasted chestnuts, to roast turkey pizzas and Alpine wines - all complemented by festive light installation and in-store offers from popular independent and flagship brands. www.Sevendials.co.uk

7. The Fast Plane to The Tyrol

As the first proper post-pandemic ski season beckons this winter – prompting huge excitement among skiers – a new premium air service linking London and Italy’s South Tyrol launches this December. The route, operated by start-up airline SkyAlps, will whisk passengers directly into one of Europe’s most challenging, varied and dramatic ski regions which, until now, has only been accessible via a two hour-long transfer from major airports such as Verona, Milan, Venice or Innsbruck. The new route, launching on 15 December, will offer return flights between London Gatwick and Bolzano in Northern Italy, operating every Wednesday and Saturday in December and in the first week of January. Flights will then be available on Wednesdays and Sundays for the rest of the winter season until 20 March.

skyalps.com

8. Market Halls Fulham to launch immersive experiences to suit all tastes

Market Halls Fulham has launched a series of unmissable events: from live music sessions to family movie mornings, the venue is marking a new era of all-rounded experiences to suit all ages, tastes and budgets. Its jam-packed calendar will be complemented by big flavours and refreshing drinks offered by seven different kitchens, including Fanny’s Kebabs and HotBox, as well as the arrival of brand-new options from Move Foods & Poke the Bear. One-off events will also be a part of the ever-changing entertainment programme: Market Halls is essentially looking to bring a slice of entertainment to West London for immersive experiences alongside some of London’s best-loved kitchens.

www.markethalls.co.uk

Banksy’s former agent and street art impresario Steve Lazarides is delighted to announce the launch of a physical iteration of his Laz Emporium store at 25 Lexington Street, in the heart of Soho. Open to the public from 8 October and serving as a shop and exhibition space, the new store will purvey 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 exciting contemporary artists and creators, including Jake Chapman, Charming Baker and War Boutique.

https://lazemporium.com/

10. Auriens, pushing the boundaries of later living in London

Auriens is a ground-breaking new luxury development for over 65s in Chelsea. Opened in September 2021 and with more sites in the pipeline, it offers beautifully designed apartments and living spaces (including a speakeasy bar, cinema and wine cellar) as well as wellness facilities on a par with the world’s finest luxury hotels and private members’ clubs. With a mission to enrich the lives of its residents with superb services, and a focus on exceptional health and wellbeing, Auriens is set to redefine later living. A collection of 56 private apartments are available to lease, with facilities including a restaurant, high spec gym, spa, swimming pool, cinema and hairdressers. It is run by hoteliers (ex-Claridge’s, Goodwood, Mustique, The Connaught, The Savoy), and is partnered with Kyros Project, founded by some of London’s most highly regarded personalities in the wellness space.

www.auriens.com

11. Christmas Shopping

They Made This is a contemporary art store which has just opened a brand-new Christmas store in Neal Street, Covent Garden. Not only will the store provide visitors the opportunity to start their Christmas shopping early, but two artists -Margo in Margate and Mary-Lou-Fayre - have exclusively signed up for the duration of the Christmas shop. Founded by award-winning advertising art buyer Aine Donovan and her partner, product designer Eloise Jones, They Made This now has over 50 artists on the books. Besides the opportunity to buy affordable, limited-edition artwork, They Made This is worth a visit for its setting: Covent Garden comes alive during November and December and is a lovely destination to spend the day and enjoy the magic of Christmas. https://theymadethis.co.uk/

12. TATALE at The African Centre

Ghanaian-British restaurateur Akwasi Brenya-Mensa has confirmed the January 2022 opening of his debut London restaurant and bar, Tatale, at The Africa Centre. Tatale - born in Ghana and developed in London - is a contemporary Pan-African concept, telling stories through food, art and culture. At a time when African cuisine is beginning to be recognised, in the UK, in a way it deserves – that is, as expansive and exciting - Tatale celebrates and preserves the rich tapestry of African flavours and cooking traditions, through the ethos of the cherished Chop Bar. Invited by The Africa Centre, the iconic charity has recently moved to the repurposed Gunpowder House (a former 1960s office block) in Southwark, and is home to contemporary African culture and heritage in London: a space to create and share.

Twitter @tataleandco

With many of us on the hunt for festive, family activities in the run up to Christmas, The Luna Winter Cinema is here to add some sparkle to the holiday season. With over 47 screenings between two stunning locations right in the heart of London, it is returning to the truly unique setting of Kensington Palace’s Orangery Lawn - and for the first time ever film fans can also watch festive favourites at Battersea Arts Centre. As well as the Christmas classics, including Love Actually, Home Alone, It’s A Wonderful Life and Elf, there will also be a fantastic selection of Christmas-themed food and drink items available, including www.lunawintercinema.com

14. The British Museum X LaCollection

To coincide with a major exhibition of Hokusai, The Great Picture Book of Everything - 103 unseen drawings by Katsushika Hokusai, on show until 30 January 2022 - the British Museum has launched their first Non-Fungible Token (NFT) project dedicated to the work of one of Japan’s most celebrated artists, in conjunction with NFT art business LaCollection. Alongside a visit to the extraordinary show, visitors can stop by the Museum’s NFT pop-up-shop, offering a physical touchpoint to find out more about the NFT programme and the range of NFTs available to purchase. LaCollection’s mission is to connect audiences with the world’s leading cultural institutions, artists and collections through new technology, inspiring the next generation of art collectors and enthusiasts by offering NFT artworks for purchase in conjunction with leading cultural institutions. Each NFT is authenticated, approved by the relevant museum or gallery, and secured on the blockchain. https://lacollection.io.

15. THE CHELSEA PIG is now open on Old Church Street

One of Chelsea’s most historic and best loved pubs, The Chelsea Pig is now open to the public, offering an authentic and compelling food and drink experience amidst an atmosphere reinvented by globally renowned designer Timothy Oulton. It marks Oulton’s first foray into the London hospitality scene and is a new chapter for the business, which was built upon a unique heritage in the storied world of antiques, giving rise to a 40-strong network of lifestyle interiors stores in some of the world’s greatest cities. The Chelsea Pig offers all-day dining with a menu of classic British favourites, created by Head Chef Fionnan Flood, using locally sourced ingredients of the highest quality. Starters include a Terrine of Rabbit with grain mustard, heritage carrots and sourdough crisps, hand dived scallops with caramelised celeriac, blackberry and wild mushroom and Salisbury boneless chicken wings, with Porcini purée and woodland herbs. Main courses include a Fish Pie to share, Cornish Hen Pot Roast with herb and suet dumplings, Hereford Dry-Aged Rib-Eye with treacle marinade and café de Paris hollandaise and the Stargazy pie with langoustine and a puff pastry crown. thechelseapig.co.uk

16. Amy: Beyond the Stage at The Design Museum

Celebrate the creativity and legacy of one of the great artists of our time in this first major retrospective exhibition on the British musician Amy Winehouse at the Design Museum. Step backstage and relive iconic performances, examine her eclectic style and explore her creative process, from concept to stage. Marking the 10-year anniversary of Amy’s death, the exhibition delves into her emergence as an artist, the musical influences that she drew on, her key albums Frank and Back to Black, and the story behind her iconic beehive, as well as many of her most memorable fashion moments. Meet the incredible musical artists who influenced Amy’s career from Dinah Washington to Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan to The Supremes and find out about the range of genres she drew on, from jazz to 1960s pop. Exhibition opens from 26th November 2021.