Canary Wharf Magazine June 2018 by Luxury London Media

CANARY WHARF MAGAZINE

JUNE 2018

ALL ABOARD Take to the seas with our guide to ocean living

BATHING

SUMMER SWIMWEAR AND LUXURY WRAPS

BEACHES

DISCOVER THE HIDDEN GEMS OF THE UK'S COASTLINE

BEAUTY

HOW SEA SALT CAN TURN BACK THE TIDES OF TIME

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EDITOR’S LETTER ISSUE NO.1 5 5 JUNE 2018

Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside! So goes the ditty, a popular music hall song made famous by Mark Sheridan in 1909 (thanks Wikipedia). It speaks of the singer’s love for the seaside, and his wish to return there for his summer holiday each year. And that’s something I fully relate to. I was brought up by the coast and think it’s no coincidence that since arriving in London, I’ve always lived with a view of the Thames and now work here at Canary Wharf, where we are blessed to be surrounded by water. As summer finally sets sail, this issue we celebrate waterside life. From oceans and seas to rivers and lakes, we look at the endless opportunities and inspirations on offer. I doubt I’ll ever be in the market to purchase a superyacht, but, like a browse in Tiffany, it doesn’t stop me from enviously window shopping. Julia Zaltzman, a renowned boating editor, offers us a glimpse of the latest superyacht launches on page 16 and investigates the latest in interior design and luxury sea toys, revealing that no self-respecting billionaire owns only the one personal submarine to investigate the deep. Our fashion shoot, starting on page 50, showcases swimwear and was shot on location by the sea in South Africa . There are further stunning beach chic ideas available nearer to home at Canary Wharf stores, featured on page 60. Later in our extended travel ideas section, we discover the world’s most glamorous seascapes and bring you insider tips on Britain’s secret beach hideaways, where there is not a kiss-me-quick hat in sight (page 82). I hope you’ll submerge yourself in our features and do look out wherever you venture for a brass band playing “Tiddely-om-pom-pom…”

CANARY WHARF MAGAZINE

ALL ABOARD Take to the seas with our guide to ocean living

JUNE 2018

BATHING

SUMMER SWIMWEAR AND LUXURY WRAPS

BEACHES

DISCOVER THE HIDDEN GEMS OF THE UK'S COASTLINE

BEAUTY

HOW SEA SALT CAN TURN BACK THE TIDES OF TIME

IMAGES ON THE COVER, LEXUS SPORTS YACHT AND TOP RIGHT, DAWN AT BABBACOMBE BEACH IN 1975

DAWN ALFORD, Content Director PUBLISHED BY

CONTENT DIRECTOR Dawn Alford DEPUT Y EDITOR Ellen Millard • ART DIRECTOR Laddawan Juhong CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Richard Brown, Joann Khatib • DIGITAL EDITOR Mhairi Graham WRITERS Abisha Sritharan, Philippa Baker • PRODUCTION Alice Ford A W E BS IT E . A MIND S E T. A LIFE S T YLE .

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MANAGING DIRECTOR Eren Ellwood • GENERAL MANAGER Fiona Smith • COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Andrew Turner BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORS Rachel Gilfillan, Colin Saunders MARKETING MANAGER Anna Phipps-Brian

ONE CANADA SQUARE, CANARY WHARF, LONDON, E14 5AX T: 020 7537 6565

Luxury London Media Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Luxury London Media Ltd. takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved. SUBSCRIPTIONS visit the subscriptions page on our website: luxurylondon.co.uk/subscribe

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THE HOPSCOTCH COLLECTION

JUBILEE PLACE . CANARY WHARF . +44 (0)20 7538 2332 LIVERPOOL

LONDON MANCHESTER ALTRINCHAM DAVIDMROBINSON.CO.UK

SOUTHPORT

JULIA ZALTZMAN Julia is a freelance features writer specialising in luxury lifestyle and yachting. As the editor of FRASER and SuperYacht Industry, she writes for highend consumer and customer magazines. In this issue, Julia looks at the stylish superyachts currently making waves (p.16)

TURI LØVIK KIRKNES

CONTENTS FEATURES 16 24 36 64 68

MAKING WAVES Sail the seven seas in superyacht style ALEX THOMSON Britain’s most prominent round the world yachtsman on motivation, mental strength and monster waves MAKE IT NEW The Royal Academy of Arts unveils its long- awaited refurbishment HELLO, MY NAME IS PAUL SMITH The Britpop designer on carnivals, creativity and confidence ROCKET MAN Why Omega CEO Raynald Aeschlimann is aiming for the stars

LIFE & STYLE 40 50 60

Contributors

TRAVEL

78 82 86 88 90 94 98

TRANQUILITY THAI STYLE The new Ritz-Carlton eco-haven in Koh Samui SIX SECRET SEASIDE SPOTS IN BRITAIN Spend time in splendid solitude on some of Britain’s best hidden beaches ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY Take a breather from London life on a luxury escape to Cotswolds SEAS THE DAY For a classic coastal break, head to under- the-radar Dinard in Brittany DEVON DE SAVARY STYLE Experience Devon like never before with Peter de Savary’s decadent hotel FINCA GAIN A look at Spain’s five-star jewel in the crown: Finca Cortesin MESMERISING MALTA Exploring Europe’s Capital of Culture 2018, Valletta

INTO THE DEEP Scouring the sea for beneficial – and luxurious – beauty products BEAUTY AND THE BEACH Retro bikinis for stylish sunbathers FESTIVAL CHIC From the raincoat to pack to the statement 115 BRIDGING THE GAPP sunglassses to wear, shop our guide to Bringing the 118-year-old Best Gapp into festival fashion the 21st century

PROPERTY

Turi is a Londonbased photographer of Norwegian heritage. She has studied graphic, clothing design and photography, and has a degree in fashion photography at The University of Arts. In this issue, Turi shot our Beauty and the Beach feature (p.50)

JOSH SIMS Writer Josh has written for the FT and South China Morning Post. He is also an author. This issue, Josh talks to CEO Raynald Aeschlimann about his time in the Swatch business and about what’s next for the brand (p.68)

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the agenda EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS MONTH

NO.

01 SPECTATOR SPORTS

GRAB A BLANKET AND FRIENDS FOR A VIP VIEW

Canary Wharf Arts + Events will once again be providing outdoor entertainment with the return of the Summer Screens in Canada Square Park and Cabot Place. The open air entertainment, sponsored by American Airlines, will bring a diverse programme of live sport and highlights, news, film screenings, entertainment and cultural events to the big screens. Three super LED screens will be in situ; two in Canada Square Park and one in Cabot Square and will be accessible for free during June, July and August, where you will be able to watch your favourite sporting heroes live in action. The season will begin with tennis, broadcasting the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club live in June, followed by horse racing at Royal Ascot. Other world championships, including the Tour de France, Wimbledon Championships, British Grand Prix and The Open Golf Championships, will be shown throughout July. Visitors to the Summer Screens are encouraged to bring their own blankets and cushions to sit on to watch the action on the lawn. Drinks and snacks are available at the Grandstand Bar and from surrounding cafés and restaurants. 12 June – 31 August from 11am daily, Cabot Square and Canada Square Park, canarywharf.com

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NO.

VALUED PROTECTION

DAVID M ROBINSON VALUATION EVENT

David M Robinson (DMR) is hosting an inhouse valuation event at its Jubilee Place store on 5 July, offering clients a 10 minute valuation appointment for their precious items with an independent registered valuer from Safeguard. DMR recommends that cover documents for precious jewellery should be updated every three years to ensure accurate insurance cover in the unfortunate event of loss, damage, or theft of the item. DMR Sales Ambassador Melanie Ricks says: “What’s really good about the event is the cost. Some valuers charge a percentage of the value of the items, but here at DMR we strongly believe in giving the best service at a competitive price.” Appointments will include a verbal quote and documentation comprising a photograph and a comprehensive description of the item within 14 days. CRANLEIGH CAMEL SUEDE/ SHARK GREY, £370 EACH

£60 for first item, then £50 for each subsequent item. Book your appointment by contacting the team at london@davidmrobinson or call 020 7538 2332, davidmrobinson.co.uk David M Robinson, Jubilee Place

NO.

SOLE CITY

THE SUMMER CHELSEA BOOT

English shoemaker Crockett and Jones has added a new summer Chelsea boot to its Men’s Main Collection. The Cranleigh model is its first summer Chelsea-style boot that is low cut and unlined, making it breathable in the warmer climate. Designed using flexible City Rubber Sole, the Cranleigh boot updates the brand’s signature Cranford style with an asymmetric round toe that emulates an era of classic English shoemaking. The boots are available in three shades of suede: brown, grey and camel. Crockett & Jones, Cabot Place

the agenda THE LEXUS SPORTS YACHT

NO.

THE LEXUS SPORTS YACHT

THE FAMOUS CAR MANUFACTURER MAKES A SPLASH TEA IN KNIGHTSBRIDGE HAMPER, £50

NO.

BASKET CASE

HAMPER OF SWEET TREATS

Marks & Spencer has added an afternoon tea hamper to its Simply Food collection of hampers and gifts. The Tea in Knightsbridge Hamper comes in a grey wicker basket, which contains a selection of quintessential treats ideal for a summer picnic in one of London’s glorious outdoor spaces. Inside you’ll find a lemon drizzle cake, butter pecan and toffee shortbread, fondant fancies, Devon scones, salted caramel teacakes and British strawberry jam – plus Assam tea and a bottle of Heretat El Padruell Rosé Brut Cava. Marks & Spencer Simply Food, Jubilee Place

It may be known for its luxury crossovers and coupés, but Lexus has announced the production of a new mode of transport: a streamlined power boat. The Lexus Sports Yacht concept was announced early last year, and now Lexus has announced plans to move ahead with production. While the concept model was 42ft long and could seat up to six people, the production version has been enlarged to 65ft and is capable of seating up to 15 people. Toyota Marine is behind the engineering, while renowned Marquis-Carver Yacht Group will manufacture the vessel once it goes into production for release late in 2019. The luxury yacht will contain lavish staterooms below deck, entertaining space, and connected services for security, smartphone integration, remote diagnostics and maintenance. Lexus is yet to confirm the technical details of the production model, but the Sports Yacht concept was designed around an engine that powers the new LC 500 coupé – a twin V8, 950hp gasoline engine capable of 49mph on the water. Read our feature on the latest superyachts on page 14. lexus.co.uk

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MAKING WAVES For those seeking to sail the seven seas in style, we reveal the latest and greatest in the superyacht world WORDS: JULIA ZALTZMAN

THIS PAGE: 51M FULL-CUSTOM MOTOR YACHT IRISHA, BUILT BY HEESEN, FEATURES A UNIQUE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR BY HARRISON EIDSGAARD; OPPOSITE PAGE: SUPERYACHT SEASENSE, LAUNCHED BY BENETTI IN 2017, FEATURES A VAST 10M-LENGTH POOL (THE LARGEST ON ANY YACHT)

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F E AT U R E

he definition of luxury and exuberance, superyachts and their owners continue to make waves day in, day out. Last year proved to be the busiest for the brokerage superyacht market since the global financial crisis, with a grand total of 429 yacht sales in 2017. Many brokerage houses, from Fraser and Burgess to IYC and Moran Yacht & Ship reported record years, with Fraser having its best since 2007. No fewer than 180 new yachts over £30m were sold, 149 new yachts over £30m were delivered and 443 yachts over £30m remained under construction by the end of 2017. In terms of buyer demographics, the US market leads the pack for the industry as a whole, accounting for 20 per cent of yachts sold in 2017. Middle Eastern and Eastern European customer bases follow close behind, with a return of Russian buyers helping to sustain the market, and, of course, Europe and Latin America also play their role. One particularly exciting development of late has been the introduction of cryptocurrency to the yachting market, with a significant amount of bitcoin activity being recorded. “We closed a fairly large catamaran to a client that cashed out of bitcoin and are finalising a charter in the Mediterranean to an American client using cryptocurrency,” says Bob Denison, president of

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Denison Yachting. “Regardless of the fluctuations, I think we’ll continue to see real progress here. I think you’ll hear big news from somebody in 2018 regarding a superyacht purchase.” There have also been some notable superyacht launches in recent months. Although 143m sailing yacht A, designed by Philippe Starck and delivered to her Russian owner Andrey Melnichenko in 2015 for a rumoured £360m has yet to be eclipsed in terms of head-turning design, the likes of 74m Sherpa, built by Dutch yard Feadship (renowned for only building pure custom motor yachts) is a fantastic example of distinctive styling within yachting; her explorer-like exterior profile is accentuated by an unfaired hull which leaves the plate work and welding exposed. The launch of 107m sailing yacht Black Pearl, built by Dutch shipyard Oceanco, is another significant debut. First unveiled to the world in September 2016, she underwent extensive sea trials, which saw her reach an impressive top speed of 30 knots under sail, before her eventual delivery in March 2018 saw the tri-deck beauty officially join the ranks of the world’s largest superyachts. The continuous jostling by yacht owners for that coveted top spot in terms of yacht length still dominates the market to a certain degree. The crown for largest yacht ever built remains with 180m

F E AT U R E

motor yacht Azzam, delivered by German shipyard Lürssen Yachts in 2013, costing an estimated £400m, and stealing the title from Roman Abramovich’s superyacht Eclipse by an all-important 17m. However, size is not everything, and the primary focus for an increasing number of yacht owners these days is distinctive design, performance, and a close affinity with water. “The connection to the sea is a constant request from yacht owners,” says designer Cor D. Rover. “So too is an increased amount of glass used on board,” he adds, from floor-to-ceiling windows to large expanses of glazing running along the side of the vessel. When it comes to naval architecture, however, one major trend being pioneered by Dutch naval architectural firm Van Oossanen is the efficiency of the hull. “This is a big development,”

says Rover. “People tend to choose less speed and less fuel these days.” The Van Oossanen name is highly respected in naval architectural circles. With a particular focus on the hydrodynamic and performance aspects of the design and triggered by the desire to develop hull forms which are both fast and highly efficient, the team at Van Oossanen developed a new, hybrid, hull form concept called the Fast Displacement Hull Form. This hull design was harnessed by Dutch shipyard Heesen Yachts in 2017 with the launch of superyacht Home, the world’s first Fast Displacement equipped with hybrid propulsion. Fifty-metre Home is not only an ultra-efficient, low fuel-burning yacht, and therefore kinder on the environment, but also one of the quietest on the oceans, offering the ultimate luxury: silent cruising.

ABOVE: BLACK PEARL

F E AT U R E

The trend for ‘eco’ yachting in general is being felt ever more acutely by the superyacht industry, in particular with reference to the global crisis of plastic pollution. The shocking statistic that there is now a 1:2 ratio of microplastic particles to plankton in our oceans is driving change and has seen brokerage houses such as Fraser partner with non-profit organisations like Plastic Oceans in an attempt to leverage the knowledge base and ample resources of the superyacht industry to make a difference. The wellness trend is also rapidly gaining in popularity, and an increasing number of yachts now feature onboard spas, with crew doubling up as fitness instructors, dieticians, yoga instructors and beauticians. Explorer vessel Legend, for example, a 77.4m icebreaker with a difference, boasts a Balinese spa complete with rain showers, sauna, Jacuzzi with

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waterfall, and onboard Thai and Swedish masseurs. A second 26-person Jacuzzi also features on the C-deck, as well as two helipads. Legend is available to charter through Campers & Nicholson for €409,000 per week in high season, and, in a world first, from January 2019, guests are also able to book individual cabins for a one-week Antarctic expedition rather than charter the whole yacht. In partnership with specialist company EYOS Expeditions, for €25,000 per person per week, guests have the rare opportunity to visit one of the most remote and wildlife-rich areas on Earth. The rise in popularity of extreme destinations, such as Antarctic or Greenland, is one key trend that has come to the fore. From Asian and Indian Pacific destinations over the winter to the Arctic, Palau and Burma, a growing demand for exploration is high on both owners’ and charterers’ agendas. However,

the most popular destinations of the Western Mediterranean remain favoured cruising grounds, as well as the Adriatic and the Caribbean, which has fared pretty well considering the unfortunate aftermath effects of the hurricanes. Fresh from a spectacular 2018 interior refit, 73m Titania, owned by English businessman John Caudwell, who co-founded the mobile phone retailer Phones 4u, is available to charter for â&#x201A;Ź630,000 per week. For friends thinking of chartering together, her two jaw-dropping master suites take the need to compromise out of the equation, while thrill seekers will be delighted by her 14m waterslide â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the largest ever built. Freshly refitted in 2018 with a reconceived charter-minded layout, 34.7m Che is a multi-hulled beauty offering open-plan living. The second largest sloop-rigged catamaran in the world and capable of upwind sailing, Che is also available to charter during racing season, meaning sailing enthusiasts have the unusual opportunity of being on board and as close to the action as possible, and all for a more achievable â&#x201A;Ź75,000 per week. Innovations in superyachting are not reserved for the vessels alone, and May 2018 saw the launch of an exciting new business designed to make chartering a yacht even easier. Digital superyacht platform Ahoy Club fits neatly among the likes of Uber and Airbnb. A transformative app that offers a truly bespoke luxury yacht charter service, the niche business is modernising the entire charter process with services such as transparent contracts and efficient payment processes, thus extending charter seasons and lowering costs by up to 20 per cent. Anyone who has wanted to enjoy the benefits of a superyacht lifestyle but has been put off by the time-intensive processes

F E AT U R E

THIS PAGE: 74M CLOUD 9, DESIGNED BY WINCH DESIGN, FEATURES A SHOW-STOPPING BEACH CLUB; OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM TOP: 67M SEASENSE EPITOMISES WHY THE DEMAND FOR BEACH CLUBS HAS RISEN SO SIGNIFICANTLY IN RECENT YEARS; THE OWNER’S SUITE ON BOARD CLOUD 9

and extravagant costs can now say “ahoy” to a new process, new opportunities and a new lifestyle.

THE LATEST SUPERYACHT DELIVERIES

Black Pearl was developed in collaboration with an all-star cast of designers; Dykstra Naval Architects, Ken Freivokh, Nuvolari Lenard, BMT Nigel Gee and Gerard P. Villate all contributed their respective expertise. At 106.7m, she is the largest DynaRig sailing yacht in the world, taking the crown from 88m Maltese Falcon. A tri-deck sailing yacht built from a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure, she offers accommodation for 12 guests in six cabins, and her 15m beam allows for a total interior volume of 2,700 gross tonnage (GT). Created in partnership with RWD, expeditionstyle architecture will enable 74m Sherpa to carry a great deal of equipment wherever she sails. The owner wishes to have all kinds of transportation and logistics options available as he embarks on his adventures in different parts of the world, including large tenders and various vehicles to use on land. The huge open spaces on the main deck will also facilitate this aim, as will the two giant boom cranes installed on board. A large hull door on the starboard side can be folded down to create a large beach club with a flush floor, while the cargo bay platform on the port side rotates upwards. At 2,065GT, 74m Elandess is characterised by a plumb ‘Atlantic’ bow. She was designed in a collaboration between German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen, Burgess and the London design house Harrison Eidsgaard, which drew the exterior lines and created all interior spaces on board. The master suite is placed forward on the main deck with an observation lounge directly above on the upper deck.

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A unique Nemo lounge with portholes below the waterline will give guests a new perspective of the cruising grounds they explore. Outside, the 8m by 2.25m pool located on the massive sun deck is a standout feature. Fifty one-metre full-custom motor yacht Irisha, built by Heesen, features a unique exterior and interior by Harrison Eidsgaard. She is a fullaluminium, semi-displacement motor yacht below the 500GT threshold that allows for fast cruising. The owner’s brief called for a yacht that had to look unique. The proven engineering platform of the 5000 Aluminium class offered the perfect opportunity to give the designers carte blanche to create a radical profile and to deliver the safety of a proven and efficient hard-chine hull: the best of both worlds. Irisha is available for charter in the Mediterranean and will make her official debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2018.

SUPERIOR INTERIORS

If there’s one thing that the superyacht world offers in terms of interior design, it’s almost certainly the use of textures and materials rarely seen elsewhere. From gold salmon skin to rich, luxurious Macassar ebony to myriad shades of marble, all interiors are bespoke from floor to ceiling, and everything in between. Appreciated for his beach-type approach to yachting and prepared to “do anything to make sure guests can spend as much time outside as possible”, Cor D. Rover is a master of both the big and the small. Superyacht Seasense, launched by Benetti in 2017 and designed by Rover, features a vast 10m-long pool (the largest on any yacht), and stretched the original 50m yacht to a length of 67m. The lower-deck beach club shows exactly why the demand for beach clubs

has risen so significantly in recent years. The sheer breadth of the pool area is emphasised by teak decking that runs athwartships, complemented by teak louvres along the sides of the aft deck that provide shade. Large sliding doors can divide the pool/dining area/lounge into two or three spaces, or, when left open, create one extensive 30m indooroutdoor space. Interior-styled by LA-based firm AREA, Seasense features white wood for all the bases, trims, doors and door frames, complemented by lapis lazuli-coloured velvets, leather furniture and silky, mottled blue carpets. For Rover, the most unusual interior element, however, is the headroom. “The owner is used to New York apartment buildings, so we included 2.7m ceilings in all the spaces, but more than 3m in the owner’s suite, which is like a cathedral; it gives a very airy feeling above the bed.” Eighty-metre Elements and 74m Cloud 9 are other stunning examples of 2017 yachts that feature show-stopping beach clubs. Cloud 9, interior designed by Winch Design, also demonstrates another key trend – the desire for a free-flowing layout that allows a relaxed indoor-outdoor living environment. Exceptional open-air areas, such as the private deck forward of the owner’s suite and the large beach club with extended platform at sea level, were conceived to offer maximum scope for both al fresco enjoyment and entertaining, as specified by the experienced owner.

Texture and natural light reign in the superyacht world, and custom interiors are king Texture and natural light reign in the superyacht world, and custom interiors are king.

BIG-BOY TOYS

When it comes to entertainment in the water, there is a vast range of fast, exhilarating and leisure toys to keep everyone happy. The Seabob F5 S is the ultimate high-performance craft. Produced in a modern, low-weight construction with a high-powered electric drive, it offers peak performance paired with ecoconsciousness. High quality carbon components, special ceramic coatings and seawater-resistant stainless steel result in a weight of just 35kg, which means it can be lifted out of the water by a single person without any extra equipment. Pitched as the world’s fastest water sled, it boasts an impressive propulsive force of 680 newtons, but its easy handling makes it suitable for sportsmen and cruisers alike, giving them the ability to descend up to 40m in perfect harmony with nature.

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For those seeking deeper underwater exploration, U-Boat Worx is a specialist manufacturer of high-tech submarines. The Super Yacht Sub 3 is the most compact and lightweight submersible in the world and is the only one especially designed for superyachts. Its key feature is its upgradable depth rating. Customers can begin with a submersible with a depth rating of 100m, and upgrade to 200m or 300m if they wish – all for a mere splash in the ocean of €1.25m. The award-winning U-Boat Worx C-Explorer 3 submersible provided a breakthrough in the industry when it was launched, thanks to its state-of-the art information system – the first integrated dive-by-wire control and monitoring system delivers complete autonomy for the pilot. Of course, part of being on a superyacht is taking time out to enjoy a slower pace. A platform from NautiBoy offers just that. Costing around €8,790 for the largest model, it can be streamed off the back of a yacht or anchored off the beach and is ideal for yoga. Available with either a teak or diamond finish, the platform is rigid once inflated due to its drop stitch-core. Alternatively, why not try your hand at climbing at sea? Climbing walls are the latest yacht toy, and they don’t get any bigger than FunAir, which can be as high as 12m. Designed to accommodate various skill levels, it is height-adjustable, with an exclusive handhold design. Retailing at €15,800, it is often paired with the Hanger extreme yacht slide to make a circuit of non-stop fun.

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THIS PAGE, FROM TOP: FUNAIR’S CIRCUIT OF NON-STOP INFLATABLE FUN; AN INFLATABLE YOGA PLATFORM, FEATURED ON BOARD £22.5M SUPERYACHT MISCHIEF OWNED BY AHOY CLUB FOUNDER IAN MALOUF; U-BOAT WORX C EXPLORER 3; OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: INTERIOR OF HEESEN; DECK OF HEESEN; TITANIA; 34.7M CHE WITH HER HOT PINK SPINNAKER

COME HELL OR HIGH WATER As Britain’s most prominent round-the-world yachtsman, Alex Thomson has spent his life fighting the seas – after his heroic performance in the 2016 Vendée Globe, his course is now firmly set for a win in 2020 WORDS: DAVID TAYLOR

PROFILE

“

t doesn’t compute in my brain to give up,” says Alex Thomson, solo non-stop round-the-world yachtsman. Thomson has probably been more tempted than most of us to do just that. Perhaps the most critical point came in the 2016/17 edition of yachting’s most prestigious race, the Vendée Globe. Held every four years, the Vendée Globe is the ultimate test of ocean sailing, with only around 50 per cent of competitors finishing the three-month race through mountainous waves, treacherous temperatures, and pitch-black nights. Some haven’t come back at all. Thomson’s boat, the Hugo Boss, was in good shape as the group of 29 skippers set out on their three-month odyssey. There was a very real chance that Thomson would finish as Britain’s first ever Vendée Globe winner. However, just 11 days after setting sail, the boat collided with an unidentified object in the

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water, breaking the starboard foil, an integral part of any racing yacht. To many others, this would have signalled the end of the race. However, despite sailing for two and a half months with the broken foil, Thomson not only finished second, but also with the second fastest time on record – 74 days, 19 hours, 35 minutes and 15 seconds. He came in only 16 hours behind the winning boat. Thomson’s father was a search and rescue helicopter pilot, and as a boy he hoped to follow the same career. But a visit to the local hospital in Gosport when he was just 17 revealed that his eyesight was so poor that he wouldn’t be accepted into the navy. “My grand plan was gone,” he recalls. However, the sea still beckoned. “Sailing was my hobby, and I managed to turn it into a job. When I did my first offshore race in 1995, I found my vocation. One of the things that is unique about offshore sailing is the humbling moment when you can’t see land, and you realise how small we are. That’s an experience I still love today.”

Even for an experienced sailor, says Thomson, sailing single-handed non-stop around the world is an intimidating prospect. “I’d identified that was the direction I wanted to go after I won the Clipper Round the World Race in 1998/99, and I distinctly remember my first Vendée Globe in 2004: the daunting feeling leaving the start, when all the spectator boats turn around. Fewer than 100 people have sailed solo non-stop around the world, compared with nearly 4,000 people who have gone up Mount Everest, so that gives you an idea of the scale of the difficulty.” Mental strength, he explains, is one of the keys to his success. Of the potentially catastrophic damage to his starboard foil in the 2016 Vendée Globe, he simply says: “Stuff happens, and you have to be able to deal with it.” He works with prominent sports psychologist Ken Way. “I’ve learned that everything is relative to goals,” he says. “If your goal is to win and you don’t think you can, you’re not going to be motivated. After that foil broke, I was struggling to see where I could even finish, so I reduced my goals to simple tasks like changing a sail, or eating a bag of horrible food. As human beings, once we’ve achieved a goal, even if it isn’t particularly challenging – although I can tell you, eating a bag of food can be challenging at times – we feel better. If we feel better, we’re going to perform better.” Way had asked him: “If you win the Vendée Globe, do you consider that success, and if you’re successful, would that make you happy?” – and then proceeded to explain that success doesn’t lead to happiness, but happiness leads to success. Thomson took the lesson on board – both figuratively and literally, in this instance. “If I’m in the middle of the ocean and something terrible happens, how am I going to be happy? Ken told me – and it sounds very corny – to look happy. Smile. There’s plenty of scientific evidence that shows that when we physically look happy, it rubs off mentally. I spent the whole of the last race, even when I was completely pissed off, with a massive smile on my face. I do sometimes feel like a bit of a lab rat for Ken’s experiments but it genuinely does work.” Smiling through adversity, however, isn’t always quite enough. “My mood is completely governed by performance,” says Thomson. “When I’m not performing to my expectations, I work harder, so I forgo more sleep, I forgo food. I don’t care – I just want to get the miles back. When I’m high, doing well and feeling great, I can become complacent. It’s all about levelling emotion, staying in a position to be able to make rational, competitive decisions.” His biggest fear, he says, is underperforming, though others might also find the loneliness overwhelming. Thomson has evolved a strategy for spending months alone in his own company. “What I’ve done over time is separate the feelings of loneliness and isolation,” he explains. “I have a lovely family, a great team, and fantastic friends, so no matter where I am I shouldn’t feel lonely – but I could feel isolated. Separating those two emotions makes it easier to deal with. Is three months a long time? If we think about what we’ve done in the past three months, we can probably only remember 10 per cent of it, and it’s gone in a flash. So to me, three months isn’t a long time. I can deal with the isolation.” Isolation aside, has he ever been truly frightened? “I’ve had a couple of hairy moments. I was plucked from a life raft by Mike Golding [another successful British yachtsman] half way between Antarctica and Africa in 2006. Two and a half years ago I capsized 100 miles off the coast of Finisterre and I ended up being airlifted off.” On a sailing boat, he says, when problems start, the situation can escalate very quickly. “You can have one tiny thing go wrong, then that leads to an avalanche of small things that ultimately leads to a catastrophic event. In some ways, I could be described as a risk manager. I manage enormous amounts of risk on a minute-by-minute basis out there. It’s about being in a position to recognise when these things are happening, and being able to divert or stop them.” Solo yachting, he says, is a “relentless” experience. “I have to be a meteorologist, a navigator, and a

“If your goal is to win and you don’t think you can, you’re not going to be motivated”

PROFILE

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PROFILE medic. There are incredible stories, like the guy who bit his tongue off during a race and had to sew it back on. Hopefully that’ll never happen to me.” When danger threatens, there is a strong sense of camaraderie in the yachting community. “We’re all mentally very strong, big characters, all opinionated, we all like the sound of our own voices,” laughs Thomson. “We’re the fiercest competitors you’ll find in sport, but on the other hand, we’re also each other’s rescue service. I know that any of those skippers will risk or give up their lives to try and save any of the others. It’s sportsmanship, it’s respect, and it is the law of the sea. If you’re in a position to help somebody at sea and someone needs help, you are obliged. To us, that’s just normal.” There is also the little matter of having the skill to maintain a boat – which is a highly sophisticated piece of kit. “When most people think of sailing they think it’s old-fashioned, a bit old-tech, but I love bringing people from Formula One and the aerospace industry to see the boat, because they are gobsmacked by the level of technology we use,” says Thomson. “The maximum hull thickness of my current boat is just 2.6mm. From a maintenance point of view, I have to know the boat and be able to communicate with my team when something goes wrong.” As the yacht’s name suggests, there is a long-standing relationship between Thomson and the Hugo Boss brand, which has supported him since before his first Vendée Globe in 2004. “As technology and the ability to communicate improves, what the sport does better and better is inspire people, and Hugo Boss is an aspirational brand,” says Thomson. Boss’s support isn’t confined to racing – Thomson also performs some extraordinary stunts in the yacht. For Skywalk, he chased the boat upwind on a kiteboard, soaring 280ft into the air before detaching from the boat and bringing the board back down to the water – all while immaculately kitted out in a Boss suit. “The stunts are my ideas,” he says. “Hugo Boss must think I’m mad. To be given the all clear to go and do it is a massive responsibility. I feel that responsibility, and the enormous amount of trust that Hugo Boss puts in us to go and deliver. The thing I really like is that through the stunts, we are able to reach non-sailors. The whole heart of our sport is about human endeavour, about man or woman versus the elements. It’s not about technical sailing, and because of that we don’t just reach sailors.” Technical or not, this is surely sailing at the highest level and preparation, says Thomson, is everything. “The race is finished before we start. It’s all to do with the people that you work with, how you manage it, your structure, and ultimately the decisions that we make together as a group. We spend a lot of energy trying to create an environment where we’re able to make the right decisions. In some ways, the race is a holiday compared to what we go through in the build-up.” When he’s on land, he says, he thinks about a million different things. “When I race, I only think about one.” That level of preparation will stand him in good stead for the Vendée Globe 2020/21 – along with his fiercely competitive spirit. “I’m a competitive person,” Thomson admits. “When I play squash or tennis I leave with cuts and bruises. To be in a race for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for 12 weeks is the right kind of race for me. And I get millions of euros to build what I consider the best toy in the world. It’s completely custom-made around my height, my weight, my philosophy. It’s such a privilege.” Within an hour of finishing the 2016 Vendée Globe, he told press that he would be competing again in 2020. At the official closing ceremony, he had one question for the predominantly French audience: “Are you ready to see a Brit win the race?” alexthomsonracing.com; hugoboss.com

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The Breitling Jet Squad Jacques Bothelin Christophe Deketelaere Paco Wallaert

LAND

NAVITIMER 8

AIR

SEA

CA109632_Jet Team Navitimer 8 blue leather_210x297_Canary Wharf.indd 1

#SQUADONAMISSION

23/05/2018 11:35

SHOW THEM

WHO’S BOSS New collection, new store; BOSS, in Cabot Place, has reopened following a refurbishment, ready to showcase it’s stylish summer collection

ust last month, BOSS reopened its doors in Canary Wharf ’s Cabot Place to reveal a beautifully refurbished store. Modern and understated with that signature BOSS chic style, the new boutique holds both menswear and womenswear collections. Alongside its brand new interiors, BOSS welcomed its S/S18 collection, aptly named New Formal. Perfect for the warmer weather, the collection moves away from structured, tailored pieces and embraces a more relaxed way of dressing up. The cool palette, contemporary prints and lightweight fabrics mean that both men and women can pull off smart casual with ease and comfort, the exciting pieces making up the perfect summer wardrobe. BOSS, Cabot Place; hugoboss.com

Colour-block shift dress in lightweight crepe, £350

A-line dress in cotton-blend, £319

Tote bag in lasered Saffiano leather, £595

Suede sandals with leather whipstitch trim, £399

Pointed-toe mules in Italian leather, £269

Pointed-toe mules, £269

THE STATEMENT PIECE

Signature Collection bag in palmellato leather, £575

T RY T

HIS

BOSS Bottled eau de toilette , £79

Black blazer, £449

Shirt £99; bow tie, £55

Black-dial watch with blue perforated leather strap, £299 Signature Collection bifold wallet with eight card slots in printed palmellato leather, £139

Beige blazer, £339 Pink blazer, £339 Light blue blazer, £449 Navy blazer, £449

Limited-edition 100% vegan trainers in Piñatex® in yellow, £219

Limited-edition 100% vegan trainers in Piñatex® in brown, £219

Limited-edition 100% vegan trainers in Piñatex® in black, £219

canarywharf.com

@yourcanarywharf

@canarywharflondon

H E A LT H & F I T N E S S

NATIONAL HEALTHY EATING WEEK

TROPIC LIKE IT’S HOT

Sweat in style with Sweaty Betty’s new range of lightweight printed leggings. Match your chosen pair with the Kenza crop top in a complementing print for a truly fashionable workout. Teen and child sized leggings are also available if you want to inspire your offspring. £60 each, Sweaty Betty, Cabot Place

Shipshape and fashionable

This month sees the return of National Healthy Eating Week, launched by the British Nutrition Foundation to promote healthy diets, increased physical activity and improving the understanding of what we eat and drink. With the sugar tax implemented earlier this year, the rise of veganism, and the Mayor of London’s recent announcement to ban all junk food advertisements on public transport systems, the healthy eating trend looks set to stay. Jump on the bandwagon with nutritious lunches from Canary Wharf ’s myraid eateries. Find scrumptious salads – perfect for sunny days – at favourites Chop’d and Birleys, plus vegan, Greek and Thai options at Pure, which has just launched a new salad menu. Finish with a healthy juice à la CPress. National Health Eating Week, 11-15 June, nutrition.org.uk

WORDS: ABISHA SRITHARAN

SWIMMING TO A DIFFERENT BEAT

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Who says healthy food can’t be delicious? Introducing Pasta Evangelists, which delivers boxes of fresh pasta, sauces and garnishes to homes across the capital ( from £6.75, pastaevangelists.com). If you’re a pizza lover, look no further than Lo-Dough, a 39-calorie-per-serving low-carb pizza base (£5 for two, lodough.co). For something even lighter, try Glorious! Soups, sold at most leading supermarkets ( from £2, gloriousfoods.co.uk). These newly relaunched ‘super soups’ have vitamin A which can benefit skin and hair, and have the added bonus of being glutenfree and vegan-friendly. Bon appétit!

Research from Brunel University shows that listening to music whilst swimming improves your performance. John Lewis stocks waterproof earphones and headphones from a range of high-end brands, including Sony and Bose. johnlewis.com

DANCING IN THE STREET

If you’re having Strictly Come Dancing withdrawal symptoms, head to Cabot Square, where a series of outdoor dance lessons are being held throughout the summer. Dance Fever offers classes in Jive, Salsa, Bollywood and Tango, plus performances from the teachers themselves. canarywharf.com

BEST FOOT FORWARD

Puma is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its signature Suede pump by releasing a limited edition series of exclusive trainers throughout the year. The latest drop is dubbed the Future Suede 50 Pack, a stylish football boot available in cherry tomato and black. Be quick – there are only 1,350 pairs available. From £72, puma.com

LU X U RY LON DON.CO.U K

CHARLES TYRHWITT

CHARLES TYRWHITT

FATHER’S DAY GIF T GUIDE

TECH TOYS For those of you that want to splash out on something for the tech buff this Father’s Day, invest in the best.

Gold Phantom speaker, £2,190, Devialet, Cabot Place

GOJI GO Activity Tracker, £49.99, Currys PC World, Canada Place

Meisterstück Le Petit Prince Solitaire Doué Classique Fountain Pen, £865, MontBlanc, Cabot Place

Classic poker set, £50, Waitrose Food, Fashion & Home, Canada Place

SMALL & SPECIAL

Classic notebook, £19.99, Moleskine, Cabot Place

Anglepoise® and Paul Smith Type75™ Mini Desk Lamp, £145, Paul Smith, Cabot Place

Nickel’s shaving set, £146, Penhaligon’s, Cabot Place

Earset, £269, Bang & Olufsen, South Colonnade

Men’s travel luxuries set, £40, Molton Brown, Jubilee Place

Black ‘Artist Stripe’ Cuff socks with embroidered motif, £25; Stripe socks, £17, Paul Smith, Cabot Place

Canvas sneaker, £80, GANT, Canada Place

Henley Royal Regatta printed cotton-piqué polo £85, Hackett London, Cabot Place

Pretty Green Baseline polo shirt, £45, Waitrose Food, Fashion & Home, Canada Place

Slim-fit polo shirt in stretch cotton piqué, £69, BOSS, Cabot Place

WARDROBE WISHLIST

Shorts, £22.99, Zara, Cabot Place

Slim fit denim shirt, £49.95, Massimo Dutti, Cabot Place

White tee, £45, GANT, Canada Place

Montblanc Emblem sunglasses, £315, Montblanc, Cabot Place

THE GIFT OF GROOMING Special Treatment

Aerodrome by David Gandy 24 Hour Mission Bag, £795, Aspinal of London, Cabot Place

ASPINAL OF LONDON

Treat your dad to something a little different this Father’s Day with a special grooming service from Ted’s Grooming Room in Canary Wharf’s Cabot Place and Churchill Place. Choose from the ‘Tommy ‘N’ Turkish’, ‘Cut a Long Story Short’ or the ‘Full Ted Service’.

MAKE IT NEW

C U LT U R E

THE ROYAL ACADEMY’S NORTH-FACING ENTRANCE, BURLINGTON GARDENS, ©HAYES DAVIDSON

The Royal Academy of Arts will unveil its highly-anticipated refurbishment this month, and according to the gallery president, Christopher Le Brun, everyone is invited WOR DS: MA R IA N N E DICK

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hristopher Le Brun, artist and president of the Royal Academy of Arts since 2011, quotes the controversial modernist poet Ezra Pound when contemplating what he hopes the Royal Academy’s new multimillion pound renovation will achieve. Pound used the maxim ‘make it new’ to encourage others to experiment with literary form and take inspiration from untraditional sources. He had even recycled his own expression, having read it in an anecdote about Cheng Tang, the first emperor of the Shang Dynasty ( founded circa 1766BC), who had the words inscribed on his washbasin. “Make it new. If you’ve had a place for 250 years, like the Royal Academy, that’s quite a good idea. Of course, you’ve got to keep all that’s good about it, but set it up for the next generation,” says Le Brun. The grand refurbishment by David Chipperfield Architects, which opened on 19 May, has been 10 years in the making. The project links Burlington House to 6 Burlington Gardens, which was acquired by the Royal Academy in 2001. This building has been restored to its former glory and includes a 260-seat lecture theatre, echoing its original use as part of the University of London. There is a dedicated architecture studio that will hold free displays, the Clore Learning Centre beneath the theatre will host schools and communities, and there is a gallery solely for the work of the Royal Academicians. “The academy is directed and led by artists with no government money,” says Le Brun. “The academicians are our unique factor – and it’s virtually the only place in the world like it.” A trio of naturally lit rooms, the Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Galleries, house contemporary art and architecture exhibitions. The inaugural show is Tacita Dean: Landscape, a collaborative spectacle with the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, which are also showing Dean’s work. The Collections Gallery – curated by Le Brun and free to peruse – features masterpieces from the RA Collection, including John Constable, J.M.W. Turner and Michelangelo. “One surprise during the project has been the number of works in the academy collection that have been lent out to other places,”

remarks Le Brun. “A huge painting, a copy of The Last Supper, which was done in Da Vinci’s lifetime was loaned to Magdalen Chapel in Oxford, so that’s coming back and going into the Collections Gallery.” In Burlington House, newly unveiled vaults will give visitors an insight into the history of the RA Schools, while a studio will display the work of the students. “I think of Mayfair as a wonderful survival of craftsmanship – the tailors, the shirtmakers, the shoemakers, the hatters – and downstairs we’ve got students making things, too,” says Le Brun. The concrete Weston Bridge connects Burlington Gardens to Burlington House, and provides another thoroughfare between Mayfair and Piccadilly, a load previously borne by Burlington Arcade. This also means that a new entrance gives access from Mayfair, an addition that Le Brun hopes will entice those who might be intimidated by the courtyard at Burlington House. “There’s no doubt that our demographic has a certain look about it. But I like to think the academy can look after people when they come to the area. So you can come here to eat, drink, and get information about the commercial galleries.” By increasing facilities, Le Brun hopes to broaden this demographic and shake off any stuffy preconceptions. He wants people to experience art first-hand – “to see and feel it”. “The academy does exhibitions that have a theatrical, exciting and almost emotional side to them. It was set up to enable the artists to have a bit more freedom in their subject matter and to appeal to a general public,” says Le Brun. “A work of art shouldn’t be trying to persuade you of something, it should be a value in and for itself, of which one can see the attraction and beauty.” In a 1913 document, A Few Don’ts, that Pound penned about poetry, he wrote: “An ‘Image’ is that which presents an intellectual and emotional complex in an instant of time … It is the presentation of such a ‘complex’ instantaneously which gives that sense of sudden liberation; that sense of freedom from time limits and space limits; that sense of sudden growth, which we experience in the presence of the greatest works of art.” One would imagine Pound would be rather proud to have inspired Le Brun and has team. royalacademy.org.uk

C U LT U R E

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: RA COLLECTION GALLERY IN 2018; CROSSSECTION OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY’S SITE IN 2018; ARCHITECTURE STUDIO IN 2018, ALL IMAGES ©HAYES DAVIDSON

“A work of art shouldn’t be trying to persuade you of something, it should be a value in and for itself”

LU X U RY LON DON.CO.U K

Into the

DEEP

Seaweed, kelp, salt and even pearlsâ&#x20AC;Ś beauty innovators are scouring the ocean for healing, nourishing marine ingredients that provide a host of benefits WORDS: ANGELINA VILLA-CLARKE

B E AU T Y

he sea has long been a source of healing therapies, from the lure of the Red Sea for thalassotherapy to the use of sea salt for detoxifying. Only five per cent of the world’s oceans have been explored, however, so there’s still an infinite amount to learn about marine life – and solutions from the sea are attracting beauty labels both established and new. Brands such as Thalgo, which uses marine algae in its products, and Voya, famous for its seaweed harvested from the Atlantic coast of Ireland, have long tapped into the benefits of the sea. Crème de La Mer, of course, is one of the most famous brands associated with its powers. The luxury skincare label was conceived by Dr Max Huber after he studied the regenerative qualities of Pacific sea kelp. “Rich in minerals and with the ability to regenerate itself, sea kelp is the basis of La Mer’s Miracle Broth™, which is at the heart of every product, including our new Moisturizing Gel Cream,” says Huber. “Importantly, we harvest the sea kelp by hand during peak growth seasons so as not to disturb the underwater ecosystem it supports.” Haeckels’ natural products, based around seaweed and local botanicals, also have sustainability as a core value. The brand, founded in Margate by volunteer beach warden Dom Bridges, offers beautifully crafted products for skin, body and hair, which have captured the zeitgeist. “Natural products are every bit as effective as chemical-derived alternatives. Seaweed hydrates – it’s rich with valuable vitamins, minerals and amino acids,” says Bridges. “There’s an abundance of goodness on our coastlines and I’m passionate about getting the message out. We still harvest our seaweed by hand from the beach, just steps away from our shop.” Extracted from fish scales and oils, marine collagen is another ingredient with intense beauty powers. Rich in amino acids, it is famously used in Elemis’s awardwinning Pro-Collagen Marine line. New supplement brand Vida Glow takes an inside-out approach. Its range of natural powders harnesses the power of Australasian marine collagen, which helps firm skin, strengthen nails and aid muscle toning. New luxury haircare range Kèrluxe also uses marine collagen throughout its Luminage collection to strengthen and protect hair. Anna-Marie Solowij, former Vogue beauty editor and co-founder of BeautyMart, which champions cult brands from across the globe, agrees that oceanic beauty is a rising trend. “Under the sea is as rich a source of ingredients as on land,” she says. “It ties in with a rising quest for natural beauty. We’re seeing a lot of sea plants used for their nourishing and protective properties.” Sourcing the latest trend-led products from Korea, Melon & Starfish stocks a range of marine-themed goodies. Blithe’s Abalone and Sea Cucumber face masks, for instance, are rich in amino acids and

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SPLASH IT ON Top three cult oceanic fragrances

Imaginary Authors Falling Into the Sea

Tropical flowers blended with the scent of warm sand. From £90, roullierwhite.com

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Celestia Forte

Captures the essence of sun hitting the sea with sparkling notes of petitgrain and jasmine. From £130, liberty.co.uk

D.S. & Durga Rose Atlantic

Brooklyn perfumer David Seth Moltz took inspiration from the Atlantic for this scent, which blends sea salt with a rose accord and lemon. From £139, roullierwhite.com

The best marine-rich beauty products

RIDING THE WAVE

“Natural pearls are said to enrich, hydrate and firm the skin”

Algenist Algae Brightening Mask

This treatment uses six different types of algae to hydrate and refresh. £45, spacenk.com

protein, while Etude House’s Pearl sheet mask has a skin-brightening effect. “The use of pearl in products is a rising trend,” says Gloria Pei, Melon & Starfish’s founder. “I’ll soon be stocking Klavuu, a new South Korean beauty brand, which infuses natural marine pearl, essential oils, and marine plant extracts into its signature formulas. Natural pearls are said to enrich, hydrate and firm the skin, for a luminous complexion.” For the closest thing to a magical ocean dip, try BOD’s Mermaid bath salts, which contain salt with added shimmer to detoxify and reenergise the body. Salt, sea kelp and

Anne Semonin Marine Emulsion Formulated with shea butter and sea algae to nourish, this is the perfect summer moisturiser. £54, annesemonin.com

Seahorse Plankton 60 Second Manicure

A hand and nail treatment that uses sustainably sourced plankton and seaweed extract, with a percentage of sales going to the Seahorse Trust. £14.99, Holland & Barrett, Canada Place

B E AU T Y

bladderwrack are the basis of Mr Smith’s new Sea Salt Spray for hair. Spritz it on for that just-off-the-beach look. As well as being the inspiration for a host of skincare ranges, the ocean is also making a splash when it comes to the fragrance industry, with cult brands using marine notes to transport you to seaside idylls. From Linari’s exquisite Mare Pacifico, which captures the scent of the Pacific Ocean, to Sel Marin by Heeley, an aqueous creation with lemons and Italian bergamot to evoke the sea breeze, the perfect marine perfume captures the spirit of holidays.

Kissed by Mii Effortlessly Easy Tanning Lotion

This new tanning label uses coral seaweed and coastal flowers to leave skin super-soft and streak-free. £23.95, miicosmetics.com

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Mrs White’s Old Soak

Mineral-rich English sea salts will exfoliate and soften the skin. £15, roullierwhite.com

MICHAEL DONOVAN, fragrance expert, has the last word: “The marine family of fragrances is perhaps the most joyous, entwined as it is with holiday memories,” he says. “The scents of the sea have a commonality but also extraordinary difference – fragrances inspired by the Mediterranean have a different nuance to those of the Indian Ocean, for example, and it is these glorious subtleties that really connect with our stored scent experiences.”

Zelens Marine Complex Deep Restorative Cream

This just-launched cosmeceutical face cream targets skin ageing with its cocktail of algae. £125, zelens.com

B E AU T Y

HYDRATING HEROES

Clarins has expanded its HydraEssentiel range of products that specifically target dehydrated, dull skin. The new lip balm has subtle, fruity notes and its blue lotus wax – gleaned from flower petals – gives lips a protective film to keep them supple and avoid cracking. As for the eye cream, try as an overnight mask to banish heavier dark circles. Moisturizing Reviving Eye Mask, £29; Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm, £19.50, Clarins, Boots, Canada Place

Beauty

SCRUB UP

Soothe aches, soak up pure essential oils and buff skin for summer with this new lime-scented scrub from Mauli Rituals, made in England from ingredients harvested from the wild. Reawaken Himalayan Hand & Body Scrub, £58, Mauli Rituals,

WORDS: MELISSA EMERSON

Space NK, Cabot Place

A COVER UP

The waterproof, lightweight formula of this new bareMinerals concealer is designed to give coverage for up to 16 hours, without clogging pores. The stick shape and creamy formula make it easy to build up coverage, and the 10 available shades fall in line with the brand’s existing foundation shades. BarePro 16-Hour Full Coverage Concealer, £23, bareMinerals, Jubilee Place

PETAL PUSHERS

Jo Malone’s new fragrance evokes visions of southern India and its vibrant flower markets, where this scent’s particular variety of jasmine was sourced. Jasmine Sambac & Marigold, from £75 for 50ml, Jo Malone, Cabot Place

HIGH NOTE

Frédéric Malle’s rich and sensual new scent is a summery cocktail of lavender, lemon and bergamot with a surprise hint of pineapple. Music For A While, from £158 for 50ml, Frédéric Malle, libertylondon.com

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JOIN US FOR A SERIES OF OUTDOOR CLASSES THIS SUMMER Available to all across two unique locations; Canada Square Park and Cross Rail Place Roof Garden. Featuring signature classes The WOD, Metaburn and The Method as well as Vinyasa yoga, there is something for everyone. To view the timetable and book your place visit Thirdspace.london/classes 1 6 -1 9 C A N A DA S Q U A R E LONDON E14 5ER 0 2 0 7 9 70 0 9 0 0 T H I R D S PAC E . L O N D O N

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25/04/2018 15:40

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STYLE FROM FESTIVAL FASHION TO BOHO BEACHWEAR, TAKE SARTORIAL CUES FROM THIS, OUR SUMMER STYLE GUIDE

P. 50

BEAUTY AND THE BEACH RETRO SWIMWEAR FOR STYLISH SUNBATHERS

P. 64

HELLO, MY NAME IS PAUL SMITH THE DESIGNER ON HIS LONDON HOTSPOTS

P. 68 ROCKET MAN PROFILING OMEGAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CEO RAYNALD AESCHLIMANN

Rae Feather (p.60)

Jewellery box The sparklers to invest in this month

NO.

CATCH SOME RAYS

For a sartorial dose of serotonin this summer, visit Venyx World in Mayfair. Statement gold pendants hold a spectrum of diamonds and multi-coloured gemstones, including fiery red garnet and iridescent opal. POA, venyxworld.com

NO.

SWEET LIKE CANDY

Satisfy your candy cravings with the vivacious new Berry collection by David Morris. Gleaming confections include pick ‘n’ mix stud earrings and stacking rings in a warm palette of turquoise, pink coral and pearl, with a delicious sapphire centre stone. From £2,000, davidmorris.com

STYLE

NO.

CREATURE COMFORTS

Bring good luck with a Bijoux beetle by Annoushka. The ancient amulet is crafted in 18-carat gold with a sleek black rhodium finish, bedecked with gemstones and glittering diamonds. From £2800, annoushka.com

NO.

UNDER THE SEA

Stephen Webster’s latest collection draws on the jeweller’s life-long fascination with the underwater world. Wistful gold and diamond alphabet charms are playfully entangled with spirited sea creatures, from turtles and newts to sweet angel fish. Fish Tales, from £875, stephenwebster.com

LU X U RY LON DON.CO.U K

Swimsuits, £118 each, solidandstriped.eu; Turbans, £230 each, missoni.com; Sunglasses, £867 each, Elie Saab, farfetch.com

Beauty & the

Beach Dive into the summer season with vintage-inspired swimwear from Eres and Emilio Pucci PHOTOGRAPHER: TURI LÃ&#x2DC;VIK KIRKNES STYLIST: VICTORIA WRIGHT

THIS PAGE: Swimsuit, POA, eresparis.com; Sunglasses, £229, fendi.com; Turban, Stylist’s own OPPOSITE PAGE: Bikini, £330, Emilio Pucci, mytheresa.com; Sunglasses, £95, maxandco.com; Turban, Stylist’s own

LEFT: Swimsuit, £35, stories.com; Sunglasses, £370, dior.com; Turban, Stylist’s own RIGHT: Swimsuit, £220, carolineconstas.com; Sunglasses, £370, dior.com; Turban, Stylist’s own

THIS PAGE: Bikini, £330, emiliopucci.com; Turban, £230, missoni.com; Sunglasses, POA, katespade.co.uk OPPOSITE PAGE: Bikini, £371, dolcegabbana.com; Sunglasses, £214, Dolce & Gabbana, sunglasseshut.com; Turban, Stylist’s own

THIS PAGE: Swimsuit, £340, Emilio Pucci, mytheresa.com; Turban, £230, missoni.com; Sunglasses, £214, Dolce & Gabbana, sunglasseshut.com; Bag, £1,565, charlotteolympia.com; OPPOSITE PAGE: Swimsuit, £415, dolcegabbana.com; Towel, £550, emiliopucci.com; Turban, Stylist’s own

Model: Cassi S @Fanjam Agency, Cape Town Photography assistant: David Kwizera Hair and Make-up: Sian Moss @ One League Creative Management, Cape Town Location: The Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel and Llandudno beach, Cape Town. Fly direct with Thomas Cook Airlines

FASHION MUST-HAVES RAE OF SUNSHINE

Rae Feather is best known for its range of monogrammed bags, purses and sandals. While the products were created primarily for the beach, the collection will look great, and come in handy, at any festival. Tag a tote with your initials and pack with your camping essentials. From £75, raefeather.com

HIPPY SHAKE

STYLE EDIT

Festival Chic

Take cues from festival style crush Sienna Miller and channel a boho-inspired look this summer. Look to Annabel Brocks for jaunty straw hats and vintage-inspired kimonos – the ultimate accessories for dancing from dusk ‘til dawn. From £50, annabelbrocks.com

Who says camping can’t be luxurious? Shop our guide to fancy festival attire to make your time on the fields as glamorous as possible

ESSENTIALS

WORDS BY: ABISHA SRITHARAN

RETURN OF THE MAC

SILK EYE MASK FOREO ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH SLIP £45, net-a-porter.com From £99, foreo.com

BALMESSENCE LIP TREATEMNT £25, oribe.com

FLASK BRACELET

£40, nationaltheatre.org

Prepare yourself for those temperamental summer showers with this lightweight coverup by Barbour. The Harbour jacket comes in a cheery shade of cobalt blue and has a flattering drawstring waist. £159, barbour.com

ACCESSORIES

STYLE EDIT

SHEER

IN THE FRAME

Come rain or shine, everyone knows that a festival look isn’t complete without a pair of stylish sunglasses. Take your pick from our favourite shades in bold colours and statement shapes.

RAIN SUPREME

No festival is safe from the pesky British weather. Keep dry with Hunter’s Festival of Summer collection, a range of travel-friendly – and, most importantly, waterproof – accessories that will stop the forecast from dampening your summer spirits. From £19, hunterboots.com

£145, Neubau, pretavoir.co.uk

£266, Sandro, Jubilee Place

£107, Coach, Canada Place

BAGS OF STYLE

£65, Hobbs, Canada Place

Baia’s patent bags are wipe clean and water-resistant, making them the ultimate festival accessories. Choose from a range of ready-towear styles, or get creative and commission your own bespoke tote. From £160, baiabags.co.uk

£250, Silhouette, pretavoir.co.uk

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SUMMER SWIMWEAR The season for swimwear has officially arrived and we couldn’t be more excited. Shop all the latest styles and guarantee you’re on-trend this summer

DESIGN YOUR OWN

ORLEBAR BROWN

Why not go bespoke and design your very own swimming shorts from Orlebar Brown? Whether you want a sketch drawn by a friend, a cool pattern you’ve come across walking around the city or even a precious memory, follow the easy steps and get personalised, printed and delivered within four weeks. All you need to do is head online or download the #Snapshorts app, available on both iPhone and Android, upload your image, place it in situ and hit send. All shorts come with a five year guarantee. orlebarbrown.com

Pair it with... David Clulow offers a range of branded sunnies to keep you stylish in the sun

Viper printed swim shorts, £65, Reiss, Jubilee Place

Meller floral swim shorts, £65, Reiss, Jubilee Place

PATTERN

Prada Cinema Evolution sunglasses, £275, David Clulow, Cabot Place and Jubilee Place

This season, opt for a pair of loud swim shorts and stand out from the crowd. Floral print swim shorts, £34.95, Massimo Dutti, Cabot Place

Star swim shorts, £55 GANT, Canada Place

Ocean print shorts, £95, Paul Smith, Cabot Place

Ray Ban sunglasses, £202, David Clulow, Cabot Place and Jubilee Place

Persol sunglasses, £239, David Clulow, Cabot Place and Jubilee Place

Pair it with... Your summer attire isn’t complete without a signature pair of sunglasses from Tom Davies

Mr Smith sunglasses, From £395, Tom Davies, Cabot Place

Petra sunglasses, From £395, Tom Davies, Cabot Place

Casey sunglasses, From £395, Tom Davies, Cabot Place

MANGO

Bird of Paradise swimsuit, £35, Accessorize, Canada Place

Amelie Flamingo print top, £39, bottoms, £29, Waitrose Food, Fashion & Home, Canada Place

Pink Zakira Printed Mesh Swimsuit, £95 Ted Baker, Canada Place

Georgina ink blue swimsuit, £125, LK Bennett,Jubilee Place

PRETTY IN PRINT

BLOCK COLOUR

Go bold or go home; embrace vibrant colours in your swimwear this summer.

Hina swimsuit, £39, Monsoon, Canada Place

Exude effortless glamour by sticking to one colour.

Seamless forming swim body, £175, Wolford, Jubilee Place

Printed swimsuit, £25.99, Zara, Cabot Place Flower press top, £22; bottoms, £20, Oasis, Jubilee Place

Swimsuit with removable straps, £45, COS, Jubilee Place

Swimsuit, £POA, Michael Kors, Jubilee Place

Forming swim body, £195, Wolford, Jubilee Place

canarywharf.com

Knotted halterneck top, £19, bottoms, £17, COS, Jubilee Place

@yourcanarywharf

@canarywharflondon

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY SABINE VILLIARD

STYLE

HELLO,

MY NAME IS

PAUL SMITH The designer on creation, inspiration and changing the face of fashion WORDS: DANIEL PEMBREY

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PROPERTY

T-shirts back home in Nottingham and bring them with me to sell to people in the audience. Any money I’d make would go towards paying for the petrol to get me there in the first place. I love the creative confidence that Londoners have. The idea of clashing different styles is really central to Paul Smith; taking something classic and familiar and twisting it with the unconventional. For example, pairing a suit with a white T-shirt and tennis shoes. At the risk of sounding swell-headed, I really did pioneer that softer, more casual approach to formal tailoring. London has always been an exceptionally creative and cosmopolitan place. With the British Museum, the National Gallery and Tate Modern, we have three of the most popular museums in the whole world. There’s just an endless flow of inspiration. There are more than 300 languages spoken here, more than anywhere else in the world. It is a fantastic goldmine of ideas.

I don’t find that inspiration really works in a very A-to-B way. When people ask how I find inspiration, I always say ‘inspiration is everywhere; if you can’t see it, look again.’ Sometimes you just have to look up from your phones when you’re walking down the street and you’ll notice a clash of textures on the façade of a building, or a particular combination of colours.

ead to the Paul Smith store on Albemarle Street on a Saturday afternoon and you will find a certain septuagenarian thumbing the fabric swatches found there. He isn’t here to shop. As the creative director of his almost-50-year-old label, Sir Paul Smith is a busy man. Not too busy, mind, to miss his Saturday shift in his flagship boutique. It’s a work ethic that has defined a career; a determination that has taken a fledgling shirt business from a tiny, windowless room in a Nottingham back alley to the four corners of the globe, with products ranging from shoes to wash bags to cycling helmets – and everything in between. Smith’s fans include the head of the Bank of England, Paul Weller and Tom Cruise. In Japan – where he has become something of a Britpop icon – he gets stopped in the street for selfies. Despite the success – some 300 stores worldwide, 20 in the UK – Smith remains level-headed when considering his achievements. “I grew my business very gradually, so there was never a breakthrough moment when it went off like a rocket,” he says. “I’ve held my nerve, and that’s why we’ve had such steady growth over the past five decades. I stick to what I know and what I’m good at.” What he’s good at, very good at, is classic suiting with contemporary, kooky twists; jaunty socks in hypnotic hues; shirts, shoes and leather accessories in signature rainbow stripes. The designs are as playful as the man himself. In Smith’s Covent Garden office, there is an inspiration room of curious objects dubbed the Stockroom of Silly Things. Sir Paul has been known to produce a comedy rubber duck during gloomy boardroom meetings. Here he discusses his plans for the future, his top British designers and his enduring love affair with London.

There is such an amazing pool of creative people in Britain. John Booth is a young London-based ceramic artist whose work is great; it’s colourful and playful, two things that Paul Smith is famous for. We sell his pots in our Westbourne Grove and Albemarle Street stores.

Growing up as a kid in Nottingham, music was initially the reason I’d visit London – for gigs. I remember crashing on the floor of a mate’s house when the Notting Hill Carnival first started in 1966. At that time London was so full of creative energy – musically, fashionably and artistically. I’d come down for a few days and we’d just go out to different gigs every night. Sometimes I’d print a few

Holland Park is where I’ve called home for many years now. It often feels like a little village within London, which is very special. There are great parks right on the doorstep and we’re close to Portobello Road market, which is one of my favourite markets in the whole world.

I wear a suit more or less every day. It’s like a uniform. I feel my most comfortable and confident in a suit. Day-to-day, I wear a classic navy two-piece, but on a particularly special occasion I might wear something bolder – a dark green wool with a white check, for example. I have a pair of handmade leather shoes from Paul Smith that I’ve owned for 35 years. In today’s world of fast fashion they’d be considered fossils, but I find they just get better with age. They’re a simple Derby in brown leather, handmade in Tuscany. I don’t get too attached to clothing, but I would hate to lose these. I don’t spend a great deal of time thinking about the future. There’s so much noise going on in the world today, the main thing is to stay focused on today and tomorrow and maintain a clear point of view. There’s a lot of change taking place in the industry now but I try not to get too preoccupied with what’s going on around me. The speed with which everything is happening can sometimes be a little scary. It’s great to still be so involved with the brand. In the fashion industry, so often designers disappear into an ivory tower and lose touch with the customers they’re designing clothes for. I always try to maintain awareness.

Paul Smith, Cabot Place

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THIS PAGE: PAUL SMITH S/S18 COLLECTION; OPPOSITE PAGE: PORTRAIT OF PAUL SMITH, PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATE PETERS

“London has always been an exceptionally creative and cosmopolitan place”

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STYLE

ROCKET

MAN

Loyal to the Swatch Group for more than 20 years, Raynald Aeschlimann served Longines and Blancpain before becoming CEO of Omega in 2016. Since then, the Swiss citizen has embraced ecommerce, masterminded a multigenerational marketing campaign with mother-daughter models Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford, and became the first CEO to launch a special-edition watch through social media. For his next trick, Aeschliman has set his sights on selling more timepieces than market leader Rolex WORDS: JOSH SIMS

f you happen to be in Biel, Switzerland, and spot a man in a sharp suit on what appears to be a very small bicycle, that’s going to be Raynald Aeschlimann. “Ah, yes that bike’s great,” he says, of what is, in fact, a futuristic, compact, matt black electric bike that he keeps next to his desk in his office. “I use it to get between our various buildings. It saves a bit of time.” Time is Aeschlimann’s business – he is the CEO of Swiss watch brand Omega, and has big plans to transform the company in a way that will give its arch rival, Rolex, a run for its money. That transformation is embodied by Omega’s new headquarters, designed by ‘starchitect’ Shigeru Ban; the first phase has seen the revamping of an established building to create a cavernous hotel-style reception, dazzlingly white rooms filled with watchmakers in white dust jackets, and a 40m high giant warehouse space in which robot claws whiz about co-

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ordinating parts. A further biomorphic timber-framed building is still under construction. That Aeschlimann has a vision is no surprise. He’s been with Swatch Group-owned Omega for more than 20 years, joining the company almost by accident while taking a break from his PhD studies. He worked his way up, being part of the dramatic revitalisation for the brand over that period, bringing it to a place where Omega watches are often considered on a mechanical par with those of Rolex, if perhaps lacking the cultural clout. “Before [becoming CEO] I was trying to make my voice loud, to be heard, which wasn’t difficult,” Aeschlimann laughs, “but now of course I need to think of the whole rather than my part. I have to be conscious of everyone’s else’s job. In my opinion, retail is all about your brand, so being in charge of retail for so

STYLE

“Contrary to the perception that the Swiss watchmaking business likes to foster, these watches are not all made by an old man in an Alpine chalet”

long [Aeschlimann was vice president and international director of sales, retail and distribution from 2001 to 2013] was ideal preparation. But I can’t say I was aiming to get the CEO job. If you’re only interested in getting up to a certain position you don’t stay with the same company for two decades.” He’s on record saying that he wants Omega to surpass Rolex’s estimated sales of 800,000 watches a year – Omega currently makes around 700,000 through a process that blends the handcrafted with the high-tech industrial. As Aeschlimann jokingly puts it, “contrary to the perception that the Swiss watchmaking business likes to foster, these watches are not all made by an old man in an Alpine chalet.” Overtaking Rolex is not necessarily his goal in itself, he says, but more an indication that Omega has grown. “The fact is that we have such incredible stories, we could be bigger than the number one – not just in sales, but as a brand. We are where we are because we spent so much getting the watches right, and not just the image.” Not that it’s a competition, mind, but Omega has gone into overdrive with the technical advances over recent years: co-axial escapement, for example, is a term that now appears regularly on the dials of Omega watches. The escapement is the key component in a watch mechanism. It’s what makes the watch

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tick, letting the energy stored in the spring escape – hence escapement – in a controlled manner, maintaining the oscillations of the balance wheel, too. This involves a lot of friction between parts and in a mechanical timepiece, friction is the enemy of precision, requiring regular lubrication to minimise its impact. Not so with Omega’s proprietary co-axial version. By reducing the surfaces that make contact with each other and introducing a pushing rather than a sliding motion, friction is greatly reduced. Since a co-axial escapement also has fewer parts than a more traditional lever escapement, there is greater mechanical efficiency. The company is also rapidly moving towards a point where all of its watches will get the Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) seal of approval – this elite, independent certification system for master chronometers sets performance standards much higher than industry average, across a wider range of criteria. “Talking about precision is one thing, but opening up certification to a wider definition – covering water-proofing, antimagnetism and the like – raises standards further,” says Aeschlimann. “Admittedly these are sometimes difficult stories to sell. How do you transmit what can be very technical information about a product, and sell it in a traditional commercial way? All the same, they complete the spirit of the product. Most people would understand that co-axial is an added value, even if they don’t quite understand how it actually works.” Both moves represent a further overhaul of the Omega brand which, by Aeschlimann’s admission, has, historically, not been in a good place. “Back in the 1970s and 1980s Omega made some watches that destroyed its image. They were crap – not in the sense of being bad watches, per se, but in the sense that they weren’t at the Omega standard level. You have to remember that in the 1960s, the decade before, Omega was one of the top brands in the world – and I don’t mean just in watches. We’ve suffered from what people have thought about us in the past.” If all that is ancient history to younger customers, the new challenge in the smartphone age might be to get them interested in wearing a watch at all – especially one that only tells the time or, anachronistically perhaps, does such essential things as timing events to fractions of a second (a function, it seems, only ever used in helping boil eggs). “Actually millennials [loosely described as people born between the early 1980s and late 90s] are a generation that likes to consume as much as older generations do, maybe more, but

“For me a luxury product is, by definition, one that’s emotional”

their focus is more on ‘real’ goods,” Aeschlimann suggests. “Speak to them and it’s not as though they see a quartz or smartwatch as replacing a mechanical watch. Rather, they see them as entirely different things. The mechanical watch is something that expresses them – you see that in the demand for vintage watches.” To meet this younger consumer part way, Omega is moving into the brave new world of e-commerce – brave, at least, for the traditionally tardy Swiss watch industry. It has also cut its ties with motor sport, which, for a company that does its good works through the GoodPlanet Foundation, obviously feels like an environmentally unfriendly mismatch. Omega is a brand of incredible stories. If Rolex, among a select group of Swiss watch brands, has its icons – the Daytona, the GMT-Master, the Submariner – what the brand doesn’t have is a long association with the Olympic Games: Omega has been responsible for the timing of all events at both summer and winter Olympics since 1932. More pertinently to many men, Rolex doesn’t have the Omega Speedmaster, the only watch to be worn on the moon and NASA’s go-to timepiece for its astronauts since the 1960s. Nor does the rival watchmaker have the Omega Seamaster, which since 1995 has been the watch of choice for James Bond (at least in the movies – in Fleming’s novels Bond wears a Rolex). Some will recall the excruciating scene in Casino Royale in which 007’s love interest makes an analysis of his sartorial choices, only to be corrected by him: no, he’s not wearing a Rolex, he explains, but, in fact, an Omega. “Beautiful,” she says. And the tills went ker-ching. “The Olympics is a huge part of our history and integral to what we do. It’s something that makes the brand different – we hear stories of people buying Omega watches just because it reminds them of a certain moment during the Olympics,” says Aeschlimann. “But Bond is a unique property – it has become as much part of Omega, as Omega has become part of Bond. And I don’t really like to think about whether it would be a bad thing if those ties were broken. Thankfully, that is not an issue right now...” Yes, with or without Daniel Craig, James Bond will return. And he’ll be wearing an Omega again. That a brand like Omega is able to play on these moments of myth and magic may prove all the more important in years to come, as Aeschlimann seeks to ratchet up those additional 100,000 sales. By his own admission, nobody – millennial or not – really needs a mechanical watch any more. The watch left the world of utility and entered the world of items desired for their own sake, and that’s a world that thrives on sentiment. “It’s very interesting to see what will happen with similar brands that also sell things nobody really needs but which people buy anyway,” says Aeschlimann. “For me a luxury product is, by definition, one that’s emotional. Luxury shopping is when the emotional overcomes the rational. Of course people want precision in watches. And, yes, the industry still needs to be investing in even better standards. A mechanical watch is a piece of engineering, as well as a piece of art, that you can wear on your wrist. “Clearly there are other ways of getting the time. Yet it’s the same with cars. If you drive a Bentley you still get stuck in the same traffic as everyone else. But at least, you’ll be in a Bentley.” omegawatches.com

FROM TOP: SEAMASTER 1948 CENTRAL SECOND; SEAMASTER 1948 SMALL SECONDS

STYLE

THE NEW LIGHTER TASTING PILSNER NOW AVAILABLE AT

TASTE THE LIGHTER SIDE

EATING

AL FRESCO

Sun, sangria and Spanish dishes, what more could you ask for? Ibérica’s terrace is officially open for summer

nspired by the streets of Madrid and the city squares of Barcelona, Ibérica has reopened its terrace, La Terraza, ready for the summer and this year it’s set to be bigger and better than ever. The terrace restaurant and bar, in Cabot Square, provides a little haven in the middle of Canary Wharf and acts as the perfect place to treat yourself at lunchtime, head to for after work drinks or to visit on the weekends for some al fresco dining. The Josper grill is back in action ready to draw you in with the delicious smell of chargrilled meat and seafood. For lunch, if you fancy something lighter, opt for one of the healthy seasonal salads, traditional Spanish sandwiches or Ibérica’s popular sharing platters. And in the evenings you can also choose from a selection of

classic Spanish tapas to sit alongside a selection of juicy meat skewers. To top it off, everyday will showcase a special dish to choose from. Nothing beats eating great food in the sun, than pairing it with a refreshing drink. Don’t leave without trying the new ‘Terraza Cocktails’ or one of the four signature gin and tonics featuring exclusive Spanish craft gin. Or choose from draught and bottled Mahou beer, Asturian cider or from its extensive wine list. The charming space, complete with fairy lights in the evening and the calming sound of trickling water from the fountains, is open from 11.30am until 10pm. Ibérica La Terraza, Cabot Square; ibericarestaurants.com

canarywharf.com

WHAT’S ON THE MENU The Josper grill will feature only the best 100 per cent Ibérico pork, lamb rump, the Ibérica burger and chargrilled pulpo.

@yourcanarywharf

@canarywharflondon

WBS London, The Shard

The Warwick MBA in London

Transform yourself with a part-time MBA at The Shard. Visit our website to register for one of our Open Events. W wbs.ac.uk/go/canary

For the Change Makers

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TRANQUILITY THAI STYLE DISCOVERING ECO-HAVEN RITZ-CARLTON KOH SUMUI

P. 98 MESMERISING MALTA VALETTA LIVES UP TO ITS REPUTATION AS THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2018

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas

DIVE INTO SUMMER WITH OUR GUIDE TO THE WORLDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BEST BEACHES, FROM THE SHORES OF SCOTLAND TO THE IRIDESCENT MALDIVIAN COASTS

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Tranquility

THAI style

Surrounded by sea with lakes and pools forming the landscape, the new Ritz-Carlton in Koh Samui is the ultimate eco haven WORDS: LAURA TENNANT

isiting Koh Samui at Thai new year in April is an exhilarating experience. The island plays host to a gigantic communal water fight, a boisterous annual custom which includes any visitor unwise enough to travel with car windows open. With temperatures of 40⁰C or more and a sky dappled with the fluffiest of drifting clouds, the purifying water rituals of the Songkran celebrations are a blessing. It certainly seemed an auspicious time of year to visit the new RitzCarlton hotel on the island’s northern tip, a short trip from the delightfully folkloric airport. Koh Samui is the archetypical Thai island, all lush vegetation, pristine beaches, full moon parties and beach huts. A definite hippy vibe exists alongside some of the most sybaritic and spoiling resorts in Thailand (the island is known for its yoga retreats) so it’s fitting that Ritz-Carlton has achieved an atmosphere of Zen luxury. The hotel’s 58acre estate contains 175 villas and suites, four restaurants and two bars, as well as a gym and beautifully appointed spa that’s large enough to avoid ever feeling crowded. Drawing on traditional Thai architecture, the buildings are elegant, simple and unobtrusive, while cleverly designed to offer all guests views of either azure sea or emerald vegetation. Buggies beetle through the grounds, offering lifts to guests dazed by sun and sea, but I preferred to stroll, listening to the cicadas and taking in the purple wallflowers and magnificent palms which dot the grounds. Water is an integral part of the landscaping. At the spa, an infinity pool merges with a tranquil lake surrounded by canopied loungers where blissed-out guests can relax after their massage. In my villa room, the serene blues of sky, sea and the infinity plunge pool on my private terrace produced a sensation of almost dream-like tranquillity. Simply add cold beer for something approaching paradise. Inside, I found all the trappings of five-star hotel comfort,

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Intelligent travellers want something more challenging than a sunlounger

and then some. Stone, wood and marble in a neutral palette set off the spectacular vista and ingenious sightlines meant my bathroom was entirely private. In the evenings, I was able to open the blinds and enjoy bath salts and candles as well as a similarly ravishing view of dusk falling. Thoughtful touches such as the separate air conditioning controls for bedroom and sitting room were testimony to Ritz-Carlton’s environmental credentials. Few visitors these days feel comfortable heedlessly exploiting the natural and human resources of their destination, so it was good to note thoughtful touches that are testimony to Ritz-Carlton’s environmental credentials, such as the separate air conditioning controls for bedroom and sitting room and the restaurants’ policy of using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. It’s equally the case that intelligent travellers want something more challenging than a sun lounger and a cocktail – especially those staying for up to a month, as some of the hotel’s patrons have been known to do. Ritz-Carlton works hard to keep guests entertained, with daily yoga classes, instruction in Muay Thai boxing (highly recommended), cookery classes and excursions

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: ULTIMATE POOL VILLA; SPA VILLAGE; PAK THAI; ARRIVAL PAVILION; THE BEACH; AERIAL VIEW OF RITZ-CARLTON; SPA VILLAGE; OCEAN VIEW POOL VILLA

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You could dig your toes in the sand while sampling the freshest of fish to the local market and temple. A speedboat trip to the nearby island of Koh Phangan took us over clear waters and past rocky outcrops emerging from sea like barnacled whales. We moored just off the white sands of a perfect beach, which we enjoyed with a steady supply of cold beers from our vessel’s icebox mere wading distance away – surely the ultimate in barefoot luxury. Back at the resort, we got up close and personal with some friendly fish at the hotel’s swim reef. Snorkelling, I discovered, becomes a whole new experience when the sea cucumber you’re observing is tame enough to hold and stroke. I can think of few better ways to start the day than with a yoga class in an outdoor sala pavilion, accompanied by the scent of coconut (the spa’s signature ingredient), the sound of running water and the sight of palm trees and dappled sky. Add long sea swims, the right amount of sun and a diet of fresh fish and it’s no wonder that the hotel feels as much spa break as luxury holiday. And the spa itself is exceptional, with the charm of the therapists matched only by the quality of the treatments. Food at the Ritz-Carlton is daily feast, starting with an epicurean breakfast. Buffet doesn’t do justice to the range of cuisines ( from ‘full English’ to French patisserie to Thai noodles) and sheer variety. Fresh fruit, salad, eggs every which way, kitsch cereal choices (Fruit Loops, anyone?), rice milk, honey milk, Thai tea latte, stir-fried sweet and sour rice with fish, noodle soup, cheeses and hams were just some of the things I scribbled in my notebook while trying to decide what on earth to choose to eat. At the other end of the scale there’s the delightfully laid-back beach restaurant Sea Salt, where you can dig your toes in the sand while sampling the freshest of fish chosen from a menu scribbled on a blackboard. After something a little more formal? Try Shook! It serves exquisite Thai dishes infused with classic flavours; think hot basil, garlic, chilli, cinnamon, star anise, kaffir lime leaf and lemongrass. Personal highlight? If I had to choose, I’d say returning to my room after dinner, skinny dipping in the silky waters of the plunge pool and gazing up at a velvet night sky to count (and thank) my lucky stars. Call it my own private purifying water ritual.

FACT BOX From £877 per night including breakfast for the Ocean View Pool Villa, ritzcarlton.com The Plaza Premium Lounge operates in Heathrow Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. Prices start from £40 for two hours’ lounge access and include alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, food and access to shower facilities. For more information or to book, visit plaza-network.com

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TRAETH LLYFN, PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES ©VISIT PEMBROKESHIRE

SIX SECRET SEASIDE SPOTS IN BRITAIN This summer, step off the beaten track and into the splendid solitude of these secluded British beaches, far from the madding crowd WORDS: ABISHA SRITHARAN

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TRAETH LLYFN, PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES ©VISIT PEMBROKESHIRE

SPEKE’S MILL MOUTH, HARTLAND, DEVON

This secret beach was reportedly once used to break the record for the world’s largest session of skinny dipping. It can only be accessed via steps so be sure to note the tide times, as high tides can cause the stairs to be blocked off. The beach is backed by towering cliffs of slate and shale, and is perfect for rockpooling. A short walk away from Traeth Llyfn is the stunning Blue Lagoon – a flooded quarry that you can swim in – and other attractive places such as the ruined brickworks above Porthgain.

The highlight of a trip to this beautiful area will most likely be the 50m waterfall that plunges from the top of the cliffs down into the sea below. There are also beautiful, deep, clear rock pools to explore on the beach. The area is popular with surfers, but still fairly empty most days. Nearby Hartland Quay – which has been used as a location for many films and TV shows, including Disney’s Treasure Island in 1950 – is also worth a visit. Just a short distance from Hartland Quay is Hartland Abbey, which was built in 1169 as a monastery. In the 1540s, Henry VIII gave the abbey to William Abbott, the head of his Hampton Court wine cellar, and today it is owned by the Stucley family, who are descendants of Abbot. It is open to the public from March to September.

Stay at: Crug Glâs Country House located in 600 acres of beautiful countryside and offers a range of rooms and dining options, including a delectable afternoon tea. From £150 per night, crug-glas.co.uk

Stay at: Hartland Quay Hotel, which was built in 1886 and has 13 bedrooms, a three-bedroom cottage and serves locally sourced food in its restaurant. From £70 per night, bed and breakfast, hartlandquayhotel.co.uk

TRAETH LLYFN, PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES

BOTANY BAY, KENT

Botany Bay is an award-winning beach that is recognised for its cleanliness and excellent facilities. This hidden treasure offers views of white cliffs and chalk stacks, and the beautiful bay is also rich in history. This area of Kent was used by smugglers to hide themselves and their stolen goods, and the beach is said to have been named after the Australian location where criminals were once exiled. Today, you can still find mazes and cliff chambers left behind by the smugglers, and the white sandy bay is an idyllic location for a quiet day at the beach. Stay at: Botany Bay Hotel, high on the cliff top just a stone’s throw away from the beach, with picturesque views. From £70 per night for a standard single room, bed and breakfast, botanybayhotel.co.uk

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WORBARROW BAY, TYNEHAM, DEVON

COVES HAVEN, HOLY ISLAND, NORTTHUMBERLAND

WORBARROW BAY, TYNEHAM, DORSET

In 1943, during the Second World War, the villagers of Tyneham were evicted from their homes in order for the British Army to set up a temporary training ground. The residents were never allowed to return, however, which meant the buildings fell into disrepair and Tyneham became a ghost village. The government kept the village for military use after the war ended and the village and bay are now owned by the Ministry of Defence, with access only granted to the public on weekends and holidays. The village is home to an array of wildlife and also has great ruins to explore. Worbarrow Bay is a short walk away and part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, with picturesque views of the sea, skyline, cliffs and hills. There are also sea caves and hill forts that the whole family can enjoy exploring. Stay at: Lulworth Lodge, a beachside hotel with 12 stylish rooms and an all-day bistro. From £93 per night for a Super Snug room, lulworthlodge.co.uk

COVES HAVEN, HOLY ISLAND, NORTHUMBERLAND

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, also simply known as Holy Island, is one of the most important centres of early English Christianity, and Coves Haven, to the north of the island, is where the monks of Lindisfarne are said to have cleansed themselves in the waves. The beautiful bay is overlooked by sandstone caves, which are home to many birds of prey, and backed by high dunes and steep cliffs. At low tide, there are many fascinating rock pools to explore in this secluded Holy Island haven. Stay at: Chatton Park House, which offers five-star adult-only accommodation set in four acres of manicured gardens. From £169 per night, bed and breakfast, chattonpark.com Families may prefer to stay at: Waren House Hotel, a luxury hotel with an award-winning restaurant and 12 individually styled bedrooms. From £80 per night, bed and breakfast, warenhousehotel.co.uk

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SEILEBOST, OUTER HEBRIDES, SCOTLAND

Seilebost – pronounced shel-a-bost – beach has a picturesque setting, surrounded by dramatic scenery, mountain views, white sand and turquoise water. It is a great location for long walks in the sand dunes or quiet days alone by the sea, and peace and tranquillity are sure to be your only companions when visiting this beach. There are holiday cottages available in the nearby traditional crofting village of Seilebost. Stay at: Beul Na Mara beachside guest house and self-catering cottages on the Isle of Harris – bed and breakfast or self-catering options are both available. From £47.50 per night, bed and breakfast at the guest house, beulnamara.co.uk

“London has always been an exceptionally creative and cosmopolitan place. It is a fantastic goldmine of ideas”

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ESCAPE TO THE

COUNTRY

Family time and fresh air are at the heart of this charming Cotswolds retreat, which brings people, ecology and award-winning architecture together in perfect harmony WORDS: FIONA SMITH

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he peace and quiet was almost deafening as our two families piled out of their respective cars to unload at the Lower Mill Estate – a Habitat Escapes holiday home retreat near Cirencester. Our home for the week was easy to find and made a striking first impression. The Swallows, a fourbedroom villa which sleeps eight, is on the perimeter of the residential nature reserve, overlooking a beautiful lake and is one of the more modern, glassfronted properties that the estate offers. When we carried ourselves and our things inside, we found that the interior of the spacious villa was just as impressive as the outside. We were welcomed by a gleamingly clean hall with oak flooring and found three well-appointed bedrooms that open onto decking areas and two bathrooms on the ground floor. On the first and second floors, we found a wellequipped kitchen, a living/dining area complete with a wood-burning stove, the master suite (with a huge bathroom) and a snug television room. There were balconies on both elevations but the views across the water to the rear were the most appealing. The property had absolutely everything – things we didn’t even think we needed appeared as we opened drawers and cupboards, from cards and board games to DVDs and comfy beanbags. For once, we didn’t have to come up with ways to entertain the

kids indoors, and I can honestly say we didn’t touch the television remote once. However, as much as we loved the villa, we knew we wouldn’t stay indoors for long, as we wanted to explore the serene eco-friendly estate and the outdoor activities on offer. This rural retreat is set in 550 acres of unspoiled countryside with miles of walking trails, eight lakes and two rivers, where otters and water voles can be seen. The wildlife-rich reserve is also home to a protected colony of beavers and more than 25 species of birds – a lot of which we had to look up in the bird book. Not only did the adults have a great time taking advantage of the award-winning spa facility and the wine bar – with possibly a cocktail or two – but the kids also had a great time. Our boys are keen football players, so it comes as no surprise that they spent a lot of time on the enclosed football court. They even made new friends on the pitch. Being here also reminded me of my youth and days spent outdoors, jumping into natural lakes. I didn’t brave the freshwater lakes on the reserve, but I did dive into the lovely heated pool more than once. The award-winning spa complex also boasts a steam room, sauna, gym, and reading lounge. There are up to 60 treatments on offer, from hot-stone massages and body wraps to manicures and pedicures. Having worked up an appetite, our entire party, adults and children alike, gathered in the evenings at the on-site Ballihoo restaurant. As eco-friendly as the rest of the retreat, it serves fresh and delicious local produce. The hand-stretched pizzas went down well and local dishes included a Cotswold game stew and a fish dish made from the catch of the day. Even the ice cream comes from the region. The lovely staff at the restaurant – and the entire estate, in fact – made an already pleasant place even better, and our weekend gave us memories of time spent with loved ones which we would treasure when we returned to our bustling city lives. Next time we visit this beautiful place – and there will be a next time – we hope to go back in the summer to take full advantage of the water sports such as canoeing and kayaking, and the outdoor eco-pool, filtered by water lilies. Habitat Escapes also has a second site, Silverlake in Dorset. Lower Mill Estate ticked many boxes – something harder to do when you go away with a family that includes young children – yet there seemed to be nothing missing in this special place. It was the ideal way to escape the demands of urban life and immerse ourselves in the natural environment, and since Habitat Escapes also offers purchase options, we might just have to make sure we keep our favourite spot all to ourselves. From £712.50 for three nights at The Swallows, from £950 for a week, habitatescapes.com

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SEAS THE D AY For a classic coastal break, head to under-the-radar Dinard in Brittany, where old-world charm and modern elegance await

WORDS: ANGELINA VILLA-CLARKE

t’s just an hour’s flight from the UK, but Dinard feels like a world away. Wide, windswept and often empty beaches are dotted with blue-and-white-striped beach huts, as if time has stood still since the turn of the century. It’s this timeless charm that is northern France’s answer to the Riviera. Made popular by British and American tourists in the 19th century, Dinard was France’s top summer resort, until the same well-heeled travellers started flocking to the south of France in the 1930s. Wander around the boutique and café-lined streets, close to the Plage de l’Écluse, the town’s main beach, and you’ll spot many of the period villas belonging to these original jetsetters still standing. You may even recognise the beach scene itself – it having been immortalised in Pablo Picasso’s Baigneuses sur la plage. To soak it all up properly, however, take a short stroll along the sea wall to the Clair de Lune promenade, and you’ll come across one of Dinard’s quirkiest properties – and one of the reasons why this little town is so becoming. Oozing storybook charm, Castelbrac – a quirky 25-room hotel – is set into the cliffs, with pretty views across the water to the town of St Malo. Hotelier Yann Bucaille saw the potential of the Belle Époque mansion and reimagined it as a modern-day bolthole in 2015. Once known locally as ‘Villa Bric-à-Brac’ due to its rambling nature and patchwork history, it is carved out of three interconnecting harbour-side buildings. Originally built by the English aristocrat William Faber in 1872, by the 1930s it had become home to a marine research station and the town’s popular aquarium, but fell into disrepair in the early 2000s. Today, it boasts bold and eclectic interiors, courtesy of designers Sandra Benhamou and Léonie Alma Mason. There are

period features aplenty: tiled Arts and Crafts fireplaces have been restored and vaulted wooden ceilings have been revamped. The stunning centrepiece is a curved staircase, which is now painted black and laid with a dramatic graphic design carpet, set off by bright green palm print wallpaper. Elsewhere, there’s a peaceful, restorative atmosphere with much made of the panoramic seaside views. All the bedrooms feature subtle aquatic references – so expect elegant, fish-shaped mirrors, door handles modelled on waves and shimmering tiles that echo fish scales. In the bathrooms, there are zellige mosaics of blue, white and saffron, as well as chic Thémaé Paris goodies for pampering. Ask for a room with a terrace – most have one – so you can breakfast on the jaunty red and white rattan chairs, and take in the sea views. The Prestige Suite has a wrap-around terrace for heavenly moments watching the sun rise and set. While bedrooms err towards modernity, the public spaces give more of a nod to the building’s history. The lounge has burnt orange velvet tub chairs, a small library and flashes of gold insignia inspired by Benhamou’s desire for “English spirit with Hitchcockian style”. Talking of which, Hitchcock himself was a fan of the area; the looming cliffside mansion, Villa Saint-Germain, was reportedly the inspiration for the house in Psycho. These days he is remembered by a bronze statue overlooking the Plage de l’Écluse, as well as at the annual British Film Festival, which takes place here in September, during which filmmakers are awarded a ‘Golden Hitchcock’. To see more of the craggy coastline and picturesque towns that dot the emerald coast, it’s worth jumping aboard Castelbrac’s hand-built yacht, Le Fou De Bassan, which can take guests on a

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ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF CASTELBRAC

Dinard’s timeless charm is northern France’s answer to the Riviera

tour around the surrounding bays, or for sunset cocktails in the Bay of St Malo. While Dinard is tiny and muted compared to flashier French resorts, there is nonetheless enough to do to fill a long weekend. As well as standout coastal walks, the town is a treat for gourmands, with a food market held most days along Rue Paul Valéry. You’ll also find an abundance of crêperies: try them lightly sugared or with lemon at Le Hautecloque (on Rue du Maréchal Leclerc) or Crêperie du Roy (on Boulevard Féart). At night, the hotel sizzles with old-school glamour. Start off with cocktails in the Aquarium Bar, where you’ll find gilded suspension lamps and original pillars decked out in black, green and gold mosaic tiles that make you feel as though you’re 20,000 leagues under the sea. After a pomegranate martini, head to the Pourquoi Pas restaurant. With views over Prieuré Bay, it is minimal and sophisticated. Here, chef Julien Hennote offers his take on Breton dishes, with a focus on local seafood and fresh ingredients (everything is sourced from within 25km of the hotel). Highlights include John Dory cooked in seaweed butter from Saint-Lunaire and a saddle of lamb stuffed with spider crab, not to mention the most exquisite lobster bisque amusebouche you’ll find this side of Paris. While Dinard has long been a favourite of artistic big-hitters (Picasso was a visitor in the 1920s and Claude Debussy composed La Mer while staying in the town), it is one of those rare places that manages to feel wonderfully unknown somehow. ‘Soul Haven’ says the sign for Castelbrac – I couldn’t have put it better myself. From €250 per night, based on two people sharing, castelbrac.com

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DEVON, DE SAVARY STYLE

Vivid blue seas, dolphin spotting and Sammy the Seal combine for the perfect weekend away WORDS: DAWN ALFORD

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grew up hearing about the exploits of millionaire yachtsman Peter de Savary. He was a big name in the West Country in the 1980s – buying our beloved Land’s End, building the Pendennis shipyard in Cornwall and leading the British sailing team in the America’s Cup. The hotelier and property magnate’s biography makes fascinating reading. He made his money initially after a chance meeting with the then President of Nigeria’s brother, went on to own Millwall Football Club, has been married three times, bought castles and golf courses and even survived a plane crash. So for me staying at a de Savary-owned hotel – and I have visited a few of them over the years – is always intriguing and an insight into the owner’s unique character. De Savary has said of his hotels: “They are not Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons properties – those are commercial, done to make money. My activities are not about money. It’s about creating. It’s about the satisfaction of an artist who paints a picture. You’d like to sell your work of art for a lot of money, but truly great artists never had that as their main motivation.” And the five-star Cary Arms on the clifftop overlooking Babbacombe Bay in Devon is indeed a work of art. Described modestly as ‘the inn on the beach’, the hotel has all the charisma and values of a good old English pub, combined with the fine dining, style and comfort of a luxury hotel. The views from the terrace are sublime and the al fresco seating area alongside the restaurant is equipped with a bell guests are asked to ring should they spot a pod of dolphins – allowing everyone the chance to watch the action. The Cary Arms is more than a hotel – it offers a choice of accommodation options from chic rooms and suites within the main building to cottages that sleep up to 10 and super-stylish beach huts for couples. The Cary Spa offers Thalgo beauty treatments, a waterfall hydrotherapy pool, steam room, gym and sauna – all with that stunning view across the waves. The sunbathing terrace is perfect for relaxing and is decorated with examples of American illustration art from de Savary’s private collection. I visited Babbacombe many times as a child and it was great

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: AMERICAN ART FROM THE DE-SAVARY COLLECTION; BATHROOM; RESTAURANT; DETAILS AT THE CARY ARMS; BEDROOM AT BEACH COTTAGE; THE CARY ARMS

Bellow us fisherman hauled in their catches and a large seal popped up to say hello to return with my own family. With the exception of the Cary Arms, not much has changed. The small town sits atop the famous red cliffs –the beach is reached via a steep hill or, better still, by the charming cliff railway. When we visited, it happened to be Cliff Railway Day (who knew there was one?), ensuring the 90-year-old transportation system was awash with trainspotters of the funicular kind. Nearby is Kents Cavern, a prehistoric underground cave system which ancient humans called home, and the quaint and extraordinarily detailed Babbacombe Model Village, which both my children declared to be the best day out ever. It is also just a short drive to Torquay and Paignton – towns that continue to reflect the glamour of their 1950s resort heydays. So there is plenty to do locally should you want to venture out, but, if your stay is short, you might prefer to simply soak up the Cary Arms experience. Our hardest choice back at the hotel was whether to absorb the views and the sunshine from the terrace of our cottage or from the decking of the hotel. We sociably chose the hotel and chatted to staff and local regulars as the sun set on a wonderful day. Below us, as the fishermen hauled in their catches, a large seal – named Sammy by the locals – popped up to say hello and beg for fish scraps from the anglers. Staff say de Savary and his wife Lana often stay at the hotel, take real pride in what they’ve created at Babbacombe, and enjoy meeting their guests. The pity for me was that they weren’t in residence that weekend. I’d love to have heard some of de Savary’s stories at first hand.

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GET THERE

Deluxe rooms from £245, beach huts from £375, beach suites from £475 per room/hut/suite per night, bed and breakfast. Cottages from £425 per night, The Cary Arms & Spa, Babbacombe Beach, Torquay, TQ1 3LX, 01803 327110, enquiries@caryarms.co.uk, caryarms.co.uk

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FINCA GAIN When is a finca not a finca? When it’s one of Europe’s finest hotels – and Finca Cortesin in Málaga deserves its stellar reputation

WORDS: JAN JACQUES

here are grand hotels, heritage hotels, boutique hotels – and then there is Finca Cortesin, in a class all of its own. Spain’s five-star jewel in the crown is hard to categorise. It’s a hotel for all seasons which looks and feels rich in history. Inside the grand front entrance are Moorish courtyards, opulent tapestries, elegant high ceilings and flagstone floors from a Portuguese monastery. Yet this complex, near Marbella on the Costa del Sol, is less than a decade old and was one of the last projects of revered interior designer Duarte Pinto Coelho. Regarded by many as the best hotel in Spain, and possibly Europe (no argument from me), Finca Cortesin has a world-class spa, championship golf course and four restaurants – including the Michelin-starred Kabuki Raw. Finca is, of course, Spanish for farmhouse, but this is very far from rustic. My suite, off a charming courtyard with a pretty

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fountain, was palatial, with plush furniture, lavish drapes and an outsized bed with crisp linen sheets. Fresh flower arrangements, elegant artwork and a verdant private garden added yet more appeal. You could fit the average Canary Wharf one-bed flat into the bathroom, which featured a heated marble floor, huge mirrors, generous shower room and separate W.C. Even the toiletries – luxury, sweet-smelling Penhaligon’s products – were top-notch. The bath was almost roomy enough to swim in, which brings me to Finca Cortesin’s actual pools. The emerald-green outdoor Olympic-size is for adults only, while its slightly smaller cousin is for everyone. Both are surrounded by perfectly trimmed lawns, lush borders and winding paths canopied with scented white roses. The luxuriously large heated indoor pool at the spa completes the trio and makes for a picturesque dip. One wall consists of

PROPERTY

A pristine white infinity pool and glass-fronted restaurant and bar complete the mood

NEED TO KNOW Room rates at Finca Cortesin start from €585 per night in a Junior Suite, bed and breakfast, fincacortesin.com

lofty arched windows, with a view of the gardens and the sparkling blue sea beyond. The spa itself has a glorious old-style glamour, yet the scented steam rooms, saunas, treatment rooms and gym boast the latest technology. It even has a snow cabin – the only one in Spain – which stimulates the circulation to leave you feeling energised. The Thai-style treatments on offer are too many to list, but it’s worth noting that my massage by the wonderful Anna has probably spoiled me for other spas. I left feeling taller, lighter and a whole lot calmer. A happy fact about staying at a spa resort is that you feel less guilty about sampling the menus after a swim and workout. Dinner at Kabuki Raw was a treat: paté wrapped in impossibly delicate white truffle (stunningly hard to create) was preceded by mouth-watering scallops, both of which kicked off a meal to remember. The following courses included thinly sliced belly of tuna, tangy salmon and Wagyu beef ribs – with each flavour so distinctive. The night before, we had sat down to a fillet of Angus beef which melted like butter in the mouth, among other treats. Nowhere else has this tasted anywhere near as delectable.

Finca Cortesin’s breakfasts are a feast in themselves. China plates bearing succulent cold meats and cheeses, many varieties of fresh bread and tiny, ambrosial muffins, straight from the oven, are just the start. Spoiled for choice for a cooked course, I opted for an extraordinary eggs Benedict with Spanish ham. Finca Cortesin’s Beach Club is just a short shuttle ride away from the 67-suite main building and reveals a modern side with an Ibiza-style vibe. A pristine white infinity pool and glassfronted restaurant and bar complete the mood. It’s laid back, but the food is first class – lots of fresh fish and traditional Spanish dishes such as paella. All the finca’s high-calibre components have one thing in common: superior service. The staff are impeccable without being too formal and it’s a winning combination. The managers rightly pride themselves on attention to detail: the fennel water served in the spa is always the right temperature; a little-used lift is lined in gorgeously embroidered fabric, set behind glass; the coffee table magazines in each suite are laid out just so – the list goes on and on. The only downside of Finca Cortesin is when you have to leave it. I had a lump in my throat as we drove away and I will be going back as soon as possible.

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Blinds

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MALTA

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With a glorious combination of Mediterranean sunshine and spectacular sights, this tiny island offers an antidote to all things tech – particularly in Valletta, 2018’s European Capital of Culture WORDS AND PICTURES: DOUG MCKINLAY

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nce again, I’m stuck in a morning battle of wills with my 11-year-old son Charlie. He’s in the middle of a firefight with demon aliens, shouting orders to his mates through his headset while glued to the 50-inch screen in front of his face. To all intents and purposes I don’t exist, even though I’m standing above him telling him for the 10th time to pack up the game and get ready for school. It’s a Sisyphean task that can sap the energy of even the most patient of parents, which I’m not. But at least for the next few days Charlie, my partner Jane and I will have a week away from the intergalactic mayhem as we explore this year’s European Capital of Culture, Malta’s Valletta. Malta is a tiny speck of a country; from the air it looks nothing more than a pile of caramelcoloured rocks sticking out of the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea. However its lack of physical size is in stark contrast to the enormity of its history. Competing empires have scrapped over its rockstrewn terrain for centuries; the country’s strategic location between North Africa and southern Europe has seen to that. As empires were vanquished and

Every turn of the head reveals the depth of this city’s history

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replaced by others, each left a little of its culture behind. The inheritance is seen in the architecture, the costume, the language and traditions. Malta is a melting pot of all those marauders who fought, died and settled here in the name of one king or another. The last foreign rulers to control Malta were the British, who left in 1964 after more than 150 years of governance. Their legacy remains in business, law, politics and education, all of which have a unique blend of Mediterranean Britishness. English is joint official language with Maltese, making a trip here easy for UK travellers. I’m impressed by Valletta right from the start. It’s a magnificent fortress city overlooking a vast harbour and the Mediterranean Sea. The Upper Barrakka Gardens offer spectacular vistas and are especially dramatic when the midday canon is fired from the Saluting Battery. In Valletta, every turn of the head reveals the depth of the city’s history, from the narrow streets lined with incredible, almost tactile, Baroque architecture to the elaborate St John’s Co-Cathedral, with its works by Caravaggio,

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and the newly finished Parliament House designed by Renzo Piano, also architect of The Shard in London. The city is like a living museum, so it’s no surprise that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and was chosen as the European Capital of Culture for this year. Valletta kicked off the celebrations with a gala week in January featuring street performers, artists, storytelling, dance and music. Then, in February, the annual carnival took place; it’s one of Malta’s oldest festivities, dating back to the rule of the Knights of the Order of Saint John. For four days, the city’s historic streets host marching bands, fancy dress competitions and dancers in elaborate costume. The highlight is the carnival parade featuring all manner of impressive handmade floats, some allegorical, some satirical and others just fun and wacky. It’s often difficult to get to grips with the history of a place, especially with limited time and an 11-year-old boy in tow. Initially Charlie’s main concern was getting to the beach, which was understandable since he knew that the waters around Malta and its sister island Gozo are among the clearest in the Mediterranean. To be fair, I was quite looking forward to a plunge myself. Still, history awaited and we dragged him

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to the Malta Experience, an entertaining 45-minute audiovisual show that lifts the lid on 7,000 years of the nation’s past. I think parents know when their child is connected with the here and now, and with Charlie it’s no different. A big clue for Jane and I is when he is asking questions – often too many questions – a barrage of which were levelled at the skipper of the small ferry that toured us around the fantastic waterfront of Valletta’s Grand Harbour on our second day. He allowed Charlie to operate the boat’s tiller while crossing the bay, and that opened the proverbial floodgates; Charlie’s enquiries came thick and fast. Suddenly alien invaders were out and Maltese history and sights were in. For the rest of our time we managed a balanced combination of

exploration, swimming and eating. With our agenda set, next on the hit list was the medieval hilltop city of Mdina, about seven miles from Valletta. The old capital of Malta, Mdina is one of Europe’s finest examples of a walled city. Evidence of settlements here dates back almost 4,000 years. But once the capital was moved to the coast in 1530, Mdina became almost a ghost town and was known as the Silent City. It’s far from silent today, though, thanks to the 750,000 tourists a year it attracts. While Jane poked around its Baroque cathedral, Charlie and I explored the narrow honey-coloured streets, which looked glorious in afternoon sunlight. Then we enjoyed some tasty gelato while taking in the awesome views of the dome of the distant church of Mosta from the city ramparts. I can’t speak for others but I can only do the sitting by the pool, swimming at the beach thing for a limited time. So when Sunday rolled around, I coaxed everyone into our tiny hire car and headed to the coastal village of Marsaxlokk, where each week Malta’s premier open-air fish market takes place. The harbour is full of traditional brightly coloured fishing boats, each with a painted set of eyes for protection at sea, a tradition dating back to Phoenician times. The market has evolved from strictly offering fish to selling all kinds of goods,

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NEED TO KNOW HOTELS:

from ladies’ underwear to tourist knick-knacks. The harbour promenade is the place to go for lunch, the many cafés lining the street serving catch of the day, of course. But Malta is more than Malta island. A short ferry ride across a narrow strait lies Gozo, probably my favourite part of this little nation. Like Malta, Gozo has its own historical treasures, such as the recently restored citadel in the island’s main town of Victoria. Set more or less in centre of Gozo, the fortress offers excellent views. Where Malta can get a little hectic, Gozo is just a pace or two slower, making time spent here a little more relaxing. For Charlie, though, it was all about the swimming. The day before our visit he’d found a reference in a hotel pamphlet to the seaside town of Xlendi, on the south-west coast of Gozo. With a secluded harbour, it is meant to be one of the best spots for swimming and snorkelling, and it didn’t disappoint. Charlie couldn’t get enough of the old diving platform, taking turn after turn until he wore himself out. But time passes quickly when you are having fun, and after a memorable lunch at the waterside Stone Crab restaurant it was time for us to catch the ferry back across the strait. It was a week well spent. Any opportunity to shut down the gaming console for extended periods of time is good in my book, especially when I know Charlie has really enjoyed himself. Yet Jane and I were under no illusions; we knew that as soon as we got home to London, Wing Commander Charlie would don his headset, hook up with his pals and wreak havoc on some unsuspecting alien world. Oh well, we’ll always have Malta.

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PALAZZO CONSIGLIA A converted townhouse owned by a local Maltese family, the Palazzo Consiglia is one of Valletta’s finest boutique hotels and offers guests a warm and relaxing stay. Located close to the Lower Barrakka Gardens and just a few minutes’ walk from the waterfront, guests can explore to their hearts content before unwinding in comfortable rooms, each complete with Bluetooth speakers and a 40 inch HD TV. From €180 per night including breakfast, palazzoconsiglia.com THE PHOENICIA Reopened in 2017 following an extensive €15-million refurbishment, the Phoenicia is one of the most luxurious and sought-after hotels in Malta. Located in Floriana, just outside Valletta, it boasts beautiful accommodation, breathtaking views and indulgent details. From €250 per night including breakfast, campbellgrayhotels.com SU29 Set close to the water’s edge of the Grand Harbour, SU29 is an experience in itself. This boutique hotel inspirationally captures the spirit of Malta and offers guests a warm welcome and timeless luxury. From €135 per night, su29hotel.com THE DUKE BOUTIQUE HOTEL Located in Victoria on Gozo, The Duke Boutique Hotel dates from the mid-1880s, when accommodation on Gozo was scarce and a Maltese entrepreneur sought to fill the void with this boutique establishment. It has 30 beautifully designed suites, each offering spectacular views across the island. Guests are just moments away from bars, restaurants and museums. From €88 per night including breakfast, thedukehotelgozo.com

GETTING THERE:

Air Malta, from £214 return, with checked bag, economy; from £345 return, business (June 2018 prices), airmalta.com

103

EYE OF EQUANIMITY 2017, BY YORGOS PAPADOPOULOS

D7 BUS BY DEBBIE AYLES

EXHIBITIONS SPILLER 2, 2015 BY DAVID MURPHY

CANARY WHARF

ARTS + EVENTS Lobby, One Canada Square Free, open daily

GLASS: Work by Contemporary Artists 18 June – 10 August Curated by Ann Elliott, this exhibition explores the use of glass in the work of contemporary artists. Demanding a high degree of skill from those who use it creatively, this ancient and seemingly fragile material is the starting point for many artists, makers and designers who employ it in different ways including casting, blowing and fusing. Sculptors known for their work in other mediums may engage with glass for a variety of reasons – it might be for colour, transparency, contrast, or surface texture; either on its own or in combination with other

materials, or for diverse compositional and conceptual reasons. The exhibition in One Canada Square includes work by Annie Cattrell, Sally Fawkes and Richard Jackson, Simon Hitchens, Danny Lane, Liliane Lijn, David Murphy, Yorgos Papadopoulos, Simon Periton, Colin Reid, Katrin Spranger, Johannes von Stumm, Julian Wild, Neil Wilkin and Rachael Woodman.

Exhibition Tour Tuesday 3 July, 6.30-7.15pm Ann Elliott tours the exhibition with a number of the exhibiting artists. The tour is free, but please contact Canary Wharf Public Art Office at publicart@canarywharf.com to reserve a place.

Crossrail Place Roof Garden Free, open daily 6am – 9pm

Dynamic City: Reflections in Canary Wharf Paintings by Debbie Ayles 1 – 30 June Part of London Festival of Architecture 2018 Canary Wharf Group presents new paintings by Debbie Ayles for the London Festival of Architecture 2018, whose theme this year focuses on individual identity. Reproduced on 2.2m x 1.6m panels, these vibrant paintings demonstrate the artist’s enthusiasm and love of architecture, and her desire to capture the viewers’ imagination, encouraging them to look again at their environment, and awakening ideas about their place in it. All the paintings are views of Canary Wharf seen over a period of a few years and visits made in different seasons. Debbie Ayles writes: “London is made up of individuals whose unique identities combine to create a whole that is dynamic, diverse and captivating.

CWG ARTS + EVENTS

Similarly, that is how I approach painting the architecture that has inspired me. I explore the multifaceted identity of modern architecture by looking at the impact of contemporary buildings on their surroundings and how they reflect and absorb them, creating a new perception designed to awaken the imagination of the viewer. I reduce the environment to the shapes and grids that hold it together, including all the shadows, reflections, sunbursts, clouds, people, other passing objects, chance and accidental elements that have all contributed to the way the city looks at that moment in time. The reassembled architecture explores the relationship between the inside and outside of London; the face presented to the world and the life that thrives within, blending and blurring to create structural harmony. The result is a vibrant interplay of organic and geometric shapes that are at once figurative and abstract, as unique as the individuals who live and work in the city and who make it the incredible place it is.” The London Festival of Architecture is Europe’s largest annual architecture event, celebrating London as a global hub of architectural experimentation, practice and debate. The 2018 programme showcases an eclectic and diverse series of 400 events that explore this year’s ‘identity’ theme across London from 1 – 30 June. londonfestivalofarchitecture.org

Meet the Artist Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 June Debbie Ayles will be in the Roof Garden between 11am and 4pm to talk about her work. Please contact Canary Wharf Public Art Office at publicart@canarywharf.com for details. debbieaylesartist.co.uk

WINDOW GALLERIES

Canada Place SHOWCASING UP-AND-COMING ARTISTS, DESIGNERS AND CRAFTSPEOPLE Art, Canada Walk 4 - 29 June

Dave Jenkins

Dave Jenkins has been a student of photography for the last 40 years. In fact, it is quite possible that you may have seen him around the Canary Wharf estate, as he is one of Canary Wharf Group’s security dog handlers. He tries to produce photographs that have an initial high impact, to keep the viewer’s interest. Jenksphotos.co.uk

Design, Jubilee Walk 4 - 29 June

Ana Thompson

Ana is a London-based Colombian jewellery designer whose unique collections reveal the hidden beauty of organic and geometric forms found magnified at macroscopic and microscopic scale. Her designs relate to the body, created with versatility and sculptural sensibility. Her latest collections received two awards from the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards 2017. ana-thompson.com

COMMUNITY GALLERY Canada Place Exhibitions by local arts projects. 8 June – 7 August Columbia Market Nursery At Columbia Market Nursery the aim is to give children the best start in life and to encourage them to explore their own interests as well as develop new skills in a friendly, fun and safe environment. Children worked alongside the artist Mürüde Mehmet, who was commissioned to produce a welcome panel for the entrance of the nursery. Children also learned to use clay techniques to produce clay flowers, in order to understand the process of making, firing the clay and glazing. columbiamarket.towerhamlets.sch.uk

LU X U RY LON DON.CO.U K

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BP Big Screens live from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden SWAN LAKE

Tuesday 12 June, 7.30pm Canada Square Park Free The Royal Ballet presents a new production of Tchaikovsky’s magnificent classical ballet, with additional choreography by Liam Scarlett and designs by John Macfarlane. One of the best-loved of all classical ballets set to a sublime sweeping score, telling the tragic story of Prince Siegfried as the good swan Odette and black swan Odile fight for his heart. Pre-screening starts 30 minutes before performance time.

LA BOHEME

Tuesday 26 June, 7.30pm Canada Square Park Free Experience joy, humour and heartbreak in Puccini’s Parisian masterpiece. Richard Jones’s new production of La Bohème returns with a new cast portraying the young Parisian couples for whom the excitement and sophistication of a big city too soon gives way to hard lessons and heartbreak – as Mimi and Rodolfo are to learn. Pre-screening starts 30 minutes before performance time. ORIGAMI - PHOTO BY DOMINIQUE JOUXTEL

Dancing City Action for Kids’ Beach Volleyball Monday 9 July – Friday 3 August, Weekdays 8am – 9pm; Weekends 11am – 5pm Montgomery Square Pay to play, free to watch Celebrate ten years of Action for Kids’ Beach Volleyball with a fantastic four-week residency at Canary Wharf. Montgomery Square will once again be transformed into a haven of summer sport with two pop-up beach volleyball courts. The courts will be open to all with pay-to-play sessions in doubles or as a team. It will also showcase

fast-paced matches featuring some of Europe’s top volleyball champions and the on-site 640 East Bar. You can step it up a notch by signing up for the Beach Volleyball Championships on Friday 20 July. Enter a team for £300 and raise money for Action For Kids, who support young adults with learning disabilities. To book a court time or register your team for the 20 July Beach Volleyball Championship or for more information about classes, sessions or private hire call 020 8347 8111 or email beach@actionforkids.org; afkbeach.org.

Saturday 30 June, 1 – 5pm Throughout Canary Wharf Free Witness a dance revolution running through the streets, parks and waterfronts of Canary Wharf with the fifteenth year of Dancing City, a wild celebration of outdoor dance, presented as part of Greenwich + Docklands International Festival. Brimming with diverse and thought-provoking performances, this year’s exciting programme features companies from France, Austria, Spain, and the UK. Visit canarywharf.com for programme details.

CWG ARTS + EVENTS

Lunch Market Wednesday 6 June, 11am – 3pm Montgomery Square Free Once a month until September, you can spice up your lunchtimes at the Lunch Market. With more than 20 stalls to choose from you can choose from savoury and sweet delicacies, including delicious doughnuts, sizzling souvlaki, and hand-made pasta dishes. Hand-picked by the wonderful Shepherd’s Markets team, the stallholders provide the very best in lunchtime treats using top quality ingredients and the know-how that only a real passion for food can bring. Take a food journey around the world, set off with tortillas from Circus Bros, fly over to Canadian poutine from The Poutinerie, take a trip along both sweet and savoury routes with French crêpes from L’Amuse Bouche, trek over to Moroccan pastillas and flatbreads from Lixus, and return home for a British classic with a gourmet twist - bubble and squeak from Bubble&. Stalls and food choices change monthly so you will always find something to satisfy your taste buds.

Pop Up Vintage Fairs Wednesday 20 June and Wednesday 18 July, 12 noon – 7pm Cabot Square Free Browse a range of quality retro stalls and discover handpicked vintage goodies including a fabulous array of ladies fashion and menswear, jewellery, bags and other cool accessories, haberdashery, furnishing, homeware and tons of collectables and curiosities dating from the 20s to the 80s. There’ll also be vintage food vans serving up lunchtime treats plus live music and entertainment. popupvintagefairs.co.uk

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Pop - Up Padel Saturday 16 June – Friday 6 July, Monday – Friday 10am – 10pm Free taster sessions 12 noon – 1 .30pm Saturday & Sunday 10am – 9pm Montgomery Square Pay to play, free to watch Pop-Up Padel is back by popular demand, offering a rare chance to try out the fastestgrowing sport in the world. This fun hybrid of tennis and squash is played on an enclosed court half the size of a traditional tennis court. Through a partnership with British Padel, Canary Wharf brought this exciting pop-up concept to the UK for the first time in 2017. This year, come and try one of the free lunchtime taster sessions or book a court to play a match with friends and colleagues. Witness the experts in action at the World Padel Tour Exhibition on 28 and 29 June when top flight padel players take to the court. For more information and to book, visit wearepadel.com

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CANARY WHARF NEWS

World Environment Day at Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf Treadmill Challenge On Friday 4 May, 70 volunteers from Canary Wharf Contractors Ltd (CWCL), Canary Wharf Management Ltd (CWML), Northern Trust and Barclays raced for the top spot of the leader board in a Treadmill Challenge in support of The Indee Rose Trust. CWCL were proud to win first place, with a total distance of 147.2km. Following closely behind was Barclays with 141.4km, Northern Trust with 118.6km, and lastly CWML with 106.4km. Started four years ago, the event was initiated by Delroy Lewis, a Front of House Receptionist for Canary Wharf Management Ltd,

who tragically lost his daughter, Jada, to cancer in 2015. With the backing of his colleagues, Delroy was inspired to raise funds in Jada’s memory for families who sadly find themselves in similar situations. This year, the challenge raised over £4,000 which will go to the Indee Rose Trust which provides treasure boxes to children who have been hospitalised whilst receiving treatment for a brain or spinal tumour. For more information or to donate online to The Indee Rose Trust, please visit indeerosetrust.org or email info@indeerosetrust.org.

In response to last year’s World Environment Day event, where Canary Wharf visitors voted for single-use plastic as the biggest environmental issue facing the world today, Canary Wharf Group is launching ‘Breaking The Plastic Habit’. The programme will run for 12 months and will pilot new technologies, innovations and behavioural change campaigns in an effort to remove the need for single-use plastic in the area. ‘Breaking The Plastic Habit’ will officially launch on Tuesday 5 June – World Environment Day 2018 – in Canada Place. The launch event, which will take place from 7.30am-5pm, will showcase how people can live, work and relax in Canary Wharf without the need of single-use plastics by swapping everyday items for reusable alternatives. Canary Wharf Group’s next ‘Breaking the Plastic Habit’ campaign is designed to address the use of plastic straws in the restaurants and bars on the Estate. Behavioural science states it takes 21 days, just three weeks, to break a habit. Our #3WEEKS campaign will run from 5–25 June and asks retailers to ditch the plastic straw. You can sign up to support #3weeks on the website and tweet us your #strawlessselfie to @yourcanarywharf. All selfies will go into a prize draw, to win a plastic free commuters kit and a £250 Canary Wharf Gift Card. The programme forms part of Canary Wharf Group’s wider sustainability strategy, ‘Making Sustainability Real’, which addresses the current economic, environmental and social needs of stakeholders and anticipate those of tomorrow. The latest Canary Wharf Sustainability Report is now available; you can pick up a copy in the lobby of One Canada Square or download it from canarywharf.com. For more information on the programme, please visit breakingtheplastichabit.co.uk

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N O W

% 0 D 8 SOL V

E R

FAST CONNECTIONS TO CANARY WHARF AND THE CITY 

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Premium 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments Less than 10 minutes’ walk from Canada Water tube station

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Stylish interiors with superior specification Central landscaped courtyard Concierge service

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 

All with private balcony or terrace Ready for Summer occupation∆ London Help to Buy available on selected apartments

Stunning 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments from £520,000

The Sales Suite and Show Apartment, 24 - 28 Quebec Way, London SE16 7LF, open 7 days a week.

Call 0333 666 0106 or email CanadaWater@londonsquare.co.uk

www.londonsquare.co.uk

External computer generated image depicts London Square Canada Water and is indicative only. Photography depicts two bedroom apartment in the The Terrace Collection at London Square Canada Water and is indicative only. Travel times sourced from Google Maps. ∆On selected properties only, please ask your Sales Executive for details. Details and prices are correct at time of going to press. May 2018.

LONDON HOMES

& PROPERTY SHOWCASING THE FINEST HOMES IN YOUR AREA

WATERSIDE LUXURY LIVING AT CANARY WHARFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOST PRESTIGIOUS RIVERSIDE ADDRESS

C O V E R I N G C A N A R Y W H A R F, T H E R O Y A L D O C K S , S T R A T F O R D , B O W & W A P P I N G

ONE PARK DRIVE DESIGNED BY SWISS ARCHITECTS HERZOG AND DE MEURON OFFERS INCREDIBLE VIEWS OVER LONDON AND KENT FROM ITS DOCKSIDE LOCATION RESIDENTIAL.CANARYWHARF.COM

The house with the views.

Isle House, Coldharbour E14 • A wonderfully restored period property • Private garden and coach house • Fully detached home Coldharbour is tucked away in a quiet location but transport links are close by with a choice of both the Blackwall DLR (0.5 miles), South Quay DLR (0.6 miles) and Canary Wharf Jubilee Line (0.9 miles). All times and distances are approximate.

Our Canary Wharf expert, Andrew Groocock, looks forward to helping you. andrew.groocock@knightfrank.com 0203 641 6112 07789 868673

knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly.

Guide price £3,500,000 Freehold

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The apartment with a roof terrace.

Ratcliffe Wharf, Narrow Street E14 • Stunning south facing roof terrace with views over the River Thames • Good size reception room with high ceilings • Recently refurbished to a high specification Transportation links include Limehouse DLR and a wide range of dining options along the Thames. A huge selection of additional amenities are located throughout Canary Wharf (1.6 miles away). All distances are approximate.

Our Wapping expert, Lee O’Neill, looks forward to helping you. lee.oneill@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5375

knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly.

Guide price £2,300,000 Share of freehold

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The penthouse with the triple terrace.

Imperial House, Limehouse E14 • Beautiful gated development • Comprehensively refurbished throughout • 24hr concierge service Transport links can be found at Westferry DLR station (0.4 miles) as well as Limehouse DLR and National Rail station (0.5 miles). There are also regular Thames Clipper services from Canary Wharf Pier (0.5 miles). (All distances are approximate.)

Guide price £950 per week Available furnished or unfurnished

Our Canary Wharf expert, Christopher Paxton, looks forward to helping you. christopher.paxton@knightfrank.com 020 7512 9955

knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly.

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £288 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. There will also be a £48 charge to register your deposit with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme if applicable. (All fees shown are inclusive of VAT.) Please ask us for more information about other fees that will apply or visit www.knightfrank.co.uk/tenantfees. Knight Frank is a member of the ARLA Client Money Protection Scheme and our redress scheme for consumers is Ombudsman Services: Property.

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PROPERTY

BRIDGING THE GAPP Giles Cook, head of residential agency at Best Gapp, on bringing the 118-year-old company into the 21st century

hen Giles Cook joined Belgravia’s Best Gapp at the tail end of last year, he had a mission: give the company a fresher, more modern look. Founded in 1900, the agency has long been serving the residents of prime central London – but, Cook says, it was high time for a makeover. “I saw an opportunity to give the business a bit of a lift – move it forward to the 21st century, if you like,” he explains. “Our clients are hugely important to us and we’re very fortunate that we have a lot of repeat business, but I wanted to tap into a different marketplace. Belgravia has changed so much in the past 10 years, and I wanted to ensure we weren’t forgotten.” Aware that Best Gapp was at risk of being swallowed up in a market full

LU X U RY LON DON.CO.U K

of corporate firms, Cook called for a rebranding, creating a new contemporary logo that helps the bijou agency stand out from the oversaturated crowd. Plans are in place to tap into a younger, more international market and to expand the agency’s reach to the likes of Victoria, Chelsea and Mayfair. Its position as a boutique agency, however, will remain. “We’ve only ever been a one-office outlet and I think that, in today’s market, there’s a real case for independent businesses like ours, which can offer that personal service,” he says. “We are very proud of our history and our heritage and that goes hand-in-hand with our integrity, honesty and discretion. We can provide a level of exclusivity and anonymity that a lot of larger firms might not be able to.” It certainly hasn’t held the team back;

earlier in the year, Best Gapp set the record for the highest pound-per-square-foot achieved in Cliveden Place, a Grade-II listed, newly refurbished townhouse that sold for more than £2,000 per square foot. Cook’s mission to span markets may be under way, but the firm’s roots remain, faithfully, to Belgravia. “We’ve got a fantastic depth of knowledge within Best Gapp, so I can certainly see us becoming the go-to specialist in the area,” he says. “There’s a real sense of community here. There are a lot of ghost towns in London where homeowners buy properties and leave them empty, but people genuinely do live in this area; it has never lost its exclusivity and it never will. Belgravia is in a class of its own.” 81 Elizabeth Street, SW1W, bestgapp.co.uk

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Mayfair Showroom 66 Grosvenor Street, London, W1K 3JL 35 offices in central London and over 70 across the capital

Guildford Street, WC1N ÂŁ3,500,000

A Grade II Listed Georgian home with three bedrooms which has been updated to a high standard. The house is arranged over five floors which include a master bedroom spanning the whole third floor. There is also a gym, sauna and a rear garden. Dexters Bloomsbury 020 7833 4466

Grange Grove, N1 ÂŁ2,800,000

A semi-detatched Victorian house with three double bedrooms, a double reception room, three bathrooms and study. There are bi-folding doors leading to the garden with a raised stone terrace and off-street parking, energy rating d. Dexters Islington 020 7483 6373

dexters.co.uk

Wapping Wall, E1W £1,462 per week

This two bedroom, top floor apartment is situated in the renowned Metropolitan warehouse conversion and has high ceilings, wood flooring and exposed brickwork throughout. There is a spiral staircase to a private roof terrace, energy rating c. Dexters City 020 7392 9111

New Inn Street, EC2A £1,775 per week

Set in the heart of Shoreditch Triangle, a substantial four bedroom, three bathroom warehouse conversion with a private garden. There are warehouse features that include large industrial windows, high ceilings, steel columns and exposed brickwork, energy rating e. Dexters Shoreditch 020 7483 6372 Tenants fees apply: £180 per tenancy towards administration, £60 reference fee per tenant and £144 for a professional check in (All inc of VAT).

Beckenham 020 8663 4433 Bromley 020 8315 5544

Chislehurst 020 8295 4900 Locksbottom 01689 882 988

Orpington 01689 661 400 West Wickham 020 8432 7373

Keston Park BR2 Exceptional, detached six bedroom family home offering approximately 7,631 sq ft of living space.

£3,350,000 F/H Six bedrooms

Five bathrooms

Two receptions

EER B

Contact Locksbottom 01689 882 988

Chislehurst BR7

West Wickham BR4

Spacious five bedroom detached family home, situated on one of Chislehurst’s most sought after private roads.

Built in 1841, this house is surrounded by open areas offering a delightfully secluded setting.

£2,000,000 F/H

OIEO £700,000 F/H

Five bedrooms

Four bathrooms

Three bedrooms

One bathroom

Two receptions

EER D

One reception

EER F

Contact Chislehurst 020 8295 4900

The Acorn Group, incorporating:

Contact West Wickham 020 8432 7373

langfordrussell.co.uk

Beckenham 020 8663 4433 Bromley 020 8315 5544

Chislehurst 020 8295 4900 Locksbottom 01689 882 988

Orpington 01689 661 400 West Wickham 020 8432 7373

Orpington BR6

Sundridge Park BR1

This detached family home is set on a third of an acre plot within an area of outstanding natural beauty.

An exciting opportunity to acquire a detached home measuring approx. 3,200 sq ft.

OIEO £1,100,000 F/H

£1,195,000 F/H

Four bedrooms

Four bathrooms

Five bedrooms

Three bathrooms

Three receptions

EER E

Four receptions

EER E

Contact Orpington 01689 661 400

Contact Bromley 020 8315 5544

Beckenham BR3 This elegant Edwardian family home occupies a generous plot on one of Beckenham’s finest roads.

£1,150,000 F/H Five bedrooms

Two bathrooms

Two receptions

EER E

Contact Beckenham 020 8663 4433

The Acorn Group, incorporating:

langfordrussell.co.uk

Kemsing Road SE10 A stunning four bedroom Victorian house finished to a high standard throughout.

Guide Price £935,000 Freehold Four bedrooms

Two bathrooms

One reception

EER D

East Greenwich Office 020 3846 1414

Langdale Road SE10 Attractive Victorian family home, positioned within the Ashburnham Triangle Conservation Area.

Price £1,925,000 Freehold Six bedrooms

Four bathrooms

Two receptions

EER E

West Greenwich Office 020 8858 9911

johnpayne.com

@johnpayne

Manor Park SE13

Herbert Road SE18

Edwardian family home located on one of the most sought after roads in the Hither Green area.

Grand detached bay-fronted Victorian home measuring in excess of 3,000 sqft.

Price £1,295,000 Freehold

Price £1,200,000 Freehold

Five bedrooms

Two bathrooms

Four bedrooms

Two bathrooms

Two receptions

EER E

Three receptions

EER E

Lee Office 020 8852 8633

Blackheath Standard Office 020 8858 6101

Eliot Park SE13 An elegant family home retaining a host of original features and generous accommodation.

Price £1,375,000 Freehold Five bedrooms

Two bathrooms

Three receptions

EER E

Blackheath Village Office 020 8318 1311

Blackheath Village Blackheath Standard Greenwich (West) Greenwich (East) Lee

020 8318 1311 020 8858 6101 020 8858 9911 020 3846 1414 020 8852 8633

Thistley Court SE8

Maidenstone Hill SE10

Mayhill Road SE7

A well-presented fifth floor modern apartment, with a large reception and city views.

Attractive Victorian terrace house, found in the heart of the West Greenwich Conservation Area.

Newly refurbished semi-detached house, located on a sought after residential road in Charlton.

£2,400 PCM

£2,300 PCM

£1,800 PCM

3 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • 1 Reception • EER C

3 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • 2 Receptions • EER D

3 Bedrooms • 1 Bathroom • 2 Receptions • EER E

West Greenwich Office 020 8858 9911

Blackheath Standard Office 020 8858 6101

Reynolds Place SE3

Rosse Mews SE3

Collins Street SE3

Delightful mid-teracced house situated on a popular road in Rectory Fields.

A beautifully finished house within walking distance to Blackheath and Kidbrooke stations.

A charming three storey Victorian townhouse located in the heart of Blackheath Village.

£2,100 PCM

£2,350 PCM

4 Bedrooms • 1 Bathroom • 1 Reception • EER E

3 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • 2 Receptions • EER D

3 Bedrooms • 1 Bathroom • 1 Reception • EER D

Blackheath Standard Office 020 8858 6101

Blackheath Village 020 8318 1311

Azof Street SE10

Woolwich Road SE10

Manor Park SE13

Well presented three bedroom family home offering spacious accommodation.

Well presented apartment situated in a popular development with a private balcony.

Exceptionally spacious conversion flat located close to Hither Green station.

£2,400 PCM

£1,300 PCM

£1,350 PCM

3 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • 1 Reception • EER E

1 Bedroom • 1 Bathroom • 1 Reception • EER B

2 Bedrooms • 1 Bathroom • 1 Reception • EER E

East Greenwich Office 020 3846 1414

Lee Office 020 8852 8633

Our standard tenant fees are £120 agreement fee and £90 per person reference fee. Other fees may apply, visit johnpayne.com/tenantfees for more information.

johnpayne.com

@johnpayne

THE TUDORS FA R N BOROUGH PA R K - OR PI NGTON BR6

Guide Price - £2,500,000

For sale for the first time in over 40 years, this six bedroom residence extends to almost 5,500 sq ft and offers great potential to redesign, extend or redevelop (STPP). Located on a private estate and set in the heart of a dual frontage 0.75 of an acre plot with attractively landscaped gardens.

For more information contact Chris Salt or Michelle Briley at Langford Russell T: 01689 882 988 • E: locksbottom@langfordrussell.co.uk • W: langfordrussell.co.uk