MINE Magazine Issue 7

£12

SUMMER 2017

M I N E

ISSUE 6

T H A N K YOU, M R FORD TOM FORD CREATES OUR COVER LOOK

M OD E RN M I LLI E THE RISE OF MS BRADY

THE P E RFE CT S E LFI E S CE N T

FOR GIRLS WHO LOVE BOYS

P RE CI OUS P E TA LS

TH E FINEST FLORAL JEWELLERY

MILLIE BRADY Photographed exclusively for MINE at The Ritz

T H E S U M M E R EDIT

EDITORS' LETTERS

P ORT R A I T S B Y N ATO W E LTON

Summer is

‘What does luxury

nearly upon us, and our minds turn to holidays, sunshine and, of course, updating our wardrobes. We've been starving for months (well, some of us have), so reward yourself with Robyn Hamilton's floral edit for women (page 42), and Claudia Saddeh's hotweather buys for men (page 52). For those who aren't on a dieting regime, Dara Sutin's Italian menu is a must. The wild garlic pesto is to die for, and you can freeze it and use when you need to – or you could just drop the entire lot into some delicious, buttery pasta…

When it comes to summer essentials, fragrance is up there, yes, even at the beach. Turn to Spring Greens (page 56) for some fresh inspiration, and Homme Girl, our edit of masculine scents for men and women (page 86).

For those of us whom summer is a few rays when we go for our hourly coffee, there's Jessica Diner's guide to which products to use to look good on camera (page 90). Why not take a 'desk selfie' and pretend you're on holiday!

When we're not dreaming of summer, the MINE team works hard to bring you the very best that the luxury sector has to offer. Our issues are going from strength to strength: you'll find our printed editions in London's finest hotels, and our digital reach is ever increasing.

The last issue reached 186,000 views and counting. And minemagazinelondon.com has had a revamp and now receives 1,000 visits per day. Take a look and see why.

It's the ultimate place to go for daily inspiration.

mean to you?’

This is something I'm constantly asking (and being asked). The consensus seems to be ‘it's entirely personal’. With that in mind, we are delivering to you those extra-special offerings across the luxury sector, whatever your penchant might be. From couture (on page 22) to bespoke, luxury interiors (page 58) and even 23-carat gold spa treatments! (Page 80.)

Luxury, to me, is about people: the creative, the inspirational, the empowering. This issue I've had the privilege to meet people who have that rare combination of creative genius and business acumen, and the ability to make us rethink what we thought we knew. Step forward perfumer of the moment Kilian Hennessy (page 94), as well as salon pioneer Shai Greenburg (page 96). I chat with Tamara Ralph, of Ralph & Russo fame, on page 38 – her star continues to rise and rise yet her humility and grace remains constant. And, as always, our fab contributors have helped bring this issue to life: our beauty regulars, Alice du Parcq and Jessica Diner, as well as newbie, Tanya Philipson, who talks fine jewellery on page 12. I hope you feel as inspired and uplifted by the work of these talented people as we do. Have a wonderful summer!

Have a good one!

ps If ever there was a time to opt for all-out luxe, surely it's your wedding day? That's why we launched MINE Weddings this month. In just two weeks, it's received 48,000 reads and counting. Check it out!

ASTRID JOSS, EDITOR

JAVIER SALVADOR, B Y A P P O I N T M E N T O N LY D E S I G N

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MINE ISSUE 6 SUMMER / 2017

CONTENTS COV ER M I L L I E B R A DY SH OT B Y B I L L I E SC H EEPER S AT TH E R I TZ H OTEL , LON D O N .

STYL I N G : A N N A B R OM I LOW. H A I R : STEP H E N LOW AT EL SL M A N AG EM EN T FOR N EV I L L E ' S .

M A K E-U P: TOM FOR D B EAU TY. TU L L E D RE S S W I TH SEQ U I N N ED EM B R OI D ERY, POA , D OLC EG A B B A N A . COM

TH O RO U G HLY M O D E RN M I LL I E 2 8 Cover star Millie Brady on her protrayal of strong women, her love of fashion and why dinner parties aren't her forte…

3 E DITORS' LETTE RS Summer vibes, courtesy of Javier and Astrid 12 TAKE YOUR PI CK Tanya Philipson's edit of fine (jewellery) blooms

BE H O L D TH E FASH I O N FANTA SY 3 8 Step inside the wonderful world of Ralph & Russo

1 6 T HE QUE E N OF KALAHARI Chopard's Caroline Scheufele on the brand's most stunning diamond jewellery set ever created

SAI NTS VS SI NNE RS 4 4 Deliciously duplicitous fashion for women HE W H O W E ARS, W I NS 5 2 Bright summer buys to lift your mood, and your wardrobe

19 THAN K YOU, MR F O RD How to get our cover star Millie Brady's gorgeous look, using Tom Ford beauty products

SPRI NG G RE E NS 5 6 Freshen up your (or his) grooming routine with these verdant lovelies

20 M IN E LOVE S What you need to know now

TAY LO R YO U R H O W E S 5 8 MINE meets Karen Howes, creative powerhouse and owner of top London interior design company Taylor Howes

22 COUT UR E TRE ND S MINE's Zahraa Al-Najjar's catwalk report on the best of the season's couture trends

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MINE ISSUE 6 SUMMER / 2017

CONTENTS CO N TI N UE D

64 S UMM E R ON A PL ATE Chef Dara Sutin dishes up some Italianinspired fare (warning: your bikini won't thank you, but your taste buds will!)

THE ART O F F RAG RANCE 9 0 Meet the wunderkind of the fragrance world who just can't get it wrong…

SE L F I E E XPRE SSI O N 9 2 Jessica Diner reveals the beauty products that take your selfies from Like to love!

74 WHE RE TR AVE L E D I TO RS H O L I DAY Travel journalist Thea Darricotte's current wish-list looks like this…

80 SPA(IN G) PA RTNE RS MINE's Astrid Joss and Robert James on the his'n'hers spa treatments you have to try

SNAPSHOTS BE AU TY 9 8 Zahraa Al-Najjar on the catwalk beauty looks we're loving (and how to nail them)

86 HOM M E G I RL Alice du Parcq's girl-friendly guide to masculine fragrances (sorry, boys, they're our fragrances now)

G RE AT E SCAPE S 1 0 4 MINE resident Teacup Chihuahuas, Bob & Edward, on the country's top doggy-friendly hotels

CONTRIBUTORS Z AH R AA AL- N AJJAR

TAN YA P H I L I PSO N

AN N A B R O M I LO W

SCARL E TT RU SSE L L

T H E A DAR R I COTTE

CL AU D I A SAAD E H

J E S S I CA DI N E R

B I L L I E SCH E E P E RS

AL I C E D U PARCQ

DARA SU TI N

R O B Y N H AMI LTO N

GE O F F WARI N G

R O B E RT JAM E S

CL AU D I A WATE RSO N

ZOYA KAL E E VA

N ATO W E LTO N

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FINE JEWELLERY

Because nothing makes a woman smile quite like a bunch of (diamondencrusted) flowers, says Executive Fashion Director Tanya Philipson

Theo Fennell The man behind some of London’s best be-jewelled socialites, Mr Fennell has produced timeless look-at-me works of sheer fabulousness to be shown off around town.

White gold and diamond ‘Folium’ necklace, POA, theofennell.com

David Morris These exquisite designs are made not only to make your pupils dilate, but to move, wear and feel enchanted. Diamond and rose-gold ‘Flower’ earrings, POA, davidmorris.com

Chaumet No one does pretty like Chaumet; this is the perfect floral arrangement of diamonds and precious stones in glorious shades of pink. Diamond, opal, tourmaline, sapphire and rose-gold ‘Hortensia Aube Rosée’ bracelet, £25,100, chaumet.com

G arrard Creating works of art since 1735 for British royalty and aristocrats alike, Gerrard proudly boasts the royal coat of arms. This rose emblem is reminiscent of Hery VIII’s Tudor rose. Gold and diamond ‘Tudor’ rose pendant, £3,800, garrard.com

Chanel The brand that never fails to make grown women go weak at the knees. These beguiling earrings are no exception, in both colour and design. White gold, diamond, pink spinel and purple sapphire earrings, POA, chanel.com

Cartier Choose your own timeless piece with an individual twist to emulate you. This striking yet simple ring will mesmerise with each wave of your hand. Rose gold and diamond ‘Caresse d’Orchidées par Cartier’ ring, £2,180 cartier.co.uk

Dior The double-rose design reflects the French fashion house’s forte of double entendres – striking yet demure, on-trend yet classic, Coral and white-gold ‘Pré Catelan Ring’, £11,000, dior.com

Boodles The British brand that pops with a mix of individual quirk while remaining tasteful. White and yellow diamonds and platinum ‘Maymay Jasmine’ ring, £9,000, boodles.co.uk

Asprey This British heritage brand has come up trumps once more with a perfectly formed daisy, so exquisitely beautiful it could be real. Yellow sapphire, white diamond and 18ct yellow and white gold ‘Daisy Heritage’ ring, £7,500, asprey.com

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FINE JEWELLERY

Va n C l e e f & Arpels Van Cleef rolls nature, art, design, fashion and culture beautifully into one very wearable work of art.

Diamond, spinel, cultured pearl, yellow-diamond and white-gold ‘Cherry Blossom Collar’, POA, vancleefarpels.com

Va n C l e e f & Arpels Add some serious sparkle to your occasion with these stunning shoulder-skimming pieces.

White gold, diamond and sapphire ‘Folie de Prés’ earrings, POA, vancleefarpels.com

Joana Salazar Brazil’s hottest new talent, Joana Salazar, offers nothing but luxury in abundance. ‘Blossom’ earrings’, £5,670, Joana Salazar at jewelstreet.com

Tiffany This show-stopping cocktail ring has an almost tromp l’oeil about it – lose yourself staring lovingly into it for hours.

Diamond, rose gold and platinum ring, £58,000, tiffany.com

Ritz Fine Jewellery There is nothing more glamorous than a sophisticated brooch, especially this classic. You know it has tip-top pedigree when it hails from the famed Ritz hotel.

‘Bloom’ diamond brooch, £50,000, ritzfinejewellery.com

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Jessica McCormack McCormack is having a moment in jewellery right now; and long may it last!

She bridges that tricky gap between cool and timeless with aplomb. Diamond, sapphire and white gold ring, POA, jessicamccormack.com

Lily Gabriella For a more bohemian, relaxed approach, while determined to ‘do it’ in fine jewels, Lily Gabriella is your girl. Gold, diamond, sapphire and topaz earrings, £23,000, lilygabriella.com

Va n l e l e s If you’re seeking something desperately beautiful, yet fantastically different, make this your next jewellery pit-stop. Vanleles is Bond Street’s best-kept secret. No password needed – just an appointment! White gold, diamond and sapphire earrings, POA, vanleles.com

William & Son Take an elegant diversion from life’s mundane requirement and allow these diamond pearl drops to remind you life is for living! Never a dull moment at William & Son, the expert in cultivating a life of leisure.

Diamond and pearl earrings, £11,895, williamandson.com

Chopard If the Swiss are the world leaders in time, efficiency and general excellence, this is what they have to show for a jewellery house. Chopard is as faultless in reality as it is in reputation. Emerald, diamond and white gold ring, POA, chopard.com

"This is an exceptional stone, but we did not wish to treat it as a mere trophy" RIGHT Caroline Scheufele, co-president of Chopard, examines The Garden of Kalahari collection; Charlize Theron wears the collection’s spectacular earrings at the 2017 Oscars BELOW The Garden of Kalahari watch

This is the enchanting story of how one rare 342-carat diamond gave rise to the most precious jewellery set ever created by Chopard Caroline and Victoria Beckham pose for pictures on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival 2016. Victoria wore whitegold Chopard bracelets set with diamonds and a matching ring

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FINE JEWELLERY

C

hopard: the dazzling Geneva-based jewellery maison, adored by A-listers. The brand not only occupies a seat at the industry’s top table, but is applauded for its awareness of ethics within the industry. Striving for more accountability and transparency in mining, it’s the brand that studies the conscience of the market as much as it fashions its beautiful pieces. It’s little wonder Hollywood stars and serious jewellery collectors alike line up to be associated with Chopard. Running the show at Chopard is Caroline Scheufele, co-president and creative director. Caroline has strong ethics, vast experience and – not surprisingly – a passion for fine jewellery. Having already led the jewellery house to great heights, she was thrilled to take things to a new level with the discovery of an incredible 342-carat diamond.

Size, clarity and perfect colour – this diamond has it all, and is, quite literally, fit for a queen. Unearthed a year ago at the Botswanan mine Karowe, the stone was an astonishing find, and Caroline travelled out immediately to examine it. “I straight away sensed this was an incredibly rare gem of exceptional beauty and purity,” says Caroline. “The energy and emotional charge emanating from this stone is incomparable.” Boasting a combination of D colour – the most beautiful – with grade F (flawless) clarity, along with a mighty 342-carat weight – this type of diamond is extremely rare. Caroline named it The Queen of Kalahari.

What does one do with such a huge and brilliant diamond? “This is an exceptional stone, but we did not wish to treat it as a mere trophy,” says Caroline. “Instead, we intended to prepare it for a destiny worth its stature.” And so, as the Queen’s crafting began, Chopard enlisted its most talented artisans to fashion the gem. Almost a year later, and following thousands of hours of work by these expert men and women, employing 30 skills in unison, with Caroline overseeing the project, we have the children of the Queen, a jewellery set named the Garden of Kalahari.

The Garden of Kalahari is Chopard’s finest artistic creation to date; a set of 23 diamonds – five weighing more than 20 carats – representing the main cuts: cushion, brilliant, heart, emerald and pear, all designed as flowers. The 50-carat brilliant becomes a sunflower, the 26-carat heart a pansy, the 26-carat pear a banana blossom, the 20-carat cushion a poppy and the 21-carat a water lily, resulting in the most captivating jewellery set. A necklace with three pendants (two of the pendants, the pear and heart stones, can also be worn as earrings), two rings, a bracelet, and a watch. Such is the glamour of these creations, Charlize Theron wore the earrings at this year’s Oscars – a ringing endorsement of a rare and valuable piece of art, made wearable thanks to Chopard’s in-house brilliance and Caroline’s unfaltering direction.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT The Garden of Kalahari earrings; Julia Roberts wears Chopard at the Cannes Film Festival 2016; the collection’s stunning necklace; Marion Cotillard was another star to wear Chopard at Cannes 2016; one of the two exquisite rings in the collection

Letterbox Saddle Bag in Smooth Ivory, Blossom & Misty Blue

ASPINALOFLONDON.COM WESTFIELD

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MARYLEBONE HIGH ST

BROOK ST W1

TEL: + 44 (0) 1428 648180 ST PANCRAS

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BLUEWATER

TOM FORD

BEAUT Y

creates our cover look

oof erpr Wat ation/ nd Fou aler in ce n Co n, £66 Faw l, Tom 0m for 3 ord F ISSUE 6 SUMMER 2017

£12

SUMMER 2017

M I N

“One important thing I have learned from make-up artists is that when you finish preparing your canvas, you need to unify your skin.” With Mr Ford’s words in our E mind, we beautified MINE cover star Millie Brady (left) in the very best products from his collection. Divine!

Cheek Color in Love Lust, £48, Tom Ford

ISSUE SIX

THANK YOU MR FORD

TO M FO R D C R E AT E S O UR COV E R LO O K

MOD E RN MILLIE THE RISE OF M S B R A DY ( S H OT AT

T H E R I TZ )

M I N E

THE PE RFE CT SE LFIE SCE NT:

FO R G I R L S W H O LOV E B OYS '

PRE CIOU S PE TALS

MORE IS NEVER ENOUGH

Bronzing Powder in Gold Dust, £52, Tom Ford

£12

THE F I N E ST F LO R A L J E W E L L E RY

Lip Color in Cherry Lush, £40, Tom Ford

MILLIE BRADY Photographed exclusively for MINE

THE SUMMER EDITS

Eye De in Ony fining Pencil x, £27 , Tom Ford

Eye Primer Duo, £36, Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Golden Mink, £66, Tom Ford

Concealing Pen in Light, £42, Tom Ford Extreme Mascara in Raven, £36, Tom Ford

Illuminating Primer, £56 for 30ml, Tom Ford

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MIN E LOVES

O H L A LI Q U E! Lalique never fails with its beautiful collaborations. At Salon del Mobile 2017, Milan, the brand showcased its latest collaboration with the interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. The 'Vibration' dresser (pictured), from the Signature Collection, fuses metals and crystal, and is the epitome of chic with its tactile finish and perfect proportions; £85,000, lalique.com

Elegant slumber And So To Bed has been known for its attention to detail for over 40 years, so it's no surprise it is the UK’s leading bed specialist.

The Hoxton (above) is an elegant yet modern twist on the trad four-poster. Go bespoke and have the three-panelled headboard upholstered in any fabric; for the frame, choose between a warm, brushed finish or a polished nickel finish. Sweet dreams, indeed!

From £6,725 depending on your choice of fabric, andsotobed.co.uk

M IN E What's hot, where to go and what to buy now…

The 'invisble tattoo' Angelina Jolie, Guerlain’s new muse, collaborated with the brand's perfumer, Thierry Wasser, to create this new woman’s fragrance, capturing the essence of modern femininity. Including notes of carla lavender, tahitensis vanilla, sambac jasmine and sandalwood, it's as striking as it is soft and pretty. Jolie describes wearing it as her ‘invisible tattoo’, and has donated her fee from the collaboration to charity.

M o n Gu erl ai n , £68 f or 50ml , G u e r l ai n at se l f r i d ge s.c om

JET SET... GO!

M

aking things that move with precision is what Honda does best, so producing the sleek – and rather fast! –HondaJet (right) is no surprise to us. The business jet has a distinctive futuristic look, with its engines mounted above the wing in a unique design that allows noise emission to be kept to an industry-busting low while delivering fuel efficiencies 17% lower than its competitors. Billed as the fastest (with record-breaking speeds of up to 483mph), quietest and best-performing jet in its class, we think it’s got the good looks to match its performance. The price tag? A cool $4.9m; hondajet.com

L’ HEURE DU DIAMANT

CHANEL

Unlike previous seasons, which witnessed more structured architectural shapes, spring/ summer 2017 was more playful and free-spirited; silhouettes were frothy and cloudlike, with oversized layers of tulle (as seen at Chanel and Ralph & Russo), and fluid, loose, delicate and lightas-air dresses (as seen at Valentino), giving us more space to have fun and dance. All the more easy to fall in love with, we say!

TRENDS RALPH & RUSSO

Be inspired by this season’s beautiful couture pieces, says MINE’s Zahraa Al-Najjar

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GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

RALPH & RUSSO

DIOR

Some designers, like Givenchy and Ralph & Russo, may have taken a more simplistic approach this season when it came to colours, volume and embellishments but feathers offset the simplicity, adding a playfulness and drama. However, Elie Saab didn’t compromise and used both beads and feathers for a maximum impact.

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GIVENCHY

CHANEL

VERSACE

Think frothy, larger-than-life tulle frills floating down the runway, as seen at Giambattista Valli, whose yellow dress reminded us of Beauty & The Beast’s Belle. Meanwhile, Dior appeared to take inspiration from those Disney princesses and heroines that we’ve grown up wishing to become. This is fairytale elegance come to life.

ZUHAIR MURAD

Dazzling, high-shine dresses graced their way up the runway this season. Karl Lagerfeld led the way at Chanel, with sequinned dresses adorned with silver belts, while Zuhair Murad and Elie Saab did what they do best – decadent beading and embroidery.

RALPH & RUSSO

No couture season is complete without the enchanting and inspirational blooms, delicately blossoming over dreamy frocks (as seen in Valentino, Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad). It was a midsummer night’s dream at Dior, where lavish blooms adorned dresses and headpieces.

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Pink was undeniably one of the most popular colours on the catwalk this season. It was present in a gradient of shades; softer pinks were spotted at Chanel and Giambattista Valli, while bolder shades at Schiaparelli and Valentino. It’s time to take pink seriously and think of it as a staple colour.

VALENTINO

GEORGES HOBEIKA

CHANEL

SCHIAPARELLI

GEORGES HOBEIKA

COUTURE

HARVEY NICHOLS, LONDON - HARRODS, LONDON

and your nearest fine jewellery boutique MARCOBICEGO.COM

SCHIAPARELLI

ARMANI

ASHI STUDIO

COUTURE

CHANEL

Bridal couture is big business and also a trend setter when it comes to designing the dream bridal dress.

Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio walked the runway for Ralph & Russo in a dramatic feather cape over an intricately embroidered dress. Zuhair Murad’s bride was no less dramatic, wearing a peplumshaped gown, sparkling with embellishment. We definitely do!

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RALPH & RUSSO

ZUHAIR MURAD

Pleats are still going strong for spring 2017. Seen on sheer skirts and peplums at Dior, and on metallic dresses at Schiaparelli. Ashi Studio took pleats to a whole new level with a dramatic white lace dress.

RAZANALAZZOUNI.COM

C O V E R S TA R C O V E R S TA R

T H O R O U G H LY

MODERN MILLIE Millie Brady’s relatively new career has seen her wield swords, fight zombies, play Joan Collins and model for Miu Miu. And she’s just getting started…

INTERVIEW BY SCARLETT RUSSELL

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SLUG

PHOTOGRAPHY BILLIE SCHEEPERS SHOT AT THE RITZ HOTEL, LONDON THERITZLONDON.COM STYLING ANNA BROMILOW HAIR STEPHEN LOW AT ELSL MANAGEMENT FOR NEVILLE’S MAKE-UP TOM FORD BEAUTY

Top, £780, skirt, £500, both Emporio Armani, armani.com; shoes, £645, christianlouboutin.com

C O V E R S TA R

“My agent called to see if I was free to fly to New York to shoot Miu Miu’s campaign. I felt very proud to be a part of it”

eclining on the floor engulfed in a ruby red Ralph & Russo gown, or draped over a chair in a lilac Amanda Wakeley dress, Millie Brady is the picture of elegance. But a grave fashion error nearly jeopardised this MINE shoot entirely. “You’re not allowed into The Ritz wearing jeans,” explains the actress, 23, referring to the iconic hotel which is the location of our shoot. “I was warned, but in the morning I forgot and absentmindedly threw on a pair of jeans. They wouldn’t let me in!” Fortunately, after much “wrangling”, Millie was granted hotel access and now describes the shoot as one of her favourites – “so relaxed, fun and informal”. And she should know. Millie is no stranger to the camera. Her impressive career has seen her grace the cover of Tatler and numerous billboards as the face of Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer ’16 campaign – not to mention her current prime-time TV role in BBC2’s The Last Kingdom. “I never planned to model, but the opportunity came about after my first film, Pride, Prejudice and Zombies, was released, and I felt I couldn’t turn it down. I’d been to a Miu Miu show at London Fashion Week and a few weeks later my agent called to see if I was free to fly to New York to shoot their campaign. The brand is gorgeous, obviously, but I was also happy that over their lifetime, they’ve nurtured young actresses. Lupita Nyong’o, Elle Fanning… these are actresses I admire and look up to. [Miu Miu] knew I wasn’t a model, but they wanted me to be myself. I felt very proud to be a part of it.”

Fashion aside, Millie’s acting career has gone from strength to strength in just a few years. It started when she was six and her parents sent her to an after-school drama club. “I didn’t know then that I wanted to be an actress,” she says, “but I was very shy as a child – I still am, to an extent – so they thought that would improve my confidence, which it did.” Millie then attended boarding school from the age of 11 to 18 in Berkshire, where her talent was nurtured further. “We had an amazing drama department. A few friends and I wrote a children’s play when we were 18, which our teachers encouraged us to take to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Being immersed in that creative environment [of the festival], performing on stage and surrounded by writers and actors, made me realise this was where I wanted to be.” An agent spotted and signed Millie, and she was quickly offered a role as Violette Selfridge, the daughter of protagonist Harry, in ITV’s Mr Selfridge. “I had applied to university, but was like, ‘Do I carry on applying or do I go with this?’ Because it’s hard to get that first break, so I went with it and started working. It all happened very quickly.” A part as a young Joan Collins followed a year later, for the Kray brothers big-screen biopic, Legend, starring Tom Hardy, before her breakout role as Mary Bennet in

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SLUG

THIS PAGE Silk organza ball gown with shaped organza ribbon embroidery, POA, Ralph & Russo; pink tourmaline, diamond and pearl detachable drop earrings, ÂŁ10,590 (plus ÂŁ3,430), William & Son OPPOSITE Silk organza ball gown with enamel floral brooch, POA, Romona Keveza Embroidered tulle dress, POA, Dolce & Gabbana

C O V E R S TA R THIS PAGE Silk organza ball gown with shaped organza ribbon embroidery, POA, Ralph & Russo; pink tourmaline, diamond and pearl detachable drop earrings, £10,590 (plus £3,430), William & Son OPPOSITE Silk organza ball gown with enamel floral brooch, POA, Romona Keveza

“It’s easy to look at [another actor’s] Instagram and think they’re constantly working, having a really glam time”

Silk-organza ballgown with tiered skirt and bodice,.POA, Ralph & Russo; Princess diamond necklace, £150,000, lace diamond and ruby cuff, £175,000, diamond dot earrings, £10,000, all ritzfinejewellery.com

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SLUG

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SLUG

Pride, Prejudice and Zombies. The re-imagining of the Jane Austen classic was about five sisters in 19th-century England, all trained in martial arts, who not only face the pressure to marry, but the pressure to protect themselves against a growing population of zombies. It starred a slew of young British talent – Lily James, Matt Smith, Sam Riley, Ellie Bamber and Suki Waterhouse – and the cast are all still friends. “We trained together for three months before we started filming, which helped with the bonding,” says Millie. “Every morning at 6am we’d turn up in a cold field in the middle of winter to learn how to fight with swords. We’re still very close. We have a Whatsapp group called ‘PPZ crew’ and I’m seeing Sally Phillips, who played our mum [Mrs Bennet], this afternoon.”

Sword fighting at dusk was good preparation for The Last Kingdom. Based on Bernard Cornwell’s bestselling novels, the series is set in Anglo-Saxon England, dramatising King Alfred’s campaign to unite a divided nation. The role of Aethelflaed, King Alfred’s daughter, was played by a little girl in the first series; in the second series, set seven years later, it has been taken over by Millie. Aethelflaed is based on the real 9thcentury ruler Lady of the Mercians. “She grew up at the height of the Viking invasion and her father wanted to train her, which didn’t happen at that time,” says Millie of the sword-fighting

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princess. “Throughout the series, you see more glimpses of the warrior queen she is to become. She gets put through a lot, and is a really powerful figure.” The show is filled with dozens of characters and plenty of action scenes. Millie’s training in a field in Budapest involved practising carefully choreographed sequences with “a couple of stunt guys. Every move everyone does is meticulously choreographed, so there are no accidents on set. It was like learning a dance. There’s a lot of landscape in Budapest that looks like old England. We had these vast rolling fields to play around with. I much prefer filming out of England, it’s more exciting.”

All of Millie’s roles – including the forthcoming Princess Catia in Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur: Legend of the Sword – are period pieces. Does she long to discard the bonnets and play a 21st-century woman? “Once you do a certain type of show, casting directors see you and think, ‘She’s got the right face for period drama,’ so a lot of the time it follows that path,” she muses. “I’d like to break out of that mould but, equally, I feel lucky I’ve got to play such empowered women. They may be set in the past, but they’re very modern and explore current issues.”

Millie lives in London’s Shepherd’s Bush with her boyfriend, Tom, also an actor. When she’s not acting, rehearsing or reading scripts, she’s walking their dog, Luna, visiting friends (five of

C O V E R S TA R

“I love throwing dinner parties, but can’t cook to save my life!”

LEFT Long-sleeved ‘Wave’ top, £1,100, Fendi; yellow diamond necklace, £375,000, and yellow diamond earrings, £75,000, ritzfinejewellery.com

Silk tulle dress, £995, amandawakeley. com; shoes, £675, christianlouboutin. com; diamond necklace, £120,000, diamond and pink sapphire earrings, £30,000, and pink tourmaline ring, £50,000, all ritzfinejewellery.com

whom live “within five minutes of me”) and failing at dinner parties. “I love throwing them but can’t cook to save my life,” she laughs. “I once made Bolognese and used so much Lea & Perrins sauce everyone felt sick. I’m surprised anyone comes round any more.” There’s also the small matter of penning a script with Tom. “We have so many ideas, so now it’s finding some time to put them together. It’s good to have something on the side when you’re not working, to keep your brain active.”

Being busy is something Millie will have to get used to, though she insists her feet are firmly on the ground. “I feel I’m in a good place now, but it ebbs and flows. One minute, I feel like I’m back to back [with work]; other times, I feel I haven’t worked in months. But I think that’s normal. It’s easy to look at someone’s Instagram and think they’re constantly working, having a really glam time, but I think all actors worry the next job could be the last job. It’s important to keep perspective.”

With a promising career both in front of and behind the camera, trips to The Ritz and designer shoots are something Millie might just have to get used to after all.

The Last Kingdom is on BBC2, Thursdays at 9pm; Season Two is available now on US Netflix. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is released nationwide on 19 May

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C O V E R S TA R

MILLIE LOVES…

Organic beauty products, Hyde Park and Chanel to name a few…

BOOK Labor Day. “I loved the film, too.”

FILM Big Fish. “Such a random one, but

I’ve seen it so many times I’ve lost count.

There’s something that strikes a chord with me. Every time I watch it, it’s like watching it for the first time.”

PARK CITY

Hyde Park, London Paris

SALON

Paul Edmonds London on Brompton Road, Chelsea. “If I have to change my hair for a role I always go there.

And to get ready for all my events, as well.

They set up a station of hair and nails.”

BEAUTY PRODUCT

Seed bead gown with chiffon drape, POA, Nicholas Oakwell; lace diamond and ruby cuff, £175,000, ritzfinejewellery. com

“I make my own, so they’re 100% natural. For my face mask, I mix half aloe vera gel and half jojoba. I have really sensitive skin and am allergic to a lot of products. I always use natural hair and face products”.

MAKE-UP BRAND “My make-up artist uses Delilah and Nars on my skin and she’s always giving me little pots of things.

Murad is great, too.”

HANGOUT

The Blind Pig, Soho. “The cocktails are to die for. My favourite is called a Silver Screen and comes with a tiny bowl of popcorn clipped to the glass. But sadly they don’t make it any more.”

RED-CARPET OUTFIT

“The Miu Miu purple-blue embellished long dress I wore to the London premier of Pride, Prejudice and Zombies. I also love Chanel, and often wear that to events. They’re elegant and edgy.”

BOXSET Girls or Fleabag SHOP

“My favourite cocktail is called a Silver Screen and comes with a tiny bowl of popcorn clipped to the glass” 36

Thrift stores. “I like going into vintage shops and throwing things together. I’ve always been quite experimental, even when it hasn’t always gone well! I like mixing things up.”

DESIGNER

“Miu Miu, of course, is very personal to me. It’s very out-there and pushes boundaries. Every season that they do is so different to the previous.”

It’s been years of only ups for Ralph & Russo. Now, with a to-diefor accessories range and a readyto-wear line about to launch, can things get any better? Astrid Joss talks life in the fashion fast lane with Tamara Ralph

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COUTURE

S

tanding in the world's most talkedabout fashion maison should be a moment of sheer joy; I am admiring the latest collection from Ralph & Russo and it is breathtaking. But then reality hits: I can’t afford any of these couture gowns in front of me. Sigh! To put it bluntly, these pieces aren't just beautiful, they are heart-stoppingly exquisite, just like everything else that the brand presents. The unbelievably charming team, the über luxe interiors of the boutique (which goes in to lock down for each and every client, no matter who you are); the fact it smells of spring no matter what the weather outside is doing; and there are flowers at every corner you turn. This is luxury on a new level. And then there is Tamara Ralph, herself.

Ever graceful, ever joyous, pretty and… well, pretty perfect really. She may well be the creative director but she is also the vision and energy behind the brand along with partner, CEO, Michael Russo. And they, let me tell you, are the secret of their success.

Having finally launched accessories to huge acclaim in 2016, and with possibly the most anticipated ready-to-wear collection launch of the industry later this year, this really is the fashion brand that doesn’t sleep. Not forgetting that the success and fame of Ralph & Russo is born from couture, it is this that remains at the core of the brand's DNA. But what does it actually mean? We all recognise their couture collections as uniquely beautiful – a beauty that is so intrinsically and intelligently designed you almost can’t get your head round it. It’s a kind of fashion genius. Yet as Tamara and her team will tell you, that’s only half the story. This is but the end result, and behind each piece are around 600 hours' work with 100s of couturiers attending and overseeing its evolution; from the design and shape, build and sculpt of a ’toile’ (the mere silhouette of a dress), to the embellishment stage with use of long-tested couture techniques with modern-day design innovation, creating never-seen before colours, materials, hand-

painting, and embroidery methods. The process is as luxurious as the materials used, and each piece is a masterpiece in its own right. A fashion investment of its own kind. As Tamara confirms, “When we set up the brand we had a clear idea of what we wanted to achieve and, yes, accessories and ready-to-wear were always on the agenda. We intentionally started with couture as not only was it our expertise, it is also the best way to start from the top and work down. As a result it has set the standards at the highest level from design through to quality.”

Undoubtedly the couture collection’s hero status has created the current market desire for the accessories and ready-to-wear collection, and access to the brand for those who can’t buy couture. People like me. Yet wonderfully it’s not a step down – the same impeccable craftsmanship is offered, the same luxury materials are used, with the same strong, feminine and elegant woman in mind – and, ultimately, it is still Tamara designing, with equal amounts of interest and passion. Her eyes light up as she describes the design process of the shoes; the bespoke colours created, and heels she designed as pieces of jewellery; the one and a half years she took to get the shape of the pump right; and the lengths taken in order to make it as high as possible (anything lower and ‘you don’t feel dressed up enough’). Every detail, every aspect is considered in full and compromise isn’t a word in her Ralph & Russo vocabulary. When Tamara and the team put their name to something, they travel the world and back in pursuit of perfection, quite literally.

She travelled to France and Italy to discover and commission suitable jewellery artisans to create her re-invented modern day heels. Applying the ancient fine jewellery technique of ‘Lost Wax Casting’ from 4500-3500BC to sculpt, mould and wax each heel from precious metals, adding strength and longevity to designs. As grand, bold and strong as a Versailles interior or a Fabergé egg, which too are sculpted, waxed and polished in gold, silver, brass and bronze before embellishing with hand-cut jewels, so too is this magnificent heel. Equally the leather goods

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FROM LEFT ‘Eden Classic’ clutch in nude alligator with rose gold leaves, £6,950; ‘Mini Vault’ bag in black alligator with rose gold hardware, £16,000; Tamara at work; 'Eden City’ bag in desert calf with rose gold leaves, £2,950 BELOW ‘Eden Eve’ pump in pink satin with rose gold leaves, £2,450; spring/ summer 2017 show

Interior Design and Architectural Studio producing award winning design. View our elegant Hill House furniture collection on our website.

Weybridge Showroom 2-3 Waterloo Terrace, Baker Street Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8BS T: 01932 855901

Design Studio T: 01932 858900 www.hillhouseinteriors.com 40

New London Showroom Coming Soon!

T: 020 7589 6911

"A luxury customer can have whatever they want but the feelings they experience when purchasing is what excites them – and feelings last longer than a product." Tamara Ralph

have a jewellery element to them, all incorporating the modern-day accessory concept through the lightness of feathers, flora and fauna. It's an exciting and chic range of avant-guarde shapes using soft leathers, rare pythons, and alligator skins with metal feather and vine handles, so thoughtfully positioned to wrap the wearers wrist like a piece of jewellery.

While Tamara admits she doesn’t need to worry about trends (let’s face, she’s creating them!), she gives great thought towards who she is designing for. “Of course I love the fantasy of couture and the dreaminess of it but I enjoy the commercial side of ready-to-wear – there is a different structure to it, a different way of designing. As our clients are global, I consider each territory and what suits them, what exclusives I can give them that is new and exciting.” Contrastingly she expresses an awareness of wearability and experience being deeply entwined with the luxury ethos existing as the beating heart of the brand. “Life is different to what it was for a 1950s couture buyer – it’s faster, more last minute, and people travel more, so these pieces need to accommodate and enhance their lifestyles.” Laughing about the efforts she went to ensure comfort in the 12cm heels, “it’s not ideal being in pain when you’re wearing a work of art that is meant to make you look good!” At the end of the day experience, as she says, is ‘key’. “A luxury customer can have whatever they want but the feelings they experience when purchasing,

through to wearing the product, is what excites them – feelings last longer than a product.”

So, what next for this luxury brand? Interiors?

She was behind the design of the Mayfair atelier. A baby ready-to-wear line? She has already designed baby couture on request. I know that belts and scarves are soon to launch in the accessories line to complete and compliment the ready-to-wear looks… What I can glean from her is that the sky is the limit. I have always felt Tamara's success is partnered with humility, and I start to think that surely this has to be a subheading in the overall success story. While people love to talk about luck, and it would be too easy to suggest they’ve had a windfall of it, the deeper you dig, the more it becomes obvious that the opposite is true. In the world of nature and nurture, this is a clear cut example of Tamara’s natural talent combined with an exceedingly well thought out, brilliantly managed and executed business acumen, thanks to their CEO, and Tamara’s partner Michael Russo.

Tamara’s feelings on why it all works so well is the natural crossover they have between design and business, where each has their strengths, but each has a deep understanding and interest in the other. She would know, after all, as there is no luck involved in this brand but sheer talent and hard work. With a sprinkle of magic, Tamara style.

For more information, visit ralphandrusso.com

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT 'Eden Strap’ clutch in desert calf with rose gold leaves, £1,750; spring/summer 2017; 'Eden’ Ballerinas in rose gold napa with rose gold leaves, £690, 'Eden Eclipse’ clutch in nude alligator with rose gold leaves, £6,250; 'Eden' ankle boots in metallic rose gold napa with rose gold leaves, £1,550 BELOW Spring/ summer 2017

M I N E ADVERTO R IAL

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With arguably the best selection of jewellery from some of the world’s top independent designers, jewelstreet.com is a treasure trove of unique and desirable pieces. Each of the 600 designers has an amazing story to tell, resulting in unique jewellery made with patience, passion and attention to detail. So, you can shop for something beautiful and utterly unique, from your desk, your sofa, or even from the back of your yacht! Check out the MINE wishlist for the season…

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1. White gold pearl earrings, £6,670, Hueb 2. White gold pearl and sapphire necklace, £1,640, Little H 3. Rose quartz and diamond rose-gold ring, £3,480, Flawless Jewellery 4. Moonstone yellow gold ring, £6,410, Alon Shina 5. Emerald, ruby and sapphire yellow gold bangle, £3,670, Aisha Jewels 6. Amethyst and gold necklace, £2,080, Polly Gasston Goldsmith

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THIS IS UNIQUE JEWELLERY, MADE WITH PATIENCE, PASSION AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL 43

7. Pearl and diamond gold earrings, £1,730, Katura 8.

Sapphire, diamond and yellow gold ring, £7,190, Artemer 9. Diamond and yellow gold ring, £815, KK Jewelry Lab 10. Diamond and sapphire yellow gold ring, £2,820, Allison Neumann 11. Opal, diamond and yellow gold earrings, £1,890, Socheec 12. Pink sapphire, diamond and rose gold earrings, £10,000, Baenteli 13. 18kt yellow gold and diamond necklace, £5,470, Luca Jouel 14. Garnet, diamond, and tourmaline rose gold ring, £2,950, Justin Richardson Shop all of these pieces at jewelstreet.com

SAINTS V S This season, the biggest trends are deliciously duplicitous…

‘Sylvie’ bag, £2,350, Gucci at style.com Floral heels, £865, christian louboutin.com Off-the-shoulder georgette dress, £2,440, Giambattista Valli at matchesfashion. com

TORY BURCH

18kt yellow gold diamond ring, £19,700, saqqarajewels.com

F R E S H F L O R A L S PRETTY PIECES THAT BRING INSTANT SUMMER TO YOUR CLOSET

Wrap silk blouse, £620, Etro at matchesfashion.com

Ruffled crepe dress, £2,087, Giambattista Valli at matchesfashion. com

CAROLINA HERRERA

Satin clutch, £2,595, Alexander McQueen at matchesfashion.com

SINNERS

FA S H I O N

Trousers, £405, Dries Van Noten at brownsfashion.com

Tulle dress, £335, Ganni at farfetch. com

LANVIN MARQUES ALMEIDA Boots, £980, Fabrizio Viti at brownsfashion. com

M O O D Y F L O R A L S

Umbrella, £225, aspinaloflondon.com

BREAK THE FLORAL FASHION MOULD IN DELICATE, DARK BLOOMS

Leather sandals, £895, jimmychoo.com

Jacquard headband, £225, Gucci at net-a-porter.com

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Floral embroidered skirt, £1,175, razanalazzouni.com

Tulle and satin headband, £115, Eugenia Kim at net-aporter.com

Tulle scarf, £350, Rockins at net-a-porter.com

Ruffle top, £645, razanalazzouni. com Tulle belted coat, £1,910, Givenchy at mytheresa.com

ROCHAS

G O T H I C T U L L E SEXY AND PLAYFUL, CONTRAST COLOURS FOR ADDED COOL

Leather sandals, £695, christian louboutin.com

Tulle gown, £5,350, Delpozo at matches fashion.com

Tulle-trimmed lace top, £725, Jonathan Simkhai at net-a-porter.com

ROCHAS 46

Lace and tulle skirt, £1,275, Christopher Kane at farfetch.com

FA S H I O N Tulle and satin ankle boots, £695, jimmychoo. com

Tulle minidress, £725, Molly Goddard at brownsfashion.com

Tulle skirt, £695, Simone Rocha at mytheresa.com

RALPH & RUSSO

Tulle gown, £4,070, Gucci at brownsfashion.com

Embroidered tulle gown, £14,612, Valentino at farfetch.com

P R I N C E S S T U L L E SUGARY HUES GIVE A LIGHTAS-AIR LOOK, PERFECT TO WEAR IN THE SUN

Grosgrain-trimmed lace headband, £255, Maison Michel at net-a-porter.com Mesh and tulle ankle boots, £745, Dolce & Gabbana at neta-porter.com

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JENNY PACKHAM

She's a fashion designer, a celebrity stylist, an innovator, and one of bridal's biggest names (with a totally fabulous laugh to boot!).

MINE meets the irrepressible Kate Halfpenny

O

nce you meet Kate Halfpenny, the meeting will be imprinted in your mind forever. Not just because of her designs but because of her. Her way of thinking, her spirit, her sensitivity, her charm, and her warmth. She’s just one of those people that you end up wanting to be friends with. It shouldn’t surprise you then that Kate Moss, Rihanna, Daisy Lowe, Pixi Lott and Erin O’Connor are listed among her clients and friends. In short, she is Ms Brit Cool.

Kate's career in fashion has been meteoric. After completing her Masters in Textile Design at London’s prestigious Central St Martins in the '90s, she went on to work as a stylist and costume designer. As well as music videos (think George Michael, Stereophonics,

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Kaiser Chiefs and Rihanna), Kate also styled celebrities for major advertising campaigns, where she met and worked with (to name just a few) Kate Moss, Cheryl Cole, Twiggy and Erin O’Connor – the latter whom was her bridesmaid when she married in 2002.

By the early '00s, Kate was on the speed-dial for the most iconic women of our time.

But beyond celebrity styling, Kate’s real love is bridal. “It has always been what I’m most passionate about,” she says. She designed two of Emilia Fox’s three wedding dresses in 2005 to great acclaim; motivated by the phenomenal response, she launched Halfpenny London the same year, a brand that is now considered one of the leading British bridal labels.

With her diverse fashion background as a stylist, as well her unrivalled knowledge of textiles, she goes where no other bridal designer goes, weaving her

M I N E ADVERTO R IAL

ABOVE & BELOW The Halfpenny London boutique in Bloomsbury

natural Brit cool spirit in to luxurious and beautifully designed creations. Kate's inspired 'interchangeable separates' (allowing the bride to bespoke her look, using different skirts or tops) has transformed the industry's take on wedding dresses, and effortlessly bridges the gap between fashion and bridal. “It gives women the chance to pick and choose looks, enabling them to be the bride they want to be, not to mention flattering their body shapes in the best possible way.”

Though style is where Kate starts, it's certainly not where she stops: quality and luxury are key to Halfpenny London. A self-proclaimed ‘fabric snob’, the finest materials are sourced globally while delicate trims and embroidery come from the same hand-beading specialists used by Chanel and Dior. Her impeccable taste for all things beautiful, teamed with an exceptional eye for detail, results in heirloom-worthy bridal pieces.

Her success is down to that je ne sais quoi she has with clients. “My forte is dressing every body shape for every woman, and making them look their best.

Be it something fashion-forward or timeless, there’s nothing I can’t do.” Her trick is that she doesn’t just listen: she looks, she studies, she observes… and then she goes off and does her Halfpenny thing. Indeed in 2010 it was Kate that Pixi Lott

commissioned to design her outfit for the Brit Awards, which saw Lott win Best Single.

Kate Moss also went to Ms Halfpenny to design the four dresses she wore for her birthday party, in an array of colours, which she kept changing throughout the night. She started in black, then yellow, then red, and ended the night in ivory, which the guests loved! Kate designed again for Ms Moss for Mario Testino’s star-studded 60th birthday party in 2014 – a dress that Moss has admitted to being one of her favourite pieces, and is now available in the Halfpenny London collection.

As if there was any doubt that Kate is passionate about bridal, she makes a startling admission: "[Dressing celebrities] is just another day at work."

It's dressing 'real' women where her heart is: “I love giving everyone the celebrity service. Whereas stars have mega bucks and clothes made for them all the time, for most women having a bespoke wedding dress is a one-off experience. And it's incredible to be a part of that with them. That's what really drives me.” A designer who takes joy from her clients' happiness, and whose mission it is to make her brides feel 'confident, beautiful and loved'. See, we told you you'd end up wanting to be her friend…

For more information, visit halfpennylondon.com

"MY FORTE IS DRESSING EVERY BODY SHAPE FOR EVERY WOMAN, AND MAKING THEM LOOK THEIR BEST" FROM LEFT The Wild Love Collection from Halfpenny London; Rihanna, in Halfpenny, at the MTV Awards in 2010; Kate Moss at Mario Testino's 60th birthday, wearing a creation designed especially for her by Halfpenny

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RAZANALAZZOUNI.COM

M I N E ADVERTO R IAL LEFT The Chelsea Collection, from £395, Emmy London BELOW Gold embellished 'Alice' heels, £795, Emmy London

E L E G A N T LY EMMY Why not indulge in Emmy London's couture shoe service?

(Price on application)

WELL Elaborately detailed and immaculately finished designs; it could only be Emmy London…

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hen isn’t it ‘all about the shoes?’ If you have a love of gorgeous design that stands out from the crowd, head directly to Emmy London’s new flagship store on Chelsea’s Fulham Road and discover an unadulterated luxury shoe and accessory haven. Behind the vision is Emmy Scarterfield, a descendant of Charles Digby Harrod, founder of the iconic eponymous store. Having trained at Cordwainers College of Footwear and Fashion – literally in the footsteps of former graduates Jimmy Choo and Patrick Cox – she has worked for the fashion greats, including Giorgio Armani and Bottega Veneta, before launching Emmy London.

Sexy, feminine and striking, there’s a shoe for every occasion that was designed to do nothing but impress even the most critical of fashionistas.

Choose from a variety of colours and styles – all available in different heel heights. From hand-

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embellished peep toes and sky-high courts, right through to modern mules and cool wedges adorned with Swarovski crystals and pretty mother of pearl shell – all in the softest of suedes. Take it a step further and get personal by creating your own pair of bespoke shoes. Complementing the ready-towear shoe collection, as well as the couture shoe service, is an exquisite range of clutches, hairpieces and belts with Emmy’s signature style of sophisticated embellishment.

One last thing: Emmy’s best kept secret? They are the most fabulously comfortable, wearable shoes in London. Yes, you can even dance until midnight in them. Well, if your shoes are this gorgeous, why not!

For more information, visit emmylondon.com

1 'Francesca' clutch, £495 2 'Edith' heels, £495 3 'Pandora' T-bar heels, £795 4 'Madeleine' sandals in Rose Gold, £395 5 'Cilla' courts in Sky, £595; all Emmy London 5

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Smoking-hot summer buys that won’t fail to make you look cool. Go forth and purchase EDITED BY CLAUDIA SAADEH

FLORAL EMBROIDERED BOMBER JACKET, £1,790, GUCCI.COM 'ANTON' BACKPACK, £2,000, LOEWE.COM

MENSWEAR

OPEN SNEAKERS, £425, VALENTINO.COM

PLANTATION PANAMA, £250, LOCKHATTERS.CO.UK 'GOLIATH' BRACELET IN CALFSKIN, £265, HERMES.COM

NUBUCK BAG, £295, ASPINALOFLONDON.COM

LEATHER-TRIMMED CANVAS POUCH, £365, GUCCI.COM

EDITION SWIM SHORTS, £98, TIMOTRUNKS.COM

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SLIM-FIT COTTON JERSEY T-SHIRT, £305, PRADA.COM

"WHATEVER THE WEATHER, A HIT OF YELLOW IS LIKE INSTANT SUNSHINE FOR YOUR WARDROBE"

SLIM-LEG LINEN SHORTS, £255, ETRO AT MATCHESFASHION.COM

'JUSTE UN CLOU' BRACELET, £5,850, CARTIER.CO.UK

STRIPED CANVAS POUCH, £425, LOEWE.COM

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MENSWEAR

CHAÎNE D'ANCRE IN SILVER, £405, HERMES.COM

MONOGRAM SHORT-SLEEVED SHIRT, £915, LOUISVUITTON.COM

LEATHER WALLET, £305, PRADA.COM

'ALEJANDRO' CANVAS ESPADRILLES, £300, GUCCI.COM

'BUGS' BACKPACK, £3,390, FENDI.COM

REEBOK EDITION CLASSIC SOCKS, £65, VETEMENTSWEBSITE.COM

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SLUG

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Now is the perfect time to refresh your grooming routine.

Scrub away those winter blues to reveal a new you, from head to toe, says Robert James

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Spring

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Greens

1. Geranium Leaf Body Scrub, £25 for 180ml, aesop.com/uk 2. Hypoallergenic Gentle Cleanser, £36 for 237ml, Perricone MD at mrporter.com 3. Apsu Eau de Toilette, £75 for 100ml, Ulrich Lang New York at libertylondon.com 4. Hypoallergenic Nourishing Moisturizer, £62 for 59ml, Perricone MD at mrporter. com 5. VETYVER Hand Wash, £38 for 450ml, byredo.co.uk 6. Dubai Emerald eau de Parfum, £480 for 100ml, Bond No.9 at selfridges.com 7. Concentré d'Orange Verte Deodorant, £77 for 100ml, Hermès at uk.hermes.com 8.

Nightly Refining Micro-peel Concentrate, £41 for 30ml, kiehls.co.uk 9. VETYVER Nail & Hand Cream, £44 for 100ml, byredo.co.uk 10. The Eye Balm Intense, £150 for 15ml, cremedelamer.co.uk 11. Invigorating Bath & Body Oil, £20 for 100ml, 100acres.co.uk 12. Concentré d'Orange Verte, £77 for 100ml, Hermès at uk.hermes.com 13. Opiat Dentaire Toothpaste Mint, Coriander & Cucumber, £24 for 75ml, Buly 1803 at mrporter. com 14. Botanic Shampoo 200ml and Conditioner 200ml, £18 each, bamford. co.uk 15. Mint Lip Balm, £9.50 for 15ml, kiehls.co.uk 16. Original Vetiver Original Spray, £185 for 75ml, creedfragrances.co.uk

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This elegant living room perfectly showcases Taylor Howes’ signature use of blue, a colour Karen [Howes] often uses to create a relaxed and sophisticated ambience

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INTERIOR DESIGN

Taylor Howes is the go-to for those in the know looking for beautiful, elegant, and covetable interiors. MINE meets the interior design company's owner, Karen Howes

TA Y L O R YOUR HOWES 59

aren Howes doesn't just have an eye for interiors.

As the owner of Taylor Howes – an interior design company that has conjured up covetable looks for five-star hotels, crafted bespoke designs for residential clients, and created inspirational show homes for commercial developers – she has a veritable head for interiors! Founded in 1993, Taylor Howes is considered one of the world's leading luxury interior design practices. The Taylor Howes look is beautifully chic yet functional; think cloud-soft upholstery with devil-in-the-detail finishes; neutral palettes with subtle colour pops; statement lighting that will still look relevant in years to come. MINE grabbed five minutes with Karen to find out what makes her – and her gorgeous interiors – so successful…

How did you start your business, and what or who inspired you?

I started my business when I was 21. Having bought my first flat, which you could in those days with a 100% mortgage, I then set about to renovate it. I knew some developers who loved what I had done and thus I got my first commissions. [Renowned interior designer] Mary Fox Linton was my inspiration; she had a shop on the Fulham Road – she was way ahead of her time and has been a constant inspiration to me ever since.

You have an amazing portfolio but do you have a particular project that you feel most proud of?

We are lucky in that every now and again we get a ‘Game Changer’ project. A church conversion in Knightsbridge was one such project; and we have just completed an 18,000sqft house in St Johns Wood, that takes us to the next level. We also have the space planning for the Old War Office in Whitehall, which is a truly special project to be involved in.

FROM TOP A brass floor lamp adorns this corner and complements Karen’s favourite shade of blue; the owner of Taylor Howes, Karen Howes; study in bronze: the designer’s original take on classic library space

What can you offer to the client of a commercial project compared to a residential project?

We do a lot of private family offices and the brief these days for offices is that people want to feel more at home so the commercial and residential elements are meeting in the middle.

How do you go through the process of describing the end results to your clients?

We have a number of ways of conveying our end vision to our clients from CGIs [computer generated images] – you often can’t tell the difference from the CGI and the

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INTERIOR DESIGN

The elegant cream leatherwrapped headboard and (glass and brass) hanging lamps are hand-crafted by British craftsmen to suit the clients’ individual taste – again Karen uses blue to create tranquillity in the bedroom

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INTERIOR DESIGN end photo – to rendered elevations and rendered floor plans. We invest a great deal of time and money sourcing fabulous finishes from all over the world. So our studio in Knightsbridge is a treasure trove, and the clients love to come and see what we have to show them.

Do you believe in using a neutral base to interiors while adding colour and accents within the art, rugs and textiles?

Yes, to some extent; although I would say we can be bolder than that if the project and client are prepared to be brave with us. We recently completed a show apartment in Park Crescent for Amazon Properties that had emerald coloured sofas. The days of bland show apartments is, thankfully, a thing of the past and our job is to bring the wow factor and create something memorable. We are lucky in that we have clients with fabulous art collections and that is a great starting point.

We have watched interiors move away from chromes and silvers over the past few years with an introduction of soft golds, bronze, copper and rose gold. Do you have a favourite metal you like to use?

We are working on the prototypes of our first furniture collection and there is a lot of rose gold and soft golds in that. It does provide a softness and sense of luxury, but you have to be careful where and how you use it so it doesn’t appear to brash or blingy!

Taylor Howes works internationally – is there any country in particular you would love to work?

I would love to do more in the South of France – any excuse to go to St Tropez! Jane Landino, my Design Director, would love to do an estate in Ibiza, her favourite holiday destination. We love travelling – at the moment I am flying from London to Paris, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Morocco on projects we have in the studio.

Are you ever inspired by other interior designers and do you have your own favourite, and why?

As I mentioned, Mary Fox Linton is a genius. Alberto Pinto is another great. It is always easier to criticise and much harder to create, so I have a huge amount of respect for my peers as interior design is now hugely more complex than it used to be. I am proud to have been a part of the journey to ensure that interior design is respected alongside architecture.

ABOVE Key details can grace even the simplest space. The residents’ private art collection is used to make this hallway light and airy

What direction do you feel interiors will go next?

I feel we are going more eclectic. We are working with a raft of amazing artisans and craftsmen to create truly bespoke and unique pieces, working with the likes of London Connoisseur – as the internet makes the world smaller we have to be more inventive and this is a way we see our interiors being truly unique.

RIGHT This bespoke Perspex chandelier draws the eye to the high ceiling.

Its geometrical lines complement the space without weighing it down

What is your next exciting project?

My house! My husband and I have bought the most disgusting house but in the most beautiful position facing south over a beautiful valley – the English countryside at its best. But having lived in over thirty homes, I am hoping this will be our forever home… but you never know!

For more information, visit taylorhowes.co.uk

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Eight fresh and utterly delicious ways to feed your guests (and win serious brownie points while you’re at it!) By Dara Sutin

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(RECIPE ON PAGE 66)

“HIGHLIGHTING SEASONAL VEGETABLES ALLOWS YOU TO KEEP RECIPES SIMPLE” 65

FOOD

PA S TA W I T H W I L D RAMP PESTO Springtime wild garlic, or ramps, makes a beautiful aromatic pesto without the raw garlic pungency. The pesto can be made ahead and also frozen until ready to use.

Serves 6 500g fresh tagliolini pasta 200g wild garlic 100g toasted walnuts 100ml olive oil 1 lemon 20g Parmesan cheese 150g ricotta salata, to serve

1) In a food processor, blend the wild garlic, 75g of walnuts, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice and 10g of grated Parmesan cheese until smooth.

2) Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to the boil.

Cook your pasta until al dente, then drain, reserving some of the pasta water.

3) Add a splash of olive to a pan along with the pesto and some of the cooking water.

Whisk together until smooth then add the pasta to coat.

4) Divide among bowls and top with remaining crushed walnuts.

GRILLED A S PA R A G U S MIMOSA

A luxurious sharing platter of grilled asparagus, perfect for warm summer nights.

This can be served chilled or at room temperature.

Serves 4-6 400g asparagus 4 eggs 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 tbsp good-quality balsamic vinegar 1 tsp honey 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 3 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped

1) Preheat the oven to 200ยบC. Bring a saucepan of water to the boil. Add the eggs and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes then remove the eggs and run under cold water until chilled. Gently peel the shells.

2) Trim the asparagus ends and place on a parchment lined roasting tray. Drizzle with a little oil and roast for 15 minutes until charred and tender.

3) In a small bowl, whisk together the shallot, balsamic, honey, Dijon mustard and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

4) Halve the eggs and separate the white from the yolk, finely chopping the white.

5) Lay the asparagus on a platter and drizzle the vinaigrette. Sprinkle over the chopped white. Crumble the yolk on top and sprinkle over the chopped parsley.

“A TOUCH OF OIL, SALT AND CITRUS GOES A LONG WAY�

S P R I N G FA R R O S A L A D

Farro adds a delicious chewy texture to this spring salad. Tossed with a refreshing vinaigrette, it pairs well as a side dish to fish or meat.

Serves 4-6 300g farro 100g fresh or frozen fava beans 150g asparagus spears 150g feta cheese 50g currants 1 lemon 1 lime 3 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp dill, finely chopped 1 tbsp tarragon, finely chopped

1) Cook the pearl barley according to pack instructions.

Drain off any excess water and toss with 1 tbsp of oil while warm. Season with a pinch of salt

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2) Bring a small saucepan of water to the boil and add the fava beans. Cook for 1 minute then drain and run under cold water. Peel the skins from the fava to reveal the bright-green peas 3) In a small bowl, mix together the zest and juice from both the lime and lemon, and the olive oil. Season with salt and black pepper. Toss with the cooled barley, beans, currents, and hazelnuts. Roughly break up the feta cheese and gently fold through, along with the rocket and fresh herbs.

“SIMPLE, YET ELEGANT; SERVING FISH, FAMILY STYLE, IS PERFECT FOR AL FRESCO DINING”

FOOD

SEARED BREAM WITH PEA AND CHERRY VINE T O M AT O E S

Beautiful flaky sea bream is a great mild fish to pair with sweet spring peas. A light, elegant platter that is sure to impress.

Serves 4 4 x 150g fillets of sea bream 300g frozen peas 1 bunch fresh mint, leaves shredded plus extra to garnish 2 tbsp olive oil 1 lemon, zest and juice 1 pint cherry vine tomatoes

1) Preheat the oven to 200ยบC. Line a tray with baking paper.

2) Bring a pan of water to the boil. Add the peas and cook for 1 minute then drain. Add mint leaves, salt and black pepper to taste. Blitz until smooth then add 1 tbsp of olive oil, the lemon juice and zest.

3) Place the cherry vine tomatoes onto the baking tray along with the fish fillets. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 10-12 minutes until the tomatoes are about to burst and the fish is cooked through.

4) Serve the fish on top of the peas with the roast tomatoes and a glug of good olive oil and mint leaves.

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CHICKPEA WITH SPINACH IN BRODO

You cannot go wrong with these warm, stewed chickpeas in a light broth. Zesty lemon and a hint of chilli raise the humble chickpea to become a delicious starter.

Serves 4-6 4 slices sourdough bread, halved 3 tbsp good quality olive oil 2 x 400g tin of cannellini beans, drained 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tsp red chilli flakes 250ml chicken or vegetable stock 1 lemon, zest and juice 200g spinach

1) In a sautĂŠ pan, heat 1 tbsp of oil. Add the garlic and gently sautĂŠ until golden. Add the red

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chilli flakes and spinach, cooking until just wilted, then remove.

Add the beans and stock to the pan, simmering for 10 minutes, gently crushing some of the beans with the back of a fork.

2) Add the spinach back into the pan and season with lemon zest, juice, salt and pepper.

3) Meanwhile, heat a grill pan and drizzle the bread with remaining oil. Grill on each side until slightly charred.

4) Serve the warm beans with a good drizzle of olive oil and charred bread.

FOOD

G R I D D L E D S P R I N G C O U R G E T T E W I T H B U R R ATA

This creamy, decadent fresh cheese is a perfect pairing to earthy courgette. Topped with zesty lemon and good-quality olive oil, it makes the perfect sharing plate.

1) Allow the burrata to come to room temperature. Using a speed peeler, peel each of the courgettes into long ribbons.

2) Heat a grill pan over high heat and quickly char about half the courgette slices on each side until grill marks appear. Leave the other half raw.

3) In a bowl, whisk the lemon juice, chili flake, olive oil salt

Serves 4-6 1 yellow and green courgette 1 fennel bulb, core removed and thinly sliced 1 Italian burrata 3 tbsp olive oil 1 lemon, zest and juice 1 tsp chilli flakes 2 tsp nigella seeds Toasted bread, to serve

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and pepper. Lightly dress the raw courgette and sliced fennel by tossing it gently in a bowl.

4) Tip the courgette onto a large platter, arranging the grilled pieces throughout.

Tear open the burrata and place on top of the courgette.

Drizzle with remaining dressing and a sprinkle of nigella seeds.

Serve with grilled bread.

FOOD

RHUBARB CRUMBLE CAKE

Tangy pink rhubarb ripples through this light sponge cake with a crunchy crumb topping.

Serves 8-10 150g butter 2 eggs 100g brown sugar 150g caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 200g plain flour 1 ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda 50g ground almonds pinch salt 80g yoghurt 250g rhubarb cut into pieces FOR THE CRUMB 65g plain flour

25g brown sugar pinch salt 25g butter, melted

FOR THE CREAM 1 tsp vanilla 200ml heavy cream 100g sugar

1) Line an 8” spring form tin with butter and parchment paper and preheat the oven to 180ºC. Cream the butter and sugars until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, one by one, then the vanilla.

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2) Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and ground almonds. Add a pinch of salt.

3) Gently fold the dry mix and yoghurt into the butter mixture, alternating and ending with the dry ingredients. Pour the mixture into the prepped tin and add the chopped rhubarb on top.

Sprinkle over the crumble. Bake for 45-55 minutes until golden.

4) While the cake is baking, place into a bowl the vanilla, cream and sugar. Using electric beaters, whisk the cream until soft peaks.

P I S TA C H I O A N D S O U R CHERRY BISCOTTI

These biscotti are more cookie-like in texture, packed with nuts for that extra crunch. You can easily swap the pistachios and cherries for your favourite ingredients, such as dark chocolate or apricot.

Makes 14 2 eggs 100g caster sugar (plus 50g for baking) 100ml oil 1 tsp vanilla 200g flour 1 tsp baking powder A pinch of salt 100g pistachios, chopped 60g sour cherries 100g ground almonds

1) Preheat oven to 180ยบC. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

2) Whisk the eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until just combined then add the chopped nuts and cherries.

3) Tip onto a lightly floured surface and bring the dough together into a ball. It will be sticky.

Wet your hands slightly to flatten into a slipperlike shape.

4) Bake for 30 minutes until golden. Remove and slice into 1-inch cookies.

Tip onto their sides, sprinkle with sugar and place back into a 140ยบC oven. Cook for 20 minutes. Remove and flip onto their other side.

Sprinkle with sugar; place back into the oven for 20 minutes.

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T R AV E L

As a seasoned travel writer, Thea Darricotte knows great destinations. Check out her current hit-list of global must-stays‌

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TUCKER’S POINT B E R M U DA

Who doesn’t want to escape to a desert island?

Well, me for one; not unless it's staffed with mixologists, has an abundance of heavenly spa treatments – available to choose from while lying on an exceptionally comfortable sun bed, and sipping on a freshly squeezed (by someone else) orange juice.

That's why Rosewood Tucker’s Point is heaven sent.

Located on Bermuda’s largest private beach, it has all the tranquility you could desire but the five-star service, too. The rooms are designed in a Britishcolonial style with huge wardrobes, extremely comfortable beds and large bathrooms to soak off the day’s salt and sand. There are also plenty of places to spend your time if the beach or golf course is not for you. The Point is a fine-dining restaurant serving international cuisine with fresh, local ingredients or there’s Sur Mer, which serves classic bistro and local seafood by the beach. There’s also Tucker’s Bar, which serves sensational Dark'n'Stormy cocktails (only to be sipped while admiring the view of Castle Harbour and extracting local gossip from the team of bar staff.) There are two swimming pools, a fitness centre and SENSE, a Rosewood Spa that offers indulgent treatments, ranging from massages to pedicures and even on-demand blow dries, to ensure that you are left relaxed, serene and primed for whatever the next day might bring. One thing's for certain, it's hard to find a more civilised ‘desert island’ than this.

For more information, visit rosewoodhotels.com/ tuckerspoint

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CASTELLO DEL NERO T U S C A N Y, I TA LY

Set among the rolling hills of the Chianti wine region, Castello Del Nero is a sophisticated and restorative retreat. However, aside from the Michelin-starred La Torre restaurant and the rooms with views of olive groves, there is another factor that makes it oh-so blissful: the spa.

ESPA at Castello del Nero focuses on a holistic approach – there are hydro therapy rooms, an outdoor vitality pool and, most importantly, a Relaxation Ritual. Combining a full-body exfoliation – using extra virgin olive oil produced on the estate, mixed with sea salts – and a Balineseinfluenced massage (using olive oil infused with local lavender), you are induced into deep relaxation for a wonderful night's sleep. You're guaranteed to feel restored and energised, and ready to face the world again, albeit reluctant to leave.

For more information, visit castellodelnero.com

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THE NED LONDON , UK

You’ve almost certainly heard of The Ned by now. But if not, here goes: The Ned is the newest and coolest kid on the London hotel block. Situated in an old bank, the 252 bedrooms are inspired by the glamour and style of the 1920s; you'll find chests of drawers for bowler hats (a civilised nod to the bankers of days gone by), and a 18th-century chandelier sourced from Devonshire House, which is rumoured to be worth £500million.

There are eight restaurants here, each of which has its own scene and cuisine – plus there’s the Barbershop, the Hammam, and the Vault Room (open to members), which featured in the James Bond film Goldfinger and now serves cocktails and cicchetti. Don't miss the indoor swimming pool made from a disused vault, and the gym with a boxing ring. However, above and beyond all of these wonderful things is the rooftop. Open to guests and members, it has a 10-metre lap pool, a restaurant and bar, and views that expand from The Gherkin to St Paul's. Breathtaking.

For more information, visit thened.com

T R AV E L

V I VA M AY R A LTA U S S E E , A U S T R I A

OK, so this isn’t really a hotel, it's more of a health destination but I’m sneaking it in because it really should be on everyone’s bucket list of places to go. Vivamayr’s philosophy is considered by many to be the Holy Grail of modern wellbeing. People who come here swear that their lives have been changed for the better, and are insistent that an annual pilgrimage is non-negotiable. Yes, these are the very same people who run huge companies, direct huge movies and live hugely busy lives but yet they all stop and make time for this destination because it can – and will – change your health and wellbeing.

Vivamayr is located on a picturesque lake in Austria and built from wood sourced from the surrounding forests. In fact, a lot of the elements here are locally sourced, from the ingredients on the menu (yes, you do get to eat occasionally!), to the beauty treatments. Being so close to nature is part of the healing process, but the real difference comes with the Vivamayr cure. This draws upon the theory that giving the digestive system a break allows the rest of the body to repair. The doctors here combine modern medical knowledge with ancient natural remedies to achieve results, and it is these results that create such a devoted following.

After an initial medical examination you will be given an individual therapy programme tailored to your needs, along with a personalised diet. While the theory is to give your digestive system a break, what you do eat is created by an award-winning chef and you are encouraged to chew as much as possible. You’ll also be pleased to hear that each of the 60 rooms has a balcony with stunning views, spacious bathrooms and comfortable beds, creating a perfect haven to retreat to after a busy day of treatments.

It is recommended that you stay for at least seven nights to see the best results, and by the end of this time you’ll not only be lighter but more energised, healthier and – quite frankly – completely addicted.

"Vivamayr’s philosophy is considered by many to be the Holy Grail of modern wellbeing"

For more information, visit vivamayr.com

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RAZANALAZZOUNI.COM

SPA (ING) PARTNERS MINE's Astrid Joss and Robert James choose their favourite London spas to visit with one's other half. Well, you know what they say: a couple who spas together…

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S PA G U I D E

Holistic massage in the Aman Spa at The Connaught Hotel

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AT T H E B U LG A R I H OT E L It’s no secret that this Knightsbridge spa is an A-lister haunt. Over two levels, the 2000sqm space has 11 treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam room, ice fountains, a 150sqm fitness area, and a 25-metre swimming and vitality pool; it leaves the competition looking van ordinaire.

S H E SAYS

I’m bowled over by the contemporary beauty of The Bulgari Spa's interior design, with its shades of green that give me an overwhelming feeling of calm and relaxation. The swimming and vitality pool area have a fresh and cool feel, with shimmering golden mosaic and white day beds dotted about to contrast the verdant Bulgari green. Equally, the relaxation area – with the impressive open fire and soft fluffy towel beds – enables you to keep that post-treatment glow lingering. It’s almost impossible to imagine the hustle and bustle of Knightsbridge just outside! I opt for the Coconut Body Experience

by Jax Coco. This classic massage ticks all the boxes, updated with a modern-day twist combining organic coconut oil and hot stone therapy.

It starts with a warming exfoliation, using Himalayan salts mixed with coconut oil. The therapist is beyond attentive, regularly checking I am warm and rehydrated, and the angle of my bed is constantly adjusted so I feel like I'm in-flight, lying on a first-class bed chair. The novelty of the warmed, crushed coconut wrapped in muslin used to massage my body is

fantastic; it's soothing, while also hydrating. Post treatment, I feel recharged – my skin looks brighter and feels softer for days afterwards.

H E SAYS

I have always loved the masculine and moody Italian interiors of The Bulgari Hotel, so I am delighted to discover that the aesthetic follows in to the spa. Once you enter The Bulgari Spa, your hectic London lifestyle is put on pause. My treatment is the Coconut Compress Massage by Jax Coco. (Oh, how the humble coconut has gone from strength to strength over the past few years. From the influx of trendy coconut water to potent beauty treatments and products.) The therapist softly talks me through the treatment and enquires as to any areas that need special attention.

Lying on the heated massage table, which starts to warm my stiff muscles, the therapist instantly finds those tense, knotted areas. As I close my eyes, warm organic coconut oil is poured gently over my body. The therapist gets to work, massaging the oil into my body with the crushed coconut wrapped in a soft muslin. As the therapist applies more pressure to my massage, I feel the muslin bun gently exfoliate my skin, too. I leave feeling well polished, as well as super relaxed; a stark contrast to how I arrived. ❊ Visit bulgarihotels.com

S PA G U I D E

AT H OT E L C A F É R OYA L Akasha, a Sanskrit word, reflects the harmonious unification of nature’s elements: earth, water, fire and air. The centre aims at transformative and balancing experiences, where mind, body and soul are aligned.

Home to London’s first Watsu pool (for tailored hydro-treatments and guided meditation), as well as a 300sqm gym, which includes LifeFitness equipment, a private hammam, a Vichy shower for cleansing hydrotherapy rituals, and a lounge bar offering a nutritionally effective menu.

S H E SAYS

The subtle yet apparent presence of bamboo sticks and orchids enhances the Asian ethos of the spa, along with the pleasant humid atmosphere, which transports me to another realm. Though the space is large, it is easy to navigate, helped by my therapist who is waiting for me at each and every corner.

I choose the 23 Carat Gold Signature Hammam Treatment. Being one of the only places in London to offer a hammam, this is a rare treat. Lying down on a marble table in a shadowy steam room, I feel stripped bare of the usual spa creature comforts. But equally I like the idea of getting down to business – this part of the treatment is not about relaxation! Using traditional techniques and a kessa glove to both massage and firmly exfoliate the body, I see immediate results.

No pain, no gain as they say; this is not a treatment for those who aren’t open to anything beyond being touchy-feely. The use of rhassoul clay and black olive soap, blended with 23 carat minerals, gives it an updated twist. The second element of the treatment is a Gold Back Massage in a well-lit room (complete with a soft bed – phew!), using 100% shea butter and oils of your choice, steeped with gold minerals, known for its anti-ageing benefits.

H E SAYS

Leaving the non-stop hustle and bustle of Regent's Street, I notice how open and light the space is, with the steps from reception drifting the humidity up and enticing you down to the spa and pool in view below. I also choose the 23 Carat Gold Signature Hammam Treatment. As my therapist talks me through the treatment, I can't take my eyes off the glittering gold flakes sitting on the top of the dark clay that will soon be exfoliating my body. In my head I'm thinking, “this is pure indulgence!”. I am invited to lie on the heated marble bed in the steam room. The intense steam instantly makes my muscles relax, and makes me breathe with ease – the treatment has started! Warm water is washed over my body before the intense and invigorating clay, black olive soap and, of course, 23-carat gold is rubbed over my body to exfoliate me from head to toe. I'm asked, softly, if I would like my hair to go through the same treatment (some clients, it turns out, say no). But I am the kind of person who thinks if you are going to do something, then go for it! After the exfoliation comes to

an end, I am invited to the second part. The massage! Feeling totally revitalised, I'm looking forward to what lies ahead. I select my favourite oil from three on offer. By now, my muscles are warm and my body has been intensely scrubbed, so I can really feel the effects of the firm and indulgent back massage.

Shea butter is used to knead my shoulders, soothing my skin. I just don't want the treatment to end; I walk away feeling like a new man. ❊ Visit hotelcaferoyal.com/spaandtreatments

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AT T H E C O N N AU G H T H OT E L

S H E SAYS

The first Aman Spa to be built outside the famous Aman resorts, The Connaught offers the ultimate in luxurious and dedicated spa treatments – there is nowhere else like it in Mayfair or indeed Europe.

Reflecting the renewing traditions and philosophies found in Asia and the Americas, therapists are so highly trained that they may have well been flown in from Aman's regal Amanbagh resort in Rajasthan. And their knowledge of meditation and mindfulness enables them to sense and craft the most unique and tailored treatments for guests. The five treatment rooms sit within a slick Asian-inspired aesthetic within an 500sqm space, which includes a state-of-the-art fitness studio and pool.

As you enter the low-lit space, it gives you a sense of intimacy and exclusivity. The perfectly executed small touches, such as the fresh ginger tea on arrival, immediately set the tone for luxury. The staff’s attentive but never overbearing approach is spot-on – nothing is too much trouble; they preempt your every need. The four treatment rooms, and one double room for couples, feature a dressing room and steam shower for extra privacy, and to allow individuality within treatments. The pool is so fabulous it feels like something from a Bond film. My treatment is the Native America Experience. Just for the record: this is as good as it gets. The two-and-a-half hour treatment is the perfect length of time to work your body into a state of full relaxation. The beauty of the experience is that it has a bespoke element to it – I’m able to request a body scrub from my therapist during our holistic consultation, which is an added bonus. Focusing on grounding the body energetically and physically, ancient Navajo techniques are used, which I can only describe as out of this world. I am taken to a whole new level of relaxation, and every single part of my body feels like it's been healed.

At points, the therapist lifts and twists my limbs in a gymnastic-like style, reaching muscle points I never knew I had. Cleansing herbs, such as sage and cedar, are used to sooth and promote a quiet mind, as well as restore sleep patterns. This is my idea of unadulterated luxury – I’m in seventh heaven.

H E SAYS

As the lift doors open to the spa, I am pleasantly welcomed by a charming and warming smile. There is something about this place that makes me feel at ease, and ready to relax.

From the soft smiles, that ginger tea (I couldn’t get enough of it!), to being invited to lounge by the pool under the soft lighting and listen to what I can only describe as hypnotic ambient music. Blissful.

I opt for the SPA Signature Treatment: Inspired

By China. As I place my aching feet into the warm foot bath, feeling those smooth black pebbles below, I wonder why I don’t do this more often. I am impressed with the knowledge and advice of my therapist, and how she speaks with confidence in soft and caring tones, as she enquires if the music is to my liking. Once I select the fragranced oil of my choice, the therapist gets to work with the all-over body Himalayan salt scrub. This is a scrub to remember: it feels utterly invigorating. Once my body is scrubbed and revitalised, I am invited to take a refreshing shower in my private shower room, before starting my traditional Chinese body and face massage. Not surprisingly, my therapist finds all those tense muscles and knots, and gets to work on them like no other therapist has before. I don’t know if I’m the only man who enjoys a facial massage (or maybe the only man that seems happy to talk about it!), but I walk away from The Connaught Hotel as if I am walking on air. My face and skin feel so soft and polished for the following weeks. ❊ Visit the-connaught.co.uk /aman-spa/

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E SPA L I F E AT C O R I N T H I A LO N D O N

H E SAYS

Described as the next generation of spa, the iconic and beautiful luxury interior design spans four levels and features 17 treatment rooms. The holistic approach to wellbeing brings together a team of world-class experts, offering complementary alternative therapies, fitness, beauty treatments and a Daniel Galvin hair salon, as well as a Margaret Dabbs London nail studio and a Thermal Floor, with a swimming and vitality pool, amphitheatre sauna, marble heated loungers and a spa lounge – oh, and private sleep pods. We're sold.

The ESPA Spa is the epitome of luxury, starting with the beautifully dark, marble-clad corridors that help you lose your sense of time and place (although, thankfully, there are discreet signs pointing you in the right direction, so you don't actually get lost!). The spa offers you everything and more, from a stunning glass cube sauna to the ice fountain. The gentlemen's changing room has discrete corners to change and shower, hidden behind panelled walls; and as for the sleeping pods, I could have stayed for hours to escape my crazy London life. The whole experience is seductive and intimate. My Mindful Massage can be described with one word: fascinating.

My therapist starts by wanting to know if I have any areas of concern that I would like to concentrate on; what stresses I have in life, and what I want to let go of. I know we all have our own pressures in life but I simply don't know where to start! As I lay on the heated massage table, the therapist begins by focussing on my breathing, telling me to visualise a small, beautiful box with a lid in which to put all my problems and distractions. She then tells me to close the lid, before we carry out the massage.

(At this point, my main concern is that I can't find a box big enough!) As she begins the massage, I finally begin to relax. I suffered a serious accident two years ago, breaking both heals of my feet and still suffer daily, so to receive a massage from my feet up is pure heaven. I did put my stresses and anxieties away for a while, and I walk away feeling less tense and uplifted. ❊ Visit espalifeatcorinthia.com

S H E SAYS

Overwhelming, in terms of its space and incredible spec, no stone is left unturned in the design of ESPA Life. This is allout spa luxury at its best. Despite its size and winding corridors (almost maze like), once you have mastered your whereabouts, the benefits have an almost Alice In Wonderland feel, full of surprises at every turn.

The women's changing area includes a steam room and sauna, and the spacious layout means there is always opportunity to be fully incognito (as the hotel’s many celebrity guests can attest to). My treatment of choice is the Mindful Massage; the 90-minute session works on the concept of mindfulness, and aims to give you peace of mind, leaving you feeling focused with a sense of positivity. It begins by focussing on your breathing patterns, while the therapist guides you through visualisation techniques to help relax the mind. This is definitely a 'listen and learn', take-home kind of treatment. The metamorphic zones on the feet are then massaged, followed but a body and scalp massage. I love the use of the rose quartz crystals on my scalp, and I leave feeling re-balanced, aligned and more at peace.

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L’ H O M M E I D E A L S P O R T, £ 4 7 , GUERLAIN ‘Sport’ colognes tend to conjure soapy, synthetic deodorant memories from nightclubs and changing rooms. Well, not this one. This exquisite, quiet scent has the clean-laundry bite of neroli and aquatic notes, with the warm-skin comfort of creamy almonds and patchouli.

VELVET CYPRESS, £160, DOLCE & GABBANA If ever there was a fragrance to make you feel safe and nurtured in strong arms, this is the one. Fresh, deep cedarwood laced with aromatic green leaves and warm crumbling bark emits a grounding sense of calm, while a flicker of sharp lemon peel and camphorous clary sage evoke latesummer afternoon sunshine.

HOMME GIRL Women who like to dabble in men’s fragrances now have a seductive new line-up to pick from. Well, who needs the man when you can have just the scent, says Alice du Parcq ratefully, we live in a time where a man or woman can approach the same beauty counter and purchase whatever the hell they want – bronzers, brow pencils, tri-blade razors – without being castigated by a disapproving eyebrow. The swapsies generation is here, where gender boundaries are so blurred even Liberty’s and Selfridges have forgone dictated men’s and women’s beauty sections and thrown the whole lot together. This is the meticulous move of the modern perfumery, too: you won’t see a Jo Malone London boutique split their scents (Red Roses Cologne is as popular with men as it is with women) and niche perfumers such as Le Labo and Byredo omit gender-specific vocabulary because, quite frankly, inclination is no one's business but yours. If you occasionally like to dabble in masculine colognes, a rising trend thanks to this liberal shopping landscape, perhaps it's time to take your curiosity one step further, deeper, and darker. The latest male-marketed perfumes are quite possibly the most carnal, most virile we've ever smelt, but on a woman they take on a whole new dimension. They cloak a feminine skin with the thrill of a third date and the confidence of a Savile Row suit; mixing gritty accords that push you up against a wall with soft notes that whisper across your neck. Quite frankly, they deliver an endorphin rush and radiating desire akin to watching your freshly showered lover pace slowly across the room and climb into bed. And who wouldn't want that simmering around them all day long? Go on, get these beasts all over you for a thoroughly good time.

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FR AG R ANCE R O A R I N G R A D C L I F F, £178, PENHALIGON’S PORTRAITS Inspired by the mischievous and debauched secret son of Lord George, Roaring Radcliff is a riot of a scent laced with hedonistic fun.

Sweet rum, warm, toasted tobacco and fresh, spicy gingerbread emit the most delectable and skin-nuzzling aroma. It’s a pleasure-seeker’s perfume full of decadence that can’t help but make its wearer feel fearless and playful.

LES ROYALES E XC LU S I V E S S P I C E A N D WOOD, £295, CREED If your Jilly Cooper fantasy is more stubbly Brazilian polo player than quiet dressage gent, do point your wandering eye this way. Freshly chopped cedarwood, earthy vetiver and skin-like musk seep into the pores like you've been getting up to no good in the tack room.

But a luxurious linger of iris and patchouli keep things blue-blooded and steeped in tradition.

G R A N T E AT R O LA FENICE MAN, £150, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE This peppery, woody scent was inspired by the grandeur of Venice’s Teatro La Fenice (Theatre of The Phoenix), which literally rose from the ashes of not one but three fires, to showcase the world’s most important operas and host magical soirees for Venician aristocracy. This fragrance emanates confidence and courage.

UNDER MILK WOOD SCENTED CANDLE, £55, TOM DAXON Because candles don’t all have to be floral and frilly, correct? This rich wax emits swirls of smouldering amber and sandalwood that contrast beautifully with the bittersweet woodsmoke of gaiac wood and the velvety stroke of suede. This will fill your room with a scent so suggestive it’ll turn your nervous nightcap in to breakfast in bed.

FR AG R ANCE OUD DE CARTHAGE, £175, BOUCHERON RARE TEAS COLLECTION OOLONG TEA COLOGNE, £160, JO MALONE LONDON

Much like how the scent of rose can range from apple-crunch fresh to Tim Burtonesque opulent, the oud extract comes in a miscellany of flavours, too. We know it mostly to be dark, smoky, hostile and gritty, injecting a scent with feral gusto. But when it’s handled by the loving hands of a master perfumer, in this case Dominique Ropion, it can be lustrous, delicate and glowing. Of course, the sensual and addictive facets are there (enhanced by tonka bean and leather) but this scent is most definitely the strong, quiet type with no need to shout.

Re-released in a smaller 75ml flacon, this creamy, buttery scent is the surprisingly salacious rogue of the Rare Teas collection.

Rich, smoky plumes of bitter cocoa, warm tonka bean and sweet tobacco leaves rise up from this penetrating infusion, with a caressing and milky almond note adding sensual texture. And just like an authentic rare Chinese tea, there is a luminous transparency beaming through the scent that dissolves any potential cloying.

POUR HOMME PA R F U M , £ 8 0 , B O T T E G A V E N E TA The glossy, syrupy black Murano glass bottle is definitely a clue as to what lurks within. This potent version of the original Pour Homme cologne, with heated accord of pimento, cardamom and cedar, is altogether richer, spicier and shadier, like pushing up the collar on a trench coat, the air is suddenly more seductive and moody.

STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN EXTREME, £235, BY K I L I A N As if the original Straight

to Heaven weren't wicked enough, this new Extreme distillation is infused with so much filth you might need to keep it exclusively for nocturnal outings. The spicy base of musk, amber, nutmeg and patchouli gets a thorough seeing-to by a hefty dose of boozy, caramelised rum and bordering-on-narcotic vanilla. It’s Tom Hardy in a bottle: cruel, rough and frightening at first, but purring, soft and addictive once it’s under your clothes.

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5 1 PA R F U M P O U R HOMME, £395, R O JA PA R F U M S Roja Dove has a small boutique, 51 Burlington Arcade, tucked away from the bustle of Piccadilly. It’s a sort of Hotel California – you can check out anytime you like but once his perfumes have snaked their way over you, you can never really leave. This scent pays homage to the comehitherness of the boutique: enticing you with zingy citrus notes and exotic jasmine and ylang ylang, then slithering around you with mischievous spices and velvety woods. The killer clutch comes as a flood of warm amber, sensual musk and a butter-soft leather and oud accord that never lets go.

COLONIA MIRRA EAU DE COLOGNE CONCENTRÉE, £ 1 7 0 , A C Q U A D I PA R M A

If you’re familiar with Acqua di Parma colognes, you’ll recognise the calm, elegant signature common thread of bitter-orange and lemon peel, grassy-leaf extract, soft orange blossom and sweet, quenching juices. In this special edition, all these notes are concentrated to a syrupy glaze, made even more edible and addictive thanks to a glut of myrrh.

S O L E D I P O S I TA N O, £155, TOM FORD

Tom Ford plays a cunning game of contrasts with his latest scent inspired by the shimmering Adriatic sea and luxurious shores of Positano.

It is fresh but warm, vivid but smooth, and innocent but utterly, obscenely indecent all at once. Bright citrus notes of bergamot, bitter orange and shiso leaf are beautifully tempered by creamy ylang-ylang and sweet orange blossom, with a slightly dirty-sexy accord of jasmine and sandalwood. It is the cologne equivalent to a perfectly undone bed of crisp, white cotton percale sheets on a summer morning… with a naked, sun-kissed David Gandy snoozing facedown on the duvet.

AQUA CELESTIA, £130, MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN Euphoria is truly bottled in this ethereal cologne. Bright, blinding flashes of piercing lime take your senses right to their limits, with shots of sharp blackberry buds and cold white musk shimmering on the skin. The comedown is pillowy from pollen-soft clouds of mimosa swirling around you like the most magical, out-of-focus blurring photo filter.

FR AG R ANCE

Although he's the heir to the Hennessy cognac family, Kilian Hennessy is one of the most respected figures in the fragrance industry. MINE's Astrid Joss meets the man behind the year's hottest scents 90

CLOCKWISE Black Phantom, £245 for 50ml; Love, £205 for 50ml; Voulez Vous Coucher Avec Moi, £215 for 50ml,

By Kilian. Available from the Kilian boutique and Harrods

Being born into the famous French Hennessy cognac family,

you may be forgiven for thinking you’re life is mapped out. Enter Kilian Hennessy. In what was a real-life play, already written and directed, he was the lead role that decided to rewrite and direct his life. This is the story of one of the most iconic perfumers of our time.

When I call Kilian at his Paris HQ, it's very late on a Friday afternoon, when most of us have mentally started our weekend, so I expect a quick chat. Instead, I’m surprised by the lengthy discussion we enter into. This is a man with not just passion, but serious intellect, fortified with an artistic spirit. And as our conversation develops, he leads me in to a type of fragrance fantasy land. Language, I learn, is the core of everything. He tells me that growing up within the Hennessy dynasty it wasn’t so much that he knew he wanted to be a perfumer, more that he didn’t relate to the [Hennessy cognac] language surrounding him, which made him realise he was destined for other things. By the time he was in his early 20s, he was studying at CELSA in Paris, writing a thesis on the semantics of scent.

“Having done several internships within fragrance houses, I wanted to find out how people come up with a common way to understand scent, as in the perfume industry there is no black and white understanding of this. We refer to the cause of the smell, such as it smells ‘like’ dirt, paint or flowers, but what happens when we tell someone in a country where cucumbers don’t exist that something smells ‘like’ cucumbers?” In search of a ‘language’ common to both gods and mortals, he drew from his heritage remembering the ‘Angels’ share’ (which is what the House of Hennessy calls the percentage that evaporates from cognac cellars like an offering to the gods.) Already it sounds like some kind of Greek mythology. His ability to draw and create from fact, fiction and his childhood memories is where the allurement with the Kilian brand lies, as here we have not just a talented perfumer but a character worthy of a Shakespeare play – the hero, naturally.

While creating a successful luxury brand is in his DNA, Kilian has always been the person who takes things to the next level. “Luxury can also be a constraint, as there is an obligation to bring so much more to it.”

In answer to this he believes that while perfume is an art, it also needs to have a conscience maintaining his eco-luxe philosophy. Thus all the brand’s products are refillable or reusable. The bottle you buy is the bottle you keep for your lifetime. The collection's coffrets can be reused as a jewellery box, an evening clutch or a cigar box. “For me, a true luxury product must have the capacity to be transmitted from generation to generation. A luxury product should not be disposable!”

While luxury is at the epicentre of fragrances spanning across different collections, including L’Oeuvre Noir, Arabian Nights, Asian Tales, In

the Garden of Good and Evil, and Addictive State of Mind, his vision is thespian, reflected in the names and his creation process. As he explains, “Contrary to many of my competitors, who name a scent based on one ingredient, I chose to name each with a ‘title’ and ‘subtitle’ to express that each scene is the beginning of a story yet to be told..” His most recent scent, Black Phantom, was inspired by The Phantom of the Opera for its drama, the colour of black for luxury, and the notion of the modern pirate, “I wanted to play on death and living life to the fullest reminding us we have to die, and as I like to say, a little party never hurt nobody!”

For someone so artistically aware with a ‘luxury conscience' I wonder how his huge success (35 highly acclaimed fragrances within ten years) has effected him and, in turn, his creation process. “Being commercial is not an issue. You can still be creative within commercialism. The authenticity of the creation is what’s important not the medium it is brought to the audience by. Mozart was one of the greatest artists of our time and didn’t have the medium of TV or huge concert stadiums, so he’d perform live to only 300 people but his work is still considered genius. You create the same way if you create for two people and two million people – great creations have worldwide appeal. It's a human emotion that decides that.” That said, he takes none of it for granted. “My fragrances are like my children, I put as much love as I can into them all but then I just have to sit back and watch, as they have their own powers and own success. It’s so hard to start from nothing, to find something unique and once you have. And it takes a lot to get to the next step.” Such steps can take up to two years with around 12 people working on the design of the bottle.

Kilian is still the same curious and driven student he was years ago, and not private in his work sphere at all. As he says: “There is a piece of me in everything.” Like his creativity, his success has no boundaries. April saw the return of fruity-floral fragrance Good Girl Gone Bad Extreme, back by popular demand; this October the brand celebrates 10 years, and early next year plans to launch a new bath and body line. Ultimately, Kilian is the good time boy that loves to think deep, feel deep and offer up (to us, his audience), with all his heart. And like any great protagonist, the more you know about him, the more you want to know…

Good Girl Gone Bad, £205 for 50ml, By Kilian. Available from the Kilian boutique and Harrods

Visit bykilian.com; Kilian, 26 Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, London W1J 0QJ

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SELFIE

Look your absolute best when coming up in people’s social media feeds, thanks to these fabulous selfie skincare products, says Jessica Diner

1

ugmented reality. It’s all the rage these days. Just put a filter on everything and life is instantly better. But what if you didn’t need a filter on your snaps because your products were doing the job for you, directly on your skin? Well, that’s exactly what beauty brands are tapping into: perfectors, concealers, brighteners, primers, all made with making you look like the best version of yourself on camera in mind. Anyone for a selfie?

MASK IT

The first step to achieving skin greatness is the prep work, and a mask can go a long way to perking up the complexion to make it look as though it’s lit from within. 1 This Works was ahead of the curve when it launched its In Transit Camera Close-Up, £30, in 2013: a primer, moisturiser and mask all-in-one. When applied and left overnight it plumps and brightens skin (thank you, hyaluronic acid and caffeine), and reduces redness for a radiant, even complexion. Want an instant quick-fix instead? 2 Try Dior’s Capture Totale DreamSkin 1-Minute Mask, £51.50, with its gentle exfoliants that help ‘reset’ skin to former glory and genius little micro-pearl pigments that remain on the skin to reflect light. 3 La Mer’s The Perfecting Treatment, £155, has innovative Soft Focus Filter Technology that diffuses imperfections, resulting in a bright, luminous complexion. Your canvas is ready.

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BEAUT Y

EXPRESSION 4 6

S ELFI E SK I N C AR E

Next up, assess your skincare. Is it doing all that it can to achieve digital imagery perfection? Give facial structure a little helping hand with 4 Sisley’s Double Tenseur, £155, which has an instant tightening effect on the skin (cue cheekbones), and while we’re on the subject of instant (Instagram and Snapchat are, after all, platforms for ‘need it now’ sentiments), 5 ESPA’s Tri-Active Advanced Instant Facial, £55, has an immediate plumping effect that helps to smooth lines, so FaceTune doesn’t have to. If radiance is more your thing, balms are a new category that are perfect for adding a dewy glow to skin – you know, the kind that makes others envious when scrolling through your profile? 6 Estée Lauder’s Revitalizing Supreme+ Global Anti-Ageing Wake-Up Balm, £46, is a nourishing potion that gives you that #iwokeuplikethis feeling, and 7 Giorgio Armani’s Armani Prima Glow- On Moisturizing Balm, £62, contains a brilliant “Liquid Mirror” complex that acts like a portable photographer’s reflector, capturing light onto the face. For drier skin types, try the 8 Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm, £37, which is akin to a cool splash of water to the face; ideal for those in need of a major hydration boost.

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BEAUT Y

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13 14 PRO FES SIO NAL R E TO U C H I N G

For the finishing touch-ups before your close-up, look to complexion-perfecting products: 14 The Estée Edit’s Flash Photo Powder, £24, which has been created with blue pigments (but has a totally translucent finish) to radiate light picked up from a flash. 15 Nars Matte Concealer, £23, hides dark circles in a flash (it has that all-important hyaluronic acid to plump and perfect). 16 Bobbi Brown has released a whole collection of Retouching Wands and Pencils, from £22, to recreate the look of retouched skin – without having to go anywhere near Photoshop. To inhibit any unwanted shine from cropping up in photographs, finish off with a dusting of 17 Tom Ford’s Flawless Powder, £66 (perfect for those with oilier skin, as it immediately absorbs any shine.) #NoFilter

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ALL ABO UT THAT BASE

Any YouTube vlogger worth their make-up brush knows that building on your skincare with a purposeful primer is key. Don’t be put off by the purple hue of 9 Becca’s First Light Priming Filter, £32. The lilac colour-correcting base applies sheer on the skin and is the secret to a complexion that looks like it’s been sharpened and brightened by counteracting any redness in the skin. If open pores or dullness are more a concern, blurring is a big buzzword that should pique your interest. 10 YSL’s Touche Eclat Blur Primer, £29.50, does what it says on the beautiful glass tube and blurs pores and fine lines with a goldfleck-infused gel for instant radiance, and works wonders when layered up with 11 Chanel’s Le Teint Ultra Tenue Fluid Ultrawear Flawless Foundation, £37, which has ‘skin blurring’ second skin qualities due to its lightweight, matte finish and ‘Perfect Light Diffusion Complex’. 12 Givenchy’s Teint Couture Cushion Compact, meanwhile, combines packaging innovation (the cushion compact) with their ‘Blur & Go’ glow-enhancing technology and 13 Guerlain Métérorites Baby Glow, £38, draws on the make-up/ fragrance house’s iconic Meteorites ‘Stardust’ light-diffusing technology to erase signs of fatigue for a bright and perky complexion. Imagine you have one of those ‘diva’ ring lights on your face – it’s pretty much the same thing.

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CREATED IN LONDON

Ormonde Jayne Boutique 12 The Royal Arcade, 28 Old Bond Street, London W1S 4SL . 0207 499 1100 Harrods . Selfridges . Fortnum & Mason ormondejayne.com

M I N E ADVERTO R IAL

A CUT ABOVE THE REST Women in the know only trust one salon with their

hair: Gielly Green. MINE meets owner of the fabulous Marylebone salon, Shai Greenberg (pictured)

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o where do you think all those chi-chi central

ABOVE Hand & Body Wash, £16 for 300ml; Hand & Body Lotion, £24 for 300ml; Classic Conditioner, £19 for 200ml; Volume Shampoo, £19 for 200ml; Repair Shampoo, £19 for 200ml; Classic Shampoo, £19 for 200ml; Repair Mask, £34 for 200ml; Argan Rescue, £22 for 50ml; Argan Ultime, £31 for 50ml, all Gielly Green at giellygreen.co.uk

London ladies who lunch pop to to beautify themselves? Gielly Green, of course! Situated in London’s Marylebone, conveniently nestled a stone’s throw from the famous Chiltern Firehouse, Gielly Green was founded in 2008 by the oh-so-talented and handsome Shai Greenberg (try not to blush!). It is not only the area’s beauty jewel in its fashionable crown, but it is one of London’s leading salons. A haven of calm and indulgence, one enters feeling ‘in need’ of revamping, and leaves full of the joys of spring… and looking rather glamorous!

With 25 years of experience, Shai knows about making hair fabulous. Having trained with the hair greats – such as Vidal

RIGHT The chic interior of Gielly Green

Sassoon and Toni & Guy – he is known as a leading visionary in his native Tel Aviv. Shai was the first person to launch a combined hair salon and spa in Israel – after that huge success, it was time to conquer London! Shai has formulated an unshakable philosophy of ‘empowering clients with confidence through flawless service’, upon which to launch Gielly Green. As Shai says, “It’s important to perfect your skill, so that no one can ignore your expertise.

You should always expect excellence from yourself and from your team. I am always working towards making Gielly Green the number one destination for hair in London – this is one of my biggest drives.”

The salon itself houses some of the best London hairstylists, while

Visit Gielly Green at 42-44 George Street, Marylebone, London W1U 7ES; call 020 7034 3060; giellygreen.co.uk

the private beauty floor includes leading industry experts. This fusion of nationalities, cultures and diversity makes for fashionable yet timeless styles and techniques, and results in outstanding service – all under one roof. But don’t think for one second it all sounds too grand. As Shai says, "While we are leaders in hair trends, our team understands that one style does not suit everyone. The team always adopts a unique approach to suit each individual."

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BEAUT Y

B AC K S TAG E B E AU T Y The looks, the trends, the products you need in your life…

CAROLINA HERRERA

EDIT E D BY ZAHRAA AL- NAJJAR

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OPENING CEREMONY

BEAUT Y

FIRST THE PREP...

Start with Givenchy’s Lip Liner Universel Transparent (£18, Givenchy at harrods. com) to smooth fine lines, condition and plump the lip. For the perfect shade of red, choose from Chanel’s iconic Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour, £28, chanel.com (below) for a rich and moisturising colour.

Summer shouldn’t always mean muted tones. Stand out with rich shades of red, which are in for summer 2017. Used by Pat McGrath at Dolce & Gabbana and Tom Pecheux at Chanel.

Bold red lips were also spotted at Giambattista Valli and Simone Rocha.

FELINE FINE

Cats’ eyes were popular this season. Starting with Peter Philips at Fendi, who paired fabulous flicks with glitter lips, and Diane Kendal who created smoky winged eyes for Carolina Herrera. Elie Saab’s girls sported dark shadow on the outside with a touch of silver on the inner eyes.

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GET THE LOOK

Use Tom Ford’s Eye Defining Pen (£45, Tom Ford at selfridges.com) to achieve a precise result, from a subtle cat-eye to dramatic wing tips or a sultry smoulder. Louboutin’s new Oeil Vinyle Luminous Ink Liner in Lady Twist (£58, Christian Louboutin at net-a-porter.com) is another hero for intense flicks.

VALENTINO

…THEN SCARLET FEVER

PLAITS ALL, FOLKS

Braids are big news this season; we love Dior’s twisted skater buns created by Guido Palau, and Valentino’s messy plaits, which created a soft, modern romance look.

Erdem wrapped plaits into a dishevelled up-do, and added a ribbon for ultra romance.

COLOUR PLAY

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO

DIOR

A DÉTACHER

KENZO

Spring eyes were given playful strokes of colour this season. At Kenzo, make-up artist Lynsey Alexander applied vibrant pink around the eyes and brow bone.

At Max Mara, colour play went to another level, with vivid strokes framing the eyes. At Hermès and Anna Sui, washes of pink were painted onto the models’ lids.

RODARTE

SN PS B EAU TH YOTS

GET THE LOOK

GET THE LOOK

Use Oribe’s Gel Sérum Radiance, Magic and Hold (£58 for 150ml, Oribe at net-a-porter. com) before braiding your hair, for shine and smoothness.

Increase elasticity, add shine and keep the frizz away, while smelling divine, with Thameen’s Amber Room Hair Fragrance (£85, Thameen at selfridges.com).

Take your pick from Phyto Eye-Twist pens (£31, sisley-paris.com) to recreate your favourite stamped, one-colour or rainbow look. Use Cream Pigment in Emerge (£18, Illamasqua at selfidges. com) to get that orange Ferragamo sweep.

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VERSACE

Fringes prevailed in different shapes and forms this season.

They were swept aside by Paul Hanlon at 3.1 Phillip Lim, permed at Gucci, and twisted at Rochas to give a messy ’40s look.

GET THE LOOK

Fringes can get oily from being in touch with face oils. Dry Shampoo (£16, SHOW Beauty at harrods.com) is perfect in your bag to freshen up the fringe when needed. For side-swept bangs, use a lightweight mousse, like Soft Mousse (Quai Haircare at cultbeauty.co.uk), for great-looking (and smelling) bangs all day.

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DOLCE & GABBANA

3.1 PHILLIP LIM

BANG ON

VICTORIA BECKHAM

BEAUT Y

PRETTY PARTING

Achieve spun silky hair with Iles Formula’s Finishing Serum (£42.50 for 200ml, Iles Formula at harveynichols. com, ideally used with its shampoo and conditioner). To get the sleek hairstyle seen at Victoria Beckham, use Bumble and Bumble’s Straight Blow Dry (£23, Bumble and Bumble at selfridges.com) before applying heat for frizz-free, protected, shiny hair.

PRADA

The big question backstage was: where does the parting go? How about centre, as seen at Victoria Beckham and Alberta Ferretti? Or why not borrow a masculine, low side-parting from the guys, as showcased at Ermanno Scervino, Prada and Marni?

GET THE LOOK

BACK TO BASICS

GENNY

Fresh skin with a dewy complexion is the way to go for summer 2017. Pat McGrath showed how to do the no-makeup-make-up look at Stella McCartney by keeping the skin fresh and adding a soft, rosy glow on the cheeks. Prada, Genny, Lanvin and David Koma took the same low-key approach.

GET THE LOOK

Go au naturel with Genuine Glow Priming Moisture Balm (£30, esteelauder.co.uk). Finish the look with new hybrid lipstick Volupté Tint-In-Balm in Dream Me Nude (£27, Yves Saint Laurent at selfridges.com).

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MIN E MORE IS NEVER ENOUGH

See it, Love it, Shop it...

MI N E MAG AZI NELON DON .CO M #M I N E Ma g a z i n eLo nd o n # M I N E _ Love s

GREAT ESCAPES MINE's resident Teacup Chihuahuas, Bob & Edward, on the best doggy-friendly hideaways in the UK

BELMOND LE MANOIR AUX Q U AT ' S A I S O N S If one is going to bother packing and unpacking one's Louis Vuitton Explorer, the hotel had better be worth it. In this case, for Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, it really is. Set in the stunning Oxfordshire countryside, Le Manoir is a foodie's paradise; doggy biscuits on request; fresh water served in a porcelain bowl; Michelin-starred scraps a-plenty! The hotel has 32 individually designed, and utterly fabulous, human-friendly rooms and suites. Of these, three are perfect for posh pooches. The 'two dog' limit per room is ideal because the days of shacking up with hairy strangers is a thing of the past for Bob and I. And there is no restriction on dog size, however. Although, is there any size other than 'teacup', darling?

Visit belmond.com

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B O B & E DWA R D BARNSLEY HOUSE As you would expect from any Chiltern Street resident worth their weight in Gucci, Edward and I like to have a rural retreat to scarper to when city life gets too much. Our favourite Cotswolds crash pad is Barnsley House, in the village of Barnsley (not the other Barnsley… dear, God, we're not animals). Ask your human to book a room in the Stableyard (suitable for four-legged companions); set over two floors, the decor is Scandi-cool with all the mod cons, as well as squishy sofas that are perfect for impromptu tummy rubs. There are some areas of the hotel that one may wish not to frequent… the dining room, bar and lounge are all human-only. Shudder. But the Village Pub, owned by the hotel, welcomes dog and is a stroll away. Woof!

PACK LIKE A POOCH Leap out of the car boot looking stylish with these travel must-haves

Visit barnsleyhouse.com

TUDDENHAM MILL Suffolk: who knew? This unlikely county might not be an obvious choice for pedigree pups such as Bob and I, but being seasoned travellers, we have found a gem in this far-flung corner of the UK. Tuddenham Mill sits in 12 acres of pup-loving countryside, and they go out of their way to welcome furry friends. On arrival, expect your very own bowl and goodie bag packed with doggy treats. Yap! Have Human book a Mill Stream or Water Meadow room, perfect for guests with paws. Your two-legged friend will appreciate chef Lee Bye, who uses seasonal British ingredients to create jaw-watering dishes. Which is win-win for you: the more the humans eat, the more they'll want to burn off those calories. Come on, Fatty, walkies!

Tweed travel bed, £98, Cloud 7 at amara.com

Stitch blanket, £199, mungoandmaud.com

Visit tuddenhammill.co.uk

HOTEL ENDSLEIGH If we travel beyond the M25, Edward and I have been known to suffer terribly with doggy nosebleeds. But Devon, and the gorgeous Hotel Endsleigh, is worth the blood loss. Situated between Dartmoor and Cornwall's Bodmin Moor (fear not, the beast is long gone, although Edward can be ferocious when challenged), Endsleigh is a rural delight. This former family home is the ultimate escape for canines in need of some R'n'R (Retrieving'n'Rubs); doggy beds and bowls are provided on arrival, and there's 108 acres to sniff, explore, and frolick in. Even better, it's access all areas inside the Endsleigh – except the restaurant, which is a no-pooch-zone.

But then who wants to watch humans eat, anyway? Disgusting.

'Igloo' pet bed in natural, £154, mungoandmaud.com

Quilted dog jacket, £129.50, Mungo & Maud at amara.com For more of our escapades, follow us on Instagram @bobandedward

Visit hotelendsleigh.com

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