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Luxury
MASTERPIECE MILLIONS Christie’s global president on the art of auctioneering
Destination
COVENT GARDENERS
Experience the fairy-tale feel of this iconic London district
Journey
AGE OF DISCOVERY
There’s a spirit of adventure to The Savoy’s new cocktail
Celebrity
CUBA GOODING JR
The Oscar winner reveals all about playing O. J. Simpson
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SAVOY
COVENT GARDEN
WELCOME ✦
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A truly vibrant place to be
W
elcome to this issue of Savoy Magazine. We were thrilled with the launch of our brand new luxury lifestyle publication earlier this year, so, as promised, we’re back with a second issue, packed with exclusive interviews, expert opinions and the latest in food and wine, yachts and motors. Spring has sprung here in London, and it really is a magical time to be in the city. The promise of longer (and warmer, we hope!) days, as well as parks and gardens coming to life, and a real buzz about town with all the events and festivals that this time of year brings, makes it a truly vibrant place to be. Here at The Savoy, we’re lucky enough to be able to enjoy the spectacular views up and down the Thames from our River View rooms and suites – all the way to St Paul’s and the City from your left, and to Westminster and the Houses of Parliament to your right, taking in all seven bridges and London’s iconic landmarks. From the other side and front entrance of the hotel, it’s just a few steps into bustling Covent Garden, where you’ll find high-end shopping and culture; location-wise, it doesn’t get any better. This month, we’ve brought you a real insider’s guide to Covent Garden to ensure you explore all the hidden gems and come to love this special part of London as much as we do. Within the doors of The Savoy, we’re excited to launch a new suite in May. To be known as The Artist’s Residence, this stunning two-bedroom accommodation will be set
on the riverside of the hotel, paying tribute to all the many artists, both past and present, who have been inspired and continue to take inspiration from The Savoy over the years. We’ll have all the details and photos for you in our next issue, so stay tuned, although if you fancy a sneak peek, the suite is available to book from May 5. We boast an artistic heritage that any hotel would be proud of, from Whistler painting the hotel scaffolding before it opened, to Monet painting his famous series of London bridges as he resided in this very same suite. Today, we have our contemporary art collection, and Sally Vaughan from Go Figurative is back to tell you all about the latest piece of artwork here at The Savoy. As well as bringing you all our news for spring in this issue, we also hear from Cuba Gooding Jr about his new TV series, The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, while global president of Christie’s, Jussi Pylkkänen, looks back on an illustrious career at one of the world’s most iconic auction houses. We hope you enjoy the second issue of Savoy Magazine and look forward to seeing you again in the summer.
KIARAN MACDONALD MANAGING DIRECTOR THE SAVOY
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CONTENTS
72
10
THE EVENTS From cocktails to cabaret
14
THE SUITES Sleep in star-studded style
22
THE TEAM Head Butler Sean Davoren
28
THE DRINK Savoy Tea signature blends
32
THE FOOD Savoy Grill’s Kim Woodward
36
THE RECIPE Classic Savoy beef Wellington
40
THE JOURNEY Age of Discovery cocktail
44
THE JETS New supersonic aviation
46
THE ART Legend of Melba triptych
52
THE BRAND Christie’s art auctioneering
57
THE FASHION Hot trends at summer races
64
THE CELEBRITY Cuba Gooding Jr goes O. J.
72
THE YACHTS Our pick of 10 top vessels
78
THE MOTOR Bentley Blue Train Speed Six
80
THE JEWELS Diamonds really are forever
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57 EDITOR
44
Frederick Latty flatty@markerstudy.com HEAD OF DESIGN Rowena Cremer-Price rcremer-price@markerstudy.com PUBLISHING DESIGN MANAGER Xela Ruy xruy@markerstudy.com PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR Natalia Bedwell nbedwell@markerstudy.com
32
COMMERCIAL Amanda Morreale amorreale@markerstudy.com Gemma Hak ghak@markerstudy.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Richard Moore rmoore@markerstudy.com
14 84
99
THE SHOWCASE Baselworld 2016 roundup
THE DESTINATION A Covent Garden fairy-tale
86
104
THE WEDDINGS Planning versus designing
THE INSTITUTION Behind the scenes at ROH
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Nick Moore nmoore@markerstudy.com
CONTRIBUTORS Bentley Alison Chambers PRINCIPAL
92
THE PROPERTIES London’s quirkiest to buy
111
THE SHOWS Breath-taking exhibitions
Emerald Media
Jane Stanbury PRINCIPAL
Emerald Media
Catherine de Crèvecoeur IMAGE CONSULTANT AND STYLIST
www.stylepourmoi.com
ONE MEDIA AND CREATIVE UK LTD 16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU +44 (0)1892 779 650 • www.one-media.co Savoy Magazine is owned by The Savoy and published/distributed by One Media and Creative UK Ltd. All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the owner or publisher. All prices are correct at the time of going to print. Neither the publisher nor the owner can accept responsibility for any errors or omissions relating to advertising or editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher or owner. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited materials or the return of these materials whilst in transit.
Bruce Russell WEDDING AND PARTY PLANNER
www.bybrucerussell.com
Susan Scott ARCHIVIST
The Savoy
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SAVOY EVENTS
■
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS
■
Throughout 2016, The Savoy will be holding a series of culinary events and master classes, and offering unique opportunities for guests to dine on specially-created menus, matched with wines and Champagnes from some of the world’s finest vineyards. Read on to find out what’s coming up...
Cocktail master class SATURDAY MAY 14, THURSDAY JUNE 9 AND SATURDAY JULY 9 The master class will be hosted by a senior bartender from the American or Beaufort Bar. A must for those who enjoy innovative cocktails, classic or new, the event includes lessons on how to make four drinks, learning about the history of spirits and the influence The Savoy had on the cocktail world. The class finishes with a three-course meal in Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill. 11am to 1pm, £185 per person. Capacity for four people.
To make a reservation or for more details about the culinary events and master classes at The Savoy, please telephone +44 (0)20 7420 2111 or email savoy@fairmont.com
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Historical tours with The Savoy’s archivist MONDAY MAY 9, MONDAY JUNE 6 AND MONDAY JULY 4 In celebration of 125 years since opening, The Savoy now offers historical tours with archivist Susan Scott. Up to eight guests can take an exclusive walk around the hotel, seeing some of the most notable rooms, hearing tales from its long history and finishing with a glass of Champagne in the Museum Bar. 4pm to 5.30pm. One-hour tour starting at 4pm, followed by Q&A in the Savoy Museum with a glass of Champagne. £40 per person.
Dinner Dance SATURDAY APRIL 30 AND SATURDAY JUNE 25 Following in the footsteps of Carroll Gibbons and his legendary Savoy Orpheans, the young Alex Mendham & His Orchestra has taken up the baton as resident dance orchestra for The Savoy, playing the sounds of the Art Deco era with unmatched sophistication. Cut a rug under the stunning glass cupola in the Thames Foyer with a three-course dinner and a floor that will encourage dancing until midnight. 8pm. Cocktail reception, dinner and entertainment start at 8.30pm. £125 per person.
Evenings of cabaret and burlesque at The Savoy SUNDAY JUNE 5 AND SUNDAY JULY 3 Over 80 years after they first started at The Savoy, cabaret evenings return to the Beaufort Bar. Hosted by Miss Polly Rae – one of the most renowned burlesque and cabaret stars in the UK today – the line-up changes each month and includes some of the hottest names from the London cabaret scene. Guest stars include Chris Hamilton with his sparkling piano playing, and scintillating vocals from Shimi Goodman, currently in the West End production of From Here to Eternity. Our cabaret evenings will also feature performances from the glamorous international burlesque/ cabaret star and classical pianist Chrys Columbine, musical magic from Alexis and Maya, breath-taking acrobatic skills from Sammy Dineen and world award-winning juggling from Florian. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7.30pm. £30 per person.
Chocolate master class SATURDAY JUNE 11 Learn how to create amazing sweet treats under the guidance of one of our award-winning chocolatiers. The class will start with an introduction to chocolate, including the history, cultivation and signature of taste, before hands-on demonstrations, including working with chocolate, emulsions and tempering. The class will then move on to creating two unique recipes consisting of the perfect ganache, mousses and sauces. 10am to 12pm. £185 per person. Capacity for four people.
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JEWELLERY
ééé “Maria Callas stayed frequently at The Savoy, especially while appearing at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden”
MARIA CALLAS SUITE
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SAVOY
ROOMS JEWELLERY
Suites to the
STARS é
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Since opening its doors in 1889, The Savoy has hosted many of the world’s most famous icons and glamorous celebrities. Archivist Susan Scott explains how the eight Personality Suites capture the essence of some of the hotel’s esteemed guests, and help add ‘that extra little burst of stardust’ Tell us the inspiration behind these rooms
House in Covent Garden, and her suite reflects the relationship that both she and
The Personality Suites were created to
The Savoy have always enjoyed with the
reflect just a few of the many famous
arts in London.
and celebrated individuals who have come to The Savoy throughout its history, to stay and/or simply enjoy our hospitality. We want everyone who comes
Katharine Hepburn is another notable woman who has a suite named after her. A photograph from the hotel archives shows this remarkable actress sitting in
here to enjoy the same exceptional standards
her Savoy suite in the late 1940s, wearing her
of luxury and service that we’ve offered for over
trademark trousers. Miss Hepburn may not have
125 years to each and every guest.
been the most conventional of women in either her dress or private life, but she certainly enjoyed all the
Who are the suites named after and
traditional comforts of The Savoy while in London.
how do they capture the essence of
Charlie Chaplin had just given up his home in
their assigned guests?
America when he arrived at The Savoy in 1952
The influential impressionist artist Claude Monet
with his wife and four of their children, plus an
was an obvious choice. Guests will be able to stay
older son by a previous marriage. After three
in the rooms from which he made his famous
months living in their river-facing Savoy suite, the
series of paintings of London bridges during
Chaplin family moved on to a new permanent
lengthy stays between 1899 and 1901, and
home in Switzerland, but Chaplin returned almost
admire the same views up and down the Thames.
every year to The Savoy, most notably in 1975 to
Maria Callas has also had a traditionally decorated suite named after her. She stayed frequently at The Savoy, especially while appearing at the Royal Opera
receive his knighthood. Another knight of the realm to have a suite named after him is Winston Churchill, arguably
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CREATED FOR INDIVIDUALS, ARTISANS, LOVERS, LEADERS, ADVENTURERS AND FAMILIES - PERFECT FOR CELEBRATIONS. 'We favour the creative, the bold, the ingenious, the soulful. We fall in love with the wild places, the green projects and the people that champion them. We do more than book you a luxury holiday we create an experience you will never forget, precious one-off moments that make the most of life and the people you share it with'.
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JEWELLERY
WINSTON CHURCHILL SUITE
Britain’s greatest Prime Minister and a
Coward’s association with The Savoy
regular visitor to the hotel throughout
also lasted his entire life, from the
allocated to legendary singer Frank
his entire life. Having founded ‘The
days when, barely a teenager, he had
Sinatra. His second wife, Ava Gardner,
Other Club’, a private dining club, in
appeared as a toadstool on the stage at
was also a regular Savoy guest when
the Pinafore private dining room at The
the Savoy Theatre. He quickly became
in England, but post-divorce Sinatra
Savoy in 1910, he attended its dinners as
a habitué of the hotel, especially the
enjoyed swinging 1960s London from
often as possible until his death – in fact,
Savoy Grill, where everyone who was
his Savoy suite. Retired Savoy staff
his final public appearance was at such
anyone in the London theatre scene
recall him returning late at night from
a dinner in December 1964. During the
could be found at lunch or post-theatre
London concerts in the early 1980s, and
Second World War, he lunched at The
suppers, and regularly enjoyed dinner
unwinding by playing into the early hours
Savoy so frequently with members of his
and dancing to The Savoy’s famous big
on the piano in the Thames Foyer.
cabinet, that a suite was permanently
bands, which took place nightly in the
reserved for him to enjoy one of his
Savoy restaurant. Coward starred in
named for its long-term resident, Richard
famous post-prandial catnaps.
The Savoy’s Coronation Ball Cabaret in
Harris. Famous as a notorious 1960s
An Art Deco suite is the perfect setting
Another Art Deco suite has been
The final Art Deco suite has been
1953, alongside fellow legend Maurice
hell-raiser, Harris actually made some
for one of the 20th century’s most
Chevalier, and had his 70th birthday
shrewd financial investments throughout
famous professional Englishmen – the
party, attended by everyone, from Sir
his career, and, having left his
playwright, composer and all-round
Laurence Olivier to Lord Mountbatten,
hell-raising days behind him, moved into
entertainer, Noël Coward.
at The Savoy in 1969.
The Savoy in 1989, making this suite his permanent London residence. A familiar sight around The Savoy and The Strand,
FRANK SINATRA SUITE
he enjoyed the luxury and comfort of his Central London home, with its view of the Thames and 24-hour service, for over a decade until his death in 2002. How do the interior design choices reflect the glamour of these iconic guests, while remaining fresh and contemporary? As the first purpose-built deluxe hotel in London, The Savoy has always prided itself on offering the best of everything to its guests. All rooms have luxurious marble bathrooms and all the modern amenities and electronic
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JEWELLERY CLAUDE MONET SUITE
just as once that person lived here, and to immerse yourself in their life, as well as their lifestyle while you’re in residence. Why have so many famous faces been attracted to The Savoy, and how has this impacted on its legacy? The Savoy was built and originally marketed to attract all the most CHARLIE CHAPLIN SUITE
glamorous and influential people of the day, from the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), to legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt, and fashionable playwright
equipment you would expect in rooms of
Charlie Chaplin lived for three months
Oscar Wilde. The hotel’s prime location,
this calibre. However, what truly sets The
with his family in an Edwardian-style
by the side of the River Thames in the
Savoy apart is that these standard items
suite overlooking the river, back in the
heart of London, was the perfect setting
are integrated into authentic 19th and
1950s; Richard Harris chose to live in
for an international superstar like Dame
early 20th-century rooms, which have
an Art Deco suite set further back from
Nellie Melba, who required the most
been thoughtfully decorated to reflect
the river, located in the ‘newer’ Strand
luxurious accommodation, within easy
their previous decor.
Block of the hotel, built in 1904, and
reach of the Royal Opera House, or
Original River View Suite rooms are
substantially redecorated in the 1920s
for a visiting politician or potentate to
decorated in an elegant Edwardian
and early 1930s. Then, as now, rooms
quickly reach the Houses of Parliament or
style, with harmonious soft furnishings
offer differing design styles and locations
Buckingham Palace. The Savoy is proud
in gentle floral designs. Art Deco
in the hotel, with regular clients tending
of its history, and has been a magnet for
rooms reflect the excitement around
more to one preference or another.
the great and the good (and sometimes,
the sea-change in style after World War
the not-so-good!) for over 125 years.
One, with its modern, new designs for
What makes these spaces so special
furniture and textiles. Darker colours are
for Savoy guests today?
still harmonious, but the floral designs
Each suite contains images and items
are now stylised, and more made of
redolent of the personality for whom it
mirror-polished surfaces and metalwork.
was named, and books, CDs and DVDs
To enquire about room reservations
Art Deco rooms even feature the modish
regarding the personality, or indeed,
or find out about our accommodation
aluminium waste-paper baskets, which
containing performances by them, to
services, visit www.fairmont.com/savoy-
have been a feature of Savoy guest
help bring them to life. All The Savoy’s
london/accommodations
rooms since at least the early 1930s.
rooms and suites exceed expectations,
The two styles reflect the previous
but our eight personality suites bring with
You can also learn more about
design of rooms in these relative
them that extra little burst of stardust –
The Savoy’s history at www.fairmont.
positions in the hotel through their history.
the chance to live in a suite at The Savoy
com/savoy-london/hotelhistory
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ATELIER INTERIORS The Curtain & Soft Furnishing Specialists Atelier Interiors provide an expert, personalised, curtain and soft furnishing design and workroom service. Under the dedicated and caring ownership and supervision of Kate Morris-Kassam, Atelier specialises in the fabrication of curtains, blinds, and every sort of soft furnishing for interior designers, architects, property developers and many private clients. For over 20 years Kate has worked with fabrics, textiles and colour and her passion and love for what she does is obvious in her attention to detail and insistence upon the highest level of workmanship from her expert team. Atelier Interiors offers you an entirely personalised service from initial consultation through to final installation.
The perfect solution to your soft furnishing requirements. • • • •
Free design advice and estimate Full measuring and fitting service Fabulous range of top fabrics supplied Satisfaction guaranteed
Tel: 01372 376738 or 07711 666157 Email : studio@atelierinteriors.co.uk www.atelierinteriors.co.uk
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SAVOIR BEDS
Sleep on a Savoy Bed every night
Ever since it first opened in 1889, The Savoy has been famous for luxury and innovation. Not surprisingly, given the importance of a great night's sleep to a great hotel, way back in 1905, Rupert D'Oyly Carte, Chairman and son of the founder, decided it was time to create the world's most comfortable bed.
The Savoy Bed became legend, and soon the bedworks, owned by the hotel, was producing beds not just for the hotel but also for guests who wanted the same quality of sleep at home. The secret to the bed lay in the finest natural materials, including long, loose, curled horse tail, and unparalleled craftsmanship.
In 1997 the bedworks became independent as Savoir Beds. To this day Savoir continues to hand-craft the original Savoy Bed and still supplies the The Savoy with beds for all the Riverside Suites and The Royal Suite. Luminaries as diverse as Sir Winston Churchill, Giacomo Puccini and Marilyn Monroe have experienced the cloud-like comfort of our beds, and others such as Liza Minnelli and Emma Thompson have insisted on taking one home after a stay.
SLEEP BEAUTIFULLY You will find Savoir Beds at 7 Wigmore Street, Wl as well as in Harrods and at www.savoirbeds.co. uk
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JEWELLERY
SEAN DAVOREN
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SAVOY SERVICE
WHAT THE
BUTLER õ
õ
õ
õ
õ
SAW
From unpacking celebrities’ suitcases, to preparing the finest suites for royalty, head butler Sean Davoren has his fair share of Savoy stories to tell – but all that comes second to making your stay as unforgettable as possible. Frederick Latty lives a day in the life of a butler at the iconic London hotel
G
uests of The Savoy’s luxury suites
Perhaps the closest you’ll ever come to having your
will know all about the ‘butler’
very own genie in a bottle, The Savoy’s butlers are
button on the rooms’ telephones. It
trained to combine the discretion of a traditional
might sound like something out of a
English butler with the efficiency of a 21st-century
James Bond film, but rather than reveal a hidden
personal assistant. Led by Sean (who also oversees
bookcase entrance to a secret underground lair,
butler programmes for Etihad Airways), the 24-hour
this handy option summons your very own personal
team provides ‘personal service naturally’, arranging
butler to the door whenever you need them, who
dinner reservations, secretarial duties, personal
materialises moments later, seemingly out of thin
shopping, theatre tickets and last-minute travel.
air. Or, at least, that’s what they would have you
Operating both behind the scenes and in full
believe, as head butler Sean Davoren explains.
view, they’re the backbone and beating heart of
“A butler has a maximum of four and a half
the hotel’s world-famous hospitality. The service is
minutes to get to a room when they’re called, but
available around the clock to all guests and families
even that’s too long; I’d like you to get
staying in suites, ensuring each and every detail
there within three,” he says. “Butlers are meant to
of a visitor’s stay is attended to with equal parts
be behind the scenes, and you have to
precision, professionalism and panache.
look unflapped every time you see a guest. He or she is the wind beneath your wing.”
“To me, training is everything,” continues Sean. “London is a transient city; people come for the
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SAVOY
MEETSERVICE THE TEAM
“Butlers are meant to be behind the scenes, and you have to look unflapped every time you see a guest” Savoy name, and know you’re going to be trained to
When I meet Sean face to face one winter’s
a certain level, so you have to invest in people to get
morning in the Thames Foyer, the hotel’s afternoon
the best out of them. Retention is my goal and I’m
tea lounge, he’s every bit as elegant, charming and
a great believer in people growing, because people
charismatic as you’d expect a man of his stature
want that service element, that showmanship.”
to be. Hailing from Limerick, Ireland, he’s the
Indeed, The Savoy was the first hotel to establish
very essence of ‘Savoy’; his soft, dulcet tones and
its own school to train professionals. Recognised
immaculate appearance are certainly becoming of
worldwide, The Savoy Academy grooms a new
his post, while a pair of laughing eyes and a cheeky
generation of butlers who, over a six-month course,
smile convey a disarming sense of humour.
learn everything from floristry, sewing and suit
He’s flamboyant, to be sure, but never loses his
pressing, to valeting, antiquing and how to polish a
sense of composure or grace. The way he walks
pair of shoes. But for Sean, it’s all about nurturing
and talks is delicate, but by no means dainty;
what’s inside, as well as out.
commanding and purposeful, without compromising
“Our job is all about image, so you have to
on his ability to be out in the open, or completely
carry yourself,” he explains. “I want to see a
invisible. It’s a skill I suspect he’s taken years to
little bit of a spark in you, and I want to see
perfect, and while it might look effortless to the
your personality. Forget about the training
untrained eye, every fold of a garment, every spruce
– I can train a monkey to pack a suitcase if
of a room and every knock on a door is executed
I need to, but I can’t give you personality. I’ll
with pinpoint accuracy.
bring that personality out, give you confidence and make you a master of your trade.”
“Not everybody can make a grand entrance, but that’s what a butler does – you come in with your
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THE SAVOY WELCOME'S ETIHAD AIRWAYS TRAINEE BUTLERS
“If there wasn’t a service element to this building, it would be nothing; you have to work on the ambience, and I’m very proud of what I do” body language,” he reveals. “When you’re working
That he has. After gaining a diploma in food and
with many nationalities, you always want to make sure
beverage from Rockwell College in 1978, Sean
you’re understood. I still have an Irish accent because
began his career at Claridge’s two years later at the
I’m proud of my identity, but I’ve had to refine and
age of 19, where he rose to the position of foyer
work on it. I have to make sure people will understand
manager over the subsequent decade. Since then,
when I communicate.”
he’s been head butler at The Lanesborough and
He guides me through The Savoy’s bustling kitchen,
worked in Europe and the Middle East, but it was
where an elevator awaits to transport us up to the
The Savoy that called him back to London in 2010,
fifth floor. As we make our way to the hotel’s
when he came aboard as head butler for the hotel’s
pièce de résistance, the Royal Suite – a stately
£220million restoration.
procession of elegant rooms that spans the entire
“It’s been a great eye-opener,” he muses. “It was
riverside – he tells me about how he got started
a big challenge for me, but an exciting one because
in his role, never letting up in his professionalism,
I had raw materials to work with and was starting
yet remaining utterly captivating.
everything afresh. It’s a dying service, but service and
“The first part of my life was as a chef, but my
glamour are coming back into vogue again. If you
temperament means I like to be on show, so I went to
were to ask me to describe what a butler is now, he
front of house,” he informs me. “I’m Irish-born and
or she is a lifestyle manager.”
come from a farming background, so it was
There’s plenty of that going on when we reach the
far-removed and my parents were horrified that I
Royal Suite. Upon arrival, we’re presented with a sea
went into the business I did, but I’ve made a very
of suitcases and high-end shopping bags, all laid out
good profession out of it.”
for Sean to attend to while the current occupant is out
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SAVOY SERVICE
and about. He immediately gets to work, unpacking, hanging clothes and laying out toiletries just so. “Our business is all about engagement,” he tells
“I have a reputation and I’m proud of it,” he insists. “People might see me as ‘that mad Irishman’, but I know what I am, and I’m passionate about what
me. “You adapt for each nationality and have to
I believe in. If there wasn’t a service element to this
respect their religion, customs and little quirky ways.
building, it would be nothing; yes, the ambience is
It makes you a much more open person,
there, but you have to work on that ambience, and
so I try to put myself where a guest will sit and see
I’m very proud of what I do.”
what they might see. The room has to be fresh and
As our day progresses, we head back down to the
cleanliness is really important to us. Housekeeping is
Thames Foyer. He greets everyone we pass on the
a very hard job, and if you haven’t tapped into their
way, chatting with guests, checking in with colleagues
expectations, you’re going to have trouble.”
and generally working his magic at every turn. I soon
While we talk, I learn that the two most important
realise that Sean, far from a genie in a bottle, is more
features of any butler are their hands and shoes;
a magician, a conjurer and – dare I say it – a wizard
manicures are actively encouraged, and any
when it comes to his job. From the moment he dons
holes in socks will result in a swift reprimanding,
his uniform and gets into character, he’s as much a
no matter how small or apparently discreet.
chameleon as he is a thespian, able to adapt his role,
Perfection is everything, and Sean’s keen on building
while staying omniscient and omnipresent at all times.
relationships, so strives to make The Savoy a
After almost 40 years in the business, he never misses a
veritable home away from home for return visitors.
beat, never drops a ball and always knows everything
“My job is very simple: making sure what you require
that’s going on at The Savoy, which he personally
is there,” he emphasises. “You don’t know what I’ve
ensures runs like clockwork day in and day out.
done to achieve what you see, and I don’t want you
“I really love my work and still enjoy it,” he
to know it either; you’re trying
concludes. “You have to learn
to create a perfect ambiance.
to adapt, move with and
Some of our guests will notice,
understand the times and be
believe me, if something isn’t
very open-minded. You need
quite right, which is why we look
to embrace that and be more
at the detail.”
adaptable. You’re always looking
Attention to detail is an intrinsic
for something new that’s going
part of any butler’s life at The
to enhance your service, because
Savoy, it seems. From cleanliness
people love being special, which
and sanitation – no stone is left
is what we try to do here. I’m
unturned in that department,
looking for perfection.”
including door handles and
By the time we say our
telephones – to getting to know his guest’s every habit,
goodbyes, I feel like I’m walking off the set of
nuance and idiosyncrasy, Sean is naturally a master
Downton Abbey, star-struck by all I’ve seen and
of discretion. He tells me he’ll always do anything
heard. But as I head off to catch my train home, I
for whoever he’s attending to (providing it’s legal),
remember that Sean is paid to spin dreams, weave
safeguarding their privacy at all costs.
glitz and tailor-make the very essence of The Savoy.
Education is equally important. Sean insists on
I’m sure he takes none of it for granted, though,
‘re-educating’ people in the art of luxury, adapting
and am confident he’ll have found his ‘perfection’
to different nationalities and understanding different
countless times before I’ve reached the platform.
cultures; an essential point to grasp when you’re managing a team of 28 butlers, working for one of the world’s most iconic hotels in the multiculturalism
The Savoy’s butler service is included in The Savoy
of 21st-century London. To drive the point home,
Suite Welcome, available to guests staying in a
he applies the same open-mindedness to his own
Deluxe Junior Suite Partial River View or above.
role – he might choose to serve, but under no
To find out more about how to book
circumstances is he a servant, and is quick to remove
your very own butler during your stay, visit
the stigma.
www.fairmont.com/savoy/accommodations
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JEWELLERY
ANGEL CHENG
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SAVOY SERVICE TEA
TEA TIME on the THAMES Guests wanting to extend the Savoy experience beyond their initial stay won’t want to miss a trip to Savoy Tea, the hotel’s bespoke tea shop. Director of retail Angel Cheng reveals how the store captures some of the magic to take home, and prolongs the Thames Foyer’s afternoon tea tradition
U
pon your arrival at The Savoy, on your way to the Thames Foyer, you’ll pass by Savoy Tea, the hotel’s bijou tea store. Located in the Upper Thames Foyer, the shop is inspired by London’s Edwardian shopping arcades, its walls
covered in intricate fabric – a nod to the drink’s Asian origins – while inside, a wide variety of beautifully packaged teas and bespoke accessories awaits, plus handmade jams, biscuits and a fresh patisserie. Heading up the operation is director of retail Angel Cheng, who has been with The Savoy for more than a decade. Starting out as a hostess in the Thames Foyer, she gained first-hand experience of the elegance and service required to make the traditional custom such a timeless favourite for guests. When the hotel closed for refurbishment in 2010, Angel stayed on to oversee Savoy Tea’s transformation, taking on the role of director of retail in 2014. “I learned how to make proper teas and the procedures of how traditional or high tea should be served in a very English way,” she says. “The concept has evolved, as we decided to turn the area into a tea shop that complements The Savoy’s afternoon tea experience, and would enable guests to take a little bit of The Savoy home as a reminder.”
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SAVOY
MEET THE TEA TEAM Indeed, Savoy Tea and the Thames
Savoy’s impeccable standards are met,
Foyer have been inextricably linked ever
resulting in a smooth taste that’s just
since, the former acting as a literal and
as appealing on its own as it is with a
commemorative extension of the latter.
splash of milk. And with an assortment
With its marble floor and use of dark wood
of additional paraphernalia on offer,
and glass, the store’s interior design harks
Thames Foyer patrons can truly make
back to popular architectural trends seen
the entire visit their own.
in the Edwardian shopping arcades of old,
“The idea is that people are able to buy
while the traditional fabric
some pastries, as well as
used for the wallpaper is
celebration cakes, tea
representative of the Far
items and merchandise
East’s influence on tea
to complement the whole
culture and trade
experience,” Angel
in the UK. “It’s a small tea shop with an Edwardian design, which is one of the eras The Savoy embraces,” continues Angel. “An Edwardian shopping arcade is the inspiration, and the idea is to have a number of signature teas, where our suppliers work very closely with tea farmers to ensure they’re Fairtrade and that the quality is good.” Offering a wealth of variety to its customers,
“We try to source the teas not based on their country, but on their origins; it can come from anywhere in the world, but it’s mostly from the Far East, particularly China and India”
explains. “If they want to take Savoy afternoon tea home, they’re able to do so. Most guests come for a special celebration or occasion that they cherish and want to remember, so it’s not just about the food, but also the items we use, like the design of the teapot or teacup, which formulates the whole experience.” Of course, the shop has built up strong relationships with its
Savoy Tea is perhaps best
suppliers, who source
known for its bespoke
ingredients from all over
breakfast and afternoon
the world. One company
blends, produced exclusively for the hotel.
has been specialising in the tea industry
In particular, the breakfast tea remains a
for more than 20 years, travelling to
on what particular types of tea they are,”
popular option among shoppers; strong
different estates and working closely with
says Angel. “We try to source the teas
but not overpowering in flavour, it’s tested
tea farmers to ensure each and every
not based on their country, but on their
over 50 times before sale to ensure The
tealeaf is of the highest possible quality.
origins; it can come from anywhere in the
“In terms of the teas’ origins, it depends
world, but it’s mostly from the Far East, particularly China and India.” A range of chocolate and pastry master classes take place at the store throughout the year, allowing grownups and youngsters alike to learn for themselves what it takes to be an award-winning chocolatier or pastry chef. Under the guidance of Savoy Tea staff, hands-on demonstrations and historical insights provide a fascinating glimpse into creating the sweet treats for which The Savoy is famous. And with a view to expand into weddings and corporate hospitality, Angel intends to add another string to the shop’s
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bow, while compromising on none of its
experience at home. From full tea ranges
Foyer’s afternoon tea experience, we
original charm and character.
and fine bone china, to a mouth-watering
also have one for our American Bar and
selection of seasonal cakes and pastries,
Beaufort Bar. Another accommodates
evolve our product range, especially now
they can not only buy the teas to take
guests who’ve stayed with us and would
we’ve established a regular client base,”
away and infuse themselves, but also
like to take a little bit of what they’ve seen
she reveals. “We want to feature more
capture the very essence of their time at
in the room back home with them. The
exciting items, whether it’s homeware, or
the hotel, no matter where they are or
shop has different parts, where there’s
something guests can carry with them when
what they’re doing. To that effect, Angel
something for everybody’s experience
they travel. We’re also reaching out to clients
and her team have expanded the shop’s
of The Savoy.”
and audiences outside the hotel, particularly
product range to include bed linens, towels,
from a corporate perspective. We’re now
Champagne glasses, cocktail shakers and
working towards being suppliers for a lot
leather coasters, enabling everyone who
of corporate companies and prestigious
passes through its doors to treasure their
brands, and want to tap into the area of
memories long after they’ve left.
“We want to continue to expand and
marketing ourselves for bespoke wedding
“The original idea was to complement
Savoy Tea is open from 10am to 6.30pm Monday to Thursday, 10am to 7pm on
favours; be it food items or merchandise, we
the Thames Foyer, but over the years
Fridays, 10.30am to 8pm on Saturdays
have the resources to do that.”
we’ve evolved to have different sections,”
and 9am to 6.30pm on Sundays. To find
concludes Angel. “As much as we have
out more, visit www.fairmont.com/
a section that complements the Thames
savoy-london/dining/savoytea
Back in the store, the emphasis remains on guests recreating their entire Savoy
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PEPPERED YELLOW-FIN TUNA, NIÇOISE-STYLE SALAD
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SAVOY GRILL
IT’S THE VERY DEFINITION OF
‘GLAMOUR DINING’ She’s worked with Gordon Ramsay, been a semi-finalist on MasterChef: The Professionals, and is the first woman to run the Savoy Grill in more than a century. Head chef Kim Woodward tells us all about pairing the past with the present, Escoffier’s influence and ‘putting her personality on a plate’ Talk us through how you got involved
established by legendary chef Auguste Escoffier
at The Savoy
and the classic dishes on our menu; it’s an
Once I’d finished my studies in hotel and
integral part of the DNA of this restaurant and a
restaurant management, I decided to head
duty to do so. My cooking has certainly adapted
across the pond for an internship training at a
to this, but I’ve also been able to put my own
top restaurant in Missouri called Top of The Rock.
influences into the dishes.
Upon returning to the UK, I joined the Gordon Ramsay Group as junior sous chef of Boxwood,
How have you gone about doing that?
and worked here for the launch of the Savoy Grill
Our menu is inspired by its predecessors, dating
after its refurbishment. From there, I became head
as far back as the late 1800s. We endeavour to
chef at the York & Albany in Camden and reached
respect the classics, while looking ahead to new
the semi-finals of MasterChef: The Professionals,
seasonal ingredients and cooking techniques
before returning to run the kitchen here.
to keep it fresh.
Has much changed since you left?
What are some of the most popular meals?
The restaurant’s incredibly busy and just how I
The signatures here are dishes I just love to
remember it, so nothing’s changed there! It’s
cook. They’re classics that define what we stand
great to be back after working on the launch.
for, from the glazed omelette Arnold Bennett, to the beef Wellington trolley; the freshest Dover
How does your menu 'return to the classic
sole and wild sea bass en papillote, to the
Escoffier-inspired grill rooms of old'?
crêpe Suzette flambéed tableside, or a Yorkshire
I’ve pledged to continue the traditions
rhubarb and custard mille-feuille.
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SAVOY
MEET THE GRILLTEAM
Did your time in the US and at the York &
There’s a classic look and feel to the place –
Albany influence your approach to food
how has Russell Sage’s design of the Savoy
and drink?
Grill helped recapture its heyday?
My experiences have taught me how to work well
The restaurant is home to hundreds of years
in a team; to have everyone working towards a
of Hollywood and history, so the Russell Sage
common goal of delivering great food consistently.
design has perfectly honoured this elegant
It sounds an obvious thing to say, but you’re only
Art Deco dining room. The rich colours, finishes
as good as the team around you. My experience
and lighting combine effortlessly to create an
at York & Albany allowed me to really explore my
incredible buzz in the restaurant. It’s the very
creativity as a chef – to focus on flavour, quality of
definition of ‘glamour dining’.
produce and putting my personality on a plate. In what ways does the Savoy Grill complement Would you say MasterChef: The Professionals
the hotel’s other bars and restaurants, while
helped you become the chef you are today?
retaining its own unique identity?
Well, it certainly taught me how to work under
The restaurant has a very special atmosphere; it’s
pressure! Nothing is quite like that in the real
hard to find another like it and I strongly believe this
world, but it sure has helped with the high number
is one of the best restaurants in the country to try
of covers we do in this kitchen. It has given me a
classic British dishes. Here, you’re able to sample
real confidence boost and, although I didn’t win it,
some of the world-famous Savoy’s rich heritage;
I still gave it my best shot and took away a lot from
to taste it, feel it and treasure it as a memory for a
the experience.
very long time. Within the hotel, we sit alongside world-beating bars and a hugely popular tea room
You’re the first woman to run the Savoy Grill
and restaurant, so guests and visitors alike have an
kitchen in 126 years – what does it mean to
excellent choice of where to eat and drink.
have inherited such a prestigious title? It’s an absolute honour for me to be the head chef
Finally, where would you like to take the
in one of London’s most iconic restaurants. There’s
Savoy Grill going forward?
so much history around here; it’s a real legacy that I
From Winston Churchill cutting a Cuban to
want to carry on.
Marilyn Monroe cutting a steak, the restaurant has seen some of the world’s most famous
Are there more female chefs coming
faces pass through its doors. We want to hold
into the industry?
on to this history with a passion, and continue
More women chefs are being encouraged to
working hard to deliver on quality and excellent
come forward; it’s a breakthrough. Women
service. The future, you could say, is keeping
weren’t recognised before, as it was always
the past very much alive.
male-dominated, but more and more women are stepping up, so it’s really exciting. The restaurant is part of the Gordon Ramsay Group – what’s your relationship like with him?
To make a booking at the Savoy Grill, email
Gordon has been a huge influence on me.
savoygrill@gordonramsay.com or call
He’s got such incredible enthusiasm and really
+44 (0)20 7592 1600.
motivates you to become the best you can be. It’s a real honour to be working as a head chef in one
Read on to find out how to make one of the
of his iconic restaurants.
restaurant’s classic recipes at home…
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By appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Champagne Supplier Pol Roger & Cie
Untitled-16 1
06/04/2016 11:02
RECIPE
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SAVOY RECIPE
A CLASSIC BEEF WELLINGTON RECIPE FROM THE ICONIC SAVOY GRILL Serves 5
INGREDIENTS 1.5kg beef fillet, cleaned 2tbsp English mustard 1.5kg puff pastry, either rolled or sheet 2 eggs for egg wash PANCAKE MIX 2 eggs 100g flour 100ml milk Salt Fresh herbs – basil, parsley, tarragon and chives, all chopped Cook in a pan with a little oil CHICKEN MOUSSE 3 chicken breasts 400g double cream Blend chicken with a little salt in a machine until a smooth purée Add a little (100g) cream and blend Take out of the machine and fold in the rest of the cream
MUSHROOM DUXELLE 1 onion, finely chopped 2kg button mushrooms A few sprigs of thyme, picked 100ml red wine sauce Cook the onions in a pan, add the mushrooms, add the thyme and add the red wine sauce at the very end Cool down before adding to chicken mousse, then add fresh, chopped tarragon and a splash of truffle oil Use the mousse to bind the mushrooms DIRECTIONS Pre-heat the oven to 220°C Season the beef with salt and pepper and sear the fillet quickly in a hot pan Leave to cool and brush the outside with English mustard all over
Lay the pancakes and spread a thin layer of chicken mousse on top, place the fillet inside the pancake and roll Wrap the whole thing in cling film and set in the fridge for a few hours Lay out a sheet of puff pastry, brush with egg wash and place the pancake parcel inside that Wrap the puff pastry around and tuck underneath Egg wash on the outside and set in the fridge Egg wash one more time and then cook for roughly 23 minutes until the pastry is golden and crisp When probed, temperature of the cooked meat should be 28°C Leave to rest for 20 minutes and serve – perfectly medium-rare
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Untitled-9 2
06/04/2016 09:21
CL1nard Grills. Because too much of a good thing is even better. Take the world's most luxurious ocean liner experience to the highest level with Cunard Grills: an enclave of indulgence, su 111 ptuous accommodation, personal service and the most privileged dining at sea.
Untitled-9 3
06/04/2016 09:21
TRAVEL
SPIRIT of ADVENTURE With its Age of Discovery cocktail, The Savoy has teamed up with Cunard and Jack Daniel’s to create a remarkable drinking experience for its guests. In a globetrotting adventure, we find out how this distinctive drink made its way to the ends of the Earth and back to capture the perfect flavour
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T
he creation of a new cocktail is no small feat at the best
barrel-aged, limited-edition cocktail, for guests of its
of times. It requires equal parts ingenuity, imagination
award-winning Beaufort Bar.
and impeccable taste, with a dash of foresight,
Setting sail on Cunard’s RMS Queen Mary 2, Age of Discovery
innovation and resourcefulness thrown in for good measure.
departed from Southampton on January 10 2016, encased
The task becomes even more challenging when the drink in
in a handpicked, 300-litre Jack Daniel’s barrel to mature
question is sent on a four-month, 41,000-nautical mile voyage
until its momentous homecoming on May 10. This distinctive
around the world aboard a transatlantic ocean liner. But that’s
collaboration between the three acclaimed brands was the
what The Savoy set out to accomplish with its new world-class,
brainchild of the Beaufort Bar team, which, led by bartender Neil
world-travelled and globally one-of-a-kind beverage.
Donachie, has spearheaded the pioneering project.
To launch its latest addition to The Savoy Collection – one of
For Neil and his colleagues, it was a chance to capture the
the world’s most prestigious collections of unique spirits and
tastes and aromas of the continents the Queen Mary 2 would
liquids – the iconic hotel has teamed up with British-American
visit – 39 ports in 27 countries, to be exact – from Europe to Asia,
cruise line Cunard and world-famous whiskey brand Jack
Africa, the Americas and Oceania. Taking its inspiration from
Daniel’s to produce Age of Discovery, a specially-created,
the thrilling era of naval exploration between the 15th
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TRAVEL A FOUR-MONTH JOURNEY ACROSS 41,000 NAUTICAL MILES, 39 PORTS AND 27 COUNTRIES
and 18th centuries, the concoction embodies all the romance and
will influence the final result. Prevailing temperatures, humidity and
adventure of this exciting bygone era.
sunlight – as well as more inclement conditions – will combine to
“Cunard has long been known as one of the greats of oceanic
produce this truly incomparable barrel-aged invention.
travel and, along with The Savoy, can be
“The journey contains a full circumnavigation of
considered one of the truly iconic brands of British
the globe, crossing the International Date Line and
hospitality on the world stage,” says Neil.
the equator on several occasions,” explains Neil.
“Its permeation and role in popular culture in
“This will expose the barrel to an extreme variance
the 18th century, when the Age of Discovery was
of weather conditions, from a winter crossing of
coming to an end and global travel between newly-discovered lands was ubiquitous for civilian travel, cannot be underestimated.” Painstaking attention to detail and refinement has gone into the choice of ingredients, which comprise a blend of Savoy Select Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 and Bacardi 8, with Spice Trail Madeira, Dubonnet, Martini Riserva Rubino and Earl Grey and cocoa nib bitters. Such a fusion of flavours has been crafted to reflect both Cunard’s 175-year ocean-going heritage, and the decades of history and patronage associated with The Savoy’s famous cocktail bars. “Cunard’s role in the transatlantic crossing – at the time the only means by which to travel to the
“The cocktail contains elements from each corner of the globe. It’s both a celebration and reminder of the importance this diversity holds in modern life”
Americas – was instrumental in the integration of European and American drinking traditions, which would see the rise of the American Bar in London, first adopted at The Savoy and still considered one of the world’s greatest and most historic cocktail bars to this day,” Neil continues. Age of Discovery’s home for the journey – its Jack Daniel’s first-fill
the Atlantic and around the tip of South America, to the heat of Dubai in late spring, while always being ‘rocked’ to varying degrees by motion of the different seas for the full four-month period.” Once back in the UK, the barrel will be ceremoniously unloaded in Southampton, returning to The Savoy on May 10, before travelling to the specially-commissioned Houston Bottling & Co-Pack plant for bottling in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. Estimated to yield a minimum of 250 litres, the cocktail will be the latest addition to The Savoy Collection, which was launched in 2013 with the support of esteemed beverage experts, Speciality Drinks, to celebrate the rare and beautiful infusions from around the world. Age of Discovery will also be available at the Beaufort Bar as a limited-edition
'explorative' cocktail, of which there will only be 700 serves. “The Savoy Collection has become one of the most collectible and illustrious independent bottlings in the world, and it’s important we honour this achievement by ensuring we add
American oak barrel – was carefully chosen by The Savoy’s assistant
something new to the offering,” Neil says. “The size and scale of
food and beverage director, Daniel Baernreuther, who travelled
the project, along with its inability to be replicated, means that
to the Jack Daniel’s distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee to select it
Age of Discovery will add a unique product to both the retail
personally, before transporting it back to The Savoy for mixing,
market and the Beaufort Bar’s cocktail programme.”
bonding and sealing.
Savoy guests can keep up to date with the progress of Age of
Secured in open-deck space for the duration of the voyage, the
Discovery too. Charted via social media throughout the passage,
barrel has been exposed to the varied elements and climates that
across the oceans and in the world’s most iconic ports and cities,
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IMAGES COURTESY OF CUNARD
the barrel also has its own logbook; once again harking back to a historic period of endless new horizons and exciting possibilities. “The cocktail contains elements from each corner of the globe, which became symbolic with the Age of Discovery,” concludes Neil.
Age of Discovery will be available at The Savoy’s Beaufort Bar
“Asian spices, New World spirits (American whiskey and rum) and
as an exclusive ‘explorative’ serve from Tuesday May 10. Guests
fortified wines associated with naval travel form the skeleton, but
who order the limited-edition cocktail will be given a special
more importantly, it attempts to use ingredients that are readily
keepsake to take home as a memento of the experience.
available to us today, but whose origins lie in the other continents
The un-aged cocktail is available now.
and cultures of other parts of the world. It’s both a celebration and
To find out more, visit www.brown-forman.com or
reminder of the importance this diversity holds in modern life.”
www.cunard.co.uk
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AVIATION
Supersonic HIGHWAYS
Designed to transport passengers at speeds greater than the speed of sound, supersonic jets are set to be the next big thing in the business aviation market. Alison Chambers and Jane Stanbury look at the possibilities of this thrilling new horizon, and the aircraft manufacturer that’s leading the way
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U
ltra-high-net-worth individuals are spoilt for choice
of 0.925 Mach. Passengers will fly London-New York direct in 4.4
when it comes to business jet charter; they have the
hours, enabling them to achieve a full transatlantic business day,
widest range of types and models to choose from yet,
and be back home by bedtime, without any sleep disruption.
but supersonic air travel still eludes them. There are a number of
The generous cabin of the AS2 reflects the need for aerodynamic
concepts out there and, unsurprisingly, Sir Richard Branson voiced a
efficiency mixed with comfort. A large galley, large aft lavatory
potential new venture, recently dubbed ‘Boom’. Yet the programme
and inflight accessible rear baggage compartment all feature.
most likely to get to market first is the USA’s Aerion Corporation’s
Two seating areas, large windows offering great views from every
AS2 Supersonic business jet.
seat, and plenty of passenger room inform the cabin layout.
Aerion’s credentials are solid: it’s backed by Texas billionaire
Once in production, Inairvation – a group of aviation partners
Robert Bass, and co-chaired by Brian Barents, former CEO of
led by Germany’s Lufthansa Technik and F/List – will install the
Learjet; it has researched advanced wing technology, in conjunction
AS2’s interior, which is to be styled by automotive/aviation design
with NASA and other leading aeronautical institutions, and made
specialist Design Q. They have impeccable heritage and are famed
breakthroughs in the area of natural laminar flow, the key enabling
for designing the interior of the world’s first aviation showroom,
technology; and Airbus added credibility when it joined the team
The Jet Business, in London’s Belgravia, where an Airbus ACJ cabin
as a collaborative partner 18 months ago. The schedule for
mock-up takes centre-stage.
the innovative Aerion AS2 tri-jet calls for first flight in 2021, with certification and deliveries following in 2023.
The unit price is a cool US$120million. Aerion doesn’t disclose customers, but US fractional operator Flexjet has signed for 20. Announcing the order in October at the world’s biggest business
SPEED OF MACH 1.5 – BUT EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICAL
aviation show, Ken Ricci, Flexjet’s chairman, said he wanted to
Aerion has some significant milestones ahead. Top of the agenda
cover ‘every type of mission its members flew. The addition of the
is determining its engine provider. It’s also currently selecting a
AS2 will enable them to achieve that’. Flexjet customers won’t
manufacturing site, which needs to cover 100 acres (40 hectares),
need to buy into ownership, but can buy hours as required on the
be relatively close to a US airport and the coast, and offer a runway
sleek-looking Aerion AS2, the next frontier for the bizav fraternity.
of at least 9,000ft. The AS2 is being designed for Mach 1.5 speed over oceans (1.5 times the speed of sound), or 1,000mph. This compares with Concorde at 1,300mph, but a very important differentiator, says
Alison and Jane are principals at UK-based aviation consultancy
Doug Nichols, Aerion’s CEO, is that the AS2 will be both more
Emerald Media, which specialises in business aviation with
fuel-efficient and economical.
an international client base. To find out more, visit
On completion, it will travel even faster than the quickest business jet, the Gulfstream G650, which has recorded a max cruise speed
www.emeraldmedia.co.uk. To learn more about Aerion Corporation, head to www.aerionsupersonic.com
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SAVOY ART
●
MELBA AT THE SAVOY
●
IMMORTALISING MELBA
For the latest contemporary art commission for The Savoy, artist Dawn Coulter Cruttenden drew on the story of Australian opera singer Nellie Melba. Dawn and Sally Vaughan, co-founder and managing director of bespoke art consultancy Go Figurative, reveal how they brought The Legend of Melba vividly to life Tell us the background of The Legend of Melba and the
The Legend of Melba, and then created a shortlist of artists who we
inspiration behind it
felt would be able to deliver this work to a suitably high standard.
Sally: We’ve been working as art consultants to The Savoy since
Dawn’s work leapt out for its exquisite fairy-tale-like quality.
2012, developing a collection that embodies the stories and heritage of the hotel. Towards the end of last year, the hotel opened
What made you decide to produce the piece as a triptych?
its new patisserie, Melba, on the Strand entrance. Our brief was
Dawn: It was a combination of factors. Nellie was a performer,
to ‘find an artist to create a mural’ for the large wall behind the
and since the piece is essentially a narrative, it made sense to have
counter. With this in mind, we first identified the subject matter,
a number of ‘scenes’ or stages to her life, represented by each part
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●
THE CREATION OF MELBA
●
of the work. I chose to focus on her love of The Savoy, her friendship
and briefing the artist. We arranged for the artist to photograph
with its legendary chef, Auguste Escoffier, and her star quality as
one of the hotel’s chefs making a Peach Melba, which inspired the
she took centre stage. There were some compositional and practice
second illustration in the piece.
considerations too; The Savoy needed a landscape shape for the space, and I tend to work in portrait, so again it made sense to
Dawn: On my first early-morning visit to Melba to view the space,
juxtapose three individual pieces to make a whole artwork.
I found it very stylish – all very monochrome, marble and quite masculine in its feel. However, everything changed when, at about
Sally: As a team, we decided that The Legend of Melba was a
10am, a man in chef whites arrived with a trolley from the Savoy
story best told in three parts: the first featuring Nellie Melba’s love
kitchen. I watched as these incredible jewel-like cakes were unveiled
of The Savoy; the second, Escoffier’s inspirational creation of the
and laid out reverently in the glass display cabinet, and suddenly
Peach Melba; and the third, Nellie as the glistening performer and
these intense colours of rose petals and raspberries, pistachios and
star of the show.
gold leaf became the centrepoint of the room. I loved how these ‘pops’ of colour stood out against the monochrome. That’s when I
Talk us through the process of producing the work
decided to use one pop colour in the artwork against a monochrome
Sally: As consultants, our role is to identify the subject and the
background. And given that it was in celebration of Dame Nellie and
artist. All the work with The Savoy is based on stories and a high
the Melba dessert, there was only one colour it could be: peach!
level of skill and beauty. We spent time working with the hotel’s archivist and management team on researching the narratives
I’m drawn to working in pencil because there’s something soft and honest – almost fragile – in a drawing. You can see the human
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●
THE STAR OF MELBA
●
behind it through the line work. I’m sure there are many who see
Marble Halls, from the opera The Bohemian Girl, so that first
pencil work as mere scaffolding to a greater art form, but I love that
piece is very romantic. Nellie is in character here – she’s that
stripped-back nature. You work so physically close to the paper,
bohemian girl, she’s Ophelia and, above all, she’s Melba.
and the pressure from your own hand determines the drama and
For the drawing of Escoffier, The Creation of Melba, I was invited to
disappearances in the lines you create; it’s quite intimate, I suppose.
the Savoy kitchen to watch the chef prepare a Peach Melba – it was
I feel very attached to pieces like this, where I’ve spent many hours,
such an honour to have executive pastry chef Ludwig Hely prepare
days and weeks joined to the paper, catching tiny details.
this iconic dish just for me! Watching the process was like watching a
Nellie Melba was an opera singer. An actor. A diva. She loved
wizard at work, which made me think of turning Escoffier into more of
costume and glitter, and was known to wear all her diamonds
a ‘character’, rather than producing a straightforward portrait. Hence
and pearls together, so she could be seen twinkling from the back
the raised hands, as if he was sprinkling magic dust onto a handful of
of the theatre. I wanted to extend that drama and Edwardian
peaches to create something entirely new. The hands in the drawing
‘bling’ to the artwork, so I used gold leaf on very small details
are those of Ludwig; obviously M. Escoffier wasn’t available.
to twinkle when the light catches it. I see gold as a very ‘Savoy’ colour too, and I wanted a ‘Savoy’ feel to the work. The background of the first piece, Melba at The Savoy, is of the
The final piece is a portrait of Nellie as herself, glittering and queen-like. I was inspired by some of the jewellery I saw in Boodles in the reception of the hotel. I designed the brooch and
great arch just inside the hotel, with those iconic marble floors.
tiara thinking that, if I was a very wealthy diva who had a peach
That beautiful entrance hall, mixed with the opera background
dessert named after me and had a fondness for diamonds, I’d
of Dame Nellie, reminded me of that song, I Dreamt I Dwelt in
probably treat myself to a peach-shaped tiara too!
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SAVOY ART
EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF LUDWIG HELY PREPARED A MODERN TAKE ON THE ICONIC DISH THAT INSPIRED THE PAINTING
How does it complement the four existing
What do you hope guests and Melba customers
paintings on display in the hotel?
will take away from the work once they've
Dawn: I don’t think these pieces were meant to
seen it?
be connected stylistically; they’re connected in that
Dawn: Well, for a start, I hope they take away
they each tell a story about The Savoy, and I think
an enormous éclair! But also this vision of an
that’s about individuality. The Savoy has historically
amazing woman who powered through a time
been a mecca for icons of the arts – actors, divas,
when women were frowned upon for being more
writers, artists. It’s a place to celebrate style, beauty
than a beautiful accessory. She was a career
and uniqueness, whatever your personal preference is. There’s something around every corner of that building for everyone to fall in love with. It’s iconic. Sally: Each of the original artworks commissioned for
SALLY VAUGHAN AND DAWN COULTER CRUTTENDEN
woman, a single mother and a trail blazer; she made it socially acceptable for a woman to go out for dinner of an evening without her husband; and she inspired others to follow and
The Savoy tells a story about the hotel. The Legend
left them a path to walk upon. I hope they’re
of Melba is another story from within the Savoy art
drawn into the pictures and find something to
collection storybook. Dawn’s the first female artist ever
love in one or all of them.
to be commissioned by the hotel, and it’s fitting that
Sally: A sense of beauty, elegance, drama and
the subject of her work should also be a pioneering
style – all the things The Savoy is famous for.
woman. Dawn is a natural fairy-tale illustrator, and this project has enabled her to show her authentic
To find out more about the work of Sally Vaughan,
creative ability. It’s been wonderful to see her immerse
Dawn Coulter Cruttenden and Go Figurative, visit
herself in Nellie’s life at The Savoy.
www.gofigurative.com
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LONDON
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Untitled-16 1 Savoy_Advert_Template.indd 1
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ADVERTORIAL
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JUSSI PYLKKÄNEN
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AUCTION
AUCTIONEERING is FABULOUS THEATRE As global president of the world-famous Christie’s, Jussi Pylkkänen knows a thing or two about the art of auctioneering. In an exclusive interview, he talks about changes in the industry, how the internet has made it more accessible, and why art is still such a sound long-term investment for collectors
F
or over two centuries, Christie’s has
through more than 80 categories, including
brought the magic of live auctioneering
all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery,
to a global audience, becoming the
photographs, collectibles, wine and more.
world’s leading auction house, with a worldwide
During his tenure, he’s broken a string of world
presence in 32 countries. This year, the institution
records, selling paintings up to and exceeding the
is celebrating its 250th anniversary; having
£100million mark; one particularly profitable sale
conducted some of the most celebrated auctions
was made in New York last May, where he closed
in history since its inception in 1766, the business
Claude Monet’s Le Parlement, soleil couchant –
has provided a popular multibillion-dollar
painted from the legendary artist’s Savoy suite
showcase for extraordinary art, unparalleled
balcony during one of his many visits to the hotel
expertise and international glamour.
– for a total of $40.4million.
Today, the man at the helm is global
Here, Jussi looks back on an illustrious career,
president Jussi Pylkkänen. Born in Helsinki
reflecting on the changing trends and tastes of
in 1963 and educated at Oxford, the
the art market, the impact of the recession, and
53-year-old auctioneer heads up the
how a sixth sense has enabled him to become a
company’s 350 annual sales, which range
master of his craft…
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IMAGES COURTESY OF CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD 2016
Tell us your background and how
bidding who have actually dropped out
you got started at Christie’s
earlier, but cannot resist chasing the object.
I first came as a journalist to write an article in 1984 about the sale of a Mantegna
Are there particular types of collectors
picture called The Adoration of the Magi,
you tend to attract?
which, when it was sold, tripled the world
It’s varied. We have collectors from all
record for any work of art. I was very
different parts of the world, buying for
interested in the art world and wanted to
different reasons. People come to it
go into it at some stage, but didn’t really
from different perspectives, and some
know how, why or when, but that was my
How does that work?
people start by buying in a very particular
first proper visit to a great institution to
It’s very difficult to describe how that happens
category because of what they can afford,
understand how the British art world works.
and why, but if you ask the great auctioneers
and then become very wealthy in their
who’ve taken sales for a long time, they all
lifetimes. That then triggers a different type
Talk us through your auctioneering
know that. We don’t have a name for it, but
of collecting because their tastes or wealth
process and how you operate
we know, and one of the reasons the more
have progressed.
during a sale
experienced auctioneers are more likely to
It’s quite a complicated business; you’ve
create a better atmosphere in a sale room is
What’s the most expensive piece
got to be quite numerate and have your
because they know which people to engage.
you’ve ever sold?
wits about you. It takes a while to get
The Picasso Les Femmes d’Alger, which
relaxed enough to understand that it isn’t
Can you always see the tell-tale signs?
we sold for $179million in New York and
just a question of calling numbers. Initially,
If you’re planning to bid, your heart is
is the most expensive painting ever sold
you’re just trying to get on the right foot
racing, your adrenalin is high, you look
at auction. We sold a Bacon triptych of
and not get things wrong, but once you’ve
different, you feel different and you
Freud, which was a great moment for me,
auctioneered for a while, when you look
want to engage with the auctioneer.
because it was a work by an Irish artist of
out into a room of 800 or 900 people,
If the auctioneer’s cognissant of that,
a great British subject, Lucian Freud, being
you develop this extra sense, where you
they become your partner in that whole
sold in America for a world-record price
can look up and know exactly which
process, which is very gladiatorial.
to an American. I’d never imagined that I
individuals in the room are going to bid
You’ll see the best, more experienced
would travel to America to sell a painting
on the object that’s about to come up.
auctioneers bring people back into the
by an Irish artist for a world-record price.
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AUCTION world, coming in with different ambitions
For you personally, what makes a
This year marks Christie’s 250th
and different ideas of value. There’s this
great collector?
anniversary – that must be quite a
great pace and energy, and the great
People who buy across categories. A
milestone for you…
auctioneers can handle the audience and
great collector for me is somebody
It’s an incredible landmark. There aren’t
keep people in the game, so you’re able
who understands old master paintings
many businesses that continue at the
to compete until you really are out.
and great impressionist pictures,
same level over such a period. For us as
buys great 20th-century design and
a company, the principle of auctioneering
Has the recession had much of
might be particularly interested in old
hasn’t changed at all; the method is very
an impact?
master drawings as well. It’s also the
similar. It’s very meaningful for a lot of
The art market isn’t an indicator of the
multiculturalism, where people who are
people here – the name and the tradition
global economy. One would think it would
really great collectors are keen to look at
they’re involved with is incredibly important.
be, but the global economy is at every
great Islamic works of art, great works of
level and sometimes very regional. If you’re
art from Asia and China and Japanese
Which countries have become big
selling a work of art, many people get
lacquer. They’re fascinating people.
players since then?
involved in bidding for it from different parts
Hong Kong has been now for some time,
of the world, so there’s a balancing-out
Finally, how would you sum up your
and everybody looks at the Dubai sale
effect. The other side is that the art market
view of the art market?
results in March and judges where the
is very global and very broad, but also
The art world’s a place where people fall
art market fits. Now that we have online
driven by tastes and collecting.
in love with the objects they’re wanting to
bidding, which is such an important part
bid for, and the acquisition of the object is
of everybody’s lives, I’ll be selling a work
Would you say a downturn in the
often more important than how much they
of art in Dubai, but have competition
global economy can actually be
have to pay for it. That’s a very difficult
from Americans, Germans and Italians.
beneficial for collectors?
thing to appreciate; it’s like falling in love,
The works of art we sell in Dubai often
People who collect art aren’t necessarily
and if you buy a great work of art, you
come from 25 different countries, who
purely thinking about the financial
have one chance to acquire it and don’t
are sending them to the Middle East,
implications. Oftentimes, when the stock
have a second opportunity, so you have
because they know the market there is
market’s down or interest rates are very
to make a commitment. There are certain
the meeting point and trading floor for
low, people who have spare capital look
works that are definable as the artists’
Middle Eastern art.
at hard assets, whether it’s property,
greatest work, but part of that greatness
gold or artworks. Maybe there’s a merit
is about the number of people who are
The internet must have shaken
in having objects of intrinsic value; after
prepared to acquire it.
things up too…
all, a Monet will always be a Monet,
The online opportunity for sales is huge
and a Picasso will always be a Picasso,
among real collectors. Of course, you still
and if you’re buying works of great
have to have the live sales, because you
importance, they’re highly likely to
have to have the opportunity for people
hold their value.
www.christies.com
to come and view, see, learn and think about things. Technology allows people greater access and a better understanding of what the possibilities are of collecting in the art world. Is there still a place for live auctions as well? The way to generate the highest price is through competition, so I suppose it’s the difference between a live football game and playing FIFA on your console. Auctioneering is fabulous theatre; it’s very engaging, fascinating and socially very interesting. It’s a whole social melting pot of people from different parts of the
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06/04/2016 13:46
FASHION
DAYS AT THE RACES Sporting events like Royal Ascot, Goodwood and Epsom Derby are among the most important dates on any fashionista’s calendar. To help you get to grips with what to wear, our fashion insider, stylist Catherine de Crèvecoeur from www.stylepourmoi.com, takes a look at 2016’s hottest trends
I
t’s that time of the year when we look
towards a more relaxed, yet fashion-conscious
forward to attending some of the best
style; dropped hemlines, slouchy layers, outfits
British outdoor sporting events. With the
revolving around one bold statement piece
racing season upon us, summer outdoor
(usually the hat) and lower heels.
fashion takes centre stage, and deciding what
As for planning your own outfits, knowing
to wear is on everyone’s mind. While there
first which direction you wish to take is key. If
remain certain dress code rules, event-goers
you feel more comfortable in a fuss-free outfit,
will be keeping a watchful eye on their favourite
then the ‘less is more’ approach can work
designers, who will be leading the way with
wonders, with a strong focus on the quality and
some of their latest collections.
cut of the garments. Opting for a more classic
When it comes to the do’s and don’ts of how to
style will also open the way to a whole range
dress for the races, some racecourses are very
of very wearable, beautiful and safe options.
strict as to what’s allowed, but generally, ladies
However, if you prefer to use these events as an
should aim for longer, demure skirt lengths that
opportunity to make a strong style statement,
would ideally reach below the knee, ensuring
then working your outfit around one key piece is
the dress has straps or is worn with a cover-up
always a good place to start.
over a strapless number. Along with the traditional, classic outfits, we’ve lately been seeing a gradual trend
Here are some key looks we can expect to see during this racing season...
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FASHION
SOFT PASTELS HELP CREATE
CHRIS ISON
IMAGES COURTESY OF GOODWOOD AND INVESTEC DERBY FESTIVAL
A WARM, SUMMERY OUTFIT
BRIGHTEN UP YOUR DAY AND EVERYONE ELSE’S BY WORKING POPS
MICHAEL COLE
OF BOLD PRINTS AND COLOURS
SAVOY_MAR16_Fashion2.indd 4
07/04/2016 09:12
TOM SHAXSON
GETTY STEPHEN POND
CHOOSE YOUR HAT CAREFULLY, ENSURING IT COMPLEMENTS YOUR OUTFIT AND THAT YOU FEEL
CHRIS ISON
CONFIDENT WEARING IT
A-LINE SKIRTS ARE EXTREMELY FLATTERING AND CHANNEL A SOPHISTICATED 50 S LOOK
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FASHION
BOLD COLOUR BLOCKING
FLORAL PATTERNS
EXPERIMENTING WITH COLOUR
A SPRINGTIME GIVEN, FLORAL PRINTS ARE
BLOCKING CAN MAKE FOR A LOOK
REVISITED EACH YEAR BY DESIGNERS AND
THAT’S FRESH, CLEAN AND CURRENT
HAVE BECOME A FAVOURITE FOR THE RACES
LACE DETAILING A BIG TREND THIS SEASON, OPTING FOR LACE GARMENTS CAN WORK FOR A DEMURE, YET STYLISH LOOK
éROKSANDA, £1,095 AT SELFRIDGES
éERDEM, £1,095 AT SELFRIDGES
éSELF PORTRAIT, £285 AT SELFRIDGES
éMAX MARA, £420 AT SELFRIDGES
éSTELLA M C CARTNEY, £252
éDOLCE & GABBANA, £149
éAQUAZZURA, £420 AT SELFRIDGES
éJIMMY CHOO, £425 AT SELFRIDGES
éDKNY, £215
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TAILORED JACKET
PRETTY PASTELS
STATEMENT BRIGHT COAT
WEARING A TAILORED
SOFT PASTELS REMAIN A FAVOURITE
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER, INJECT SOME
JACKET CAN MAKE A
FOR A GRACEFUL, WARM AND
COLOUR INTO THE PROCEEDINGS WITH
SHARP STYLE STATEMENT
SUMMERY LOOK
A STATEMENT BRIGHT COAT
éGEORGIA HARDINGE AT éPHASE EIGHT, £289 éERDEM, £1,180 AT SELFRIDGES éKURT GEIGER, £210 AT SELFRIDGES
WWW.GEORGIAHARDINGE.COM éMIU MIU, £201 éMARY KATRANTZOU, £1,150 AT SELFRIDGES
éPHASE EIGHT, £299 éEDIE PARKER JEAN, £1,095 AT SELFRIDGES éVALANTINO, £620 AT SELFRIDGE
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ADVERTORIAL
WHAT'S HANGING ON YOUR WALLS? “Art is one of those few wonders in life that can speak to you without even uttering a word.” - IAYSHA SALIH -
E
xperienced consultant and
THE ART OF SOURCING ARTWORK
much joy; It is an intuitive connection, and
international art dealer, Iaysha
Iaysha appreciates that the majority of
one that resonates above the frequency of
Salih, turns vision into reality
her clients lead busy lifestyles. Whether
conventional communication.
for her clients. Having begun her career
on a fleeting visit to the UK, or simply
as an art director and fine artist, Iaysha
sourcing a unique piece of art as a gift,
is passionate about art, but unable to
went on to own her own art gallery in
she will manage her clients' expectations
dedicate the time to source the artworks.
Royal Tunbridge Wells. After 12 successful
to great effect.
The clients can expect works that are of
years, she sold the gallery and decided
Among the many benefits of using
A typical client would be someone who
the highest quality and can be shipped to
to work privately for her clients, sourcing
Iaysha Art Consultancy is having access
whatever destination required. This can
and curating artwork for homeowners,
to her extensive network of contacts,
be for a private residence or a business,
businesses, private collectors, interior
which enables her to source works that
either as a one-off piece or a larger
designers and architects.
otherwise are not readily available. Iaysha
collection of works.
Iaysha’s success stems from her love
is fortunate to be closely associated with a
for the visual medium and having been
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actively involved in the art industry for
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over 25 years. This has helped her
the market.
develop a rather unique client base,
Art is an investment for some, but Iaysha
To discuss your personal art requirements, contact Iaysha: iaysha@iaysha.com
with the sole aim of assisting clients in
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adorning their walls with the art that
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For more information about Iaysha, visit:
inspires them.
Looking at a piece of art can bring so
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FASHION
TIMELESS FASHIONS Eleanor Tomlinson, star of BBC One’s Poldark, talks about her role as consumer ambassador for the Investec Derby Festival, and shares her thoughts on this year’s hottest trends and styles What does it mean to you to be involved in this event? I’m absolutely delighted to have been invited to be an ambassador for the Investec Derby Festival. Horseracing has been a
given that they were enjoyed by such a diverse group of people,
huge part of my life from an early age; my father is a commentator
that it’s the world’s greatest flat race and attracts 125,000
and I grew up in the saddle, so it’s a real honour to be part of one of
race-goers. It offers a rare opportunity to dress up in your finery,
racing’s most prestigious events. He’s naturally over the moon that
wear something flamboyant and see and be seen!
who would all come together to celebrate and socialise. This hasn’t changed, especially when it comes to the Investec Derby, given
I’m involved and we can’t wait to attend on Saturday June 4! Can you tell us what you’ll be wearing? Which outfits do you think will be hot this year?
I have a few options I’m still deciding upon, but I can guarantee
I think a world-class event like the Investec Derby will always bring out
it will feature some sort of headwear.
some of the most timeless fashions. There are classic styles you can’t go amiss with, such as a strong silhouette, modest hemline and, of
And your hopes for the future of the festival?
course, a fabulous hat. However, I’m sure some of the catwalk trends
I think it has a very bright future. Investec Ladies’ Day, which is
will be reflected in racecourse wear, in particular spring/summer’s
the Friday of the festival and features a Group 1 fillies’ race, has
romantic look of sheer, pastels, ruffles and florals. Whatever you
a hotly contested Style Award, which is increasingly competitive,
wear, I recommend you ensure your heels are comfortable!
while Investec Derby Day will always attract some of the most elegant styles. Not forgetting top hat and tails for gentlemen in
Why are these kinds of occasions such high-profile
the Queen’s stand!
fashion showcases? When you look back over history, top-class racing events have
Eleanor Tomlinson is an ambassador for the Investec
always been the most important dates in the social calendar,
Derby Festival on June 3 and 4. To find out more,
attracting royalty and celebrities. They were particularly unique,
visit www.epsomderby.co.uk
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CELEBRITY
I
f you tuned in to watch the BAFTAs on BBC One earlier this year, you would have spotted Cuba Gooding Jr gracing the red carpet at Covent
Garden’s Royal Opera House, before presenting the award for Best Original Screenplay. An Academy Award winner himself – for his portrayal of American football player Rod Tidwell in 1996’s Jerry Maguire – Gooding is no stranger to the glitz and glamour of the event. Born in The Bronx, New York in 1968 to singers Cuba Gooding Sr and Shirley Gooding, the now 48-year-old actor rose to fame with his breakout role in 1991’s Boyz n the Hood. Since then, he’s appeared in such critically acclaimed ‘90s hits as A Few Good Men, Outbreak and As Good As It Gets; more recent big screen outings like Selma and The Butler; and a Broadway run in Horton Foote’s The Trip to Bountiful at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York. But his latest project, The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, may well be his most challenging and immersive yet. Playing the title role of the celebrated athlete accused of murdering his ex-wife, Gooding leads viewers head-on into the ‘trial of the century’, a controversial court case spanning more than two months from 1994 to 1995, and described as the most publicised criminal trial in American history. Broadcast on BBC Two in the UK, the 10-episode miniseries boasts an all-star ensemble cast – including John Travolta, David Schwimmer and Sarah Paulson – and aims to tell ‘the whole story’ of the infamous trial, from the highly publicised Bronco chase, to the subsequent media frenzy that ensued. In an exclusive interview, Gooding tells us more about getting into character, the impact of the story on contemporary audiences, and why the trial itself speaks volumes about modern-day society…
T R I A L
OF THE CENTURY In The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Cuba Gooding Jr transforms into the eponymous NFL player and convicted felon, to tell the true story of one of the most gripping and divisive criminal trials in recent memory. Frederick Latty chats exclusively to the star about bringing ‘an emotional truth’ to the role
Let’s begin with your recent visit to London – how was it being back in the UK? I have such a wonderful time whenever I go to London. There’s something so magical about being there to me; there’s so much history in the buildings and the architecture. So much of the city is still untouched, and you get that prestigious, nostalgic feeling as you walk through the streets. There’s something so elegant about it – it’s really a magical city. You were here to present the award for Best Original Screenplay at the BAFTAs – is the ceremony close to your heart? Every time I get invited to attend, I take advantage. Walking down the red carpet, the people get so excited for the pageantry of it. There’s such a rainbow coalition, which, to me, represents a hub, not just for Europe, but the entire world. It seems like all of Europe coagulates in London – you see all the generational, racial representations there, and that awards show is almost like the culmination. It’s a really magical evening, and I always jump at the chance to be a presenter. You’ve also been promoting your new television series, The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story – was it a big responsibility for you to portray such a highly publicised, real-life figure in the title role? Oh, absolutely. I play him in 1994, when he was at the top of his game in terms of his popularity and celebrity. He was an international movie star; he was a Heisman Trophy winner; and it was these aspects that informed my role. I wanted to focus on that time period, so I looked at a lot of footage from him, not just in his movies, but in the courtroom. When you see these 10 episodes, you’ll go on that emotional
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JEWELLERY
CUBA GOODING JR AS O. J. SIMPSON IN THE PEOPLE V. O. J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
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JEWELLERY
JOHN TRAVOLTA, DAVID SCHWIMMER AND CGJ IN THE PEOPLE V. O. J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
“I think it’s a real microscopic look into the judicial system of Los Angeles during this time period. There are a lot of questions still unanswered, and I think that’s what makes this show so relevant”
journey that he went on; you’ll see him at the
Does that apply to the recent ‘Oscars So
height of his popularity; and you’ll see the fragility,
White’ controversy?
not just of his mental state of mind, but his physical
All awards shows – all of them – are the end of the
state. As an artist, it’s a very fine emotional line to
chain. I think if you want to make a statement about
walk. What I looked to create and bring to this role
diversity, you have to start at the studio level, and
and this journey was an emotional truth.
recognise the fact that the racial colours of society are changing into more of a rainbow coalition. TV’s
Do you think the story of the O. J. Simpson trial
getting it right with shows like The People v.
is just as relevant today as it was then?
O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, which are
I think it’s a real microscopic look into the judicial
more representative of what society is today.
system of Los Angeles during this time period. There are a lot of questions still unanswered,
The series itself touches on issues of race in Los
and I think that’s what makes this show so
Angeles at that time – is that something that
relevant. We can’t just go idly into the night
influenced your performance?
and hope that people of authority will have our
You have to remember that I was a 22-year-old star
best interests in mind; we as artists have an
of a movie called Boyz n the Hood, in which I played
obligation to question, to search for the truth
a character called Tre Styles, who was harassed by the
and, through our artistry, expose certain ills in
police. I was harassed by police officers while filming
society, and hopefully by questioning them, we
that movie, and when I saw that Bronco chase cut into
can understand them.
my TV while I was watching a sporting event,
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Savoy Magazine Quarterly - January, April, July, October. For a full year's subscription (four editions): - £14 for UK residents - £19 for all overseas residents
If you subscribe before the end of May 2016, you will be entered into an exclusive competition to win a two-night stay at The Savoy, with breakfast included and a three-course dinner in Kaspar's Seafood Bar & Grill on one of the evenings, based on two people sharing a Deluxe Double room.
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Untitled-23 1
07/04/2016 14:26
1
CGJ AND TOM CRUISE
CGJ AND EDDIE REDMAYNE
2
3
and they announced that it was O. J. Simpson in the
Kardashians, the Osbournes and the ‘housewives of
back, I envisioned myself being in the back of that
the fill-in-the-blank’. I think it’s a way for us to feel
Bronco; a black man who was a celebrity living in
connected to celebrity without having to personally
Los Angeles, framed for killing his wife. What if that
invest in it, with the exception of the emotional
was me? He was a man who was being railroaded
connection we see in the images that flicker across
by the authorities, and I’ll never forget my frame
our screens. I think there’s a lot that can be said
of mind back then. So, all of those things informed
psychologically and what the ramifications are for us,
my performance in that movie, as well as in the 10
not just individually, but as a nation, and how that
episodes of this miniseries.
worldview reflects us.
Themes of media and celebrity are also
You’re one of many actors to make the
prominent – what do you think the show says
transition from film to television in recent years
about us as a society in that respect?
– in what ways has TV changed the way we as
I think the trial itself was the birth of reality television,
viewers interact with stories?
and the fallaciousness of celebrity that we get now. A
Back in the 1970s, they used to say cinema was
lot of American families today are dissected, praised
the golden age of film. You had your Francis Ford
and observed as being our pseudo-royalty, like the
Coppolas, your Martin Scorseses, your Sydney
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CELEBRITY
Pollacks and your Sidney Lumets – real filmmakers
but you also get the full picture of what the
who were telling the truth of society’s ills and dealing
filmmaker is trying to say. It’s very intoxicating
with real issues. And yet, they only had a platform of
for us as entertainers and artists to be able
two to three hours, whereas today, you have that same
to paint that picture; it’s why you have icons
platform shifted to 10, 12 or 13 hours. You have
like John Travolta stepping into this medium,
what’s called ‘binge-watching’ now, where, if you’re in
and it’s why you have storytellers with diverse
the right frame of mind, you can sit and watch a story
backgrounds, sexuality and race. And it isn’t
unfold over the entire 10 hours in a weekend.
just America anymore – there are real statements coming from directors now from
From an actor’s perspective, how did the
the UK and all across the globe. We as
creative process of TV differ from that of film?
artists are never going to stop telling
With the exception of The Trip to Bountiful on Broadway,
real-life stories about society, and now
this is the longest time I’ve ever been in the mind-set of a
we’ve found an outlet.
character. I played the same character, living his life for six months, so this was the longest time it took me to step away from a character. It really was all-encompassing, and one of those opportunities I’ll never forget.
The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story is available to watch for a limited time on BBC iPlayer,
Would you say television is now a leading
and will be released on DVD and Blu-ray later this
platform for great storytelling?
year. All production stills courtesy of Fox. Cuba
It enriches your experience, not just with
Gooding Jr was dressed for the BAFTAs by Hackett
the characters you see and their backstory,
London www.hackett.com
4
CREDITS: 1.BAFTA/RICKY DARKO 2.BAFTA/RICH HARDCASTLE 3.BAFTA/JONATHAN BIRCH 4.BAFTA/STEPHEN BUTLER 5.BAFTA/RICHARD KENDAL
5
CGJ AND SPOTLIGHT DIRECTOR TOM M C CARTHY
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JEWELLERY
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ADVERTORIAL
LIFESTYLE PACKAGES
for luxury
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W
ith the current competition in the luxury property market, including a concierge and
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LUXURY YACHTS
CHARTERED
TERRITORIES
Owning or chartering a yacht can be an unforgettable experience and life-changing investment. If youʼre thinking about climbing aboard, weʼve rounded up a selection of the finest vessels to spend your money on. Read on to find out how your beautiful boat could open up a world of possibilities
F
just a means of travel or a luxurious pastime. If you’ve
you work with is a reputable one, with a meticulous eye for
got the time, the means and the knowhow, it can be
detail and impeccable customer service. Tax benefits and
an essential lifestyle choice, worthwhile investment and
offsetting the costs of ownership through charter income are
essential addition to your collection of hard assets.
among the many perks, while professional maintenance
or many, buying or chartering a yacht is far more than
Whether you’re looking to set sail on your very own vessel, or host a fabulous event on the Thames, there are numerous upsides to putting your money into one of these breath-taking
If you’re chartering, you’ll need to make sure the company
preserves the boat’s value and means it’s always ready to go whenever you are. From on-board spa facilities to quality craftsmanship, we take
models. It’s the perfect purchase for that romantic trip, family
a look at 10 yacht companies’ most captivating cruisers, and
holiday or well-earned break, and a head-turning means of
discover how they can add a whole new level of opulence,
seeing the world in style.
convenience and class to your next getaway…
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ALEXIS ANDREWS
GRACE E
Burgess Yachts
A stunning yacht with an environmental focus and outstanding wellness centre, Grace E takes a new approach to superyachting. Its wellness deck offers a complete range of spa facilities, equipped with a massage room with steam sauna, a full gymnasium, a treatment room with hydrotherapy bath, a cold dip bath and dry sauna, plus a retreat room for meditation, or simply chilling out, with 180° views out to sea. Incorporating a dynamic positioning system that allows the yacht to stay in place without dropping anchor, this yacht can cruise in ecologically vulnerable locations without damaging the environment. www.burgessyachts.com
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LUXURY YACHTS
Woods’ Silver Fleet
Moored at Savoy Pier, directly opposite the river entrance, Woods’ Silver Fleet offers luxury, British Thames river yachts for unparalleled London event venues and vistas. Silver Sturgeon, the 61m flagship, celebrates her 20th birthday in 2017, and is the largest, most luxurious passenger vessel to operate through the bridges of the River Thames. She runs as a private events venue with a capacity of 100 to 550 guests, while Michelin-starred menus by London chef Ollie Dabbous and head chef Douglas Gaunt make it the perfect reception setting after a wedding at the world-famous hotel. www.silverfleet.co.uk
SILVER STURGEON
Sunseeker Yachts
Featured in BBC documentary Britain’s Biggest Superyachts: Chasing Perfection, Sunseeker will launch the new Manhattan 52 this summer, its smallest flybridge model for over a decade, setting a new benchmark for the format. The 52ft model’s hull is designed to maximise entertainment options with light and generous living spaces, incorporating unparalleled amounts of curved glass to emphasise its sleek lines. Sunseeker will also launch two stunning next-generation superyachts in 2016 – the 116 Yacht and 95 Yacht – epitomising the elegant lines, open-plan layouts and stylish interiors that the brand has introduced with its new range of larger models. www.sunseeker.com
MANHATTAN 52
Cecil Wright & Partners
Sales broker Henry Smith of Cecil Wright & Partners has announced the signing as joint CA for the sale of Turquoise, a beautiful 55.4m motor yacht from Proteksan Turquoise. Built in 2011, with a complete refit in 2014, this stylish, yet manageable yacht sleeps 12 in six cabins, with a crew of 13, plus clean exterior lines created by Dubois Naval Architects and a contemporary interior by H2 Yacht design. Equipped with a fleet of water toys, gym equipment and great entertaining and relaxing spaces, it’s a perfect yacht to host your family or friends. www.cecilwright.com TURQUOISE
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STRENGTH IN DEPTH. THE ALL NEW PREDATOR 57. NEW BOAT SALES - USED BOAT SALES - BROKERAGE CHARTER-GUARDINAGE -AFTER-SALES SERVICE 34-36 Davies St, London WIK 4NF
Untitled-14 1
I +44 (0)20
7355 0980
I www.sunseekerlondon.com
London 06/04/2016 10:24
LUXURY YACHTS
Oyster Yachts
Denoting a sleek evolution of Oyster’s signature performance blue-water cruising yachts, the 745 is designed to fit between the ‘family and friends’ Oyster 475–625, and the 825–885, with their separate crew quarters. Replacing the 72/725, of which an impressive 16 were built, the Oyster 745 introduces a new hull format and brings a sense of the sailing coupé with her distinctive deck saloon. With a choice of rigs, the sail plan can be optimised for fully-crewed speed or short-handed sailing, from carbon and fully-battened main, to cutter and joystick furling for friends and family. www.oysteryachts.com
OYSTER 745
Discovery Yachts
If you dream of sailing across oceans, Discovery Yachts combine traditional craft skills with innovative technology to create the finest blue-water cruising yachts in the world. The fabulous model range includes: the Discovery 55 Mk II, the benchmark that every sailor aspires to; the Discovery 58, luxurious, spacious and easily handled by two people; the more capacious, highly acclaimed Discovery 67; and soon to be launched, the new Discovery 48. The aim of Discovery is to build yachts that combine strength and stability, reliability and performance, which can easily be handled by two people in complete safety. www.discoveryyachts.com DISCOVERY 58
The Yacht Company (Y.CO)
Built in 2009 with a carbon composite hull, Cinderella IV is a high-specification cruiser and true reflection of Dutch shipyard Vitters’ build quality. Performance is at the core of the yacht’s design, which ensures excellent performance on the water. With a lifting keel and a brand new set of sails, her already exciting sailing performance has been further enhanced and optimised. A modern interpretation of a traditional two-house deck layout, she’s built to perform under sail and to cruise in comfort. Cinderella IV has been constantly maintained and updated, and is offered in immaculate condition. CINDERELLA IV
www.y.co.uk
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Princess Yachts
Experience the contemporary elegance of the eagerly anticipated Princess 30M superyacht, which made its global debut at boot Düsseldorf 2016, as the largest yacht at the largest European show. Sweeping window lines and shaped bulwarks enhance the level of light and space across the main deck, with the full-beam master stateroom benefiting from uninterrupted vistas of the most breath-taking surroundings. The Princess Design Studio has created a sophisticated and contemporary interior concept across the main deck master, with a unique reverse cabin layout – a rarity on a 30m yacht and the first for the M Class range. www.princessyachts.com PRINCESS 30M
Winch Design
Founded in 1986 by Andrew and Jane Winch as a Winch Design is now an international design studio with a team of 70 people, specialising in not only yachts, but also aviation, architecture and interiors.
KLAUS JORDAN
specialist exterior and interior yacht design company,
Still perceived as the market leader within the yachting world, Winch Design has completed 75 unique yachts, from 26ft (8m) tenders, to majestic 532ft (162m) motor yachts, all elegantly combining form and function. The team is working on several projects for completion at various times over the next two years, including the largest volume superyacht on the water. www.winchdesign.com
Edmiston
ACE
Leading yacht company Edmiston will have a strong selection of yachts for charter cruising the Balearics this summer. Based in Monaco, Edmiston has been creating bespoke itineraries for clients for over 20 years, and has an in-depth knowledge of the Mediterranean coastline. Mischief accommodates 12 guests in six well-appointed cabins, including a luxurious full-beam master suite, three double guest cabins and two twin guest cabins, while Philmi offers a cool, contemporary interior, accommodating up to 10 guests in three double and two convertible twin cabins. Motor yacht Christina G, meanwhile, offers a spacious, stylish retreat from everyday life. www.edmiston.com
CHRISTINA G
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MOTORS
ALL L ABOARD ABOAR THE BLUE TRAIN
Inspired by Woolf Barnato Bentley’s passion for motor racing, the Bentley ‘Blue Train’ Speed Six was introduced in 1928 and became the brand's most successful race car. To find out more about this iconic luxury sports vehicle, we hear the daring story behind its creation
W
oolf Barnato – heir
record at Le Mans – three wins in three
to a vast fortune
starts – confirms W. O.’s judgement.
from the Kimberley diamond mines in
Barnato was at a dinner party on a
Knowing how canny Barnato was, none of his companions would take the bet – so he resolved to do the run anyway, to
yacht near Cannes in March 1930, when
prove his point. The next day at 5.45pm,
South Africa – was the ultimate ‘Bentley
the subject of racing the famous Blue
as the Blue Train left the railway station
boy’. A brilliant sportsman, bon viveur
Train came up, as both Rover and Alvis
at Cannes, Barnato and his companion,
and generous host, he became chairman
had recently beaten it from St Raphael to
amateur golfer Dale Bourne, left the
of Bentley Motors in 1926 when the
Calais. Barnato wasn’t impressed, calling
Carlton Bar and set off in the Speed Six.
company was struggling for capital.
it ‘no great shakes’. He wagered £200
W. O. Bentley considered him the best of
that, at the wheel of his Speed Six, he
Lyon, the two men encountered heavy
all the team’s drivers, and Barnato’s 100%
could beat the train to Calais with ease.
rain, which slowed their progress.
During the 185 miles from Cannes to
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At around 4am, between Lyon and
Manufacturer’s Association fined Bentley
Paris, near Auxerre, the team lost
Motors around £160 for racing on public
time searching for their pre-arranged
roads and barred Bentley from the Paris
refuelling rendezvous. Despite this
Salon. Barnato claimed he had raced
setback, some dense fog near Paris and
as a private individual and not as the
a puncture that used their only spare
chairman of Bentley…a claim that failed
tyre, Barnato and Bourne finally reached
to convince the authorities.
Calais at 10.30 in the morning. They had
Few cars embody the glamour, speed
covered over 570 miles at an average
and power of the pre-war Bentley era
speed of 43.43mph, an impressive
better than the ‘Blue Train’ Bentley Speed
achievement on the dusty and rough
Six. Barnato’s achievement was so
roads of the time.
exceptional that a 2015 re-run by Car
Barnato had arrived in Calais so far ahead of the train that he decided to continue on to London. After crossing
HISTORY REPEATING
HERE'S HOW BENTLEY MADE
magazine in a Continental GT3-R only
NOT ONE, BUT TWO GRAND
just managed to beat his average speed.
ENTRANCES AT THE SAVOY
For years, the Bentley that beat the
the Channel in a packet steamer, being
Blue Train was thought to be a Speed
During the 1920s, Bentley was
waved through customs and driving
Six coupé built by coachbuilders Gurney
outstandingly successful in both
hard for almost 700 miles, Woolf
Nutting. The low roofline and 2+1
racing and setting new speed
Barnato parked his Speed Six outside the
cockpit with a single ‘side-saddle’ rear
records, grabbing many front-page
Conservative Club in St James’ Street at
seat gives it a lean, low and purposeful
headlines. Bentley first won Le Mans
3.20pm. Just four minutes later, the Blue
profile; this unique design was cited
in 1924, and won each year from
Train arrived at the station in Calais.
by Bentley’s design team as one of
1927 to 1930. 1927’s race was
the inspirations for the modern-day
characterised by the famous ‘White
Continental GT.
House’ crash, which involved all
Barnato had won his unofficial dare, although the French Motor
“Few cars embody the glamour, speed and power of the pre-war Bentley era better than the ‘Blue Train’ Bentley Speed Six”
three of the widely-tipped Bentley teams' entries. This crash caused the retirement of two of the cars. Against all odds, and with only one headlamp and a flashlight strapped to the windscreen frame to guide the drivers through the dark of night, ‘Old Number Seven’, the three-litre driven by Bentley chairman Sir Dudley Benjafield, was victorious. A celebratory dinner was held at The Savoy with Old Number Seven the guest of honour – the racer had to be partially dismantled to get it through the doorway and upstairs. In 2003, 73 years after Bentley’s last win at Le Mans in 1930, two Bentleys entered the epic 24-hour endurance race. At 4pm on Sunday June 15, two Bentley Speed 8s came first and second at Le Mans. The following Wednesday, the winning Speed 8 was guest of honour at a celebration dinner held at The Savoy, a recreation of the iconic dinner of 1927.
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JEWELLERY
Graff sapphire and diamond 'Carissa' necklace POA www.graffdiamonds.com
Graff 12.7ct, emerald-cut diamond ring POA www.graffdiamonds.com
Graff 8.47ct oval diamond ring POA www.graffdiamonds.com
Boodles 1ct, pink cushion-cut diamond cluster ring, surrounded by eight oval white diamonds set in platinum, and a halo of pink diamonds set in rose gold POA www.boodles.com
Graff pink diamond 'Swirl' ring POA www.graffdiamonds.com
Kiki McDonough lavender amethyst and diamond drop earrings in 18ct white gold £5,200 www.kiki.co.uk
Boodles ‘Grosvenor’ wheatsheaf marquise diamond drop earrings in platinum POA www.boodles.com
Harry Winston The Jeweller’s Secret POA www.harrywinston.com
Boodles ‘Wisteria’ Ashoka diamond drop earrings in platinum from £12,000 www.boodles.com
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Moussaieff platinum set line of 82ct pearshape diamonds with 18ct diamond drop POA www.moussaieff.co.uk
Moussaieff earrings with matching 10ct pearshape diamonds, suspended from 3ct tops POA www.moussaieff.co.uk
Boodles ‘Mosaic’ morganite earrings in white gold with diamonds £27,500 www.boodles.com
DIAMONDS ✦
✦
✦
✦
✦
✦
✦
are forever
They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend – truer words were surely never spoken for the leading designers of some of the world’s most dazzling luxury items. From eye-catching earrings to timeless timepieces, we profile an assortment of exclusive accessories to add to your own personal collection
Boodles 'The Knot' rose and white gold ring with diamonds £2,100 www.boodles.com
Graff diamond Luna earrings POA www.graffdiamonds.com
Boodles ‘Pas de Deux’ kite diamond ring set in platinum £18,000 www.boodles.com
Harry Winston Ultimate Emerald Signature POA www.harrywinston.com
Boodles ‘Grosvenor’ wheatsheaf marquise diamond drop earrings in platinum £50,000 www.boodles.com
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Harry Winston Emerald Signature POA www.harrywinston.com
Harry Winston Lattice POA www.harrywinston.com
Boodles ‘The Knot’ rose and white gold earrings with diamonds £1,700 www.boodles.com
Boodles ‘The Knot’ rose and white gold bangle with diamonds £6,000 www.boodles.com
Harry Winston Glacier POA www.harrywinston.com
Graff diamond 'Swirl' ring POA www.graffdiamonds.com
Kiki McDonough peridot, rubellite and diamond drop earrings in 18ct yellow gold £7,700 www.kiki.co.uk
Harry Winston Art Deco Timepiece POA www.harrywinston.com
Graff ruby and diamond Rosette earrings POA www.graffdiamonds.com
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JEWELLERY Harry Winston Twist Automatic POA www.harrywinston.com
Boodles ‘MayMay’ rose ring with diamonds in rose gold £4,250 www.boodles.com
Harry Winston My Precious Time POA www.harrywinston.com
Graff yellow diamond 'Swirl' ring POA www.graffdiamonds.com
Boodles ‘Wisteria’ yellow Ashoka diamond bracelet set in platinum POA www.boodles.com
Boodles cushion-cut Burmese ruby ring, surrounded by 10 oval-cut diamonds, set in platinum with a further border of pink diamonds in rose gold POA www.boodles.com
Graff yellow and white diamond earrings POA www.graffdiamonds.com
Kiki McDonough morganite, peridot and diamond drop earrings in 18ct yellow gold £4,900 www.kiki.co.uk
Harry Winston Diamond Links POA www.harrywinston.com
Kiki McDonough Mandarin garnet, lemon beryl and diamond drop earrings in 18ct yellow gold £6,500 www.kiki.co.uk
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JEWELLERY
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BASELWORLD
THE
LUXURY of TIME As the most important marketplace and trendsetting platform for the world’s luxury watch and jewellery industry, Baselworld distinguishes itself as the only show to regroup all the key players. We profile some of the biggest brands and most breath-taking timepieces on display at this year’s event
E
ach spring, the city of Basel in Switzerland plays host
and discover trends,” says managing director Sylvie Ritter. “No
to Baselworld, the most prestigious event on the
other event in the world brings together so many famous and
international watch and jewellery industry’s calendar.
prestigious brands; no other watch or jewellery presentation
The 2016 event opened its doors on March 17 to more than
attracts 150,000 visitors from over 100 countries, or can claim
4,000 journalists, representing traditional and new media from
the media impact of Baselworld.”
around the globe, with 1,500 luxury brands exhibiting.
Such was the case with this year’s watch displays, which boasted
Over ‘eight days of brilliance’, the momentous occasion
cutting-edge timepieces from the likes of Patek Philippe, Tudor,
– inaugurated by Swiss Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga
Harry Winston and Breitling. Together, these industry leaders
– celebrated the innovation and creativity that has gone into
captivated audiences and unveiled their most recent ranges, many
some of the most remarkable collections over the last 12
of which featured contemporary twists on classic designs.
months, and introduced some trendsetting ranges that have set the tone for the coming year.
For a taste of which models were on display, we’ve rounded up a selection of the market’s finest chronometers. Read on
“For eight days a year, Baselworld is the nerve centre for an entire industry, which unites here to take the pulse of the business
to find out more about which ones you won’t want to miss throughout 2016…
TUDOR HERITAGE ADVISOR
HARRY WINSTON PREMIER MOON PHASE
BREITLING AVENGER HURRICANE
PATEK PHILIPPE WORLD TIME CHRONOGRAPH
ZENITH ELITE 6150
With its automatic alarm function, the Heritage Advisor is a reinterpretation of the brand’s famous Tudor alarm watch from 1957, and this year features a new combination of cognac-coloured dial and strap. www.tudorwatch.com
The Premier Moon Phase 36mm captures the serene beauty of the celestial sky, with a mesmerising moon that appears to travel across the horizon, before finding its way behind a white mother-of-pearl design, signifying the end of the lunar cycle. www.harrywinston.com
Water-resistant to 100m/330ft and featuring a rotating bezel with rider tabs serving to memorise times, this new Breitling asserts itself as a compendium of boldness, innovation and performance, designed to share every challenge – on land, at sea and in the air. www.breitling.com
The new World Time Chronograph range of the Genevan manufacturer ranks among the most eclectic of our era. From manually-wound classics and the world’s thinnest split-second chronograph, it extends to the monopusher chronograph, with a minute repeater and instantaneous perpetual calendar. www.patek.com
Having gained immediate success right from its launch in 2015, the Elite 6150 model now comes clothed in rose gold, illuminating its curved 42mm-diameter case, its pure dial with engraved hour-markers, and its slender leaf-type hands. www.zenith-watches.com
Baselworld 2017 will be held from March 23 to 30 2017 in Basel, Switzerland. To find out more, visit www.baselworld.com
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JEWELLERY
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SAVOY EVENTS
Organisation is key, but so is creativity For renowned wedding planner Bruce Russell, there’s a big difference between planning and designing a Savoy event. Using the example of his recent ‘At Home’ showcase, he sheds some light on how those show-stopping occasions come together
T
he role of a top wedding or party planner has many
light and deliver a really memorable event: a one-off showcase that would live long
facets, with organisation
in the memory of its guests. And so
and planning being just
I focused on the guest experience,
one aspect of the job. My goal is to shed light on the difference between wedding and party planners and designers. Admittedly, the distinction is
making them feel at home. The idea was to make guests think of The Savoy as their home – for personal celebrations, social occasions and client
not always clear and perceptions can be quite
events – and to make them feel relaxed in
wrong, but whether I’m planning a wedding,
their surroundings. In doing so, I wanted to
civil ceremony, birthday, private dinner or
demonstrate the flexibility of the space available at
cocktail party, my role is far more than just
The Savoy, the prowess of the culinary team, and
being organised, pulling together timelines,
how every single detail of an occasion such as this
managing set-ups and co-ordinating teams on
can be personalised and tailored.
the ground on the day itself.
Of course, I would be completely unable to
Of course, organisation is key, but so is
deliver such events without enlisting the help of
creativity. The creative process is very much
professional and trusted suppliers, who enable
design-led, and inextricably linked to the
me to bring my initial concept and creative
organisational aspect of production. Put simply,
vision to life. These craftsmen and women
I need to be able to take an idea and actually
are wonderfully talented and I work closely
bring it to life. I’d like to think I’ve made a
alongside each, overseeing every detail, but
name for myself in terms of being efficient
always in a collaborative fashion.
and professional, while having a little spark of
My suppliers are really my partners; while I’m the
‘joie de vivre’, delivering events with genuine
driving force behind the overall approach, I rely on
passion, flair and style.
their specific expertise and knowledge. The key is to
The vision behind ‘At Home’ at The Savoy was
ensure the creative vision is possible with the options
to plan and host a truly unique house party.
available, working to a budget and with a realistic
Of course, everyone knows this iconic London
timeframe in mind. It’s an immensely rewarding
property, but my aim was to cast it in a different
process and one I very much enjoy.
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SAVOY
MEETEVENTS THE TEAM
With each and every event, both the client and guest experience must be genuinely outstanding. I’m not content with just an initial ‘wow!’ – there needs to
luxurious dining room tablescape design, bedecked with stunning tablewares from Amara. As with any industry event, you want the evening
be a string of moments throughout an occasion that
to really ‘buzz’; people chatting to one another,
prompt ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’, from the time the first guest
but also ‘Instagramming’ like nobody’s business,
arrives, to the last leaves.
documenting their enjoyment for everyone back
Going back to the planning versus designing
home to see! So, we created a focal point for these
debate. Planning is simple to me: it’s about structure,
visual moments – a ‘photo loo’ take on a photo
organisation and prior preparation. It’s also about
booth, which was a fun set-up with bathtub, loo,
understanding what you can and can’t control –
specially-created newspaper, bathrobes and even a
there will inevitably be the odd situation beyond your
model plumber to pose alongside our guests. It was
control, but it’s about limiting these and navigating
a hoot and a real hit!
around them. This is all in the pre-event planning
The key to any creative concept is that it has to
and anticipation – if something crops up on the day
both look and feel authentic. The Savoy staff at the
itself, the plan gets rolled out and I deal with situations
‘At Home’ event were dressed in casual, everyday
accordingly, be it an unexpected guest need, or a
clothes, ditching the formal uniform for the evening. It
last-minute change of heart from the client.
was crucial that staff also perceived the space as their
The creative or design process is a constant,
own, welcoming guests into their home as friends –
evolving as the planning of an event comes
not an easy task when years of training ensure they
together. Often, additional touches are added
provide a certain level of service in their jobs, but this
along the way to enhance the overall experience.
was a very important point.
For ‘At Home’, for instance, The Savoy’s head
Not every planner can design, and not every
chef approached me with an idea of a chocolate
designer can plan. I consider myself very fortunate
fountain. I wasn’t sure about this in a home setting,
to be both, where one facet challenges the other
but the idea struck me that a decadent, grand
constantly, pushing the boundaries of what I can
fountain flowing with Valrhona chocolate on the
deliver for my clients, and being able to consistently
garden footpath would be quite fabulous! It turned
raise the bar to ensure a unique and personal
out to be the crowning glory of the garden.
experience at each event.
Likewise, when designing the inside of the house, I knew we couldn’t realistically divide the space into rooms or cover the walls, so instead I opted for a
At Home was created and hosted by Bruce Russell
monochrome look of all-white furniture, which, with
at The Savoy. The event was partnered with Lux
the right lighting, was incredibly warm and inviting.
Technical, Armorial, Amara, Emily Jane Bowers,
The insert of colour was in the detail – the stocking of
Great Hire, Wild About, Wow Grass, Snapshot
the bar with beautiful multi-coloured bottles of spirits,
Staffing, Savoy Flowers and John Nassari.
the delicious array of cakes in the kitchen, the candy jars among the strong florals and candles, and the
www.bybrucerussell.com
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“The key to any creative concept is that it has to both look and feel authentic”
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0
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PROPERTY
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING
COMPLETELY
DIFFERENT If you’re looking to find that dream home in the heart of London, or make a savvy multimillion-pound investment, there’s a wealth of opportunities available. But why settle for a traditional move when you can purchase a place that really stands out? Here are some top ways to make a statement
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J
ust picture it: waking up in your very
or even a duplex penthouse built within Victorian
own luxury London apartment, with
gasholder frames. The sky’s the limit for the
captivating views of the city’s skyline
designers and architects of these one-of-a-kind
visible through your bedroom window,
feats of engineering.
and the latest amenities available right on your
Whatever takes your fancy, there’s no shortage
doorstep. For homebuyers with money to spend
of alternative pads to call home in the heart of
and a taste for something a little more interesting,
the big smoke. From converted lofts to former
the capital has plenty of quirky properties that are
tram sheds, we’ve compiled six developers’ latest
just waiting to be snapped up.
living spaces that are every bit as unique as they
You may be interested in settling down in
are glamorous, their individuality matched only
a former clock house dating back to the
by their high-end price tags, stunning interior
mid-19th century, or resting your head at a
design and highly desirable locations. Read on
more contemporary example of split-level living.
to find out what’s available now and coming
Alternatively, an old library might appeal,
soon to the market…
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PROPERTY
JASON HAWKES
Battersea Power Station Located alongside the western edge of Battersea Power Station, Circus West is within a few minutes’ walking distance of Chelsea. It will be home to residents, workers and visitors, who will be able to live, work and spend time in and around one of two fantastic new buildings. Circus West is the beginning of the unfolding chapter of London’s newest town centre. When complete, it will host 25,000 people living and working onsite; lead to the creation of 17,000 new jobs; and bring about the first major extension of the London Underground system since the Millennium.
The commercial space, which occupies the entire ground floor, is the bedrock of building a vibrant new neighbourhood that delivers a community-focused village environment, and helps to create an attractive visitor destination when Circus West opens to the public in early 2017. The first new shops, restaurants and cafés have been confirmed in a line-up of tenants, ranging from fine dining, to a butcher, baker, florist and the Village Hall. Each tenant of the commercial space has been specially selected, taking into account the quality and individuality of the experience they offer.
Two-bedroom homes from £1.1million +44 (0)207 501 0678 www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk/circuswest sales@bpsdc.co.uk
St George THE TOWER PENTHOUSE AT CHELSEA CREEK : THE EPITOME OF SOPHISTICATED LIVING Enjoying a superior dockside location, Chelsea Creek is the exquisite new residential development by St George. This new address is within easy reach of the superb restaurants, designer boutiques and cultural offerings of the King’s Road. At the heart of the development is an impressive 25-storey tower, designed by world-renowned architecture practice Squire & Partners. The Tower Penthouse occupies the top two floors of this new residential tower, offering the epitome of
sophistication and style with spectacular panoramic views across the London skyline. The spacious five-bedroom duplex residence has been finished by interior designer Taylor Howes to the most elegant design. On entering the property, residents are greeted by a magnificent white marble staircase leading upwards towards the private sky garden, with four stylish areas designed by a Royal Chelsea Flower Show winner to offer the ultimate in relaxation and entertainment space. A stunning penthouse apartment at Chelsea Creek, The Tower is the pinnacle of refined London living in an unrivalled location.
£16.95million +44 (0)20 7610 9693 www.chelseacreek.co.uk sales@chelseacreek.co.uk
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PROPERTY
Gasholders London As the residential jewel in the crown on the Prime Central London (zone 1) King’s Cross estate, Gasholders London is the largest urban redevelopment scheme in Europe. King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership has launched the development of 145 studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments and duplex penthouses – the only apartments in the world to be built within a trio of Grade II-listed Victorian gasholder frames, dating from the 1860s. Architect Wilkinson Eyre has created the world’s most unusual apartment scheme, where the apartments are designed
The Space Station Known as Tramways House, this exceptional former tram shed has been rigorously refurbished to the very highest of standards, offering luxurious, split-level living over a vast 4,736 sq ft (approx.) freehold. Retaining plenty of original features, including iron staircase and fabulous vaulted ceiling, the unique space makes for sumptuous, yet extremely versatile living. Entertaining will be a breeze and sure to impress, starting off with the stunning open-plan living space/dining room with fully-fitted kitchen to one side, complete with mandatory wine fridge/cooler, espresso maker and breakfast bar, finished with seamless corian. Off the living space,
as wedge-shaped pie slices within circular buildings. To be completed in autumn 2017, Gasholders London will be built on concrete cylinders of eight, nine and 12 storeys, clad in glass and aluminium and encased within the iron pillars and struts of the 123 gasholder frames. Central atriums, reminiscent of the interior route of the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, will bring light into the heart of the structures, while curved facades, adjacent to The Regent’s Canal, will afford far-reaching views across the water and to the spires of the capital beyond.
Studio apartments from £785,000 One-bedroom apartments from £880,000 Two-bedroom apartments and larger from £1.3million +44 (0)333 077 0200 / +44 (0)20 7861 5499 www.gasholderslondon.co.uk enquiries@livingatkingscross.co.uk
there’s also a separate open study area and convenient access to the large private terrace, excellent for the British summers. Finished to a breath-taking standard throughout, the house further comprises a master bedroom with expected en-suite and freestanding bathtub, four guest double bedrooms, four bathrooms, a utility room and cloakroom. There’s also a private off-street garage with access straight into the property, making for a private and quiet residence. Brought to you by unique property specialists Space Station, Tramways House is located on Camden Road and easily accessible for the City, Shoreditch and the West End.
£4.35million +44 (0)20 7613 6262 www.thespacestation.co.uk space@thespacestation.co.uk
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London Lofts London Lofts was established to bring London’s alternative living spaces to their rightful audience, but in the personal manner that’s now lost in the corporate style of modern estate agencies. One of only nine double-height lofts is this wonderful conversion of a former library building in Battersea. Entered via the well-preserved communal hallway, the loft immediately opens out into a double-height living room, with a modern kitchen to the rear and huge period windows to the front. French doors lead onto a great wrought-iron balcony, with views over the communal gardens. The mezzanine level
provides a useful study area, overlooking the living room and then the master bedroom and bathroom, with its roll-top bath. Converted from ‘shell’ spaces in the 1990s, The Old Library is one of the classier, more understated loft buildings of its kind, with beautifully maintained communal gardens and excellent security with off-street parking. The building is located moments from Battersea Square, with its old-world cobbles, cafés and excellent restaurants. The River Thames walkway is nearby, taking you to Battersea Bridge and then Chelsea on the other side, plus the excellent Thomas’s School is a short walk away.
£1.35million +44 (0)207 917 6800 www.londonlofts.net suniel@londonlofts.net
Unique Property Company The Old Clock House is a wonderful example of mid-19th-century architecture, restored with affection, taste and attention to detail, where the original clock tower has been retained in the roof. This beautiful house is laid out across four floors, comprising four bedrooms, three reception rooms, a large kitchen, roof terrace, high ceilings and a spacious basement. Sitting on one corner of Brewery Square in Clerkenwell, which used to be the site of Cannon Brewery, the house is surrounded by attractive, contemporary offices and residential buildings. The contrast in style highlights the
beauty of the former Brewery Yard office building, while the grand proportions of the building cater perfectly for loft-style living. Cannon Brewery originated with a brew house attached to The Unicorn Inn, which stood towards the northern end of the site. The office building was erected directly behind the old main entrance in 1874-5; built of soft, red brick with stone dressings, an ogee-capped turret and bracket clock, it comprised a counting house and offices above a basement beer cellar. Carved barley and hops decorate the capitals of the doorway, a theme continued in coloured mosaic on the floor inside.
£5.5million +44 (0)870 900 4050 www.uniquepropertycompany.co.uk info@uniquepropertycompany.co.uk
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COVENT GARDEN
THE COVENT GARDENERS As a neighbourhood that combines rich culture and history with fantastic shopping, Covent Garden is home to all sorts of unusual stories and characters. Jeannine Saba, founder of The Covent Gardener magazine, speaks about some of her personal highlights from a resident’s perspective
J
“Despite being one of London’s most
The Savoy lies the bustling district
visited tourist destinations, Covent Garden
Lane, the popular London highlight is
C
between St Martin’s Lane and Drury
RY M TER
of Covent Garden. Located on
the eastern fringes of the West End,
GOUGH
ust a hop, skip and a jump from
within walking distance of Soho, the River Thames and Trafalgar Square. As one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, which also occupies its own idyllic suburb with easy
has managed to retain the fairy-tale feel of a small village in the midst of the city,” says Jeannine Saba, creative director of The Covent Gardener magazine, the area’s luxury quarterly. “Everyone here – from family-run business owners, to beautifully suited doormen – has exciting stories to share.” Indeed, whether it’s the cultural hub of the Opera
access to The Strand, Covent Garden is home to
Quarter, health food hotspot Neal’s Yard, or
some of London’s finest shopping, theatre, bars,
London’s newest shopping and dining destination,
restaurants and culture, offering the best of both
St Martin’s Courtyard, there’s no shortage of
worlds to tourists and Londoners alike.
places to go, things to do and sights to see.
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COVENT GARDEN
“Covent Garden definitely is one of the loveliest areas in London, with a never-ending amount of gorgeous shops to visit, events to experience, foods to taste and Covent Gardeners to meet” In the 19th-century Covent Garden Piazza, the
“Literally a stone’s throw away, The Porterhouse Bar
Jubilee, Apple and East Colonnade markets offer a
brews its own beer, gin and whiskey, and offers delightful
wealth of jewellery, clothes and arts and crafts. You’ll
tasting experiences and live music on the premises,
also find the London Transport Museum here, which
where British painter J.M.W. Turner was born in 1775.”
explores the powerful link between transport and the
As part of the city’s West End circuit, Covent Garden’s
growth of modern London, plus a revolving door of
theatrical centre is naturally a big part of its appeal.
street performers who are as entertaining as they are
Housing some of London’s most beloved playhouses,
talented. It’s a square that has long been associated
it’s home to such dazzling shows as Matilda the Musical
with creative flair, including some of the biggest names
at the Cambridge Theatre, The Lion King at the Lyceum
in the history of the visual arts.
Theatre and The Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre.
“When visiting the Royal Opera House, you inevitably
Of course, it would be impossible to talk about
pass through Covent Garden Piazza, which is where
Covent Garden without mentioning the Royal Opera
Alfred Hitchcock filmed Frenzie, his second to last
House. With its grand classical portico fronting Bow
feature film, in 1972,” Jeannine continues. “If you book
Street, the world-famous venue showcases the very
a walking tour with London Walks, the guide will show
best ballet and opera productions, including traditional
you exactly where and how the movie was made.”
recitals and commissions of brand new works from
Elsewhere, the fashionable Floral Street runs east from Garrick Street to Bow Street, while the
many of today’s most acclaimed performers. “Another highlight is one of London’s best-kept
buzzy, atmospheric Seven Dials is one of the city’s
secrets, not only for opera fans: a backstage tour
most original and intriguing shopping and lifestyle
of the Royal Opera House,” Jeannine says. “It’s
networks. Wherever you find yourself, you’re bound
perfect to peek behind the curtain before attending
to stumble across an array of exciting possibilities to
a performance, or to experience a unique taste of
discover and enjoy.
theatre if you don’t have enough time to do so.”
“Maiden Lane alone has a lot to offer, like London’s
For food and drink, you couldn’t ask for a
oldest and legendary Rules Restaurant, which has just
better place to sample some of London’s most
been featured onscreen in the latest 007,” explains
mouth-watering meals. British dishes are readily
Jeannine. “Doorman Paddy is happy to share a story
available at chic urban eatery Scoff & Banter, situated
or two about the venue’s history.
at the heart of Seven Dials, as well as Tuttons on
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COVENT GARDEN Russell Street, one of the most famous and long-standing
you can get a 100% chocolate hot chocolate, or one
restaurants in Covent Garden. Additionally,
of the best vegetable tempura at Murakami on St
Michelin-starred L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon draws on
Martin’s Lane if you’re craving a savoury treat.”
the celebrated chef’s internationally renowned culinary expertise, serving simple, exceptional quality cuisine. And if you’re more fashionista than foodie, you won’t
With so much to see and do, Covent Garden has been transformed into a vibrant, world-class destination in recent years, welcoming over 40million
be disappointed by the latest looks and trends on display.
visits annually. As a strong tenant line-up of retailers
Household names and international labels like Dior,
and restaurants continues to gravitate to the estate’s
Chanel and Michael Kors sit alongside a plethora of
energy and global appeal, it should come as no
independent boutiques, heritage brands, beauty salons
surprise that this cosy corner remains one of London’s
and men’s grooming specialists, where you can put
most captivating attractions, as Jeannine concludes.
your feet up, splash your cash and indulge in some
“Covent Garden definitely is one of the loveliest
well-deserved ‘me time’. “Covent Garden is also home to some fantastic brands; we recently saw the arrival of Club Monaco
areas in London, with a never-ending amount of gorgeous shops to visit, events to experience, foods to taste and Covent Gardeners to meet.”
for Women in Monmouth Street, and for Men in Henrietta Street,” says Jeannine. “If you visit the quirky American brand Kate Spade on Floral Street, you’ll be greeted by the loveliest shop assistants. There’s
The Covent Gardener is a luxury, quarterly magazine
also Benjamin Pollocks toy shop inside the piazza,
celebrating Covent Garden. Its aim is to shine a
where you can purchase handmade and hand-drawn
light on the area’s culture and history, to promote its
miniature theatre sets.
businesses, and to champion its people – The Covent
“And to keep the spirit up with all this shopping, take a break at Hotel Chocolat on Monmouth Street, where
Gardeners themselves. For more information, visit www.thecoventgardener.com
A VIBRANT, WORLD-CLASS AREA TO ENJOY DINING AND SHOPPING IN LONDON
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COVENT GARDEN
THE BEATING HEART OF THE CITY We hear how Covent Garden went up, up and away for its inflatable public art installation in 2015
O
ne example of an ongoing programme
ahead of the London Design Festival, weaving
to transform Covent Garden into an
its way through the South Hall of the building.
ever-changing, open-air art gallery came
Heartbeat stretched 54 metres in length and 12
from French artist Charles Pétillon, who filled the
metres in width, incorporating gentle, pulsating white
grand interior of the Grade II-listed Market Building
light to symbolise the beating of a heart and reflect
with 100,000 giant white balloons.
the history, energy and dynamism of the district.
The complex, yet fragile Heartbeat composition –
“The balloon invasions I create are metaphors,”
which ran from August 27 to September 27 2015
Pétillon said. “Their goal is to change the way in
– was Pétillon’s first public installation and first live
which we see the things we live alongside each
work outside of France; inspired by Covent Garden’s
day without really noticing them. With Heartbeat,
heritage as London’s first public square and the West
I wanted to represent the Market Building as the
End’s reputation as the beating heart of the city.
beating heart of this area – connecting its past with
Uniting the world of art with world-class architecture, the cultural commission was unveiled
the present day to allow visitors to re-examine its role at the heart of London’s life.”
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\\IELC0\1E
TOTHECUJB
SAVOY MAGAZINE
Bringing you a variety of handpicked, exclusive promotions and services, from the UK's most prestigious brands. Not available anywhere else. • • • •
Access to bespoke travel options Invitations to elite private events First-class theatre and show tickets Exclusive dining reservations at Savoy restaurants
• Tailored health and beauty incentives • Automotive test drive opportunities • Unique and personal shopping service Plus many more...
And the good news is, membership is free. To join, simply email club@savoymagazine.co. uk with the following details: name, surname, postcode, year of birth and your email address. Membership is complimentary, but limited to Sa1JOy clients and magazine readers 011/y. Terms and conditions: By supplying us tl.!ith the abol'e details,you are agreeing to recehie commu11icatio11sfrom One Media & Creative UK Ltd, publishers of Savoy Magazine. Your data tl.!ill be kept strictly secure and nel'er gil1e11 or sold to any third party.
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ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
THE
HOUSE
THAT
OPERA
BUILT With a rich heritage dating back to the 18th century, the Royal Opera House has become one of the world’s leading venues for opera, ballet and lyric theatre. We hear exclusively from the man at the top, Alex Beard CBE, about how the ROH has stayed at the forefront of innovation and creativity
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o stay at The Savoy would be complete without a visit to the Royal Opera House. Situated on Bow Street in London’s iconic Covent Garden district,
the world-famous, Grade I-listed theatre is home to both The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet. With the help of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and the Royal Opera Chorus, they bring some of the most dazzling productions vividly to life onstage for more than 2,000 avid spectators, day in and day out. “Both opera and ballet require roughly 300 people in the moment to do the impossible night after night,” says Alex Beard CBE, chief executive of the ROH. “That process is phenomenally difficult and requires a huge amount of dedication, professionalism and focus. It’s a really demanding culture to make that happen day after day, but that’s what makes the whole experience so worthwhile.” For Alex, in whom a love of opera was instilled at an early age, taking on the role of chief executive in 2013 was a no-brainer. Having worked at the Arts Council and as deputy director of Tate, the Royal Opera House was a natural progression in his career, in which he’s also sat on Glyndebourne’s board of directors, and the philanthropy board of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Today, it’s his job to oversee a team of 1,000 staff members, ensuring the place operates like a well-oiled machine. “My first connection with the Royal Opera House was when I was 11,” he explains. “My mum was a flute teacher and had a single ticket to see a performance there in 1975. The babysitting option fell through, so she had no option but to take me along with her. I didn’t have a particularly refined critical response to it, but I did think, ‘What an extraordinary experience’.” This same sense of wonder still permeates through
ROH/ROB MOORE
the acclaimed venue to this day. Whether it’s The Royal Opera’s outstanding performances of new and traditional works, or The Royal Ballet’s grand tradition, illustrious heritage and dynamic versatility, every performance – of which there are more than 500 per season –
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ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
unites innovation, daring and exceptional standards of artistry, creativity and stagecraft. “We exist to enrich people’s lives through opera and ballet of the very highest quality, and to widen the net of what the art forms can do and the people who are able to enjoy it,” continues Alex. “We’re very careful to create a sense that this is one theatre with two great companies of equal standing. That sense of the Royal Opera House being about lyric theatre of the very highest order, and these two world-class companies drawing on a world-class orchestra, is absolutely fundamental.” Accessibility is likewise key for Alex, who insists the ROH’s sustainability hinges on an openness to anyone with an interest in the arts. From initiatives like World Ballet Day, a day-long live stream from five of the world’s leading ballet companies, to Opus Arte, the venue’s multi-platform arts production and distribution company, both the ballet and opera’s potential and exposure is maximised for everyone to enjoy. “We’re opening up to a wider audience across the country, in terms of the cultural horizons of the art forms and getting more of the best artists of today to develop their first steps into lyric theatre, opera and ballet,” Alex says. “We’ve got to be absolutely open at base, presenting
LA TRAVIATA
GIANNI SCHICCHI
ROH/BILL COOPER ROH/CATHERINE ASHMORE
a welcoming and warm face to our audience.” One way in which Alex and his team have accomplished this is through a hugely successful live cinema season. Streaming productions to more than 1,500 cinemas in over 35 countries, the Royal Opera House has established itself as an international powerhouse in its own right, while making its programme available to the masses all year round. “Attendance in cinemas is growing year by year, and you’re now never more than 30 miles away from the Royal Opera House, wherever you happen to live in the UK,” says Alex. “You may only be able to come to Covent Garden two or three times a year, but you can see a live performance of the very best opera and ballet, with some of the very finest artists in the world, 12 times a year in your hometown. That’s an extraordinary opportunity, and what it also does is open up the potential to use that nationwide reach to encourage new audiences to come.” In an ever-changing world of smartphones, tablets and online streaming, it’s never been easier to access the ROH’s most breath-taking moments from far and wide. But while such innovation might run the risk of diluting the value of the real thing, it’s quite the opposite
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ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
as far as Alex is concerned, who firmly believes in the incomparable magic that comes from seeing shows in the flesh, up close and personal. “If anything, I hope it will encourage people to try out opera and ballet for the first time, pieces they otherwise wouldn’t have seen, or to come more often and see what opera and ballet are all about,” he insists. “But that in no way replicates the thrill and excitement of entering one of the world’s finest theatres; that’s just the most extraordinary thing. So long as we’re true to our mission of working with the best artists to create life-changing experiences on this wonderful stage, it’s a virtuous relationship.”
for an institution as big as this one. But as a charitable company, the Royal Opera House has managed to weather the storm and remain buoyant throughout, thanks in no small part to the unwavering loyalty of its
ROH/JOHAN PERSSON
Of course, a culture of recession, budget cuts and arts funding shortages has presented its own obstacles, even
SARAH LAMB AND STEVEN M C RAE AS PERDITA AND FLORIZEL IN THE WINTER\S TALE
fans and followers across the globe. “The economic challenge of presenting lyric theatre at the very highest level is huge,” Alex continues. “At a time of decline in public funding, the pressure is intense, but we have a very passionate, loyal and committed audience, many of whom are extremely generous with advocacy, attendance and financial support. We’ve been able to galvanise their enthusiasm, and we’re hugely encouraged that, although public funding is declining, the Government understands the importance of theatre and investing in really high-quality work.” Investment in fresh, new talent is another key factor. Through a series of young artists’ programmes, practitioners are given the necessary tools to make their first, second and third steps professionally across a broad spectrum of disciplines. By paving the way for the next generation, the ROH continues to attract future
“We exist to enrich people’s lives through opera and ballet of the very highest quality, and to widen the net of what the art forms can do and the people who are able to enjoy it”
talent through its doors and into the industry. “Some of the very best artists in the world want to perform on this stage rather than any other, particularly when they’re developing their artistic experience and making a role debut, as we have one of the best support teams to expertly coach and prepare them,” explains Alex. "We’re the beneficiaries of centuries of artistic experiment and development,
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VENERA GINADIEVA AS VIOLETTA VALÉRY IN LA TRAVIATA
so it’s really important that we do our bit for the future. We’re spreading the word and encouraging the next generation of audiences and artists to engage with the art form.” And it’s not just opera and ballet for which the Royal Opera House is famous. As the official host of both the annual BAFTA and Olivier Awards, it has seen its fair share of red carpet splendour over the years, welcoming the great and the good from Hollywood and the West End to some of the glitziest events on the showbiz calendar. “It’s really important that, as possibly the most beautiful theatre in the country, we’re part of the celebration of theatre and performance in the broader
ARTIST OF THE ROYAL BALLET AS THE WILIS IN GISELLE
ROH/BILL COOPER ROH/TRISTRAM KENTON
sense, so being able to host the BAFTAs and the Oliviers with stars from all over the world to celebrate creative achievement is really important,” Alex insists. “As one of the glories of Theatreland, ensuring we do our bit to celebrate the glorious talents there are is just terrific and a wonderful thrill.” Indeed, while the ROH’s position on the cultural world map remains firmly intact, it’s also a quintessentially British organisation; nevertheless, it makes no apologies for being as multicultural, diverse and vibrant as the city it’s based in. With work now underway on the extensive Open Up renovation programme, it has become more accessible and engaging than ever before, always striving to develop its audiences and break new ground in the presentation of lyric theatre. “London is this remarkable world city where the world’s talents come together to exchange,” concludes Alex. “It’s a British city, but it’s also one of, if not the greatest world cities. We’re fortunate enough to present some of the world’s very finest artists, so I don’t see any tension between being rooted in Britain, but operating on a world stage. “In fact, that’s the history of Britain – a small island nation that made its way in the world through exchange and being a home for new ideas, with an ambitious and expansive view of how those ideas can play out. I hope those are the values that we as an institution embody.”
To find out more about the Royal Opera House, or to book tickets for any of its upcoming events, visit www.roh.org.uk
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WHAT'S ON
CALLING During your stay at The Savoy, why not make the most of some grand days out by experiencing London’s best events and exhibitions? From world-famous museums and art galleries, to the glitz and glamour of the West End, here are 10 top picks to enjoy while out and about in the capital
F
or locals and visitors alike, London is always alive with
There’s certainly no shortage of art events either. The Courtauld
plenty of exciting cultural highlights to look forward to.
Gallery at Somerset House will be profiling the spiritualist
Whether you’re mad for museums and musicals, or
Victorian era with a showcase of Georgiana Houghton’s haunting
an aficionado of art galleries, there’s a whole host of
pieces, while the Pump House Gallery takes a more contemporary
breath-taking plays, shows, festivals and exhibitions going on over the coming months. You won’t want to miss the dazzling musical of Aladdin,
approach by exploring London’s modern urban landscape. And if you’re after an insightful look at history and science, some of the city’s leading museums are running a series of truly
which makes its UK debut at the Prince Edward Theatre in May.
fascinating explorations. Whatever your interests, don’t miss out
Elsewhere, the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company will be
on London’s latest and greatest experiences at a selection of its
bringing the romance and tragedy of Shakespeare to life onstage
finest arts venues and spaces. Read on to find out more about
with its brand new production of Romeo and Juliet.
what’s coming up…
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WHAT'S ON UNDER LONDON UNTIL SUNDAY JULY 3, MUSEUM OF LONDON London’s archaeology is revealed in a series of extraordinary object-focused photographs, taken by world-renowned photographer, Simon Norfolk. Under London shows how the city’s long, colourful story can be told by the rich variety of material beneath its streets. Ranging chronologically, 10 objects found at archaeological digs across the capital since the late 20th century have been photographed on the streets of modern-day London, telling the story of this remarkable place. An accompanying ticketed talk from Simon Norfolk explains how he captured the unique and stunning aspects of such archaeological treasures. www.museumoflondon.org.uk
MUSEUM OF LONDON
LEONARDO DA VINCI: THE MECHANICS OF GENIUS UNTIL SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, SCIENCE MUSEUM Open now, the UK premiere of The Mechanics of Genius highlights the immense talent that sparked Leonardo da Vinci’s reputation as an exceptional and enduring inspiration in the fields of engineering and art. The exhibition displays 39 historical models across five sections, each of which focuses on a different area of knowledge and expertise within his practice. Games and multimedia installations help bring the items vividly to life, such as flying machines, diving apparatus and weapons, exquisitely reinterpreting the machineries that Leonardo drew in three-dimensional form. www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
SIMON NORFOLK/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
VISIONS OF WAR ABOVE AND BELOW UNTIL SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25, IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM Head to the Imperial War Museum for a new exhibition that explores a range of artistic perspectives on conflict, from World War One to the present day. Visions of War Above and Below features some of IWM’s most intriguing artworks, including surreal portrayals of aircraft as creatures, abstract views of bombing raids and detailed drawings of life in submarines. Bold, thought-provoking and personal, the show highlights the work of numerous artists, whose different viewpoints show the dynamics of power and vulnerability between those above and below. www.iwm.org.uk
SCIENCE MUSEUM
EPPDCSI-PH LEVY
THE GROUNDS WE TREAD TUESDAY APRIL 19 TO SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, PUMP HOUSE GALLERY Exploring ideas of public space and intimacy, The Grounds We Tread is a brand new programme led by international and
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WHAT'S ON emerging contemporary artists, as a response to Battersea Park and the rapidly changing urban landscape of Wandsworth and Nine Elms. New commissions and existing works explore the fascination with tracking our health through technology; the power of live singing in social clubs, karaoke bars and elsewhere; amateur forms of advertising and announcement in public places; and the negotiation and use of public and private areas. www.pumphousegallery.org.uk
PUMP HOUSE GALLERY
ROMEO AND JULIET THURSDAY MAY 12 TO SATURDAY AUGUST 13, GARRICK THEATRE
KATJA LARSSON
Reuniting the stars of his celebrated film Cinderella, Kenneth Branagh teams up with Rob Ashford to direct Shakespeare's heart-breaking tale of forbidden love at the Garrick Theatre. Starring Lily James as Juliet, Richard Madden as Romeo, Derek Jacobi as Mercutio and Meera Syal as the Nurse, this marks the fifth production in the inaugural Plays at the Garrick season. The play will be broadcast to cinemas live on July 7, giving theatregoers nationwide the chance to experience one of the Bard’s most celebrated tragedies, wherever they are. www.branaghtheatre.com
SUNKEN CITIES: EGYPT’S LOST WORLDS THURSDAY MAY 19 TO SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, BRITISH MUSEUM In its first large-scale exhibition of underwater archaeology, the British Museum’s Sunken Cities looks at two lost Egyptian cities and their recent rediscovery by archaeologists beneath the Mediterranean seabed. Supported by BP, the six-month run brings together 300 outstanding objects, including more than 200 spectacular finds excavated off the coast of Egypt near Alexandria between 1996 and 2012. Important loans from Egyptian museums rarely seen before outside Egypt will be supplemented with objects from various sites across the Delta, drawn from the British Museum’s collection. www.britishmuseum.org
WILL PEARSON
THE LAST WORD TUESDAY MAY 24 TO SATURDAY JUNE 18, ROUNDHOUSE
ROUNDHOUSE
The best of spoken word, storytelling and live performance will be at the Roundhouse when The Last Word festival returns for its third season. Highlights from this year’s thrilling programme showcase the finest home-grown Roundhouse talent, alongside rising stars and original trailblazers, including: Words First Live, featuring Kate Tempest and six of the UK’s hottest young spoken word artists; Debris Stevenson’s Dirtee Verse; Mark Grist and Tim Clare’s Only You Can Save Poetry; and Mum’s the Word from Burning Eye poets Hollie McNish, Liv Torc and Lydia Towsey. www.roundhouse.org.uk
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WHAT'S ON ALADDIN FRIDAY MAY 27 TO SATURDAY OCTOBER 1, PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Discover a whole new world in a whole new way when Disney’s Aladdin takes to the stage at the Prince Edward Theatre. From the producer of The Lion King, Aladdin features the much-loved songs from the Academy Award-winning 1992 animated film, as well as new music written by Tony, Olivier and eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken. This extraordinary theatrical event is directed and choreographed by Tony and Olivier Award winner Casey Nicholaw, and will sweep you off your feet for a magic carpet ride you’ll never forget. www.aladdinthemusical.co.uk
PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE
WINIFRED KNIGHTS (1899-1947) WEDNESDAY JUNE 8 TO SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18, DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY As part of Dulwich Picture Gallery’s Modern British series – a programme devoted to critically neglected Modern British artists – Winifred Knights is the first major retrospective of the award-winning Slade School painter. Reuniting all her completed paintings for the first time since their creation, the exhibition includes the apocalyptic masterpiece The Deluge, which attracted immense critical acclaim. Alongside her five most famous works, nearly 120 intricate preparatory studies, illustrations and portraits will provide an insight into the artistic processes of this incredibly talented and under-appreciated woman artist. www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
DEEN VAN MEER
BENEDICT JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY
GEORGIANA HOUGHTON: SPIRIT DRAWINGS THURSDAY JUNE 16 TO SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11, THE COURTAULD GALLERY For the first time in nearly 150 years, spiritualist artist Georgiana Houghton’s abstract Victorian watercolours will be displayed at The Courtauld Gallery in Somerset House. Spirit Drawings comprises over 20 of Houghton’s complex and layered works, which were first shown in London in 1871, showcasing her pioneering use of drawing as a means of communicating with the spirit realm. Prominent in the early spiritualist movement, her highly accomplished and technical use of bold colours and fluid forms was a fascinating precursor of 20th-century abstract art. www.courtauld.ac.uk/gallery
THE COURTAULD GALLERY
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