Quest Magazine June 2023

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KEVIN CONDON Senior Global Real Estate Advisor Broker Associate

CRISTINA CONDON Senior Global Real Estate Advisor

CONTENTS

The London Issue

90 LONDON’S LEADING LADIES A roundup of London’s female entrepreneurs who are pioneering the city’s generational transition, including Daisy Knatchbull, Florence St. George, Sarah Chapman, and Claire Spencer-Churchill. By

Brooke Kelly Murray & Elizabeth Meigher

98 CELEBRATING THE HISTORY & HERITAGE OF BURBERRY Assouline’s new book features 200 illustrations and five chapters, and discusses the rich history of the glob

al fashion brand, dating back to 1856. By Janie McGraw

Pierrepont

102 HOME OF THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR Chatting with former U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson, about Winfield House in London’s Regent’s Park, where he resided with his family while serving his term.

By Hilary Geary Ross

108 SPECTACULAR STAYS The best hotels for a 2023 trip across the pond, from Claridge’s to The Beaumont. By Brooke Kelly Murray

114 LONDON’S CLASSIC CLUBS The establishments run by Robin Birley and Richard Caring dominate the city’s club scene. We provide a glimpse into our favorites. By Brooke Kelly Murray

120 A GUIDE TO LONDON’S BEST SHOPPING From Regent Street and Jermyn Street, these are the must-visit shops in London.

questmag.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

DAVID PATRICK C O LUMBIA

DEPUTY EDITOR

ELIZABETH MEIGHER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

TYKISCHA JACOBS

MANAGING EDITOR

BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

ROBERT BENDER

PHOTOGRAPHER-AT-LARGE

JULIE SKARRATT

SOCIETY EDITOR

HI LARY GEARY

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

HARRY BENSON

JAYNE CHASE

KATE GUBELMANN

TONY HALL

ALEX HITZ

ROBERT JANJIGIAN

RICHARD JOHNSON

KAREN KLOPP

JAMES MACGUIRE

HAVEN PELL

CHUCK PFEIFER

DAISY PRINCE

LIZ SMITH (R.I.P.)

TAKI THEODORACOPULOS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

HARRY BENSON

CAPEHART PHOTOGRAPHY

BILLY FARRELL

MARY HILLIARD

CRISTINA MACAYA

CUTTY MCGILL

PATRICK MCMULLAN

NICK MELE

ANNIE WATT

Photo: Peter Simon

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PUBLISHER AND C.E.O. S. CHRISTOPHER MEIGHER III

ASSISTANT TO THE C.E.O. KATHLEEN SHERIDAN

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

LUWAY LU

MARKETING SERVICES

ROXANNE UNRATH ext. 106

PALM BEACH & MIAMI LINDA LANE SOPER 612.308.4159

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BOARD OF ADVISORS

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HOWARD LORBER ANDREW SAUNDERS

WILLIAM LIE ZECKENDORF

© QUEST MEDIA, LLC 2023. All rights reserved. Vol. 37, No 6.

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BLIMEY! - Quest’s June Issue has gone to the bloody (bull)dogs! Blithely shaking off their brutal pandemic lockdown ... the death of their maternal monarch ... a revolving door of Prime Ministers ... the still lingering effects of Brexit ... London has emerged as an urban model of commercial immigration success, and a shining example of cultural decency not yet experienced in metropolitan communities around the globe. Avoiding the moral vanity of her American counterparts and steering clear of the woke wars, London’s renewal is evidenced by a young cosmopolitan spirit that has encouraged, rather than shunned the cultural shift of its evolving population. Interestingly, the new gender “mix” is more female than male! In the pages ahead, Quest explores and applauds a goodly number of these pioneering ladies who are leading London’s generational transition, including June’s bespoke cover girl, Daisy Knatchbull. Born a Mountbatten and trained as a tailor, Daisy has crashed Savile Row’s male bastion, boldly opening The Deck where Tommy Nutter’s shop once stood.

Traveling across The Pond, our crackerjack duo of Managing Editor Brooke Kelly Murray and her eagle-eyed sidekick, Photographer-atLarge Julie Skarratt, surveyed and met with several of these clever (and stunning!) British roses. Aided by the savvy counsel of the legendary designer Lady Jane Churchill, Brooke and Julie padded the pavements of Mayfair, Knightsbridge and Notting Hill to take notes on the retail explosion universally developing across the UK’s luxury sectors. As seen in their smiling photo above, our hard working duo did take a break for lunch at the venerable Wiltons - this publisher’s favorite haunt for Scottish kippers and briney North Sea oysters.

Further on, Quest’s astute and discerning Social Editor, Hilary Geary Ross, has penned her personal recollections of visiting Winfield House, the American Ambassador’s residence in London’s Regent’s Park. Our ever stylish scribe also shares an insightful interview with former Ambassador (“to the Court of St James’s”) Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson and his radiantly brilliant wife Suzanne. Take note, those of you closely watching The Diplomat on Netflix: our Country’s sage Ambassador Woody Johnson is no theatrical trouper - he’s the REAL deal!

Quest’s homage to London wouldn’t be complete without a quick stroll amongst the robust “club scene” - not Whites nor Boodles, but those exclusive watering holes run by Birley and Caring that still dominate the night life of London’s diversely evolving smart set.

Finally, Quest looks back 50 years, celebrating one of the greatest athletic achievements in all of sport - Secretariat’s 31 length Belmont Stakes victory in a record romp that stands to this day. Our equine correspondent, Jamie “Audax” MacGuire, was perched at Belmont’s rail in 1973 and nostalgically recalls in verbal images the magic of this extraordinary feat. That was also a time in our Country’s history when right and wrong were firmly embraced as absolutes, and the occasional gray areas were transitory, at best. Our corporate, academic and media leaders were rarely entwined, and far less obsequious to the emotional whims of fringe politicians. Inequalities were recognized and addressed, but hardly as existential threats. As former President Ronald Reagan cogently articulated: “The glory of this Country is its capacity to transcend the moral evils of our past” - a sound approach, indeed!

Chris Meigher

ON THE COVER:

Daisy Knatchbull makes history as the first lady to wear a top hat and tails in the Royal Enclosure at Ascot, June 24, 2017, Berkshire, England (Richard Young/ Shutterstock).

Wiltons in London; Jane Churchill on Quest’s June 2002 cover; the old Annabel’s at 44 Berkeley Square; Hilary Geary Ross, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, U.S. Ambassador to the UK Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson, and Suzanne Johnson together in London, 2020; Secretariat breaks to the side at the start of the Belmont Stakes, 1973; Grace Meigher with Grateful Pub straddling the bar at Wiltons, 2016.

David Patrick Columbia NEW YORK SO CIAL DIARY

I DIDN’T CATCH the coronation of Charles III and his Queen Camilla. The event began at 11 a.m. London time which is 6 a.m. here in New York. Since I have late night hours, I’m hopefully asleep. I was curious to see it because his mother was the Queen all my now long life, and just the

sight of anyone in that role requires an adjustment.

When I did see the photo of the new king and queen standing side-by-side, wearing their crowns, the first one made me laugh: they almost looked like kids dressed up for a costume party. They don’t look “old” but the vibe

looked very young. I don’t mean that cynically; they simply looked at first sight like they were wearing his mother’s costume.

The last two decades of Elizabeth’s life was an image of the People’s Queen. Although I had never met her or even seen her, the reports

and the images were that of a woman at ease with herself, a natural leader for her role. No doubt her mother, Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who was very close to her daughter, was a most important influence. Charles apparently had no one, neither mother or father Prince Philip gave their

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY'S LUNCHEON

Louise Grunwald and Daisy Prince

Tony Marx

Candice Bergen Alison Spear and Steven Aronson

Katharine Rayner and Lionel Larner

Elizabeth Birkelund and Zibby Owens Abby Milstein, Iris Schumer and Stephen Schwarzman

CASA DE CAMPO UNVEILS ITS NEW SPA & WELLNESS CENTER IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

first born the kind of intimate attention that every child needs.

The wives and why. Charles also does not appear to have that quality that his mother possessed, although Prince Harry in his book Spare portrays his father as gentle and caring with him. His marriage to Diana was late; he was 20 years older than she for starters. And she lacked that particular charm for him. Now that she’s gone, there are many who criticize her as if she could have made a difference.

Camilla had been in Charles’ life even before Diana was born. He was always smitten. Clearly she is a much better partner for him. You

see that just being in their presence. She is the stronger personality. And has the Common Sense.

Many years ago I happened to have dinner here in New York with a woman friend and a British man and his girlfriend. It came out in the conversation that the man was a friend of Prince Charles, and I naturally asked the question: What is Charles like?

The man who frequently played polo with Charles, and liked him very much; said he was smart, a good athlete, and fun and witty to play with.

Naturally fascinated, I asked the man “but what is Charles like to be around...”

“Very nice, very intelligent,” and then the man added, “he has no Common Sense.”

A curious thing to hear, I asked for an example of “No Common Sense” (something I’d never considered about anybody). The man described it thusly: “If he’s got a personal problem that he brings up in conversation, something that needs a solution, and you give him a Common Sense solution that anybody might think of, he thinks it’s

brilliant.”

Whatever the problem, the man enjoyed Charles’ company. That “special world” which he was born into makes no Common Sense when you look at it today: Camilla was always the perfect partner for him probably for the obvious relationship reasons, but also she is the only (Common Sense) solution for him.

It’s just too very unfortunate, not to mention ironic, that Diana was brought in to fill the expected role. She was clearly, at that very young age, unprepared to handle it with ease. Although it should be acknowledged that her presence as the public personality was the best thing internationally for the United King-

Princess Diana with William and Harry

Alfy and Raysa Fanjul with Andres Pichardo

Karina Vallejo and Andres Marranzin

Leo Matos, Ito Bisono, Pepe Fanjul, Juan Jose Arteaga and Pepe Fanjul, Jr.

Luis Emilio Rodriguez, Gabriella Reginato and Annie de Paniagua

Mayra Gonzalez and Lashmi Desangles

Jason Kycek, Luis Fernandez and Eduardo Martinez Lima

Patricia Mejia and Roberto Henriquez

dom and The Throne. After she was gone her second son Harry carried his mother’s sensitivity vibe for the UK.

I’m reminded of the life of Charles’ great-great-grandfather Edward VII, the first born son of Queen Victoria who was the longest reigning queen in history (63 years, 216 days) until her great-great-granddaughter, Charles’ mother Queen Elizabeth came along. Victoria was mad for her husband,

Prince Albert, and wasn’t interested in giving much personal attention to her first son—known always as Bertie—and heir.

In reading the histories of both Victoria and her eldest son, you get a clear impression that the Mother didn’t like the boy. She didn’t like

him around. Perhaps he reminded her of her own mortality; each year he gained, she lost one that he would take. That’s not very maternal but Victoria wasn’t interested in maternal as much as she loved a man in her life, and that continued long after his early death for which she indirectly blamed Bertie.

Elizabeth as the mother was kinder and less insensitive a mother than Victoria. Victoria executive-managed Bertie’s life with strict rules about his education and his “social” life. Until he was ready to go away to boarding school, he was never allowed to have any friends other than his family.

That changed when he was sent away to school.

Having no expectations of what it would be like for him, once out of the castle (Windsor) he loved making friends, some of whom he kept all his life. His two earliest friends happened to be Jewish. They were naturally impressed to be his schoolmates and showed him the social life of friendships, and he loved it. And he loved the girls, and was quite kind and attentive. He just liked the company of women who liked his company. And then he married Princess Alexandra who lived with the reality that her husband was a rambling man and a king.

CHILDREN'S CANCER FUND GALA IN DALLAS

When Victoria died, Bertie was 60. “It’s too late,” he said to the Press referring to his new position as King. He was a father and grandfather. Although because Victoria hated London or being in Buckingham Palace, she stayed away from the action in the capital city. Once Prince Bertie was married and could make his own decisions, he decided to live in London where all the world came and everyone wanted to meet him, and he loved it. He was evidently extremely charming and fascinating and hospitable.

He had several mistresses over the years, and it was said that he kept up with all of them socially after the affair was over, because he just liked them, and treated them

Edward VII “Bertie”

Allie Drake

Troy Aikman and Dak Prescott

Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Romo and Jennifer Arthur

Jennifer Arthur

Blake Stephenson and Heather Randall

Stacey Bendet

Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Amari Lemon and Kathy Hilton

HOPE FOR DEPRESSION RESEARCH FOUNDATION HOSTS COCKTAILS AT VERONICA BEARD IN NEW YORK

with respect (of a King). Later in life, he had a deep “friendship” with Alice Keppel (always referred to as “Mrs. Keppel”). Mrs. Keppel—Alice Frederica Edmonstone grew up in her family castle.

Married with two daughters, her husband was the son of an Earl and knew and approved of his wife’s affair with the Prince soon to be King. She also had other affairs with prominent men, and it was believed that in her marriage, she had to work (it) to keep up with the world that she and her husband were born into. Their marriage relationship sounds extremely modern—meaning 21st century. She was a good-looking

woman and obviously full of charm.

In the last decade of his life, King Edward was very close to Mrs. Keppel. And so, when he was on his last days and in bed at the palace, Mrs. Keppel arrived and presented Queen Alexandra with a letter previously signed by the King and ordering that Mrs. Keppel be allowed to be at his bedside at the end. And so it was; the King died in 1910 in his 70th year.

The story is important in the story of the new King

Charles because his new Queen is the great-granddaughter of the Mrs. Keppel. This has long been a wellknown, published fact. More than that, it is a prime example of how things apparently are carried in the genes.

Several years ago I had the privilege of being invited by a friend to a dinner and concert with the Royal Philharmonic at Buckingham Palace. All of the experience was fascinating—from having the bottom of the car we arrived in inspected, to driving through the gates to the vast

arrivals area into the palace. It really is a palace—vast, grand and spacious. It is very conservative compared to Versailles.

It was a black tie affair. Drinks were in the portraits room—a tall and wide royal room with the portraits of all of the monarchs on eight or 10 foot canvases, which were darkened by the centuries of cigarette and cigar smoke.

After everyone was present—about 250 guests blacktie with long gowns for the ladies—the double doors opened and an “aide” opened another set of double doors, and announced the royal entrance: “the Duchess of... And The Prince of Wales...”

King Charles and Queen Camilla

Audrey and Jessica Gruss

Marc Caputo and Dori Cooperman

Kalyn Frame, Lynne Glaser and Catherine McWilliams

Monica Elias

Samantha Boardman Jamee Gregory and Veronica Swanson Beard

Melissa Breitbart

and in came Charles with Camilla. Everyone rushed to be near Charles while Camilla very subtly moved aside to her own location while they rushed the Prince.

I also stood aside as my hostess who knew Prince Charles went over to greet him. Standing solo while the meeting and greeting was going on. I could see Charles being mobbed by well-wishers, friends, etc. He appeared nervous but intense on being a gracious host. He glanced my way a couple of times as if to wonder who was that tall galoot staring at him.

I wasn’t staring but I was taking it all in. I then moved my bright eyes position so that I could watch Camilla greet many women guests.

She’s the consummate hostess, very at ease, and almost as if in the company of an old friend.

After cocktails everyone adjourned to an enormous room where the orchestra was waiting as we took our seats. After the concert which must have lasted 45 minutes, everyone adjourned to the art galleries—also vast and several connected—where the tables were set up for the guests dining, and where we all stood until the Prince and Camilla took their places. Seated, we then have to wait for the serving which everyone had to wait until the

Prince was served. He was, incidentally, given an entirely different meal from the rest of us, probably health-ordered, conscientious as he seems. Seeing them together confirmed that he needed Camilla to make a life as King.

Meanwhile back in New York if you remember who Ludwig Bemelmans was, or how you knew him, he was the artist who did the murals in the Carlyle Hotel’s bar room, now long known as the Bemelmans Bar. I also knew he was very prominent in his world—and that he was from the age before us—those who came into the world at the

CELEBRATING LIFE AND LILLY IN PALM BEACH

beginning of the last century, 100 years ago. Yet Bemelman’s artwork on the walls of the Carlyle is what grabbed me when I received the book, and remains fresh to the eye all these years later.

I didn’t know he was writer—which meant I knew nothing about the man—except his very attractive and compelling artwork because he was also prolific. But, the subject of To The One I Love The Best is Lady Mendl also and originally known by her birthname Elsie de Wolfe I’m familiar with her as a member of the world of the 20th century in its development socially, economically, technically, and politically.

She was a fascinating character. Born in New York in

Ludwig Bemelmans

Jessie Pulitzer and Serin Leas

Melissa Lingo

Nick Spinelli and Taylor Materi

Andrew Fraser, Luka Fraser and Emily Dryer with Camila and Tyler Sargent

Lilly Leas Ferreira and Sean Ferreira

Minnie Pulitzer McCluskey and Emily Dryer

Larissa Swanberg and Leslie Berger

the 19th century (1865 or thereabouts), she was the last of four children and evidently neglected or ignored enough, yet disciplined by her upbringing to be not only independent but imaginative about her life.

She began in her teens as an actress on the stage in New York where she was noted in the press for her costume or couture. But obviously not her acting talent. A fashionable lady she was always visually artistic and with an eye for style. She was drawn to it and had a reputation for it.

When she put the theatre behind and began to assert herself as an interior decorator, her friend Anne Morgan, the daughter of J. P. and the force behind the founding of

the Colony Club in New York, hired her to do the interior of the first clubhouse. From that, along with being Mr. Frick’s interior decorator of his new mansion that is now the museum, across from the Park on 70th Street and Fifth Avenue, she became very highly recommended.

She was also, it should be noted, socially prominent in that world of social prominence— both here and in Europe. She had a long-time domestic relationship with Elizabeth Marbury, a very powerful and prominent literary agent and stage producer who was 10 years Elsie’s

senior.

It was a very open relationship to the world in a time when such relationships were very private and often concealed from all but closest family and friends. Interestingly, the block in Manhattan’s Upper East Side known as Sutton Place, was architecturally developed by Elsie and Ms. Marbury, Anne Morgan, and Anne Vanderbilt who built the mansion on the northeast corner of 57th Street and York Avenue/ Sutton Place. All the houses are still standing. The women were all close friends and neighbors, and shared sim-

ilar domestic relationships. Morgan’s house is now the official residence of the Secretary-General of the UN.

Over time Elsie became the most prominent interior designer in the world, and was living mainly in Europe and eventually mainly in an 18th century mansion in Versailles that actually belonged to Louis XV who used it privately and quietly. It was there that Elsie entertained along with Miss Marbury, and even her friend Miss Morgan was a frequent guest and eventually an occasional resident.

Elsie’s parties were the style of the time in Europe and attended by many of the royals from the various monarchies across the European and Asian continent. She went all

Anne Morgan

Jake Zeigler and Cheryl Gorelick

Layla Diba, Gigi Fisdell, Meriel Lari and Ann Van Ness

Margaret Hedberg, Kip Forbes and Princess Chantel D'Orleans

Susan Gutfreund

Barbara Tober and Machine Dazzle

Sana Sabbagh, Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Barbara de Portago and Layla Diba

Maria Eugenia Maury and William Haseltine

out to entertain the guests— with men in their white tie and tails de rigueur—and the women in their haute couture. Life there was like something out of a fashion magazine, as well as a compendium of tales of the jewels worn by the very rich and titled, and celebrated royals.

The final great party at Elsie’s mansion at Versailles came during the Second World War when the Nazis had invaded Paris. It was time for everyone to leave not only their residences, but also their country.

Getting out was a chapter all its own. Elsie lent her Rolls to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and moved everything and everyone she could of her staff, in taxis who

took them over the border to Spain and finally to the last of the passenger ships moving across the Atlantic to New York.

Everything I have just written on this page was from memory in an effort to describe this remarkable personality, a tiny woman no more than five feet, who was born to entertain with a style and panache that was (and still is elsewhere) tempting to one and all who were invited. She was unique.

If the party theme was “circus,” for example, there were real elephants that brought the hostess and her honored

guests into her backyard at Versailles. The party was so spectacular that almost a century later it is still written about—most notably seven years ago by Charlie Scheips: Elsie de Wolfe’s Paris: Frivolity

Before the Storm. All the visuals that established her international reputation as an interior designer are there.

So when I received the aforementioned book To The One I Love The Most by Mr. Bemelmans, I couldn’t help being curious about Elsie’s life in Beverly Hills, where she settled during the War. It was such a difference between her international social life and

the movie business. I wondered “why there?” Beverly Hills was very social in its way but its royals came from the masses, singled out by talent, ambition and artistry.

Nevertheless, Ludwig Bemelmans—who is a very comfortable writer at ease with his voice and his story— is a natural story teller. In that time in the early 1940s, he happened to be in Hollywood writing screenplays as well as painting, when he met Elsie who when questioning him about where he lived, learned that he was living in a beach shack out in Topanga.

She advised him that in the film business and as a writer, it would better for him to have a place in town. Near the producers. She then invited

Sir Charles Mendl

CELEBRATING NICK MELE'S EXHIBITION AT BERGDORF GOODMAN IN NEW YORK

Linda Fargo and Nick Mele

Celerie Kemble and Sarah Wetenhall

John Rice and Mark Gilbertson

Eleanora Kennedy and Sam Horowitz

Amy Hoadley, Charles Bane and Mary Hilliard

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Elizabeth Kahana and Martha Stewart

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LACQUER OF LUXURY

High gloss, high-impact—lacquered furniture is the shiny new trend to watch in late 2023.

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The antithesis of the rustic, farmhouse aesthetic that once dominated the mid-2000s and 2010s, this mirror-like finish feels luxurious, contemporary, and can work in a variety of schemes. Traditional or modern, here are a few ways to elevate your furniture game with lacquer this year.

Maximalists rejoice; the saturation of color lacquer brings extra intensity into a room. Use rich hues like jewel tones or primary colors in your coffee table or accent chair for a striking centerpiece effect. Minimalists or lovers of more tonal interiors can choose a muted color. The lacquer will sit well with other materials and offers a place to rest the eye among other busy fabrics and patterns.

Another wonderful thing about lacquered furniture is how versatile it is depending on the hardware you use. Choosing the right handles, hinges, and framework relies on knowing what statement you want to make. Metallic, streamlined hardware paired with a neutral lacquer will give your furniture a contemporary look, while more ornate, wood-carved knobs will look just as high end, but more traditional.

If you’re not ready to commit to full-shine furniture, lacquer accessories are still a luxurious addition to any room. Lacquered lamp stands are an elegant accent that can pop or blend into any scheme depending on the color used. Layering in a lacquered table tray can pull together other ornamental details in a more polished way.

As with any trend, start implementing it in small ways and see how it works within your personal style.

-GW Interiors @gilwalshinteriors

him to stay at After All where he could have his own room and come and go as he pleased.

Bemelmans took her up on the offer, and moved in. The house was also occupied by her husband Sir Charles Mendl whom she met and married late in life after Miss Marbury died. It was a marriage of convenience for both parties, but he was the husband and living in the house. And she was the wife and it was her house.

The book, To The One I Love The Best, is Mr. Bemelmans’ story of being a resident. Firstly everyone in the house including staff, maids, gardeners, chauffeur had been given names by Elsie who was self-named for the household: Mother. Bemelmans was given the name Stevie . Sir Charles had another name as did the secretary, the chauffeur, the chef, the maid, etc.

Elsie was at least in her late 70s

when she moved in. Bemelman’s story has her at 90 and maybe even 100. All of which refer to a miraculous presence, a woman full of energy, imagination, domination, restoration and enterprise. Everything becomes a drama of one kind or another, like a series of episodes in what in Mr. Bemelman’s book become comedies, movie comedies, laugh out loud comedies.

I say “laugh out loud” because Bemelmans’ report has had me laughing out loud at some of the moments and dramas that the lady produces. Or rather produced. I could hardly wait to read on.

She was a character but theatrical, and brilliantly witty and imaginative, and still that little girl from New York who may very well have been ignored by her mother as the child, and ignored by her family. Because life at After All was fascinating, hilarious,

Elena Gibbs and Leesa Rowland

Jackie O’Sullivan and Jeanine Pirro Stacey Silvertein

Georgina Bloomberg and Lara Trump

PATRICK MCMULLAN; AMBASSADOR IMAGES

Olga Ferrara and Tijana Ibrahimovic

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and sensitive but clever. I kept thinking this would be a great TV series about a 90-year-old with a smart teenage girl’s imagination.

When finished I was still in awe of Mr. Bemelmans’ ability to recall and amuse. He published the book in 1955, five years after Elsie’s passing, so undoubtedly she was never there to question his memory. It doesn’t matter: the book’s the pleasure, and without question, the irrepressible star of that life in Hollywood was Elsie. So Hollywood and divine, if you catch my drift.

Back to the daily calendar. On a day in May that started out in the upper 40s with

some (more) rain (brief). The weatherman said the Sun would be coming out and the temps would berising to the low 60s. This had been the forecast for what seems like a month. So what!

Except that morning I knew it was the annual Hat Lunch (our overall term for it) in the gardens of Central Park up in the low 100s off Fifth Avenue. I could only think if it were going to be cold, the party is always outside under a tent. Ugh.

The Central Park’s Wom -

en’s Committee luncheon raises funds—now well into the seven figures—to keep the Park fresh, in shape and flowering, and just plain Mother Nature’s amazing.

The annual event has been at it for at least 25 years. It was the creation of several women who got together in the early 1980s to find ways of cleaning up and restoring the Park. It’s hard to comprehend now, but back in the 1970s when I first came to New York out of college, the Park was well worn out. We were used to

that for it was very popular, as it had been for almost a century. But it was worn out too.

It’s easy to understand how that could happen. The 800+ acres of parkland was there for several million New Yorkers (and visitors) for the entire 20th century. Good times, bad times, it’s seen them all, and my dear... It’s still here.

It’s hard to believe it now with the land looking so pristine, but those five women got together to discuss what could be a clean up, and freshen things up. Well aware of what needed to be done, they all understood that first it was gathering the dollars

Central Park's Vanderbilt Gate

Lenny Lauren and Michel Witmer Scott Moses and Lucy Anthony Webster Annette De Lorenzo and Alex Donner

Meg McCartney and Robert Caravaggi Major John Scanlan, Bruce Siegal, Iris Apfel, Annie Watt, and Palm Beach Police Chief Nicholas Caristo

CELEBRATING ANNIE WATT'S "IMPROMPTU PORTRAITS" AT THE COLONY PALM BEACH

Mackenzie Valk, Catherine Loevner and Vivian Picheny

Carol Calicchio and Diana Davis

CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY'S FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED AWARDS LUNCHEON IN NEW YORK

1. Betsy Smith and Tom Kempner 2. Hilary Geary Ross 3. Jamee Gregory and Kari Tiedemann

4. Sarah Wetenhall and Mary Giuliani

5. Christine Schwarzman and Allison Migone

6. Lela Rose 7. Muffie Potter Aston and Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos 8. Sheila Labrecque and Emilia Saint-Amand

4

1. Patti Fast and Anne Harrison 2. Jenny Paulson 3. Stephanie Stamas and Lizzy Quick 4. Betsy Pitts, Renee Rockefeller and Kristin Clark 5. Jenny Price

6. Lara Meiland-Shaw 7. Alessia Fendi

4

5

to fix things up. One of their messages was a lunch.

Now these five women were all prominent members of the community either through their husbands or their personal social power. One of their methods to fund-raise began with that little lunch in the actual Park. How it developed I don’t know but I became aware of it back in the mid-90s and they’d grown the fund-raising lunch to a couple hundred guests.

They chose a beautiful location for the luncheon in one of the Park gardens up behind the Vanderbilt Gates on 102nd and Fifth Avenue. By the time I first attended, with the guest list in the hundreds, I had no idea how wearing the hats be-

came a symbol and a fashion. Hats back when the Park was founded and flourishing were part of almost every man and woman’s costume out in public—even to the grocery store. And then around the late 1950s, early 1960s, and especially during the Kennedy Administration, hats went out. Nowhere, nobody.

And so it has remained except for this fantastic tradition, the luncheon of the Women’s Committee. In the ensuing years, the Hat became a sym-

bol of fun and leisure. Now it is tradition and this year’s Luncheon raised $4 million to finance the upkeep ad improvements. It was the most soldout with almost 1,400 attending. And of that 1,400 there were a number of men attending, less than a hundred at most, including former

Mayor Bloomberg who has always been a major contributor. But it’s the women’s lunch, and you could see they were having a good time taking in the often highly creative, even

wild hats.

But to the guests and to those reporters/photographers, like yours truly, it’s like going to a great party where all you do is look—at what they’re wearing. And the women all look great, but really great, having taken that extra step with a hat that makes you notice. It was a moment of celebration, and fun for all. A reminder of what’s important and what we all need always.

Now, New Yorkers think of their Park as pristine, as if it had always been so. What we are witnessing is an example of What’s Possible , when people decide to get together to make a better world for all of us.

SAN FRANCISCO BALLET'S 90TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

Pam and Jack Preston

Betsy Linder and Monica Mazzei

Ellen Wise and Elaine Mellis

Dani Rowe, Larissa Rush and Claudia Schreier

Meredith Braun, Tara Carmichael and Lori Chipps

Phyllis Cerf Wagner, Norma Dana, Marguerite "Maggie" Purnell and Jean Clark

Cocktail hour

Stephanie Lawrence

TIFFANY & CO.'S RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AT THE LANDMARK IN NEW YORK

Anthony Ledru

Gal Gadot

Alexandre Arnault and Victoria Reynolds

Blake Gray

Camila Queiroz

Caro Daur

Georgia Fowler Athena Calderone

Anne Curtis

ASSOCIATES PARTY AT DOUBLES IN NEW YORK

Ted Duff, Lauren Duff and Mark Gilbertson

Hugo Hewitt and Jill Cohen

Don and Zari Callahan

Victor Geraci, Chuck Weinstock and Siobhan Callahan Hanson

Julia Parsley and Lizzy Nunley

Katherine Boulud

Mary Snow and Joachim Bader

Brian Colwell, Faron Tozer Brown and Stewart Manger

Georgina Schaeffer and Adam Brenner

PALM BEACH SYMPHONY'S DINNER HONORING JOEL KASSIMIR

James Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui

Karen and Kenneth Rogers

Cindy Canty, David McClymont and Denise McCann

Joseph Schwantner, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Joel Kassimir and Gil Kemp Linda and Gary Lachman

Lisa and George Hines

Marietta Muiña McNulty and Alfonso Camiñas

Bill Porter and Lois Pope

Mary and Willard Demory

JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN’S LATEST MANHATTAN VENTURE, PERRY ST. THE RESTAURANT IS BATHED IN NEUTRAL COLORS, PREDOMINATED BY A CALM, BONE-COLORE

SAVE VENICE'S BYZANTINE BALL AT THE PLAZA HOTEL IN NEW YORK

Name Goes Here And Here

Name Goes Here

Grace Fuller and Allie Michler Kopelman

Andrew Lauren, Julia Foster and Natascha Schuetz

Eliza and Alex Bolen

Bronson van Wyck

Maggie Gyllenhaal and Cara Buono

Mary Snow and Joachim Bader Skylar Pinchal and Laura Day Webb Morgan Stewart

Mary Kathryn Navab Dee Ali and Erica Karsch

PH condo with insane views, 1,900 SF wrap terrace. One Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, PH. $7,500,000 Eland Blumenfeld Team + Leonard Steinberg 646.460.6797

Jan Whitman Ogden and Martha Glass

Elizabeth Moyer

Carol Lyden

Dan Scheffey and Barbara McLaughlin

Judy Finneran and Stephanie Stokes

Gregory Harvey and Carey Brandfield Harvey

Stephanie Hessler and Mariana Olszewski

ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL'S PALM BEACH COCKTAIL PARTY

Tom Quick and Talbott Maxey

Bruce and Deborah Miller

Ashley Miller, Emilia Pfeifler and Jessica Guff

Jessica and Dana Koch

Dominique and Zak Thorneborough

Erin and Stephen Hawthornthwaite

LUCKY SUN

Radiance in its most elegant form

Barbara Tober and Marcella Guarino Hymowitz

Samantha Pariente, Colleen Crivello and Lesley Vecsler

Wes Gordon, Indre Rockefeller and Paul Arnhold

Lila Ramzi and Lili Buffett

Natasha Boucai, Brent Winston and Virginia Tomenson

Taylor Olson, Olympia Rizzo, Alexandra Michler Kopelman and Mollie Acquavella

Alessandro Sabbatini and Fiona Druckenmiller

Ulla Parker and Emmanuel Di Donna

Nathan Clements-Gillespie and Hella Pohl

Thelma Golden

Jamie Tisch and Renee Rockefeller

Nic and Maja Dubrul

IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY

PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY and the elegant First Lady, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, traveled to Europe for Kennedy’s historic meeting in Vienna with Soviet Premier Khrushchev on June 4th, 1961.

During their journey, the president first met with Prime Minister Harold Macmillan in London while the First Lady was pleased to visit her sister, Princess Lee Radziwill at her home near Buckingham Palace. Mrs. Kennedy stepped out wearing a signature Halston hat to give the waiting photographers, including me, a photograph before traveling to Buckingham Palace for lunch with Queen Elizabeth II.

It was the First Lady who was capturing the headlines everywhere, literally taking London by storm. Her fresh beauty and sense of style enchanted the crowds who fell in love with her and shouted, “Jackie, Jackie,” everywhere she went.

Traveling next to Paris, JFK announced in his opening remarks at The Palais Chaillot that he was “the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Europe.” The crowd loved it... his sense of humor, self deprecating comments, and youthful good looks endeared him to the people immediately. Thinking back it was a great time to remember, and yes, it seems like yesterday. u

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy standing in the doorway of her sister Lee Radziwill’s London home in 1961, photographed by Harry Benson.

DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER

NEW YORK—The most likely place to be injured, even killed, in the Bagel is the sidewalk, any sidewalk, where bikes and scooters run free to mow down the old, the infirm, and those unable to perform lifesaving, matador-like avoidance moves. Yep, marauding bikers use the sidewalks of New York to beat the traffic and intimidate people, and have managed to impose their illegal presence on

sidewalks as a beleaguered police force turns a blind eye.

It all started under the last mayor of the Bagel, one so bad that I dare not men tion his name in the pages of Quest, and it continues even more so under the present mayor, a nice but incompetent ex-cop no one dares criticize because he’s black. To tal disregard of the law is now acceptable, with bikers openly performing glissandos

From above: New York City bikers; Chuck Pfeifer as Winston Man.

past very fat and short traffic wardens who pretend not to see them mowing down walkers.

As I walk everywhere in the city and use a car only on rare occasions, I am a daily witness to this outrage, and after some narrow escapes I have loudly protested against the bully ruffians, eliciting an intriguing elision of “mthfkr” and other such elegant responses. Dripping with attitude, bikers and scooter riders are terrorizing mostly the very old, who can remember a time when walking on a sidewalk almost guaranteed a safe arrival.

Actually, I gave up long ago on bike-free sidewalks, but I try to point out to leisure riders that bikes on the walking paths of

ered for suckers only. I’ve almost been run over by a couple of them, but I’m on their side. They’re the hardest-working stiffs in the Bagel.

Never mind. My son was once a bike messenger, hence I sympathize with those who use two-wheelers for work, but the arabesque-performing, greasy-haired, bum-clenching megalomaniacs are the ones I daily pray will end up in that sauna-like place below after their early demise. Which brings me to a different kettle of fish altogether, and a great lunch I recently attended, one that double-silver-star, Special Forces old buddy of mine threw to celebrate his 82nd birthday. Chuck Pfeiffer and I used to hit the clubs rather hard in the

glad to see him and he put me at the head of the table where I proceeded to get nice and drunk in the middle of the day. And I was very happy to see Julian Schnabel and his beautiful Swedish companion. Julian was very famous back in the ’80s, his paintings going for lotsa moola, as well as his films. He made some good ones, my favorite being  Before Night Falls, about a gay Cuban artist trying to flee Castro’s paradise.

Julian has always been friendly, and for this reason I withdrew the contract I had taken out on his son Vito. Vito has pulled more beauties than I’ve thrown punches in the dojo, so about twenty years ago I decided he had to be eliminated. But I couldn’t go through with it, especially as the kid

Central Park are strictly a no-no. There are signs everywhere saying “Dismount and walk” that everyone ignores and most riders do not understand. “Dismount” is too hoity-toity a word. A much better understood and obeyed caution would be “Get off your f—ing bike, you f—ing asshole.” The most dangerous of all kamikazes are the food deliverers. They are mostly from Central America, do not speak English, and are dressed in all-black outfits and are always speeding. Oh yes, I almost forgot, the great majority have no lights as they hurtle down one-way streets the wrong way in order to deliver. The trouble is that I don’t blame them. They’re very hardworking, get paid peanuts, and come from countries where the rule of law is consid-

good old days—nights, rather—and we often ended up mixing it up with those who took umbrage at our right-wing remarks. The trouble being that Chuck is very big and looks very hard, whereas the poor little Greek boy “no look so tough.” While getting out of a flashy car he had once hired, we were confronted by two hard guys who made fun of my Anderson & Sheppard suit, hinting I was Chuck’s boy toy. I was getting ready to rumble when Chuck growled, “I’ll rip your hearts out and show them to you before you die…” End of confrontation.

In the land of bulls—, such talk is taken seriously, hence the ex–Winston Man had a free ride most of the time. He now has trouble walking and no longer drinks, which makes him a very dull boy, but I was

was funny and did not take life seriously. During the lunch I realized that if anyone had to go, it was the father. Julian has been much married, but his latest is a rare beauty of Swedish vintage, and a very nice person to talk to. Vito, incidentally, was the one who took Amber Heard to the island of Koronis long ago, where she woke up the host and complained that the shower wasn’t working, an obvious come-on to the host, George Livanos, that he ignored, an act that had me hitting my head against a large plaster plant in frustration.

Oh well, Alexandra dragged me home telling me it’s embarrassing to be seen with a drunk in the middle of the day. I agree. u

For more Taki, visit takimag.com.

From left: Amber Heard; Julian and Vito Schnabel; George Livanos.

SE C R ETAR I AT’ S T R I PLE CROW N: 50 YEAR S O N

IN THE SPRING of 1973, Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness in record times (that still stand today!) and entered the Belmont Stakes as the prohibitive favorite to

become the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years. A son of Bold Ruler and Somethingroyal, Secretariat was bred by Virginia horseman Christopher Chenery. Mr. Chenery died on January

3, 1973, and never got to see his greatest horse’s triumphs, but Secretariat was campaigned brilliantly by his daughter, Penny Tweedy, who, during her father’s declining years, expertly managed the

Secretariat breaks to the side at the start of the Belmont Stakes in 1973.

family’s Meadow Stable.

The Phipps family owned Bold Ruler and—rather than charge stud fees for breeding to him preferred to breed twice and to claim one of the foals for its own breeding program. Thus, in the fall of 1969, after Somethingroyal was bred twice to Bold Ruler, Ogden Phipps and Mrs. Tweedy tossed a coin in the office of the Chairman of then New York Racing Association, Alfred Vanderbilt, Jr. Phipps won and chose to keep a weanling filly from the pair, meaning that Meadow Stable would retain the unborn foal that Somethingroyal was then carrying. The filly was called The Bride, and in the elegant formulation of sportswriter Red Smith, “She couldn’t beat a fat man running.” The colt was foaled on March 30th, 1970, at 12:10 a.m., a bright red chesnut with three white socks and a star with a narrow blaze. He was called “Secretariat.”

Secretariat won the Hopeful at Saratoga, and the Eclipse Award for Two-Year-Old Champion Male Horse and began his three-year-old year with an easy win in the Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct. In his next race, the Wood Memorial, however, he was upset by his own stablemate, Angle Light. It was later determined that Secretariat suffered from a painful abscess in his mouth that day.

The entry of Secretariat and Angle Light went off at 3–2 favorites in the Kentucky Derby the first Saturday of May. Secretariat broke last, moved up on the field in the backstretch, overtook Sham for the lead, and pulled away to win the Derby by two and a half lengths in the still record time of 1:59 4/5.

Two weeks later, Secretariat won the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, again by two and a half lengths over Sham and again in a record time of 1:53. (The Derby is run at a mile and a quarter and the Preakness at a mile and three sixteenths.)

Thus, excitement was high when Secretariat came to Belmont Park on June 9th in a bid to become only the ninth Triple Crown winner, and the first in a quarter century. Only four horses dared to enter against him, and, as “The Sidewalks of New York” was played during the post parade, Secretariat was

a 1–10 favorite. My brothers and I had driven my gallant but ailing father across from the South Shore for what would be his last day at Belmont Park. I can still remember the first roar that greeted “Big Red” (Secretariat and Man o’ War shared the same nickname, and in most polls are rated as the number one and two thoroughbreds ever to race) as he walked through the tunnel and pranced up the main track to warm up.

Belmont Park was crammed with nearly 70,000 fans from all walks of life that day. Racing friends from around the country streamed back from the paddock and stopped to say hello as they passed my father’s box. The tension mounted, and as the starting gate sprung open another roar rose from the crowd. Secretariat and Sham set a fast early pace and opened ten lengths on the field. After six furlongs Sham began to tire and Secretariat opened a larger and larger lead. CBS Television announcer Chic Anderson yelled into his mike, “Secretariat is widening now! He’s moving like a tremendous machine!”

A tremendously powerful but also beautiful machine. At the finish, Secretariat, trained by Lucien Laurin and ridden by Ron Turcotte, had won by 31 lengths in an unbelievable time for a mile and a half of 2:24, and neither record that has ever been eclipsed. The

iconic photo of the always gracious Mrs. Tweedy exulting in victory with arms upraised over her head is one of the most stirring images in racing history.

I have strong memories of that day. In many ways, it was the climax of a golden era for the Sport of Kings and the interconnected network of families that maintained racing as a sport rather than a business. Today, it’s too often dominated by drugs for the innocent, but ever-courageous animals involved.

I remember Secretariat’s victory because of my father’s bravery in getting out to Belmont Park that day to watch him run. I am further grateful that the lunk-headed spree I went on after watching that magnificent performance didn’t result in too big of a catastrophe. After a 21st birthday dinner dance in Mount Kisco and an equally enjoyable deb party back on Long Island, I ended up taking out a Long Island Lighting Company utility pole at 4:30 a.m. after missing a turn trying to get home. The car was another story. It belonged to my older brother, with whom I was flying off to the United Kingdom that very night. Relations were frosty for a few days, but the memory of Secretariat’s brilliant Belmont victory prevailed. We were hoping to see yet another champion at the Curragh running, but ones like Secretariat’s, 50 years ago this June, are few and far between. u

Helen “Penny” Chenery Tweedy, Secretariat’s owner, circa 2010.

THE DOYENS OF DESIGN

BY JANE CHURCHILL

LONDON’S PIMLICO Road has been ahead of the design curve for 40 years. I should know… I’ve been here for 37 of them. Geoffrey Bennison’s arrival in the 1960s put our little village on the map and Henry Woods-Wilson, the master of objets d’art, established the area as a real treasure trove. Whilst styles have evolved and trends have come and gone, the Pimlico Road has resolutely held its place as the go-to for the best of British craft.

When I arrived in 1987 (which my children call the olden days) we had an outside loo; how we managed that in English weather I will never know. There was a ‘greasy spoon’ café across the road where all the cabbies had their breakfasts. Over the years, leading figures in the worlds of art and design have popped up all around us and although some reigns have been passed on to a younger generation, the gang are still here. The Bennison showroom is the heart of Holbein Place and the late Robert Kime left behind a buzzing and beautiful shop, with a team who host some wonderful parties.

I only have to fall out of my shop to find Johnny and Louisa Ramsay’s latest acquisitions of wonderful prints, or antique mirrors from my neighbour Mark Ossowski at number 83 whose parents were here before me. He has recently taken to rewilding

his garden but I’ve spied some deadly nightshade- what is he trying to do to me!

Even when showrooms have changed hands, the Pimlico Road has always been a melting pot of high end designers, interiors shops, and the best antiques around. Today, I can go to Daylesford for lunch and come back with some drop-dead Bonadea china, Collier Webb’s latest lookbook, and fabric samples from beautiful Fermoie lampshades. Opposite me are Luke Irwin’s colourful rugs and UK-made rattan by Lulu Lytle at Soane; Tarquin Bilgen has an excellent eye for antiques and we absolutely love Jamb. The only shop we long for is Casa Gusto from West Palm Beach in Florida.

This past year has seen some very exciting new faces too. Tom Faulkner has just opened at number 28; I’ve already bought several items from him. The Lacquer Company has landed in the newly opened Newson’s Yard with some lamps and candlesticks designed by moi, alongside Plain English and their bespoke kitchens.

There isn’t anywhere else I’d rather be. Old friends and new have always worked side by side and it will forever be the hub of interiors gossip… even though dear Nella from Christopher

Butterworth has retired. From original tenant Mozart and Vita Sackville West to the imminent return of my friend Nina Campbell, we’re a creative collective. The doyens of design have made sure of that.

The coronation was magnificent but no television channel picks up on certain fascinating historic details. A friend of mine shared a taxi from the Abbey with Lord Hastings, from whom came this wonderful anecdote. Lord Hastings, the 15th Earl of Loudon acted as Bearer of the Golden Spurs which were presented to King Charles to symbolise the monarch’s ‘knightly virtues.’ His family have presented this part of the monarch’s regalia at coronations since that of Richard I in 1189. I thought it was such a good story that I wanted to shout it from the rafters.

There was an amazing atmosphere at the Coronation Concert. When The King and Queen arrived, 20,000 people turned to the Royal Box and shouted, ‘God Save The King!’ It was completely unrehearsed but very moving. One of the choirs on the stage was made up of NHS staff, firemen, and cab drivers, amongst others. They all arrived not knowing each other but left as newly formed friends, and I thought that was wonderful. ◆

Interiors designed by Jane Churchill. Opposite page, clockwise from top left: The Jane Churchill Interiors storefront at 81 Pimlico Road in London; Jane Churchill; the cover of Rizzoli’s Entertaining in Style by Jane Churchill and Emily Astor.

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

SUMMER HAS arrived, and our favorite designers are offering the best products for a long weekend at the beach, from J.McLaughlin’s new wicker clutch to Stubb & Wootton’s needlepoint slippers.

From Zimmermann’s Spring 2023 Wonderland Collection, the Tama Bias Long Dress in Poster Print features a natural shell trim and a placement print throughout. $2,195 at zimmermann.com.

aims to celebrate the rainforest’s beauty and add a touch of tropical paradise to its jewelry with the MIKADO Flamenco ‘Rainforest’ bracelet, featuring peridot, green tourmaline, lemon quartz, yellow tourmaline, and white diamonds. $60,500 at tamaracomolli.com.

Asprey celebrates the Coronation of His Majesty the King with the Iconic Decanter Set etched with the official Coronation emblem. The matching tumblers are engraved with the Royal cyphers of Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla. The Lion Head has been created in sterling silver gilt for this special edition. $10,750 at asprey.com.

GRAFF’s Round Yellow Diamond Double Row Line Necklace (89 carats), set in yellow and white gold. Price upon request at graff.com.

TAMARA COMOLLI

Enjoy

It’s time to get “beary” excited with these new Haribo slippers in Goldbear Marine, featuring a marine blue linen upper, with a lemon yellow gummy bear embroidery – and all the sweetness of sunshine days and summer vibes! $650 at stubbsandwootton.com.

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Reverso Tribute

Small Seconds. $22,700 at Greenleaf & Crosby’s Worth Avenue boutique or greenleafcrosby.com.

Home to the Caribbean’s premier, luxury golf experiences, including its iconic Teeth of the Dog course, Casa de Campo in La Romana, the Dominican Republic, is offering an outstanding array of exceptional stay-and-play packages ideal for terrific family and group getaways. Family friendly offers include younger guests ages 17 and under playing free. For more information, email golf@ccampo. com.do or visit casadecampo.com.do.

Bacardí Reserva Ocho Rum 8 year old rum is known as The Family Reserve. Visit bacardi.com.

a lighter, more comfortable way to look sharp with Bonobos’

Unconstructed Italian Blazer. $475 at bonobos.com.

2024 Porsche Cayenne: Iconic Design DNA. Sports Car Performance. Revamped for ’24 with more power, more screens, and updated styling inside and out. Order your ’24 Cayenne today at porschewestpalmbeach.com.

Go anywhere, wear anything, and carry the essentials with J.McLaughlin’s Noor clutch, made in 100% wicker with a luxe leather flap. $198 at jmclaughlin.com.

Celine’s Monochrome Acetate Butterfly Sunglasses in pink. $440 at bergdorfgoodman.com.

Wempe Iron Walker 36mm in stainless steel, self-winding movement WI100013; $3,170 at wempe.com.

Tucked away on quiet South Summer Street in Edgartown village, The Charlotte Inn in Martha’s Vineyard is exquisitely appointed with fine art, English antiques, luxurious linens, and fresh flowers – a romantic reflection of abygone era. Visit thecharlotteinn.com.

A favorite of the British Royal Family, every rubber Le Chameau boot is handcrafted by a single Master Bootmaker using an exclusive supple rubber, offering comfort, durability, and style. Available in vert vierzon (neoprene lined, $290) and noir (leather lined, $499). Visit lechameau.com.

Ralph Lauren Collection’s Hailie Silk Taffeta Evening Dress; $3,690 at ralphlauren.com.

Barton & Gray Mariners Club offers an assortment of membership options from “all-you-canyacht” to “bite-sized-boating.” Members enjoy a lifetime of yachting with the ability to adjust their membership and take advantage of the ever expanding harbors and new yachts being added to the club. For more information, visit bartonandgray.com.

Elizabeth Gage’s Aquamarine Tapered Templar Ring is set with a beautiful aquamarine oval cabochon. $13,000 at elizabeth-gage.com.

Alexander McQueen’s Women’s Off-The-Shoulder Slashed Midi Dress in Galactic Blue; $3,190 at alexandermcqueen.com.

Daytona, oyster, 40 mm, oysterteel. Price upon request at rolex.com.

Nothing fills a room quite like the scent of luxury, and the aroma of the Colony Candle is sure to infuse any space with coconut, ocean breeze, and chic elegance. Visit thecolonypalmbeach.com.

Charlotte Kellogg’s shoes and accessories are designed and made for the resort lifestyle. Visit the Palm Beach boutique at 228 Worth Avenue or call 561.820.2402 for availability.

Rolex’s new Cosmograph

618 LAKE AVENUE IN GREENWICH

NESTLED ON more than 12 verdant acres in Greenwich’s esteemed Round Hill neighborhood stands Belora Villa, a generational estate for the ages. Built in 1924, the majestic 12,145-square-foot Italian Renaissance residence boasts lavish formal entertaining rooms, luxurious bedrooms and bathrooms, and a separate well-appointed guest apartment. Parklike grounds and easy access to Greenwich and New York City amenities make this an exceptional legacy property suitable as a full-time residence or cherished retreat.

Perched on a prominent hilltop, Belora Villa enjoys glorious natural light and commanding views that stretch across the leafy property in every direction. Inside, the home’s grand interiors call to mind the craftsmanship and elegance of a bygone era. Soaring ceilings trimmed with ornate moldings rise above paneled walls, swaths of marble and inlaid hardwood floors. Arched windows and columns nod to the home’s Italian Renaissance inspiration, while multiple fireplaces add welcoming warmth and drama.

From the grand entry hall, you’re invited into an expansive living room and an exquisite sunroom for all- season enjoyment of the bucolic surroundings. To the right of the entry, the ballroom-like formal dining room welcomes large-scale events

and holiday dinners with a row of arched windows, columns and elegant picture-frame trim. A large kitchen flanked by butler’s and storage pantries stands ready to accommodate even the largest crowds. Wrapped in rich pine millwork, a terrace and a bar, the library is an ideal destination for after-dinner lounging or working from home. Gracious foyer and library powder rooms, entry closets and extensive staff quarters complete the beautifully planned main entertaining level.

Ascend the elegant main staircase or discreet rear stairs to arrive at the second floor, where a palatial owner’s retreat features barrel-vaulted ceilings, a fireplace and a large porch overlooking the pool terrace. A massive dressing room opens this ultra-private suite to a second porch, while two separate spa bathrooms and walk-in closets add wonderful convenience. A junior suite on this level is joined by two pairs of secondary bedrooms, including one with a sleeping porch, that open to two Jack-and-Jill baths. On the top floor, two more bedrooms share a hall bathroom alongside oversized closet rooms.

On the basement level, a rec room includes a private bathroom and entry, while a thoughtful array of storage, tool, utility, mechanical and laundry rooms keep the estate run-

ning smoothly. Across the motor court, the five-car garage is topped by a two-bedroom guest apartment with a living room, full kitchen and bathroom, providing plenty of room for family and friends in this special Greenwich sanctuary.

Natural beauty abounds at Belora Villa, where towering trees surround rolling lawns, wooded open fields and a large stream-fed pond. Evergreens and maples stand shoulder to shoulder with flowering plants and hedges, while a large pool and patio welcome outdoor entertaining. Those with a passion for gardening will appreciate the nearly 50-foot-long greenhouse. A long private drive leading to Belora Villa’s red-tile roofs and stucco walls provides both a true experience of arrival and generous separation from Lake Avenue.

Zoned RA2, the sprawling 12-acre property offers plenty of room for the addition of additional guest space, stables or sports courts, making it ideal as a massive multigenerational compound or for subdivision into three large parcels. u

618 Lake Avenue in Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 is listed for $8,925,000. For more information, contact Shelly Tretter Lynch at shelly.tretterlynch@compass.com or 203.550.8508.

in Greenwich; master bedroom; living room; family room. Opposite page: Aerial view of the property.

WILTONS: 281 YEARS OF BRITISH FINE DINING

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

A LONDON institution and the city’s oldest restaurant, Wiltons was established by George William Wilton as a fishmongers close to Haymarket in 1742. Another 100 or so years later it became a full restaurant, and then another 100 years on it was nearly destroyed by a Luftwaffe bomb during the Second World War, prompting then-owner Mrs. Bessie Leal to spontaneously sell the restaurant to a customer Mr. Olaf Hambro, whose family still owns the restaurant today. In 1984, Wiltons found its current home on Jermyn Street, fittingly, an area renowned for its esteemed men’s tailors and shirtmakers. The clientele at the time was largely businessmen, English aristocrats, and foreign dignitaries, and remains so today.

I had the opportunity to experience the Wiltons mystique first-hand at a lunch with Quest’s Photographer-at-Large, Julie Skarratt. Stepping into the restaurant, we were greeted by a jubilant staff and classic British interiors including booths with green velvet covered banquet seating. The restaurant was bustling with impeccably dressed dealmakers and sophisticated clientele, well-versed in navigating the menu with discerning taste.

The food is the best of British. We started with the legendary

oysters and Twice Baked Colston Bassett Stilton Soufflé followed by a Grilled Lobster lounging in a delectable cream sauce and Honey Glazed Gammon from the restaurant’s renowned Carving Trolley-savoring every delightful bite. For sides, the menu featured an array of delightful accompaniments, from Cauliflower Cheese to Jersey Royal Potatoes, perfectly complementing our dishes. Our Wiltons journey culminated with the delectable Bread & Butter Pudding and indulgent Hazelnut Ice Cream.

Stoic in the face of world wars, recessions, and everything in between, time has stood still at Wiltons for nearly three centuries. If you find yourself fortunate enough to pop in on a trip to London this month, don’t miss the opportunity to relish its extraordinary six-course Coronation menu, featuring delights such as the Citrus Cured Cornish Monkfish and the Rhug Estate Rack of Lamb, priced at £150 per person. Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance and exquisite flavors of Wiltons—a culinary voyage that encapsulates the essence of British gastronomy and history. u

Clockwise from top left: Wiltons during Christmas season; oyster shucking; Steak Tartare; Quest ’s Photographer-at-Large Julie Skarratt and Managing Editor Brooke Kelly Murray; Smoked Salmon. Opposite page, clockwise from left: Carving Trolley; booths in the main dining room; Wiltons signage.

STYLE STALWART

BY ROBERT JANJIGIAN

GUCCI HAS BEEN in Palm Beach since 1961. The well-heeled Florida resort town was the Italian brand’s second U.S. store locations and retains its status as one of the American flagships of the fabled and ultra-chic luxury fashion and accessories house. The popularity of Gucci goods in Palm Beach has been consistent over its 62-year-long history as a retailer on the Gold Coast’s ever-fashionable wintertime destination.

Its new Palm Beach retail boutique, the venerable, yet ever au current house’s third such location on the town’s prestige shopping and entertainment stretch, is stunningly designed by an in-house creative team and ample in size, yet light and clean with hand painted wood floors that reference details from Gucci collection. On walls, ivory-toned boisserie provides a delicate backdrop for the items displayed. The 5,600-squarefoot store offers the full range of men’s and women’s ready-towear, shoes, handbags, luggage, small leather goods, jewelry, watches, and eyewear.

Along with its stores in Manhattan and Beverly Hills, the Palm Beach Gucci offers customers the opportunity to peruse its Nojum collection. Nojum is Arabic for stars, and features specially designed and embellished designs in ready-to-wear and other categories available on a limited basis.

“Palm Beach has a special place in Gucci’s history,” said Federico Turconi, Gucci Americas President and CEO. “This incredible new boutique will allow the full expression of the brand’s creativity to come to life in a refined, welcoming setting for our clients.”

“All of us are thrilled to have one of our most beloved luxury retailers expand in the heart of our beautiful and historic avenue,” said Frank Steinhart of Stubbs & Wootton, president of the Worth Avenue Association merchant group. “Gucci has been committed to Palm Beach for a very long time, and continues to be an important part of what makes Worth Avenue so appealing.”

“We are so excited to have such a beautiful new Gucci back on our block,” exclaimed Sherry Frankel, whose 29-year-old Melangerie gift shop occupies the former Gucci repair shop in the Via Amore, formerly the Via Gucci, where the brand operated several shops for many years from the 1970s through the 2000s. “We are a street filled with history and certainly the Gucci name is a part of our retail heritage.” ◆

Images of Gucci’s new boutique at 225 Worth Avenue in Palm Beach.

132-136 SOUTH BEDFORD IN POUND RIDGE

LOCATED IN Pound Ridge on the Bedford border, this estate at 132-136 South Bedford Road is comprised of over 18 acres. A long drive boasts views of the property’s paddocks and scenic woodlands, culminating in a circular driveway in front of the residence. It forks to provide access to the three-car garage. The property is further improved with a greenhouse, deer fencing, outdoor terraces perfect for entertaining, a storage barn, a swimming pool with pool house, and a tennis court. The spectacular landscaping includes level lawns, rolling meadows, mature trees, and open paddocks.

Steeped in local history, 136 South Bedford Road is a hand some white-washed brick Colonial. Dating back to 1936, it was the former residence of film legend Tallulah Bankhead. The structure has been updated and expanded over the years. Careful attention was paid to seamlessly integrate the old with the new. Architectural details include hardwood floors, crown molding, French doors and five fireplaces. The floorplan is perfect for large-scale entertaining yet completely comfortable for everyday family living. There are 11 main rooms on two levels.

The beautifully-scaled living room features a fireplace, a window seat, and three sets of French doors to the terrace with view. An office offers a perfect spot for working from home. A bath connects the office to the library with fireplace and door to the terrace. A second hall off the library provides access to a former dressing room with bath. The dining room features Venetian plaster walls, a fireplace, and French doors to the terrace. A step leads from the dining room to the pine-paneled den with fireplace, door out, and built-ins. The kitchen

is practical in design with cherry cabinetry, granite counters, a center island and a desk area. A sunroom is located off the kitchen. A pantry with a grill and spare fridge features a door to the kitchen garden.

Front and rear stairs lead to the second floor. The primary suite is private and features a bedroom with a fireplace, a dressing area, and a bath with a whirlpool tub, a stall shower, two sinks, and a towel warming rack. A hall with a linen closet provides access to additional sleeping quarters. A second bedroom has a view and a private bath. Two additional bedrooms share a hall bath. The laundry room and a cedar closet complete the second-floor plan.

132-136 South Bedford Road in Pound Ridge, New York 10576 is listed by Benjamin Ginnel and Cheryl Neuburger of Ginnel Real Estate. For more information, email bginnel@ginnel.com or cneuburger@ginnel.com, or call 917.566.7792 or 914.707.8577.

The swimming pool, pool house, and an outdoor arbor-covered dining area; the primary suite. Opposite page, clockwise from above: A rear view of the home and outdoor terraces; the property’s lush lanscaping; the living room.

Alexandra Michelle Enzor & Richard Hyde Gregory, Jr.

April 22, 2023 j pAlm BeAch, FloridA photogrAphed

By evAn rich photogrAphy

Alexandra and Richard were married before 150 guests at the Episcopal Church at Bethesda-by-the-Sea. During the ceremony, the bride donned a gown by Amsale and carried a bouquet of white peonies. Her father, Brett Thomas Enzor, walked her down the aisle. Following the service, a reception was held at a nearby club with dinner, dancing, and cake by Earth and Sugar. The couple shared their first dance to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole. The evening culminated with a late-night afterparty at Camelot in West Palm Beach. After the weekend, the newlyweds enjoyed a minimoon in Turks & Caicos. They will travel to Italy and France for their honeymoon this summer.

Quest Weddings

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

Princess Maria Laura & William Isvy

Princess Maria Laura, daughter of Princess Astrid and granddaughter of King Albert II, married William Isvy in two ceremonies. An intimate civil ceremony took place at Brussels City Hall, which was followed by a service at the nearby the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. The bride donned a Gucci mini dress earlier in the day, and changed into a custom Vivienne Westwood gown and the Savoy-Aosta Diamond Tiara for the larger religious ceremony. Her father, Prince Lorenz of Belgium, escorted her.

S eptember 10, 2022 j b ru SS el S b elgium

Lady Amelia Spencer & Greg Mallett

March

Lady Amelia Spencer, daughter of Earl Spencer and niece of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, married her long-term beau Greg Mallett at Quoin Rock Wine Estate. A poolside party in Cape Town on March 19th kicked off the wedding celebrations, and a gathering at La Cotte Farm in Franschhoek took place the following evening. On the day of the nuptials, the bride donned a custom gown by Atelier Versace adorned with Swarovski crystals. Her younger brother, Samuel Aitken, walked her down the aisle. The newlyweds traveled to the Maldives for their honeymoon.

21, 2023 j StellenboSch, South africa

PhotograPhed by ayeh Khalatbari & MiScha durrant

Emily Schade & McNally Lee

September 10, 2022 j Sag Harbor, New York

pHotograpHed bY JudY pak

Emily and McNally (Mac) were married before 170 guests at Sag Harbor’s Old Whalers’ Church. The bride donned a gown by Amsale and carried a bouquet of blue hydrangeas, blue tweedia, and white roses. Her father, Curt Schade, walked her down the aisle. After the ceremony, the couple departed for the cocktail hour and reception at Devon Yacht Club in Amagansett in a 1967 Jeepster. Guests enjoyed dinner, dancing, and cake by Charlotte Neuville. The couple shared their first dance to Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” and transitioned to “Boogie Shoes” by KC and The Sunshine Band. Later on, an afterparty was held at The Stephen Talkhouse. The newlyweds spent two weeks in French Polynesia for their honeymoon.

Grace Knowlton Hyde & Randolph Talbott “Tally” Walker, Jr.

M arch 4, 2023 j P al M B each , F lorida j P hotogra P hed B y N ick M ele

Grace and Tally were married before 200 guests at the Episcopal Church at Bethesda-by-the-Sea. The bride donned a gown by Oscar de la Renta and carried a bouquet of gardenias. Her cousin, Alexander Hyde, walked her down the aisle. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour and reception at a private club nearby with dinner, dancing, and cake. The couple shared their first dance to “I Love You Baby” by Frank Sinatra. After the celebrations, the newlyweds traveled to Jamaica for their honeymoon.

On June 20th through 24th, Royal Ascot will take place in England. The event will feature world-class horse racing. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ascot.com.

1

CONSERVATORY BALL

The New York Botanical Garden will host its highly anticipated Conservatory Ball. Across the beautiful grounds of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, guests are invited to enjoy a cocktail reception and an elegant evening of dinner and dancing. This year’s ball will celebrate a major site-specific exhibition by contemporary artist Ebony G. Patterson—the first artist to embed within the institution for an immersive residency. Drawing inspiration from NYBG’s gardens and collections, she will create sculptural and horticultural installations that evoke the natural world while simultaneously using beauty as an invitation to confront larger societal questions. For more information, call 914.579.1000 or email conball@nybg.org.

4

GREENWICH POLO

Greenwich Polo Club’s 2023 season will commence with the East Coast Bronze Cup. Each Sunday, matches will be held at 3 p.m. Gates open at 1 p.m. For more information, visit greenwichpoloclub.com.

7

TASTE OF SUMMER

Central Park Conservancy will hold its annual Taste of Summer event at Bethesda Terrace at 7 p.m. Taste of

Summer features culinary tastings prepared by some of the city’s best restaurants plus cocktails, music, and dancing. The evening supports the Conservancy’s mission

to restore, maintain, and enhance Central Park. For more information, visit centralparknyc.org.

9

ARTIST MANAGEMENT

New York Artist Management will hold a performance by Alexei Tartakovsky at Merkin Hall at Kaufman Center at 129 West 67th Street at 7:30 p.m. The concert is dedicated to Professor Nina Lelchuk. For more information, visit atartakovsky.com.

14

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

On June 14th, the Wildlife Conservation Society will host its annual gala at the Central Park Zoo. For more information, visit gala.wcs.org.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) will host its annual gala at the Central Park Zoo. The evening will celebrate WCS’s impact on the planet’s most ecologically important wild places and the extraordinary species that call them home. The gala takes place outdoors within a spectacular zoo setting under the stars. WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. We envision a world where wildlife thrives in healthy lands and seas, valued by societies that embrace and benefit from the diversity and

On

integrity of life on earth. For more information, visit gala.wcs.org.

20

ROYAL ASCOT

Royal Ascot will take place through June 24th in England. During these days, thrill seekers and racegoers will come together to escape the ordinary and indulge in celebrations at Royal Ascot. Steeped in history, the illustrious event sets the stage for world-class horse racing in all its joy, igniting passions and inspiring new generations to leave their everyday at the door. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ascot.com.

21

EVENING ON THE WATER

The Greensward Circle, the Central Park Conservancy’s network of young professionals, wil present its summer benefit: Evening at the Water. This year’s refreshed event, taking place at one of New York’s most recognizable venues, Central Park’s Conservatory Water, will raise funds for the care and maintenance of Central Park. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit centralparknyc.org.

23

NEWPORT FLOWER SHOW

The Preservation Society of Newport County will hold its annual Newport Flower Show at Marble House through June 25th. For more

information and to purchase tickets, visit newportmansions.com.

24 GET WILD!

Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center will host its 15th annual Get Wild! benefit at Sagaponack Sculpture Field at 4 p.m. The evening will feature delicious appetizers and drinks, live music, and a silent auction! All proceeds

go to the wildlife center that treats orphaned and injured native wildlife so that they can be released back into the wild! For more information, visit wildliferescuecenter.org.

FRANCESCO’S FOUNDATION

Francesco’s Foundation will hold a cocktail party at Summergrove House in Watermill. The evening will feature drinks, light bites, and classical music.

For more information, visit francescosfoundation.org.

27

HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA

The Henley Royal Regatta will take place in England over six days through July 2nd. For more information, visit hrr.co.uk.

30

AMERICAN PICNIC

Southampton Fresh Air Home will host its annual American Picnic with Fireworks by Grucci at 7:00 p.m. Hosts Danielle and David Ganek will welcome guests back to 1030 Meadow Lane where festivities will include a fun filled carnival with games, stilt walkers and magicians, a delicious American picnic, music, dancing, and of course the spectacular fireworks display over Shinnecock Bay! For more information, visit sfah.org.

JULY 3

WIMBLEDON 2023

The 2023 Wimbledon Championships, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, will take place through July 16th at the All England Club in London. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit wimbledon.com.

On

July 3rd, the 2023 Wimbledon Championships will take place through July 16th at the All England Club in London. For more information, visit wimbledon.com.

June 27th, the Henley Royal Regatta will take place in England over six days through July 2nd. For more information, visit hrr.co.uk.

LONDON’S LEADING LADIES

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY & ELIZABETH MEIGHER

“To

be a woman is to live your life as a force to be reckoned with – being resilient, unapologetic, bold, vocal and unboxable.”

—Daisy Knatchbull, CEO & Founder of The Deck

DAISY KNATCHBULL

HONEY-HAIRED, TALL, AND STRIKING, Daisy Knatchbull is someone who gets noticed upon entering a room. She’s frequently seen dressed in perfectly tailored trousers paired with an attractive blouse or sweater, and an impeccably tailored jacket—all of which she designed. Daisy founded The Deck, the first female-only tailor on London’s Savile Row in 2019. Prior to that, she had been working as public relations director at Huntsman when she noticed an opportunity for women’s tailoring on Savile Row. “I just knew that there were women who really wanted to have this experience,” Knatchbull told The Financial Times. Daisy hit the scene in 2017 when she became the first female ever to wear a top hat and tails in the Royal Enclosure at Ascot. She joins a long list of strong women in her family including her great-grandmother, Edwina, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, the last Vicereine of British India. Among her many talents, Edwina was an arbiter of fashion, pivoting between ballgowns and military uniforms (apparently over underwear embellished with Cartier jewels). Daisy tells us that growing up her style always veered toward tomboy, with fashion

icons including Marlene Deitrich, Bianca Jagger, Lauren Hutton... Innovators in female androgynous dressing known for wearing tailored male suit jackets and trousers (think Saint Laurent’s Le Smoking) with sexy swagger and a dash of “je ne sais quoi” that would transform their looks into something uniquely feminine.

On her burgeoning company, Daisy shares, “No two garments are ever the same and personalisation options are endless— whether it’s a secret pocket or hidden embroidery, we really can do it all.” She continues, “The client becomes the designer, without any restrictions of trend, style, or season. You can order velvet in the height of summer or linen in the depths of winter. We can also source whatever you want from crazy buttons to rare linings”.

When asked what most inspires her, Daisy shares “For me, it’s the moment a client tries on their finished suit—particularly a woman who has struggled their whole life to find trousers or a jacket that has never fitted them because of their size, height, or shape... So I guess being able to make women feel more confident, strong, and empowered in themselves. That’s what gets me out of bed each day!”

Clockwise from top: Earl and Countess

Mountbatten of Burma with the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret aboard HMS Surprise in 1953; a tuxedo suit available at women’s made-to-measure tailoring brand, The Deck; British fashion designer and businesswoman Daisy Knatchbull “decked out” in The Deck. Opposite page, counterclockwise from top left: tailored tweed suiting available at The Deck; Daisy attends Royal Ascot dressed in a morning suit, top hat, and Christian Louboutin high-heeled sandals in 2017; Knatchbull outside of The Deck on London’s Savile Row.

FLORENCE ST. GEORGE

FLORENCE ST. GEORGE, née BrudenellBruce, is known as “Flea” among family and friends. She is a descendant of James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, who famously led the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854. The British model and former actress became known on a national level for dating Prince Harry back in 2011. Florence found the experience of being “under that focus”... “terrifying”, telling The Times, “I made a decision quite quickly that it wasn’t the right thing for me.” In 2013, Florence married Henry St. George, a successful businessman and vice-president of the Grand Bahama Port Authority. The couple now live happily between the Bahamas and Florence’s native London with their daughter, Iris, and son, Jimmy.

St. George discovered her love of clay upon experiencing Postpartum Despression after the birth of Iris, her first child. Feeling lost and struggling with depression, she began experimenting with a small lump of clay on her kitchen table. As her hands became busier, her mind grew calmer. In just a few years, Florence progressed from complete beginner to contestant on Britain’s 2020 TV show, The Great Pottery Throwdown . Along the way, she discovered that pottery is an excellent antidote to internet overload, that creativity doesn’t have to be expensive, and that the hands-on process of working with clay is

wondrously grounding. This past April she published The Potter’s Way , as a guide to “heal your mind and unleash your creativity through the power of clay”. Recently, she has collaborated with jeweler Monica Vinader, who shares, “It’s de-stressing to make things by hand and to be connected with the materials you [design] with... Florence and I bonded over our shared experience of creating things”. Inspired by the power of pottery and its healing, meditative abilities, “Flea” feels peace of mind at home in her studio.

Clockwise from top left: A series of uniquely shaped pots align celebrated British ceramist Florence “Flea” St. George’s shelves; La Vie en Rie breakfast bowls in pastel pink, named in an ode to grande dame of British pottery, Lucie Rie, $235 (set of 4) at florencestgeorge.com; the model and former actress at her wheel on The Great British Bake Off in 2020; The Potter’s Way by Florence St. George, $37.15 at amazon.com. Opposite page, from left: St. George at ease in her studio; at Royal Ascot in 2012.

SARAH CHAPMAN

WITH A GLOBAL reputation as London’s most sought-after facialist, Sarah Chapman understands how to get great skin. In 2008, she founded Skinesis, a revolutionary anti-aging skincare line combining the power of advanced cosmeceutical ingredients and proven botanicals, proving that high-tech formulas can work with the best nature has to offer to deliver effective, luxurious results. Chapman’s straightforward, science-based approach to treatments is what has earned her the moniker of “queen of high-tech facial perfection.” In the spring of 2015, she opened the doors of her eponymous flagship clinic in London’s Sloane Square, featuring eight treatment rooms and an additional laser room where clients can enjoy the signature bespoke facials featuring stem cell collagen therapy, peels, microneedling, radiofrequency, IPL, fractional laser, and dermatology. It instantly became the destination for radiant, healthy, red carpetworthy skin, so it comes as no surprise that her regulars include celebrities like Meghan Markle, who is rumored to have indulged in pre-wedding and pre-platinum jubilee facials at this esteemed clinic. “When I’m performing facials in my treatment room is when I’m in a ‘flow’ state. I find speaking with my clients about their experiences and concerns with their skin incredibly inspiring – this is when my mind starts whirring with new ideas for products,” said Chapman. “It’s fascinating to see how our skin’s needs evolve with our lifestyles and habits.”

Today, Chapman is constantly collaborating with her Product Development team and visiting the lab to keep up-to-date with the latest innovations in ingredients and delivery systems, and figuring out new ways to push the boundaries to create unique, cutting-edge formulas. She also campaigns for female founded businesses alongside Sahar Hashemi to help raise awareness for fellow entrepreneurs. Hashemi, founder of the Coffee Republic empire, runs Buy Women Built, which aims to mobilize consumers

to buy from female led companies. Chapman is anticipating the launch of the brand’s newest product in the coming months. She also is excited for her pop-up event in the Hamptons at the end of June, signaling her determination to captivate new audiences across the Atlantic. Driven by the gratification of her clients, Chapman shares, “Nothing is more fulfilling than witnessing customers experience genuine transformations through my products and treatments. Skin health exerts a profound influence on our self-confidence and our interactions with the world. To have the privilege of helping individuals feel comfortable in their own skin is both a challenge and a reward.”

From above: Sarah Chapman in her Sloane Square boutique; Sahar Hashemi. Opposite page: Sarah Chapman outside her clinic in London; Sarah Chapman beauty products.

Claire Spencer-Churchill outside of Claret Showroom in London; a pair of shoe inside Claret Showroom (inset). Opposite page: Products inside Claret Showroom in London; Claire Spencer Churchill in the Claret Showroom office space (top right).

CLAIRE SPENCER-CHURCHILL

AT THE HELM of three companies and a mother of two children, Claire Spencer-Churchill is a woman of all trades. A connoisseur of fashion from the very start, Spencer-Churchill started her career as a wholesale assistant at Paul Smith. In 2006, along with Alexandra Lyles, she co-founded Claret Showroom, designed to empower brands with the resources, expertise, and international reach they need to flourish. Based in West London with showrooms in Paris and New York, the company promotes the growth of its clients through the strategic planning of its account managers and creative sales campaigns. The company’s success earned it the Fashion Distributor of the Year award at the Drapers Independent Awards in 2016. That same year, the duo launched Splash Paris, a curated show that displays global luxury resort wear brands to buyers twice annually. “The retail landscape and economy are ever changing and with this comes an enormous amount of variation in what and who we can sell to,” said Spencer-Churchill. “Responding to the ebbs and flows of these demands is what I really love. Fashion is driven by the

seasons, no two are ever the same and this variety is really the thing I love.”

In the face of the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, when the retail world lay dormant, Spencer-Churchill’s indomitable spirit led her to embark on a new journey within the cherished confines of her family-owned business, Atholl Estates—a legendary Highland sanctuary in the heart of Scotland. Since 2020, she has been working on launching Glen Glack, a new luxury cabin retreat within Atholl Estates opening just outside of Dunkeld in Perthshire, Scotland in July. Glen Glack features five sustainably built, luxury woodland hideaways. When asked how she juggles three ventures, SpencerChurchill credited her children. “I enjoy that my kids can see my ambition on a daily basis. That they will grow up with the knowledge and understanding that you have the power to do and be anything you want if you work hard enough at it,” said Spencer-Churchill. “As long as there is demand for the service you want to provide, drill down on the detail before you launch and then just go for it,” she added. ◆

CELEBRATING THE HISTORY & HERITAGE OF BURBERRY

BY JANIE MCGRAW PIERREPONT

IN 1856, Thomas Burberry developed the principle that a garment should protect people from the British climate. Born and raised in the British countryside, Burberry always loved the outdoors and sought to invent a weather resistant fabric that could withstand conditions of all types. Rainwear in the 19th century was heavy and uncomfortable. Burberry wanted freedom of movement and elegance, which led him to create gabardine, a lightweight and breathable fabric specifically resistant to rain and wind. The fabric was patented in 1888 and later recognized as the “Burberry.” The Burberry was meant to be worn in all different climates and terrain. With this, Burberry began designing smocks for clients that worked in agriculture, later dressing explorers, pioneers, and aviators. “The Burberry trench was not born - rather, it grew, developed slowly, its unique geography defined through lived experience,” stated fashion journalist Alexander Fury.

Burberry’s son, Arthur Michael, traveled to London to transform his father’s invention into a business, “Thomas Burberry & Sons,” branding the gabardine fabric as the iconic

Clockwise from top left: Tielocken coat, 1937; Burberry polar explorer outfit, circa 1920; the cover of Assouline’s Burberry

Autumn/Winter 2014 womenswear show.

trench coat. During the First World War, the trench coat was born specifically for military and British armed officers. Its functional design and lightweight fabric were engineered for fluid movement. The family business provided clothing not only for military personnel, but also kings, queens, and royalty. Thomas Burberry revolutionized the trench coat as an investment staple that survived even during the Great Depression. The company had repeat customers that praised the classic yet functional garment, selling over 20,000 coats in just the Haymarket store. “We’re a nation notorious for our rain, so of course a firm that specialized in rainwear would excel,” noted London College of Fashion professor Amy de la Haye. In the 1920s, the signature Burberry check was introduced to each coat as a lining, which became the iconic symbol for the brand. As the buzz around the trench coat sustained through periods of financial hardship and war, the company continued to run as a family business for three decades. The trench coat was reconfigured into dresses and capes while the historic check design was wrapped around umbrellas and suitcases. “The past two decades have solidified Burberry’s position as a heritage brand that remains on the cutting edge of fashion and culture,” observed Edward Enninful OBE, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue With over 500 stores around the world, Burberry became the first brand to make runway collections available to purchase directly after the show. In Assouline’s latest book on the renowned global brand, fashion journalist Alexander Fury covers the history and evolution of the classic and functional trench coat with over 200 illustrations and quotes from notable customers. “Burberry is a British institution and has been since it started in 1856,” English supermodel Naomi Campbell declared. ◆

Gabardine trench gown, Autumn/Winter 2022 runway collection. Opposite page, counterclockwise from above: Burberry trench coats are made in Yorkshire, England by an expert team; Burberry was worn to explore the great outdoors – both near and far – as shown in this early 20th century illustration; Flying Officer Arthur Clouston and Betty Kirby-Green in The Burberry plane, 1937; Adwoa Aboah and her family in Ghana in the Autumn/Winter 2018 Pre-Collection campaign.

HOME OF THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR

BY HILARY GEARY ROSS

AMERICAN EMBASSIES and residences for our Ambassadors are often historical buildings, some are remarkably beautiful and they all have a story or certainly some anecdotes. The American residence in Paris on Rue du Faubourg Saint Honore is truly a palace surrounded by gardens built in 1855. The Deerfield Residence in Dublin is a Georgian 18th century building set on an astonishing 62 acres. The Roosevelt House residence in New Delhi, India is a large contemporary building designed by legendary architect Edward Durell Stone best known for his Kennedy Center design. The Residence in Ghana, Africa had a large swimming pool installed by the then Ambassador Shirley Temple. I will never forget the first time I went to Winfield

House in London as the grand architecture and parkland setting took my breath away. I fell in love with the high ceilings and beautiful molding and the classic floor plan. My favorite decorative touch was the antique green Chinese wallpaper in the Garden Room installed by the Annenbergs but that is only one of countless highlights of this splendid structure with such a storied history.

Barbara Hutton, world renowned for being “America’s poor little rich girl”, had been residing in London at age 23 with her second husband (second out of seven), Count Kurt von Haugwitz-Reventlow. As the story goes, the glamorous couple went house shopping as their house near Marble Arch did not seem

From above: Winfield House’s Garden Room featuring 18th century green chinoiserie wallpaper. Ambassador and Mrs. Walter H. Annenberg commissioned William (Billy) Haines, Hollywood’s most in-demand decorator at the time, to redesign the interiors upon their arrival in 1969; American Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV in front of a portrait of Winston Churchill in his office at the U.S. Embassy, 2018; American heiress Barbara Woolworth Hutton, who built Winfield House in 1936, with (then husband) Count Kurt Reventlow, 1938. Opposite page: Winfield House, the stately 35-room, redbrick neo-Georgian style townhouse on 12.5 private acres in London’s Regent’s Park.

Counterclockwise from top right: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump helicopter in to Winfield House during a state visit in 2019; Jack Johnson, Queen Camilla (formerly HRH The Duchess of Cornwall (2005–22) and Camilla Parker Bowles (1973–95), and Suzanne Johnson walk ahead of an entourage including Brick Johnson and Woody Johnson at Winfield House in 2019; Countess von Haugwitz-Reventlow (née Barbara Woolworth Hutton), watching her one-year-old son, Lance, play with a nanny in 1937, a year after purchasing Winfield House; the U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. welcomed Walpole British Luxury to Winfield House in 2018 to celebrate British-American luxury trade.

large nor safe enough for the famed heiress’ taste. They chose an Italianate villa originally named Hertford’s Villa that had been badly damaged by fire. The house was sitting on a vast secluded 12 1/2 acres in the Regents Park enclave right smack in the middle of London. They decided it was the perfect safe and secure setting for them to live. So Barbara tore down the existing house and built a glorious Neo-Georgian brick structure designed by architect Leonard Rome Guthrie in a record breaking 15 months—even larger than her former house near Marble Arch. The Countess named it Winfield House after her late grandfather, Frank Winfield Woolworth. The building was completed in January 1938, and Barbara moved in with the Count and their little son Lance (her only child). Shortly thereafter during the war in 1939, Barbara divorced the Count and headed back to the States, after which Winfield House was commandeered by the RAF barrage balloon unit. It was later used as an Air Crew Reception Center, and finally converted into an American Officers Club. Barbara returned a year after the war to find the house in great disrepair—literally a mess— with buckled floors, broken windows, and more. She then decided to donate it to the U.S. Government as the official resi-

1969, President Richard Nixon appointed Walter Annenberg U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James. The Annenbergs made a tremendous contribution to Winfield House during their tenure from 1969 to 1974, and developed a close friendship with Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the royal family; the entrance to Winfield House in London’s Regent’s Park.

dence of the American Ambassador to the Court of St. James for a token one dollar. Ever since there have been dignified luminaries serving as Ambassadors—from Averell Harriman to Joe Kennedy, to John Hay Whitney to Will Farish—and of course, Woody Johnson. This grand abode was the residence that Suzanne and Woody Johnson headed joyously to with their young sons immediately after he was sworn in as our Ambassador to the Court of St James. I will never forget staying with them at Winfield House as they brought the residence to life with their enthusiasm, intelligence, and vitality. I am riveted by an Ambassador’s important and crucial role representing our nation, so when Quest asked me to interview this remarkable couple I was thrilled so here we go...

What was your proudest day as Ambassador?

Hosting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for dinner at Winfield House was an incredible honor. I was equally honored to host a state dinner for President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Winfield House. These events all displayed the closeness and importance of the U.S.-UK Special Relationship, which my team and I worked to strengthen every day.

From above: L-R: Prince Phillip, Leonore “Lee” Annenberg, Queen Elizabeth II, and American businessman Walter Annenberg in 1983. In

ANNENBERG RETREAT

What was the most challenging?

Our objective during the four years that I was Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s was to strengthen the Special Relationship through security and prosperity. Much of our diplomatic work took place in the context of Brexit, which reshaped the entirety of the UK’s economy and its relationship with the U.S. and other countries.  My team worked tirelessly on issues such as, a new U.S.-UK trade deal, strengthening our NATO ties, and removing dangerous Chinese telecommunications companies from British networks.

Who was your most unusual guest?

This is more special than unusual: We were privileged to host Her Majesty the Queen at Winfield House, where she hadn’t been since 2011. It was a small, intimate gathering of 20 guests where we really had the opportunity to spend special quality time with her.  We were also proud to host people who had never been to Winfield House before, such as London cab drivers, and church bell ringers and beekeepers from across the UK. These individuals are all important parts of the fabric of British society, and I wanted to represent America to them, too.

Which were your favorite traditions?

Participating in the UK’s many historic traditions was very special for our family. “Trooping the Colour” is a parade which marks the British Sovereign’s Birthday, it features 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians. It is quite a sight! The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain, celebrated every year with a procession and service on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Finally, sitting in the Royal Box at Wimbledon, as our family are big tennis fans this particularly was a most memorable event.

Did you make any decorating changes to Winfield House?

We wanted to make Winfield House truly feel like our home. We added family photos, candles of our favorite scents and familiar pieces of art as well as tons of toys and sports equipment for our boys to enjoy. We refurbished the tennis court on the grounds – our boys are avid tennis players and used it almost every day. We also installed a large American flag in the garden in honor of President Trump and the First Lady, Melania. And as a way of honoring the Queen, we planted a large oak tree in the garden.

What do you miss the most at Winfield House, and about London?

The British people we met both socially and in government –including the exceptional staff at Winfield House – they all left a very special impression on us. We also treasured the classic British civility and “Keep Calm and Carry On” attitude we encountered every day. The famous parks of London such as Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, and St. James’s, in fact we made it a point to take daily walks at Regent’s Park since it was right outside our back door.

How often did you entertain and what were the events like?

We typically hosted events at Winfield House every Tuesday and Thursday. Reception events had 150 guests and included people from various industries and sectors; some examples being International Women’s Day, British American Business, as well as Frieze London, British First Responders and London Cab Drivers. Dinners or similar intimate affairs typically had 20-30 guests and were held in the magnificent State Dining Room. However, no event topped the annual Fourth of July party – it was held right in our backyard and about 3,000

From above: Queen Elizabeth II receives Letters of Credence from Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson, U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s, as Suzanne Johnson looks on at London’s Buckingham Palace in 2017; Winfield House possesses the largest and most exquisite private garden in central London after Buckingham Palace. Opposite page, clockwise from top: U.S. Ambassador Woody Johnson and Suzanne Johnson arrive in Ayrshire, Scotland on Air Force One in 2018; July 4th Celebrations at Winfield House in 2019; Independence Day celebrations at Winfield House in 2021.

guests attended which included high level government officials, business leaders, Embassy staff and friends.

How did your family adjust to London?

London is incredibly culturally and socially diverse, and coming from its sister city, New York City, made for a smooth transition. We dove right in embracing British culture. Both of our sons, Brick and Jack, attended British school. Jack went to Wetherby Prep and Brick was at Eton College.

What advice would you give to the new Ambassador?

Being Ambassador is the honor of a lifetime, there’s no greater privilege than representing the United States of America in Great Britain. The time goes by so quickly so it is important to seize each and every day.◆

Spectacular Stays

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

The best hotels for a 2023 trip across the pond.

Claridge’s

+44 (0)20 7629 8860 • claridges.co.uk

Established in 1812 and located in the heart of Mayfair mere steps away from the city’s best shopping, Claridge’s effortlessly claims its status as London’s most iconic hotel. Revered as an architectural gem that boasts the timeless elegance of the art deco era, this distinguished establishment has graciously accommodated renowned figures for generations, from esteemed royalty to silver screen icons, statesmen, and global dignitaries. Winston Churchill famously sought refuge at the hotel in 1945 after his election defeat and, soon after, it became a cherished London residence for luminaries of Hollywood including Audrey Hepburn. Fast forward to 2023, it’s still a spot for celebrity sightings and has embraced modernity while preserving its old-world allure and storied heritage.

The hotel’s captivating artistry and intricate details stand as testaments to the bygone era while effortlessly harmonizing with contemporary elements and spaces. The accommodations are grand and spacious, and visitors can enjoy the many amenities the hotel has to offer. Guests are invited to savor the delights of the iconic Claridge’s Bar, indulge in a cup of coffee or a delectable pastry at the ArtSpace Café, and relish innovative libations in The Painter’s Room. And, of course, the beloved Afternoon Tea just off the lobby in the Foyer & Reading Room, remains an enduring tradition. Adding to its repertoire of offerings, Claridge’s unveiled its inaugural spa in late 2022. Designed by the visionary interior architect André Fu, the 7,000 square-foot sanctuary draws inspiration from the serene temples and Zen gardens of Kyoto, Japan and embraces the concept of harmonious rejuvenation.

The Connaught

+44 (0)20 7499 7070 • the-connaught.co.uk

Situated in Mayfair since its establishment in the early 19th century, The Connaught caters to the desires of the modern traveler while maintaining its original charm. The hotel is famous for its exceptional service, understated elegance, renowned bars and restaurants, fine art, and rich history. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by impeccably dressed and cheery doormen who assist with bags, butlers who stand ready for any request, and a six-story mahogany staircase that is said to have inspired Ralph Lauren to install a replica of it in his flagship store. The hotel is home to Jean-Georges restaurant, three Michelin-star Hélène Darroze, a patisserie, an Aman spa, and three bars including the award-winning Connaught Bar and The Red Room (it’s first new bar in over a decade).

The Beaumont

+44 20 7499 1001

• thebeaumont.com

Although this intimate, independent-run hotel just hit the London scene in 2014, it perfectly encapsulates the spirit of old-world luxury. Located in a quiet neighborhood in Mayfair overlooking Brown Hart Gardens, but within steps of the city’s busiest shopping streets, the hotel occupies a 1920s Art Deco building and houses 50 rooms and 22 suites and studios. Its interiors are sleek, featuring glossy chequerboard floors, striking portraits, and velvet furnishings. Guests can enjoy Le Magritte, its intimate bar, or Gatsy’s Room for afternoon tea with live music. It’s beloved restaurant, The Colony Grill Room, is also a must, and welcomes diners into a New York-style steakhouse setting where transatlantic cuts and strong drinks can be enjoyed in leather banquets surrounded by colorful murals. The hotel finalized an 18-month renovation last year led by Thierry Despont, which introduced its al fresco Terrace Bar and Mayfair Suite, and is planning a significant expansion and refurbishment of rooms later this year.

Corinthia

+44 20 7930 8181 • corinthia.com

Recognized for its over-the-top luxury, the Corinthia is located just south of Trafalgar Square within walking distance to the city’s best attractions, including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the London Eye. Beyond the reception area in the heart of the hotel, guests are greeted by the opulent Crystal Moon Lounge, where they can enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea and live pianist while marveling at a 1,001-crystal chandelier that illuminates the room. The hotel is perhaps most well-known for its multi-level spa, which is designed to support both physical health and mental wellbeing and features a swimming pool, fitness center, vitality pool, saunas, steam rooms, ice fountains, a hair salon, treatment rooms, and sleep pods—everything needed to relax and rejuvenate. For dining, Kerridge’s Bar & Grill is Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge’s first London restaurant and serves up unique takes on London’s most celebrated dishes including Pig’s Cheek Pie, Deep Fried Fillet of Cornish Turbot, and Kerridge’s Fish and Chips. The hotel also recently opened the popular and luxurious Champagne and cocktail lounge Velvet through a partnership with drinks expert Salvatore Calabrese.

The Ritz London

+44 (0) 20 7493 8181 • ritzlondon.com

Nestled in the heart of Piccadilly Circus, The Ritz was conceived by acclaimed hotelier César Ritz and opened its doors in 1906. Sparing no expense, Ritz aimed to create the most luxurious hotel in the world. Ritz’s original grand ambitions are still evident in the hotel today, defined by its Louis XVI style interior design, grand vistas, lavish furnishings, and sparkling chandeliers. From the Palm Court (where the famous afternoon tea is served), the Rivoli Bar, and the Michelin-starred Ritz Restaurant to the guest rooms and suites, everything at The Ritz is grand and espouses a royal ambiance.

The Berkeley Hotel

+44 (0)20 7235 6000 • the-berkeley.co.uk

The Berkeley has stood at its current location overlooking Hyde Park between Knightsbridge and Belgravia since 1972. Ideal for the young, hip, and fashionable, the bustling hotel’s many offerings never leave guests with a dull moment. It’s home to a chic rooftop pool with skyline views of London, two trendy bars, and a Cédric Grolet outpost serving delicious and artfully crafted pastries—his only patisserie outside of France. There are three restaurants, including the Collins Room that serves fashion-themed afternoon tea coined “Prêt-à-Portea,” as well as the Michelin-starred Marcus. The designer style accommodations are equally impressive, with the hotel recently debuting its new ultra-modern apartment suites designed by John Heah, evoking the feel of a private residence. Each features a private terrace, a living room, dining room, study, luxurious marble bathrooms, and a spacious walk-in dressing room. u

COURTESY OF THE BERKELEY

London’s Classic Clubs

Known as the “King of Clubs,” Mark Birley rose to fame in London society in the second half of the 20th century for his successful string of private clubs: Annabel’s, Mark’s Club, George, Harry’s Bar, and The Bath & Racquets Club. While his health was declining and a family dispute left him unable to pass the clubs down to his son Robin Birley, Mark sold the five clubs to businessman Richard Caring in 2007. Today, Caring still runs the “Birley Clubs” and Robin has founded his own, following in the footsteps of his late father. The establishments owned by these two men now dominate the London club scene and we offer a glimpse into a few of our favorites.

Annabel’s

FOUNDED IN 1963 by Mark Birley, who named it after his wife, Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest Stewart, Annabel’s has played host to the crème de la crème of society-from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to Princess Diana-since opening its doors. With a glamorous allure that draws members and guests from across the globe, Annabel’s delivers an extravagant experience that is simply unparalleled. The club was originally situated in the vaults of a Georgian mansion at 44 Berkeley Square. The basement, designed by Nina Campbell, quickly rose to prominence thanks to Birley’s impeccable taste. Frequented by luminaries like Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, The Supremes, and even Richard Nixon, the club exuded sophistication and a sense of refined London aristocracy, where cultured and like-minded guests gathered to mingle. It even has the honor of being the only nightclub that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has ever visited.

In 2007, Richard Caring acquired the club from Birley and, in 2018, its location at 44 Berkeley Square closed. The club reopened later that year two doors down at a four-story, 26,000-square-foot space at 46 Berkeley Square, after undergoing a $90 million dollar renovation. Caring hired acclaimed interior designer Martin Brudnizk to design the over-the-top whimsical interiors, including hand painted de Gournay wallpaper and pink onyx and jade crocodile sinks. The “new” Annabel’s includes an underground

nightclub—a replica of the original—as well as multiple bars and six restaurants, a cigar salon, private dining rooms, and a separate Mews house. The exterior is equally impressive, with its everchanging themed facades always drawing a crowd. But it’s not just the building that has experienced a transformation. Under Caring’s stewardship, Annabel’s has undergone a cultural overhaul, shedding its old-world glamour for a contemporary and hip vibe while keeping intact the club’s rich legacy of grandeur. While the club is still private, gone are the days when blue blood was the golden ticket to membership. The new Annabel’s welcomes a diverse and dynamic crowd that includes influencers and a fresh generation of trendsetters. You might even catch a glimpse of Hollywood’s A-listers like Leonardo DiCaprio, Dua Lipa, or Naomi Campbell sauntering through the halls. Annabel’s has evolved with the times, representing a new era for the storied club.

As always, it continues to be known for its over-the-top parties. On June 8th, Annabel’s will celebrate its 60th birthday with what it does best – an extravagant bash.

Clockwise from top left: Patricia and Richard Caring; women’s second floor powder room; the Jungle Bar; gentlemen’s second floor bathroom; the Rose Room. Opposite page: Chelsea Flower Show facade, 2020.

Harry’s Bar

FOUNDED BY Mark Birley in 1979 and now run by Richard Caring, Harry’s Bar sits at 26 South Audley Street in Mayfair and was named after the original establishment in Venice of the same name, founded by Giuseppe Cipriani Senior in 1931. Famed worldwide for both the splendor of its décor and the exquisite quality of its food, Harry’s Bar has been a London institution since its opening over 40 years ago. Today, it transports members to a more traditional time of elegance and sophistication, paying homage to its roots. The interiors draw on the Club’s Venetian history with features such as 1930s Venetian Chandeliers, Fortuny fabrics, and Murano glassware adorning the rooms. A statement pink bar and glamorous mirrored wall paneling combine to create an intimate area for members to relax before entering the main restaurant area

where Peter Arno’s cartoons line the walls and the traditional service of preparing food tableside ensues. The club’s signature dish, Carpaccio di Manzo, invented by Cipriani at the original Harry’s Bar, is named after Vittore Carpaccio, the Venetian Renaissance painter known for his use of bright reds and whites in the details of his infinite works. The club’s most popular drink, the Bellini, was also created by Cipriani at its original venue in 1948. Longstanding members of staff still remember the day in 1987 when Frank Sinatra flew in from New York for the night, dashed to Harry’s Bar from the airport, changed into his tuxedo in the chef’s office, had dinner, then made it to Annabel’s just in time for the show.

Clockwise from below: Dining room; the exterior; the bar.

5 Hertford Street

REGARDED AS London’s most secretive and exclusive club, 5 Hertford Street was established in June 2012 by Robin Birley. Situated on the corner of Shepherd Market in Mayfair, the club consists of restaurants and bars, a cigar shop, and LouLou’s, an underground nightclub for London’s elite named after Birley’s late cousin and jewelry designer Loulou de la Falaise. Designed by Turkish-born fashion designer Rifat Ozbek, the interiors mix Parisian flair with the warmth of an English country home. The dimly lit LouLou’s features

swanky wallpaper, a colossal giraffe head that creeps out of the floor, an illuminated peacock, and a bar made out of shells. Members and frequenters include Harry Styles, George and Amal Clooney, Kate Moss, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, and Tom Cruise, among others.

Clockwise from left: The exterior of 5 Hertford Street; Lady Annabel Goldsmith (formerly Annabel Birley), Mark Birley, India Jane Birley, and the late Sir Mark Birley; inside LouLou’s.

NAMED AFTER his paternal grandfather and English portrait painter Oswald Birley, Robin Birley founded Oswald’s in 2017. Located on Albemarle Street in Mayfair with luxurious interiors designed by Tom Bell and Bruce Cavell, the exclusive supper club is beloved by wine connoisseurs, with members that include royals, politicians, and celebrities (largely overlapping with Birley’s 5 Hertford Street). The club is famous

for its spectacular wine cellar, which boasts some of the world’s best vintage bottles and has storage space for members to stash their own wine. The club most recently hosted a reception for members of the royal family on the eve of the Coronation of King Charles III.

The interior of Oswald’s; the club’s exterior (inset).

Oswald’s

Mark’s Club

MARK’S CLUB, which Mark Birley named after himself, opened in a beautiful Mayfair townhouse at 46 Charles Street in 1972 as an alternative to the St. James’s gentlemen’s clubs. Spurred by the success of Annabel’s, Birley envisioned Mark’s Club as a home away from home, and the interiors bore a striking resemblance to Birley’s South Kensington home, featuring an abundance of animal paintings. Although refurbished in 2015 under the ownership of

Richard Caring, the club still preserves its aesthetic heritage. The club consists of The Drawing Room, The Indian Room, the Circus Room, all designed to their respective themes. It’s a comfortable retreat from the bustling city, where members sit down and dine, enjoy drinks or tea beside a crackling fire, or smoke a cigar. ◆

Clockwise from top left: The Bar; the club’s exterior; the Terrace.

A GUIDE TO LONDON’S BEST SHOPPING

Clockwise from below: New Bond Street; northward up Savile Row from Vigo Street, 1955; Savile Row street sign; Burlington Arcade’s north entrance.

HARRODS

87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1X 7XL harrods.com

Home to over 3,000 brands, Harrods is a luxury department store located on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge. The store offers designer fashion and accessories, luxury beauty, fine jewelery and watches, and furniture, and even personal shoppers to help you navigate through it all. Perfect for the spring weather, the terrace at the Björn Frantzén’s new Studio Frantzén on the Fifth Floor at the very top of the store is the perfect spot for a shopping break. Enjoy ice-cold cocktails, fine wines, and gourmet Nordic-Asian cuisine, all while taking in incredible views of London.

GRAFF

6-8 New Bond Street, London W1S 3SJ graff.com

From necklaces cascading with fiery scintillation to rings glowing with rare mystique, Graff sets unsurpassed standards of excellence within the world of high jewelry. Founded by Laurence Graff in London in 1960, the House of Graff is synonymous with the most fabulous jewels in the world. The name symbolizes rarity, beauty, excellence, and, above all, the best quality, craftsmanship, and diamonds. Discover some of the brand’s latests offerings at the flagship New Bond Street boutique, from outstanding high jewelry pieces and engagement rings to nature-inspired collections featuring sparkling silhouettes. And it’s not just about the ladies, Graff offers a men’s collection with rings, wedding bands, cufflinks, and timepieces.

BIRLEY BAKERY

28-30 Cale Street, London SW3 3QU

birleybakery.com

The latest venture of the well-known club-owner Robin Birley, Birley Bakery takes its inspiration from the traditional boulangerie-pâtisseries which though, at one time, ubiquitous in every city, town, and village of France, have now all but disappeared from French life. This bakery, however, isn’t just an exercise in nostalgia: the maître pâtissier, Vincent Zanardi, and his head baker, Eshak Belabed, have devised especially a selection of breads, cakes, and viennoiseries for the new shop. Their recipes, some of which have taken as long as five years to be brought to perfection, are a more contemporary twist on the classics once found in those much missed boulangerie-pâtisseries.

BUDD LONDON

3 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1Y 6NH buddshirts.co.uk

Budd has plied its trade as a quintessential gentlemen’s haberdashery and shirtmaker since its founding by Harold Budd in 1910. The shop and cutting room have been located in Mayfair’s Piccadilly Arcade since day one and are its oldest tenants. Like all of Mayfair’s traditional arcade boutiques, the shop is tiny, but its size belies the wealth of clothing and haberdashery housed inside. Budd is a veritable Pandora’s stocking the finest shirts, nightwear, dresswear, and accessories. It prides itself on its hard-to-source items.

ELIZABETH GAGE

5 West Halkin Street, London SW1X 8JA elizabeth-gage.com

A celebrated British jewelry designer, Elizabeth Gage has long been known for her unique and eclectic designs that incorporate various materials and gemstones. Her work is characterized by its boldness, creativity, and attention to detail, and has earned her a loyal following among collectors and admirers alike across the globe. In 1964, she established her special brand, Elizabeth Gage, which quickly became a hallmark of creativity and innovation in the world of fine jewelry. Exquisite stones, ancient bronzes, beautiful carvings, and baroque pearlsall chosen for their individual beauty-are all present in the unique jewelry. The Royal Collection, the brand’s newest, was created for the Coronation of King Charles III.

JOHN LOBB

88 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6JD johnlobb.com

Since its inception over 150 years ago, Lobb has trodden an innovative path. Its founder, who traveled on foot from the Cornish coast to London in 1851 as a young apprentice bootmaker, also journeyed to Australia during the gold rush, creating hollow heeled boots, in which miners could stow contraband gold nuggets. On returning to London in 1863, Lobb was named as the bootmaker to the Prince of Wales, before opening the brand’s first bespoke boutique on Regent Street in 1866. Today, John Lobb designs still incorporate artisanal techniques and silhouettes discovered in the house’s extensive archive. The label’s ready-to-wear designs are made using a complex 190-step manufacturing process in Northampton.

ASPREY

34-36 Bruton Street, London W1J 6QX asprey.com

Asprey is a British retailer of luxury goods. Founded in 1781, the House has historically been recognized as one of the world’s preeminent luxury goods brands and has a substantial client base of members of royalty, heads of state, and important actors on the world stage. For over two centuries, Asprey has been regarded as a top British luxury lifestyle brand and the Bruton Street Flagship Store is considered a must-see London destination. Stop by to view its broad product assortment that includes jewelry, leather goods, accessories, silver, watches, clocks, first edition leather bound books, china, crystal, games, silk, and accessories.

JAMES J. FOX

19 St James’s Street, London SW1A 1ES jjfox.co.uk

James J. “JJ” Fox been trading in fine tobacco and smokers’ accessories from 19 St James’s Street for over 235 years and its customers have included discriminating smokers from all walks of life-from commoners to kings. Among them have been Sir Winston Churchill, Oscar Wilde, British and Foreign Royalty, the officer’s mess of famous British regiments, and the leading lights of the stage, film, sport, TV, radio, music, and literature. This world-famous tobacco business started with Robert Lewis, who began trading fine tobacco in St James’s Street in 1787. James J. Fox was formed in Dublin in 1881 and opened its first tobacco shop in London in 1947. Fox acquired the business of Robert Lewis in 1992, uniting two of the most respected names in the cigar world.

SWAINE

127 New Bond Street, London W1S 1DZ swaine.london

Since 1750, Swaine is the oldest name in luxury goods in London providing handmade luxury leather goods, elegant Brigg umbrellas, and timeless Herbert Johnson headwear. Swaine’s craftsmanship is the legacy of centuries of observation and reflection on leather and its tanning. Swaine’s highly skilled artisans carry the age-old knowledge passed on from craftsman to craftsman. English Bridle Leather is pigmented using organic dyes, and then liberally fed with tallow and oils as part of the tanning process. Bridle leather has a natural and integral durability, so it will map its many years of use by your side with a beautiful rich patina. Once the Bridle leather has been prepared in Swaine’s tanneries, Swaine’s workshop precisely hand cut the leather patterns ready to be assembled by using a traditional saddlery technique of hand stitching. ◆

THE YOUNG & THE GUEST LIST YGL

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

Phoebe Bridgers, Tory Burch, and Emily Ratajkowski.

ON THE FIRST Monday in May, celebrities gathered for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s highly anticipated Costume Insitute Gala, more commonly known as The Met Gala. This year’s event, co-chaired by Michaela Coel, Penélope Cruz, Roger Federer, Dua Lipa, and Anna Wintour, celebrated the newly opened Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty exhibition at The Met, which explores the extraordinary career of the legendary designer. Partygoers dressed to theme, including Margot Robbie, who donned a recreation of a 1993 Chanel Haute Couture gown.

MUSEUM OF ART’S MET GALA IN NEW YORK

Clockwise from top left: Anne Hathaway in Versace; Kendall Jenner in Marc Jacobs; Michaela Coel, Gabrielle Union, and Dwyane Wade; Penélope Cruz in Chanel; A$AP Rocky and Rihanna; Margot Robbie; Anna Wintour, and Bill Knighy.

YGL

CINEMA SOCIETY’S SCREENING OF GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3

ON MAY 3RD, the Cinema Society hosted a screening of Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 at iPic Theater in Lower Manhattan. The film was directed by James Gunn, and stars Chris Pratt, Karen Gillan, Bradley Cooper, and Chukwudi Iwuji, who were all present that evening. Later on, an afterparty was held at The Fulton by Jean-Georges, where guests enjoyed themed cocktails, including “Peter Quill’s” QUI tequila ginger margaritas.

James Gunn

Ashley Haas, Bonnie Haas, and Dale Moss

Sophie Sumner

Chukwudi Iwuji, Karen Gillan, Chris Pratt, Miriam Shor, and Bradley Cooper

Geneva Carr and Alysia Reiner

LAST MONTH, New York City Ballet hosted its annual Spring Gala at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. The evening, which raised a record-setting $3.45 million for the company, featured world premieres of Christopher Wheeldon’s From You Within Me and Alysa Pires’s Standard Deviation u

NEW YORK CITY BALLET’S SPRING GALA

Hannah Corbin and Ally Love

Gilbert Bolden III and Lucia Hwong Gordon

Pritika Swarup, John Giordano, and Michael Bloomberg

Ayesha Coker and Gaelle Benchetrit

Fe Fendi and Paola Fendi

DRAMA KING

BY ROBERT JANJIGIAN

MILLIONS OF televisions in a multitude of time zones around the world were tuned into coverage of the coronation of King Charles III on May 6th in London. For Americans, than meant a very early start to this particular Saturday, a predawn or middle of the night effort to get a gander at the proceedings at Westminster Abbey.

For some, it was the spectacle of the royals and history that drew their attention. After all, the Windsors are the premier example of the dysfunctional family who, now that Queen Elizabeth is gone, are still fascinating as tabloid fodder, and still serve as conversation topics among Anglophiles and for those among us who follow their travails and transgressions via myriad miniseries, documentaries, and nonfiction books.

The morning began with a snafu, of course, when the next-in-line Waleses arrived a tad late, causing a rupture in the tradition of having the King and his Queen enter the venue last. OMG.

But the ceremonies, the rituals, and the elaborate costuming were indeed impressive, and surprisingly to most of us, super religious. You have to love that what they anointed Charles with was was flown in from the Holy Land, and that kings and queens really do wear erminetrimmed capes. And the music was quite inspiring.

One couldn’t help focus on the strange dynamic and awkward juxtaposions of the royal family members in the pews for the event. The back stories: Harry minus Meghan, Andrew minus Fergie, the presence of Camilla’s ex (Andrew Parker Bowles), and Princess Anne’s hat pretty much blocking Harry’s view of his father’s big moment, which waited 70 something years to happen. And, the TV reporters had to dig up the prospect of what would have been had the whole Diana debacle not happened. But it all went fairly smoothly and the Monarchy will most likely survive.

And for those of us who are fans of the Sport of Kings, after the Coronation morning, it was on to an afternoon with the ponies—the Kentucky Derby, with its own controversies and contretemps. ◆

Clockwise from bottom left: King Charles and Queen Camilla wave to the crowd; King Charles and Queen Camilla on the Buckingham Palace balcony surrounded by members of the royal family; the crowning of Charles; Prince Charles watches the coronation of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953; William, Prince of Wales, and Kate Middleton with their children.

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