E1 Life - Issue 6 - The New Year Issue

ISSUE 6 JAN/FEB 2017

Take me, I’m yours

FAST TRACK FITNESS We show you how BEST LOCAL BANDS Who’s up and coming ACTS OF KINDNESS Life-enhancing folk FOOD THAT FEELS GOOD Be a healthy hedonist & MUCH MORE

2017 Let’s make a clean sweep

BUSINESS

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FOOD

DRINK

MUSIC

P R O P E RT Y

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INTRODUCING LONDON SQUARE SPITALFIELDS - STUNNING NEW SALES SUITE OPEN DAILY Introducing a stylish new collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments set around the beautifully landscaped grounds of Mallon Gardens. Intelligently designed and well-appointed, each apartment has a private balcony, winter garden or terrace and all benefit from daily concierge services. With easy access to the best of the City and London’s vibrant East End, London Square Spitalfields also enjoys outstanding transport links from both Aldgate East and Liverpool Street.

Prices from ÂŁ695,000 To make an appointment call 0333 666 0110 The Sales Suite, Commercial Street, London, E1 7SA, open daily.

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0333 666 0110

E1LIFE

JAN/FEB 2017 APR/MAY 2016

www.londonsquare.co.uk

External computer generated images depict London Square Spitalfields, internal computer generated images depict Apartment 10 at London Square Spitalfields and are indicative only.

Details are correct at time of going to press, January 2017.

contents

P 14 Building a business, brick by brick

P 23 A hole lot of unexpected pleasure

P 26 The artist who illustrates to the letter

P 30 Maude Hirst: from Hackney to Hollywood P 38 Come on in, the water’s lovely

P 48 We welcome the new Mexican wave

P 52 Look who’s making a song and dance

P 58 A sneak peek inside the Barbican estate

P 54 Meet the East’s new fashion queen

PUBLISHER: Rosie Coxshaw EDITOR: Kelly Beswick CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Nicky Acketts ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Nicola Euesden ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Ed Gibbs FOOD & DRINK WRITER: Liam Barker BEAUTY WRITER: Lily Earle FEATURE WRITERS: Catherine Hudson, Alex Lloyd, Tim Arnold and Beth Latham SUB-EDITOR: Gemma Rollason Printed by Full Spectrum Circulation: RCP Media Published by RC Publishing Ltd: 0203 011 1194; info@e1ife.co.uk While every care is taken, RC Publishing Ltd cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, omissions or errors. Prices correct at time of going to press. All rights reserved.

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Only the hottest and most happening make the grade 1

1. A LOAD OF BALLS? Two-hundred thousand of the plastic blighters to be precise, in the chest-high underground ball pit that is BallieBallerson (as well as, of course, a bar, a kitchen and a banging sound system), so if you haven’t got round to visiting this ultimate celebration of adult hedonism yet, there’s still time.

Originally conceived as a twomonth pop-up, BallieBallerson’s Dalston residence has just been extended for a few more months. Now if that’s not the perfect excuse to act like a big kid, then we don’t know what is. ballieballerson.com

scooters now come in such exquisite form as the new Swifty One MK 3? Beautifully designed and available in various trendy colourways (there’s also a custom paint service), these foldable bad boys are as much of a style statement as a way of getting around. Mark our words, soon all the best hipsters will have one. Priced £599. swiftyscooters.com

2. SCOOT IF YOU WANNA GO FASTER Talking of big kids, did you know kick scooters are fast becoming the preferred mode of transport for urban-dwelling adults? And who can blame them when 4

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3. BOOK ’EM Libreria has to be one of East London’s most seductive bookshops ,but if the gentle yellow lighting, honey-coloured wood shelving and row upon row of carefully curated tomes doesn’t draw you in, then perhaps some of its upcoming events will. Especially appealing are its literary-themed drinks parties (reading and booze, what’s not to like?) and include: Roaring Twenties – Champagne cocktails, hi-balls and canapés with high society readings from F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Christopher Isherwood’s Goodbye to Berlin; A Moveable Feast – Sancerre, Claret and oysters with immersed readings from Hemingway’s books on his time in post-WW1 Paris; and Hangover Square – Guinness, ales and hearty pub nibbles with comic readings from Patrick Hamilton’s book of the same name and James Joyce’s Ulysses and Dubliners. Genius all round! libreria.io 4. THE LONG AND SHORT Those rather splendid people behind Voodoo Ray’s and Dalston Superstore have spawned a new baby, and rather lovely it is too. Called Ray’s Bar and located downstairs from its eponymous big brother, this new drinking den combines a fantastic space and atmosphere with equally fantastic cocktails from a menu divided into Aperitifs, Mains and Desserts, for a true liquid lunch (or should ➦

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Getting around town has never been easier and more stylish than on a Swifty scooter

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history and culture of East London has gained cult status, spawning a book, a publishing arm and indeed many column inches. Yet for someone who has garnered so much publicity, his identity remains shrouded in mystery, which makes TGA’s appearance at various locations around the borough in the coming few months rather intriguing. He will be giving a series of introductory talks about Spitalfield’s Nippers, a collection of portraits taken at the end of the 19th century by Horace Warner that poignantly depicts the deprivation of the local children, while also capturing their playfulness and sense of fun.

TGA has also collated them into a book, available at his blog, £20. spitafieldslife.com

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that be supper?). If however, you do need something to soak up all that alcohol, never fear, Voodoo Ray’s is near and will deliver delicious fresh pizza direct to your table. voodoorays.com 5. FOR THE LOVE OF TEA As a nod to Valentine’s Day (yep, it’s nearly that time of year again), St John’s Street-based luxury tea company Newby has just launched a redesign of its From the Heart gift box set, perfect if the object of your affections is keen on a cuppa. Priced at £20, the sumptuously designed box, with a heart formed of exotic roses and butterflies, contains four different flavoured teas and tisanes, including Strawberry & Mango, Rooibos Orange, Jasmine Princess and Hunan Green. Put the kettle on. newbyteas.co.uk 6. CHALLENGING PERCEPTIONS Fancy seeing an art exhibition with a difference? Well get yourself down to Hang-Up, the contemporary art gallery on Stoke Newington Road, where you can feast your eyes on the work of Johnathan Reiner, an Israeli artist who also happens to be a neurologist. Called Femme Fatale, Dr Reiner’s exhibition explores the concept of beauty and how it is not hard-wired in our brains, but imposed on us by the culture 8

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we live in. Whatever the theory, the result are stunning images of goddess-like women astride wild animals, raising subjects from models to figures of worship. hanguppictures.com 7. FROM THE HISTORY MAN… Religious strife, immigration, the fall of industry, great prosperity alongside grinding poverty… no, we’re not talking about the current state of the world, but what the handful of streets that make up modern Spitalfields have witnessed over hundreds of years and are detailed in local historian Dan Cruickshank’s brilliant new book Spitalfields (Random House, £25). Starting in Roman times to the present day, taking in the Huguenots, the Great Fire of London and Jewish immigration en route, it is a wonderful homage to East London’s most unique and everevolving area. penguin.co.uk 8. … TO THE MYSTERY MAN The Gentle Author’s daily blog featuring musings about the

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9. NEW TRAIN OF THOUGHT Finding a personal trainer has never been more affordable thanks to PT Workspace, a company that provides flexible and reasonably priced work spaces for personal trainers and has just launched its first facility in Islington. By scrapping the fixed monthly overheads imposed by gyms and studios (even councils have started charging for the use of parks) PT Workspace enables trainers to rent a space that matches the flexibility of their business, offering a range of rental packages from ten to 100 hours, as well as marketing support. This means that both trainers and their clients get a better deal, so it’s a win, win. ptworkspace.co.uk 10. FEELING GOOD Abokado is the perfect place to pick up a fresh healthy lunch, breakfast, roasted coffee or juice to keep your pecker up.

Try chicken caesar and avocado in a multigrain bagel or veggie dumpling noodle soup to warm your cockles. Our sushi favourite, is Lucky 13 - and lucky for us we found this place! abokado.com

“Exactly what I was looking for.

I now feel in charge of my camera.�

Do something you love The Cass short courses Architecture | Interiors | Fashion | Textiles | Film | Photography | Fine Art Printmaking | Furniture | Upholstery | Graphics | Illustration | Jewellery | Silversmithing Music | Instrument Making | Restoration | RIBA CPD courses | Digital Design londonmet.ac.uk/TheCassShortCourses @CassShortCourse

+44 (0)20 7320 1842

celebrates its

1st Birthday

Thursday 9th March Urban Coterie Lounge M By Montcalm Hotel 16th Floor 151-157 City Road, EC1V 1JH (2 min walk from Old Street station)

with DJ Ronnie Herel 5.30pm til 12am

STRICTLY GUEST LIST ONLY RSVP today for your chance of a FREE ticket events@rcpromo.co.uk

party party

Meat & greet SMITHS’ NEW CANNON STREET RESTAURANT Holy cow, when it comes to throwing a launch party, Smiths knows how to pull out all the stops. Melt-in-your mouth beefy canapés, steaks every which way you could conceivably want, and a master butchery demonstration thrown in for good measure, marked the opening of the Smithfield stalwart’s new Cannon Street branch. The only thing that wasn’t beefconnected, thank goodness, was the freeflowing booze, of which the Champagne proved a particular hit among us E1ifers.

No bones about it, the new Smiths makes a meatastic addition to City dining.

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S I LV E R J E A N S . C O . U K

In your space Top tweets, pics and postings, plus apps and openings with a digital edge

MONEY TOO TIGHT

If all those Christmas shenanigans have left you flat broke and you’re in dire need of some extra cash, then Social Superstore could be just the thing for you. It’s a new online shop that relies on social media sharing to earn sellers commissions, or, in other words, Pinterest that pays. Simply set up your ‘store’, fill with items from popular brands, share said items with your social media followers and, lo and behold, for every item that sells through you, you earn a commission (between five and 15 per cent). This could be the start of something big. socialsuperstore.com

Back track

Smart jewellery’s where it’s at in 2017, namely the Bellabeat, a leaflike pendant that tracks everything from your sleep cycles and activity to breathing (it offers audio meditation exercises) and even your periods.

Heck, it can even tell you when you’re ovulating! Worn as a bracelet, necklace or clip, the Bellabeat comes in two designs, Nature and Urban, and two colours, silver or rose gold.

Priced from £95.27. bellabeat.com

FOLLOW US Twitter: @E1lifemag Instagram: @E1lifemag Facebook: E1 Life Magazine Website: e1ife.com Email: info@e1ife.co.uk

FACE TO FACE

An app that’s integrated with artificial intelligence and is aimed at bringing like-minded people together – not virtually, but literally – to socialise and try out new experiences certainly caught our attention. Launched last month, HeyGreenGo, will link you up with folk in your area who share similar hobbies and interests to do fun, interesting stuff – whether that’s gigs, films, exhibitions or simply a swift half at the local. Social media in the truest sense of the word! heygreengo.com

Aide-memoire

Forgetting your wallet on a regular basis can not only make you look like a tightwad (oh yeah, can’t pay for a round again), but also be seriously annoying. Which is why we’re liking Walli The Smart Wallet that connects to your mobile through Bluetooth, triggering an alert should the wallet move beyond a 100ft radius of the phone and even shows you where it is. Made from 100 per cent leather and available in black or navy blue, it’s priced at £89.99. thefowndry.com

WE NEED YOU! Tag your pics on Instagram for a chance of appearing on this page JAN/FEB 2016 2017

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MADE IT

BUILT TO LAST

Studio Kyson in Shoreditch is one of the area’s most successful architectural practices, with current projects including local residences, hotels, restaurants and offices.

Not bad, considering it’s eponymous founder, Scott Kyson, left school at 15 and has no formal education in building and design, a fact that has worked to his immense advantage

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Scott’s practice is based in a former printing premises in Shoreditch

While his contemporaries were hanging out at sixth form college before seguing in to university, Scott Kyson was already suited and booted and holding down a steady job. But don’t feel sorry for Scott, as he really did make a very shrewd choice. Rather than opting for the student life, he decided instead on that of an apprentice, where he could learn everything he needed to know to become an architect, and not just in theory, but in practice too.

“It just so happened that the government of the day (John Major’s in case you were wondering) was pushing a scheme known as Modern Apprenticeships,” recalls Scott, 36, who grew up in the staunchly working-class city of Lincoln. “So my career advisors suggested this to me, which is how I ended up as an office junior in an architectural practice, a month shy of my 16th birthday.”

The deal was that Scott would work four days a week, being a bit of a dogsbody to begin with until his skills slowly got up to scratch. On the remaining day he would attend a local college, which was a proviso of the scheme but, as he attests, the vast bulk of his architectural nous came from being hands-on.

Thus Scott found himself at just 20 years old in London, with four years experience already under his belt, while most others of his age and ilk were still ensconced at university, having never done a proper day’s work in their lives. “I’m not being arrogant,” he’s quick to point out. “But I was in such an advantageous position because of my early training.”

Such a precocious talent quickly got recognised and by 2006 he’d built up a sufficient reputation to set up his own company, whose office was on Mare Street.

“It was in fact my sister-in-law’s old jewellery shop that we converted into a studio,” says Scott laughing at the memory. Family is clearly extremely dear to him, having married young – his wife Thuy-Van is of Vietnamese descent, which goes part way to explaining his love of the Eastern aesthetic – and is now the proud father of Isabelle, 8, Oskar, 7, and Charlie, 4.

After nearly five years, and with an ever-expanding client base (and having forged a particularly fortuitous working relationship with the Bard family, who own huge swathes of East London land thus helping to recession-proof his business), Scott upped sticks for ➦

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MADE IT

PUB/COCKTAIL BAR:

COFFEE SHOP:

The Worship Street Ozone Coffee on Whistling Shop, I Leonard Street, love its Victorian vibe. where the beans are freshly roasted MARKET: Whitecross and ground.

Street food market on a Thursday or PLACE TO VISIT: Friday for lunch.

Barbican, I love the architecture.

STREET: Stoke Newington Church BUILDING: 6-8 Street has a great, Great Eastern St, independent buzz. ditto the above.

RESTAURANT:

Eyre Brothers, again on Leonard Street for amazing Portuguese tapas.

OUT OF TOWN:

Lee Valley Park has it all going on – and it’s not far from our home in Epping.

Shoreditch where after a couple of years, and in the depths of the recession, he bought a derelict Victorian warehouse.

If the fates were smiling on him already, soon they were positively beaming, with Scott using his accumulated knowledge to persuade local planners to grant him a change of use. “That was quite a big deal,” he says with evident satisfaction. “It was in a designated area where you’re not supposed to be able to change the use to residential, but due to the building’s derelict state I was able to get planning permission to convert it into a home.”

So it was that Scott was able to transform the lower two floors of the building (the other storeys he did for a client) in to a fabulous studio and an unbelievably swanky apartment for his expanding family. “It offered the perfect opportunity to live ‘above the shop’,” he says smiling.

And smile he well might, because 18 months ago he sold the building for a handsome profit. “Yes, we did make a bit of money on it,” offers Scott somewhat understatedly. “But we did do a really nice job on it as well.” Indeed, the building did earn Scott several accolades, while more recently he also received a Europe 40 Under 40 Architects Award.

Now he straddles urban, edgy Shoreditch, where his business is still based, and the wooded seclusion of Epping Forest, where he’s worked his magic on a onceunprepossessing 1920s house, turning it into a stunning, white stuccoed family home where the children can run wild in the extensive grounds. “The house is amazing,” Scott attests. “But the downside is that I now have to get up at half five in the morning for the commute. Still, I get the best of both worlds, whereas my wife misses East London a lot. It’s a bit isolated out there and she’s used to the convenience of having everything on the doorstep.”

As the family adjusts to life in the country, Scott is keeping mega-busy with some of Shoreditch’s most exciting projects. Of particular note is the upcoming 14

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Blakes Hotel, an off-shoot of Anouska Hempel’s famed Kensington residence, in an association that goes back to when Scott designed the restaurant there. Then there’s the Nobu Hotel, where Scott’s firm will be doing 13 penthouse suites and a rooftop bar and restaurant, as well as Shoreditch Petrol Station, which is a new build that’s already attracted the attention of chef Alan Yau of Wagamama’s fame, who’s just taken a lease on the ground floor and basement, with offices on the storeys above.

But before you conclude that Scott’s work is all glamour, glamour, glamour, he quickly interjects: “These are the jewels in the crown, the things we want to shout about and put on the website. But you have to remember that architectural projects are three-to-four-year things, so there are lots of more mundane projects that are filling in around the high profile ones.”

Despite all the achievements and accolades, you sense that Scott still has his feet firmly on the ground. Indeed, with his practice having just celebrated its tenth anniversary, (to mark the occasion he held a private viewing) and asked where he’d like to be in a further ten years time, his reply is simple: “I just want to build up a base of clients who trust our designs to be efficient and to deliver what they desire.

In other words to create buildings we can really be proud of. I don’t want to be big. We are currently 18 people, and I couldn’t imagine us ever being more than 25. I like working in a close-knit environment, it feels like family, but still being able to take on decent size projects.”

For that young apprentice, however, such ambitions must have been beyond his wildest dreams.

Scott’s beautiful home in the peace of Epping Forest

INTERVIEW: KELLY BESWICK

Scott’s Little Black Book

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MAKING IT

A self-confessed bonne vivante with excellent knowledge of the drinks trade, Gabriella Thorpe decided to marry her two passions and create a new, luxurious variety of vodka called Vintage Velvet. We meet a local girl who has, both figuratively and literally, got spirit

BY XXXX XXXXXXX

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When it comes to the increasingly crowded alcoholic beverage market, it pays dividends to firstly have an utterly unique product and secondly a supremely strong brand.

Vintage Velvet smashes it on both counts.

Created by infusing locally sourced Chardonnay grape juice with British sugar beet vodka to produce a double-distilled spirit the likes of which has never been made before, Vintage Velvet has a wonderful caramel aroma and a buttery, smooth taste. What’s more it comes with such assured branding – from the slick website, through to the equally sleek packaging, all embossed with the distinctive lion doorknocker logo – that you immediately feel that you’re buying into a iconic British company with serious pedigree.

The fact that Vintage Velvet has only been in existence just a little over a year is testament to its creator, Gabriella Thorpe’s, vision and hard graft.

A Hackney resident of some 15-years standing, Gabriella, 33, admits to a love of eating and drinking that has taken her to lots of the area’s best bars and restaurants, sampling many a cocktail along the way.

Meanwhile, her work in the hospitality industry meant she also got to mingle with top mixologists, thus gaining a perspective from behind the bar as well as from in front of it. Throw in a stint working on a high-end wine publication where she had the chance to speak to lots of drinks brands and agencies, you can see why, in December 2014, she suddenly had what she calls her ‘eureka moment’.

“I could see all these craft drinks coming through and I just knew I had to be part of the action,” says Gabriella. “Once I had the idea, it became fixed in my brain, so I started researching. At first I was going to go down the grape-based product route, but I soon realised that was a very crowded market.

“So I then kind of stripped it back a little bit and thought that if no one is using the raw juice of the grape then that would be a better road to go down.

That presented a blank canvas and vodka was the obvious choice. I then started to see whether anyone had done something similar, and they hadn’t. That really fuelled my fire as it’s quite hard to find something original in this day and age.”

What followed was a nine-month period of

INTERVIEW: KELLY BESWICK

Calling the shots

ILLUSTRATION BY FIONA WOODCOCK

Gabriella visiting distilleries up and down the country, experimenting with the amount and variety of grape. “At one point we actually tried putting wine in the vodka,” she says somewhat incredulously. “Obviously that wasn’t a good thing.

As the saying goes, never mix the grape and grain.

Let’s just say there were a few headaches after that little experiment.”

Despite its Bridget Jones connotations, Chardonnay eventually became the grape of choice. “It’s familiar and quite accessible,” explains Gabriella. “Also, you only need a small percentage to give the product that extra dynamic.”

However, at the risk of sounding like a Marks & Spencer advert, the Chardonnay grapes she settled on aren’t just any old Chardonnay grapes, coming as they do from one of the oldest, award-winning vineyards situated just outside Cambridge, hence the vintage element of the brand’s name.

Having found the recipe, next up was the branding. “To be honest, at first it kept changing on a monthly bases. I just couldn’t fix on one thing.

Then I had my second ‘eureka moment’ and came up with the old lion doorknocker,” laughs Gabriella.

“What’s so great about them is that they’re still everywhere, they’re very British, and they represent something strong and courageous, which I really liked. On another level they also form a connection between home and visitor, between guest and host, which I found appealing.”

Getting all the artwork done helped further confirm Gabriella’s choice, and now, if you look closely enough, you’ll see that stern old lion staring down from the shelves of a fair few East London drinking dens. “It’s been great that local businesses have got behind it, and it’s appearing on more

Gabriella’s Vintage Velvet vodka is finding its way on to cocktail bar menus around the city

bar, restaurant and cocktail menus,” says Gabriella.

“It seems to be spreading organically through word of mouth, which really is the nicest way.”

Online sales are also booming and the number of stockists is growing at a steady rate. A PR company has also recently come on board and plans are afoot to appoint a brand ambassador.

“It’s all moving in the right direction,” asserts Gabriella. “But I’m still really just a one man band, ie me. I have to wear lots of different hats and do lots of different jobs, but hopefully it will all be worth it.”

With distribution, exporting and new grape varieties all in the pipeline, Gabriella certainly has her work cut out for her. “But this is my baby and I have to put everything into it,” she says simply.

“I’m getting out there and giving it my all.”

No Dutch courage needed here then!

PEARLY QUEEN FOR A DAY

As nightlife is a big aspect of my business I would revisit some of club closures, such as Passing Clouds and the Dance Tunnel, as well as the licensing revokes that have occurred. I’d attempt to re-establish some of the local club culture in a positive light and keep safe the reputation of the East End having a great nightlife. A vibrant nightlife is great for the local economy.

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RECRUITING

You’re hired As an employer you want to get the brightest and best on board, but how do you go about attracting the top talent? We speak to recruitment expert Lisa Rinaldi to find out how to find the right employee for you...

Lisa Rinaldi has more than a decade’s experience recruiting for everyone from Google and the government to some of the world’s most prestigious financial institutions. For the past 18 months she has been head of operations at Cordant People, providing thousands of candidates to leading private and public sector companies in London, as well as heading up Judy Fisher Associates, which specialises in finding staff for the media industries. At the risk of putting herself out of a job, she reveals ways you can improve your hiring process.

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Create an employer brand

With East London being the land of the start up, you need to differentiate your company from the competition if you want to attract the best staff.

For Rinaldi one of the most effective ways of doing this is to profile your business as an employer brand.

“I’ve done a fair bit of work in Hackney and there’s this one company called Roli that specialises in digital music making devices (Professor Green is a big advocate),” says Rinaldi. “They’re quite far out from the centre of town in Dalston, so to make people want to travel and work there, they’ve created this amazing working environment with everything on site, including chefs and a really nice canteen.”

In other words, it’s wise not to underestimate the power of a good barista, freshly ground coffee and a finely executed avocado and poached egg on toasted sourdough!

Job descriptions: Not the be all and end all

Yes, it’s important to have a clear and concise job description, and it will play to your advantage to take a ‘need-supplies’ approach that focuses on what the company can do for the candidate, rather than a ‘demands-abilities’ approach where the emphasis is on what the business expects from its employees (a recent study showed the former attracts candidates who better fit your needs).

But as Rinaldi states: “These days the company website and social media are also really important in giving prospective employees a really strong sense of what your business is all about and good understanding of the company culture.”

It’s not all about the money

While earning a decent wage is important, interestingly it’s often not the most pressing issue on a prospective employee’s agenda.

“Top talent wants interesting work that stimulates and challenges

Become a STAR interviewer This stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result, and, as Rinaldi explains, “This is at the core of competency-based interviewing. It’s been around for years and lots of people use it and that’s because it gives you a far broader picture of the candidate.” So, for example, the interviewer might ask: “Tell me about a time when you solved a problem to a tight timescale”. The interviewee then sets the context of their story, what was required of them, what they actually did and how well the situation played out. “The beauty of going down the competency-based route is that, when done properly, it will generate a conversation rather than a bombardment of Q and As,” says Rinaldi. them,” confirms Rinaldi. “They also want opportunities for career advancement within an organisation with clear paths to promotions.

Mostly, they want to feel a sense of pride in who they work for and that their daily activities are contributing towards a greater purpose.” So as a company, it pays to work on your mission statement, values and vision.

Use your existing employees

As the saying goes, like begets like.

So encourage your employees to seek out other great people they know. After all, the best candidates will usually be working for someone else already and probably aren’t even looking for a new position, but consider your employees your best brand ambassadors and they will reach places that job ads never will.

“Even better, they know exactly what makes a right-fit team member for your organisation because they are one themselves,” says Rinaldi.

Fit the personality

“I cannot begin to emphasise how important it is in the recruitment process to have a good personality fit,” offers Rinaldi. “When you are looking for someone like an

accountant then, yes, you can look at their qualifications and that will, in a large part, tell you whether they are right for the role. But in the creative industries, the so-called soft skills are often far more relevant.”

So consider interpersonal skills, communication skills, thought processes and emotional intelligence, as these are likely to be better indicators of whether a candidate can come into your business and hit the ground running.

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FOCUS

f o s e l o h e l Litt

happiness

Whether you’re a pedestrian or cyclist, East London’s many potholes can be a real pain, but one man’s mission has been to transform them into a pleasure, planting up stunning miniature gardens. We meet guerilla gardener Steve Wheen, whose delightful designs are putting smiles on locals’ faces It’s the bleak mid winter, so anything that lifts the spirits and briefly makes you forget about the daily grind, has got to be most welcome. Which is why Steve Wheen’s recent inclusion on the San Miguel Rich List is so timely.

Forget the charming Mike Ashleys and Sir Philip Greens of this world.

This particular rich list wouldn’t touch

those billionaires with a veritable barge pole. No this list comprises of ‘life-rich’ individuals from across the globe who all have unique, compelling and aspirational stories that go some way to making our everyday existence that little bit better. And heaven knows after the year we’ve just had, that surely has to be celebrated. ➦ JAN/FEB 2017

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FOCUS

Steve often uses props such as mini phone boxes to decorate his pothole creations

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Steve captures one of his tiny gardens on camera

Steve’s Little Black Book RESTAURANT: Tayyabs

PLACE TO CHILL OUT:

COFFEE SHOP: Brick

MARKET: Columbia Road, of course!

buildings surrounding Arnold Circus, I think they include an old school, and apparently the oldest graffiti in London is there too!

COCKTAIL BAR:

PLACE TO VISIT: White

STREET: Redchurch

has the best food in East London in a great atmosphere!

Lane Coffee. I love it.

LoungeLover, partly because it’s hidden away down an alley!

Whitechapel Gallery – I love the cafe there, it’s my secret spot.

Cube Gallery and Hoxton Square.

BUILDING: I love the old

Street – it’s my favourite local road to garden in!

Steve even more accolades. “It’s amazing how my little project just took off and continues to attract attention all these years later,” he says, sounding genuinely surprised. “What’s great is that people from all around the world have picked up on pothole gardening. From Montreal to Hong Kong and Germany, people send me photos of their work that I then post on my blog.”

Over the years the project has evolved and these days Steve likes to take people out gardening with him. “It’s become a much more social thing,” he says.

Of course guerilla gardening, as lovely as it is, does not pay the bills, which is why Steve combines it with running an online video content company, called The Distillery. As well as producing videos for commercial clients, he is working increasingly with charities. “Helping charities through my short films is where my passion lies. This year I’m planning a big crowd-funding project for Water Aid, encouraging people to water my pothole gardens,” he reveals.

What a thoroughly decent chap that Steve is, and thanks to San Miguel’s alternative rich list his small acts of kindness have now been properly recognised. sanmiguel.co.uk/richlist

INTERVIEW: KELLY BESWICK

So give a fanfare please for Mr Wheen, who for the past eight years has quietly gone about transforming hundreds of East London potholes into glorious oases of vivid green shrubs and brightly coloured flowers, with an occasional miniature prop (a park bench, phone box or bicycle perhaps) thrown in for good measure.

The impact of these tiny pothole gardens has been huge – far, far bigger than Steve could ever have imagined when he started out. “It originally began as a design project for my Masters at Central St Martins” he says in his gentle Australian accent. “I was looking to turn something a little bit crappy into something that made people feel happy. As a cyclist living in Shoreditch, I was all too familiar with the area’s many potholes and cracks in the roads, and that’s when I struck on the idea of turning them into little gardens.”

With the benefit of hindsight, Steve thinks he found the gardening idea especially appealing having grown up in Canberra. “It’s known as the Bush Capital because there’s so much land and everyone has these huge gardens,” he explains. “Whether you like it or not, as a kid you’re out there raking up the leaves, mowing the lawn and growing tomatoes. It was something I’d just taken for granted back home but here, living in a gardenless flat, I guess I missed it.”

Thus Steve’s unique brand of guerilla gardening was born. “It’s funny how my little gardens are so small compared to other types of guerilla gardening where people will go and fix up a whole roundabout,” he muses. “They’ll do big beds of plants whereas everything I do is tiny.” But size clearly isn’t everything, because within a few short months of starting his project, and an accompanying blog, Steve’s work was drawing in thousands of followers.

A short film and a book (The Little Book of Little Gardens, £9.99, Dokument Press) followed, garnering

URBANINTERIOR.CO.UK 020 7739 4644 INFO@URBANINTERIOR.CO.UK 27-33 BETHNAL GREEN ROAD LONDON E1 6LA

THE ULTIMATE KITCHEN EXPERIENCE

ART SCENE

Artattack

Animator, illustrator, author… Fiona Woodcock is a woman whose creativity knows no bounds. From the West End stage and TV to local galleries and bookshops, her distinctive work is cropping up all over the place. We meet up to find out what makes her tick WORDS BY KELLY BESWICK

It’s hard to pigeonhole Fiona Woodcock. Her art crosses over several disciplines but, to be honest, that’s just the way she likes it. Not that she’s strategically planned to have such a multifarious career. “It’s just kind of happened that way,” she says, sounding both amused and delighted at the turn of events. “But the fact that I studied graphic communication (now called communication design) at the Glasgow School of Art certainly held me in good stead.

There were various specialisms and lots of ideas-based projects. It really taught me to think and be able to communicate my ideas through different graphic processes.”

Upon leaving art school, however, Fiona first settled on animation. “I’d done a couple of films on the course, so I sort of went off in that direction after the degree,” she says. “I came to East London and my very first animation job was in a lovely little studio on Sly Street, just off of Commercial Street.

It’s now home to expensive flats, but back then it was an amazing space with these big windows and high ceilings. So that’s where I did my apprenticeship and I learned so much.”

This was enough to get her freelance gigs on everything from the West End production of Charlie 24

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and the Chocolate Factory, where Fiona helped create the short animated film of Quentin Blake’s drawings that opened the show, to that more recent Christmas television favourite, The Snowman and the Snowdog. “That was a massive project – like nearly a whole year’s work,” recalls Fiona, who was tasked with replicating Raymond Briggs’ style.

“There was quite a lot of hand-drawn stuff, which was what was so incredibly time consuming. But it was great fun working with friends, back in East London,” an area which, despite now living south of the river, has remained very dear to her heart.

It was the love of all things East End that led Fiona to create one of her more famous illustrations – prints and postcards of which can be seen dotted around Shoreditch and indeed in E1life. It is that of an enigmatic, bejewelled and feathered monochrome Pearly Queen. “Ah yes, my Pearly Queen cards and prints were just a little side project, my own cottage industry, that really took off,” she says excitedly. “People have been really supportive of them, and not just in East London.”

Another project that just took off, and has led Fiona on a whole new trajectory, was a brainwave she had for a book. “I’d had a few ideas over the years,” admits Fiona. “But I thought this one could ➦

ART SCENE

Drawing was something that made Fiona happy as a child, and it continues to this day

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ART SCENE After the huge success of Hiding Heidi, Fiona is now busy working on her second picture book

really have potential.” So never one to procrastinate, she went out and got herself an agent who could help see her concept through to fruition.

And so Hiding Heidi (Simon & Schuster, £6.99) came into being, an atmospheric and enchanting children’s picture book about a little girl with an amazing gift for concealing herself. But whereas other books of its ilk, with Where’s Wally? immediately springing to mind, are just about finding the character, Fiona’s offering contains stunning artwork and a touching story about friendship which has, not surprisingly, garnered many excellent reviews since publication six months back.

In fact the book’s reception has been so good, that Simon & Schuster have already signed her up for a second author-illustrated title. “It’s a bit different from Heidi,” she reveals tentatively.

“I’ll be introducing another little gang of characters, but I don’t want to say too much at this stage.

It’s not due out until next summer.”

Who knows where this latest venture will take her, but the direction certainly looks promising.

A children’s TV series followed by media and marketing franchises, perhaps? “Now wouldn’t that lovely,” enthuses Fiona.

In her creative hands, anything is possible.

Fiona’s Little Black Book COCKTAIL: At Happiness Forgets. Something refreshing like a Tokyo Collins – sort of like a Tom Collins, in a tall glass with lots of ice, yuzu and lime.

RESTAURANT: The Willow Shoreditch on Hoxton Street. It’s not really a restaurant but they do amazing salads to take away and it’s also a florist. Whenever I’m back working in the area I’ll pop in.

PUB: The Shakespeare in Stoke Newington, I love the jukebox and it has a really relaxed vibe.

PLACE TO VISIT: The

Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. I’m also a big fan of the Geffrye.

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CAFE: Leila’s Shop which is on Calvert Avenue, leading up to Arnold Circus. It’s gorgeous and conveniently next to Ally Capellino.

MARKET: I have to say

Columbia Road Flower Market. But I do like Ridley Road too because it’s quite earthy and real.

OUT OF TOWN: Whitstable.

There’s this gorgeous little shop called Frank where I always pop in. They were early supporters of my Pearly Queen cards and sell the prints as well. It’s got a lovely small gallery with carefully selected items, so I always go there and then have a pint on the beach at the Neptune pub.

Courses starting in 2017 Join us at our Postgraduate Open Evening Wednesday 25th January 2017, 5pm-8pm University Square Stratford, London E15 1NF

uel.ac.uk/pg

SPOTLIGHT

DRAMA QUEEN She’s bowled audiences over with her performance in Vikings, and now she has Hollywood sniffing at her door. But actress Maude Hirst won’t be moving to La La Land anytime soon, because Hackney’s where she was born and belongs WORDS BY BETH LATHAM

Born in the Homerton Hospital and raised near Victoria Park, actress Maude Hirst is clearly proud of her strong Hackney heritage. “I’m an East Londoner through and through,” she confirms. “It’s in my blood to be here and I think it will always be my home.”

The itinerant nature of the acting profession, however, means that Maude, 23, does regularly find herself abroad. And never more so than in recent years, where her acclaimed role as Helga in the hit TV series Vikings (currently showing on Amazon Prime) has meant filming in Ireland for several months.

Then there’s the fact that she’s recently acquired representation in Los Angeles. “Vikings was originally filmed for American TV,” she explains. “So the following over there is much bigger than it is here.

People really know the show and my character and that helped in getting an agent. It’s great being able to dip into that world and all the work opportunities it offers, but I am always very happy to come home.

Nothing beats being around friends and family.”

One gets the distinct impression that however starry Maude’s career becomes, she will always have her feet firmly planted on the ground. Perhaps that’s a consequence of having acted since childhood.

“I got spotted by a casting director when I was around eight years old,” she says. “I was doing gymnastics and they were casting for a film about a young gymnast. After that I went for a few films, but my mum was apprehensive about pushing me too far in that direction, so she held me back a bit.”

Ah, yes, Maude’s mum sounds lovely and eminently sensible and another reason why Maude remains so level-headed. “She was a single mum to three of us, as well as being an artist. Our house 28

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was always full of writers, artists and actors, all these really creative people. It was a wonderful environment to grow up in,” she reveals.

Her father, meanwhile, is Michael Hirst, an awardwinning screenwriter, who also just happened to pen Vikings, as well as Henry VIII series The Tudors, which Maude also appeared in. But Maude is keen to downplay the relationship, saying that she only got to know her father’s work later in life, although she will admit to having “creative genes”.

It was these genes that helped win her a much sought-after scholarship to the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. But being a self-confessed iconoclast – “I like to make my own path, doing things differently” – she left after the second year, found herself an agent and hasn’t looked back since.

As well as the acting, Maude is also a co-founder of Tuppence Films, an independent production company, based in East London, with the avowed intention of providing strong and inspiring roles for women. Indeed, she is currently working on a TV show, again rooted in the East. “It’s about millennials who are going into their thirties and how different it is for this generation than the previous, with the way the world is economically and politically right now.”

It’s a project that’s clearly close to Maude’s heart and is keeping her busy until the next acting job comes along. “Having Tuppence Films means that I can stay creative, producing and working on different collaborations,” she says. “Otherwise, as an actor between jobs, there’s a danger of becoming isolated and feeling anxious. This keeps me sane. That and surrounding myself with the lovely network of friends and family I have round here.”

For Maude, there really is no place like home.

Maude admits to being a homebird and likes nothing more than being surrounded by close friends and family

Maude’s Little Black Book RESTAURANT: Vu-Viet, Victoria Park Road – best bargain lunch in East London.

COFFEE SHOP: Well Street

Kitchen has great coffee and the most amazing bacon butty (best hangover cure EVER).

BOUTIQUE: Sublime in

Victoria Park village is great for birthday gifts.

COCKTAIL BAR: B.Y.O.C East is a little hidden gem.

MARKET: Columbia Road

flower market – I just love a bunch of fresh flowers.

PLACE TO CHILL OUT: London Fields. When the sun is shining it’s the greatest chilled day out with mates.

PLACE TO BAG A BARGAIN:

Roman Road Market is where I’ve been shopping since I was a kid.

PLACE TO VISIT: Victoria Park and make sure you row a boat around the little lake.

BUILDING: The Hackney Empire is an intimate-sized theatre and community lead.

STREET: Beck Road reminds me of old East London.

OUT-OF-TOWN DAY TRIP:

Thorpeness in Suffolk because seaside breaks are the best.

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CoreFit Pilates Barre and Yoga Studio

Come and shake your booty at the barre to great music that motivates you to move.

Burn to firm.

Why not try one of our taster classes?

• Booty Barre groove with a live DJ Every Tuesday 7.30pm • Pilates Barre – Every Thursday: 6pm • Booty Barre – Every Mon and Wed: 10.30am • Booty Barre Burn – Every Fri: 9.15am *FIRST CLASS FREE* ON PRESENTATION OF E1 LIFE MAGAZINE Drop in classes start from £10 per class Visit corefittheloft.com membership options

156 Queen’s Road Buckhurst Hill, Essex IG9 5BJ T: 020 8504 7305 M: 07545424760 E: info@corefittheloft.com @sandracorefit corefit_pilates_

Get glowing Now’s the time to add some extra glow to your complexion if the combination of dark days, cold weather and central heating has left your skin looking dull and lacklustre.

To ramp up your radiance here are three of our favourites, chosen to suit every budget...

Beauty notes

It starts with a bang, but the New Year can quickly descend into post-festive jadedness, which is why some #JOMO (joy of missing out) becomes so appealing.

So stay in your PJs and allow us to bring the spa experience to you WORDS BY LILY EARLE

£££

SPLURGE

HELLO LIGHT CREME ILLUMINATOR WITH BRUSH Works flawlessly over bare skin or foundation to highlight and illuminate without the use of any shimmer or glitter.

Priced £29.

itcosmetics.com

££

ILLUSTRATION: Sarah Daniel, sarahdanieldesign@btinternet.com

aromatherapyassociates.com

SAVE

HIGH BEAM Not only can this be used as a spot highlighter over cheekbones but it can also be worn under makeup (or even mixed with foundation) to brighten your whole face.

Priced £19.50.

benefitcosmetics.com

ILLUMINATING STROBING CREAM An easy addition to any routine – sweep on softly to create a dewy look or quickly layer for a more intense strobing look, without the effort of contouring. Priced £4.99.

barrym.com

PUFF BE GONE

Oil be having that Aromatherapy Associates has one aim – to share the true power of essential oils and their incredible effects on our skin and mood, so it products are perfect for creating the ultimate at-home spa experience. Ease the discomfort of irritated, dry winter skin with Support Supersensitive Body Oil, a blend of English chamomile, apricot kernel and jojoba that’s been formulated for sensitive skin so is suitable from three months! Use firm, circular motions to massage into freshly exfoliated skin.

Priced £42.

£

SPEND

Waxing lyrical

The Spitalfields Candle Co started in an old slow cooker on a kitchen table, using only sustainably sourced soy wax and high quality essential oils to create luxury, scented candles that fill the room with a beautifully clean fragrance. Its Lavender & Chamomile Natural Candle is perfect for turning any room into a relaxing spa lounge, as both scents working to sooth tired bodies and help relax stressed minds. Priced £10.99.

spitalfieldscandles.co.uk

Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion is an award-winning tonic that revitalises and refreshes tired and puffy peepers by using not just the herb eyebright, but also witch hazel, aloe vera and cornflower to cool and soothe. These botanicals contain tanins, which help to tighten and firm skin, leaving the under-eye area looking lifted, with dark circles diminished. For a spa-like experience, keep a bottle of this stashed in the fridge, then pour it over two cotton pads and lie down with them over your eyes for ten minutes of relaxation, breathing in the fragrance from the scented candle you’ve just lit and the oil you’ve massaged into your skin. Bliss.

Priced £113.25.

lizearle.com

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PULL OUT, STICK TO YOUR WALL & JUST DO IT!

ALL YOU NEED to Fitness expert Catherine Hudson shows how just 15 minutes of exercise a day can fit easily into your life, and make all the difference

1

Star jumps 30 jumps ( 3 0 s e c o n d s )

Stand straight with feet shoulder width apart, arms by your side. Jump your feet up and out landing gently in a bent knee squat position while at the same time, extending your arms up into a star shape. Don’t rush but keep a steady pace. You should feel slightly out of breath.

Don’t underestimate the power of the classic star jump. It will work all the major muscles in your legs, as well as in your shoulders, so it’s a great, quick warm-up tool.

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2

Burpees

Three sets of ten ( 1 . 5 m i n u t e s )

From standing, drop to a squat with your hands touching the floor, kick your feet back to a plank, then jump back to a squat, and spring up with arms above your head, and repeat.

Doing a few sets of these will help up your fitness ante big time. With every rep, you’ll work your arms, chest, quads, glutes, hamstrings, and abs.

You might feel ‘heavy’ at first, but keep going and you’ll notice improvements quickly.

3

Prisoner squats

Two sets of 25 r e p s ( 1 . 5 m i n u t e s )

Interlock your fingers and place behind your head, or ears if your hands won’t meet.

Soften your knees and, with your toes pointing forward and feet a little wider than shoulder width apart, slowly squat until your knees are at 90 degrees and rise up again. Repeat 25 times, rest and repeat.

Squats will work your glutes, hamstrings, calves and thighs and are one of the best toning exercises for your butt. Do a few while brushing your teeth!

4

Standing lunge 15 reps on each l e g ( 1 m i n u t e )

Stand with your feet hip width apart, hands on hips. Take a big step forward, bending your knee at a right angle in a lunge position, keeping your back straight. At the same time, drop your other knee to almost touching the floor. Push back up to standing, then repeat. Then repeat with the other leg leading.

Add a set of light weights (tins of beans will do). Holding these over longer sets of reps will lengthen and tone the muscles.

get fit this year Okay, no more excuses! Maybe these fitness mantras will help • Every journey begins with a single step • It’s the start that stops most people • Yesterday you said tomorrow • Strive for progress, not perfection

6

Tricep dips

Three sets of 15 r e p s ( 1 . 5 m i n u t e s )

Park a chair with its back against a wall. Sit on the chair, then lower yourself off the front with your arms bent behind you and your knees at 90 degrees. Lower yourself down until your bottom is hovering a few inches off the ground, then slowly rise back up.

Don’t rush any part of this exercise, as keeping the slow, sustained movement will tone the muscles. The aim is to control the exercise, not get through it as fast as you can.

5

Press-ups

Three sets of 15 r e p s ( 1 . 5 m i n u t e s )

Facing the floor, start on either your knees or toes and hold yourself up with your arms directly under your shoulders.

Make sure your fingers are pointing forward.

As you lower and lift yourself, you should feel the pull across your chest and in your upper arms. Lower your chest, keeping your back straight, and slowly push back up just before it reaches the floor.

Ease into these by starting on your knees rather than toes.

7

Kickbacks

Three sets of 15 r e p s ( 1 . 5 m i n u t e s )

Sit on all fours and kick your right leg back as hard and as straight up as you can. Keep your foot flat and don’t tip your weight forward.

The only part of your body that should move is your leg. Repeat on the left leg.

Make sure nothing and no one is directly behind you! These are great to tone your glutes and core and are a great stress reliever. Why not imagine you are kicking what or whoever it is that is bothering you?

8

Rainbow plank

For 30 counts (30 s e c o n d s )

Lying face down on the floor, lift yourself up onto your toes and your elbows into a plank, with a flat back. Hold this position, keeping your hips down, hovering a couple of inches above the floor – no bum in the air!

Then gently tilt your hips, moving from one side to the other in an arc in a rocking motion.

Again, this exercise is all about control and when done correctly this is a brilliant core burner and body sculptor.

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Spa etiquette

What you need to know

The Quality Street tin is empty, you’ve vowed never to sup prosecco again and the Nutribullet has been fished out from the back of the cupboard. What better way to start that New Year health kick than with a spa trip?

Here Alex Lloyd offers a few key dos and don’ts

PERFECT PREP

DO… wash those sweaty bits You might be wallowing in water for much of the day but don’t turn up without having showered first – especially intimate areas that you plan to have waxed. If you know you might arrive in a rush, pop some wet wipes in your bag for a speedy refresh.

DON’T… worry about imperfections. Therapists have seen it all before. Stubbly legs, spotty backs and badly bitten finger nails shouldn’t stress you out or even need noting, unless you have a specific health complaint.

UNDERWEAR WORRIES EMBARRASSING BODIES DO… put on the paper pants Yes, they’re as sexy as Donald Trump’s hair but if provided, pop them on. It’s more hygienic for everyone and stops your nice knickers or pants getting covered in oil or wax (dress in underwear you don’t mind getting run over in’ is the spa rule of thumb) .

DON’T… wear the paper pants outside the treatment room.

Post-treatment, remove and bin – it’s not nice to leave your damp drawers for the staff to dispose of. And certainly don’t parade them around the relaxation area.

DO… snore Therapists will take it as a compliment if you are so relaxed, you fall asleep.

Dribbling and breaking wind are also OK if accidental, although trumping at will – and in communal areas – is not on.

DON’T… share your germs.

Got a cold? Reschedule.

WAXING WORRIES

DO… be a brave soldier Waxing hurts but it’s not the poor therapist’s fault if your pain threshold tops out at a bruised knee. Thrashing about like you’re about to die is both WHAT’S GOING ON? PILLOW TALK cringeworthy and makes their DO… listen to instructions DO… give direction job ten times harder.

Staff will explain very clearly Your therapist might be an DON’T… shave in the shower. what they need you to do. expert, but they are not a mind Communal spaces should not Try not to let nerves inhibit your reader. Rather than quietly be treated like your personal hearing or you may end fuming that your massage is bathroom. So shaving faces, up fully clothed for your full more of a tickle than a pummel legs and armpits is out. Ditto body massage. (or uncomfortable rather than plucking pubes. Groom before DON’T… feel foolish asking unwinding), explain what you you leave the house questions about what to wear, would like – and ask for changes or simply embrace the fuzz. what to do and what a treatment if needed.

SPA SPEAK involves. Better that than DON’T… complain afterwards. shrieking when your therapist This just pleases no one – and DO… adopt a ‘spa voice’ unexpectedly scrubs your naked kills the spa serenity you were Notice how all spa staff sound bum cheeks. hoping to enjoy. like the voiceover lady from the

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M&S adverts and ensure you use the same hushed tones.

The walls are thin – no one wants some bellowing idiot interrupting their expensively purchased state of serenity, thank you very much.

DON’T… make small talk.

The steam room is not the place to swap niceties about the weather with a complete (and partially dressed) stranger.

And if you’re not comfortable with silence, pulling out a mobile for a catch up with your mate is an absolute no-no.

LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR

DO… leave room for manoeuvre Take the tube approach when entering the sauna or Jacuzzi.

Never sit next to someone you don’t know when there are plenty of empty seats elsewhere.

No one likes knocking naked knees, particularly against members of the opposite sex.

DON’T… be greedy. Treat the facilities as you would toys at a children’s party – let the other guests have a go. Hogging the hot tub will only send temperatures rising all round.

SPA SPECIAL

“At a spa in Poland, I was horrified when the therapist massaged my breasts quite vigorously. She worked so quickly and efficiently, there was no time to protest.”

NATASHA HAMBLETON, E5

“First time having a massage. There was a towel carefully folded into a thin strip across the bed which the therapist asked me to cover myself with and left the room. I draped the stillfolded towel just over my boobs, the ends hanging over the bed, then laid there triumphantly. The therapist returned, didn’t even bother to contain her snigger, snatched the towel up, shook it out and fully covered me up.”

EDIE JOHNSTON-BETTS, N16

“A friend once thought the disposable underwear they gave you was a hat. His therapist looked a bit confused when he returned to the room!”

JAKE CHAPPEL, E8

AND RELAX!

DO… let your inhibitions go Going fully-dressed into the sauna is likely to draw more stares than exposing yourself in a swimsuit. Embrace the experience. And if abroad, comply with the nudity norms – foreigners can be offended by us Brits’ refusal to get naked.

DON’T… get frisky. Not even in the couples’ treatment room (see earlier point about thin walls…). This is a nonnegotiable rule.

TOP TIP

DO… express your gratitude Mind-blowing massage? Staff will appreciate a thank-you – just leave it at reception rather than pushing a sweaty tenner into their oily hands.

DON’T… feel under pressure to pay extra.

Tipping is not customary in the UK so there’s no obligation, no matter how intimate your treatment is.

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SPA SPECIAL

Heaven on earth To escape the stresses everyday life, nothing We lie back, relax and to be pampered... well

and strains of beats a spa break. allow ourselves somebody had to

The Scarlet Hotel The sound of waves lapping on Mawgan Porth beach helps drown out all worldly distractions and further augments the peace, tranquillity and blissful pampering offered at the eco-friendly Scarlet Hotel.

Set within Poldark country on a cliff-top on the North Cornwall coast, with views over the wild Atlantic and beyond, not much can compete with the Scarlet’s breath-taking surroundings.

But we are soon also in awe of the hotel’s gracious hospitality, which further added to our sense of total escape from everyday life.

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The reception area has the serenity of a chapel – there’s no traditional reception desk, with each guest greeted individually, offered excellent tea or coffee and made to feel at home while the ins and outs are explained, allowing us to wind down slowy and melt into our glorious new surroundings.

We were stunned by our room, with its open-plan bathroom, seating area and the space to swing at least a dozen cats! Our balcony, with a fabulous view across the vast sandy beach, enticed us to take a long, brisk walk.

Every tastefully decorated room has magnificent views,

some with open fires to warm up by during the winter months. Food and drink can be delivered anywhere in the hotel, you just have to say.

Curl up with a good book or have complimentary coffee or tea delivered to one of the many quiet lounges and areas with comfy daybeds.

While my companion relaxed overlooking the outside natural reed-bed swimming pool, I headed for the spa, opting for the ‘Short Journey’ treatment, which involves an introduction to Ayurveda, helping to identify any imbalances in mind and body, followed by a tailored therapeutic massage. The

WORDS: NICKY ACKETTS

The North Cornish coastline makes a spectacular backdrop for The Scarlet Hotel

Stapleford Park offers an idyllic escape

Stapleford Park

treatment rooms are dimly lit, tented cocoons and there’s a beautiful room to chill out in after treatments, complete with swinging pods suspended in the dark for deep relaxation, or drifting off to sleep in my case.

For extra indulgence, we booked a cliff-top hot-tub overlooking the sea. The weather was unseasonably warm, although still a little chilly, and the water felt embracing and decadent for a mid-week afternoon. Hopping over to the nearby barrel sauna, we felt at one with nature. We finished off with a glass of Champagne while listening to and watching the waves, then we headed inside for a quick

dip in the pool before dinner.

There’s no need to dress for dinner, as the dining room is relaxed but still feels incredibly luxurious. The fresh and locally sourced food cannot be faulted, and is cooked in a European style with a Cornish twist that changes to meet the seasons.

Feeling replenished, our final indulgence was dessert in our room, shortly after which we drifted off under the cloud-like duvet. The next day we agreed we’d had the best night’s sleep in ages – such is the restorative power of the Scarlet.

Where: The Scarlet Hotel, Tredragon Road, Mawgan Porth, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4DQ

scarlethotel.co.uk

Tucked away in the picturesque countryside of Stapleford, Leicestershire, you’ll find Stapleford Park Country House Hotel and Sporting Estate, steeped in history dating back to Doomsday, and since owned by a succession of well-to-do historical figures. In 1894 Lord Gretton, a wealthy brewer, purchased the house with ideas of entertaining on a grand scale and accessing the fashionable hunting circles of the day. Surrounded by 500 acres of Capability Brown-designed landscape, the Grade I-listed mansion combines Victorian tradition with 21st-century style in the form of the ultimate luxurious retreat.

After winding our way along the long drive, feeling transported to an episode of Downton Abbey, we parked at the front of the mansion where a cheery porter greeted us and carried our bags from the car. The unpretentious staff made us feel at home immediately, while the property, rather surprisingly, felt cosy and not at all intimidating.

Our room also combined intimacy with magnificence.

Each room is individually designed and decorated.

A quiet and secluded swimming pool Many of the state rooms belonged to the lords and ladies of the house, with history suffused in their high ceilings and window seats set in vast bays. Our room was conveniently located close to the Victorian-housed swimming pool, where I found ➦

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SPA SPECIAL The Belfry Hotel & Resort, not just a golfing destination

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myself regularly enjoying a quiet swim.

The spa is within the original stable block, which is a pleasurable stroll or a short chauffeur-driven golf cart trip from the hotel. On our journey the informative driver pointed out the hotel’s features, including the splendid garden house where Michael Jackson evidently once stayed.

A number of the treatment rooms reside quirkily within the original stable units, along with exercise classes in the wing, plus more rooms and a chill-out area and café above.

Led by my friendly therapist to one of the first-floor treatment rooms, my full body massage was excellent. In fact, I’d go as far to say it was one of the best I’ve ever had.

We’d next booked a wonderful falconry experience with Stapleford’s gamekeeper Pete, where we met the birds of prey up close and personal! Later we’d arranged for an archery lesson with the very patient Richard, who had us hitting the bullseye by the end of our hour-long session.

I could not fault the dining at Stapleford.

Take afternoon tea in the quintessentially English Drawing Room, or a relaxed lunch in the Pavilion next to the golf course. Dinner was taken in the sumptuous historic Grinling Gibbons Room (named after the Dutch woodworker who created the mantelpiece).

Not just a spa, Stapleford offers romantic breaks or complete relaxation for all the family in a truly magnificent setting. What’s more, the staff are so friendly, they made us feel part of the family. I just wished our perfect stay could have been longer.

Where: Stapleford Park Country House Hotel and Sporting Estate, Stapleford, Nr. Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 2EF

staplefordpark.com E1LIFE

JAN/FEB 2017

The Belfry Rolling up to the The Belfry Hotel & Resort, set amongst acres of stunning grounds amid fabulous scenery, you instantly feel relaxed, especially with a warm welcome from the roaring fire and a drink served at the opulent Brabazon Bar. Located in Sutton Coldfield, just a short drive from Birmingham, The Belfry is generally renowned for its golfing facilities, but don’t be mistaken in thinking that’s all it offers, as there are many other activities for which you can indulge. With a wonderful selection of treatments, including body massages and facials for both men and women or the fire and ice journey that invigorates your senses through 12 bio thermal rooms.

To clear my mind and body of a stressful working week I enjoyed a full

One of the luxurious treatment rooms

The opulent Brabazon Bar

body hot-stone massage which was incredibly relaxing followed by a snooze.

Late afternoon I took a dip in the pool followed by a peaceful read.

Dinner was served at The Ryder Grill with the opportunity to have either the á la carte menu or the buffet. To start I chose succulent scallops, flavourfullydressed, followed by baked salmon cooked perfectly and accompanied by a medley of vegetables. To finish I opted for a sumptuous chocolate brownie.

The Belfry is a delightful experience, with friendly, welcoming staff. It’s the perfect place to take family or friends, thanks to the many activities, or go with a loved one for a round of golf and the opportunity to be properly pampered!

WHERE: The Belfry Hotel & Resort, Lichfield Road, Wishaw, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 9PR

thebelfry.co.uk

WORDS: ROSIE COXSHAW

WORDS: NICKY ACKETTS

Hop on a chauffeurdriven golf cart to the spa, set within the original stable block

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FOOD & DRINK

What’s your top tip for beating the post-Christmas bloat?

Tweet us @E1LifeMag to share your healthy eating ideas

feeling good

Forget the January detox, and eat healthily and deliciously instead WORDS BY KELLY BESWICK WHAT’S YOUR BEEF? If you’re a steak fan, but you’re watching your waistline, then check out Lite Beef, a new range of meat that comes from cattle aged slightly older than veal. It is pale, tender and extremely lean – so lean in fact, it contains 14 times less fat than standard cuts and is even leaner than chicken.

Prices start at £4 for a pack of two minute steaks. musclefood.com

PASTA LA VISTA Last year it was all about spiralised courgette or squash replacing your regular bowl of spaghetti. Well this year it’s the turn of seaweed, with this latest alternative, called I Sea Pasta, being low in calories and high in iodine, antioxidants, calcium, iron and omega 3. The seaweed, which is handpicked in Ireland, is one of the world’s most sustainable foods – so good for you and the planet.

Priced £5.99. thegroceryshop.co.uk BREAKFAST LIKE A KING The most important meal of the day has just got a whole lot healthier, tastier and even more convenient thanks to a brand new range of porridge pots called Quoats. As well as the expected oats, you’ll also find quinoa and flax seeds,

all helping to keep you fuller for longer and with the added benefit of no added sugar.

The range includes Original, Coconut and Raspberry and Date and Pecan varieties.

Priced £24 for a box of 12. quoats.co.uk THIRST AND FOREMOST A new drink for the new year is Aspire, a refreshing blend of green tea extract, ginger root extract and guarana seed extract that’s been fortified with multivitamins, and comes in three fruity flavours, Cranberry, Apple and Acai and Mango Lemonade. It’s slightly sparkling and gives an energy boost, but with zero sugar, zero calories and zero carbs.

Priced £1.85. hollandandbarrett. com

KALETTES After all those Christmas dinners, you’ve probably had your fill of Brussels sprouts, but what about kalettes, an unfeasibly cute new Britishbred cross that looks like a mini cabbage and is half-sprout and half- kale. Although tiny, it packs a powerful nutritional punch, and is already proving a winner Stateside, with Gloopy Gwyneth an early advocate.

Go on, give this adorable and delicious little hybrid a try.

Around £1.50 for 200g. kalettes.com

A BUG’S LIFE If you’ve eaten your body weight in crisps and peanuts of late and would now like to snack on something more nutritious and healthy, we’ve found just the thing. Admittedly Jimini’s range of snacks are not for the squeamish, consisting, as they do, of various different insects.

But if you are happy to munch on crickets, grasshoppers and mealworms (grubs are standard fare in countries such as Thailand, Mexico, Australia, Ghana and China) you’ll discover a rather tasty alternative source of protein.

Flavours include Smoked Onion BBQ, Fruity Curry and Sesame and Cumin.

From £6 per pack. jiminis.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

BDQ

DINNER

B U S I N E S S LD I N N E R LQ U I R K Y

Our hot-right-now dining guide to suit all occasions WORDS BY KELLY BESWICK AND GEMMA ROLLASON

BUSINESS

WINE AND DINE 28°-50° FETTER LANE A bit like Dr Who’s Tardis, 28°-50° appears tiny from the outside, but wander down the wooden staircase and you are confronted with a glorious space. A bar area leads to an inviting restaurant, with shelves heaving with wine at every turn. In case you were wondering, the unusual name comes from the latitudes within which most of the world’s vineyards are located – that’s how seriously they take their wine. Suffice to say the pairings the sommelier brought us were all fine specimens, but what did come as a suprise was how excellent and wellexecuted the food was. Our crab and beetroot salads to start could not be faulted, while our mains of rib eye steak and plaice delivered far more than their titles might suggest. The meat was well hung and packed a powerful punch, while the fish came accompanied by butternut purée, kohlrabi, lemongrass and coconut sauce, for an unusual yet perfect balance of flavours.

WHAT & WHERE: 140 Fetter Lane EC4A 1BT 2850.co.uk/fetter

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‘People who love to eat are always the best people’ JULIA CHILD

NORDIC AND NICE OSLO Situated underneath Hackney Central Station on a site that was the original Victorian station, the building has undergone various transformations over the years – it was a greengrocers when I first moved to E8 way back when. Now Oslo occupies this huge space with such panache and assurance, it feels like it was always destined to be there. Restaurant, bar and venue, the place was packed to the rafters when we arrived one particularly wintry Sunday evening.

The buzzing atmosphere, welcoming Nordic aesthetic, and a pint each of the eminently quaffable house lager soon warmed us up, in preparation for what turned out to be a veritable feast (if you like your portions small and delicate, then perhaps this isn’t the place for you, but, being a rather greedy pair, it suited us just fine). Transitioning from beer to wine, a fragrant bottle of Picpoul in fact, we munched on incredibly crispy sweet potato fries and excellent crunchy squid while waiting for the main event, a Sunday roast with all the trimmings. And boy, they did not disappoint, with our plates arriving laden with half a chicken in my case and ridiculously thick slabs of roast beef for my companion, and both accompanied by roasted parsnips, potatoes cooked in goose fat, heritage carrots, kale and topped off with one of the biggest Yorkshire puddings I’ve ever seen. Desperate Dan eat your heart out, because we most certainly did.

WHAT & WHERE: 1A Amhurst Road E8 1LL oslohackney.com

SUPERIOR SPANISH TAPAS BRINDISA Spanish food can be hit or miss, but I knew from previous experience of this eatery, when it went by the name of Tramontana, that everything I ever ordered there tasted sublime. So I was intrigued to see how it would compare to past visits now that it has been rechristened (to keep it more in line with the Borough Market flagship) and has a cool new look.

Well, I’m relieved to say if anything it’s even better, or at least it certainly was on the night we visited. Perched on stools overlooking the extremely busy kitchen, and supping on a fine house Rioja, we saw our selection of tapas being prepared before our eyes. Everything was utterly

delicious, but of particular note were the calamares con Romesco, melt-in-the-mouths rings of squid perfection, and the presa Ibérica, a pork lion so flavoursome and tender, we ended up squabbling like hungry children over the last slice.

WHAT & WHERE: 152 Curtain Road, EC2A 3AT brindisakitchens.com

QUIRKY

BOWLED OVER BONE DADDIES It’s known as the French Paradox – that people in Gascony eat more duck fat than anywhere else, but still live long lives. I mention this as it was a comfort to me as I tucked into Bone Daddies’ crispy duck aburamen – available exclusively at its recently opened Old Street branch.

A rich ramen noodle broth with duck fat melted into it, it was as silky and unctuous as it sounds, and balanced by a generous topping of pickled padron peppers. This dish is worth the trip alone, but the location is another draw, tucked away in the Bower – an oasis of calm just a few steps from Old Street roundabout.

We first ate there on a balmy September evening, so the chilled chilli ramen, with chicken mince, cucumber and sesame, seemed like a refreshing choice (along with frozen yuzu margaritas), but its intensely fiery kick would be equally as welcome on a frosty winter’s night. And if you need further inducement to visit, it’s just introduced another branch-exclusive: kushikatsu skewers – deep-fried breaded meat and veg on sticks, with combos ranging from Iberia ham and roast onion to cheesy Japanese potato salad... time for me to pay another visit.

WHAT & WHERE: 211 Old Street, ➦ EC2A 3AT bonedaddies.com

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FOOD & DRINK

QUIRKY CHICKEN TONIGHT ABSURD BIRD Eating deep-fried chicken usually falls in the guilty pleasure category, although you needn’t feel quite so naughty at his particular establishment, since all its poultry are free-range birds from Fosse Meadow Farm. The food is nothing to be ashamed of either – we started with tangy fried pickles and cheesy spinach and artichoke dip with homemade tortillas. My appetite whetted, I went straight for the Deep South classic of chicken and waffles – juicy fillets with a crispy coating sitting on a yeasty waffle, soft and fluffy within its crisp exterior, well it was crisp until I drowned it in the accompanying maple syrup, feeling simultaneously trashy and decadent. My companion was a wing man and tried both the dry, smoked variety and the rather messy but delicious garlic, lemon and Parmesan sauce coated version. As good as all this was, we were glad we hadn’t yielded to the temptation of sides, such as the intriguing sweet potato bake with toasted marshmallows or corn bread pudding. Something to try next time with a crowd, since the gut-busting portions are perfect for sharing – whether in a gang at a large table, or on a date in one of the more intimate booths for two. We did, however, have room for dessert and shared a slab of peanut butter cheesecake.

Suitably stuffed, I left feeling a bit like Elvis circa 1975 – which was fine by me, thank you very much.

WHAT & WHERE: 54 COMMERCIAL STREET, LONDON, E1 6LT absurdbird.com

BUSINESS

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HIGH AND MIGHTY COQ D’ARGENT Luncheon at the Coq D’argent is always a treat, but one where you get to sit on the wonderful, wonderland-like winter terrace turns it into an indulgence not to be missed. With chairs bedecked in sheepskin, heaters warming the cold air, and decorations lending a fairytale quality, it’s impossible not to be seduced by the ambience.

Then, of course, there’s those incredible views of our great city to feast your eyes on too. My companion and I, however, were equally as keen to feed our stomachs after a hard day at the coalface.

Perusing such an accomplished menu can be hard work, so we ordered two glasses of Argentinian Chandon Brut to ease the burden, followed by a bottle of robust Burgundy to accompany the meal.

First up was a velvety cauliflower velouté with all bells and whistles, and a black truffle and ricotta tortellini that took pasta parcels to another level.

For mains I had the haunch of wild roe deer while my companion tried the roasted sirloin. Both had been prepared with such precision and deftness we felt compelled to offer our compliments to the chef. A fine cheese selection and a oozing warm dark chocolate and orange marmalade fondant provided the perfect end to the perfect meal.

But there was one more treat in store, with the manager kindly opening up the viewing platform for us, where the tops of skyscrapers twinkled in the fading light. Magical.

WHAT & WHERE: 1 Poultry, EC2R 8EJ coqdargent.co.uk

Old Spitalfields Market, London E1 6EW 020 7377 6443 info@cafe-caribbean.co.uk Catering enquiry: 0800 858 858 Opening times Every day 10am - 7.30pm

FOOD & DRINK

eat streets

A certain Mr Trump may not want to embrace those compadres from over the border, but here we’re rejoicing in the Mexican uprising WORDS BY LIAM BARKER

Mezcal Cantina

With more than 20 different Margaritas on the menu, this place should really be called the Margarita Cantina. However, if you do partake (and you should!) you must try the Toloache Margarita. According to Mexican mythology Toloache possesses the power to control love... so maybe not one for the first Tinder date. Go on Sunday for the Pozole Rojo. It’s a traditional Mexican stew made with hominy (dried corn) and slow-cooked pork shoulder. Maybe don’t try to drink your way through the cocktail menu afterwards though, otherwise Monday could be a very loooooong day.

WHERE: 127 Kingsland Road, E8 2PB mezcalcantinabar.com

Lupita East

OK, so Lupita first opened in central London, but this is the cool, laid-back younger sister with a hidden Mezcaleria in the basement.

Here it’s all about the southern Mexican-style tacos and tortas. Don’t miss out on the carnitas (pulled pork) tacos, and to wash it all down why not freshen up your beer with a Michelada Cubana? The glass comes with lime inside and a salt-and-chilli rim – just pour in your Corona and check you out hombre.

WHERE: 60-62 Commercial Street, E1 6LT lupita.co.uk

Breddos

Breddos have basically reinvented the taco game. Their beautiful-looking tacos are built from the ground up with love – the fresh shells are handmade and gluten free. Then come genius creations such as crunchy nut fried chicken or Tequila battered cauliflower, which are then laced with an array of zingy Mexican flavours. Their ultimate classic, the 10hr slow-roasted chipotle beef short rib comes topped with guacamole, sour cream, coriander and lime foam, pickled habanero, crunchy candied chilli, pickled red onion and crumbly fresh cheese.

WHERE: Dinerama, 19 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3EJ breddostacos.com

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Cielo Blanco

Food envy! You know that feeling, right? When you order tacos and the other person’s arrive and look so good you wish you had theirs instead. Well, don’t worry Cielo Blanco has got you covered. It’s all about that social dining culture, where sharing is caring. Whether you go for the street food experience or one of their awesome-looking sharing boards, you’re guaranteed to get a little taste of everything. Just make sure you try some of the mole, a divine, chocolatey sauce for meat.

WHERE: 55 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QL cieloblanco.co.uk/exmouth-market/

Daddy Donkey

The father of all burritos, Daddy Donkey has been serving up to the Leather Lane market faithful at lunchtimes for years. With its patrons queuing daily for their Mexican fix, Daddy Donkey is only open for five hours a day, between 11am and 4pm. So go join the queue (it moves quick) and get your chops around one of their Daddy D Burritos; a Big-ass 12” flour tortilla jam-packed with coriander-lime rice, black beans, slowcooked pork shoulder (cooked in coca cola and guajillo chile), tomato salsa, grated cheese, sour cream and lettuce. Cue afternoon nap time!

WHERE: 50b Leather Lane, EC1N 7TP daddydonkey.co.uk

MEAT-EATERS HEAVEN SMOKESTAK

You’ll find this truly smoke-fuelled BBQ hideaway on Sclater Street, just next door to the London Cocktail Club. Whet your appetite with pigs’ tails and pork scratchings before digging into succulent brisket buns with pickled red chilli, seriously tender thick-cut pork ribs, smoked girolles on beef dripping toast, plus excellent sides of celery slaw and carrots grilled with thyme and honey. Though, I urge you to save room for the best-ever sticky toffee pudding with burnt butter ice cream.

WHERE: 35 Sclater St, E1 6LB

smokestak.co.uk

HUNGRY LIKE THE...

WOLF

It arrived without fanfare on Stoke Newington High Street in the summer and it’s been packing them in, purely through word of mouth, ever since. Welcome to Wolf, a seasonal, modern Italian, with such an assured grasp of ingredients it’s no surprise to discover the head chef is formerly of Polpo. Expect the freshest of the fresh, be it burrata with pumpkin, king prawns with squid ink farro or lamb with cannellini and Jerusalem artichokes – served without pomp and utterly delish.

WHERE: 110 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7NY wolf-restaurant.co.uk

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This February The Tattoo Collective will be taking over The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, bringing you a brand new and very exclusive tattoo show that is not to be missed.

From the team behind the UK’s biggest tattoo event ‘The International London Tattoo Convention’, The Tattoo Collective provides a unique insight to the UK and Ireland’s rich and diverse tattoo scene.

Tattooing is an ancient and enduring art form, and one that has significantly grown in popularity over the last decade. With new studios opening their doors across the country at astounding rates, there is more choice in artists, styles and designs than ever before – The Tattoo Collective has scoped out only the most innovative and accomplished tattoo artists working across the country today for a show that truly represents the very best of UK and Irish studios.

150 of the country’s most prolific inkers will come together to tattoo under the roof of Brick Lane’s iconic Old Truman Brewery over the course of 3 days, accompanied by a carefully curated collection of must-see tattoo art exhibitions.

The biggest names in the UK industry will combine with the country’s most talented up and comers, each handpicked for their exceptional skills. Arriving from all corners of the UK and Ireland, a huge variety of tattoo styles and artwork will be on display.

Exhibitions will include ‘Jupiter’s Daughters’, a powerful collection of paintings based on the Japanese zodiac calendar from London-based tattoo artist Claudia de Sabe, and ‘The Han’nya Brigade’, a stunning collection of paintings by world-famous artists each reinterpreting the classic han’nya motif in their own style.

A vast collection of original artwork from attending artists will be also be exhibited and available to purchase at the show. Further exhibition news will be announced soon; keep your eyes firmly peeled for announcements online.

The Tattoo Collective is a convention for the tattoo connoisseur; a rare opportunity to acquire a permanent piece of art from the country’s most sought-after ink masters and a true celebration of tattoo culture.

Join us 17-19th February at The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane – limited tickets are available at thetattoocollective.co.uk, get yours before they sell out!

thetattoocollective.co.uk

Instagram: @tattoocollectivelondon Facebook: /thetattoocollective Twitter: @tattoocollectiv Enquiries: info@thetattoocollective.co.uk

NIGHTLIFE

OUT OUT

Because dry January is so 2016...

WORDS BY LIAM BARKER

Clerkenwell Grind

2-4 Old Street, EC1V 9AA What happens when you take one of London’s best-known coffee shops and add alcohol? You get the latest offering from the Grind Franchise ‘Clerkenwell Grind’. Not only is it THE place to go for an espresso martini you can get your brunch fix upstairs too.

So, basically you can just drink coffee all day and then cocktails all night. Does it get any cooler than that? Oh yeah, there’s a built in music studio too!

grind.co.uk/clerkenwellgrind

Clerkenwell & Social 2-5 St John Square, EC1M 4DE In an area steeped in literary history, Clerkenwell & Social is the spot for after-work drinks: 1) Because Thursday and Friday it’s two-for-one cocktails between 7 and 9pm; 2) All the cocktails are made using their own house-infused spirits and bitters. Also, if you fancy a bite to eat, there’s a menu of handmade stone-baked pizzas too. And, if you need rules to live by in 2017, the neon sign inside quotes one of the best: ‘Be yourself, everyone else is already taken’, wise words from the man himself, Oscar Wilde.

where all the Negronis are already pre-mixed to perfection. The aptly ‘Untitled’ bar is no different. This time it’s all about the sensory experience, with a cocktail menu centrvged around single elements like ‘snow’. Expect to be wowed – not only by the drinks but also by the Andy Warhol-inspired decor.

clerkenwellandsocial.com

untitled-bar.studioas-cc.com

Mason & Co

Untitled (yes, that’s

Enfant Terrible

the actual name) 538 Kingsland Road, E8 4AH He’s known as the Heston Blumenthal of mixology, Tony Conigliaro loves to shroud his bars in mystery and magic. His first venture simply named after its address is hidden in Angel.

And then there’s one of my personal favourites, Bar Termini, unassumingly tucked away in Soho and

1 Greenwood Road, E8 1NT It’s not all about size at Hackney’s smallest wine bar (and possibly London’s smallest for that matter).

With just 12 seats, Enfant Terrible is actually a barbershop by day. However, by night what you will find is a daily-curated list of wines. Think less Bordeaux and more Essex (yes, wine from Essex!). Then there’s a concise cocktail menu, Enfant Terrible

including a G&T made with homemade tonic, and gin from the East London Liquor Co. Doesn’t get more local than that! But what they don’t as yet do is reservations, emails, phone calls, or even charcuterie.

etbarlondon.com

Mason & Co 7 Canalside, Here East, E20 3BS What do you get when the owner of Five Points Brewery and Capish street food come together? Easy! A lovechild called Mason & Co. Set canalside in Hackney Wick, it’s just far enough from the madness that you could easily forget you were in London at all. There is a rotating selection of no less that 20 local brews to choose from to quench that thirst. And then there’s the Meatball Hero; involving meatballs, marinara sauce and provolone cheese sauce all crammed in a soft sub roll. Keep this place under wraps people, it’s a hidden gem – capish?!

masonandcompany.co.uk

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Sounds like…

2017

Get acquainted with these top local acts before they go supernova

WORDS BY ED GIBBS

SÄLEN

FEVER DREAM

Named after a Swedish town, randomly chosen, this East End trio has had critics gushing with superlatives, after packing out local haunts such as Birthdays to the max.

Frontwoman Ellie Kamio, Paul Taylor Wade (bass) and Simon Milner (keyboards/ guitar) produce funkfuelled electronic soul that’s deliciously infectious. Fourth single Copper Kiss is still on high rotation at E1ife – and we can’t wait to hear more. facebook.com/heysalen/

Self-professed ‘noisy shoegazers’ Fever Dream have an infectiously grungy garage sound that begs to be played loud in large, crowded spaces. They have their rather fine debut long-player Moyamoya out already, and were busy tearing up the nation’s live music rooms throughout much of 2016.

Expect this year to be the one that tips them over the edge. feverdream.co.uk

FINDLAY Mancunian by birth but firmly rooted in Hackney, the sultry songstress has already wowed fans with sharp, dark punk-pop favourites like Greasy Love and more besides (an earlier support slot for Jake Bugg a few years back didn’t hurt, either). She’s back with new material in 2017, which already has caught our ear. We’re looking forward to hearing it all live soon. facebook.com/FindlayMusic

Ones to watch: from left, Night Flowers, Hackney Colliery Band and Flora

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NAO The Hackney RnB-fused songstress with a clutch of fine and funky EPs under her belt is tipped for great things in 2017, and rightly so. With nods to Prince and FKA Twigs, among others, served up with a deliciously fresh twist, Nao leads a feisty pack of soulful divas with aplomb. We’re sold.

You will be, too. facebook.com/thisnao

MUSIC

TALL POPPIES

FLYTE

The Aussie-twin minstrels – so-named after their nation’s predisposition for keeping breakaway success in check – sing sweet, forlorn jingles of hope, tinged with just the right amount of options for a East End singalong before closing time. They’ve been recording new material, which they’ll have road-tested in their native West Australia by the time we get to hear it all, as nature intended, in 2017. Welcome back, ladies – keep aiming for the sky. thetallpoppies.com

Wearing their hearts on their sleeves and making women weak at the knees is all in a day’s work for this allmale singing foursome, who know how to push the right buttons at the drop of a hat.

They’ve been working hard at building a loyal following these past few years since forming in Hackney in 2013.

Expect to hear long-awaited new material in 2017 as the warblers resume their assault on a nation’s emotions. flytetheband.com

HACKNEY COLLIERY BAND No, not a miss-print – rather, one of the key highlights of this summer’s ubercool Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire. They’ve already had spots on BBC Radio and Jazz FM, helped to close the London Olympics back in 2012, and have played with the likes of Jamie Cullum and the late Amy Winehouse, among others. Now, these Hackney locals are tipped for even bigger things in 2017.

Their spirited cover of David Bowie’s Heroes won them new fans in spades, and rightly so.

Check out their New Orleans sounds via their new album, Sharpener, which is out now.

They’re on top form and ready for the big time. hackneycollieryband.co.uk

NIGHT FLOWERS Dream pop favourites Night Flowers are back from a hiatus, busily trying out brand new material from their upcoming new long-player.

Expect to hear richly textured melodies aplenty as the East’s bright young things mount a serious comeback on this year’s festival stages, starting with a homegrown crowd near you. facebook.com/ wearenightflowers/

FLORA The part-time East Londoner, other-time Berliner brings her offbeat soundscapes to Birthdays in Dalston in March, with a show that should showcase her kooky skills nicely. At times woozy, at others hypnotic and urgent, her experimental electronica is sure to have you hooked. Submit and enjoy its irresistible resonance. soundcloud.com/floraytw

KAS-TRO Hailing from just across the border in neighbouring north London, and due East-side in 2017, this fine electronic duo brings a palpable intensity to temptingly dark hip-hop beats. Alvin Lee Ryan and Tony Russell lay it down, with melody aplenty, as they let fly with a range of issues and emotions. Their excellent debut EP is available to stream via SoundCloud, with more due in 2017. facebook.com/kastrobeats

RnB singer Nao is tipped for the top this coming year

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FASHION

Labelled

with love

Carli Pearson’s new luxury womenswear label, CIMONE, is already creating a stir in the world of haute couture. Formerly of Stella McCartney, Alexander Wang, Pucci and McQ, she talks going solo and why the East is where it’s at WORDS BY TIM ARNOLD

Tell us a little bit about your background?

Although I was raised in Essex, my father was born, lived, and grew up in East London – so we would spend a lot of time around the Stratford area when I was small because of family and friends. My sister still lives there, so in a way I have always considered myself East London born and bred. It’s still where I live and work and I never tire of it. It really is one of the most creative parts of the capital.

Did you have an interest in fashion and design from an early age?

I was never really aware that fashion was a thing as a child, but I was always interested in painting and drawing. But I do remember my mum being creative with her outfit choices. She would have things made for her and would often describe something she desired as being “a bit different” – I suppose this made me see clothes as something other than just functional garments. Clothes were something to be coveted – they could make you stand out from the crowd rather than just fit in. I think it was this curiosity for dressing, paired with my love of the pencil, that brought me to the natural conclusion that fashion was something I wanted to explore.

Who have been your biggest inspirations?

Inspiration for me has always been mainly about a mindset and freedom of expression – what drives and motivates people. If a person is passionate about something and can impart some of that enthusiasm to ignite a small flame of curiosity in someone else, whatever the subject, that is incredibly inspiring. From a purely fashion perspective, I have always been fascinated by 54

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classic designers of yesteryear, such as Alix, Balenciaga and Dior, they possessed a sense of great integrity in designing each piece, their work was almost sculptural. I also love more ‘youthful’ and modern brands, such as Helmut Lang, Katharine Hamnett, and Junior Gaultier, as these are people who aren’t afraid to break the mould or rethink the things that we have taken for granted.

You trained at St Martin’s college, what was that like?

My course leader was the late, great, Louise Wilson.

I have never met anyone before, or since, who has had the capacity to both terrify and inspire in one fell swoop. She always said that her course was like boot camp, and that if you could make it through that, then you could survive in any fashion house. I think she was probably right – you have to have a certain resilience and a hard nose when embarking on a fashion career. She really did break you down to build you back up again. It made me better, tougher, and far more capable.

After studying did you find work in the industry immediately?

I was lucky enough to find work very quickly after graduation. While still studying at St Martin’s I was called into Louise’s office and was told that I was one of seven students to be put forward for an interview at Stella McCartney. I never dreamt that I would actually end up getting the job.

I began working with Stella during the early stages, so had the privilege to be involved with a company that was quite young and I was able to witness the growing pains that come along with ➦

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that. Eventually, I moved on to Alexander Wang, a brand that was quite new, but very different in approach. Americans never seem to do anything by halves – they are much less cautious than the Brits.

At Emilio Pucci, I gained a lot more experience in texture and embellishment, and was able think about silhouettes in a different way. From there I moved on to McQ, where I was taught to think much more about who was wearing the brand and why.

Why did you decide to go solo?

I decided to start CIMONE as I really wanted to showcase everything that I had learned and bring it all together under one roof. Starting my own company would also give me creative freedom to take the brand in the direction that I felt was right.

I wanted to be able to spend more time nurturing something from beginning to end. Sometimes you lose that working in big places, as you have large merchandising teams governing your output.

How did you hit on the name CIMONE?

I wanted something short and punchy, and also a name that wasn’t immediately associated with me – I definitely didn’t want to call it Carli Pearson!

I finally decided on CIMONE, as for me it was a representation of all my experiences, and the international influences of the brand. My middle name is Simone, which is French in origin. In Italian, Cimone is the name of a famous mountain. It’s pronounced differently by different groups of people – I like its chameleonic quality. I also really liked the connotation of this great mountain to be conquered.

How would you describe CIMONE designs, is there a certain aesthetic that runs through all your pieces?

Many of the clothes I design have unexpected but balanced proportions. We often pair textures that you wouldn’t necessarily put together, challenging the perception of ‘good taste’. It’s really important that the design isn’t so serious that it loses all sense of fun, and although it has a refined aesthetic I like it to have youthful, playful, spirit. CIMONE is all about freedom, so the CIMONE woman knows her own mind, but is also playful and understated.

Tell me about your East London studio, I hear it functions like an atelier?

From the beginning of my career I was always fascinated by the workings of the ateliers of 56

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FASHION Carli likes to have a statement piece in each collection, usually in the form of an embellishment.

Being able to realise a dream and to experiment, as well as creating clothes that women can, and want, to wear is, she believes, the true luxury of having her own fashion brand.

yesteryear. The designers I mentioned earlier, such as Alix and Dior – they were champions of the small detail. It was an era when nothing was too much trouble, clothes were to be held and workmanship was to be appreciated, rather than just seen fleetingly in an Instagram snap.

In a way, I’m aiming to emulate that almost old-fashioned working method by being very hands-on, with specialist professionals, handcrafting and developing each garment in house.

So much today seems fast and throwaway, and everything around us, from technology to clothes, is designed to become obsolete of its own accord. I collect a lot of vintage fashion, and really appreciate clothing that transcends time because of its quality or individuality – I hope CIMONE can do the same.

The word fashion automatically implies something is “in” or “out” – by labelling clothes as fashion, we’re already limiting them to a timeframe, and saying that they effectively have a sell-by date. I hope that owning a CIMONE piece means that its subtleties and secrets are revealed slowly over time, and the wearer can develop a relationship with it.

Where would you like CIMONE to be in five years’ time?

I like to think that one day we will be this fashion laboratory experimenting with new techniques and modern materials, being innovative and reinventing the familiar into something new and exciting.

Above all else, my aspiration for the brand is to inspire and challenge, and to always work with integrity, not to be overly governed by what I think will sell. That might be easier said than done, but it’s good to start out with principles!

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Inside out Most East Londoners will be familiar with the Barbican Estate’s Brutalist exterior, but now, thanks to photographer and resident Anton Rodriguez, we get to peep through the keyhole WORDS BY KELLY BESWICK

It began with a blog and ended up as a book, Residents: Inside the Iconic Barbican Estate (£30, The Barbican Centre), but what first prompted Anton Rodriguez’s latest photography project was simple nosiness.

“I wanted to see what my neighbours’ apartments were like,” he states baldly.

As a Barbican resident of some four years standing, his curiosity has paid off big time, so come on in and meet the neighbours.

James and Lucy (below) are a business development manager and a database developer respectively. Lucy has lived in the Barbican since 2012 in various apartments and James joined her when they moved into their current home in 2014.

“Our flat has my favourite of all Barbican windows; the ground-floor lounge is double height, faces the lake and has an inverted arch window. Watching the ducks out of the window is a pure joy,” says Lucy. ➦

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The couple are big fans of the Estate’s rubbish disposal corners where they’ve found many treasures, including solid oak furniture and chairs

Eric’s apartment is filled with design classics, such as the dark wood veneer and black leather Eames lounge chair and ottoman

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Eric Guilbert (above) is an architect and land artist and has lived in the Barbican for two years. Although he was born in France, Eric has been a Londoner for eighteen years.

The soothing, comforting environment of the Barbican was a draw, being one of the few places in central London where one can live in a looked-after, modern environment. Eric is also a huge fan of the architecture, with the detailing around the estate, the well-planned layout and the generous outside areas adding to a space that he considers is ageing well.

The large, floor-to-ceiling windows, plentiful sunlight and views of the city make it a wonderfully relaxing and calm place to be.

“I love the Brutalist aesthetic that gives the Barbican the feel of inhabited cliffs overlooking gardens; the buildings look like rocks carved out by some ancient civilisation,� he says.

Olivier Pidoux (opposite, top) is a language tutor, who teaches French to adults and has lived in the Barbican for thirteen years now.

A frequent visitor to the complex before he actually lived there, he was initially drawn to the architecture but, upon stepping into their new home, the space, light and design totally captivated Olivier and his partner.

Living in a triplex, the amazing staircase is an obvious favourite for them, but this is closely followed by the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the top

INTERIORS

floor room. The fact that they are able to walk and cycle everywhere, with close access to the arts centre mean they’ve never tired of living in the estate. “I cannot imagine living anywhere else in London. Once you and experience the Barbican... you never leave,” says Olivier.

Wendy Spurry (below) works for a bookstore in Bloomsbury in addition to her role as a host at the Barbican Centre; she has lived in the estate for eleven years.

Having lived and worked in many parts of London, the Barbican’s enigmatic environment – all curves, angles and spikes – attracted Wendy’s interest and she felt at home immediately. Her apartment is comfortable, stylish, welcoming and with the kind of attention to detail that is reminiscent of a luxury car.

“I’ve heard so many people describe the Barbican as cold, impersonal and dystopian; but that’s not the way I’ve found it,” she says.

“I think it’s beautiful and I adore living here.”

Many of the residents speak of the Barbican Estate as being an amazingly beautiful and life-enhancing place. Few can ever envisage leaving

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50% roanffges

selected

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Staycation

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big spender

SOUTH PLACE HOTEL South Place Hotel is only a few minutes’ walk from Liverpool Street station. Its understated, modern entrance leads to the heaving hotel bar. We made our way through the throng to reception and were greeted by the suave concierge, then escorted to our room on the fourth floor.

The space was huge, occupying a high corner with floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides. At the touch of a button the blinds lifted in unison to reveal our own piece of London. Across the street we could see straight into now-empty but illuminated offices, while their occupants filled the street outside the Red Lion pub on the opposite corner. Yet the room exuded tranquillity. The en-suite bathroom was huge, with a cavernous walkin shower, tiled in black slate, a bath and a twin basin vanity unit in front of a ginormous mirror.

Beautifully wrapped soap and a selection of James Heeley toiletries added to the sense of luxury.

Back out into the bedroom, my

Both have E1 postcodes, are purpose built and super stylish in very different ways. We get acquainted with the South Place Hotel and The Whitechapel

The roomy and luxurious bathroom

companion admired the branded stationery, while I headed for the mini-bar. More of a mini kitchen, which included an espresso machine. I wasted no time sorting out a couple of drinks from the fridge, which was packed with temptation: craft beers, craft vodka, craft gin, wine, champagne – how did it all fit in? On top of the fridge there was more, including a half-bottle of Johnny Walker Blue Label. A snip at £100. However, there was no time to waste as we had booked a table in the hotel’s Chop House restaurant – the other restaurant, the Michelin-starred Angler, being a little busy! The bar was still buzzing but the restaurant was peaceful and relaxing. We

followed the recommendations of our waiter and enjoyed a superb meal, heading next to the terrace bar, open to the evening sky, for a nightcap. Chilling out on a leather sofa we admired the mirrored reflection of an artwork picturing none other than Diana Rigg. And then to bed for a sumptuous sleep. Breakfast was efficient and delicious, after which we decided to explore more of the hotel. The more we looked, the

thrifty

WORDS: Mark Acketts & Kelly Beswick

THE WHITECHAPEL Contemporary and bold, The Whitechapel first opened its doors in 2012 on the grounds of a former textile factory. As a homage to that, an industrial aesthetic runs throughout the building to great effect. Our room was bright and modern, and I loved the solid-oak flooring and huge, factory-like windows, where an Eames-style chair was positioned to soak up the incredible city views. There’s also free wifi available throughout the hotel – a definite bonus for the business traveller. With just 27 rooms, The Whitechapel manages to feel intimate yet buzzy, and while there’s a good Halal restaurant attached (it is a Muslim establishment, so no bar or bacon for breakfast), the many ethnic eateries of Brick Lane are just a hop, skip and a jump away, as is the Whitechapel Gallery, should you want to indulge in some excellent art.

IN THE KNOW: A room for two starts from £64 a night. Address: 49-53 New Road, E1 1HH. thewhitechapelhotel.com

more we realised we were in the iconic world of the 1960’s TV show The Avengers (hence the artwork of Rigg).

From stylised bowler hats to black umbrellas; from the names of the rooms (Purdy, Steed…) to the pictures on the walls and the Cold War styling.

Understated, yet everywhere. The hotel is a beautifully themed puzzle with plenty to discover. There’s a host of meeting rooms with individual styles – I loved the Russian room. There’s also a gym with a spectacular floorto-ceiling London view. And I wish we’d had time to spend in the spa, although the steam rooms and saunas are not unisex, so we would have had to sweat it out alone. We waved adieu and wandered back through the damp Sunday streets, talking about where we had been as if it were a dream.

Such an unlikely place, a hidden gem. The product of a beautiful mind.

But our enduring memory is of the atmosphere, and that is the product of the friendly, enthusiastic staff.

Totally professional. Go there.

IN THE KNOW: Room rates start from £200 a night. Address: 3 South Place, EC2M 2AF southplacehotel.com

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CITY FLIT

The Pavillon’s pretty facade

PARIS

Gay Paree, a city like no other, bursting with beauty and a joie de vivre that seduces. And then, of course, there’s the food and wine. No wonder it’s one of the world’s top destinations Paris, the city of light, love and liberty is one of the most influential places in the world. Renowned for its arts, architecture and gastronomy, the French capital is not one to disappoint, regardless of your tastes. As home to the French Revolution, the city is rich in history and you can visit the site where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned, through to the symbol of the revolution itself, the Bastille. Culturally, Paris is overflowing with art galleries from the prestigious Louvre, which houses the Mona Lisa, and the Musée Picasso to more contemporary exhibitions in the Centre Pompidou and Le Marais.

stay

Hotel La Lanterne is perfect for groups of friends, sightseeing, couples, relaxation and/or all of the above. It’s small but perfectly formed and is situated just south

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of the river, nestled snugly in the 5th arrondissement, between Notre Dame cathedral and the Panthéon. The Latin Quarter in itself presents you with a number of perusing opportunities, and, with such close proximity to Boulevard Saint-Germain you will have ample time for shopping at the idyllic artisan shops, cafés and wine bars. The staff are incredibly helpful and have such an impressive knowledge of local food, culture and sights (many of which are just a short walk away), you’ll be sure to find something to suit you. The nearest metro stations include Cardinal Lemoine and Maubert-Mutualite.

The hotel itself exudes French contemporary charm from the moment you walk through the doors. The sleek finishes and bold dashes of colour update the traditional bourgeois decor, while plush carpets and consistent attention to detail make for a very

welcoming first impression. There are several communal areas, from the spacious lobby and its openplan honesty bar, through to the courtyard with its atmospheric and serene design, all decorated by local artists. Then, downstairs is an impeccable pool and tranquil relaxation area, complete with hammam, shower and, of course, fresh towels and flipflops. The pool, heated to the perfect temperature, also turns into a Jacuzzi that offers the perfect distraction from tired legs after all that sightseeing.

Prices start at 250 euros for a double room. A buffet breakfast consisting of continental French fare is also available on request.

Though a buffet, the staff are very helpful, continuing to

bring out fresh food right until mealtime finishes (around 10.30am) – so amenable, in fact, they will even poach your egg for you should you not quite get the hang of it yourself!

Hotel Le Pavillon De La Reine is another fabulous place to stay, located just off of des Vosges, one of the city’s most affluent squares. An elegant boutique hotel, it’s a majestic base from which to explore. It is perfect for couples, special occasions, or even just for a fabulous shopping trip. Step outside the hotel and admire the courtyard complete with a garden so well manicured it would give Capability Brown a run for his money.

The interior is one of traditional and subtle extravagance. The

La Lanterne offers contemporary charm

Wherever you turn, there is something fabulous to see, something exciting to do and something delicious to eat and drink

WORDS: Ashleigh Moore

See the sights and the Seine

lobby is sumptuous and inviting with elaborate flower displays as well as striking contemporary art on the walls. Should you need to be further seduced, sit down for a drink from the impeccably stocked honesty bar. The level of service is second to none, without being overbearing or intrusive, allowing you to soak up the stunning surroundings at your own pace. The nearest metros are Bastille, Saint Paul, Chemin-Vert and Bréguet-Sabin which offer travel to the entirety of Paris for just 1.90 euros

per journey. Rooms start from 330 euros, with a continental breakfast buffet available for an additional 25 euros. There is also a rather sumptuous spa, offering a variety of treatments from manicures and pedicures through to haircuts, massages and full body treatments. Prices start from 130 euros and must be booked at least an hour in advance, or you are free to use the gym, Jacuzzi and steam room as you please between 7am and 9pm.

out & about

The majority of must-see hotspots lie in the 1st arrondissement, so head here for Palais Royal, the Louvre and opera house while Notre Dame and the Latin Quarter are only across the river, along with the picture-perfect Jardin du Luxembourg. For shopping, the cobbled streets of Le Marais are

filled with some of stores (from Karl Lagerfeld, The Kooples and The Kooples Sport to Kiehl’s, Jo Malone and Mac, not to mention all the French fashion talent there). Walk along the Seine and find the riverside market with stalls selling crafts, art and souvenirs and not too far from here are the previously mentioned Musée Picasso and the Bastille monument, excellent for spending a cultural couple of hours.

eat & drink

French marketplaces are the perfect place for tasting Parisian produce. The one within the Latin Quarter offers an array of tasty meats, cheeses and local delicacies, such as honey, nougat, and mustard from a factory dating back to the 18th century, while the bustling Marché Bastille lies just under the famous monument

and features all manner of food and drink, as well as clothing and antiques from 8am to 2pm.

As far as nightlife goes, Paris is incredibly varied. Head over to the 9th, 10th or 11th arrondissements for plenty of cool options, from impressive hotel bars through to nocturnal cafés perfect for people watching, dancing and late-night entertainment of the highest calibre. If you’re based more centrally, you can still find a bustling night scene, but expect to pay more for it.

getting there

Prices start from £29 each way on the Eurostar from London, Kings Cross St Pancras to Gare du Nord with trains running every hour. Flights are available with most European airlines, starting as low as £19.99 one way.

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LAST WORD

‘

He’s gone from living in a sleepy Norfolk town to the heart of our great city, but then again Alex Brundle has always liked life in the fast lane. His father is, after all, former F1 driver Martin Brundle and, following in his footsteps, his own racing career is starting to rev up, too

Endurance is required on the track

Alex’s Little Black Book

RESTAURANT: Il Bordello in Wapping. The pizza there is amazing, and since I’m addicted to pizza, it certainly hits the spot!

PUB/COCKTAIL BAR: Callooh Callay on Rivington Street is eccentric and beautifully quirky, and better still they make a mean cocktail!

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PLACE TO VISIT: A trip to the golf club that has everything, Junkyard Golf Club on Brick Lane!

STREET: Brick Lane embodies London’s incredible diversity perfectly!

Their curry houses are fantastic, and the bagels are delicious.

Il Bordello above left, and a Swallowtail cocktail, at Callooh Callay

INTERVIEW: KELLY BESWICK

BOUTIQUE: Storm in a Teacup on Kingsland Road – not my cup of tea in terms of fashion, but absolutely worth a look. Some of the designer pieces there are amazing.

Estate agents in theXXXXXXXXX heart of central London frankharris.co.uk Twitter: @frankharris_uk Facebook: frankharrisestateagents

Dereham Place, London, EC2A £1,450,000 1565 sqft / 145.4 sqm EPC: B

This FREEHOLD, two/three bedroom house is set within a courtyard development in the centre of Shoreditch. (5% TWO YEAR RENT GUARANTEE)

Both Old Street station and Liverpool Street station are within a 15 minute walk of the houses. All furniture available by separate negotiation.

The accommodation comprises briefly: 4th floor master bedroom with fitted wardrobes, small private terrace and ensuite wet room, 3rd floor double bedroom, fitted wardrobes and en-suite bathroom, 2nd floor bedroom/reception room, 1st floor with luxury semi open plan fitted kitchen and dining area/ reception room, ground floor integral garage with electric doors, cloakroom/utility room, lower ground floor home cinema/ reception room.

INVESTOR INFORMATION If you are looking for an investment in EC2 then this could be for you. If purchased the developers of Dereham Place will GUARANTEE you a rental yield of 5.00% for the first two years.

On top of this you will also be driving away in a brand new Fiat 500 convertible.

Dereham Place has been installed with the very latest in Smart Home technology.

The houses are close to Shoreditch House private members club, M by Montcalm and Ace Hotel. Redchurch Street is within walking distance and is described in Time Out as “one of the best places to shop in London.”

Barbican, City & Clerkenwell 87 Long Lane, London, EC1A 9ET city@frankharris.co.uk 020 7600 7000

Bloomsbury, Kings Cross & Fitzrovia 81 Marchmont Street, London, WC1N 1AL info@frankharris.co.uk 020 7387 0077

Holborn, Covent Garden & Soho 104 Southampton Row, London, WC1B 4BN bloomsbury@frankharris.co.uk 020 7405 4444

South Bank & Waterloo 123 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NN southbank@frankharris.co.uk 020 7620 3400