Vantage August 2013

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IN TITANIUM AND CERAMIC. CERAM

06.03.13 14:57

contents Scene

34 Seven Deadly Sins

9 Somewhere Beyond the Sea

40 From Rags to Riches

The lavish world of superyachts

25 years of Antoni & Alison

14 In the Crosshairs

44 The List

Bring in game season with a bang

On-board essentials

19 August Diary

47 Best of Beauty

The Camden Fringe and artfilled lunchbreaks

Beat the drying effects of flying with mist and moisturiser

28 24 Hours Later

50 the blank cheque

Collection 65 Wishlist

Preserve history with Bremont

67 Watch News

Franck Muller on tour

72 great expectations Jessica McCormack’s diamonds for the modern woman

74 Jewellery Trend

beauty phenomenon

Tribal takes a futuristic turn

The Novak Djokovic Foundation comes to Camden’s Roundhouse

Style

55 Best Foot Forward

79 Wishlist

31 Wishlist

72

Self-indulgence is truly à la mode

Louis Vuitton’s transitional hits

The biggest crazes money can buy

Treat your feet

Interiors

32 Style Update

57 Wishlist

Say hello to Pre-Fall

Mini moshing for festival kids

80 Nursery News Your little one’s name in lights

The latest from BoConcept

58 Interiors Inspiration Bespoke beds and haute cuisine at home

94

Health & Family

60 The House I Live In Jasper Conran brings fizz and swagger

82 Back to School

A guide to hassle-free term time

86 Inner Smile Are the new wave of creative therapies the way to wellbeing?

Food & Drink 91 Wishlist St Pancras goes regal with Fortnum & Mason

92 Foodie Favourites Does Grain Store live up to the hype?

94 Baking Like a Brit Marcus Wareing isn’t so scary

Travel 97 Wishlist

Nikki Beach comes to Ibiza

98 Travel in Style Ecological Moroccan getaways and the jewel in Nice’s crown

104 Loving Langkawi

48

9 40

Lap up luxury in south east Asia

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From the editor

C

oined ‘the silly season’ in 1861, August is a time for sun-filled frivolity; sailing across Europe, hopping from gala to racecourse, polo to tennis, and soaking up the general gaiety of the most sociable calendar month.

For the last 100 years, the opulence of a superyacht has symbolised the excitement and glamour of a world apart.

Now the trend is shifting from gawpworthy megaliths complete with helipads, swimming pools and cinemas, towards vessels which stand as examples of artistic design.

Gemma Knight dives into the world of floating palaces (p. 9).

Fully embracing my inner Tory, I take aim at a (clay) pigeon or two at Holland & Holland’s shooting grounds. Tweed waistcoat donned – she shoots, she (just about) scores. With the sport becoming an increasingly popular pastime among women, I bring in game season with a bang (p. 14).

When it comes to maintaining a state of Zen, many experts claim that having a chuckle is the best medicine. Ready for a giggle, Gavin Haines signs up to laughter yoga and charts the popularity of alternative exercise classes (p. 86). And Gabrielle Lane gets some expert advice from Net A Porter’s managing director Alison Loehnis on the most lavish beauty crazes money can buy (p. 50).

Elsewhere, eminent chef Marcus Wareing turns his hand to a new cookbook, The Gilbert Scott Book of British Food (p. 94); Jasper Conran OBE talks home comforts and jazzing up The Conran Shop on Marylebone High Street (p. 60) and Antoni Burakowski MBE, one half of the British fashion design duo Antoni & Alison, makes us smile as the label celebrates more than 25 years in business (p. 40). If you dare, scan for your picture on our social pages (p. 26).

Long may the warm evenings (and Champagne) continue – I could get used to summer.

Kari Rosenberg Editor Follow us on Twitter @VantageNW

A U G U S T 2 0 1 3 i ssu e 3 7

Editor Kari Rosenberg

Editorial Director Kate Harrison

Deputy Editor Gabrielle Lane

Brand Consistency Hiren Chandarana Laddawan Juhong

Collection Editor Annabel Harrison

General Manager Fiona Fenwick

Contributing Editors Josephine O’Donoghue Richard Brown

Client Relationship Director Felicity Morgan-Harvey

Feature Writers Gemma Knight, Olivia Sharpe

Communications Director Loren Penney

Senior Designer Grace Linn

Head of Finance Elton Hopkins

Production Alex Powell, Hugo Wheatley Oscar Viney

Managing Director Eren Ellwood

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canary wharf

sailing through

It’s the sailor’s life for me, says Sir Ben Ainslie

COVERING ST JOHN’S WOOD, MAIDA VALE, PRIMROSE HILL, MARYLEBONE, REGENT’S PARk AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

Summer style, p. 31 Image courtesy of Louis Mariette Photography by Stuart Weston

BOAT ENVY

let the games begin

i s sue 0 3 7 : £ 3 . 5 0

The great summer pastimes of yore: croquet, boules, skittles & ping pong

Strike a

RidiNG HiGH ON tHe supeRyacHt wave

POSE

poolside glamour for bathing beauties

the city magazine

july 2013

the city

Dear Resident

,

There are more than 40 diplomatic missions in fair Belgravia, a figure I would not quite have imagined being so high, even though I knew embassies favoured this area. With this firmly in mind and feeling that we have been slightly out of touch with these institutions, Henry Hopwood-Phillips dives into neutral territory to speak with some of the representatives from the Norwegian, German and Belgian embassies. He seeks a slice of each country’s culture and enquires why Belgravia makes the perfect home away from home.

m a g a z i n e

BELGRAVIA

Another Belgravian local, the home guru Lucy Cork, also takes the time out of her busy schedule to chat to Henry this month. The pair discuss why the white-stuccoed buildings of this area have always held such attraction for her and the unconventional way she navigated her way up the career ladder – there was no corporate scrabble for this lady.

In this July edition we also visit The Palm restaurant and round up the latest planning and local news. We hope you enjoy the read. Please do not hesitate to get in contact with your feedback, email: Belgravia@residentsjournal.co.uk.

Resident’s Journal

built to last

Residents

JOURNAL

as he turns 80, we celebrate the work of controversial city architect sir richard rogers

Runwild Media Group Publishers of: Canary Wharf, The City magazine The Kensington & Chelsea Magazine The Mayfair Magazine

strike a pose

poolside glamour for bathing beauties

sailing through 69

embRace tHe sOcial seasON iN style

it’s the sailor’s life for me, says sir ben ainslie

Above /

Managing Editor Katie Randall Main Editorial Contributor Henry Hopwood-Phillips

Senior Designer Sophie Blain

Publishing Director Giles Ellwood

General Manager Fiona Fenwick

Associate Publisher Sophie Roberts

Editorial Assistants Lauren Romano, Lulu Rumsey

Head of Finance Elton Hopkins

Client Relationship Director Felicity Morgan-Harvey

Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood

Production Hugo Wheatley, Alex Powell, Oscar Viney

Communications Director Loren Penney

Managing Director Eren Ellwood

JULY 2013 • IssUe 14

Contributing Editor Josephine O’Donoghue

Written for the residents of

Battersea, Balham, Clapham & Wandsworth JULY 2013 • IssUe 5

P L E A S E E N J OY O U R C H A M PA G N E R E S P O N S I B LY DRINKAWARE .CO.UK

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SOMEWHERE BEYOND

THE SEA Coastal villas and sumptuous sports cars, stand aside – the era of the superyacht has dawned. Gemma Knight delves into the glamorous world of floating palaces to find out why

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W

hat could be nicer than a day on the water, regarding the distant shore from your private piece of paradise, sails billowing in the breeze, buoys gently bobbing? The answer is simple; enjoying the delights of the deep from the roomy decks of your very own superyacht.

Since the beginning of the 20th century these luxury megaliths have epitomised the glamour and opulence of a world apart, from the fledgling steam yachts of Cox & King and New York regattas of the Gilded Age, to the sudden surge in popularity, size and scope which occurred in the late 1990s, giving us on-board helipads, swimming pools and cinemas.

In recent years, the greatest shift to have taken place within the luxury yacht world concerns a move away from big, super-luxe boats with plenty of expensive toys, and towards vessels which stand as examples of artistic design and aesthetic beauty in their own right, increasingly involving the expertise of established fashion brands and prominent designers.

An early example of this transition came in 1998 when Leonardo Ferragamo (son of Salvatore Ferragamo and CEO of the Ferragamo luxury brand) invested in yacht maker Nautor’s Swan, a move which injected the traditional Finnish boatbuilder’s craftsmanship with a shock of Italian design.

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“It was love at first sight,” he explains when asked about the venture. “[In Nautor’s Swan] I found the same core values that, though in an entirely different sector, distinguish my family’s company: innovation, performance, durability, comfort, style and quality.

Incomparable value derives from the use of quality materials coupled with traditional craftsmanship, expert design and construction. These are as essential in shoes as in yachts”.

Similarly, yacht maker Claydon Reeves has just released the Aeroboat, a superyacht inspired by the Spitfire and featuring a Rolls-Royce engine which will, on its completion, make it one of the fastest small yachts ever created. In keeping with the current trend, however, the Aeroboat’s capability for speed will be perfectly equalled by its visual appeal, with the interior based on a sports car design complete with leather stitching and a smart wooden dashboard.

Long-standing boatbuilder Sunseeker has also recently begun creating bespoke internal motifs with world-renowned designers (including the likes of Ken Freivokh) while relative newcomers Edmiston has recently launched a new superyacht, Red Square, which boasts an interior dreamed up by celebrated French designer Alberto Pinto. The colossal craft even includes an on-board infinity pool – although, for sun worshippers its crowning glory is the huge expanse of ‘sunpads’

Main Image: Lady Britt by Feadship Clockwise from Top: The Carcharias by Pershing, sundeck of the Nirvana by Oceanco, jacuzzi aboard Inception

by Heesen, main lounge of Reborn

by Amels

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surrounding the pool bar. What might best be described as the new generation sun deck, this gigantic expanse of soft candy-striped fabric is dotted with lounge cushions and could comfortably accommodate every guest on board and most of the crew, should the desire to tan suddenly seize everybody at once.

If sunbathing isn’t your cup of tea, not to worry – the average superyacht has plenty more to offer in the way of activities. Should you be hosting a large number of guests and are in need of a suitable entertaining space, Benetti Yachts’ beautiful Aladina (brokered by OceanStyle) provides a spacious sky lounge that opens up and flows out onto the upper deck, complemented by a swathe of enormous outdoor spaces and interiors. “It’s perfect for a little (or not so little) impromptu soirée.”

OceanStyle’s Georgina Menheneott told us. “Enough to keep anyone suitably captivated.”

On the other hand, if large, lavish dinner parties are more your style, vessels featuring a choice of dining areas such as Sunseeker’s Tuppence are rather handy. In cooler climes, the main salon provides a contemporary interior filled with lashings of natural light (courtesy of its large picture windows), while warm evenings can be spent alfresco on the sundeck-cum-terrace, a space boasting two large dining tables and its very own bar.

Then again, while it might be tempting to invite all your nearest and dearest aboard, the superyacht’s

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forte is unarguably its aptitude for romance – candlelit dinners for two followed by strawberries and Champagne against a backdrop of golden sunset and gentle lapping waves. For this, we recommend the Carcharias, (built by Pershing and also brokered by OceanStyle), which offers bespoke interiors by awardwinning designer Andrew Winch and an extended private owner’s area that doubles as an intimate personal hideaway. “It gives couples the ability to up anchor and speed away to secluded spots in total comfort: It’s really the perfect escape,” Georgina explained.

No matter what specific features you’re looking for, it would be reasonable to surmise that the selection of superyachts on the market has now reached baffling proportions, and choosing can consequently be a tricky, somewhat overwhelming process. Luckily the recent advent of the yacht and boat show provides a simple solution to the problem, laying out a banquet of nautical nirvanas in a staggering display of wealth, glamour and technical triumph.

These spectacles can now be found throughout the international calendar, commandeering marinas from California to Cape Town, Dubai to Düsseldorf – but the three indisputable heavyweights are April’s Antibes Yacht Show, the Cannes Boat Show (1015 September, salonnautiquecannes.com), and not surprisingly, the Monaco Yacht Show (25-28 September, monacoyachtshow.com), Europe’s biggest in-water display of megayachts. Here potential buyers can peruse the latest offerings from all the leading luxury shipyards, making sure they leave with keys to a craft which suits their exact specifications and seafaring needs.

“The Cannes Boat Show reflects the height of maritime luxury, with more than 500 vessels displayed and the world launches of 150 boats,” says Sylvie Ernoult, the show’s manager, “attracting fans of luxury motor yachts and sailing yachts, not to mention those that just want to soak up all the glamour Cannes has to offer.”

But of course, now that you have your superyacht (no doubt simultaneously rivalling Porsche and Pantheon inside and out), the decision remains where to moor your pride and joy for those crucially fashionable summer months.

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It goes without saying that the nucleus of the luxury yacht universe was, is and (it’s more than likely) will forever be the Côte d’Azur, with 50 per cent of all superyachts worldwide visiting the region each year. The time-honoured favourites are iconic yet ever-exclusive greats such as St Tropez and Monaco’s Port Hercule, though there are many similarly select marinas to be found across the globe, each catering to a different segment of the yachting elite and often charging a daily fee of more than £2,500 per berth.

There is, for example, the high-profile, luxury retail appeal of Italy’s Marina di Capri and Sardinia’s Porto Cervo, both heaving with designer boutiques and beautiful people throughout the summer season. If youthful, jet-set glitz is your idea of fun, there are the marinas of world-renowned night spots Ibiza Magna and Miami Beach, while those after a more discreet, hyper-exclusive retreat are likely to opt for Marina di Portofino in Italy or St Barths’ Port de Gustavia.

And then there are the well-kept secrets; a select group of lesser-known marinas where moorings are as high in price as they are low in profile. These include such gems as Porto Montenegro in Tivat, the newest super-yacht marina in the Mediterranean, and Port de Plaisance de Bonifacio, located on a narrow inlet in Corsica and able to accommodate boats of up to 75m in length. Montenegro is also in the process of reclaiming its former crown as Europe’s most idyllic playground for the elite: luxury yacht marina Porto Montenegro is currently under construction, doubling in size due to unprecedented demand.

The future certainly looks bright for the superyacht, with the latest vessels ever more space-age in design and technically cutting-edge (including one which can be steered with your iPad), though it’s hard to know what to expect next from this no-limits nautical world. One thing’s for sure though, with the selection of models, moorings and on-board extras ever growing, it’ll be plain sailing for those lucky enough to own one. n

claydonreeves.com, nautorswan.com edmistoncompany.com, sunseeker.com burgessyachts.com, osyachting.com benettiyachts.it, pershing-yacht.com

From Left: The Prestige 550S, dining area aboard Tuppence by Sunseeker

Swiss movement, English heart

Made in Switzerland / Sellita SW200-1 self-winding movement / 38 hour power reserve / 42mm marine-grade 316L stainless steel case and deployment bracelet / Water resistant to 300 metres / 4mm anti-reflective sapphire crystal / Deep-etched back-plate engraving

208_ChristopherWard_Vantage.indd 1

03/07/2013 14:12

In the Crosshairs As Game season kicks off, partridge and grouse are set to permeate Michelin-starred menus London-wide. With shooting becoming an increasingly common pastime among women, Private (Kari) Rosenberg learns to snipe a (clay) pigeon or two at Holland & Holland

Image courtesy of Barbour Gold Label barbour.com

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I

t was once the male-bonding preserve of peacocking Dukes and Lords, whose antlermounted parlours were testament to their aristocratic machismo. But shooting is undergoing something of a revival; not only is it filtering through from the gentry and seasoned country folk to well-heeled Londoners, but women are also taking up the sport in ever increasing numbers.

While I love a game pie as much as the next foodie (The Bricklayers Arms does a particularly good one) shooting anything that resembles Bambi would be just one step too far. And after one pre-lesson look at the Holland & Holland checklist for successful shooting – consistently correct gun mounting, foot positioning, weight distribution, head positioning – I soon realised the unlikelihood of attaining any of these coordinationcommanding qualities in one hit, and was relieved to know that, for now, the only pigeons I’d be shooting (on purpose) were those of the clay variety.

Chief instructor Chris Bird has been with Holland & Holland for more than 30 years. He greets me, tweeded up to the nines, with a hopeful smile suggesting he thinks I may have a shot in hell at being anything but completely useless. I’m quick to bring his expectations down a peg or two; I’ve done this once before on a cattle

ranch in Australia and failed to make one target. We go into the gun room as I find a model to fit: a 28 bore over and under shotgun with a shortened stock. It’s a lighter version of the many beautiful instruments to choose from; good for beginners and for women starting out.

Chris still seems optimistic, even when I wrongly refer to the weapon I’m holding as a rifle.

We pass ‘Rupert Till’ as we make our way to the first shooting point on the beautiful terrain of the 100acre site (a life-sized stag model that seems eerily real until you get up close). He’s the nearest thing to a live target on the grounds, which have been here since 1932.

Hunting is undoubtedly a contentious issue; with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation printing a helpful 68-page document entitled Shooting Facts for Journalists, it’s obvious they’re geared up for a defensive on the subject when any animals are thrown into the mix. It outlines Britain’s firearms laws (which have been built piecemeal since the early 20th century but are among the strictest in the world today) and highlights that the civilian use of guns is tightly restricted to sporting, pest control and target shooting purposes. Much of the clientele here only shoot for fun while others, that have the correct licensing, will hunt to kill (and eat) in their spare time.

It’s also difficult to resist the natural temptation to close both eyes as I press Image courtesy of Barbour Gold Label, barbour.com

Starting off aiming at a wall I don’t seem too bad at first, but as we move onto clay pigeons I find it hard to get the balance right; my face doesn’t “fit comfortably” against the stock, and despite the padded recoil pad lodged into my oversized tweed waistcoat, it’s hard to shake off the unfounded angst that pulling the trigger is going to hurt me somehow. It’s also difficult to resist the natural temptation to close both eyes as I press, something I’m sure Chris has cottoned onto as he advises me to just close the left one when taking aim (around 85 per cent of women who are right handed find this helpful). I stand with one foot slightly in front of the other, attempting to move my hips in order to follow the flight of the disc and not just my head which dislodges the stock from where Chris has, so helpfully, assisted me in positioning it. Every time.

Eventually I get the hang of it and after hitting

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my first target, the feeling’s thrilling; I hit another, and then that’s it for me. With Chris’s encouraging words, knowledge of the grounds and calming presence, he makes it a really fun experience, despite my total incompetence. He assures me that with a little practice, I’d get there. We return to the reception room, my two empty (successful) shells sitting safely in my pocket. “Was she a natural?” asks director of operations Steve Denny, who clearly expected the answer to be “yes”. The diplomatic Chris gives a hopeful smile, not wanting to say “no”. After all, I know where they keep the guns. n

Holland & Holland, 33 Bruton Street, W1J Holland & Holland Shooting Grounds, Ducks Hill Road, HA6. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation, basc.org.uk

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Recipe

The Hampstead Butcher’s wood pigeon with pickled vegetables ( Serves 4 ) • • • • • • • •

2 each: baby turnips – peeled leaving a little green 1 top on 2 each: carrots – peeled leaving a little green top on 150g each: 3 types of mushroom – i.e. oyster, girolle and enoki, cleaned and prepared 4 each: wood pigeons – oven ready 20g butter – unsalted 100ml vegetable oil Sea salt and pepper for seasoning, to taste 4 handfuls of good mixed salad leaves

Arrange some of the pickled vegetables, mushrooms and mixed leaves on a large plate, drizzle over a little of the dressing, then arrange the pigeon meat on top, followed by the remaining vegetables, mushrooms and leaves. Drizzle more dressing over everything, then the remaining chopped chives.

NB: The pigeon can be served warm if you wish but is best at room temperature, freshly cooked. You can substitute the wood pigeon with squab pigeon should you wish, although they are bigger and you would only need one bird between two people.

The Hampstead Butcher & Providore 56 Rosslyn Hill, NW3

the butcher’s cooking tips

For the pickling liquor: • • • • •

400ml water 200ml light olive oil 200ml white wine vinegar 100g caster sugar A couple of sprigs of thyme

For the dressing • • •

60g egg yolks (pasteurised) 2g chopped chives 350ml olive oil (including the oil skimmed from the top of the pickling liquor) – see method

Cut the turnips and carrots lengthways into slices leaving any green tops on. Set aside. Place all the pickling liquor ingredients into a saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for 3 minutes. Place the carrot in for 2 minutes and remove with a slotted spoon. Repeat with the turnips then with each type of mushroom. Put the vegetables in the fridge while the liquor is cooling.

When cold, pour over the vegetables and leave to chill for 2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Remove and discard the pigeon wings and season the birds. Heat a sauté pan with the butter and oil then colour the birds on all sides until golden. Put in the oven at 180°C and roast for 5-7 minutes. Remove from the oven and rest for 5 minutes.

While the birds are roasting make the dressing: strain and keep the pickling liquor from the vegetables then skim and retain as much of its oil as you can.

Whisk 100ml of the pickling liquor with the egg yolks and slowly blend in 350ml of the oil from the pickling liquor made up to volume with ordinary olive oil. If it’s too thick, then add more pickling liquor.

Then add some of the chopped chives (keep some to sprinkle over your presented dish at the end), it should be the consistency of cream. Carve the legs and breasts from the pigeons, and then slice each breast width ways.

Roast Pheasant • Preheat oven to 220°C (Gas Mark 7) • Roast for 20 minutes at 220°C (Gas Mark 7) • Reduce oven temperature to 180 °C (Gas Mark4) and continue to roast for 30-40 minutes • Remove the joint from the oven and rest for 10 minutes before carving Farmed Duck • Preheat oven to 220°C (Gas Mark 7) • Roast for 20 minutes at 220°C (Gas Mark 7) • Reduce oven temperature to 180°C (Gas Mark 4) and continue to roast for 60-90 minutes • Remove the joint from the oven and rest for 15 minutes before carving Mallard • Preheat oven to 220°C (Gas Mark 7) • Roast for 20 minutes at 220°C (Gas Mark 7) • Reduce oven temperature to 180°C (Gas Mark 4) and roast for 35-45 minutes • Remove the joint from the oven and rest for 10 minutes before carving

Just a couple of hours from home.

And yet a world away.

w w w. a u s t r i a . i n f o

Yo u r p e r s o n a l H o l i d a y I n f o r m a t i o n L i n e : 0845 101 1818 (calls charged at local rates)

scene

LOCAL Update Covering the whole of North West London

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JUST DESSERTS La Crêperie de Hampstead has been a much-loved institution for more than 30 years, doling out delicious desserts from its snug spot outside the William IV pub come rain or shine. Last month, however, tempers flared when the pub threatened to cut off the stall’s water supply after a dispute, leaving La Crêperie in danger of closing. Within hours some 600 local residents had signed a petition to keep the eatery open, so we’re crossing our fingers that plans to remove this village icon are going to fall flat as a pancake.

77 Hampstead High Street, NW3

lunch-break culture

SECONDS TO SPARE

Based in a six-storey townhouse in the bustling heart of Marylebone Village, the Heartbreak Gallery offers bite-size exhibitions that lend themselves beautifully to lunch breaks. The next display comes in the form of Italian calligrapher Massimo Poello’s stunning Song of Songs, a collection of images in which beautifully inscribed lettering segues into emotional allegory – an excellent introduction if you’re new to calligraphic art.

Constantly on our minds yet everelusive in the modern world, time is a construct both familiar and notoriously difficult to comprehend.

It is this age-old enigma which recently drove metaphysical artist Conrad Shawcross to create Timepiece, a colossal faceless clock which will be suspended above The Roundhouse’s enormous Main Space throughout August, giving visitors the unusual opportunity to re-evaluate the way they experience temporality itself.

Until 5 August Heartbreak Gallery 17 Bulstrode Street, W1U

1 - 25 August, The Roundhouse Chalk Farm Road, NW1

PLIÉS AND PIROUETTES The Chelsea Ballet Company – which celebrates its 46th anniversary this year – plans to bring its talents to Highgate this July, with two performances at the Jacksons Lane Theatre including The garden scene from La Bayadere and Moods Mode, a new creation by Cassandra Jacobs, plus guest performances by the Harlow Ballet Association and Allsorts Adult Dance.

27–28 July, Jacksons Lane Theatre 269a Archway Road, N6

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scene

LOCO FOR LONDON Taking its name from the 1974 work of Argentinean artist David Lamelas, Friends of London: Artists from Latin America in London from 196X-197X explores the complex and fruitful bond many Latin American artists developed with the London art scene in the 60s and 70s. A must for fans of Diego Barboza, Cecilia Vicuña and curator Pablo León de la Barra, among others who used the relationship to further engage with ideas of social and political experimentation within their work.

DOWN INN HISTORY

Images by Camden Local Studies Archive

Hampstead certainly excels where cosy, old-world pubs are concerned (The Flask, The Holly Bush and The Old White Bear are some of our personal favourites), so it should come as no surprise that the area has long been noted for its excellent watering holes. Those keen to learn more should head for Old Hampstead Rediscovered III: The Taverns of Hampstead at Burgh House, a fabulous exhibition telling the story of local taverns (including those no longer around) – the ideal way to spend a Sunday afternoon as you digest your perfect pub roast.

Until 1 September, Burgh House, New End Square, NW3 Until 3 August, David Roberts Art Foundation, Symes Mews, NW1

COMIC POTENTIAL Edinburgh eat your heart out, we’d rather have the Camden Fringe Festival any day.

Boasting appearances by performers old and new in a mix of experimental theatre, comedy and improv’ shows, the festival occupies all the best venues from Highgate to Covent Garden and is set to be better than ever this year.

29 July–25 August, camdenfringe.com

Bluebells on Hampstead Heath

by Laura Nolte

BACK TO NATURE It’s all too easy for city dwellers to take London’s green, open spaces for granted as they’re eclipsed by the metropolis. Lucky, the Heath and Hampstead Society plans to give local beauty spot Hampstead Heath a well-deserved bit of publicity with a series of guided walks. This August brings us Flora of the Heath, a reintroduction to the area’s plant life led by David Bevan, conservation officer and past president of the London Natural History Society.

4 August, begins at Burgh House, New End Square, NW3

On THE Road Relive last month’s St John’s Wood High Street Classic and Supercar event

V

antage gave you a sneak preview in its June issue; but even we weren’t prepared for the enormous turnout of families and car fanatics at the St John’s Wood Classic and Supercar Pageant on 23 June. The rain held off, the steaming goulash went down a treat, and as the little ones enjoyed the fairground rides, we perused the rails at Joseph, Viva and Larizia while snapping the family posing with some of the fabulous cars on show.

Brimming with enthusiasm, the Pageant coaxed residents and visitors out of their homes to enjoy a Sunday afternoon on St John’s Wood High Street, while regular weekend brunchers sat outside Harry Morgan, Sahara and The Bread Shop absorbing all the action, cappuccino in hand. The community came together in full force to vote for their favourite cars with Fiona Bowrey of Snappy Snaps catching all

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And the winners are…

Kent Butcher’s Gentlemen’s Choice Prize Mercedes 300SL (Clark Gable) The Viva Ladies’ Choice Prize Ferrari 166 MM (Gianni Agnelli) Tiddlywinks Children’s Prize Ferrari Dino 246

the action on camera.

We viewed 30 classic car gems which included one of only 14 Ferrari 365 California Spyders, Fangio’s 1956 Mille Miglia Ferrari, a 1928 Speed Six Bentley, Stirling Moss’ winning 250 GT Ferrari and Clark Gable’s incredible Mercedes 300SL Roadster. Additionally, there were a selection of pre and post-war classics from Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes, Lamborghini, Jensen Interceptor, Porsche 356, Rolls-Royces, Bentley, Aston Martin and memorable run-arounds such as the Austin A35, a classic Mini and even a Police liveried Morris Minor flanked by period uniformed coppers. HR Owen also showcased some of its latest top models.

Rays of Sunshine – a charity that grants wishes to seriously ill children – and the St John’s Hospice raised in excess of £10,000 through voluntary donations.

Until next year… n

special event

NEED TO KNOW Visit the official St John’s Wood High Street website stjohnswoodnw8.com With dealerships across England, HR Owen is one of the leading sports car dealers in the UK hrowen.co.uk Knight Frank St John’s Wood 5/7 Wellington Place St John’s Wood, NW8 7PB 020 7586 2777 Fox Gregory St John’s Wood 102-104 Allitsen Road, NW8 7AY 020 7586 1500 Lockton is the world’s largest, privately owned, independent insurance broker, lockton.com Rays of Sunshine children’s charity grants magical wishes everyday, raysofsunshine.org.uk St John’s Hospice is an independent charity located within the Hospital of St John’s and St Elizabeth in St John’s Wood, stjohnshospice.org.uk Photography by Fiona Bowrey of Snappy Snaps St John’s Wood

Surviving

the season The author of a new book on the English season’s events, Sophie Campbell, looks back on a year of front-line social reporting

Princess Eugenie of York attends day one of the annual Royal Ascot horse racing event. Ascot, UK. October 19, 2012, Rome Š Featureflash

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scene

W

hat on earth was I thinking?

I was sitting in a sunny study near Woking, talking to a lovely man called Michael Church about the Derby.

Church is the official Derby historian. He has several books under his belt to prove it. He was looking at me with some anxiety. “You really don’t know anything, do you?” he said gently, fixing me with penetrating blue eyes. What could I do but nod? I don’t know one end of a horse from another. Nor did I know about rowing, sailing, flowers, art, or indeed any other aspect of the English social season I was supposed to be nailing.

‘The Season’ is a run of events that starts in late May with the Chelsea Flower Show and canters in a leisurely fashion through to early August and sailing at Cowes Week. These occasions are very, very English. They are fuelled by Pimm’s and strawberries. They often feature quaintly uniformed officials. You may have to wear a hat.

My two areas of expertise were tennis – reserve for the firsts on a good day with the wind behind me at a very small convent in Dorset, which means at least I know the rules – and swimming, which I do a lot, in cold water, year round. However, when I entered the Henley Classic, an open-water swim down the rowing course in the middle of the night the week before the Henley Royal Regatta, I came in the last 20.

So if one more fellow journalist looks at my book cover and makes a joke about hardship postings and front lines I will probably punch them. Make no mistake, The Season – or the events often loosely referred to as its main components these days, from Royal Ascot to Cowes Week – is an endurance event. It is like triathletes having to do cycling, swimming and running, but in heels and a hat. And the transitions: hat to fascinator, Windsor to West Cowes, horses to hydrangeas. It’s never ending.

You may be wondering why I wrote it. It all started because about three years ago I was asked by The Daily Telegraph to do a feature about getting into season events at the last minute. Oh no, I thought, same old. Feathers.

Faded aristocrats. Silly sports. Like most people, I go to the odd one of these each year, usually Wimbledon in the queue (or ‘The Queue’ as they like to call it) and the Chelsea Flower Show with a gardening mate. I’ve been to occasional others over the years. But I knew nothing about them or why they existed and began to find my limited research intriguing.

Why are there Travellers at the Derby every year, for instance? Why do only two boats race at a time at Henley? Why are black silk top hats worth a fortune and grey ones not? Could the Royal Meeting at Ascot really be only a year younger than St Paul’s Cathedral? Why were all these events arranged in a radius around London?

So I found out more and then I got hooked and now, two years and two seasons on, I have come

out, like an elderly debutante, as a secret Season fan. I even have hats.

What I found, as I trotted from one occasion to the next, was that the things we do today are like the tops of mountains left exposed when the seas have risen. Beneath the waves are the remains of a lost civilisation that evolved roughly in tandem with our famous English class system – really, I can’t go into it here, but believe me, it’s complex – and, as the top of the class system went through a glorious Golden Age in the 18th century and later began to wobble with the agricultural depression of the late 19th, it began to codify itself with increasing rigidity. Dress codes, anyone?

Etiquette? Behavioural quirks and identifiers? They are all displayed in The Season.

People are often puzzled about its relationship to the debutante season, when young aristocratic girls went through a series of trialsby-hostess that culminated in their ‘coming out’ – a formal appearance at court, involving long trains, deep curtseys and an introduction to the

These occasions are very, very English. They are fuelled by Pimm’s and strawberries. You may have to wear a hat monarch – and it’s probably easiest to describe it as the nursery slopes for the adult events. Once you’d come out – and not before – your hair went up, your skirts went down and off you went to Ascot et al.

So that’s the history. The good news is that The Season – incredibly – still exists and is still a hoot. I had no idea that all the things I didn’t know about are of superlative quality, whether polo or petunias. These are, despite the frivolity, serious sporting or cultural events. It still looks fabulous. And perhaps better still, it has long since lost its social teeth and, unlike most paid-for events of the summer, its offerings are extraordinarily accessible. You don’t have to dress up. You don’t have to have lots of money.

But every so often, oh dear, it is fun if you do. n

The Season: A Summer Whirl Through The English Social Season, by Sophie Campbell, Aurum Press, £20. Available from independent bookshops or amazon.co.uk

Guest list Francis Boulle and Spencer Matthews with National Austic Society chief executive, Mark Lever

Jude Law and Luke Treadaway rehearse

Mark Lever and Luke Treadaway

Luke Treadaway and Ben Whishaw rehearse

A Curious Night at the Theatre, West End 1 July 2013 At the beginning of July, stars of the stage and screen lent their backing – and talent – to a special debut of the sequel to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, in aid of The National Autistic Society and Ambitious about Autism. The new play, written by Simon Stephens and Mark Haddon, featured performances by Jude Law, Luke Treadaway and Niamh Cusack. Dame Helen Mirren, Ben Whishaw, Matt Smith and Andrew Scott also appeared in filmed sequences on the night, before a range of musical entertainment and stand-up comedy closed a memorable evening for the assembled guests. Local resident Chris Martin’s acoustic rendition of Paradise was particularly well-received.

autism.org.uk ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

Chris Martin Images courtesy of Ellie Kurttz

Masking up at Quintessentially ballrooms, Portland Place

James Caan

HRH Prince Charles and HRH The Duchess of Cornall

Mario Testino and Cara Delevingne

Animal Ball in aid of Elephant Family, Marylebone and Mayfair 9 July 2013 A drinks reception was hosted by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall in support of Elephant Family and Habitat for Humanity. The project aims to protect endangered species of elephants, as well as communities in Asia whose homes are at risk. Guests including Imran Khan met on the lawns of Clarence House, before enjoying music from Jools Holland at Lancaster House. In June, invitees including James Caan had attended a masking-up party at Quintessentially Ballrooms.

HRH Prince Charles and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall with Imran Khan

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Poppy and Cara Delevingne

elephantfamily.org habitatforhumanity.org.uk

scene

Cocktails were botanically themed

Marcus Wareing and Chantelle Nicholson

Afternoon tea was served

Gizzi Erskine

Marcus Wareing

Olivia Grant and Marcus Wareing

Olivier and Dana Gers

Marcus Wareing and Morwenna Lytton Cobbold

Gilbert’s Gin Garden launches at The Gilbert Scott, King’s Cross 25 June 2013 There is a new brunch venue in town, in the form of a garden set within the vaulted archways of The Gilbert Scott restaurant at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. Marcus Wareing hosted an evening of botanical themed cocktails to celebrate its arrival, in association with Hendrick’s Gin. Guests including Gizzi Erskine, Morwenna Lytton Cobbold and Olivia Grant drank A-pear-itifs and hoped for the sun to make an appearance.

St Pancras Renaissance, Euston Road, NW1 020 7278 3888, thegilbertscott.co.uk

The after-party in full swing

Guests dressed for the occasion

Tyrone Wood with friend Beth (left) and mother Jo Wood (right)

Chinawhite at Henley Royal Regatta Henley-on-Thames 6 July 2013 London’s finest headed to Henley-on-Thames to bask river-side at the Regatta. While Pippa Middleton was on the guest list for Chinawhite’s VIP entertainment, which started with a drinks reception and ended with international DJ sets and fireworks, via a delicious three course dinner, she was otherwise engaged.

Those donning summer dresses, chinos and blazers respectively included Primrose Hill’s Jo Wood, her son Tyrone and James Gooding.

Guests enjoyed the sunshine

James Gooding

Ruth Crilly

henleyregatta.com/chinawhite

Photograph by Neil Tingle Image courtesy of the AELTC

Caroline Winberg and Erin O’Connor

The Duchess of York and Sir Richard Branson

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HOURS LATER

Novak Djokovic and Boris Becker

Matt Bellamy, Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn, Jelena Ristic and Novak Djokovic Images courtesy of Richard Young

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scene

On 8 July, just a day after the 2013 Wimbledon Final, gallant runner-up and world-ranked tennis No.1, Novak Djokovic, hosted his inaugural UK gala to raise funds for disadvantaged children, at the Roundhouse in Camden. He was joined by charity ambassador Sarah, Duchess of York and her children HRH Princess Eugenie and HRH Princess Beatrice of York, as well as leading figures from the realms of business, film and fashion. Ahead of the event, Gabrielle Lane spoke to Jelena Ristic, executive director of the Novak Djokovic Foundation – and Novak’s partner – about the aims of the evening and her role as a key part of the tennis player’s support network in the wake of the tournament.

The gala comes at the end of a very important week for Novak, his team, friends and family. How do you deal with such an intense time?

I am still learning how to efficiently manage my time, and many times I get overwhelmed with work and private life. It’s normal. The important thing is that I am surrounded with an incredible team of people who are helping me out when I get stressed out. I get very nervous during his matches. [Novak] achieved so much at such a young age; he is so committed and passionate about what he does. He never gives up and that’s what I love about him so much! The bottom line is, I am very proud of him.

What preparations have you been making for the event?

I’ve been doing many different things, from spending hours on the phone inviting people, working with a production agency, PR agency, constantly working on the budget... It’s a lot of hours of lobbying for sure, but it’s a great pleasure. I am working with great professionals and at the end, no matter how many hours I invested in preparations for the gala it is all worth it because the kids will benefit from it.

The Duchess of York is an ambassador of the charity, what is she like to work with?

Oh, I can talk for days about that incredible woman!

She has such a wonderful energy; I enjoyed our conversations so much. She genuinely wants to help.

She loves kids and dedicates her life to helping children worldwide. She follows tennis and loves Novak, and we got introduced by our mutual friend Milutin Gatsby,

and after that we just couldn’t stop talking about all the ways we can help children. She has a wonderful heart.

Both Novak and I admire her. We are planning to take her to Serbia this year.

Why does the charity focus on disadvantaged children?

They need our help. Every child deserves to have a family, to live in a good and healthy environment, to have access to food and education. We focus on education because that is one thing that nobody can take away from them at the end of the day. We equipped a playground of a school for autistic children with necessary machines that will help children develop their motor and logical-thinking skills and also help teachers work with them. We’ve also started working in four different locations in our native Serbia to open kindergartens so that more than 100 children can get the opportunity to play with their friends and learn through quality programs. We are financially supporting the government and UNICEF to end the institutionalisation of children under three years, a pilot project that is very complex, but very important – we hope to empower social workers to screen and find the families at risk of separation. We are also financially supporting other smaller local organisations.

What’s next for you and for the Foundation?

I think I’ll take a week off to rest. [Novak and I] are young; we enjoy our free moments as much as we can.

We mostly take off on a boat with friends and family, read books, watch films, regular things. And no, we don’t talk about tennis. He has his team for that!

Then I’m back to prepare another gala in NY, that will be on 10 September, just after the US Open finals. I think that [the 2012] NY event was the dream event for me. It was the first event I organised and it was such a great success that it made me a bit scared, to be honest. The charity world is a very competitive world. There are so many organisations out there that are doing a great job and it is up to us to prove to the people that we are also the right foundation to donate to and trust in. None of this would be possible if Novak wasn’t such a great role model. He is inspiration to many kids and people love his character and personality and want to support his cause.

It makes my job much easier with him as a leader. n

novakdjokovicfoundation.org Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 Novak Djokovic and Jelena Ristic

style

wish list

WARDROBE TRANSITION For S/S13 Louis Vuitton gave us some of the most distinctive looks of the season, including monochrome checks, simple silhouettes and vivid yellow tones. And as we prepare for the launch of the autumn collections, the house has provided tempting transitional pieces, which will be wearable for years to come. The cobalt blue shift dress and extended trapeze of a vivid, red A-line coat stand out for us.

louisvuitton.com

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STYLE Update ARE YOU READY FOR another social?

When a wide-brimmed, pale blue number won’t suffice by way of headwear, Louis Mariette is on-hand with feathered blooms and handfuls of coloured crystals and – if you dare – cages wrapped in vines. The millinery’s arty creations are all handmade and bespoke commissions remain its core business. Clients include Jerry Hall, Joan Collins and Sophie Dahl.

louismariette.com

Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2013

history of art Nick Knight’s Aladdin Sane print of Highgate resident Kate Moss, produced exactly ten years ago, is expected to raise up to £35,000 when it is auctioned as part of Kate Moss – The Collection at Christie’s on 25 September. Photographer and gallery owner Gert Elfering has curated some of the most famous images of the supermodel for a sale likely to generate in excess of £1m.

MEET MISS MARGARETHA When we think Escada, we tend to think of sharp suits.

However, the brand’s Resort collection ‘must-have’ is a new butter-soft, calf-skin, top-handle bag. The Miss Margaretha (named after founder Margaretha Ley) is available in two sizes.

£760, escada.com 5pm, 25 September, Christie’s

PREEN AT MATCHES Jersey separates become high fashion pieces in the hands of Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi, the team behind London-based label, Preen. The pair has produced six exclusive designs for Matches, including a sweatshirt for £485, no less. For that price tag you’ll get an inimitable slice of off-beat style; to be fair, you’ll probably live in it.

From £380 87 Marylebone High Street, W1U 020 7487 5400 matchesfashion.com

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style

STYLE UPDATE The Pre-Fall 13 collection from Erdem offers a reminder of why London is at the forefront of the fashion scene. In essence, the looks are composed of floral prints and bright colours – femininity is his aesthetic – but there’s nothing delicate or ditzy here.

Sharp collars, sleek silhouettes and just enough panels of organza and flashes of PVC give the range a covetable modernity.

erdem.com

ODES TO ICONS Until 24 August Harrods is celebrating the enduring appeal of the handbag in the best way it knows how. When in central London, be sure to visit the store’s dedicated window displays which present oversized versions of 20 well-known designs, produced in partnership with the likes of Loewe and Marc Jacobs.

harrods.com

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deadly sins

Treat yourself to the capital vices of decadent jewels, indulgent food and this season’s most sensual ensembles Photography: Jon Attenborough Stylist: Siouxsie

Army printed satin tulip dress, POA, Guy Laroche guylaroche.com; Morganite leaf pendant, £33,000 and matching earrings, £36,000, pink pearl, pink sapphire and diamond ring (right hand, third finger) £18,000, and leaf ring with diamonds (right hand fourth finger), £8,500, all from Autumn Collection at MV Jewellery Theatre, 44 Old Bond Street, 020 7495 5544; Black stingray cuff with crystals, £398; Butler & Wilson, 20 South Molton Street, 0207 409 2955 Quilted globe lambskin clutch (on table), £2,563 Chanel, 158-159 New Bond Street, 020 749 35040

Purple short sleeve body-con dress with embellishments, £4,189, Hervé Léger, 020 7201 2590; Deco triangle drop earrings, £257, Mawi mawi.co.uk; Purple and blue croc clutch, £480, Vivienne Westwood, 44 Conduit Street; Calf leather riding gloves in cobalt corsage, £176 Swash London, liberty.co.uk; Red and blue metal painted cuff, £1,191, Chanel, 158-159 New Bond Street, 020 7493 5040

Sequin cable knit style top, £1,680, and knee length satin silk skirt in ink, £1,260, Jenny Packham Jennypackham.com; Black Caesar headband, £176 Louis Mariette, louismariette.com; Grey crystal large flower necklace, £148, Butler & Wilson, as before Feather sterling silver earrings with white diamonds £3,700, and feather sterling silver ring with rose quartz (on right hand), £800, both Garrard garrard.com; Dress ring designed as three bombé diamond-set sections, circa 1950s (left hand, first finger) £3,000, Lucas Rarities, lucasrarities.com Silver chain hand jewellery (on left hand), £270 Delphine-Charlotte Parmentier, dcp-corp.com

Black embellished sequin dress with nude mesh panels, POA Julien Macdonald, julienmacdonald.com; Black antler tassel and sequin headpiece, POA, Louis Mariette, as before; Star earrings, £267, Mouton Collet, valerydemure.com; Black stingray cuff (on left wrist), £398, Butler & Wilson, as before Geometric crystal ring (on left hand), £216, Mawi, mawi.co.uk Apocalyptic garden wrapped cuff (on right wrist), £140, Marc

by Marc Jacobs at mywardrobe.com; Silver shield ring (on left hand) £300, Kyle Hopkins, kylehopkins.co.uk

Mini knitted dress in blue with embroidered metal studs and rings, £7,990, Roberto Cavalli, 184 Sloane Street, 020 7823 1879; Deco chandelier earrings with crystals, £297, Mawi, mawi.co.uk; The Britain Quartz cream leather and rose front watch (on left wrist), £2,050, Burberry, uk.burberry.com; Cream tortoise shell watch (on right wrist), £150, Vivienne Westwood, as before; Rose Siren cuff (on right wrist), £390, Monica Vinader, monicavinader.com

PHOTOGRAPHER & STYLIST WEBSITES: Jon Attenborough (lharepresents.com), Siouxsie (siouxsiestylist.com) Hair STYLIST: Carolina Crona (crona-hair.com) using L’Oreal Professionnel | MAKE UP: Charlotte Gaskell (lharepresents.com) using Laura Mercier Cosmetics and Essie Nails | Stylist Assistants: Daisy Bunyan Kimesha Campbell and Claudia Biele | Model: Kriss E at Premier Model Management | Location: Special thanks to Plum + Spilt Milk at Great Northern Hotel, King’s Cross St Pancras Station, Pancras Road, N1C plumandspiltmilk.com

FROM RAGS TO

RICHES Gabrielle Lane meets Antoni Burakowski MBE, one half of the British fashion design duo Antoni & Alison, as the label celebrates more than 25 years in business

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collections and 25 years in the fashion industry have not quashed the enthusiasm of Antoni Burakowski.

Friendly, self-deprecating and an all-round riot, when we sit down for carrot juice and chocolate biscuits at the Georgian townhouse studio he shares with business partner Alison Roberts, he manages to make the story behind the pair’s career ascendancy sound like an episode of Only Fools and Horses. That is, minus the small matter of an MBE, the fact that the entire first ten years of the team’s work has been archived by the V&A (it wants the fruits of the next ten too) and a 20th anniversary film starring Nicole Kidman, which the actress personally volunteered for as a ‘birthday’ gift.

Take for example, the full-page of coverage in avant-garde monthly The Face, which was credited with launching the Antoni & Alison label. “We didn’t have any training at Saint Martins in how to make things – I mean, we did, but I never went to the lessons. I was just interested in drawing,” he whispers conspiratorially. “So the idea we had was a T-shirt! It was all smiley faces and flowers growing out of belly buttons, things upside down – really happy things. We couldn’t afford a PR team, but some people would work for free, and we wrote our very first press release ourselves; we just had a piece of A3 paper and we drew on it. We wrote ‘be happy’ and we drew smiley faces – it was being stupid. And then we got a phone call from The Face and they said: ‘We’d like to borrow the collection.’ So we said, ‘Erm…oh…right then’. I took it all in a carrier bag to them. And they gave us a whole page in The Face. A girl called Alex Eats was sitting in one of our smiley face T-shirts and knickers!”

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What did he think of his time at Saint Martins – now Central Saint Martins – one of the most renowned fashion universities in the world?

“When we were there, it was quite different. It was in the middle of the old Soho. Alison’s first class was life-drawing and the model took off her clothes and had a pair of breasts and a penis! We were thrown in and suddenly going to fabulous parties at aristocrats’ homes, it was just such a brilliant mixture [of people]. That’s what was so special.”

It was a period of work experience at Thierry Mugler in Paris, which convinced Antoni that his design dream was possible. The house’s creative director was supportive and Antoni loved his time there: “It was really fascinating. But I remember my job was to paint ping-pong balls to make these necklaces. And then to glue ‘diamonds’ on the back of the shoes because we didn’t have enough money to make new shoes every season.”

Three decades later, with humour and modesty, he has his own advice for eager, young creatives. “You have to do what you want to do. Forget buyers, forget press, and forget any of those things, because they’ll go onto the next thing, but they’ll come back. The minute you become fashionable, you become unfashionable.

You don’t ever want your work to become a trend – we had that with the T-shirts, they became such a trend that it became a complete nightmare; when people start to copy you, you see your work done in really horrendous ways.

So I really believe in just being yourself and doing what you want to do.”

Having dressed as pink elephants for catwalk shows, put boxes of their heads and painted themselves silver for a presentation at the V&A, Antoni terms his career “a bit of a ride” and is clear that fashion will remain part of the foreseeable future, with the duo perhaps collaborating with a company who give them the rules they never made for themselves. The current Antoni & Alison collection, and indeed that of Autumn/Winter 13, expands upon their talent for print. Classic shift dresses are given the photographic illusion of complex pleats, folds and embroidery with splashes of glitter and bold colour. Inspiration is gleaned in unusual ways: “We do this thing called the Magical Mystery Tour,” laughs Antoni. “It’s a bit daft. I live in King’s Cross and we get on the bus and sit at the front and just go wherever it’s going to take us. And that’s a very good way of getting out to places you’ve never been to and thinking about other things. There are things we can do at this stage

The minute you become fashionable, you become unfashionable... don’t ever become a trend

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in our careers, but we haven’t bought a yacht.

The reward for Alison and I is that we’re still interested in what we do and that we’re still best friends. ” n

antoniandalison.co.uk

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By the

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B ard Photographer: Rachel Pearce | Stylist: Ghyl Lebentz

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1 Acetate sunglasses, £300, Gucci gucci.com

2 Leather Panama Tote, £595, Smythson smythson.com

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3 Leather snake-embossed belt, £95

Austique, 40 New Cavendish Street, W1G

4 Diamond and sapphire ring from

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the Elements Collection, POA, M.V Jewellery Theatre, 020 7495 5544

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5 Diamond and sapphire pendant on velvet ribbon from the Elements Collection, POA, as before

6 Leather wristlet clutch, £200

Desa, 65 Hampstead High Street, NW3

7 Eye Quartet Mineral Eye Palette in Indigo, £31, Clarins, clarins.com

8 Diamond and sapphire earrings from

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the Elements Collection, POA, as before

9 Joli Rouge Lipstick in Clarins Red, £18 Clarins, clarins.com

10 Blu Mediterraneo Mirto di Panarea Body Lotion, 200ml, £39, Acqua di Parma, acquadiparma.com

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11 Colonia Assoluta, 50ml, £50, Acqua di Parma, acquadiparma.com

12 Coconut water, 250ml, £2.25, Jax Coco available at Harvey Nichols and jaxcoco.com

13 100% snakeskin ballet pumps, £145 Austique, as before

14 Red Lizard sterling silver roller ball

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pen, £145, Aspinal of London 46 Marylebone High Street, W1U

15 Small refillable navy lizard journal, £39 Aspinal of London, as before

16 Continental clutch wallet, £145, Aspinal of London, as before

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THE SIENNA COLLECTION Inspired by the Renaissance Masters, The Sienna Collection reincarnates the artist’s love of colour and creativity. The Sienna Cuff and The Sienna Chandelier drop earrings both feature a superb array of mandarin garnets, pink spinels and diamonds set in yellow gold.

The Sienna Collection is truly inspired by a timeless period in European history which celebrated beauty through the adornment of majestic gems.

UNITED KINGDOM

AUSTRALIA

The Royal Arcade, Old Bond St, Mayfair London W1S 4SW

Sydney Gold Coast

calleija.com

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best of

BEauty August 1. Redesigned in 100ml packaging in time for peak travel season, The Mist from Crème de la Mer is a light, hydrating spray for the face, enriched with the brand’s trademark botanical extracts. The soothing formulation is ideal for restoring skin suppleness during air travel and after sun exposure.

£50, Crème de la Mer, cremedelamer.co.uk 2. Eau de Soir from Sisley may be touted as a Christmas edition, but Selfridges has received the luxurious scent way ahead of time, which is handy because only 10,000 units will be released worldwide. The fragrance is a blend of leafy florals and oriental notes, while the bottle has a sculpted 18-karat, gold-plated cap by Polish sculptor Bronislaw Krzysztof.

£178, Sisley Paris, selfridges.com 3. MAC Cosmetics continues to add to its impressive library of colours. Midnight, from its Pressed Pigment line, demonstrates that blue eye shadow can be modern and flattering – a thin sweep along the lash line, without eyeliner is a simple and forgiving way to wear it.

£17, MAC Cosmetics, maccosmetics.co.uk 4. Clinique’s best-selling Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ has been boosted by the addition of hyaluronic acid, glycerine and a sunflower seed complex. The new ingredients work to increase the skin’s barrier strength and will debut in August, 45 years after the original formula hit the counters.

£29.50, Clinique, clinique.co.uk 5. A sneak peek at next season’s look from Yves Saint Laurent Beauty reveals that creative director Lloyd Simmonds has added four colours to the Rouge Pur Couture lipstick range including this vermillion tone called Rouge Neon. Available from 1 August.

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£25, Yves Saint Laurent Beauty, selfridges.com

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beauty Update 500 DAYS OF SUMMER In the spirit of (healthy) sun tan longevity, the latest bronzing collection from Guerlain comes highly recommended. Terra Ora, which arrived on counters in June, includes a sculpting powder with highlighter for face and décolletage, and a reworked version of Météorites Perles as a goldtinted primer suspended in light-weight gel. At the time of year when many brands have brought their beachy hues out to play, Guerlain stands out for its perfect warm tones.

Terra Ora Sculpting Powder, £45 and Météorites Perles, £42 Guerlain selfridges.com

BOND-INSPIRED BRIGHTS The newest shades of nail lacquer from OPI take their lead from the silver screen. The Bond Girls collection officially hits shelves at the end of August and includes six matte-textured varnishes with a hint of sparkle.

£11.50 each, opiuk.com Left to Right: Solitaire, Vesper, Honey Ryder, Jinx

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BEAUTY LOCK-IN Originally known for offering quick-time, simultaneous beauty treatments from its Selfridges outpost, Groom has turned its focus to entertaining. Up to ten guests can converge at the salon or at the brand’s elegant townhouse in St Christopher’s Place, for Champagne, canapés, music and pampering. Therapists are on hand to provide mini mani/ pedis and facials or brow and lash tidies, before finishing off with flicks of liquid eyeliner.

From £1,000 groomlondon.com

HAIR REHAB

A ROYAL APPOINTMENT Deborah Mitchell is the woman who made everyone – including the Duchess of Cornwall – desire a tingling Bee Sting Facial. The so-called organic face-lift uses minor quantities of bee venom mixed with shea butter, honey, rose and lavender, to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. While you can now experience the youthful wonders of the Bee Venom formulation at home, Deborah has just taken up residency at the Nutri Centre in Regent’s Park for those seeking the full works with the lady herself.

From £135, 7 Park Crescent, W1B nutricentre.com

From meteorite dust to peanut butter, London’s top-tier salons offer a multitude of conditioning treatments that promise to restore over-styled hair to its former glory.

Mindful that the effect of masques can be fleeting – and with humidity and sea water to contend with – we were encouraged to try the Brazilian blow-dry to improve manageability and shine for up to three months. Keratin-based treatments have evolved since they first launched in the capital two years ago and the team at Gielly Green in Marylebone is skilled at inducing a sleek finish which isn’t lank. Five weeks in, our styling time remains halved and heated tools are no longer required. It’s a life-changer.

£125, 42-44 George Street, W1U 020 7034 3060 giellygreen.co.uk

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BLANK CHEQUE BEAUTY

PHENOMENOM

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Gabrielle Lane examines the dressing-table assets of the super-rich

t hasn’t been easy investigating the higher echelons of the luxury beauty industry. Of course, you might already be in the know, preparing to fly to Tokyo for 30 August to reserve one of three anniversary-edition pots of Clé de Peau (at £8,440, that’s a moisturiser costing over five times more than gold per gram). If you miss out, you may know that there’s a prize draw for the fourth and final pot. Or else you’ll have Dr Philippe Allouche of French laboratory Biologique Recherche devising a six month skin prescription as an alternative, complete with bespoke facials at EF MediSpa, for the token sum of £25,000. However, for the rest of us, the blank cheque beauty world remains, by its nature, elusive.

“When it comes to beauty, we apply the same care and attention we do to all requests – and we get asked a lot for harder to find items,” says Lauren Burt, head of personal shopping at Marylebone-based concierge service, Quintessentially Gifts. And nothing is harder to find than a product that doesn’t yet exist: “The opportunity to create an exclusive perfume is something we love to be able to offer to clients; scent is such a personal thing.”

When electing a House for one’s signature fragrance, Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, ranks highly on a list of historic ambassadors: 160 years after Guerlain was commissioned to produce Eau de Cologne Impériale for the royal, discreet appointments

with its current fragrance creation director Sylvaine Delacourte in Paris, retain prestige. From these meetings, booklets woven with illustrations, written memoirs and photographs are used to yield a personalised box of trial scents before the final design arrives in 500ml Baccarat form approximately six months later.

However, for some, only the work of the late JeanPaul Guerlain’s protégée Mathilde Laurent, will do. Since 2005, Laurent has been overseeing personal orders as in-house perfumer at Cartier, where €50,000 (around £42,000) will get you a gold and crystal bottle with the option of adding initials, stencilled drawings – and even diamonds. “It’s often the case that we can realise everything that you could desire,” explains Laurent.

“Cartier, you know, are the only ones making bespoke bottles.” For Laurent, this kind of luxury beauty product is not about extravagance. “It’s not always the point. A three hour appointment with me, talking about your life and your pleasures, is a very nice conversation, like taking a walk in your mind. It is often the case that people want something they can be proud of and which is wearable,” she explains. “The client can truly say ‘ok it’s mine’; understanding someone so well is something that is above human communication.”

A master of discretion, Laurent won’t be drawn on the personal stories behind her creations, but there’s a certain charm to rumours that one businessman, with the means to travel the world, craved the scent of

his childhood garden and was duly presented with a composition that incorporated every herb and flower of his home. Another client is said to have sought to provide visitors to his vineyard with a custom perfume drawn from its grounds, to enable them to cherish their experiences long after departing.

While a luxury beauty product might not have the same enduring investment appeal as a Hermès Birkin or a Rolex Daytona (used daily, a 450ml bottle of cologne should last between two and three years), Alison Loehnis, MD of online designer fashion portal Net A Porter, which last year generated total sales of £368m, is adamant that the well-heeled are increasingly approaching the purchase of a lip gloss in the same way they would an evening dress. “We have had a phenomenal response to our new beauty offering and have had to continually replenish stock to service high demand,” she explains. “Our customers had been asking us for it. The impulse to shop from the page applies to beauty as it does to fashion and our customers are stylesavvy and up to date with the latest fashion and beauty trends. We are able to inspire our visitors on how to get the total look – not only for which bag or shoe to buy, but the eye shadow and lipstick as well. For beauty, they want the best products available and to see results.”

The success of Net A Porter’s expansion means that the company has already appointed dedicated video beauty columnists and – in Loehnis’s own words – “ramped it up” with an increasing number of beauty features in the website’s accompanying weekly magazine,

The Edit. Having launched on 20 March with 11 brands, 38 are now deemed suitable for its discerning clientele including By Terry, the signature line of Terry de Gunzburg, creator of YSL Beauty’s iconic Touche Éclat.

Of course, some proud recipients of a £200 eye shadow will gladly trade online anonymity for the chance to queue (if that is what one does at a luxury beauty emporium) alongside fellow fabulous customers.

Cosmetics à la Carte in central London has been at the forefront of special beauty commissions for four decades, with the ability to colour match make up to favourite sweaters, sweets and – in the case of Grace Jones in 1980, to a pet cat called Mitzie. It was at the brand’s first outpost in Motcomb Street in 1987 that a young Diana Spencer bumped into the rock band U2, who were stocking up on cosmetics ahead of their world tour. Though she promptly snapped up the same items in awe, Diana would choose a nude lipstick from Cosmetics à la Carte to wear on her next birthday, joining a list of customers that also included

It’s often the case that we can realise everything that you could desire... people want something they can be proud of and which is wearable

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the late Elizabeth Taylor as well as Debbie Harry and more recently, Kate Moss, who sported a lip lacquer titled Candy on the cover of Vogue in 2000. While the opportunity to satisfy every rainbow-related whim undoubtedly appeals to many, the tailor-made beauty services of Cosmetics à la Carte also attract individuals looking for bespoke skincare formulations. But what is driving this need for the trophy products?

“During this current period of economic uncertainty, consumers are increasingly focusing on their image, thus looking to establish their own identity and personal status,” explains Nicole Tyrimou, an analyst of beauty and personal care at Euromonitor International in London. “Consumers over the past couple of years have been searching for ways to look and feel as good as possible.” The arrival of targeted solutions and serums means personalisation is particularly prominent within the realms of cleansers and anti-ageing creams, however: “In 2012 nail polish [sales] benefitted the most from the consumer need to cheer oneself up,” says Tyrimou.

“Topping global growth for the second year, nail polish is expected to continue to be the best performer as consumers look to enjoy a bit of luxury in their lives.

Strong innovation, from nail art and anti ageing in nail polish to water washable formulas, has boosted the category and helped it to flourish. Leaders in innovation, such as Ciaté with its caviar manicure nails and Azature with its diamond nail polishes, are helping the category to remain in vogue and continue its strong links with the fashion industry.”

Ah yes, the price tag for a little Azature 267 carat black diamond polish in your life? Just £160,000. n

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Luxury Beauty Address Book Clé de Peau Beauté cledepeau-beaute.com QUINTESSENTIALLY GIFTS 29 Portland Place, W1B 0845 224 2617 quintessentiallygifts.com Biologique Recherche at EF MediSpa 69 St John’s Wood High Street, NW8 020 7449 6923, efmedispa.com Guerlain guerlain.com Cartier cartier.com Net A Porter net-a-porter.com Cosmetics a la Carte 19B Motcomb Street, SW1 020 7235 0596, alacartelondon.com Azature at Selfridges 400 Oxford Street, W1A 0800 123 400, selfridges.com With thanks to Euromonitor International euromonitor.com

Main images: courtesy of Cartier. Products shown: available at Harrods

Captivate Your Senses The first internationally-acclaimed Chuan Spa in Europe is now open at The Langham, London.

Rediscover your source with luxurious treatments inspired by the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The Langham, London 1c Port land Place, Regent Street, London W1B 1JA T 44 (0) 20 7973 7550

tllon.info@chuanspa.com

www.chuanspa.co.uk

AUCKLAND • BOSTON • HONG KONG • LONDON • LOS ANGELES • MELBOURNE • SHANGHAI

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BEST FOOT FORWARD

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Gabrielle Lane rediscovers summer feet with the aid of a medical pedicure at Margaret Dabbs London

adies, a pedicure is not a polish change. It’s not even a bubbling foot bath, a handful of salt granules and a helping of intensive moisturiser. When I visit the Margaret Dabbs team at Liberty’s Sole Spa (the flagship clinic in New Cavendish Street, Marylebone was teaming with holiday-goers and their bejewelled sandals) podiatrist Yvonne is brandishing a drill and a crystalstrength foot file.

Recently advised that a medi-pedi should be scheduled akin to dental check-ups, it has taken me until my mid-twenties to look beyond what colour to paint my toenails. Yvonne can spot neglect a mile off: “What’s this here?” She asks politely, surveying a faint scar. It is the damage from a particularly fetish-like pair of McQueen heels. “Not sure!” I beam. “You pivot when you walk,” she explains, highlighting an area of callous on one of my toes, “do you get pain on the ball of the foot?” I do indeed.

“It seems like a splinter has entered the skin.” As every woman knows, a period of uncomfortable high-heel wearing is always, inevitably, followed by the grim reality of bare feet on concrete.

The point is, the medi-pedi isn’t

a luxurious beauty treatment for the perfectly preened, it’s about realistic advice and care, without embarrassment. A third of visitors to the three Margaret Dabbs clinics in London are men and the vast majority of those are repeat clients; sports and ill-fitting shoes of course contribute to cases of bunions, sores and ingrowing toenails, but the walking we all do on a daily basis naturally leads to thick, waxy patches of skin which can be buffed off and smoothed with a little care and attention.

Once my feet have been sanded (which feels like a gentle vibration and is quite relaxing) Yvonne pushes back my cuticles, shapes my nails and applies the clinic’s own brand of foot lotion which contains a hydrating emu oil formulation. The entire process is quick and the fact that the medi-pedi is carried out on dry skin – after alcohol-based cleansing – means the results are as good as they appear, rather than being masked in moisturiser.

I finish with a slick of bright pink nail colour and hit the shops in search of some new sandals. Flat ones, of course. n

Luxury Medical Sole Therapy Pedicure, £135 Margaret Dabbs Sole Spa at Liberty 020 7494 4492, margaretdabbs.co.uk

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New Zinc showroom now open 1 Chelsea Wharf, 15 Lots Road, London SW10 0QJ

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CORE CONCEPTS The O2 centre on Finchley Road is definitely having a moment, welcoming a host of exciting interior design stores. By far our favourite, BoConcept’s A/W 13 range perfects the art of reinvention; fans will recognise colours and materials from past collections, reworked into new shapes and styles that are both elegant and avant-garde. Available in store from September.

255 Finchley Road, 02 Centre Unit 3D, NW3 boconcept.co.uk 020 7794 8049

Interiors inspiration

HAUTE CUISINE AT HOME Partnering with the world’s best chefs, such as Alain Ducasse and Tom Aikens, Electrolux’s professional cooking systems have been providing cuttingedge technology (think blast chillers, vacuum sealers and combination ovens) for more than 90 years. Used by more than half of the Michelin-starred kitchens in Europe, the first London home to have the kitchen installed opened its doors in Swiss Cottage on 2 July for canapés and Champagne. Haute cuisine is coming to a home near you.

POA, electrolux.com/professional

The Cat Walk Granny chic meets feline obsessive; former model Vicki Murdoch’s range of silken pet-illustration cushions are definitely not for the faint-hearted. But with animal motifs all the rage on the catwalks from Fendi to Cavalli, we can’t help but be seduced by these cute, if not slightly crazy motifs. Mix and match in every colour against a clashing print couch or throw.

Silken Favours collection, from £95 each, amara.com

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WARDROBE MISTRESS The super-chic brainchild of stylist Francesca Salih, whose CV includes years of working with the likes of Browns and Net-A-Porter, is a personal shopping and wardrobe detoxing guru. Launching Wardrobe Mistress in 2010, the bespoke service acts as a luxury consultancy for stylish men and women. With an established global client base across the UK, USA and Dubai, the team can teach you everything from the art of retail therapy to managing your personal collections efficiently. Alternatively, if you have a fashion emergency or a special event, the online service offers fast expertise at your fingertips.

wardrobemistress.co.uk

ON THE BOTTLE With one-off, bespoke pieces ranging from extraordinary dressing tables to stunning mirrors, we’ve grown particularly attached to this magnificent drinks cabinet with its sleek bowed doors, which reveal a lit interior lined with rippled sycamore when opened.

Designed by James Ryan, made by Joe Orchard. Ordered by us.

From £28,000 barnsley-furniture.co.uk

AN AGE OF GRACE Combining regal heritage with hippie spirit, Royal Bohemia’s sumptuous beds bring together ‘classic craftsmanship with creative and passionate design’. We’d particularly like to tumble into the Grace tonight; a classic Chesterfield design inspired by the late Grace Kelly. Hand crafted in cool linens and velvets, each ‘diamond’ of fabric is individually cut and sewn.

Super king, £3,600, royalbohemia.co.uk

LAGER THAN LIFE Internationally-acclaimed beer brand Peroni is no stranger to a bit of Medinspired glamour. And now the maker of our favourite upmarket brew is taking temporary residence in Portland Place until 31 July, and will be celebrating the new wave of contemporary Italian culture in all its glory, featuring a host of art, fashion and product designs as well as food courtesy of the Michelin-starred Costardi brothers.

41 Portland Place, W1B

The House I Live In

Jasper Conran OBE has put some “fizz and swagger” back into The Conran Shop on Marylebone High Street. He tells Kari Rosenberg how

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erhaps better known for his department store collections than carrying the baton for his father Sir Terence’s luxurious interior design initiatives, Jasper Conran OBE was appointed chairman of The Conran Group in 2012, and since then has set about revamping the brand, one porcelain dinner set at a time.

Having recently unveiled the refurbished Conran Shop on Marylebone High Street last month after more than 15 years at the site, the top floor – The Ultimate Conran Apartment – is flooded with natural light and features modern, beach-house chic furnishings, original art and exclusive ‘objects of desire’ (many of which I desire indeed, but luckily you can now have a wedding list here, too). Vintage pieces sit alongside contemporary design classics including works by Charlotte Perriand, Eames and Paola Navone, while architectural pendant lights hang over 1950s oak tables from the south of France and a quirky cased langoustine sits on top of a 1960s Dutch dresser, surrounded by carefully chosen ceramics and glass vases.

The second floor features a market feel for the kitchen shop with more than ten elegant table settings providing inspiration for family or fine dining.

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At ground level, the newly introduced Conran Kitchen has partnered with Caravan and St John Bakery and serves a selection of sandwiches and pastries still warm from the oven. The ground floor also features a magnificent children’s shop (you really will feel like a kid in a sweet shop) as well as ‘E-Tech’, music, fragrances and candles. You’ll also stumble upon an accessory or two.

“We wanted to breathe new life into the store, revitalising and rejuvenating it in every way and making it a special place to visit,” says Jasper. “It gets right to the heart of our design philosophy and reflects the Conran DNA. It has energy, personality and a real buzz when you visit, just like when The Conran Shop first opened.”

Jasper admits the store had lost some of its “fizz and swagger.” He wanted to bring that “confidence and glamour” back by filling it with special, beautiful things and introducing thousands of new lines. “We have pulled our socks up to make people wake up in the morning and want to come and visit us.”

What room in your house do you spend the most time in?

When I am in London I work constantly so I very much like to entertain friends and family with long, fun lunches at the weekend. The kitchen and dining areas really are the heart of my home; it’s where we gather and where I spend most of my time. I very much like the connection between the two and my large Wardour dining table inevitably becomes the hub where we meet to relax and wind down.

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The kitchen and dining areas really are the heart of my home Photography by Paul Raeside

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What makes a house a home?

It’s a cliché I know, but also very relevant – you make your house a home. As a retailer we put things in front of people that we think they will love but creating a home is about buying things you love and the way you use or display them. It’s about expressing your own character and personality to create a place where you want to live.

In which section of the store would you choose to live?

It would have to be the apartment because the idea behind it was to create the kind of space we would like to live in ourselves. It is the home I would like to live in if there were no boundaries.

Who is the Marylebone store customer?

There’s a really nice mix of local residents, Londoners who see it as a destination and design-conscious tourists venturing off the usual trails. The new ideas we have introduced on the ground floor like the flower stall, the market area and the Conran café have really helped us connect to the local community too; both to workers and people who are lucky enough to live here.

What do you love about the area?

First of all, I think the Howard de Walden Estate has done an amazing job managing and nurturing Marylebone High Street to give the area diversity, individuality and a sensitive choice of shops, restaurants and cafés. It really has stood up to the challenge of the high street chain stores and is a calm and relaxed part of London with a character all of its own. It is only a few minutes from Oxford Street and Euston Road, two of the busiest roads in London, but walking along Marylebone High Street you would never know it.

Where are your favourite places to go?

The Marylebone Farmers’ Market is one of London’s original street markets and remains right up there as one of the best. They usually have between 20 and 30 stalls serving really good quality fruit, vegetables, meat, game, fresh fish and herbs and you will find locals doing their

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weekly shop alongside food lovers from all over the capital on the lookout for treats. It feels very much like you could be in the countryside, yet you are only a short walk away from the chaos of Oxford Street.

I also very much like Daunt Books which even if you aren’t a big reader is very special because it is such a beautiful space and is filled with exceptionally well chosen books. There are so many independent café, restaurants and bars that spill out on to the street in the summer. It is a perfect place to spend an afternoon.

How do you see the future of the store developing?

As well as the work of Le Corbusier, Eames and Saarinen we have new talent such as Jasper Morrison, Marcel Wanders, Paola Navone, Russell Pinch and Barber Osgerby. It’s a very natural and easy fit that looks great. We have also brought back British design to The Conran Shop, which is very important to me personally and also to our country. Russell Pinch’s Imo stools, the Wardour Sofa, the Oswald Sofa and pottery by Sue Binns – they are all not just designed in the UK but they are made here too, and we definitely want to continue to be the leading champions of British design. n

55-57 Marylebone High Street, W1U 020 7723 2223, conranshop.co.uk

QUINTESSENTIAL BRITISH LEATHER GOODS SINCE 1934

The Pinstripe Collection www.ettinger.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 8877 1616

Ettinger Pinstripe Ad Canary Feb12 297x210.indd 1

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Code-breaking chrono When Bremont transported us to Bletchley Park last month, we went back 70 years to wartime, code-breaking Britain. Everyone’s aware of the role played by Bletchley in decrypting German ciphers; what you mightn’t know is that Bremont’s new limited edition watch incorporates into its design historical Bletchley artefacts. Unveiled before four veterans who worked at the site during WWII, the Codebreaker features parts of an Enigma machine in its rotor, wood from the iconic Hut 6 (the centre of operations during WWII) and paper from one of the centre’s few remaining punch cards. Investing in one of the 240 steel (£11,995) or 50 rose gold (£21,950) versions will help to preserve an important part of British history; a percentage of the proceeds will go towards the restoration of the legendary park.

bremont.com

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We prefer not to be measured by dimensions.

Unless it’s a new dimension of accuracy.

No fewer than four exceptional mechanisms enhance the precision of the RICHARD LANGE TOURBILLON “Pour le Mérite”: the tiny fusée-and-chain transmission, the delicate tourbillon, the ultra-thin Lange balance spring, and – not least – the patented stop-seconds device for the tourbillon which makes it possible to

set the watch with one-second accuracy in the first place. Never before has an A. Lange & Söhne watch been endowed with so many complications that simultaneously enhance its rate accuracy, settability, and readability. And so, this remarkable timepiece truly deserves the honorary attribute “Pour le Mérite”.

Arije 165, Sloane Street London • George Pragnell 5 and 6, Wood Street, Stratford-upon-Avon Hamilton & Inches 87, George Street, Edinburgh • Harrods 87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London Watches of Switzerland 16, New Bond Street, London • Wempe 43-44, New Bond Street, London Lange Uhren GmbH • Tel. +34 91 454 89 82 • www.lange-soehne.com

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watch news All Things Baume & Beautiful

An Uncomplicated Choice A whistle-stop tour of the world’s latest timepieces, Baselworld can become a blur of bezels, cases, dials and movements. To stand out from the horological crowd, a brand must present something pretty spectacular – which is exactly what MeisterSinger did this year with its Singulator. At 43mm in diameter and possessing the thinnest of bezels, the single-hand watch displays time via three separate hands – the first in the world to do so. The simple, elegant design certainly struck a chord with us – fitting as the brand’s logo is the fermata musical note.

If you think it looks good on this page, it’s even prettier in real life.

Singulator, £4,580, MeisterSinger meistersinger.net

One to Watch Each month we select our timepiece of the moment from the watch world’s most exciting creations

When we were introduced to Baume & Mercier’s Capeland Flyback chronograph 18 months ago, we were dazzled by it’s beauty. By the end of 2012, it remained one of our favourite watches of that year and we’re pretty sure we’ll feel the same about Baume & Mercier at the end of 2013 too, thanks to the company’s newly released Capeland Worldtimer (from £5,110). With a self-winding mechanical movement it is available in 18-karat red gold or polished satin-brushed steel.

baume-et-mercier.com

a Tourbillion Tour Housing 36 complications and 1,483 components, it’s the world’s most complicated watch. Visit Marcus Watches at 170 New Bond Street before 10 August and admire it as part of a Franck Muller tourbillon exhibition. Should you not possess the Aeternitas Mega 4’s £2,150,200 asking price, however, fear not; there’s always the brand’s Tourbillon Egg. The smallest tourbillon movement in the world, it’s yours to take home for a (relatively) paltry £836,500.

marcuswatches.co.uk

PAM505, £6,600 panerai.com

At 45mm in diameter and made of a material harder than ceramic, the PAM 505 is definitely a man’s watch. If further proof were needed, the words Black Seal printed on its dial refer to a type of torpedo used by the Italian Navy.

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4 2 1 3

Getting

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10

5

Reddy For a touch of class, rely on golds, burgundies and browns

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6 7 8

1 Silk scarf, £165, Budd Shirt Makers, buddshirts.co.uk 2 Dunhill Club oval glasses, £170, Alfred Dunhill, harrods.com / selfridges.com 3 Chronofighter 1695 watch, £14,790 Graham Watches, jurawatches.co.uk 4 Double face pocket square, £35, Thomas Pink, 162B Sloane Street 5 Solid suspenders, £60, Brooks Brothers, brooksbrothers.com 6 Engraved rose gold-plated tie clip, £100, Lanvin, mrporter.com 7 Knitted silk tie, £65, Budd Shirt Makers, as before 8 Metropolitan dark brown Victoria satchel, £1,140 Ettinger, ettinger.co.uk 9 De Ville Co-Axial Chronograph 42 mm in rose gold with leather strap, £18,270, Omega, omegawatches.com 10 Black mother of pearl collar stiffeners £55, Alfred Dunhill, as before 11 Hologram skull enamel cufflinks, £95, Alexander McQueen, matchesfashion.com

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Love your heart I was concerned about my heart, especially at my age, so I went for a check up at a HCA Hospital. Now I’m back gardening and playing with the children and would recommend HCA for your heart healthcare and all heart concerns.

For more information about HCA Hospitals’ Heartcare or to book an appointment call 0843 249 7798

HCA Hospitals – World-Class Healthcare www.heartcarelondon.co.uk

Model used for illustrative purposes only

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11/04/2013 15:39

www.bachet.fr

Great

Expectations Having just opened her new store in Carlos Place, Olivia Sharpe meets Jessica McCormack, the woman responsible for bringing diamond jewellery into the 21st century

Carlos Place exterior

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essica McCormack is at the Diamond bangles forefront of contemporary jewellery design, with a client base which includes Madonna, Alexa Chung and Carine Roitfeld.

While well-known by the cognoscenti of the industry, she remains under the radar.

However, for the independent jeweller, this is the way she’s always preferred it. Opening her first boutique in 2007 in inconspicuous Clerkenwell, she operated on an appointmentonly basis and, over the course of five years, built up a steady following and produced five diamond jewellery collections.

Unlike many of her contemporaries, Jessica’s business began as a hobby. It wasn’t until her internship at Sotheby’s in London that she discovered her passion. Here, the New Zealandborn woman fell in love with the vintage glamour and decadence of ‘old school’ houses such as Lalique, Cartier and Boucheron. For Jessica, they epitomised a past era of “family jewellers” who put their clients first and created timeless jewels.

It was at this time that Jessica also unearthed her love for diamonds but found that they had

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lost their place in contemporary society.

She therefore explained that she wished “to re-evaluate people’s perception of fine jewellery and precious stones, breaking down barriers on how diamonds are considered, worn and used”. In each of her collections, Jessica juxtaposes different styles, cuts and settings of the precious gemstone to create individual pieces which still remain within the confines of established style codes. For example, the Torpedo earrings (part of the Transposed collection) feature reverse-cut diamonds to show the multi-faceted effects that can be created from the stones. Having had no formal training, Jessica was possibly more daring than most, unafraid to experiment with unconventional settings and break rules. Part of the same collection, the Pipe ring illustrates her gift of bringing jewellery into the 21st century with its industrial design more akin to a “tiny piece of art”.

The brand has recently come further into the limelight with the opening of its new flagship store in the heart of London’s jewellery capital, Mayfair. Jessica first visited the area eight years ago and fell in love with the “sense of community, rich history and glamour.” While this may seem a dramatic shift from Clerkenwell, this isn’t the case. For Jessica, it epitomises “proper old school London” with its cobbled streets and old ale houses straight out of a Dickensian novel and so too does Carlos Place with its Victorian red brick houses. And, being situated opposite one of London’s historic crown jewels, the Connaught Hotel, Jessica found her home away from home.

It took the team just two years to transform 7 Carlos Place into “an expression of the brand’s identity”. They began by stripping back the 1980s office block and restoring as many of the original Victorian features. Jessica then filled the house with her own curated collection of contemporary artwork, design and antique pieces by the likes of Ryan McGinley, Rick Owens, Louise Bourgeois and the Haas Brothers. The designer also spent a good deal of time sourcing unusual and beautiful objects from around the world. Jessica never at any point called upon interior designers, instead trusting in her own gut instinct. While acknowledging that this “may not be the most sophisticated business strategy”, the self-confessed control freak also points out that it’s never failed her yet.

And, judging from the finished product, she was right. Like her

collections, the eclectic decor “contrasts the old with the new”; here, an avantgarde lighting installation by David Wiseman works in harmony with an antique writing desk and a 1930s safety deposit box.

The store was designed as a “destination retail experience.” Unlike the grand boutiques on Bond Street, Jessica wanted to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where clients could come and feel at home. She explains: “I didn’t want it to be intimidating. I wanted people to be able to come in, have a look round and try things on without feeling uncomfortable.” Visitors are welcomed into the Jewellery Room where they can either look at the main collections or else wander into the adjoining garden for afternoon tea. The garden was an essential feature for Jessica, “bringing a sense of calm from the hectic world outside”.

Up the grand mahogany staircase is the Piano Room where the defining feature is of course the Based Upon piano (you may recognise it from Masterpiece 2013).

This part of the house has an even more intimate feel; this is where clients come to pick out engagement rings.

As a result of this experience, people often end up leaving Jessica McCormack with a totally new perspective on jewellery. By using the store to contextualise her work and vice versa, she in turn highlights the versatility of her diamond creations. Half an hour with Jessica and any preconceived ideas you had will be changed forever: “I show my clients how you can wear diamonds in the day and the night-time. So many of my clients have come in and said how they hate diamonds but by the end of it I have people absolutely covered in them,” she declares proudly.

As well as designing new pieces, Jessica also offers a service whereby people can come in and update their existing jewellery as, for the designer, it should always be about conveying the timelessness of diamond jewellery and how it can “be passed down from generation to generation”.

Jessica therefore remains as much the family jeweller as she always was. It was never about “trying to open 100 stores and sell in China. I’ve always done my own thing.” And, both for our sake and the jewellery industry, I hope she never stops.

From top: Snowdrop hoops, Wing of Desire earring, Daisy ring, Torpedo diamond earrings, Tattoo earrings

Jessica McCormack 7 Carlos Place, W1K jessicamccormack.com

collection

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Culture Clash This year’s tribal trend has taken a futuristic turn with geometric shapes and striking colours

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1 Triangle Swarovski earrings, POA, Oscar de la Renta, oscardelarenta.com 2 Silver-tone, resin, cord and satin necklace, £120, Marc by Marc Jacobs, net-a-porter.com 3 Arrow Complex necklace, £630, Scho at Kabiri, kabiri.co.uk 4 Gold-tone multi-stone necklace, £221, Etro, net-a-porter.com 5 Gold-tone resin clip earrings, £200, Marni, net-a-porter.com 6 18-karat rose gold, diamond and onyx earrings, £6,710, Gucci, net-a-porter.com 7 Double open arch gold-plated ring, £310, Maiyet, net-a-porter.com 8 Thin gold ring, £75, Gina Melosi at Kabiri, kabiri.co.uk 9 & 10 Celeste necklace, £1,150, and Blackrok necklace, £600, both Manish Arora for Amrapali, amrapalijewels.com

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From the Honeycomb Eternelle Ring Collection

33 Albemarle Street - Mayfair, London WIS 4BP - Tel. 020 7629 5616 MILANO, VENEZIA, FIRENZE, CALA DI VOLPE, CAPRI, PARIS, MONTE CARLO, LONDON, MOSCOW, NEW YORK, CHICAGO,ASPEN, BEVERLY HILLS, TOKYO, OSAKA, HONG KONG, SIDNEY WWW.BUCCELLATI.COM

Floris is delighted to announce the opening of a new Bespoke Perfumery Boutique at 147 Ebury Street, Belgravia, 282 years since Mr and Mrs Floris opened the doors to their first Perfumery at 89 Jermyn Street.

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MINI MOSHING The country’s biggest ever festival for kids, LolliBop is to the under 10s what Glastonbury (VIP style) is to seasoned summer festival goers. On top of live music, theatre, walk-about performances, sport, interactive demos, science and fashion workshops, dance lessons, circus skills and cooking classes, you’ll spot CBeebies superstar Justin Fletcher (aka Mr Tumble) BAFTA award-winning duo Dick & Dom and National Geographic Kids’ Animal Man. We’ll be joining in at one of the Imagination Stations with clay modelling and puppet making before moshing at the foam (bubble) party. Rock on.

16-18 August, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park lollibopfestival.co.uk

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GRAND DESIGNS Timeless Spanish brand Pili Carrera is nothing if not prestigious. With 50 years experience of clothing the world’s most high-profile children under its belt, the three Dutch princesses are amongst its most recent clients. The summer collection incorporates an adorable combination of sequins, bright thread and romantic hues for a look that, if we’re to believe the rumours, has seduced even the country’s most eminent new mum.

Sold at Maisel Bebe, 18 Bristol Gardens, W9

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co Pet’s

DOG’S DINNER

HEALTH HOUND

If you’re a dog owner who hasn’t yet discovered doggity.co.uk, be prepared to be thrilled. Imagine a website and app which can pinpoint your exact location and identify all dog-friendly cafés, restaurants and pubs nearby, while also giving you the ability to add, review and share your favourite venues – et voila!

Simple but brilliant.

We’re pleased to report that there’s a dog biscuit revolution taking place right here in Hampstead. Churning out treats which are one hundred per cent homemade (not to mention low fat, gluten free and hypoallergenic), new brand on the block Sniffy’s is on a mission to improve doggy diets nationwide. We like the sound of its carrot and polenta bite-size biscuits, though (unlike dedicated owners Sam and Leean) we might give the taste test a miss.

doggity.co.uk

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lovesniffys.com

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TO THE LETTER

DAYS GONE BY The Emily Bond Children’s Collection is finally here. With the same timeless, traditional feel as her signature homeware collections (and, somewhat adorably, inspired by her own new baby Arthur), the new wallpaper fabrics sport jaunty, quaint motifs of sailing boats, stars and seagulls in a variety of soft, heritage colours. Most importantly, they are built to survive the wear-and-tear of childplay and promise to last your little one well into their teens.

emilybond.co.uk

PRETTY IN PINK It’s no secret that we’re Silver Cross fans, but it was truly love at first sight when we finally got a glimpse of the new limited edition Princess Doll’s Pram, the absolute epitome of little girl fantasy. Available from August, the sparkling pink pram comes complete with princess rag doll and matching handbag. Although, as Silver Cross are only making 500, parents of would-be princesses will have to be quick.

silvercrossbaby.com

Frustrated by the elusive nature of truly original, personalised gifts, friends Jackie Jackson and Sherrie Mead opened online letter-inspired boutique The Letteroom in 2009 – a onestop-shop for unique goodies with a fantastic kid’s section.

The illuminated canvases are a sweet addition to bedroom décor, incorporating your child’s name into a backing of fairylights – ideal for aspiring starlets who dream of seeing their name in lights.

theletteroom.com

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Do you have a budding zoologist amongst your brood? If so, we thoroughly recommend London Zoo’s Junior Introduction to Zookeeping, a brilliant opportunity for 11 – 15-yearolds to get a rare glimpse behind the scenes at one of the world’s most famous zoos. The experience lasts for three and a half hours, during which junior zookeepers can feed, meet and muck-out some of their favourite animals. It even includes a complimentary zookeeper top, cap and goody bag – what’s not to love?

ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park, Outer Circle, NW1

MESSING ABOUT ON THE RIVER For an unusual day out, we love the idea of the Puppet Theatre Barge. Moored in Little Venice until the end of July, and decamping to Richmond-on-Thames between August and September, this cosy performance space lends a magical quality to the concept of marionette theatre, with an old-school take on family fun that will have nostalgic parents breathing grateful sighs all round.

Currently moored at 35-40 Blomfield Road, W9 puppetbarge.com

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BACK TO SCHOOL With demands of the new academic year already looming large, Josephine O’Donoghue compiles the ultimate checklist for a stress-free return to school

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t’s that time of year again – time to buy uniforms one size larger, stock up on packed lunch staples and update schoolbags with this season’s pencil case couture. However, the beginning of a new academic year isn’t just an opportunity for parents to retire the paddling pool and regain authority over the remote control; it’s also a fantastic chance to wipe the slate clean, erase bad habits from last term and establish a whole new, streamlined routine.

Academic recap Hopefully your children have maintained some interest in education over the holiday, even if only to complete their holiday homework. For primary-aged children, little and

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often is key in order to ensure a smooth entry back into the classroom. “We recommend that children continue reading everyday and keep on top of basic numeracy skills,” says Mark Taylor, Principal at Hampstead and Frognal Tutors (hampsteadandfrognaltutors.org.uk).

“Most students have their school reports so it is easy to identify which subject areas require the greatest focus.

Children who concentrate on the three Rs – reading, writing and arithmetic – find that they have a much better start to the term.

“Mathematics is the subject that requires practise little and often,” he adds. “If a child knows their times tables at the end of the summer term and does little to maintain this over the holiday they will certainly struggle to recall simple mental calculations in September.”

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Emotional wellbeing Whether you have a little one about to start reception year, a child who may be feeling nervous about the return to school, or a child prone to bottling thoughts up, it’s a great idea to chat about any insecurities or worries with plenty of time to spare.

“Parents should consider whether their child will be ready to make a smooth start to the academic year in September – a time at which the student should be enjoying the new beginning, perhaps at a new school, and riding the wave of confidence will go with it,” says Matthew Smith, Director at Hampstead Village Tutors (hampsteadvillagetutors.com). “The summer break is the time to address any issues which may prevent this.”

Little ones in particular may need reassuring about small questions such as ‘Where will I sit?’ and ‘Can I go to the toilet?’ Parents can help encourage beginners with tailored books during the last weeks of the holiday. I’m Absolutely Too Small for School (with the familiar characters from Charlie and Lola) by Lauren Child is bound to be a big hit, alongside Starting School by seasoned children’s authors Janet and Allan Ahlberg, and Kevin Starts School by Liesbet Slegers.

Entrance exams and retakes “The week before returning to school is an ideal time for the student to look back over the previous year’s work and refresh their memory, particularly regarding the trickier parts of the syllabi,” says Mark. “Students with upcoming exams or retakes can use this time to catch up on their preparation.”

September and October are often the time for older primary students to take entrance exams, so don’t be caught out when the dates come around quickly. “The difficulty level of the 11+ and 13+ is usually a steep adjustment,” explains Mark. Matthew agrees: “Some of our students have 11+ exams in January and 13+ exams begin in October. An intensive week before returning to school has helped many of our students in getting up to speed for the beginning of the autumn term.”

Letting off steam But before you get bogged down with extra homework, both Mark and Matthew are very keen to stress the importance of relaxation and fun over the summer, primarily for enjoyment but also because children tend to refocus more successfully after they’ve burnt off energy and refreshed themselves with freedom to play.

North West London based Creative Wiz Kids (creativewizkids.com) offer summer arts activities (art, dance, drama and music) alongside imaginative play, cake decorating and free play. “I think [our activities] prepare children to get back to school because they’ve had a break, with an emphasis on learning through play, so they are rejuvenated,” says artist and poet Frances Bildner who started the scheme.

“It is vital to let kids relax during the summer; this is extremely important for their personal progress and character development – sharing, a sense of heightened self-esteem and a sense of independence.”

Amelia Nickols from Cross Keys summer camps (xkeys.co.uk) agrees: “Coming to camp is all about learning lessons that aren’t usually taught in a classroom.

Children learn important life skills of independence, teamwork and communication. It is also a really important opportunity for children to connect with the outdoors – something which is lacking in many childhoods these days.”

Extracurriculars It’s a good idea to book extra-curricular activities before term begins to ensure your child receives a place, and to give them something to look forward to in September. Swimming classes are among the first to fill up, especially in the autumn term, alongside gymnastics clubs and football teams. Remember to consider the volume of homework your children are likely to receive before filling every afternoon with French club or ballet – and also factor in time for family fun and play-dates with friends.

Booking a tutor Mark advises identifying which subject areas need more focus for your child and appointing a tutor on a weekly basis.“Our students who have consistent weekly tuition, even for just one hour in one subject, make rapid progress during the term time.”

Matthew agrees: “It can give students who have fallen behind time to work through difficulties, and it can give high-achievers the chance to develop further.

A tutor who acts as a mentor as well as a professional educator will put the process of building the student’s confidence at the heart of his or her work.

Organisation and routine “Organisation is key,” says Mark. “A couple of weeks before school it is worth stocking up at home with stationery, and setting the routines for study time, and time for play. Make sure iPads, games consoles, televisions and other distractions are out of the way while your child is studying.”

A successful start to the new term will also be smoothed by smalls steps such as laying clean uniforms out the night before, packing bags for the next day, referring to a kitchen planner or wall chart to organise additional kit, and pre-planning days which may require breakfast club or childcare. Talk to your children about the daily routine – bedtimes, getting up times, when you have to leave the house – so that everyone has realistic expectations. At the start of term, try and agree a daily time frame for homework and dedicate a space in the home for study, which is well stocked, tidy and encourages learning; a child perched at the end of a dining room table which is being set for dinner is not conducive to good learning.

Finally, checking the school website on a weekly basis means bake sales and sponsored walks won’t be missed if little ones lose important letters. It would also be prudent to make emergency plans (at work) for sick days and to enquire about teacher training days in advance when possible. n

Put this at the top of your To Do list 1 in 8 women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Many cases show no symptoms and have no family history of the disease. With The Wellington Hospital’s digital mammogram technology, abnormalities can be highlighted earlier, allowing for a greater chance of a full recovery.

Our breast care service covers the full spectrum of breast management from the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant breast disease to breast reconstruction. We offer breast screening, breast awareness demonstrations for concerned woman and a triple assessment clinic for woman with breast symptoms.

To make an appointment with our breast care team contact us on 020 7483 5000.

www.thewellingtonbreastcareunit.com VAN_Wellington_BreastCare_Ad_May2013_5000.indd 1

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health&fitness

health & fitness

HPE HIP HOORAY Designed and tailored to complement your shape, the new high summer through to autumn range from HPE includes new colours such as lagoon, salmon pink and charcoal. Known for its high-tech performance wear, local gym-bunny Sadie Frost is already a huge fan, and we think the trend will catch on fast following its Harrods launch in July. Ideal for a holiday run along the Riviera (or for those fleeting British scorchers) the UV-Stretch™ range is ultra violet resistant and also features FRESHFIT® and silver minerals delivering 40+ UVPF coverage, the highest achievable score for fabrics with a silver technology.

Available at Harrods, hpeclothing.com

INNER CHI EYE SPY If squinting at your Kindle is ruining your poolside style, head to Roger Pope & Partners for a pair of prescription sunglasses. With frames from brands including Miu Miu and Burberry, your peepers will never have to suffer again.

41 New Cavendish Street, W1G

When scrolling through luxury treatment lists it’s almost impossible to settle on one without feeling like you’re missing out on another (seaweed wrap – but my toes need painting!

Facial – what about my aching back?). That’s why we love the integrated therapy treatment at Chi Yu; there’s no list of what you can expect, as it’s totally tailored to you. Book in for an hour, or maybe two, and your therapist will deliver anything from aromatherapy and reflexology, to craniosacral therapy and acupuncture, depending on your requirements that very moment. We went for a mixture of massage and reflexology and only wished there was a 24 hour option.

36 George Street, W1U, chi-yu.co.uk

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inner

smile When it comes to wellbeing is laughter really the best medicine or are cuddles the key to happiness? Game for a giggle, Gavin Haines signs up to laughter yoga and charts the improbable popularity of alternative exercise classes

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’m not really the self-conscious type, but I don’t mind admitting I was a tad nervous about my first session of laughter yoga. Had it been held in a quiet corner of Hyde Park, then I wouldn’t have minded, but a thoroughfare next to the Royal Festival Hall in Southbank was hardly the most inconspicuous place to laugh my head off with a bunch of strangers I’d met on the internet.

“We’ll start with the gibberish warm up,” announced Ellie Karslake, my laughter yoga instructor. “I want you to go around talking gibberish and laughing at each other.”

So off we went, a dozen of us in total, seeking gibberish conversations that would prove so surreal they did indeed stimulate laughter; but not one of those raucous belly laughs that make your shoulders shake, the kind of incredulous, nervous chuckle you make in awkward situations. The last time I laughed like that my testicles were being cupped by a Mongolian taxi driver.

Remembering the laughter yoga mantra “fake it until you make it,” a phrase I would hear so much it became cliché, I started manufacturing my own brand of gibberish and a gut-roaring guffaw that was as loud as it was fake. I managed to get around the whole group for a chat, spouting a style of gobbledygook that owes much to Ace Ventura films.

Now I know you’re thinking I’ve gone bonkers, but stay with me here, because there’s a sensible theory behind laughter yoga. This isn’t about a bunch of oddballs meeting on the internet to create weirdness. This is about a group of intelligent, open-minded individuals using laughter in the name of wellbeing; architects, actors and high-flyers that had tried luxury spa weekends, Pilates and the like, but were coming to these free classes because they believed laughter yoga could improve their wellbeing in ways other therapies couldn’t.

Indeed there’s growing scientific research extolling the health benefits of laughter and a burgeoning number of people signing up for classes like these; since the

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UK Laughter Network was launched ten years ago membership has tripled.

“Laughter yoga was invented by a medical doctor in India because he believed that it was good for the mental and physical wellbeing of his patients to laugh,” explained Ellie. The doctor in question was one Dr Madan Kataria, who popularised the idea of laughter yoga in the parks of Mumbai.

“Laughter yoga is a science of prolonged exhalation which helps us get rid of stale air from our lungs and oxygenates each and every cell in our body, making us feel more healthy and energetic,” explained Dr Madan.

“Laughter yoga is not a comedy; it can be compared to any other aerobic exercise, as it increases heart rate and improves blood circulation.”

Originally participants met in parks to tell jokes, but when the gags dried up they laughed for the sake of it. Slowly, the practice spread and some attribute its rising popularity here to our busier lives and the fact that we’ve become increasingly isolated from the physical world by modern technology.

That seems like a reasonable explanation; when we’re chatting through social media or text we aren’t laughing like we do in person. In fact the abbreviation LOL has become sadly ironic; when it’s used there is often no physical exchange of laughter. But that’s not to say modern technology can’t help facilitate a few smiles.

“Every morning I dial into a laughter club on Skype,” explained architect Iliona Khalili, between exercises. “I work alone from home so it’s very healthy for me to start the day with 20 minutes of laughter.”

Trying not to derail the session with more questions, I dropped my notebook and got into the spirit. The next exercise was something called the slow motion chase and I volunteered to be pursued by the rest of the group. Simulating super slow motion, I attempted to flee the rest of the pack, throwing in a comedy fall for effect as they laughed like hyenas in not-so-hot pursuit.

At one point I saw a passing businessman get out his mobile phone and start filming. We rattled through various other exercises including a laughter Mexican wave and my personal favourite, the laughter awards.

This involved taking turns to walk down a staircase as though we had won an Oscar, while the rest of the group stood applauding and cheering at the bottom.

This was genuinely funny and also seems to have left a positive legacy for me personally; prior to this I had been uncomfortable performing in front of strangers, but this exercise seems to have vanquished those fears and I have since had more confidence in front of large groups. It helps other people in different ways.

“My mood is higher since I started laughter yoga,” explained Jason Hadjikyriacou, who works in the financial services. “Sometimes we just get into negative moods for no reason and laughing gets me out of that cycle.”

Although I can see the virtues of laughter yoga, I’m not about to become a regular; I think if I went every week I may become jaded, and it’s easy to get cynical. I definitely was.

But the naysayers amongst you would do well to listen to the story of Awais Ifzal, a quantity surveyor

from London and easily the most energetic member of the class.

“A few months ago I was feeling stressed and I was driving home one night and thought, ‘what happened to me?’ I used to be really happy,” he said. “So I just Googled happiness and eventually laughter yoga came up.

“After the first session I felt an instant change. Now I look forward to it all week and when I’m stressed I just think about doing it, which makes me happy.”

Still not convinced? Well, there is a more discreet way of lifting your spirits, according to Anna Shekory, who runs cuddle therapy at My Fitness Boutique in West Hampstead. When it comes to wellbeing, Anna says you can’t beat a cuddle.

“Physical touch stimulates the hormone oxytocin, which creates feelings of love, generosity, bonding, joy, peace and relaxation,” she explained, adding that scientific research has also linked cuddling with improved physical wellbeing. “It is good at boosting immunity, alleviating mild depression, lowering blood pressure and improving heart function.”

As with laughter yoga, a broad section of society attends Anna’s cuddle workshops. “We’ve had people aged 18-70; doctors, business professionals, lawyers, teachers, healers, nurses, students, homemakers and more,” she said. “It is a good way to feel connected with others and a good antidote to all the so-called socialising we do in cyberspace.”

So forget your luxury spa weekends; apparently the key to contentment is a nice cuddle and a good old chuckle. Laughing out loud? Well you should be. n

Creative therapies in NW London Laughter yoga On the first Sunday of every month, the Hampstead Heath Laughter Yoga group meet for gut-roaring guffaws and good times. “When we laugh we change, when we change, the world changes,” says Dr Kataria. laughternetwork.co.uk Cuddle workshops Anna Shekory runs cuddle workshops at My Fitness Boutique in West Hampstead. “Cuddling boosts immunity, alleviates mild depression, lowers blood pressure and improves heart function,” she says. cuddleworkshop.co.uk Music therapy From dementia to depression, music therapy is used to treat a range of problems. “There is no expectation of musical knowledge,” says Melanie Garside, a music therapist in Dollis Hill. “The emphasis is not on the end musical product, but on the process, the emotions and the underlying meaning that motivates the individual to create the sounds they choose to make.” musictherapylondon.com

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Mr Vikas Khanduja, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at The Wellington Hospital, discusses common hip problems runners can encounter and the simple steps to prevent injuries

Running is a sport with a growing following of people from all ages, seeking to improve their fitness and health. It has immense benefits including boosting your immune system, improving heart health and releasing stress. Running attracts people of all fitness levels, from sprinters to marathon runners and those who enjoy a run around the park, proving you don’t have to be an outstanding athlete to take part.

However, there is a risk of this hobby turning into an unhealthy obsession, putting your body and health under huge strain. Over the last decade, annual calendars are inundated by a number of running events that are held nationally and internationally. These events can serve a noble purpose and provide huge health benefits to the individuals involved, but it is important to remember that running is a sport which needs adequate preparation and training to avoid injury.

The hip works hard during a run, so it is important to make yourself aware of possible injuries and take simple, preventative measures to ensure that your running regime remains safe and enjoyable.

hip can also move down the back of the thigh to the ankle. Runners may experience pain on the back of the hip, which can be caused by inflammation in and around a deep seated muscle called the piriformis. Inflammation in this region can irritate the sciatic nerve, causing a radiating pain at the back of the leg and down to the ankle (Piriformis Syndrome).

Meet

the specialist Mr Vikas Khanduja MB BS, MRCS (G), MSc (Orth Eng), FRCS, FRCS (Tr & Orth) is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. He specialises in both the arthroplasty (joint replacement) and the sports surgery aspects of knee and hip surgery and has a particular interest in arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery of the hip and the knee. Complementing his clinical practice, his research interests centre around early arthritis in the hip and knee in the young adult and the effect of surgical intervention on the outcome of these conditions.

As a runner, what types of hip problems should I be aware of?

Problems in the hip can arise from various sources including bones, joints, bursas, muscles and tendons around the pelvis and lower back. There are three joints associated with the pelvis: • • •

Hip joint (ball and socket) Sacro-iliac (joint between the pelvic bone and the lower spine) Pubic symphysis (joint between the two pubic bones).

Each of these can be an individual source, or contribute to, a complex pattern of pain and discomfort. Runners can experience pain in the front of the hip and anterior thigh, which can arise from the hip joint itself because of an acetabular labral tear (cartilage on the rim of the socket), impingement lesion (overgrowth of bone on the front of the ball or along the rim of the socket) or damage to the bone and the cartilage. The pain in the groin and the inner side of the thigh is due to problems in the hip, but could be associated with an inguinal or sports hernia, tendonitis/bursitis (inflammation of psoas tendon or bursa) and conditions affecting the pubic symphysis. Pain may also arise from the adductor group of muscles.

Stress fractures of the hip joint, pubic bones and avascular necrosis (loss of blood supply to the ball of the hip joint) causes pain in the anterior aspect of the hip joint, the groin and the inner thigh.

Some runners suffer from a snapping or a popping sensation on the side of the hip. This can be associated with pain and, at times, with a burning sensation along the lateral thigh. This problem is commonly caused by iliotibial band tendinopathy (a band of tissue that runs from the iliac crest region to the outside of the knee) or trochanteric bursitis (bursa on the side of the hip). It can be so severe that it can prevent the sufferer from running, disturb sleep at night and even affect lying on the damaged area. Pain on the side of the

Prevention Many hip problems that arise from running can be easily avoided by taking simple precautions.

• • •

I t is important to start any regime with a simple warm-up program and then proceed to a routine of gentle stretching exercises.

Exercises should be focused on the muscles of the lower limb, pelvis and the back and should also involve upper body and neck.

Do not to get carried away or execute activities that you are not trained to perform. High impact exercises transmit phenomenal forces through the body, in addition to anti-gravity forces, creating further stresses across the joint.

•

roper footwear is equally important in ensuring injury is P prevented. A well-cushioned, proper-fitting and shock-absorbing pair of running shoes will offer good comfort and help protect you from damage.

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good additional cardio-vascular program can improve stamina A and condition the body to perform at its best. This will also help in developing the group of muscles that are not engaged or exercised during running.

If you are worried that you may have damage to your hips due to running or any other kind of activity, please seek expert medical help

For further information or if you’d like to arrange an appointment at The Wellington Hospital, contact the hospital Enquiry Helpline on 020 7483 5000 or visit thewellingtonhospital.com 89

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fine cooking, with exuberant panache. alluring, honest, thoughtful and interesting

231 Ebury Street London SW1W 8UT www.pouleaupot.co.uk 020 7730 7763

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food&drink

wish list

ALL FORT ONE For the first time in its 307-year history, the quintessentially British emporium Fortnum & Mason is opening a new store in the UK. Once a touristpulling landmark confined to Mayfair, the Queen’s favourite supermarket is introducing a second outpost north-west, to be situated in the former ticket hall of London’s St Pancras International Station, which still retains its beautiful old brickwork and original vaulting. Set to open in November, it will sell a range of Fortnum’s products as well as providing a tablecloth tea service, the perfect send off for a trip to Paris. There will also be an on-the-go offering for passengers heading for the trains – a first for the fine, luxury establishment – so leave your soggy Pret A Manger wrap at the door and grab your Earl Grey and scone to go.

fortnumandmason.com

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Foodie favourites BAR-BEE-QUE revival Last month we relished BBQWHISKYBEER’s dirty burgers and filthy blues at the Wargrave Arms. This month we’re heading to Slabs in Marylebone and Porky’s BBQ in Camden. They may not ooze luxury, but we’re bringing forth the news anyhow, in case one fancies a night off from foam and foie gras. We’re torn between the former’s venison burgers and lobster ‘slab’ while at Porky’s BBQ we’ve salivated over the pulled pork, Memphis meaty ribs and piggy burger with bacon (kosher menu available on request).

BBQWhiskyBeer, The Wargrave Arms, 40-42 Brendon Street, W1H Porky’s BBQ, 18 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 Slabs, 19 New Cavendish Street, W1G

SHAKE A LEG Back in the 17th century, punch was a big deal. And since opening in King’s Cross a few years later (well, 2009) VOC – which takes its name and maritime theme from the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie – has created an exceptional assortment of cocktails from a bygone era. The newly opened VOC Grill boasts a kooky menu designed by executive chef Damian Wawrzyniak, whose CV includes the two Michelin-starred Noma.

We fancy the look of the marinated umami chicken with crispy skin followed by the Stand Off: fig liqueur, chocolate bitters and root beer. Served with a revolver.

2 Varnishers Yard, Regents Quarter, N1

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BRIGHT future You’re probably already committed to a local Chinese restaurant. Perhaps it’s Singapore Garden for its sublime smoked chicken; Gung Ho for its scallop and asparagus stir fry or Royal China, just because it’s always been “the best”.

But there’s a new contender in town, shipped straight from Shanghai, where it’s famous for being a private members’ club, concierge service and exquisite restaurant that has been entertaining and feeding China’s elite for years. Situated on Baker Street, Bright Courtyard Club (and restaurant) is easily on the Hakkasan quality level, but without the smugness, two-hour turnover, obnoxious staff and dingy lighting. And you’ll find all your favourite local dishes as well as some others you may not be able to pronounce.

We insist you order: Dover sole cooked three ways, ribs Shanghai style, green beans with minced pork and chilli and Madagascar jumbo shrimp with black truffle. Insist.

43-45 Baker Street, W1U

food&drink

Restaurant Review

GRAIN FOOD Kari Rosenberg gets more than her five-a-day at Bruno Loubet’s new eatery, Grain Store

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runo Loubet’s new veggie mecca Grain Store has had the foodies raving.

Embracing the sharing method (who isn’t?) he doesn’t take reference from one particular country, but pulls together a hotchpotch of tastes, colours and textures from around the world and years dedicated to his beloved vegetable patch. It gives greens at least an equal, if not starring role.

The décor is simple; mismatched (though perfectly coordinated) white chairs frame a jumble of wooden tables, although the topsy-turvy ambiance seems wholly orchestrated and therefore slightly annoying. Industrial ceiling lamps hang from metal grids while exposed whitewash brick and original archways give the place a very authentic King’s Cross feel. Jars of pickles and plate-destined foliage (“Where does one find fir cones in July?” my friend asks) stack the shelves and scatter the open kitchen in an oversized pantry pantomime.

It’s a sunny evening and disco-dancing rollerskaters are enjoying Granary Square; students from Central Saint Martins are sitting beside the canal while hipsters are heading to Shrimpy’s and Caravan to bring in the weekend in style. Up and coming is a term too often used, usually in reference to an area which is already very much ‘there,’ but this side of town definitely deserves the title; there’s a buzz of excitement in the air.

Once we eventually flag a waiter down to beg for some water and a little wine, he suggests three starters and two mains with a nonchalant shrug, as if we should know. My friend and I go for the courgette, broad

bean and prawn falafel, served with a chunky, crunchy cucumber raita which was glistening and fluffy and wholly delicious, tasting, as you’d expect, like a Middle Eastern crab cake. The baked beetroots, pickled onions and goat labneh with a dill oil dressing were sweet, sharp and ultra-vinegary, charming dipped and eaten with the falafel in one mouthful. I wouldn’t normally go for the sprouting beans and seeds, with miso aubergine, crispy citrus chicken skin and potato wafer, but it was a welcome and intriguing surprise (that I liked it).

We ignore the two mains suggestion and go for three, though we could have easily put away four. The butternut squash ravioli with sage, mustard apricots and pumpkin seed oil are bite-sized, creamy, and nuttilywonderful, while the corn and quinoa tamale with salsa and sticky pork belly is also divine. The standout dish by far is the spiced mash, which is almost curry flavoured and served with hunks of mint pickled cucumber, raw snowball turnips, broad beans, and unctuous cuts of soft, melt-in-the-mouth confit lamb belly. We order the tart of the day, a dark chocolate brownie and poached pear collaboration which hit the spot.

There’s no question that the eclectic, veggie-focused food is fantastic, each dish displayed like a colourpopping work of art. But the slow, frenetic service and vast, canteen-like, echoing room lets it down. It’s all very Yotam Ottolenghi, but without the chien. n

Granary Square, 1-3 Stable Street, N1C 020 7324 4466

BAKING LIKE A

BRIT

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food&drink

With a newly-opened gin garden and a cookbook fresh off the press, Gemma Knight finds out why The Gilbert Scott and Marcus Wareing are a match made in gastronomic heaven

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e were seduced by The Gilbert Scott some time ago, awed by the austere cathedral-esque architecture of its newly refurbished home (the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel) then charmed by its ingenious cocktail menu and sumptuous traditional fare. But clearly this behemoth of British cuisine isn’t content to rest on its laurels, with its present popularity evidently proving no hindrance to the ambitious imaginings of its creator, renowned chef Marcus Wareing.

In June, the majestic eatery unveiled Gilbert’s Gin Garden, a quaint and quirky enclosed space bridging the gap between the mysterious exterior of its bar and the bustling pavement below, complete with wooden trellises intertwined with ivy, goldfish bowls inside antique birdcages, imitation grass and even an old telephone box. Then hard on its heels came a new cookbook; The Gilbert Scott Book of British Food, penned by Marcus himself and the restaurant’s general manager, New Zealand-born ex-lawyer Chantelle Nicholson. It would certainly be fair to say that The Gilbert Scott is full of surprises.

“I really wanted to do something to grab people’s attention,” Marcus explains, clearly enjoying his first experience of incorporating a bar into one of his ventures. “I never really knew about drinking and cocktails, but these barmen think about the science and the presentation behind them in the same way we do with food in restaurants, and I think that’s really intriguing. I wanted to explore that more.”

We turn to the sun-lit gin garden and he beams with pride – it’s attracted many a new face to The Gilbert Scott’s already abundant clientele.

“People going by outside are busy, they pass the building and they say ‘ooh, that’s fantastic’, but they don’t really realise what’s here. Nobody can see it’s a restaurant,” he says. “So putting the Gin Garden out front really lends itself to saying ‘hey, we serve drinks here’.”

But if he’s proud of Gilbert’s Gin Garden, he’s positively overjoyed with the book. Featuring recipes inspired by age-old British chefs Agnes Marshall, John Nott and the original domestic goddess, Mrs Beeton, it’s entirely designed around classic national dishes that are as charming and historic as the restaurant itself (battered cod, Yorkshire fishcakes, Dorset jugged steak and cocka-leekie pie, to name a few) as well as a hand-picked selection of desserts, starters and cocktails.

“I think there are a lot of restaurants in London now that are focusing on French cuisine, and sometimes I think there’s not enough people thinking about Britain and the food we’ve created over the last hundred-plus years,” Marcus laments. “So we wanted to include things that weren’t so much for a restaurant, but things you’d want to cook at home; things very much like the comfort food I used to eat when I was growing up.” And, as the son of a Merseyside fruit and potato merchant who was packing and delivering for his father by the age of eleven,

it’s clear this is no mere attempt at modesty.

The book itself is a feast for the eyes thanks to the skill of Brazilian photographer Sergio Coimbra, a “very special guy” whom Marcus met while in the country for a food exhibition some years ago.

“He wanted to bring chefs from the festival to cook in his studio,” Marcus recalls, adding that the “colossal” workspace initially reminded him of the Star Ship Enterprise thanks to its staggering vastness. “He’s a very wealthy man,” he explains with a chuckle, “but his life and his passion is photographing food. We talked, and he came over and shot the whole book in two weeks, just like that.”

In fact, Wareing seems reluctant to take very much credit for the book at all, also keen to sing the praise of Chantelle Nicholson’s expert prose whenever the opportunity arises. Having all-but discovered her cooking abilities, he quickly realised that his protégé was also a talented writer and was eager to get her involved with his latest literary venture.

“I introduced her to the idea of the book, and she loved it,” he enthuses. “She really became the driving force for bringing it all together – the photographer, the designer, getting all the old recipes – so a huge amount of credit goes to her.”

Despite the big names and bigger talents, the book is a heartening example of ego happily giving way to collaboration and teamwork – a rare case, it seems, of many cooks making a very pleasant broth indeed. n The Gilbert Scott Book of British Food, £25 thegilbertscott.co.uk

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HEY NIKKI We’ve sipped Champagne and nibbled on sushi while lounging pool-side in Cabo, Cannes, St Barth and Mallorca. But until now, we’ve headed to Blue Marlin or Ushuaia for some daytime mischief when finding ourselves in Ibiza, as there wasn’t a Nikki Beach in sight. Located on the east coast of the island in Santa Eulalia – an area which offers a more relaxed pace as well as a thriving gastronomic and cultural offering – the latest beach-front location officially opened on 11 July with all the elegance, extravagance and ‘whiteness’ you’d expect. The club will celebrate ten A-list attracting years in Marbella on 3 August, which of course the Ibiza outpost will be marking lavishly.

nikkibeach.com

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TRAVEL in style HOT SPOT

in August

Marrakech, Morocco It’s hard not to feel a million miles from the city when lazing amongst the palm trees

why

Situated at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, the imperial city of Marrakech is truly an assault on the senses – a huge, fascinating cultural hub that’s as packed with history as it is ornately beautiful. Best visited in the cooler months between September and May, the city’s equal mix of mystique and magnetism make it an ideal autumn getaway.

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For ecological decadence we love luxury boutique hotel Les Cinq Djellabas, ten beautiful private lodges set around an exotic glassy pool in the heart of the city’s exclusive Palmeraïe district. Designed by the late Thierry Isnardon, the resort is only 20 minutes from the nearest knot of bustling street markets, although it’s hard not to feel a million miles from everywhere when lazing amongst the palm trees and lush gardens with their unexpected snow-capped mountain views. hotel-les5djellabas.com

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THE FRENCH CONNECTION

URUGUAY OF YESTERYEAR Few hotels can claim to call a National Heritage site home, but then again, the Sofitel Montevideo in Uruguay isn’t just any hotel.

Offering the requisite spa, luxury suites, gourmet restaurant and trendy location, it’s attention to turn-of-the-century detail and glamorous Tea Gallery (its walls are filled with works by renowned national artists) serve to set this newcomer apart.

SHORT HAUL

Nice, France It’s been said that Nice boasts the most beautiful bay on the French Riviera – and for more than 100 years, its prime position has been occupied by Le Negresco.

The palatial hotel contains an art collection that gives the Louvre a run for its money, although our favourite feature is Le Chantecler, the two Michelinstarred restaurant as renowned for its cuisine as for the 15,000 bottles within its wine cellar. hotel-negresco-nice.com

sofitel.com

LONG HAUL

MOUNTAINS OF CHARM

Domaine De Bel Ombre, Mauritius

Nestled in the village of San Cassiano in the Italian Dolomites, the Rosa Alpina Hotel and Spa has all the charisma you’d expect from a family-run ski lodge.

With a reputation for discretion and home to a Michelin-starred restaurant, we recommend ending a day on the slopes with warming tipples in the intimate bar or one of the wellness-enhancing spa treatments – although it’s the quaint, individually themed suites we like most.

Priding itself on transporting its guests to the Mauritius of days gone by, the Heritage Le Telfair Golf and Spa Resort is modelled on an 18th Century French sugar plantation. To experience the island in ultimate luxury you’d be hard pushed to beat Le Telfair’s in-suite butler service, golf academies and – our personal favourite – beachside sunglass-cleaning.

rosalpina.it

heritageresorts.mu

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Highland Fling

Grace Linn makes herself at home in an enchanting castle as she takes a British city break to Edinburgh, just as the Fringe comes to town

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s the annual Fringe Festival descends onto Edinburgh, theatre enthusiasts in their thousands will be heading to Scotland.

For those who will be following the thespian crowd – and would like to do so in the utmost of taste – The Caledonian hotel has a freshly plumped pillow (chosen from a menu) with your name on it.

Set against the truly magnificent backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, this beautiful old Victorian railway building boasts what is probably the best location in town – just at the edge of Princes Street, with the city on its doorstep. Recently taken over by Waldorf Astoria, ‘The Caley’ has had a £24m refurbishment; and it shows. The traditional red sandstone exterior is juxtaposed by the opulent interior; picture sweeping stairs flanked by wide pillars, regal marble flooring, stained glass windows bearing the coat of arms of each of the towns that the Caledonian railway passed through and captivating chandeliers of fine amber and crystal.

The rooms are more pared down and Art Deco in style

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than the public areas; my King Deluxe Room had vast windows with breathtaking views of the Castle, and was decorated in calm tones with grey wood-panelled walls and gold thistle wallpaper.

When it comes to fine dining, your first port of call (just a few steps from your bedroom) may be familiar to visiting north-west Londoners. Michelin-starred brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin have taken on Scottish fare in their new restaurant Galvin Brasserie de Luxe in The Caledonian (a little further away than Baker Street). Staying true to their French inspired dishes, but with local ingredients, the result is exquisite, while the décor is all polished surfaces and original lighting, reminiscent of railway hotels of a bygone era. Order the steak tartare followed by the fillet of Loch Duart salmon with broad beans, Jersey Royals and mussels and you won’t leave disappointed.

Mention to people that you are visiting Edinburgh and you will be beseeched with suggestions that you simply ‘must’ adhere to. We ‘must’ walk to the top of the Royal Mile, we ‘must’ climb Arthur’s Seat, we ‘must,

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must, must’ check out the authentic whisky produced here... It seems the Scottish capital has gathered some pretty loyal fans. So after a hearty Highland luncheon, we brushed the cobwebs well away with a hike up Arthur’s Seat. A slightly rocky, fairly tough climb, it provides you not only with spectacular views over the city, but a serious sense of achievement. Edinburgh Castle, the Scotch Whiskey Heritage Centre, the Royal Scottish Academy and the Scottish National Gallery are all within walking distance, too.

Once dubbed the ‘Athens of the North’ for its rich and progressive cultural heritage, it has served as either a birthplace or home to multiple luminaries, from Chris Hoy to Charles Darwin; JK Rowling to Rory Bremner. Wide open spaces and stunning architecture surround you at every turn and you only need to glance upwards to see the silhouette of the castle, reassuringly standing guard over the city. The fortress stands perched on volcanic rock – a lasting icon, not least because it is the backdrop to the annual Military Tattoo and Hogmanay celebrations.

The atmospheric streets of the jumbled Medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town will be a feast for your eyes, while the testing inclines will challenge your feet. Thankfully there are more than 200

independent coffee shops, including the Elephant House where the Harry Potter tomes were penned, to rest up after a long day of exploring.

Dark falls swiftly in winter giving you the perfect excuse for long, guilt-free evenings of indulgent eating and drinking. The journey up to Edinburgh is picturesque and there is something undeniably romantic about taking the train – First Class of course. East Coast operates 46 services each weekday from King’s Cross, and First Class includes complimentary food, drink and wifi, meaning that you can start your weekend early.

The Caledonian is the ideal place to set up camp in Scotland – a sentiment shared by many a famous visitor, including former guests Nelson Mandela and ex-local, Sean Connery. And if anyone knows Edinburgh... n

NEED TO KNOW Advanced return fares with East Coast start from £34 Standard Class or £95 First Class, 08457 225 225 eastcoast.co.uk For more information visit thecaledonianedinburgh.com

The Bold

&

The Beautiful

Salon Privé, the UK’s top boutique motoring event at Syon Park, is an essential diary date; admire the best international supercars and luxury brands up close while sipping champagne in the sunshine. Annabel Harrison reports

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ow, I cannot profess to be a motoring aficionado but I was immediately enthralled by the gleaming row of automobiles lined up as immaculately as a platoon of soldiers, in a rainbow of colours offset by bright green grass. Of course, browsing potential supercar purchases, or just admiring them, requires a certain level of sustenance so I sipped a glass of Pommery as I wandered, stopping for lobster luncheon and afternoon tea. It was the perfect day, in fact, although I would have dearly loved to win the exquisite Boodles ring on offer last year for the Best Dressed lady.

Welcome to Salon Privé, ladies and gentlemen, now entering its eighth consecutive year and taking place on 4-6 September in the 200-acre grounds of west London’s beautiful Syon Park. If you’re a petrolhead, you should certainly know of it; its status as the UK’s most prestigious Luxury Supercar Show

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& Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance places Salon Privé among the leading automotive shows of the world, alongside the world-famous Pebble Beach in the US and Italy’s Villa d’Este.

An exciting new addition to the Salon Privé line-up this year is the Audemars Piguet British Supercar Show – the first of its kind in the UK – incorporating two new exhibitions. The Hypercar Collection showcases the world’s fastest, most expensive vehicles in production, including the Koenigsegg Agera R, Pagani Huayra, Ruf CT3-S and SSC Aero GT. The Concepts & Prototypes Display will feature a display of spectacular models such as the Alfa Romeo Zagato TZ3, Ford Evos and Lightning GT as well as the Spyker B6 Venator and Icona Vulcano (pictured above), both of which make their UK debuts at the event.

Enjoy being able to boast about having witnessed the first UK outing of models by Clark Abel, Vencer and Zagato. Brand new models from Bentley, Maserati,

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McLaren, Radical, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Startech will also grace the lawns of Syon Park for the first time. Other manufacturers on show include Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Harley-Davidson, Lexus, Rimac, Trident and VUHL. The Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance is set to be even more spectacular than last year, with 100 of the rarest and most valuable motorcars and bikes ever made openly on display. Judging Day takes place on Wednesday 4 September and Classes include: 100 Years of Aston Martin; 50 years of The Legendary Lamborghini; Little Saloons – The Birth of the Berlinetta; The Art of Design – Pininfarina; Sporting Motorcycles from the 1920s to the 1970s; and the eclectic-sounding One-offs and Oddball Motorcycles class. Chief Judge is Grand Prix racing driver Derek Bell MBE and he will be supported by top industry experts including Sandra Button (Chairwoman of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elégance), Vicki ButlerHenderson and Giles Taylor (Design Director at RollsRoyce). We’re particuarly keen to see the Ferrari 250 California long-wheelbase 1959 and the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8 1973.

However, I can vouch for the fact that even if you can’t tell your SuperVettura from your Superleggera, you’re still exceptionally well catered for. EFG Private Bank’s Art & Memorabilia Fayre sees a much larger space dedicated to this exhibit and retail area in 2013, with places already reserved for Andrew Hill, Jarrotts, John Ketchell, Roy Putt, Tim Layzell, Paul Smith, Gary Whinn and Historic Car Art. The Luxury Brands Village on the Concours lawn will certainly demand a healthy portion of my attention, featuring, among others, Audemars Piguet, Boodles, Chubb Insurance, Garia, Gatineau, Hartley’s Safaris, Hornby, Jetfly, Justerini & Brooks, Luzzo Bespoke Ltd., Oak Leaf Gates, Oxford Vaughan, Paradisi, Pocher, Pommery, Riva, Robusto House Cigars, The F1 Shop, The Skincare Sanctuary, Ventura UK and more.

From a local perspective, I am very interested in Kensington’s Royal College of Art Concours of the Future design exhibition. Ten of the best young undergraduates from the RCA’s Vehicle Design programme have been tasked with selecting previous Concours cars and re-designing these for the modern world. The winner will be invited to Milan for a behind-the-scenes tour and design masterclass at the Zagato Design Studio. Peter Stevens said: “Our young RCA designers are presenting their continuing fascination with the romance of the motorcar to their prospective future employers... The commitment of this eminent group of designers shows both the strength of this new exhibition and of Salon Privé in the world of automotive shows.”

Managing Director Andrew Bagley sums it up: “With our key sponsors, partners and exhibitors, we concluded that 2012 was, without doubt, the best Salon Privé ever. The timing was perfect, as was the weather... so we’ve decided that September is the best way forward, as it provided such a glorious end to the British summer last year and we are committed to delivering even more in 2013.” Quite. Book now or risk missing out.

fantastic value Full Hospitality Tickets include: Pommery Champagne Reception on arrival Two course BBQ Luncheon with Lobster Complementary Bar (including Pommery Champagne) Afternoon Tea Souvenir Event Guide and Complimentary Parking Access to all areas: Audemars Piguet British Supercar Show Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance EFG Private Bank Art & Memorabilia Fayre Royal College of Art Concours of the Future Exhibition Luxury Brands Retail Village Hypercar Collection Concepts & Prototypes Display Car Club Displays Tickets range from £195 ex VAT to £225 ex VAT These can be purchased at salonprivelondon.com or by calling the Ticket Hotline on 0808 100 2205 Enter VAN134 for 10% discount off all tickets.

Event schedule Tuesday 3 September Chubb Insurance Tour d’Elégance (Private Event) Wednesday 4 September Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance Judging Day (10am to 6pm) Thursday 5 September Boodles Ladies’ Day (11am to 5pm) Salon Privé Ball in aid of Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity (7pm to 1am) Friday 6 September Audemars Piguet Supercar Day (11am to 5pm)

LOVING

LANGKAWI From mountain peaks to the height of luxury, Rowena Marella-Daw encounters Langkawi’s raw beauty and magic in style

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hese mountains are 550 million years old,” said my guide, as our cable car swayed to the whim of the winds during our steep ascent to the top of Gunung Machinchang, 708m above sea level. I couldn’t get my head around a million years, let alone 550, but I was soon distracted by the vast canopy of rainforest down below, wondering what prehistoric predators might have roamed these jungles. And who can argue the island’s age, when it holds the status of UNESCO Geopark, the first of its kind in south east Asia?

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands on Malaysia’s north western coast. Surrounded by the warm tropical waters of the Andaman, it is aptly called the Pearl of Kedah for its breathtaking landscapes and geological heritage. Only four of its islands are inhabited, the largest of which is Pulau Langkawi which attracts a steady stream of discerning visitors who combine their love of nature and adventure with luxury and exclusivity.

The northern region is particularly enchanting, dominated by secluded beaches and dramatic limestone cliffs, rainforests, waterfalls, caves and mangroves, all teeming with wildlife. The area called Tanjung Rhu is a peaceful enclave with stunning shorelines and pristine beaches, and is home to some of Langkawi’s finest resorts.

The cable car climb is the best way to see it all. Reaching the circular observation platform, I witnessed spectacular 360-degree views of the archipelago. The world seemed small from up there, and even Thailand’s isles can be seen on a clear day. Those who would prefer to be down amidst the treetops can sign up for the Canopy Adventure which promises encounters with dusky leaf langurs, flying squirrels, flying lemurs, wild boar, civet cats, and 40 species of reptiles, just to name a few.

Following the exhilaration of dizzying heights, my thoughts turned to typical local food – the type you get at the night market. And although I’d normally steer clear of these street delicacies, my gut feeling urged me to be adventurous. Stall after stall, food cooked right in front of my eyes seduced me with enticing aromas and textures, sweet and savoury – pancakes with fresh peanut filling, beef and chicken satay, nasi goreng, the local version of the Cornish pasty in various fillings, doughnuts made with cane sugar, and all the mangosteen and duku (lanzones) fruits I could eat for less than £10.

There’s no shortage of other things to do, but one adventure not to be missed is a Mangrove Safari with Aidi Abdullah, the Four Seasons’ resident naturalist. I call him the David Attenborough of Malaysia for his expert knowledge of wildlife, passion for conservation and his fascinating way of explaining animal behaviour – from the pecking

order of macaques and fiddler crab danger signals to the routines of birds of prey and the courting rituals of mudskippers. The three hours flew by.

Visitors to Langkawi can also charter a boat or join an island-hopping tour to the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden within the Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park. According to legend, if a woman wants to conceive, she must drink from the freshwater lake or bathe in it. Those who don’t like crowds or are not keen on having more children head for Langun Island, which also has a freshwater lake and beach.

There is, of course, a thriving nightlife and shopping area along a stretch of road near Pantai Cenang beach. However, to be honest, after an exciting day observing nature’s wonders, all I could think of was getting pampered at the spa, then enjoying a sumptuous dinner by the beach.

tourism.gov.my langkawigeopark.com

Where To Stay: Tanjung Rhu Resort After a long-haul flight, Tanjung Rhu Resort’s laid-back atmosphere and understated elegance was a fitting start to my visit. Coconut trees mingling with willowy

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Casuarinas and lagoons lent a calming effect, but what struck me was the white sandy beach stretching 2.5km, and the sight of a limestone rock island which can be reached through a sandbank at low tide.

Before tucking into breakfast, those watching their bikini figure would benefit from using the gym next to the JivaRhu Spa, jogging along the beach, or doing a few laps in the 50m ozone-treated pool at the Sands Pool Cub and Bar. At dusk, the romantic ambience is best enjoyed dining alfresco at The Rhu, where the fine-dining menu is a fusion of Eastern and Western cuisine, or at Saffron for Mediterranean flavours.

Back at my spacious, elegant suite, I found a box of home-made chocolates waiting to be devoured, and a huge comfy bed to sink into. The next day, the morning sun peeked through gaps in the curtains. I drew them wide open to find the beach empty. Everyone was still asleep. Perfect.

tanjungrhu.com.my

Four Seasons Langkawi Situated in the quiet Tanjung Rhu area, the Four Seasons Langkawi is unlike any resort on the island. But the consistent features of the brand include impressive architecture and impeccable service. The lobby’s dramatic blend of Moorish and contemporary influences felt like another dimension, although a tour of the entire resort revealed a much earthier setting of lush gardens, pavilions and villas inspired by Malay, Indian and Arabic palaces.

Light, space and textures are predominant aspects in every room. The beachfront villas are spacious, making walking around a workout in itself. The bathroom areas have an oversized terrazzo bathtub and outdoor showers.

Sliding doors and curtains ensure total privacy, while the outdoor roofed terrace is designed to induce relaxation with its plunge pool, daybed and ceiling fan.

The Rhu Bar brings cocktail hours to another level with its audacious style reminiscent of Arabian

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palaces – dimly lit nooks and crannies partitioned with carved wooden screens, sumptuous colours and fabrics.

The Ikan-Ikan restaurant serves Malaysian cuisine and a delicious signature dish called ‘Ikan Jenahak Asam Katok’ (crispy fried red snapper fillet with tamarind honey chili sauce). Soft lighting in the open-air pavilion makes this the spot for a romantic meal. While at the Serai restaurant, breakfast is a tempting spread, served in Le Creuset cookware.

Walking around the spa is a journey unto itself. A tropical paradise surrounds the treatment rooms and outdoor showers, although my firm favourite has to be the totally chilled adult quiet pool. Private cabanas come with complimentary sunglasses cleaning, suntan lotions, and other essentials. There’s even a button to call for service so you don’t have to leave your lounger.

fourseasons.com/langkawi

The Datai You can’t find a more dramatic setting than The Datai, a glamorous retreat set within the ancient rainforests on Langkawi’s northwestern tip. Although not a Feng Shui expert, I felt a positive energy upon entering the open lobby flanked by life-sized sculptures of two horses.

Between the main resort on the hills and Datai Bay is a private footpath providing access to the spas, villas and suites dotted around the slopes.

Each beachfront villa is gated and equipped with high-tech security cameras and intercoms. Being in the thick of the jungle, the only unannounced guests you’re likely to encounter are curious macaques peeking through the glass walls.

Between two tennis courts, a beautiful secluded beach, two lap pools, an 18-hole championship golf course, restaurants, lounge-bar and the spa, tearing yourself away from the resort can be a real challenge.

Make the most of the complimentary morning and evening nature walks with the resident naturalist and the

use of non-motorised water sports facilities.

The spa’s signature treatment involving a synchronised four-hand massage (that’s two masseuses) was out of this world.

For dining, The Pavilion is highly recommended for its authentic Thai cuisine savoured in the open air.

dataihotels.com

Banish the jetlag Break the jetlag with a luxurious stopover in Kuala Lumpur. The Mandarin Oriental is located in the city centre and is adjacent to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and Suria KLCC shopping mall. Rooms on the 24th floor have spectacular views, plus access to the Club lounge, where complimentary breakfast, lunch, cocktails and canapés are served. Swimming in the outdoor infinity pool overlooking the city did wonders.

Work up a big appetite for one of the hotel’s restaurants: Lai Po Heen for Cantonese and dim sum specialities, or Mosaic for a lavish buffet. And if you’re still awake, head to the Sultan Lounge for a late night tipple. n

mandarinoriental.com/kualalumpur

MORE INFORMATION Malaysia Airlines flies direct from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) twice daily.

On board the spacious A380, the service is friendly, and the entertainment menu includes the latest film releases.

Business and First Class passengers can use the Golden Lounge at KLIA which has excellent facilities and a good selection of meals and snacks. Transfers are stress free and the flight to Langkawi is only an hour. malaysiaairlines.com

listing See below for estate agents in YOUR area

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Jonathan Arron 18 Blenheim Terrace, NW8 0EB 020 7604 4611

Marsh & Parsons 35 Maida Vale, W9 1TP 020 7368 4458 marshandparsons.co.uk

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Aston Chase 69 / 71 Park Road, NW1 6XU 020 7724 4724 astonchase.com

Parkheath 208 Haverstock Hill, NW3 2AG 020 7431 1234 Jones Lang LaSalle 30 Warwick Street, W1B 5NH 020 7087 5557

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Bargets 16 Park Road, NW1 4SH 020 7402 9494

Kay & Co Hyde Park & Bayswater office 24-25 Albion Street, W2 2AX 020 7262 2030

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Marylebone & Regents Park office 20a Paddington Street, W1U 5QP 020 7486 6338

Fox Gregory 102-104 Allitsen Road St John’s Wood, NW8 7AY 020 7586 1500

propertydivas.com

kayandco.com

foxgregory.co.uk

Hamptons International 99 St John’s Wood Terrace, NW8 6PL 020 7717 5319

Knight Frank 5-7 Wellington Place, NW8 7PB 020 7586 2777

Rescorp Residential 58 Acacia Road, St John’s Wood NW8 6AG 020 3348 8000 rescorp.co.uk

79-81 Heath Street, NW3 6UG 020 7431 8686

21 Heath street, NW3 6TR 020 7717 5301

55 Baker Street, W1U 8EW 020 3435 6440

hamptons.co.uk

knightfrank.co.uk

Savills 7 Perrin’s Court NW3 1QS 020 7472 5000

Hanover Residential 102 St. John’s Wood Terrace, NW8 6PL 020 7722 2223

Laurence Leigh 020 7483 0101

15 St John’s Wood High Street NW8 7NG 020 3043 3600

hanover-residential.com

laurenceleigh.com

savills.co.uk

RUNWILD M

Property Divas Limited 34a Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead NW3 1NH 020 7431 8000

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If you would like to appear within the property pages of VANTAGE, contact Felicity Morgan-Harvey, property manager, on 020 7987 4320 or f.morgan-harvey@runwildgroup.co.uk

Vantage P R O P E RT Y

showcasing the

finest HOMES & PROPERTY from the best estate agents

Pick of

the best Hamilton Terrace Courtesy of Knight Frank

from contemporary to classic 109

KnightFrank.co.uk

Mount Vernon, Hampstead NW3 Three bedroom fourth floor apartment

Offered for sale is this fourth floor apartment with fantastic panoramic views and a south westerly aspect. It is set within this landmark development in the heart of Hampstead Village and benefits from two underground parking spaces. Master bedroom with en suiite bathroom, 2 further bedrooms (one with en suite bathroom), shower room, kitchen, reception room, balcony, gym, swimming pool. EPC rating C. Approximately 148 sq m (1,592 sq ft).

KnightFrank.co.uk/Hampstead hampstead@knightfrank.com 020 7431 8686

Share of freehold Guide price: ÂŁ2,750,000 (HAM130089)

3018

no.5 Grange road Kenwood n6 Situated on a tranquil, private road is No. 5 Grange Road, an exceptional, newly constructed, detached residence which has been finished to an exacting standard, providing a wealth of quality and sophistication throughout.

8 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, kitchen/family room, reception room, dining room, study, leisure complex with swimming pool, gymnasium, cinema room, separate staff accommodation, garage, garden.

Approximately 901.4 sq m (9,703 sq ft) maximum.

Freehold Price On Application Joint Sole Agents

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Hamilton Terrace, St John’s Wood NW8 Exceptional semi-detached period house with parking

An exceptional semi-detached period home offering excellent entertaining space and an unusually large 112 ft rear garden with a double width garage. 6 to 7 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, 5 bathrooms, garden, EPC rating D. Approximately 410 sq m (4,414 sq ft)

KnightFrank.co.uk/st-johns-wood stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 020 7586 2777

Freehold Guide price: ÂŁ10,950,000 (SJW130066)

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KnightFrank.co.uk

Warwick Avenue, Little Venice W9 Exceptional villa in the heart of Little Venice

A beautifully presented rarely available freehold villa discretely located on one of the most desirable streets in Little Venice with beautifully manicured front and rear gardens. Master bedroom with en suite dressing room and bathroom, 4/5 further bedrooms (1 with en suite facilities), family room, bathroom, reception room, kitchen, dining room, drawing room, library, media room, wine cellar, snooker room. Approximately 477.9 sq m (5,144 sq ft)

KnightFrank.co.uk/ st-johns-wood stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 020 7586 2777

Freehold (SJW130166)

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SPRINGFIELD ROAD ST JOHN’S WOOD NW8 £4,650,000 FREEHOLD A charming five bedroom semi-detached period house (295sq m/3,181sq ft) presented in excellent condition throughout. The house features well-planned accommodation over four floors including a delightful conservatory leading directly onto a 40ft southerly facing landscaped rear garden.

Springfield Road is one of the most sought after roads on the west side of St John’s Wood located within close proximity of The American School in London, St John’s Wood Underground Station (Jubilee Line) and within 0.5 miles of the local shopping amenities and restaurants of St John’s Wood High Street.

ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES Principal Bedroom with En-Suite Bathroom & Walk-In Wardrobe, 4 Further Bedrooms (1 En-Suite), Family Bathroom, Shower Room, 31ft Reception/Dining Room, Kitchen/Family Room, Large Conservatory, Study, TV Room/Bedroom 5, Guest Cloakroom, Utility Room, Garden Store, Front Garden, Southerly Facing Rear Garden, Resident’s Only Permit Parking. EPC/E. JOINT SOLE AGENT

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REGENT’S PARK OFFICE 69–71 PARK ROAD LONDON NW1 6XU T –020 7724 4724 F –020 7724 6160

NORFOLK ROAD ST JOHN’S WOOD NW8 £7,950,000 FREEHOLD / TO LET £4,950 PER WEEK An outstanding Grade II Listed semi-detached residence (305.9sq m/3,293sq ft) located on the south side of what is arguably one of St John’s Wood’s most sought after addresses. The house, which has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment programme by 1508 to an exacting standard, features bright and spacious living space on the raised ground floor with a delightful south-facing rear garden.

Both the kitchen and family room enjoy direct access to the garden and there is also secure gated off-street parking for two cars.

Norfolk Road is ideally situated for all the amenities and transport facilities of St John's Wood including St John’s Wood Underground Station (Jubilee Line) whilst only moments away from the open spaces of both Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park.

ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES Principal Bedroom with Dressing Room and En-Suite Bathroom, 4 Further En-Suite Bedrooms, Reception Room, Drawing Room, Fully Fitted Kitchen/Dining Room, Family Room/TV Room, Study, Utility Room, Guest Cloakroom, Balcony, Plant Room, Air-Conditioning, Surround Sound System, CCTV, Alarm System, Secure Gated Off-Street Parking for 2 Cars, Private South-Facing Rear Garden. EPC/F. SOLE AGENT

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ORMONDE TERRACE PRIMROSE HILL NW8 POA SHARE OF FREEHOLD A stunning, architecturally designed duplex apartment (171sq m/1,847sq ft) set over the ground and garden levels of this sought after block situated directly opposite Primrose Hill. The apartment provides excellent entertaining space, a lovely principal bedroom suite and further benefits from its own private entrance and two separate private outside spaces, situated off both the principal bedroom and reception room.

Ormonde Terrace is ideally located for all the amenities of picturesque Primrose Hill Village, famed for its iconic park which is only 100 metres away. In addition both the open spaces of Regent’s Park and all of the amenities of St John’s Wood are within easy reach, including St John’s Wood Underground Station (Jubilee Line).

ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES Principal Bedroom with Dressing Room and En-Suite Bathroom, Bedroom 2 with En-Suite Bathroom, Fully Fitted Kitchen/Dining Room, Reception Room, Study/Reception Room, Utility Room, Guest Cloakroom, Independent Gas Central Heating, Music System Throughout, Plant Room, Terrace, Patio Garden with Shed, Resident Porterage, Resident’s Only Permit Parking. EPC/C. SOLE AGENT

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REGENT’S PARK OFFICE 69–71 PARK ROAD LONDON NW1 6XU T –020 7724 4724 F –020 7724 6160

MOUNT VERNON HAMPSTEAD NW3 £2,650,000 SHARE OF FREEHOLD A deceptively spacious ground floor lateral apartment (163sq m/1,758sq ft) situated within this renowned exclusive luxury development. The apartment features a 28' double reception room, a delightful 32' private garden and benefits from 24 hour porterage.

Mount Vernon is considered as one of Hampstead’s finest secure developments with underground parking, leisure complex including swimming pool and gymnasium, as well as being superbly located in the very heart of the Village moments from fashionable boutiques, cafés, restaurants, public transport facilities and the open spaces of the Heath.

ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES Principal Bedroom with Dressing Room and En-Suite Bathroom, 1 Further Bedroom, Family Bathroom, Fully Fitted Kitchen/Dining Room, Reception Room, Utility Room, Guest Cloakroom, Storage Cupboard, Independent Gas Central Heating, Patio Garden, Communal Garden, Resident Porter, 2 Allocated Parking Spaces. EPC/C. PRINCIPAL AGENT

Glenmore Road NW3 £3,000,000

In the heart of Belsize Park, a four-storey Edwardian family house with flexible and well-proportioned accommodation together with a wealth of period features.

Interconnecting receptions create a spacious entertaining area on the ground floor.

2894 sq ft/268 sq m 19’6 main reception, 2nd reception 18’6 kitchen/dining room 19’6 master bedroom 4/5 further bedrooms Patio garden, 30’ cellar

South Hampstead Sales 020 7625 4567 Lettings 020 7644 0800 nw6@parkheath.com

Belsize Park Sales 020 7431 1234 Lettings 020 7431 3104 nw3@parkheath.com

West Hampstead Sales 020 7794 7111 Lettings 020 7794 7111 192@parkheath.com

Property Management Tel 020 7722 6777 pm@parkheath.com

Contact Belsize Park Office 020 7431 1234

www.parkheath.com

Ranulf Road NW2 Guide price £5,000,000 A substantial four-storey detached residence with an exceptional 140’ south-facing rear garden, occupying a premier position within the sought-after Hocroft Estate.

5525 sq ft/513 sq m 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms Principal reception, 2 further receptions Indoor games room, outdoor heated pool Double garage, off street parking

The property offers wonderful rear views over adjoining private playing fields.

Contact West Hampstead Office 020 7794 7111

South Hampstead Sales 020 7625 4567 Lettings 020 7644 0800 nw6@parkheath.com

Belsize Park Sales 020 7431 1234 Lettings 020 7431 3104 nw3@parkheath.com

West Hampstead Sales 020 7794 7111 Lettings 020 7794 7111 192@parkheath.com

Property Management Tel 020 7722 6777 pm@parkheath.com

www.parkheath.com

Haverstock Hill NW3 £1,295,000

In central Belsize Park a large raised and lower ground floor maisonette with private terrace and garden.

Moments from shops, cafes and transport links, and with forecourt parking.

1567 sq ft/146 sq m 4 bedrooms plus study 18’ reception, 19’ kitchen/diner 20’ terrace, 30’ garden Parking space Contact Belsize Park Office 020 7431 1234

South Hampstead Sales 020 7625 4567 Lettings 020 7644 0800 nw6@parkheath.com

Belsize Park Sales 020 7431 1234 Lettings 020 7431 3104 nw3@parkheath.com

West Hampstead Sales 020 7794 7111 Lettings 020 7794 7111 192@parkheath.com

Property Management Tel 020 7722 6777 pm@parkheath.com

www.parkheath.com

m

Marlborough Mansions NW6 £1,680,000

Forming part of the area’s most prestigious mansion block, a raised ground floor four bedroom apartment with direct access to stunning communal gardens.

Cannon Hill is located moments from West End Green and the multiple facilities of West Hampstead village.

1872 sq ft/174 sq m 36’ south-westerly double reception 15’ kitchen/breakfast room 16’9 master bedroom 3 further bedrooms Exceptional rear communal gardens

South Hampstead Sales 020 7625 4567 Lettings 020 7644 0800 nw6@parkheath.com

Belsize Park Sales 020 7431 1234 Lettings 020 7431 3104 nw3@parkheath.com

West Hampstead Sales 020 7794 7111 Lettings 020 7794 7111 192@parkheath.com

Property Management Tel 020 7722 6777 pm@parkheath.com

Contact West Hampstead Office 020 7794 7111

www.parkheath.com

c a r lt o n h i l l s t

J o h n ’ s

w o o d ,

n w 8

A semi detAched period house providing 1887 sq ft/ 175 sq m of AccommodAtion over 4 floors. the house feAtures A lArge open plAn kitchen/fAmily room opening onto A south eAst fAcing gArden And benefits from off street pArking for 2 cArs. cArlton hill is locAted off Abbey roAd, A short distAnce from the AmericAn school in loudoun roAd And within eAsy wAlking distAnce of locAl shops And restAurAnts.

3 bedrooms, 2 bAthrooms, double reception room, lArge open plAn kitchen/fAmily room, guest cloAkroom, utility room, off street pArking for 2 cArs, lAwned gArden, epc e

freehold

sole Agents

£3,350,000

the property is Also AvAilAble for rentAl At £2,250 per week

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st J o h n’ s wo o d l o n d o n

n w 8

A beAutifully presented house ArrAnged over three floors only, providing 1,935 sq ft/180 sq ft of AccommodAtion. the property hAs been completely refurbished And remodelled througout to A high stAndArd with An emphAsis on open plAn living And nAturAl light. the house is situAted in A quiet cobbled mews And enviAbly locAted within close proximity to fAshionAble shops And restAurAnts of st John’s wood high street And neArby to trAnsport links including st John’s wood underground stAtion ( Jubilee line). principAl bedroom with en-suite shower room, 2 further bedrooms (1 en-suite shower room), fAmily bAthroom, open plAn fully fitted kitchen/dining AreA/sitting AreA, reception room with vAulted ceiling, guest cloAkroom, utility room, ornAmentAl bAlcony, decked terrAce, store room, pArking, epc d

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Joint sole Agents

£2,895,000

16/07/2013 14:10

102 St John’s Wood Terrace, St John’s Wood, London NW8 6PL

t: 020 7722 2223 e: info@hanover-residential.com w: hanover-residential.com

Collection Place, St John’s Wood, NW8

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£2,750,000

Formerly the site of the Saatchi Gallery in St John’s Wood, Collection Place is a landmark development created by award-winning architects. This stunning three bedroom, two bathroom contemporary house (2,663 sq ft / 247 sq m) is offered in immaculate condition with the benefit of a secure underground garage for two cars, comfort cooling, Crestron Automation, underfloor heating, limestone and timber floors, decked roof terrace, 24-hour concierge and CCTV. EPC C

Sole Agent

Leasehold of Freehold

Stockleigh Hall, St John’s Wood, NW8

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ÂŁ2,500,000

A delightful three bedroom, three bathroom apartment situated on the third floor of this prestigious and sought-after purpose built block on Prince Albert Road. The apartment is presented in good decorative condition and features an impressive 25ft double reception room. Stockleigh Hall is located opposite Regents Park and benefits from 24 hour porterage, passenger lift and a share of the freehold. EPC D

Sole Agent

Share of freehold

102 St John’s Wood Terrace, St John’s Wood, London NW8 6PL

t: 020 7722 2223 e: info@hanover-residential.com w: hanover-residential.com

Avenue Close, St John’s Wood, NW8

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£2,250,000

A four bedroom, two bathroom ground floor apartment (1,661 sq ft / 154 sq m) featuring an impressive 29’ double reception room and well-proportioned kitchen. Benefits include porterage, communal gardens and limited off street parking. Situated behind the development there is discreet access to the open spaces of Primrose Hill. EPC E

Sole Agent

Leasehold

Pavilion Apartments, St John’s Wood, NW8

|

£2,250,000

A beautiful two bedroom, two bathroom apartment (1,185 sq ft / 110 sq m) situated on the eighth floor of this purpose built block featuring spectacular views into Lords Cricket Ground and the London skyline. Pavilion Apartment’s benefits include underground parking for one car, passenger lift, communal garden and 24 hour porterage and is situated close to St John’s Wood tube station (Jubilee Line) which is just two stops from Bond Street in the heart of the West End. EPC B

Principle Agent

Leasehold

102 St John’s Wood Terrace, St John’s Wood, London NW8 6PL

t: 020 7722 2223 e: info@hanover-residential.com w: hanover-residential.com

Neville Court, St John’s Wood, NW8

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£1,575 per week

A stunning newly refurbished four bedroom, three bathroom third floor flat in this red brick mansion block set on the famous Abbey Road is walking distance to St John’s Wood Tube Station and the American School. The flat offers excellent living accommodation and comprises a large double reception room, which has a tiled and heated floor, a feature fireplace and a balcony, a beautiful fully fitted kitchen and three modern bathrooms.

Cambridge Terrace, Regent’s Park, NW1

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£750 per week

A newly refurbished garden apartment set on the outer circle of Regent’s Park. The apartment offers a comfortable well planned living accommodation comprising one double bedroom with en suite bathroom, good size reception room, kitchen, guest cloakroom, private parking and access to communal gardens. Cambridge Terrace is located on the east side of Regent’s Park with public transport only a short walk away.

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Chalcot Square, NW1 £3,300per week A beautiful five bedroom period home occupying a prime position on a sought-after garden square in the heart of Primrose Hill. Available from the start of August. EPC: E

St. Johns Wood Terrace, NW8 £1,850 per week A well presented four bedroom and three bathroom family town house in St John’s Wood close to the International American School, local shops and Regents Park. EPC: D

Hamptons St John’s Wood Office Lettings. 020 7717 5487 | Sales. 0207 586 9595

The Terraces, NW8 ÂŁ1,600per week A stunning and immaculately refurbished two bedroom apartment with an impressive terrace on an upper floor in this well located purpose built block with porter. EPC: B

The Polygon, NW8 ÂŁ1,250 per week An impressive three bedroom apartment on an upper floor in this desirable block. Newly refurbished throughout to exacting standards, the apartment also has a balcony. EPC: C

HAMILTON TERRACE LONDON NW8

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Finished to the highest specification, this beautiful house comprises 3,257 sq ft/302.6 sq m of luxurious living accommodation incorporating comfort cooling, marble and stone finishes, Miele kitchen appliances and an integrated audio system. The house boasts an abundance of living space and is ideal for entertaining. The large open plan kitchen has direct access to a beautifully landscaped 100ft garden and a separate studio.

Superb master bedroom suite with balcony • 3 further bedrooms (1 with en suite dressing room and bathroom) Family bathroom • Double reception room • Kitchen Dining room • Garden room • Study • 2 guest WCs Utility room • Wine store • 104 ft rear garden • Separate studio at rear incorporating bedroom shower room and kitchenette • Integrated audio system Main House: EPC Rating D • Studio: EPC Rating E

Guide Price £5,500,000

Freehold

020 7483 0101 laurenceleigh.com

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Finding you the perfect property

www.laurenceleigh.com / 020 7483 0101

property

W TAXING TIMES Houses and flats within St John’s Wood have continued to rise in value on the back of strong overseas demand

here have the first six months of 2013 gone? Summer is already upon us and it only seems like yesterday that we were putting away the Christmas decorations. Whilst we have seen quite a bit of activity in the first six months of the year, it has been quite a volatile marketplace. We have managed to sell some lovely properties, however, there have been a few properties that really should have sold, which for some reason, have not yet found their match.

Both houses and flats within the general St John’s Wood area have continued to rise in value on the back of strong overseas demand, defying expectations that growth would peter out this year because of the impact of the government’s stamp duty measures introduced in last year’s Budget. Over the past 12 months prime property prices have increased by between six to ten per cent depending on which report you read. George Osborne raised the stamp duty payable on sales of property above £2m from five to seven per cent, and introduced a 15 per cent charge on properties bought and sold through offshore corporate vehicles.

He also announced plans for a new annual levy and capital gains tax charge for homes held in a corporate vehicle, which came into effect last month and the Treasury is hoping to raise £30m annually from these measures.

Interestingly, we have seen a fall in the number of sales of properties priced between £2m and £3m, however, there has been a rise in the number of transactions of properties worth less than £2m. The number of transactions we have concluded of properties priced above £3m over the same period remained relatively static. Therefore, the impact of the tax change appears to fall off to almost zero for above £3m. The unexpected price growth this year can partly be explained by falls in the value of sterling, and therefore London still looks relatively cheap to overseas buyers. n

020 7483 0101, laurenceleigh.com

The spoils of the hardy workplace warrior.

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REGAL SPLENDOUR

Regent’s Park is considered the finest of London’s Royal Parks, occupying over 400 acres of land and home to landscaped lawns, ornamental gardens, a boating lake, an open-air theatre, cafés and restaurants as well as hosting prestigious events including the Frieze Art Fair and the Taste of London food fair.

St Katharine’s Precinct is a magnificent Grade II* listed house in Regent’s Park providing more than 6,000 sq ft of living space. Originally built between 1826 and 1828, it was designed by renowned architect Sir Ambrose Poynter. The house combines pier gates and railings, combining Gothic architecture, modern interiors and a contemporary specification boasting a master

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suite, as well as four additional bedrooms, four reception rooms, an entertainment/games room, a sauna/steam room, a beautiful garden and off-street parking. The leasehold is 117 years.

Located on the prestigious Outer Circle of Regent’s Park, St. Katharine’s Precinct is set behind elegant box gate piers, railings and lamp posts, and has its own gravel driveway entrance set in landscaped lawns.

The Regent’s Park site itself was originally constructed in 1811 by master architects John Nash and Decimus Burton. The residential properties within Regent’s Park are amongst the finest and most sought after in London because of their illustrious history

property

and the quality of the architecture and internal design. Negotiator Sukey Brecher says: “The typical good house in Marlybone is quite narrow. It’s usually Georgian, perhaps with a lift with up to six stories. Very few houses come with the mews houses or a garage attached or indeed outside space. This is only about a mile away from our offices and offers something completely different for applicants looking for a more lateral space.”

Regent’s Park provides easy access into London’s West End shopping, restaurant and leisure district, and is also just a short distance from the local high streets of St. John’s Wood, Marylebone and Primrose Hill. n

St Katharine’s Precinct, NW1 £13,750,000 Druce Druce.com

020 7935 6535

property

Summer and the City Savills hosts its annual Chester Terrace Garden Party

S

avills’ St John’s Wood office hosted the annual Chester Terrace Garden Party on Wednesday 19 June. The communal gardens of Chester Terrace were transformed by a marquee, white picket fence and string quartet, while the beautiful Regent’s Park provided a perfect backdrop for an elegant and informal evening.

Around sixty local residents enjoyed Champagne and canapés as well as speeches from Crime Watch’s Nick Ross and head of Savills residential research, Lucian Cook. The evening provided local residents with an opportunity to mingle with their neighbours and Savills staff from the St John’s Wood and Hampstead offices.

Stephen Lindsay, head of Savills St John’s Wood commented: “The annual Chester Terrace Garden Party was a great success again this year. It really allows us to connect with local residents from the Regent’s Park area and to increase their awareness of the Savills brand. We have had some excellent feedback on the evening and are looking forward to hosting it again next summer.” n

Savills St John’s Wood 15 St John’s Wood High Street, NW8 020 3043 3600 Savills Hampstead 7 Perrin’s Court, NW3 020 7472 5000

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We believe that every building is one-of-akind. Every design is created to a unique, specific and personal vision. And every project requires individual understanding, research and planning.

Blending architectural flair with building surveying professionalism. Collaborating with clients, suppliers, engineers and builders.

Together we create original and beautiful bespoke houses. We are experienced and pragmatic, fresh thinking and innovative; we are Pennington Phillips.

Pennington Phillips 16 Spectrum House 32–34 Gordon House Road London NW5 1LP t: 020 7267 1414 f: 020 7267 7878 design@penningtonphillips.co.uk

The spirit of St John’s Wood Rescorp Residential are privileged to offer for sale this interior designed fabulous raised ground floor apartment

This property has been completely refurbished to an exceptional standard and now offers 4 bedrooms (3 with en-suite shower rooms), a double reception room, a fully fitted kitchen and a powder room. Wellington Court is beautifully located only seconds from St Johns Wood High Street and station and the block benefits from a 24 hour porter service. This is a perfect apartment for a young family who want to be close to the hub of St Johns Wood.

58 Acacia Road, St Johns Wood, London NW8 6AG - T: 0203 348 8000 www.rescorp.co.uk

LD

LD

LD Director LETTINGS

SO

SO

SO

Please call us for viewing arrangements.

Vic Chhabria

Langland Gardens, Hampstead, NW3

£925,000 Share of Freehold

New Instruction - Joint Sole Agent A beautifully presented two bedroom apartment set within a period conversion in a protected conservation area comprising approximately 1003 sq ft. The property benefits from its own entrance and a private landscaped garden which leads onto well maintained communal gardens. The apartment is offered in excellent condition throughout and comprises a large reception room with high ceilings and wood floors with patio doors leading out to the garden, an open plan fully fitted kitchen and a newly refurbished bathroom. Viewing by appointment. EPC Rating - Band C.

Follow “The Divas” on twitter | facebook for new property alerts and topical tweets Property Divas Limited, 34a Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead, NW3 1NH 020 7431 8000 info@propertydivas.com www.propertydivas.com

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Elgin Avenue W9 £1,450,000 A delightful three-bedroom garden flat set on this prime road next to Maida Vale station. This stunning flat offers spacious accommodation including a large reception room and an open plan kitchen/dining room with concertina doors opening through to the private garden, three bedrooms including a superb master suite and a family bathroom. Share of Freehold. EPC=D. Sole Agents.

LITTLE VENICE: 020 7993 3050 saless.lve@marshandparsons.co.uk

Portman Mansions W2 £900,000 A light and airy two-bedroom flat in excellent decorative order with 24 hour porterage. This lovely third floor flat has a light and airy feel and has been tastefully refurbished by the current owner. The reception has a large window opening out to a balcony at the front. The master bedroom has excellent built-in storage while the bathroom with it’s own window and utility cupboard, has been neutrally finished. Leasehold. EPC=E. Sole Agents.

MARYLEBONE: 020 7935 1775 sales.mar@marshandparsons.co.uk

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LETTINGS

See all of our properties online: marshandparsons.co.uk

Portman Mansions £1,250 per week This stunning lateral apartment boasts over 1200 sq ft of accommodation in a great central location.

Finished to a high standard, this apartment benefits from high ceilings and wooden floors throughout with neutral decor. The property comprises a separate kitchen with a dining area, laarge reception room, three large double bedrooms and three bathrooms. EPC=D. MARYLEBONE: 020 7935 1775 lets.mar@marshandparsons.co.uk

Portnall Road W9 £475 per week This fantastic property, located close to Westbourne Park and Maida Vale and offers spacious, split-level accommodation. The property is arranged over the first and second floor of a period conversion in Maida Vale and comprises an eat-in kitchen, a beautiful reception room, two double bedrooms and a modern bathroom. Ideally located for access to the local amenities and transport links of Westbourne Park Underground Station, Portobello Road and Paddington. EPC=D LITTLE VENICE: 020 7993 3050 lets.lve@marshandparsons.co.uk

Local know-how. Better results.

0 % Commission 100 % Local know-how And a commitment to getting you the best possible result …on the house! > Maximum exposure to the best buyers > London’s best negotiators* > Unequalled customer service* > Award-winning marketing > Over 150 years’ experience To celebrate the opening of our newest office in Marylebone, we are offering to sell your property for free! For full Terms and Conditions, call us or visit marshandparsons.co.uk/sell-your-home-for-free Marylebone Office 94 Baker Street, London W1U 6FZ T: 020 7368 4458 marshandparsons.co.uk

* Voted ‘Best Customer Service 2012’ by The Sunday Times and ‘Best UK Estate Agent 2012’ by The Negotiator