Kensington & Chelsea Magazine November 2016

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Airfield A/W16 campaign starring Carmen Dell’Orefice, all images courtesy of: Airfield

interview

Discovery The Age of

She may be one of the world’s oldest supermodels, but 85-year-old Carmen Dell’Orefice still strikes a cutting pose. She discusses her enduring success in the fashion industry with Olivia Sharpe as she stars in her latest campaign for Airfield

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ge is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter,” said Mark Twain. At 85, Carmen Dell’Orefice is officially one of the world’s oldest working supermodels (the number one slot goes to Daphne Selfe, 88) and as can be seen from her latest campaign with Airfield, she is living by Twain’s ideology. In a further bid to promote its philosophy that “every woman is a superwoman”, the Austrian fashion brand called upon Dell’Orefice to front its A/W16 campaign (replacing 58-yearold actress Sharon Stone, who starred in S/S16).

Beginning her modelling career as a teenager, New York native Dell’Orefice has witnessed seven decades of fashion and is therefore an authority on the ever-evolving industry. She was scouted while riding a bus on the way to ballet class by the wife of photographer Hermann Landshoff.

A year later, she did her first of many shoots for Vogue and by 15, she had signed a modelling contract for $7.50 an hour.

She admits how modelling was never her dream – “At the time I still thought I would become a world-famous prima ballerina”– but simply a means of getting food on the table. Her impoverished parents (of Hungarian and Italian descent) struggled to support their only daughter when she was growing up and, without a phone, Vogue sent runners to her home to tell her about jobs and she roller-skated to shoots to save on bus fares.

Dell’Orefice worked with fashion legends Horst P. Horst and Cecil Beaton by day (who reportedly would pin back her dresses and stuff the curves with tissue because she was so malnourished) and by night go home to wash her bed sheets in the bathtub and take sewing jobs with her mother to make rent.

What must it have been like leading such a double life?

“To be honest at 14 you don’t think that far ahead,” she answers. “You’re just happy that you don’t have to go hungry. And I could afford the things that were important to me. But I never dreamt of diamonds or haute couture.”

From a young age, Dell’Orefice learnt the value of money and as a result believes the fashion industry today encourages women to be too materialistic. “I think that recently it has become quite silly – and everything is expensive,“ she says. “I fear that young people are encouraged to buy expensive items that they cannot afford and don’t actually even want. Fashion magazines no longer recount the stories they did when I first started modelling.”

The model has never been a big shopper, but has long been a fan of Airfield for offering pieces that suit her varied lifestyle. “You have to understand that I

go out a great deal; sometimes I might go to a palace to meet a queen, then on another day I’m at home and need to go to the supermarket.”

Dell’Orefice has struggled with financial troubles all her life, having been exploited by her first husband (she has been married three times), Bill Miles, with whom she had her only child, Laura. Miles would reportedly pick up her modelling checks and only allow her a $50 allowance. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, she allegedly became bankrupt after losing all her money in the stock market and then in 1994, she became close to notorious fraudster Bernie Madoff (who was good friends with her boyfriend Norman F. Levy) and was just one of his unfortunate victims swindled out of her life savings. In 2008, she declared herself bankrupt for the second time and returned to modelling to support herself.

Despite the many upheavals and loves lost, the supermodel has always been comfortable in her own skin. “I’ve always been mindful of my age and how I earn my living,” she says. “When I was 40, I was 40. I didn’t want to be 20. I’ve always done my job – to mirror the look of that respective year. That is precisely why it has always felt wonderful to stand in front of the camera.”

For her 85th birthday in June, American Vogue paid tribute to Dell’Orefice’s impressive career, showcasing 100 photos of the model from its archive.

Starting with her first appearance in the magazine as a waifish teenager and incorporating all four of her cover girl shots, each image conveyed her timeless beauty and ability to transform herself like a chameleon.

For Dell’Orefice, the secret to her success lies in the fact that she has always stayed true to herself and this

“I could afford the things that were important. But I never dreamt of diamonds or haute couture”

interview

would be her advice to any burgeoning model. “I always say to women that it is more about taste than it is about money when it comes to your looks. Copy nobody and have the courage to express your own personality.”

Dell’Orefice has worked with some of the biggest brands and fashion houses, including Rolex, Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano, not to mention some of the most renowned photographers of the 21st-century. She tells me how working with artist Salvador Dali was the highlight of her career – although to this day she has never seen the picture he did of her. Eileen Ford is her most trusted mentor and close friend, having opened up “the school of life” for Dell’Orefice when she set up her agency.

Today, the model looks arguably even more captivating than she did when she was young; with her chiselled bone structure and striking silver mane, she cuts a fine figure of a sophisticated and worldly woman. She believes her humble upbringing, living off a plant-based diet, is what has kept her in good health all these years, along with the simple lesson she was taught in ballet.

“Balance is my mantra. I only understood in my 40s how

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important it is. I have never taken drugs, never smoked, but I do weigh things up by enjoying a little drink.”

Dell’Orefice has always been very open about having had cosmetic surgery over the years. “You can usually tell when people have had a helping hand. So it actually doesn’t make any sense to keep quiet about it. But it’s up to the individual to tell people if they want to, or not.”

In her characteristically matter-of-fact manner, the model notes how it is little wonder the fashion industry is so obsessed by youth, as it is simply perpetuating every consumer’s dream. However, she does hope that one day there will be “a balancing act of bringing together the old and the young” and brands such as Airfield are already taking steps in the right direction.

So the big question: has Carmen Dell’Orefice ever considered reitirement? “No,” she answers, simply. “I want to enjoy every day of my life and work is a part of that.”

Airfield A/W16 collection, from £1,244 for ready-to-wear and from £46 for accessories, airfield.at/en

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Ahead of the Game

British chef Tom Aikens looks back on the highs and lows of his career in the culinary industry as his renowned restaurant group Tom’s Kitchen, which originally opened in Chelsea in 2006, celebrates its 10th anniversary this month. ALICE BLUNT reports It’s hard to know what to expect before speaking to Tom Aikens, whose celebrated restaurant has been feeding many a Chelsea local for a decade now. The British chef’s career has developed under the spotlight and having never been afraid to show his darker side, Aikens has become almost as renowned in the industry for his hotheaded nature as for his talent.

His business empire has also been through some ups and downs, the most notable being when his Michelin-starred flagship, Restaurant Tom Aikens in Chelsea, was forced into administration in 2008.

However, never one to give up without a fight, the chef managed to overcome such hurdles and his company is now very much in calmer waters.

This month sees him celebrate the 10-year anniversary of his highly successful restaurant Tom’s Kitchen, which opened in Chelsea in November 2006.

There are now six branches in total, but for Aikens, the original will always hold a special place in his heart. He is also in the midst of planning to open a new restaurant to replace his former Chelsea flagship (which closed nearly three years ago) – but without a site decided upon, this is yet to be confirmed.

Here, he discusses the game season, how to make it in one of the toughest industries, the expectations of a modern chef and his future plans.

How does it feel to have reached 10 years with Tom’s Kitchen?

It has gone very quickly that’s for sure. The original has had a few tidy ups and paint jobs as you’d expect, but otherwise it hasn’t changed at all. I’ve always favoured the original above the rest because it’s the first one I did. My twin brother Rob was here at the beginning too, which was nice.

Did you envisage at the time that it would expand?

No, not at all. It was going to be a one-off, unique proposition, but people always said to me, ‘it’s such a good concept you should try it elsewhere’ – but we didn’t do anything until the end of June 2010. It was a complete fluke that we got the site, but the landlord obviously liked our concept.

We were very much ahead of the game in terms of what Tom’s Kitchen was about and the ethos behind it.

It was pioneering in its focus on farm-to-table produce.

I was the first chef to have the idea of going directly to farms and having the information for customers on how everything is produced and where it comes from. There was no one else doing that in London at that time and I think that’s why we were so popular.

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Why did you choose Chelsea?

The main reason was that at the time it was close to my other restaurant so it meant that I could go over at lunchtime and in the evenings to check on it. I had a really good feeling about the building itself, which has been there since the 1900s. It’s such a lovely old townhouse.

Can you tell me more about your new restaurant?

I’m still deciding on a site at the minute. In effect it will be 20 per cent fine dining and the other 80 per cent casual. It will be called The Botanicals, but I don’t want to say too much else, to be honest, until everything is signed and done.

Do you think that fine dining is going out of fashion?

I don’t believe fine dining is dying out. I think the general mood of London is that customers don’t want to have a stuffy, formal meal. You can now go to a restaurant where it’s an enjoyable, buzzy atmosphere with good food, but without it being a table cloth operation. That’s what people want; they want great food, but without all the frills.

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interview

Like anyone who has built up a business, you have had some highs and lows in your career. How did you get through the more difficult times?

You have to have your vision and work hard. And that’s really all it takes: gritting your teeth and ploughing on.

What is the toughest thing about the industry?

I think for everyone in London keeping staff and attracting employees is hard. We’re very lucky to have a few sites because it means we can move people around and motivate them by offering other senior positions if they’ve been with us for a few years. And that’s the great thing about a company when you can grow with your staff who have been with you for a long time. To have that longevity as opposed to a single operation where people stay with you for just a year or two before moving on.

I recently spoke to another head chef who said that younger chefs were becoming lazy in their approach and not learning the basics of cookery. Do you agree with that?

The world’s a different place.

You can’t hark on like an old grandpa and so ‘oh, in my time it was like this’. Yes it was a different place five, 10 years ago – of course it was – but I think it’s a good thing it has changed because it was very hard. People aren’t in the same mindset as they used to be about work. It’s not feasibly possible. And like I said it’s all about creating an environment in your work place that attracts staff.

most of all they need to have a picture of where want to go. It’s all very well putting your head down, but without having a game plan of where you see yourself in ten years’ time, it’s pointless. Any chef whom I feel has that spark, I help them in their careers.

In today’s world I think it’s all about helping each other to become better chefs.

Are there any rising chefs you’re championing?

I’ve helped a lot of young chefs along the way. Tom Sellers, Lee Westcott, and one of my chefs here, who was with me from 2003 to 2005, I sent to America and he’s now executive chef of all of Thomas Keller’s operations. It’s wonderful to see chefs who you’ve helped move up the career ladder and achieve real success.

“I’m now firmly focused on doing something with my twin brother in New York next year”

Speaking of modern chefs, do you think there’s now an expectation to be a ‘personality’?

I think chefs definitely have more of a public persona and whether they want to masquerade around on TV is up to each chef. But all I would say is that people see chefs more in the public eye. I think the idea of a chef being stuck behind a stove 24/7 is a thing of the past. We now have to be a lot more approachable with our customers and staff. These traits didn’t really exist in my world when I was learning and grafting.

What advice would you give to a young chef?

They need to show loyalty, passion and dedication, but

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You’re very committed to seasonal produce. Any favourite dishes for autumn/winter?

At the beginning of the game season we had young venison and grouse, but now that we’re in October we’ve got pheasant, which is wonderful. We’re very much focused on local produce, with daily changes on our menu and the specials board.

Is there one dish you’re particularly proud of?

I have one that has remained on the menu since I opened the first Tom’s Kitchen: a seven-hour slow braised shoulder of lamb which is cooked with loads of onions, balsamic vinegar and thyme.

How do you envisage your next 10 years turning out?

We’re still focused on the Tom’s Kitchen brand and we’re looking for other opportunities in London and outside of the UK. I’m now firmly focused on looking at doing something with my brother in New York next year. I love him very much so it would be really nice to do something together. We watch each other’s back and can read each other completely without having to communicate, which is a wonderful thing.

Tom’s Kitchen, 27 Cale Street, SW3, tomskitchen.co.uk

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COURVOISIER.COM

Courvoisier. the Napoleon device and Le Cognac de Napoleon are trademarks of Courvoisier S.A.S. ©2016 Courvoisier S.A.S.

Photography: Scheltens & Abbenes, Scholten & Baijings, nominee for Beazley Designs of the Year, 2016 collection

Flight of theMuseum As the Design Museum prepares to open the doors of its new location on High Street Kensington, Ellen Millard meets Deyan Sudjic OBE, the man behind the move

FEATURE

n which London museum would you place an Anglepoise lamp, a Plumen lightbulb and an Apple iMac? Or a British road sign and an Xbox controller?

The Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum all hold their fair share of eclectic objects – and that’s not to mention some of the city’s quirkier organisations, such as The Cartoon Museum, the Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising or The Fan Museum, to name but a few. But while many shine a light on design in one form or another, none can quite hold a candle to the Design Museum, an all-encompassing repertoire of curious articles and objets d’art through the ages.

Founded in 1989 by Sir Terence Conran, the organisation has long been a one-stop-shop for all things design and has held a number of inspiring exhibitions with some of the most influential creatives of the 21st century, including Hello, My Name is Paul Smith (2013), Zaha Hadid: Architecture and Design (2007), and Marc Newson (2004).

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Originally based in a former banana warehouse in Shad Thames, it soon grew out of its home and 10 years’ ago the organisation hired former journalist and editor of architectural magazine Blueprint, Deyan Sudjic, to find a new space.

“There was a sense that the museum had achieved all it could in Shad Thames,” the director explains. “It was successful for a maximum two hour visit, but we wanted to grow the audience and offer them more.”

After deliberating over spaces near the Tate Modern, the V&A, King’s Cross and Potters Fields Park by City Hall, Sudjic received a call from the then head of planning at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, David Prout, who revealed that Chelsfield Estates had acquired the former Commonwealth Institute and was looking for a cultural partner to help restore it.

“It was a chance for the council to bring a landmark back to life and for the museum to have a very strong building as its new home,” Sudjic says. “I’m slightly allergic to the idea of creating iconic buildings, but

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Clockwise from left: Xbox Controller; Apple iMac; Wiggle Chair by Frank Gehry; Vespa, all from Designer, Maker, User at The Design Museum

this actually is an icon that already exits, so we were given the chance to bring it back to life.”

When the Commonwealth Institute relocated to High Street Kensington in 1962, it was considered to be the second most important building in London by English Heritage (after the Royal Festival Hall), so it’s a fitting location for the new museum. Originally used to house a permanent exhibition about the nations of the Commonwealth, as well as a library of literature and occasional events, the space was created by Sir Robert Matthew and Johnson-Marshall & Partners especially for the organisation, which was previously located on Exhibition Road in South Kensington. Built to resemble a tent in a park, the building boasts an impressive pyramid-style roof, which was constructed from 25 tonnes of copper donated by the Northern Rhodesia Chamber of Mines.

Sudjic remembers the building well: “I visited it as a child on a compulsory school trip,” he tells me.

“In the 1960s, it seemed like the most modern building in London. It was a kind of utopia, which got me into architecture in the first place.” As a west Londoner, the Institute strikes a few nostalgic notes with me, too; not for its structure, but for the row-upon-row of flags that once lined the courtyard outside, which, as children, my brother and I would often look out for whenever we passed by. Unfortunately, after several years of dwindling visitor numbers and a hike in the cost of the roof’s maintenance, the Commonwealth Institute formally closed its doors in 2002. Since then the space has remained derelict and, aside from a few attempts to have it de-listed and consequently demolished, interest in the space has been largely lacklustre – until now.

This November, the new and improved Design Museum will open its doors at the Commonwealth Institute, which has undergone an extensive restoration.

With the help of architect John Pawson, the space has been converted to allow triple the number of exhibition spaces as the original museum could house, as well as room for design workshops, a library, education spaces, a shop, café and restaurant.

“We’re counting on 650,000 visitors a year, which will bring life to the High Street,” Sudjic says. “We see this as something not only for the borough, but also for London, Britain and the world. We’re very engaged with the local community, but we’re also trying to do for contemporary design and architecture what the Tate did for modern art.”

Along with two temporary exhibitions, the museum will offer a permanent collection, Designer Maker User, which will showcase the development of modern design and will include the Crowdsourced Wall – a display of more than 400 objects that have been nominated by the public as standout artefacts of design.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, nominated the roundel, the logo that has been used to symbolise the London Underground for more than 100 years. “It is a design that has come to represent a city and, in an age of rapid technological growth, the roundel proves that there is still a place for printed graphic design,” Khan said.

Sudjic’s own suggestion for the wall is one that has been decidedly less successful in a digital era. “I’m very fond of a quite famous typewriter called the Valentine. It was designed by an Italian designer called Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, and he made it red,” he says with a smile.

“That was a really interesting idea because he turned boring office equipment into something you can relate to personally with colour, and I’m sure it inspired Jonathan Ive when he started working for Apple. There was that generation of citrus-coloured iMacs, which I’m sure had some relationship with Olivetti. It’s a very clever artefact.”

He jokes that younger visitors to the museum are often confused by typewriters (“they say ‘oh, it’s a laptop that prints immediately’”), but he hopes questions will come thick and fast from visitors after seeing the opening exhibitions. The first show will be Fear and Love, a look at the increasing anxiety that many are feeling about the future of design and the resulting loss of privacy and identity that comes with it; the second will be a focus on Silicon Valley and the way in which it’s taking over the planet. With technology and the internet changing the way we view the world, how does Sudjic think museums will fare in a technologically-driven society?

“Museums have a future in a digital era because it is about a shared social experience, but you need to blend the two,” he muses. “You need a reason to persuade someone to switch their screen off and visit a physical space with somebody, but you also need to communicate to people in the language that they spend most of their time communicating, which is online. Museums have a future because they are full of people; for me the best days are spent going to a museum and seeing it full of people saying ‘wow’.”

The Design Museum reopens on 24 November, 224-238 Kensington High Street, W8, designmuseum.org

FEATURE

Clockwise from left: The World of Charles and Ray Eames, ©Eames Office LLC; The Dome Area at Sir John Soane’s Museum, photography: ©Gareth Gardner; The Tate Modern, image courtesy of: Beazley Designs of the Year at The Design Museum; The Library Dining Room at Sir John Soane’s Museum, as before

The Culture Club Deyan Sudjic shares his top cultural picks from the capital Gallery: “I think what the Tate has done in Bankside is really extraordinary. It has changed the way we see art, it has changed the way London operates and it has made the south of the Thames more connected with the north.

The latest wing has given it some better galleries; it has gone from a single gallery to a neighbourhood.”

Museum: “Sir John Soane was an architect from the 18th century and he had a house in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

He was a prolific architect and he was very keen that his children would follow in his footsteps, but that never happened. When he discovered that one of his sons was writing anonymous attacks on his father’s buildings in the newspapers, he decided to spend all of his children’s inheritance money on creating a wonderful collection of objects in his house. It’s stuffed full of Egyptian sarcophaguses and models and you really feel the presence of an individual there. It’s a great treat to go into this amazing world stuffed full of objects.”

Exhibition: “I really enjoyed The World of Charles and Ray Eames show at the Barbican Art Gallery, and there was a great exhibition at the Milan Design Week finale about 1,000 years of technology, which sounds very technical but was actually done very emotionally. It went from axe heads to an atom bomb, shown in pitch darkness which was rather extraordinary.”

London Landmarks: “I love London; I was born and brought up here. I love the idea of crossing Waterloo Bridge and seeing the extraordinary skyline, and I love wandering through the City when it’s quiet. It’s the overall effect that I find as powerful as individual

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buildings. The thing that I find the most wonderful about London is leaving my house next to Camden Market, which is full of tattoo parlours and body piercing emporiums, and wondering through Regent’s Park past the John Nash terraces, going past Denys Lasdun’s Royal Collage of Physicians from the early 1960s and into central London – to me that’s what a great city should like like.”

Design Era: “The next one.”

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collection

Fit Like A GLOVE Karl Lagerfield has his fingers on the pulse when it comes to Chanel, as the creative director has just inspired the French house’s new J12 model. The black-and-white J12 XS collection emulates the designer’s famously monochrome style and the limited-edition range of lambskin fingerless gloves (onto which the watch can be strapped) directly references Lagerfeld’s own signature pairs. One of the most impressive pieces is the J12 XS large watch cuff (pictured), which wraps around the wrist and fuses black high-tech ceramic, steel, diamonds and black lacquer. The most notable thing to note about the J12 XS, however, is its size. The miniature model has been whittled down to 19mm – dainty, but full of attitude.

From a selection, chanel.com

Image courtesy of: Chanel

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JEWELLERY

BY OLIVIA SHARPE

Reach for the Stars Bridal and ready-to-wear designer Jenny Packham has created an exclusive fine jewellery collection for Goldsmiths. It comprises three engagement rings – Gloria, Aurore, and Étoile – and each style arrives with matching earrings and a pendant to complete the bridal suites. The threestone brilliant-cut, Art Deco Gloria ring was inspired by the 1920s Hollywood starlet Gloria Swanson, while both Étoile (brilliant-cut single halo) and Aurora (oval double halo) were inspired by the stars in the night sky.

The Jenny Packham Collection, from £750 to £8,300, exclusive to Goldsmiths, goldsmiths.co.uk

All Creatures Great and Small

True Colours In tribute to its historic creativity in colour, Fabergé has replaced the traditional white diamond with emeralds, rubies and sapphires for its latest engagement ring range.

Within each ring and wedding band there is an additional, concealed gemstone of matching colour – placed there to symbolise an unbroken bond between the couple. Each piece also incorporates the jewellery house’s traditional gold-fluting technique, giving them a distinctive and contemporary finish.

From a selection, faberge.com

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The animal kingdom has once again been brought to life in the world of high jewellery in Van Cleef & Arpels’ latest collection.

From elephants and giraffes to parrots and penguins, from monkeys and koalas to ladybirds and butterflies, each creature in this menagerie-inspired line has been immortalised in the form of precious clips (presented as a pair or singularly) adorned with diamonds and gemstones. The eternal faithfulness of penguins (known to mate for life) has been illustrated by the jeweller in a tender composition, featuring diamonds, black onyx and two shades of coral on the base to represent their icy setting, while the mysterious allure of the mythical phoenix has been depicted in golden mother-ofpearl and diamonds.

Noah’s Ark collection, from a selection, vancleefarpels.com

Heart of Gold The modern day trend for rose gold engagement rings has been given a timeless appeal thanks to Tiffany & Co.’s latest collection. As part of the celebrations to mark the 130th anniversary of the famous Tiffany Setting (first introduced in 1886 by founder Charles Lewis Tiffany), the jeweller has reimagined this classic ring design – featuring six platinum prongs that elevate the central stone above the band – in contemporary 18-karat rose gold. The ring also comes with a matching rose gold and diamond pavé wedding band.

Tiffany & Co., 145 Sloane Street, SW1X, tiffany.co.uk

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theKing

Return of

As the mastermind behind Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak and Patek Philippe’s Nautilus, watch designer Gérald Genta practically invented the luxury sports watch industry. Five years after his death, his creations continue to inspire a raft of sporty reinventions. chris hall reports Ask a watch designer which watch they admire more than any other, and there is an overwhelming chance you will get only one answer: Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak. I have lost track of the number of times this has happened to me – in fact, I’ve stopped asking. Of all the watches made in the last half-century, it occupies a mythic status unmatched by anything else.

The reasons why are not complicated.

The Royal Oak laid down a template for a whole new style of watch, singlehandedly changing perceptions of what a luxury watch could be. It was, and is, the original luxury sports watch.

It spawned a legion of successors (some would say imitators), creating a niche that no self-respecting manufacturer could afford to ignore.

Its defining features were its angular, multi-faceted steel case and integrated bracelet (the links appear to flow directly from the case without the need for a pair of lugs). Like the Rolex Submariner, its status is such that it’s almost a brand in itself – you rarely, if ever, hear it described as ‘the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak’.

Created for the Italian market in particular, the Royal Oak was the creation of Gérald Genta, a designer who – in large part thanks to this very story – became the most famous and successful watch designer of the 20th-century.

The myth is so well-known among watch circles that it’s almost folklore. Tasked with producing something dynamic, luxurious yet sufficiently durable for young, affluent signores to wear on the beach, he defied the accepted wisdom that only precious

Above: Royal Oak chronograph, £45,500, Audemars Piguet

Collection

Above, from L-R: Ingenieur Automatic, £4,650, IWC; Overseas Small Model, £43,800, Vacheron Constantin; 5980/1AR-001, £45,270, Patek Philippe; Polo S, £8,650, Piaget; Laureato, £8,750, Girard Perregaux

metals were good enough. It was so difficult to make, ironically, that the prototype shown at Baselworld in 1972 was actually white gold. But, soon enough, the real (steel) deal was proving immensely popular.

While it is true to say that the Royal Oak began an entire category of watches, it’s more true to say that it was Genta himself who made ‘sports luxe’ a thing. Having lit the spark with the Royal Oak, he continued by reinventing IWC’s Ingenieur (the Ingenieur SL) and – probably his second most famous work – created the Patek Philippe Nautilus, both released in 1976.

He continued in the same vein, producing integrated bracelet designs for the likes of Omega (which failed to capture the imagination in the same way), and when he established his own brand, his flagship watch was a piece called the Octo, which had a steel case and bracelet, and an octagonal bezel with a round dial.

Even the landmark pieces of this genre that Genta didn’t design are often attributed to him. The third most significant sports luxe watch, Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas, was long thought to have originated from a Genta design; however, it was Jorg Hysek who created the 222, the Overseas’ forefather. Likewise, for all its similarity to the Royal Oak and Ingenieur, the GirardPerregaux Laureato was not Genta’s work either.

Casual observers of the watch industry will know that the past five or six years have been characterised by a tendency to look back, to revive, to pay homage.

Our collective appetite for ‘heritage pieces’ has known no limit, and watches from the 1970s have been hit hardest of all.

In 2013, IWC brought out a range of Ingenieurs bearing close resemblance to Genta’s SL. Bulgari has made hay with the Octo, proving its versatility with ‘finissimo’ ultra-thin versions and most recently a minute repeater. Other brands have cashed in on the Genta-

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revivalism without the need to have been there in the first place – check out the Glashütte Original Seventies, launched in 2011, for a quirky alternative.

This year, the trickle became a stream. Vacheron Constantin went first, debuting an overhauled Overseas in January (followed by world timer versions over the summer). It’s the most emphatic revamp the Overseas has had for more than a decade, with platinum-cased perpetual calendars, ultra-slim pieces and Vacheron Constantin’s first in-house automatic chronograph to boot.

March saw Girard-Perregaux bring back the Laureato as part of the brand’s 225th anniversary celebrations. The watch may not be getting the attention of its more storied colleagues, but it’s compelling enough that, as it is limited to just 225 pieces, many will be left wanting.

In July, Piaget re-launched its lynchpin of the 1980s, the Polo, as the Polo S. Neither a 1970s watch nor one of Genta’s design, it nevertheless qualifies – just look at it – though Piaget could have been braver with the new design.

So, 2016 has already been defined as the year of sports luxe revival – and the best is yet to come.

This year represents the 40th anniversary of Patek’s Nautilus, and it’s understood that a new version will land just in time for Christmas.

What’s interesting, of course, is that the Royal Oak has never needed reviving. It may have seen mutations over the years – right now, AP is glorying in a full-fat range of yellow gold Royal Oaks – but the basic shape is unchanged and, crucially, if you pick one up tomorrow, it remains as impactful and captivating as it was 44 years ago.

Genta may have sown the same seeds at other brands, but the original, as is so often the case, remains the best. No wonder so many designers love it.

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collection

WORLD

of WATCHES

BY RICHARD BROWN

In Pursuit of the Perfect Pilot’s Watch Sporty sister brand to the more classic Frédérique Constant, Alpina has cornered the market when it comes to affordable action watches. Its latest innovation, the Startimer Pilot Automatic Chronograph, is a distinctly ergonomic piece, boasting highly legible sub-dials and luminous indexes. Military dial colours come in either black, petrol blue or dark green. Alpina’s distinctive red triangle sits at 12 o’clock. A date window is found at 3 o’clock. Fans of early pilots watches will appreciate a large 44mm case, an oversized screw-in crown and chunky leather strap. It’s yours for £2,090. alpina-watches.com

Farer’s Mechanical Debut

Riding Dapper A sea of monocles, moustaches and vintage motorcycles washed its way through London on the last Sunday of September, as the capital played host to the annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. The cause?

Prostate cancer and suicide prevention. The event? The largest motorcycling charity event in the world. Founded in Sydney in 2012, the DGT now inspires more than 50,000 riders in over 500 cities to don their finest get-up and jump atop their cherished café racers.

London’s riders progressed from Stratford’s Olympic Park to Regent’s Park, via Tower Bridge, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.

Earlier this year, DGR-title sponsor, Zenith Watches, unveiled its Heritage Pilot Ton-Up at Baselworld. The brand subsequently created five special DGR editions of the watch, featuring the event’s logo at six o’clock, a unique tan leather strap, and an intricately engraved case-back. The Zenith Watches Team was the largest to ride in the DGR this year, collectively raising more than £52,000. gentlemansride.com, zenith-watches.com

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While in recent years we’ve witnessed an explosion in home-grown ‘fashion watches’ – think the battery-powered quartz creations of Olivia Burton, W. T. Author, Shore Projects and Sekford – you can still count the British brands producing serious numbers of mechanical watches on one hand – Bremont, Christopher Ward, Schofield and Pinion will get you to four; Farer will now take you up to five.

Until recently, Farer was in the business of creating fashion watches. Now, the 2014-founded company has announced its first collection of automatics. As with all of the UK’s native mechanical watch brands, Farer is still reliant on Switzerland for its self-winding movements – the ETAproduced Calibre 2824-2, in this case – but names such as Beagle, Endurance and Hopewell nod toward the brand’s decidedly British underpinnings. The three, 39.5mm timepieces are designed to be unisex. Each comprises a stainless steel case and a sapphire glass caseback, through which a Farer-engraved, oscillating weight is visible. Retailing for £875, the pieces sail straight to the top of the ‘best-for-under£1K’ watch category. farer.com

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WELCOME TO MAPPIN & WEBB

BY APP OINTMENT A service that brings you beautifully crafted bespoke engagement rings, created at our London workshop by master jewellers with decades of expertise. mappinandwebb.com

REGENT STREET OLD BOND STREET FENCHURCH STREET

spotlight Under the Hammer In its 250 years as an auction house, Christie’s has seen many a remarkable artefact pass through its halls, including J.M.W. Turner’s The Blue Rigi: Lake of Lucerne, Sunrise (pictured), Elizabeth Taylor’s legendary jewellery collection and numerous Star Trek paraphernalia. Now, to mark its 250th anniversary, the auction house is releasing a commemorative tome looking back at the historic sales that have taken place over the centuries. Going Once: 250 Years of Culture, Taste and Collecting at Christie’s will reveal record-breaking sales, including a Rothschild Fabergé egg that sold for £9 million in 2007, celebrity possessions and rare treasures uncovered in the most unlikely of situations.

Available 24 October, £39.95, uk.phaidon.com

A detail from a painting by Joseph Mallord William Turner, R.A., The Blue Rigi: Lake of Lucerne, Sunrise, 1842. Sold 5 June 2006, London (page 96), ©Christie’s Images Limited 2016

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promotion

GOLD

Rush

How Sharps Pixley is making investing in gold more accessible than ever before

Dating back to 1778, the Sharps Pixley brand is one of London’s leading gold dealers, and this year, it opened its state-of-the-art showroom in St James’s. It is the only Londonbased bullion trader providing this style of retail physical precious metal bars and coins to UK investors on the high street. Its aim is to simplify and demystify the gold market, as well as to expand the reach of precious metals and create new ways in which people can invest in them.

And now that the brand has its own showroom, it’s easier than ever before to browse, learn about and buy gold.

The trend of investing in gold has increased in recent years and is seen as a rewarding investment, holding its value; which is even more important given the volatility of stocks and shares in recent months. Offering a range of investments, buyers can purchase anything, from one gram gold bars starting at

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From top: Gold bar worth approx. £34,000; Gold sovereign

approximately £35 to market bars at £400,000 at Sharps Pixley, as well as a selection of UK minted coins that carry no Capital Gains Tax, and coins from other countries.

The showroom also boasts one of the UK’s most advanced safe deposit box facilities – providing a secure and unbeatably convenient storage solution for central London. With more than 2,000 safe deposit boxes of varying sizes, they are not only reserved for metal investors, but are also available for a range of users with different demands and needs.

The brand also offers an unrivalled online information platform where customers can browse precious metals’ news for free, as well as having the opportunity to purchase them. What are you waiting for? Visit them in store or find out further information online.

Sharps Pixley Limited, 54 St James’s Street, SW1A 1JT, 020 7871 0532, sharpspixley.com

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Illustration: Mai Osawa

LOCAL LIFE Images courtesy of: Proud Galleries ©2016 Bill Wyman Archive (Bill Wyman/Ripple Productions Ltd.)

Photography: Robert Workman

Rolling with the Stones

Proud Chelsea invites us to get up close and personal with the Rolling Stones as it showcases a series of never-before-seen photographs captured by the band’s former bassist Bill Wyman, who celebrates his 80th birthday this year.

Around the World in 80 Years: Photographs by Bill Wyman provides a behindthe-scenes insight into the adventures of the prolific band, from their formation to global fame. Wyman has hand-picked a selection of snaps, including Mick Jagger reading The Bible and Brian Jones en route to the band’s 1967 European tour. Until 27 November, 161 King’s Road, SW3, proud.co.uk

Dancing on Ice

To mark its 10th anniversary, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland has enlisted the ice skating prowess of worldrenowned group The Imperial Ice Stars, who will re-enact Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker on ice. Created especially for the attraction, the show will put the skaters to the test with challenging lifts and impressive throws. Expect to see Strictly-style costumes, acrobatics and fire dancing. From £11.95, 18 November – 2 January 2017, Hyde Park, hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

spotlight on the royal borough of Kensington & Chelsea: news, events, reviews & local interest stories

Image courtesy of: Royal Collection Trust, ©HM Queen Elizabeth II 2016, Anthony van Dyck by Sir Peter Paul Rubens, c.1627-8

A Novel Idea Guests of the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel can learn a thing or two about the life and literature of the Royal Borough, as the hotel has partnered with Belgravia Books to open a new library of reads written by authors with a connection to the area.

Housed in the Lowndes Bar & Kitchen and the newly refurbished Map Room function space, the selection includes a number of famous titles, including Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. To offer some guidance, each book contains an explanation for its inclusion in the collection – who knew Mozart wrote his first symphony on Ebury Street in 1764?

Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel, 21 Lowndes Street, SW1X, jumeirah.com

A Good Cause

Those already on the hunt for stocking fillers (we salute you) should pay a visit to the prestigious annual Beauchamp Bazaar in aid of Ormiston, which returns Photography: Andy Barnham for its fifth year, this time at new location St. Columba’s Church. The event was originally launched by luxury leather goods designer Trevor Pickett to raise money for less privileged children in the east of England. Shoppers can peruse a range of carefully selected boutique stalls of the finest homeware, clothing, food and wine from London and beyond. £20, 1 November, 4-9pm, St. Columba’s Church, Pont Street, SW1X, eventbrite.co.uk

Art and Soul

Pre-selfie sticks, the best way to dabble in a spot of self-expression was to take a paint brush to an easel. Rembrandt, Rubens, Lucien Freud and David Hockney are artists that haven’t shied away from a self-portrait or two, a fact that is being highlighted at The Queen’s Gallery this November when Portait of the Artist opens. The exhibition will showcase both self-portraits by the world’s best artists, as well as paintings of their friends, relatives and pupils. £10.30 for an adult ticket, 4 November – 17 April 2017, The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, royalcollection.org.uk

Photography: ©Museo de Arte de Ponce, Flaming June by Sir Frederic Leighton, The Luis A. Ferré Foundation, Inc.

Image courtesy of: Cadogan Estates

A New Flame Let There Be Light

Chelsea’s Duke of York Square will mark the start of the festive season with the annual switching-on of its Christmas lights. The square will also host special shopping offers and carolling on the day, all to precede its Christmas Shopping Weekend in early December, where exclusive in-store offers will be available, along with a gourmet gift market full of handmade crafts and tasty treats.

12 November, Duke of York Square, SW3, dukeofyorksquare.com

For the first time since it was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1985, Flaming June – the 19th century work of art by painter Sir Frederic Leighton – will return to its Notting Hill home for an exclusive exhibition.

Discover the incredible story of this piece, from its creation to its disappearance during the 20th century and its rise to international fame. To help put the image back into its original context, a selection of Leighton’s other works will also be on display. From £6, 4 November – 2 April 2017, 12 Holland Park Road, W14, leightonhouse.co.uk

covering kensington, chelsea, knightsbridge, holland park & notting hill

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&

ART ANTIQUES

BY REBECCA WALLERSTEINER

Handmade in Chelsea The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair opens its doors once again in Chelsea’s elegant Town Hall and this year marks its 10th anniversary. Craft lovers can look forward to beautiful, unusual pieces on display – including ceramics, glass, textiles, furniture, handbags, jewellery – all made with individual love and care. Meet the makers of inventive products, for instance Daniel Latorre Cruz, who creates paper lighting from recycled materials, and Carole Waller, who will be showcasing her hand-painted silk garments and scarves. Visitors will also find heaps of inspiration for quirky, original presents that will delight your loved ones this Christmas.

11-13 November, Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, SW3, handmadeinbritain.co.uk

Image courtesy of: Handmade in Britain 14

Images courtesy of: Jonathan Clark

Heads Up Finishing on 1 November, it is your last chance to see the exhibition of heroic busts sculpted in the 1990s by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi at Jonathan Clark Fine Art. “The sitters he chose for these late masterpieces are heroes that point towards Paolozzi’s inner threads,” comments the gallery’s eponymous founder. “Many from the world of science and philosophy – and an ocean away from the celebrity sitters chosen by Andy Warhol.”

Clearly there is a link to the heroic tradition of classical busts of personalities pursuing pedestals. As works of art, they have a vigorous presence that can be alarming, personal and extremely physical.

Very like the artist himself.

Heads, until 1 November, 18 Park Walk, SW10, jcfa.co.uk

Nest by Porky Hefer, 2016, South Africa Kooboo cane and steel

Mobile Shop by Toyin Loye, Nigeria, 2015. Aluminium cut-out and mixed media

Celebrate African Art

Artist of the

month

In the Flow

Themes & Variations will present the first exhibition in the UK to focus on contemporary African design, featuring sculpture and artworks created by African artists. Each designer proudly references their visual heritage by incorporating traditional themes into contemporary design to create beautiful yet functional works. As the celebrated writer Maya Angelou has written, “There is an image, an idea of Africa that lives deep in the human imagination… It is alive within each one of us on a primordial level, inexplicable, yet undeniable.” Special pieces include Hamed Ouattara’s elegant cabinets imaginatively constructed from recycled oil drums, Porky Hefer’s suspended cane Nest, and magical storytelling baskets made by Gone Rural Collective.

Seeking Africa, Design / Art across a continent, 6 November – 16 December, Themes and Variations, 1231 Westbourne Grove, W2, themesandvariations.com

Specialising in beautiful, original ceramics, The Flow Gallery in Notting Hill Gate showcases some of the best artists working today. One of these is Maria Kristofersson, a Swedish contemporary ceramicist, whose work is characterised by natural lines and beautiful imperfections. This month, the gallery will present a solo exhibition of new, exquisite objects crafted by her.

“Drawings and painting are the basis for Kristofersson’s work in clay,” comments Yvonna Demczynska, the gallery’s director. “She works using earthenware clay with a restrained colour palette of terracotta, white and black – juxtaposing the fragile and vulnerable with robust and strong shapes.” The artist believes that expression is the important element within her ceramic practice, not functionality. The familiar forms of boxes and cylinders act as a canvas for her subtle surface textures. No doubt one of these beautiful ceramics would make a wonderful Christmas present for an art lover.

Lines and Surfaces, Solo Show by Maria Kristofersson, 4 November – 11 February 2017, 1-5 Needham Road, W11, 0207 243 0782, flowgallery.co.uk

Images courtesy of: Marchant

Blue and White

Small Pussy Willow bowl, image courtesy of: The Flow Gallery

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Run by the same family for four generations, leading Asian art dealer Marchant will be holding a stunning exhibition of 34 pieces of Kangxi Chinese porcelain to coincide with Asian Art Week in London this month. Many people (myself included) have become obsessed by Kangxi porcelain. Of particular interest is an imperial porcelain blue-and-white and underglaze copper-red deep bowl, delicately painted with a carp leaping from crested waves beneath the sun, among three lotus flower heads and encircled with carp, crab, prawn shells, arrow heads and aquatic plants on a stylised wave ground. It was formerly in the O’Byrne Collection.

Kangxi Blue and White and Under glaze Copper Red: Marchant, 2-18 November, coinciding with Asian Art Week in London, 3-12 November.

From Saturday 5 November, 11am-8pm, late night opening, Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm, 120 Kensington Church Street, W8, 0207 229 5319, marchantantiques.com

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& ANTIQUES

ART Heart of Glass

“René Lalique explored the technical and artistic potential of glass as a medium. He redefined commercial scent bottle packaging by designing bottles for François Coty that replaced the pharmaceutical vials employed up until this point,” comments Joy McCall, director of 20th Century Deco Art at Christie’s.

Besides creating car mascots that elegantly articulated the preoccupation of the golden age of speed, Lalique furnished and decorated homes with tableware, centrepieces and lighting, and produced public works for buildings and world fairs. By the 1930s, he was France’s biggest glass manufacturer, employing 600 people. Today his pieces are sought after by collectors. Besides a selection of vases, the dedicated Lalique sale at Christie’s on 16 November comprises perfume bottles, inkwells and an elegant mirror, as well as pieces with a provenance from his mistress.

Lalique (over 120 lots), Christie’s South Kensington, 16 November at 2pm, christies.com L-R: Oiseau de Feu centrepiece, 1922, clear and frosted with paginated bronze illuminating base, R. Lalique, 17 in. (43.2 cm) high, estimate: £20,000-30,000; Eglantines Mirror, 1921, clear, frosted and sepia stained, with enamelled white metal, R. Lalique, 17 in. (43.2 cm) diameter, estimate: £7,0009,00o; Christie’s images Ltd. 2016

Image courtesy of: Winter Art & Antiques Fair, Olympia

Winter Wonderland

Top of the Pops

Bringing together more than 100 international art dealers, the annual Winter Art & Antiques Fair in Olympia offers a carefully curated mix of unusual pieces from antiquity to contemporary. Now in its 26th edition, the fair’s rich spectrum of work includes Meissen porcelain, Jurassic fossils, rare clocks, silverware, furniture, paintings, jewellery, and much more. Highlights this year include a pair of coral, diamond and 18-karat gold earrings from the 196Os presented by Anthea AG Antiques, plus an elegant Japanese bronze of a roaring tiger courtesy of Laura Bordignon. After enjoying curator talks (from British Museum and Wallace Collection experts), a brasserie and champagne bar run by Royal caterers Mosimann’s is an excellent place to meet friends for a much-deserved glass of fizz and delicious bites.

Winter Art & Antiques Fair, Olympia, in association with BADA and LAPADA, 31 October – 6 November, Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, W14, advance tickets from £15, olympia-antiques.com

Newly opened gallery Haynes Fine Art is throwing open its doors this November to reveal an exciting show of drawings and photographs by iconic Pop artist Andy Warhol, many never-before-seen. “Andy Warhol was a talented photographer with a great eye for detail and composition,” says Tony Haynes (eldest son of the renowned international dealer). “He wielded the camera in his compulsive desire to document the time in which he lived.” Obsessed with fame, Warhol often used his photographs as the basis for celebrity portraits and silkscreen prints. Included in the exhibit are his photographs of singer Debbie Harry when she was at the height of her fame in the 1980s, along with other well-known faces of the era, including Sylvester Stallone, Ozzy Osbourne, and the Jacksons.

Pimlico Goes Pop, 3 November – 7 December, Haynes Fine Art London, 70 Pimlico Road, SW1W, 0207 730 7778, haynesfineart.com Image courtesy of: Haynes Fine Art

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THE JOY OF GIVING Treat someone special to an ELEMIS experience with our luxury Gift Card at The House of ELEMIS, Mayfair

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promotion

The Face of

Good Fortune Earl of Gowrie

Francesca Lee-Rogers meets the man behind some of Belgravia and Kensington and Chelsea’s most famous bronze portraits, Bryan Ellery froM placid English aristocrats to boisterous Chinese shipbuilders, Ellery has portrayed a fascinating array of personalities from around the world, always insisting that the sculpting should be done in their own homes where he says, “they tend to be more themselves”, before adding, “I also get to see the world!”

Various local residents have sat for him in central London. For example, the late Andrew Dalton, one time Mayor of the Royal Borough, and the Earl of Gowrie (pictured here) who, Ellery remembers, kept on a bow tie at all times, and loved listening to Maria Callas at high volume.

Ellery’s sculpting career had an inauspicious start, when at the age of seven, he built a caricature of his headmaster in clay, for which he received three strokes of the cane. But, later at Exeter University, he gained a better response when he produced a prize-winning bronze of his professor, Moelwyn Merchant, a copy of which is now in Eton College Library. Moving on to Exeter Art College, he abandoned what he felt was “too traditional” portraiture, becoming intoxicated by the spirit of the sixties, even joining a rock band, moving to Italy, teaching at Urbino University and putting on Photography: Sarel Jansen sculpture shows exhibiting what he describes as ‘English Pop’.

But as the years went by, the lure of ‘the face’ once again became paramount and he returned to his favourite occupation. “Making a portrait of another human being is the greatest privilege imaginable to me,” he tells me frankly.

Indeed, it’s Ellery’s skill in being able to capture someone’s real uniqueness that makes his work stand out. Ever the modest man he tells me: “Portraiture is such a frightening challenge. I’m insecure enough in front of each new face to wonder whether, in each and every case, I will succeed.” Over many years he has donated his portrait

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skills to help charity drives in local London schools, such as Garden House School in Belgravia, and Thomas’s in Kensington and comments, “it always provides quite a large sum for the charity,” and often, he adds wryly, “a follow-on commission for myself!”

So many faces, so many characters and so many places, make Ellery a fascinating man, and his work even more so.

To commission a portrait, visit bryanellery.com

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P I CK A C AR D. AN Y CAR D.

50 paper colours, 36 tissue linings, 26 ink colours and 4 exclusive print processes.

Welcome to the widest choice of bespoke stationery options available online.

Welcome to the Club Elizabeth Finney looks through the historical keyhole to uncover the secrets of the prestigious Linguists’ Club

spotlight

Unbeknown to many, a house called Niddry Lodge once stood on the patch of land now occupied by the Kensington and Chelsea Town Hall.

From 1965 until the building’s demolition in 1972, Niddry Lodge was the home of The Linguists’ Club, an enigmatic private members’ establishment founded in 1932 in Kingsway before moving to Chester Close in Belgravia, with the eternally vibrant Principal Teddy Pilley at the helm.

Born in Paris in 1909 to famous Jewish artists Leopold and Lena Pilichowski, Ari Thaddeus Pilichowski (his birth name) emigrated with his parents to St John’s Wood when he was four – throughout his life he was affectionately known as Teddy. After meeting his wife Nora in Holland, the pair bought the name of The Linguists’ Club and began to build up and manage the institution throughout the 1930s, but his extensive work as a leading linguist and interpreter took him off to more than 60 different countries, where he collected a lifetime of exciting stories and unusual encounters.

During WWII, Mr Pilley was posted to Aldergrove in Northern Ireland where he served as squadron leader before becoming a station intelligence officer in the RAF. He was quickly recommended by his brother-in-law to become a linguist at Bletchley Park on the Enigma code operation.

He was one of several responsible for distilling messages into a minimal form prior to being encoded and radioed to the various battle fronts. Warm, humble and hard-working, Mr Pilley has been described as having an unusual energy, which enabled him to carry on his work as an interpreter until 1975, alongside his duties at The Linguists’ Club.

The Club opened its second location at Niddry Lodge in the 1950s, as the growing number of members called for more space. It was a hive of intellect for those over 18 years of age, buzzing with linguists, translators and language students. It was open six days a week, from 11am until 11pm, and would host a vast array of Conversation Circles, discussion groups and social activities – the keynote atmosphere of the place was informality. There was only one strict rule – Circles were not to sway towards the subjects of politics, religion or sex. An affirmation of this notion is the Club’s motto, “Se comprendre, c’est la paix”, meaning “peace through mutual understanding.”

There were both regulars, who would plan their lives around the events, and guest members. No matter the length of your membership, every newcomer would receive a unique card and number, all of which were handwritten on 5x3 filing cards and stored in a database that was kept meticulously up to date – not unlike the system at Bletchley Park.

In addition to linguistics-related activities, there were weekly evening

dances, ping-pong and chess tournaments, foreign film nights, Scottish dancing or fencing classes, and even a group swim of the Channel in the early 1960s. Members would stretch out in front of roaring open hearth fires in the winter and stroll through the gardens in summer – smoking tobacco while practising French, Italian, Spanish, German, Dutch and even Esperanto. One account recalls Mr Pilley asking the occupants of the Snack Bar what languages were being spoken in the room, to a cheery response which included Portuguese, Polish, Danish and Yiddish.

Judging from the extraordinary amount of saved thank you cards, lovingly-curated black tie dinner speeches and photographs preserved by the Kensington Central Library, the Club flourished well into the 1960s and became a second home to residents, visitors and celebrities alike. This included the likes of astronomer Fred Hoyle and author Richard Bergmann. After the war, being an active member of a London social club was hugely desirable. The Club at Niddry Lodge was often referred to as The Linguists’ Club School of English and was a sanctuary of learning through socialising, experience and interaction, meaning academic qualifications were irrelevant. Its atmosphere was revered – the well-honed ambience of a relaxed ‘home away from home’.

The Club ran at a loss, but Mr Pilley worked ferociously to keep the two locations running smoothly.

This he did throughout his time at Bletchley Park and when he was made Officier d’Academie by The Order of Academic Palms in France, as well as when he helped found the Association of International Conference Interpreters and Institute of Linguists.

The Club began its graceful decline in the 1970s – the Council oversaw the lodge’s demolition to make way for the new Town Hall, and in 1975 the remaining period of the lease on The Linguists’ Club in Chester Close was bought back by the Grosvenor Estate, the same year Mr Pilley’s wife Nora died. Though Mr Pilley passed away in London in June 1982, some faithful club members tried to continue the Club at rented premises in Lower Belgrave Street.

The Linguists’ Club had a staggering total membership of roughly 70,000 people, from nearly every single country across the globe, from the 1930s to the 1970s, and boasted many ‘Club Babies’ – the endearment assigned to the children of couples who had met there. Mr Pilley was one of a kind – an Oxford graduate, keen traveller, avid chess player, RAF squadron leader, Principal and father, among other things. His lifelong career as an international conference interpreter should never be forgotten.

Special thanks to Peter Pilley and Dave Walker

Clockwise from top right: Niddry Lodge - the Red House 1964, Niddry Lodge - The Linguists’ Club poster Opposite page: Cartoon by Raymond Jackson from the Saturday Magazine

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23 K EN S I N GTON PAR K ROAD , W 11 2EU S U N S P E L .C O M

sunspel-advert.indd 1

12/09/2016 16:06

fashion

Weight in Gold With its signature burgundy bag, Cartier has made its mark on the accessories industry, championing this particular shade as the French house’s official colour for leather goods since 1970. The new Must-C collection sees three classic Cartier handbag designs reinterpreted, including the hunting bag and the tote. Featuring subtle changes including a more matt finish and a reworked logo, the range remains true to the Cartier identity – elegant and individual in style and finish.

From £1,250 for the small saddle bag, 143-144 Sloane Street, SW1X, cartier.co.uk

The Bucket Bag, £1,510, image courtesy of: Cartier

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Photography: Mario Testino, A/W16 campaign starring Gigi Hadid

Long The

Run

As Stuart Weitzman generates footfall with its first ever UK store on London’s Regent Street, Olivia Sharpe speaks to its eponymous founder about breaking into the shoe business and the many highs of his career

fashion

“I just like to see a good game. I often enter the stadium hoping someone will win and then find myself rooting for the underdog because I like to see a long battle.”

Stuart Weitzman is full of surprises. Had it not been for the shoe designer’s soft American twang as he speaks to me on the phone from his New York office, I firstly would have believed he was a Brit, as we discuss his love of tennis and the temperamental English weather. Secondly, had I not known he was a septuagenarian, I would have felt sure he was in his 30s or 40s. At 74, he is so full of life and vitality that he no doubt puts far younger men than himself to shame.

Weitzman’s thriving shoe empire continues to go from strength to strength, as this November sees his brand’s first ever flagship boutique in London. With Stuart Weitzman footwear currently being sold in more than 70 countries worldwide and with over 78 retail stores across the US and in Europe, it seems very surprising that this is the brand’s first foray into the UK. However, while stocked in department stores such as Harrods and Selfridges, Weitzman explains why he had previously resisted opening a store here.

“London is a city that scares you away because of the high rental costs, but our success in the big stores proved to me that we could tackle it.” After a site became available on Regent Street and with the business on a secure footing, the designer couldn’t miss this opportunity to sell more of his coveted shoes to the world. He refuses to go into too much detail about what the store will look like, but hints that it will have a cooler, “more downtown vibe” than his existing stores as the company strives to meet the demands of the modern day consumer.

Following Weitzman’s decision to sell part of his company’s shares to Jones Apparel Group, the brand has been growing rapidly, generating substantial annual revenue thanks largely to its wholesale business. Jones Apparel Group bought the remaining shares in 2012 before the company was sold in its entirety to Coach in 2015. However, Weitzman only agreed to sell under the condition that he would maintain creative control of the company as head designer.

Weitzman possesses a strong head for business, which is no doubt why his company is the success story it is today – revenue figures at the end of 2014

were reportedly $300 million.

Weitzman was born into the shoe industry, his father having started a factory in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

However, he was initially drawn to the world of finance and so studied business at the University of Pennsylvania in 1963, imagining he would end up on Wall Street. However, fate had other plans for him and his father’s untimely death in 1965 instead led him to join his brother in the family business. It was then that he realised his calling.

“As soon as I started selling shoes, it was so exciting. I had never experienced that feeling before and I hadn’t anticipated it,” he says.

After a few years running the business, Weitzman believed that there was potential in the European shoe industry and so went to Spain to find a manufacturing partner. He joined forces with shoe company Caressa in 1971 and they worked together for several years, before he eventually took full ownership of the company Stuart Weitzman in 1986.

Many companies shy away from investing in their own manufacturing facilities due to the strict EU regulations often hindering the process. Today, Stuart Weitzman operates several factories in Spain, but while a hefty responsibility, it has enabled Weitzman to maintain his company’s unique business model – that of being a luxury shoe brand selling footwear at far more competitive prices than its peers.

“Other designers are having to charge 50 to 100 per cent more for their collections because they are making them on someone’s else plant so it inevitably adds to the overall cost,” he explains. Weitzman’s footwear currently retails from £295 for flats to £735 for boots.

Stuart Weitzman’s signature design, the Nudist sandal, was created in 2013. The shoes made their first public appearance on the feet of actress Diane Kruger at the 2013 Television Critics Association’s summer press tour and are now ubiquitous on the red carpet. The simple, two-strap design featuring a four-inch heel broke with convention for combining comfort and style and is why it has been dubbed “the giving sandal”.

This year, Weitzman attended the CFDA Awards with singer Ciara, who wore an updated version of the Nudist. “Giuliana Rancic from Entertainment Tonight was interviewing us and Ciara was saying how much she loved her shoes, at which point Giuliana

“As soon as I started selling shoes, it was so exciting. I’d never experienced that feeling before”

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Below: ALLLEGS boots, £675

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Photography: Mario Testino, A/W16 campaign starring Gigi Hadid

called out to the crowd, ‘Is there anyone here not wearing Stuart Weitzman?’ I think there were about 16 girls wearing them. If they’d all been wearing the same dress, it would have been WWIII!” Another of Weitzman’s most iconic pairs are the thigh-high Highland boots. The designer was largely responsible for changing people’s perception of this provocative design as an elegant and sexy footwear staple – but he makes no attempt to deny that Julia Roberts’ famous pair in Pretty Woman was his source of inspiration. “I love that movie. There’s a reason why that boot makes them [prostitutes] feel more enticing in their trade, but I wanted to turn it into a shoe that every girl would want. Not every hooker, but every woman.”

Initially, not everyone shared Weitzman’s vision and he had to trial about 19 different designs before he struck gold, adapting the pointed toe into a softer, rounded version and the stiletto heel into a stronger, thicker style.

Gone too was the tacky, vinyl leather sported by Roberts,

instead to be replaced with elegant velvet, soft suede and leather materials. In a fortunate turn of events, the first person to wear the boots was Kate Moss, a woman renowned for her fearless approach to fashion.

“I brought a pair to a shoot with Mario Testino and Kate even though we had never planned on including them,” he explains. “But then I asked her to try them on and she walked over to the mirror and said, ‘wow’ and asked for a pair. I said I would give them to her on one condition – simply tell me why you want this boot and you know what she said? ‘Strong heel’. That was it.”

Moss debuted the exclusive new style in the A/W13 Stuart Weitzman video campaign, Made for Walking, and the results were instantaneous. Following the media frenzy that ensued, women of all ages were ringing Weitzman up demanding pairs. The boots appear to have ageless appeal, worn by everyone, from Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift to Heidi Klum and Jennifer Aniston.

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The forward-thinking designer has always had a democratic approach to design, but only now has the industry caught up with him. “I’ve never acted as a dictator, but the industry definitely used to,” explains Weitzman. “If you’re a good designer you will make one cohesive collection with each style working with any kind of silhouette.”

From round, peep toe, pointed and oval-shaped to high heels, platforms, pumps and trainers, there are endless choices now available and Weitzman believes that the internet is overwhelmingly responsible for women’s elevated confidence with regards to what footwear choices to make.

Weitzman’s love affair with shoes appears to go hand in hand with his love affair with women and this is perhaps why he has never ventured into men’s shoes, finding women’s options far more exciting and diverse. Weitzman first realised the power of shoes to transform the wearer when he was 16-years-old and had fallen in love with a cheerleader.

“I had the serious hots for this girl, but whenever I asked her out she told me she was too busy, but then one day she finally agreed,” he narrates, smiling. “So I borrowed my brother’s car and I picked her up in the suburbs of New York and she was wearing these red leather high heeled pumps. At that moment I got the

message of how shoes can really tell you something about a woman and the message she wants to give off.”

While Weitzman jokes how he considers retirement to be a dirty word, he understands that he must consider the long-term future of his company, especially given that his children have all pursued different careers.

Therefore, he confides how his two-year goal is to put a strong team in place to continue his legacy.

This year, Coach announced Wendy Kahn as the new CEO of Stuart Weitzman and the former head of Valentino has ambitions plans to expand the brand into further product categories. By taking a step back, Weitzman will have more time to focus on his organisation, the Weitzman Family Foundation, which strives to support the American Jewish community and to enrich the lives of Jewish youth through education, sport, and so on.

For Weitzman, the symbolic importance of a person’s shoes can be summed up by fictional character Forrest Gump, who famously said: “My mama always said you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes, where they going, where they been.” And I’m sure if you were to look at Weitzman’s shoes, they would tell a very great story indeed.

A/W16 collection, from £294–£2,298, 200-206 Regent Street, W1B, eu.stuartweitzman.com

“I’ve never acted as a dictator in terms of design, but the industry definitely used to”

L-R: Pavé limited edition and exclusive to Regent Street store, £2,858-2,945; Go Fur It, £698

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Check Mate The seemingly abstract backdrop for Aquascutum’s A/W16 campaign was in fact directly inspired by the original club check print that has symbolised the brand for the past 40 years. Fashion photographer Ash Reynolds is the man behind the camera, who captures the elegance of the new range perfectly. Stars of the show include the updated versions of the brand’s signature trench coats – altered slightly to better flatter the wearer – and the jumper, trousers and scarves that feature the famed check.

From £49, aquascutum.com

Photography: Ash Reynolds

Totes Amazing Michael Kors offers a new take on the classic tote with the Mercer, which has been crafted from pebbled leather and punctuated with the brand’s signature lock charm. The bag accompanies the A/W16 collection, in which 1970s-inspired bohemian style complements sleek tailoring and monochrome palettes, blurring the lines between office and evening attire with transitional outerwear, contemporary suiting, denim and leather.

From £220 michaelkors.co.uk

HER STYLE By lauren stevens

Under the Influence Having stressed the importance of dressing well from your very first layer, Agent Provocateur’s A/W16 collection gives us no excuse not to, offering a carefully line of underwear and outerwear inspired by the label’s long-standing idols Bettie Page and Madonna. New designs have been adorned with decadent pearls and glistening metallic detailing.

The range also comes with an increased size range, spanning from AA-DD. From £110, available at Harrods, harrods.com

The Butterfly Effect

Photography: Bruno Staub

British shoe designer Sophia Webster’s enchanting A/W16 collection of heels, boots and flats embraces the autumn season with an unusually dark colour palette for the typically vibrant brand.

The new range features decadent textures and embellishments in the form of embroidered flowers and feathers, crystal stone-encrusted heels and holographic butterflies.

From £395, sophiawebster.com

Eye of the Needle Needle & Thread is known for its delicate use of colours and artisanal decoration and, since it launched in 2013, it has gained recognition for offering expertly embroidered lace and floral motifs in intricate threads and sequins. For the A/W16 collection, midnight tones fuse with glossy decoration in deep burgundy hues to create a rich combination of autumnal florals, while pink and white lace and vintage lingerie-style detailing offer a delicate touch.

From £195, needleandthread.com

West is Best

Soft Touch With the intention of giving an elegant spin to laid-back dressing, English heritage brand Sunspel reminds us that we can get cosy in style with its new A/W16 collection. The latest line marks the introduction of key knitwear and outerwear developed from fabrics sourced and crafted from the British Isles. It also sees the addition of brand new styles to the existing collection of T-shirts, providing the perfect wardrobe essentials to suit all figures.

From £35, 23 Kensington Park Road, W11, sunspel.com

Tory Burch has designed an exclusive Mini Backpack to celebrate the opening of her new Westfield boutique store on 17 November. Crafted in crocodile-embossed Italian leather, the bag is inspired by a vintage purse that the designer found on Portobello Road. Complementing the existing New Bond Street store, which currently offers the full Tory Burch ready-to-wear and home collection, the Westfield boutique will extend the brand’s London footprint, offering an assortment of handbags, shoes, jewellery, leather goods, watches and eyewear.

Available from 17 November, £410, Westfield London, W12, toryburch.co.uk

The Golden Age

Photography: Billy & Hells

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Christian Louboutin pays homage to the architectural style and clothing of the 16th-century Tudor period with its A/W16 range. A variety of both heels and flats are available in signature styles, offered in an array of fabrics and colours inspired by the era. Laser-cut velvets are presented in traditional Tudor motifs, while engraved pyramid studs, diamond shapes and pearls hark back to the wardrobes of King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. From £495, 23 Motcomb Street, SW1X, eu.christianlouboutin.com

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Coat, £3,630; Jumper, £1,355; Trousers, £1,990, all Ralph Lauren Collection, ralphlauren.co.uk

brigade You don’t have to be Scottish to don tartan: the heritage fabric that dominated the this season’s catwalks can be sported on its own or mismatched with other punchy prints for a town-meets-country sartorial statement Photographer: Helene Sandberg

Stylist: Karen Mullins

Above / Top, £440; Bustier, £1,050; Skirt, £1,350, all Victoria Beckham, victoriabeckham.com; Gloves, £129, Dents, dents.co.uk Left / Coat, £395, Harris Wharf London, available from Workshop, 19 Islington High Street, N1; Dress, £480, Toga, toga.jp; Socks, £10, Falke, falke.com; Shoes, £120, Underground, underground-shop.co.uk

Above / Jacket, POA; Skirt, POA, both Lisa Redman for Holland & Sherry, lisaredman.co.uk; Blouse, £1,140, Ralph Lauren Collection, as before; Socks, £10, Falke, as before; Shoes, £350, Robert Clergerie, robertclergerie.com; Bag, £1,395, Jimmy Choo, jimmychoo.com Right / Coat, £2,295; Dress, £1,995, both Burberry, uk.burberry.com

HAIR: Adam Garland using Cloud Nine and Oribe MAKE-UP: Shama at One Represents using MAC Cosmetics MODEL: Lucy Evans at Select Model Management PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: Max Barlow STYLIST’S ASSISTANTS: Sarah Akinola and Holly Lissack

FASHION

A New Way of seeing Eyewear designer Tom Davies shares the secret to producing his striking frames and reveals plans for the new Carbon Horn collection with LAUREn stevens To British eyewear designer Tom Davies, sporting an ill-fitting or poorly manufactured pair of glasses is equivalent to an offence, a notion that inspired the birth of his eponymous eyewear label. With three bespoke optician stores in London and a new boutique in The Royal Exchange opening in November, Tom Davies is one of the most respected in his field – attracting attention from the likes of Angelina Jolie, Henry Cavill and, most surprisingly, Carrie Fisher’s dog.

“As a thank you for all her frames, Carrie invited me to be her date at the Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiere. I didn’t want to give her loads of glasses in return, so I thought I would make her dog a pair,” he says matter-of-factly. “I sat in my workshop and thought, ‘what can I do that’s nice for Carrie? How can I make a pair of dog glasses fit?’ I had to really think about the size and everything. He tolerated them for about three seconds and then threw them off.”

Apart from being one of the few eyewear designers in the world to have his own workshop, employing more than 100 people​, another factor that sets Davies apart from the rest is the level of skill and precision that goes into making each pair of glasses. The degree of experience required to use a pantograph (the device that creates the frames) is very high and the brand ensures that its bespoke frames are produced by experts in the field.

“It’s not something I can teach anybody – actually, I can’t even do it – and it’s not something that you could learn in two or three months. If you’re a pantograph master you need to have 10 years’ experience. We could hire anyone who can use a pantograph, but we only hire masters.”

And with such high demand for Davies’ frames, it’s little surprise that the designer requires the best of the best.

For some clients, a bespoke frame means a completely new design. “We firstly take a series of measurements and photographs. These then go to the design studio where the eyewear is designed and then sent to the workshop to be made,” Davies explains. “We produce all of our own frames so that every step of the process can be carefully controlled.

This ensures the highest level of quality and craftsmanship.”

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As well as being crafted with meticulous precision, the frames also prove innovative in design, with the Carbon Horn collection being the best-selling across all three of the designer’s stores in Knightsbridge, Chelsea and Canary Wharf. The unusual fusion of the two materials (which took Davies two years to perfect) has proved to be his best invention to date.

“I liked the way the carbon fibre was shining through the horn on the inside, so rather than hiding it I made it a feature. The horn is also very thin and light, and thin frames are very fashionable. People are buying them all over the world,” he says. “On my desk now are 12 more designs for my next Carbon Horn collection, which I’ll hopefully be launching in January. I think the range could well be one of my signature pieces; I could imagine selling them for the next 10 years.”

54 Sloane Square, SW1W, tdtomdavies.com

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Image courtesy of: BOSS

Suits You, Sir For its latest collection, BOSS pulled together the manufacturing prowess of Germany, the plush fabrics of Italy and an eye for stylish tailoring that wouldn’t look out of place on London’s Savile Row. The limited edition Full Canvas collection comprises four exclusive fabrics in two fits (regular and slim), each featuring a canvas lining and bespoke finishes, so you can get involved with the tailoring process, too. Be quick – there are only 1,500 available.

From £1,000, 31 Brompton Road, SW3, hugoboss.com

HIS STYLE

By Ellen Millard

Go the Extra Mile The old adage recommends we walk a mile in somebody else’s shoes before we judge them, but Oliver Sweeney’s latest line of brogues and boots are worthy of being judged on appearance alone. The Unsquare Mile collection is the label’s new, more affordable line of leather footwear that focuses on high quality, smart design and fine detailing. It includes brown Chelsea boots (Finsbury), tan brogues (Bishopsgate) and black monk shoes (Grogan).

Made using a Goodyear welted construction, each shoe is comfortable and hard-wearing too, so that mile hike will be no more challenging than a walk in the park. From £199, oliversweeney.com

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Daddy Cool Proving that its A/W16 collection is both timeless and ageless, Gieves & Hawkes has enlisted the modelling skills of father/son duo Andre and Parker van Noord for its latest campaign. Photographed by Arnaldo AnayaLucca in Hertfordshire and at No.1 Savile Row London, the campaign highlights the label’s cross-generational style, catering for both the countryman and the city dweller. The latest range offers laid-back pieces designed for casual affairs, whether that be a weekend roaming the Scottish Highlands or a short break exploring one of Europe’s finest cities.

From a selection, gievesandhawkes.com

Night at the Opera Anniversaries often incite a sense of nostalgia, so it’s little surprise that Acqua di Parma is marking its centenary by revisiting its Italian roots. The fragrance house’s latest collection, Note di Colonia, takes inspiration from two of Italy’s finest composers, Verdi and Puccini, and the label’s hometown, Parma, where Italian opera is de rigueur. A trio of harmonious scents – Note di Colonia I, II and III – are available in bottles modelled on the first ever Acqua di Parma packaging. Lift the lids for citrusy notes of neroli and bergamot (I), grapefruit and orange (II) and mandarin and ginger (III). £280 for 150ml, available at Harrods, harrods.com

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Photography: Mel Yates for Graham and Green

GREEN LIGHT

lifestyle

Notting Hill’s much-loved homeware boutique Graham and Green has made the cosmopolitan touch easier to achieve with its new A/W16 collection, which draws on European cultures and has been designed with English gardens, French chateaux and Spanish fiestas in mind. The brand has brought the natural world in with the Green House range, comprising key pieces such as a hand-carved headboard, rustic cupboards, ornate furniture and botanical-inspired wall art in rich green and warm blue tones. Graham and Green has also introduced metallic and marble accents to complete the eclectic collection.

From ÂŁ39, 4 Elgin Crescent, W11, grahamandgreen.co.uk

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“THE FRENCH TOUCH IN INTERIOR DESIGN”

Email: e.s@emmanuellesirven.com Tel: +44 (0)7748 098 578

www.emmanuellesirven.com

& GARDEN

HOME

BY LAURA DUNHAM

Image courtesy of: Multiyork

House Warming Those on the hunt for timeless home furniture should take heed of Multiyork’s Diplomat collection, which can now be upholstered in the brand’s extensive archive of fabrics. Previously only available in a range of leathers, the collection can now be designed using one of the 2,000 materials available, including Farley, Menara and Cairo, to name a few. Opt for neutral tones and geometric prints for a look that’s perfect for the season ahead.

From £1,329, multiyork.co.uk

Going Dutch

Talented Dutch designer Frans Schrofer, who is renowned for his mechanical and technical artistry, brings a new innovation to furniture design company Boconcept with the Athena chair. The curvaceous yet light design has specialised cushioning, featuring a shaped backrest and a swivelling, reclining function. Available in more than 120 fabrics and leathers, and with a choice of three different bases, the piece can be designed to suit your personal taste.

From £1,299, 18-24 Westbourne Grove, W2, boconcept.com

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Smells like Festive Spirit Fans of England’s oldest fragrance and toiletries retailer Floris London will be pleased to know that the brand has released its latest home collection, Rose & Oud, in time for Christmas.

Experience the new sweet rose scent, which is wrapped around a powerful oud, cinnamon and clove bouquet with a calming undertone of cedarwood and sandalwood, in the form of a scented candle and room fragrance.

From £25, florislondon.com

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HOME

Image courtesy of: Frette

Heart of Stone Beneath the Sheets From the Ritz in Paris to the dining car of the Orient Express, Frette linens have graced some of the world’s most historical establishments. This year sees the Italian company finally land in London, offering bed and bath linen, home decor and nightwear. Its new A/W16 couture collection offers a reinterpretation of jacquard, a pivotal fabric in the brand’s history. Each design is made using quality yarns to create the luxurious bed sheets, which have reportedly been slept in by more than 500 European royal dynasties. Well, if it’s good enough for a king...

From a selection, 43 South Audley Street, W1K, frette.com

Photography: ©Lalique, Fontana bowl by Zaha Hadid for Lalique

Blooming Marvellous

Crystal Clear

Two years have passed since the late architectural pioneer Zaha Hadid began her collaboration with Lalique. The winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize is renowned for her crystal range, most notably the Visio and Manifesto vases. The latest addition to the collection is the Fontana Mineral Bowl, which encapsulates the fluidity of water and the rhythms of waves. Available in clear crystal, black and midnight blue designs, the piece expresses the elegance of nature.

From £6,900, available at Harrods, lalique.com

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With 25 years’ experience and a growing global influence across London, New York and Oslo, Lapicida has its feet firmly grounded in the stone tiling industry. The company has just launched 12 new marbles, including Carrara, Calcutta and Nero Marquina, all of which are lighter in weight than traditional slabs and can be fitted by any competent tiler. Created in three different finishes – honed, brushed and polished – each style is in keeping with Lapicida’s passion for natural, fine stone.

From £178, 533 King’s Road, SW10, lapicida.com

For wallpaper as colourful as a botanist’s garden, look to the new Jardin des Plantes collection from Designers Guild, a mix of beautifully drawn flowers, bouquets, butterflies and birds in a vast palette of colour.

The new selection is inspired by explorers and botanists from the 1970s, who would search the globe for undiscovered flora and fauna and then record their findings with illustrations.

With blossoming roses printed in four colourways (fuchsia, viola, linen and slate), there is a design to brighten every room.

From £59 per roll, 265277 King’s Road, SW3, designersguild.com

Marianne Wallpaper in Fuschia

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Success

A Nose for

Ahead of the launch of her autobiography, Jo Malone MBE sits down with Ellen Millard to chat Jo Loves, living in Chelsea and how to resuscitate a dog

LIFESTYLE

Jo Malone smells incredible. Has there ever been a creepier opening line to an interview? Perhaps not, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t knocked off my olfactory socks when I sat down with the prolific perfumer. The scent in question? Her very own Pomelo, of course.

“Pomelo is the fragrance I have the biggest relationship with,” she tells me over coffee in her Elizabeth Street shop. “It gave me a second go at creating fragrance and I wear it every single day.” It was this citrusy concoction that catapulted Malone’s second business into being, following a five-year gap between her current business, Jo Loves, and her first, Jo Malone London.

For those of you who still associate the perfumer with the monochrome-packaged Lime, Basil and Mandarin scent, let me bring you up to speed: Jo Malone London was sold to Estée Lauder in 1999 and its founder stayed on as creative director until 2006, when she stepped down following an aggressive battle with cancer. This preceded a five-year lock-out period that prevented Malone from entering the industry, both alone or in collaboration with another brand. At the time, she brushed the clause off, insisting that she would never make a fragrance again. But shortly into her five-year hiatus, the perfumer felt the pull of the chemistry lab once again. “I realised that I missed creating fragrances more than anything.”

It was Pomelo that paved the way for Jo Loves, which launched in 2011 with a pop-up store at Selfridges.

Two years later, the brand’s stand-alone boutique in Belgravia opened its doors.

“When I left Jo Malone London, although it was completely my call, I was still trying to find who I was again after years of chemotherapy. It changed me,” she says.

“When I started Jo Loves, I wanted a clean sheet. To look at life very differently. This brand is all about the things I love, from the fragrance to the people to the packaging.”

Five years since its launch and it’s safe to say that Jo Loves has its feet firmly planted in the fragrance world, with global expansion next on the agenda. It’s for this reason that Malone felt it was the right time to pen her memoirs.

“When you build a business and you sell it, that’s normally the time to write a book, but I didn’t feel emotionally ready. I felt in order for me to write my autobiography, I needed to be standing on a mountainside looking down, not standing in a valley,” she explains. “After I was inaugurated into the World Retail Hall of Fame and recognised as a shopkeeper for Jo Loves, I could feel the roar of that person within me again.”

My Story is a warts-and-all delve into the 52-year-old perfumer’s life, charting her trajectory from a secondary school drop-out to business connoisseur,

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LIFESTYLE

with no detail spared on the difficulties she has encountered along the way, from her cancer battle and subsequent departure from her label, to starting again and building a new brand from scratch.

“Some of it was very painful and some of it made me laugh. I sat and sobbed through some of it,” she admits. “I wanted my voice to be very strong throughout and for everyone to see who I really was. I think people assume that I’m a certain person because they’ve followed the brand for a long time.”

I get the impression that trying to make the world differentiate between Jo Malone the brand and Jo Malone the person has been a particular sticking point for her, and while she politely bats off any questions about her former business, it isn’t out of bitterness, but because she’s making sure that the past doesn’t preside over the present. That was then, and this is now.

For the record, Jo Malone the person is both laid-back and focused, sometimes candid and at other times reticent, at one point steering the conversation in the direction she wants it to go and at another going off on a tangent about the correct way to resuscitate a dog (“God forbid I’d ever have to, but I think it’s a really good thing to know”).

Her ambition is palpable and she wears her hardships like a shield, but she strikes me as the kind of boss you could have a glass of wine with, too. In fact, her office celebrates ‘pink Fridays’ – a weekly tradition where the team gets together and toasts the triumphs of the previous five days – whether that be finding a bottle cap or booking a huge contract with Net-a-Porter.

It’s clear to see how she has achieved success not just once, but twice.

She lights up when I ask about her MBE, for which she flew her New York-based doctor to the UK especially for the ceremony. “I was so excited to see him that I shut the feather of my pink hat in the car door and snapped it off,” she laughs. “To be honoured by your country for doing something is so amazing. I was standing in a room full of soldiers who had done so many heroic things – and Kylie Minogue as well.”

When not concocting new scents, you can find

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Malone in Chelsea, the home of her first eureka moment with her eponymous brand and where she still lives. She describes herself as “a real local girl” and reels off an extensive list of restaurants and shops when I ask for her favourite haunts.

“I love the Thomas Cubitt (they do the best Sunday lunch in the world), Colbert on Sloane Square for breakfast and Manicomio for a glass of wine after work. The fishmonger on Chelsea Green does the best fish,” she says. “There’s a little flower shop on Sloane Square called Jacques and they have the best lilies. I never buy flowers from anywhere else. I love The White Company, and my wardrobe consists of 40 per cent Louise Kennedy.”

Next on the agenda for Jo Loves is global domination, which Malone and her team have been quietly coordinating for the past few years. “You can’t assume you can just walk into another territory – you have to go and prepare the groundwork first. We’re doing things in Dubai, China and America, but I’m not going to tell you whereabouts,” she grins.

It may have been a bumpy road for Malone, but there are few people who’ve mastered the fragrance industry as well as she has, stealing the show with her aromatic concoctions that have decked the shelves of many a beauty cabinet for the best part of two decades.

It’s not a bad feat for somebody who has often spoken of how she struggled at school – a period made worse by her dyslexia, which is so severe one teacher told her that she would never amount to anything. ‘Who’s laughing now’ is a phrase that springs to mind, but Malone strikes me as someone who has never lived her life to suit others.

“I don’t create fragrances that other people think are the right thing,” she says, simply. “I create a fragrance because I think it’s the right thing. An artist doesn’t paint a picture so that everyone else loves it.

They paint a picture because that’s who they are, and I create fragrances because that’s who I am.”

Jo Malone: My Story is out now, £20, 43 Elizabeth Street, SW1W, joloves.com

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Elenique - bespoke skin treatments to make you feel unique 959-961 Fulham Road London SW6 5HY

Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 10am - 8pm Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 5pm

Sunday 10am - 4pm

020 3637 4549 contact@eleniqueaesthetics.co.uk www.eleniqueaesthetics.co.uk

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HEALTH BEAUTY Photography: ©YSL Beauté

BY Olivia sharpe

The Going Out Look As the nights draw in, it is no time for subtletly when it comes to your make-up. YSL Beauté creative director Lloyd Simmonds has created a range of sparkling, party-worthy products this season. Go all out and emulate the bejewelled look as seen at the Burberry A/W16 show with the YSL gold eyeliner with golden crystals and accompanying four star and four moon dots, each of which can be placed around the corners of the eyes. Alternatively, the shimmering eye palette with shades of plum, bronze and metallic rose (also featuring two lip colours and a pink highlighter) is bound to get you noticed. Get ready to glitter.

From £19, available from 2 November, yslbeauty.co.uk

Skin Deep

Light as a Feather Guerlain recaptures four of its original scents, inspired by the seasons, that were created by in-house perfumer Thierry Wasser. Artisanal designer Janaïna Milheiro was called upon to design the exquisite bottles (limited, signed and numbered to just 21 or 22 per fragrance), which incorporate ‘feather beading’ – an intricate technique akin to embroidery whereby 100 feathers are meticulously assembled in a painstaking process that takes a total of 15 hours. £12,500 each, exclusive to Harrods, harrods.com

Uncover the secret to radiant-looking skin with Liz Earle’s new book. The beauty expert reveals how she has maintained her flawless complexion over the years not simply by using her miracle Cleanse & Polish, but through her daily lifestyle. Inside you will find a six-week wellbeing programme guaranteed to result in a healthier complexion. Accompanying this are 80 easy-to-follow recipes to help you nourish skin from the inside out. Skin by Liz Earle, £25, orionbooks.co.uk

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TightenUp The BTL Exilis Elite system is an award-winning treatment that tightens and rejuvenates the skin – and luckily for local residents, it can be found in Fulham, at Elenique Aesthetics, says Elizabeth Finney I’m welcomed into a pristine white room by Elena Gogolenko-Cudworth, who is qualified in clinical aesthetics and provides a range of skin treatments using high-end technologies. One of these is BTL Exilis Elite.

This is an advanced aesthetic system used for noninvasive skin tightening and the reduction of lines and wrinkles, as well as for body contouring and cellulite reduction. It has won multiple awards, is FDA-approved for cellulite reduction and medically proven to reduce lines and wrinkles.

As I take my seat, Elena explains the effectiveness of the treatment and how it works. The system can be used on both the face and body, and introduces radio-frequency waves into the skin in order to heat the collagen. This stimulates growth and the formation of new collagen, something that diminishes significantly with age. It’s completely non-invasive and pain-free, allowing clients to get on with their day. She shows me some case studies and I’m amazed at the results. The targeted areas appear smoother, tauter and slimmer.

Having asked me to remove all my jewellery, Elena places a grounding pad on my right shoulder blade. She then talks through my medical history and asks me which areas I’d like to target. She explains how the high levels of heat used to attack the fat cells might make my skin look slightly red, and that the system has a temperature control if I start to feel uncomfortable. Elena applies a nutrient-rich gel to my skin to help the device move across it smoothly, much like an ultrasound, and then begins.

She runs the Exilis in circular movements around my skin, and the heat is actually very pleasant – I’m reminded of sunbathing in a very hot country. I relax, enjoying the massage-like treatment without any discomfort. It’s all over before I know it – the gel is removed and my skin is cleansed before being applied with an advanced moisturiser with hyaluronic and peptides that gives anti-ageing benefits and deep hydration. I look in the mirror and, though there’s a touch of redness, there are no obvious marks from the treatment.

I leave feeling cool, calm and collected, excited about my next treatment. Elena has made it clear that while some immediate improvements may be visible, clients are

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typically advised to have a course of four treatments every seven to 14 days to achieve the best results.

Treatment prices on request or at a no obligation consultation. 959-961 Fulham Road (entrance on Burlington Road), SW6, 020 3637 4549, eleniqueaesthetics.co.uk

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LUXURY BATH & BODY AND HOME FRAGRANCE COLLECTIONS MADE IN ENGLAND

www.lilouetloic.com

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Kids KINGDOM

BY LAURA DUNHAM

Rock On Young animal lovers longing for a four-legged companion no longer have to daydream, as the latest rocking horses from Dragons of Walton Street make for the perfect playmate. The classic horse model embraces the essence of the British countryside, while the zebra, tiger and unicorn versions allow their imaginations to run wild.

Handcrafted in tulipwood or English chestnut, they have been designed to stand the test of playful tykes. From £5,760, 166 Walton Street, SW3, dragonsofwaltonstreet.com

Images courtesy of: La Coqueta Kids

Just Roll With It Merging style and comfort while on-the-go can be tricky, but the founders of Avery Row have answered parenting prayers with the Go Everywhere Mat. Whether it’s for a play date at home or a trip to the park, the mat is suitable for many surfaces and, with a base made from premium waxed cotton, it is machine washable – so you can rest assured that it stays germ-free. Featuring soft geometric shapes and bright colours, the accessory makes for a stylish substitute to drab alternatives on the market.

From £65, avery-row.com Photography: James Robinson

Feeling Sheepish There’s no need for kids to seek shelter from the cold thanks to La Coqueta’s new A/W16 collection. For its coats and gilets, the Spanish brand has merged classic tartan prints with natural materials, such as sheepskin, in an autumnal colour palette of burgundy, green and brown, creating a range that can be easily layered to keep children warm during the winter months. From £28, lacoquetakids.com

Telling Tales The annual South Kensington Kids Festival returns this November, promoting culture and the arts through drawing competitions, storytelling and jazz performances. The eminent Quentin Blake, who is a patron of the festival, will be present for an evening of music and poetry, during which he will launch his new French collection and honour his connection to authors and illustrators from France. A screening of The BFG will close the week’s festivities in honour of Roald Dahl’s 100th anniversary.

From £5, 14-20 November, Institut Français, 17 Queensberry Place, SW7, southkenkidsfestival.co.uk

Image courtesy of: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Hyde Park

Bears and the Bees The much-adored teddy bear Winnie-the-Pooh is coming to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Hyde Park for a winter adventure to mark his 90th anniversary this year. Families can enjoy a one night’s stay in one of the luxurious suites, full English breakfast and a honey-based afternoon tea, with treats courtesy of The Hive Honey Shop. Guests shall also receive a 30-book Winnie-the-Pooh box set and teddy bear cuddly toy on arrival.

Pooh Bear package, from £1,000, available until 31 December, mandarinoriental.com

Image courtesy of: Rain by Sam Usher

All That Glitters The festive season is upon us and we are calling out for sequins and sparkly shoes. The Party Boutique, which recently launched at Harrods, offers a range of dresses and accessories that are ideal for Christmas festivities. Featuring notable brands including Lesy, Milly Minis, Hucklebones and Wild & Gorgeous, the boutique is located on the fourth floor of the department store and incorporates a vintage, French theme.

From £18, Fourth Floor at Harrods, harrods.com

Creature Comforts Rather than littering your home with dull throws, why not pamper your pooch with a stylish duvet from Hector Hartley? Made using Englishsourced materials, the duvets will complement your home with their simple designs, arriving in denim, natural linen stonewash and cotton fabrics. Each duvet can be used as a pillow, mattress or blanket, so even the fussiest of pups will be looked after.

From £35, hectorhartley.com

A Touch of Frost Child’s play often involves gamboling outdoors and conjuring up enchanted lands – and the latest Scotch & Soda collection is inspired by such pursuits. The girls’ Scotch R’Belle and boys’ Scotch Shrunk ranges look to the Scottish Highlands and the traditional dress of the lords and ladies who resided there, incorporating a mix of tweed, tartan and velvet textures. A quirky edge and vibrant details add a fun, contemporary twist to the designs.

From £14.95, scotch-soda.com

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Photography: ©Liz Coleman, Madaboutgreys Photography

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B R YA N E L L E RY b r o n z e p o r t ra i t s

commissions undertaken b r ya n e l l e r y. c o m

high life Here to stay If you’ve ever wondered how the other half lives and what their top holiday destinations are, a peek inside Condé Nast Traveller’s new tome, Chic Stays, will go some way towards satisfying your curiosity. Curated by the magazine’s editor, Melinda Stevens, the book explores 36 hotspots frequented by the likes of Sofia Coppola, Sir Roger Moore, Stella Tennant, and many more. Discover the private island favoured by Cara Delevingne, the Scottish hideaway where Kate Winslet finds rare moments of peace and the 15th century palace turned luxury hotel that apparently Jeremy Irons never wants to leave once he has arrived.

Available 27 October, Chic Stays, £55, assouline.com

Photography: ©Condé Nast Publications Ltd, UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa, Trancoso, Brazil

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Travel

THE WORLD

By Dorothy musariri

Welcome to Miami A private sun deck, sweeping ocean views and luxury furnishings – these are just some of the surprises that await you at the new Nautilus South Beach hotel. Miami’s latest hotspot recently unveiled 50 new suites and a penthouse, which spans 1,495 sq ft. The suites are all unique in their design and cater to guests’ individual needs – they can choose from having one with its own Jacuzzi or a kitchen with a wine fridge.

Alternatively, the beautifully decorated penthouse features a living room, kitchenette with dining area, a master suite and private access to the rooftop terrace (also available for guests in suites) so you never have to leave the comfort of your abode.

From $2,500 for a suite and $5,000 for the penthouse for a week, sixtyhotels.com

Closer to Home

Home Away from Home

Image courtesy of: Sixty Hotels

Photography: Mel Yates

The Perfect Getaway The British winter has well and truly set in and at the top of our to-do lists is finding our next getaway.

Whether it’s a skiing trip in the Alps or a break in the Maldives, the Luxury Travel Fair will make searching for your perfect holiday stress-free. For four days, sunseekers can enjoy a glass of bubbly at the Louis Roederer champagne bar, mingle with celebrities and receive expert travel advice from leading personalities, including Nicholas Crane and Kate Adie, who will be on hand to help you tailor-make your next trip. Passports at the ready.

3-6 November, tickets from £8.50, luxurytravelfair.com

The newest addition to St Mawes Retreats – a collection of luxury coastal cottages in the heart of Cornwall – makes for the perfect winter break.

With four en-suite bedrooms, a grand piano and an enviable location just 200 yards away from the sea, the Penolva house is the ideal retreat for a family of five or a group of friends this Christmas. On arrival, guests will be treated to a glass of mulled wine, mince pies and a hamper stocked with champagne and feative treats to kick-start the celebrations.

There will also be a host of luxury services available to ensure visitors fully relax and unwind during their stay, from private chefs and housekeeping to child-minding.

From £4,500 for a one-week stay in The Penolva, stmawesretreats.co.uk

Get a Room Luxury boutique hotel concierge Mr & Mrs Smith has collaborated with British lingerie and nightwear designer Olivia von Halle to create a limited edition Get a Room gift card. Inspired by von Halle’s Marrakech Resort 2017 collection, it will make a great gift for Christmas as card holders will have access to all Mr & Mrs Smith hotels, including La Réserve Ramatuelle in Saint-Tropez, The Harmony Hotel in Costa Rica and The NoMad Hotel in New York, to name a few.

From £50, mrandmrssmith.com

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Photography: Mornington Montalto Piazza, Melbourne by Sharyn Cairns for The Luxury Travel Fair

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dsb_A4_advertisement_AW:Layout 1 22/05/2015 11:47 Page 1

where heritage meets contemporary elegance. dorsett shepherds bush, london

discover more telephone +44 (0) 203 262 1026 info.shepherdsbush@dorsetthotels.com dorsetthotels.com/london/shepherdsbush

Photography: Nick Smith

Highlands to Islands from

From the wilderness of the Ngorongoro Crater to the white coral beaches of a desert island cast adrift in the Indian Ocean; when it comes to luxury and beauty, Tanzania offers the best of both worlds, says Nick Smith

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t’s officially one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and as soon as you stand at the crater’s rim, you can see why. Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater isn’t like any other African safari experience. To gaze over the 100 square miles of pristine savannah and montane forest – perfectly encircled by the planet’s largest unbroken caldera (the technical term for this type of volcanic basin) – is to gaze over a world before human existence. As one of my companions said as we drove down the steep, bumpy road to the crater floor, it’s like entering Jurassic Park.

The big difference here, though, is that this isn’t the movies – we are in the heart of authentic Africa.

As we drive along the bush trails, there are buffalo and wildebeest, zebra and gazelle, elephant and lion. In the distance there are rhinos and in the swampy lakes, there are hippos. And we are surrounded by birds. From the graceful flamingos that somehow maintain their distance from the camera lens, to the glittering malachite sunbirds that are too quick for it, there’s as much in the way of avian diversity as can only be dreamed. It’s a genuine 360˚ panorama and for those who compared it to the fictional Jurassic Park, it’s in fact time to lose the film references. This is biblical, and the words ‘Garden of Eden’ spring to mind.

To see such wonders, you really have to travel off the beaten path, and so it’s not so much strange as true that not many Britons visit Tanzania, compared with Kenya or South Africa. In fact, more people turn up at Wembley Stadium for an England football international than visit Tanzania annually. While others submit themselves to the monotony of conveyor-belt game drives at more popular and accessible African destinations, here in Tanzania, visitors will feel as though they are the only tourists. If paradise were easy to get to, everyone would go there.

Of course, that feeling of seclusion comes at the cost of internal flights in light aircrafts and bumpy roads. Forget about trying to charter a helicopter because, as handy as one would be, they’re not allowed into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. And quite rightly so. The attraction of the Highlands is their blissful seclusion and the last thing anyone wants is chopper blades in their sunset photos.

But more importantly, the road trip is part of the adventure. As you drive through, you pass old Africa of semi-nomadic and pastoral tribal people.

On the faraway hills you see Maasai cattle herders robed in their traditional shukas and the bomas of the local villages. The Maasai here aren’t putting on a show for tourists. This is the genuine Africa of bygone millennia.

And this is the way the tribe lives today.

At the end of the single-track, dusty road there’s a welcoming sight. It’s a small camp for intrepid travellers, and we’re greeted by the staff of the Asilia Highlands lodge with a cheery ‘jambo’ (hello in Swahili), as well as much-needed frozen towels and ice-cold drinks. If I’d been expecting the camp to be of the traditional tented variety, I soon found that Asilia Highlands is instead a breathtaking series of futuristiclooking geodesic domes facing east into the sunrise.

Quite apart from being extremely comfortable and highly novel – they are based on a lattice-shell design pioneered by American architect Buckminster Fuller – for the green traveller the domes tick environmental boxes, too. First, well, they simply blend in naturally with the landscape; and second, Asilia’s location within the conservation area means that you can’t put up permanent buildings. A full solar plant provides energy, while a biogas digester produces the gas required for cooking. Rainwater is collected to produce drinking water by reverse osmosis, while used water is recycled for washing vehicles. It’s a safari camp with an ecological and geometrical twist, not to mention an overwhelming sense of privacy.

You won’t stay in your own dome for long because the heart of the camp is a communal fireplace where everyone gathers, with a bar leading off in one direction and a restaurant the other. We sipped sundowners on a wooden terrace that faces out towards the Empakaai Crater to the east. In contrast to dinner, which is a leisurely affair eaten safari-style at a long table, the morning meal is a moment of refueling, watching the sun rise over the Gol Mountains before heading off on a game drive.

There are 25,000 animals to see in high concentration, so you don’t want to miss anything. Lunch is a sumptuous bush picnic in the shade of an acacia

Thanda is the perfect antidote to the early mornings and long hikes of the Highlands

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tree, with ironed linen tablecloths, silverware and plenty of G&Ts. If you have any energy left, in the evening the guides at Asilia will take you to a local village where there is traditional dancing and a chance to buy beaded jewellery.

Tanzania’s coast is as lovely as its mountainous interior. After our Highlands experience, we board a Cessna bush plane from a red earthen airstrip at Lake Manyara that will take us over the palm-fringed Zanzibar coast to Dar es Salaam. Here we switch to an even smaller aircraft destined for Mafia Island, just south of the equator.

A speedboat awaits us for a 45-minute jaunt across the turquoise waters to a tiny island called Thanda that has quickly earned a reputation as one of the world’s most exclusive barefoot luxury getaways.

Taking it easy on Thanda is like nowhere else on earth, and that’s largely due to the fact there will be no one else around for literally miles. It’s a private island and so you either book the whole thing or you don’t book at all.

Because there are only five en suite rooms (plus two new traditional Tanzanian banda), you’ll only be able to bring your closest family and friends with you.

Developed by Swedish philanthropists Christin and Dan Olofsson, the island was originally their own idyllic bolthole from which they created the surrounding marine nature reserve. Now there’s an opportunity to sample private island life for yourself. At $10,000 a night it comes at a cost. But with that, you get your own executive chef, boatman, housekeeper, hostess and, for those who haven’t yet worked out how to relax, Wi-FI internet access.

Even before you jump out of the speedboat you can see that Thanda is special. The villa itself looks like a beachfront house straight out of the Hamptons, except for the fact that it’s the only one on the island and the sea is warm enough to dive straight into. After the intensity of wildlife watching comes the jet ski, infinity pool and the Steinway. That’s right, there’s a grand piano, several lovely guitars (a banjo and a mandolin, too), a cigar humidor, indoor aquarium, and 1.2km private beach where the only other inhabitants you’ll come across are reef heron and a few crabs. If Robinson Crusoe had found himself marooned on an island such as this, I bet he’d have done his level best not to be rescued. This was a sentiment confirmed within me as we sailed away one morning from Thanda to an even more remote sandbar, where we had

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an al fresco champagne breakfast with only a few hundred terns for company.

Even in a place such as this, it is possible that you might need the occasional change of scenery and so there are day trips available. Perhaps the best of these is to Chole Island off Mafia, where life seems to have changed little over the centuries. Chole’s 1500 or so inhabitants live a stress-free life, mainly it seems because there are no motorised vehicles (unless you count the local ambulance, which is a motorcycle and sidecar.)

A brief tour of the island takes in crumbling colonial architecture, traditional dhow building, a noisy colony of fruit bats and the timeless mud and wooden houses of the people who call Chole home. There’s fantastic diving here too, but the call of snorkeling back at Thanda, where the reef sharks come right up to the shore, seemed more inviting.

This exquisite coral island with its tropical gardens is the perfect antidote to the early mornings and long hikes of the Highlands. In fact, it’s becoming something of a ritual now that Tanzania is a twin activity destination. Watching the finest wildlife show on earth in the Ngorongoro Crater can be a bit demanding for sure.

At night it’s bitter cold and by day it’s boiling hot, and your bones get shaken around on the long bumpy roads, but it’s worth the effort. It’s a life-changing experience that calls out for the luxurious reward of a few days of tranquility ‘beach style’ before heading home with Africa in your heart once more.

more information Nick Smith travelled as a guest of The Explorations Company, which offers tailor-made packages for families and friends. A seven-night Tanzania safari for 10 people starts at £5,985 per person and includes four nights at Asilia Highlands and three nights at Thanda Island. This includes full board accommodation, activities and transfers, plus international flights with Kenya Airways from London Heathrow. For more information and bookings, contact: 01367 850566 or visit: explorationscompany.com

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Photography: Nikki Mohan

SilverLining Nikki Mohan becomes a cruise convert following her recent seven-day voyage around the Aegean on Silver Spirit, operated by Silversea Cruises

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Brought up on tent, car and bicycle holidays, I never really fancied the idea of a cruise. Up until now, I had always believed the negative stereotypes surrounding them – they’re long, tedious, outdated and monopolised by old-age pensioners playing shuffleboard. However, my husband has always been sold on the idea of a floating hotel, so this year I caved and for the first time we took to the high seas for a week in late July.

After our experience on cruise ship Silver Spirit – a seven-day voyage around the Aegean – I am a convert. The combination of comfort, superb food and wine, great entertainment and nearly 1-1 ratio of staff to passengers (including our very own butler and maid) made the overall experience truly unforgettable. There is a reason why cruises are one of the fastest-growing

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sectors of the holiday industry and I recommend everyone to get on board.

Silver Spirit is one of the eight ships operated by Silversea Cruises, one of the last privately owned lines.

Silversea is run by Italian family, the Lefebvres, from their headquarters in Monaco. A new flagship for the fleet, the Silver Muse, will be launched in 2017.

The ships are purposefully small by cruise standards, ranging from 110 to 596 passengers, so you will quickly start to see familiar faces in the bars, restaurants and shore trips.

And as the trips are very far-reaching – from the discovery voyages to the Galápagos and Antartica in smaller ships, to the more conventional luxury cruises around the waters of the Mediterranean – you are likely to meet similar-minded people on whichever voyage you choose to embark.

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Local difficulties in Istanbul meant that part of our trip was rerouted so that it started and finished in Greece. Fortunately, we did manage to touch Turkey at both the small port of Dikili on the northwest coast of the Aegean, and at the far larger Kusadasi, which is located much further south. Here you will find a massive shopping opportunity – exquisite Turkish carpets, clothing, jewellery, genuine designer leather and the endearingly named ‘fake fakes’.

If you can tear yourself away from the shops, you’re within easy reach of Ephesus, one of the great cities of the ancient Greco-Roman world. Its mile-long central street – with the remains of terraced houses, theatres, temples, fountains, hospitals and bathhouses and, above all, the magnificent library – is breathtaking.

At the 25,000-seater amphitheatre, firebrand St Paul attempted to convert the city’s inhabitants and was roundly booed off. In the end, Christianity prevailed so for pilgrims, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John are sacred.

While there’s a myth prevailing that one never gets to see much of the places you stop at on cruises, we didn’t find this to be the case and fully took advantage of the many sightseeing opportunities. Among the Greek islands – we visited Patmos, Santorini, Rhodes and Mykonos – our favourite was Rhodes. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese and the legendary Knights Hospitaller have all left their mark. The Knights built the beautiful medieval city, much of which remains intact today, helped by some splendidly idiosyncratic restoration work done by the Italians under Mussolini.

Compared with Santorini and Mykonos (both islands popular with the jet-set) Rhodes is inexpensive and accessible. We loved both sightseeing and sitting leisurely in a shady café in the ancient city drinking beer, eating by far the best squid of the trip and watching the world go by.

For each destination Silversea organises an introductory lecture and a choice of tours and activities with excellent local expert guides. For those who would rather be independent, local tourist officers come aboard at each port and offer advice on shopping, local buses and taxis, and which are the best beaches to visit with the prevailing winds;

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this was especially useful in famously blustery Mykonos.

The only problem with short cruises is that there is so much to do that you could be constantly busy from morning to night and not find time to relax and unwind.

What with lectures, shore trips, fitness sessions, beauty consultations and singles’ meeting times – not to mention the excellent onboard art gallery (with expert curator and some eye-watering prices), library, casino and so on – you might need another holiday to recover.

Our solution to this conundrum was to take a few shore trips, ignore the gym (although we did once make the requisite number of turns around the top deck to complete a mile) and focus on wine, food and music. There were some excellent wines aboard and our favourites could be procured at every bar. Glass in hand, one can listen to solo piano, duo or string trio, or the excellent Voices of Silversea – a group of six singers who performed everything from pop to opera with beguiling wit and enthusiasm, masterfully catering to all musical tastes.

On our last night, we reluctantly tore ourselves away from talented 22-year-old Sophie Bond’s cabaret performance to go and listen to the wonderful voice of Helene, one half of the Jazz Duo, who entertained guests at the Stars Supper Club each evening.

Foodwise you can eat very well in your suite or take your pick from one of the many restaurants on board, ranging from French, Italian and Asian cuisines.

Our most memorable dining experience was when we were personally introduced to one of the ship’s head chefs, Ramesh from Bangalore (where my husband grew up), who created a special menu for us and two friends.

It was with great regret that we disembarked at Athens, gazing enviously at our friends who stayed aboard for the next leg of the voyage to Venice. Next time my husband suggests a cruise I shall accept without hesitation.

more information Silversea’s Silver Spirit departs on a nine-day voyage from Lisbon to Barcelona on 13 April 2017. The voyage calls in at Portimão, Cádiz, Gibraltar, Malaga, Cartagena, Ibiza and Valencia before arriving into Barcelona. Fares start from £2,950 per person based on double occupancy of the Veranda Suite. For more information visit silversea.com or call 08444 251 0837

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CHARLOTTE RHYS CAPE TOWN Indulge yourself in our unique formulations. A fusion of silky textures, luscious fragrances and precious natural ingredients.

NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK CHARLOTTE RHYS is proudly vegan & eco f r i e n d l y a n d e n d o r s e d b y B e a u t y W i t h o u t C r u e l t y.

Please call to find nearest stockist ENQUIRIES: Tel: +44 (0)1256 840840 • Email: enquiries@charlotterhys.uk.com w w w. c h a r l o t t e r h y s . u k . c o m

The Macallan Rare Cask A single malt produced through meticulous dedication to wood, The Macallan Rare Cask is aged exclusively in sherry oak casks. This unique expression sees soft notes of opulent vanilla and raisin pique the nose, giving way to a sweet ensemble of apple, lemon and orange. ÂŁ200, available at Harrods

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Promotion

Raise aGlass Discover the history behind The Macallan and the time-honoured cask process still used today

Never has a drink caused such a sensation as the Martini did in 1964, when Sean Connery’s James Bond first uttered the phrase “shaken, not stirred”. But avid fans of Ian Fleming’s novels will know that the character often favoured a whisky over a cocktail, a fact that film buffs finally cottoned on to in Skyfall, when Daniel Craig cracked open a 50-year-old bottle of The Macallan’s finest.

While Bond may have been slow on the uptake, the rest of the world has been enjoying the distillery’s liquid gold for a little while longer – 192 years, in fact. Founded in 1824 in Scotland by farmer Alexander Reid, who leased eight acres of land from the Earl of Seafield, The Macallan’s distillery was one of the first in Scotland to be legally licensed and is still located on the same grounds today as it was when it was first established.

Nearly two centuries later and the brand is still committed to the original founder’s dedication to high quality spirits, and many of its older single malts have become highly-coveted collectors’ items – in 2014, The Macallan M Imperiale 6-litre Lalique decanter sold at auction in Hong Kong for $628,000. Today the barley used to create each batch is still grown on the grounds surrounding The Macallan Estate, and the spring water used is drawn from its very own springs that are located on site.

The warehousing process, on the other hand, is decidedly more international: while still located in the Scottish distillery, the wooden casks used for maturation are made out of wood from forests located in both America and Spain. “We use two types of oak: Quercus

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Alba, an American white oak, and Quercus Robur, a European oak,” The Macallan’s Master of Wood, Stuart MacPherson, explains. “These two varieties give us different styles, characteristics and colours, which complement a number of our products.”

The American oak is sourced from forests in Ohio, Kentucky and Missouri, whereas the European oak mainly comes from the north of Spain. The production for each cask is a lengthy process and can take up to six years to mature. “After cutting the logs in the north of Spain, we leave the wood to dry naturally for a period of time to reduce the moisture before transporting it to the south, where we leave it for a further two years to dry,” MacPherson says. “You then have the cask construction and seasoning process – we season with dried sherry – and that takes an average of 18 months. Then we deliver the casks to the distillery in Scotland.”

At this moment in time, more than 250,000 casks are maturing at the distillery. The quality and type of oak used is fundamental to the creation process, with 80 per cent of each whisky’s characteristics and 100 per cent of its colour coming from the wood itself. “The Quercus Alba cask will give you a much lighter colour and more vanilla and citrus flavours, while the Quercus Robur will create a much darker shade and a flavour of dried spices, chocolate and citrus,” MacPherson says. “The combination of these two types of casks and what it creates gives us more opportunities.”

While MacPherson jokes that he wasn’t around in 1824, he affirms that the maturing process is likely to be very much the same as it was 192 years ago. “Like most industries today, machinery has taken over some of the more arduous tasks, but fundamentally a cask that has been made now would have been the same in the 17th century.”

Almost two centuries down and still counting, what does the future hold for The Macallan? “I think The Macallan as a brand has grown significantly in the last 15 to 20 years. It’s probably one of the largest single malts in the Scotch industry now,” MacPherson says proudly.

“I like to think that with the popularity of the brand and the new emerging markets that there are worldwide, the brand will hopefully go from strength to strength and that consumers from all over the world will have the opportunity to sample our whisky. Things are looking very positive for the growth of The Macallan for the future.”

Cheers to the next 192 years. themacallan.com

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What the Puck?

Vegetarians, look away now: Wolfgang Puck is bringing a whole new meaning to the term ‘meat lover’ with a new menu of wagyu beef specials at his restaurant CUT at 45 Park Lane. On a recent visit to the UK, the Austrian chef discusses cooking for the Obamas and his admiration for Lady Gaga with Ellen Millard There are few cooks who truly live up to the ubiquitous accolade ‘celebrity chef’ as much as Wolfgang Puck does. The Austrian cook is no stranger to an A-list diner, with Barack and Michelle Obama (he likes the Sichuan beef and she the lobster dish with a side of dumplings) and Jay Z, Lionel Richie and Tom Cruise (steak fans, of course) having all marvelled at his culinary prowess. He’s had his own fair share of moments in the spotlight, too, including appearances on Iron Chef America: Battle of the Masters and Wolfgang Puck’s Cooking Class. That’s not to mention his job as the official caterer for the Academy Awards Governors Ball, a title that he has held onto for the past 21 years – nearly a quarter of the ceremony’s existence. But like many a chef before him who has been gifted with the foodie moniker of fame, Puck is not best pleased with the title. “I’m a chef, why celebrity?

You don’t say celebrity actor,” he quips. “My profession is a cook. ‘Celebrity’ is a silly phrase.”

Born in a small town in Austria, Puck was taught to cook by his mother, a pâtissier, who he helped in the kitchen during his summer holidays. He left school at

Images courtesy of: 45 Park Lane

14 to work in a kitchen as an apprentice, but it wasn’t until he visited the late Raymond Thuilier’s L’Oustau de Baumanière in the south of France when he was 19 that his love for the stove truly came to fruition. “As a family we were very poor growing up; we only had meat once a week,” he tells me over a glass of Negroni in the bar at 45 Park Lane. “When I went to Thuilier’s restaurant my love of food came alive. It was a revelation. I remember saying, ‘I want to be like him’.”

Tuilier recognised the young chef’s passion and took him on as an apprentice. From here Puck went to work at Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and at Maxim’s de Paris before uprooting to Indianapolis to work for La Tour. After two years, he moved to Los Angeles where he co-owned Ma Maison, before opening his first – and most famous – restaurant, Spago, in 1982. Now, Puck heads up more than 20 fine dining restaurants and more than 80 Wolfgang Puck Express operations.

His first eatery in Europe, CUT at 45 Park Lane, opened in 2011. “In 2009, when the economy was really bad, we had six restaurants in Los Angeles and six in Las Vegas. I realised that we had all of our eggs in one basket, so I decided to expand overseas,” Puck explains. “At that time there weren’t any upscale steak houses in London.”

How times have changed, but even in a city with more than its fair share of carnivore-pleasing restaurants, Puck’s stands out for its delectable cuts of meat. The most recent edition to the menu is the Snake River Farms’ wagyu beef, which was personally sourced by the chef and comes in the form of Indian spiced short ribs with curried corn purée, burger sliders with red wine and, of course, steak.

Puck describes the meat as “a cross between Japanese and American beef”, creating a taste that is rich but not so rich that you couldn’t wolf down an entire sirloin’s worth – ergo, the perfect kind.

For Puck, the importance of good quality ingredients is something that was instilled in him from an early age. “When my mother would make vegetable soup she would just go into the garden and pick up leeks, carrots and a cauliflower,

Drinking&Dining

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Drinking&Dining

and make the best soup. Now everybody talks about going from 'farm to table', but for us that was a way of life,” he shrugs. “I remember one kid in my neighbourhood somehow got hold of a can of pineapples and we thought it was the most amazing thing. Forget about the fresh berries that we could pick in the forest; we thought exotic things came in a can.” Nowadays, Puck is a little more keyed up on the art of fine dining, but his relationship with fresh produce has remained the same. “For me, good cooking has always started with great ingredients,” he says. “I am yet to see a chef buy mediocre strawberries and make a good strawberry cake.”

As somewhat of a veteran, Puck has seen much change in the culinary industry. He pits Latin American and Chinese cuisines as the ones to watch, but admits that the foodie revolution has had a positive and negative spin on the industry.

“When I arrived in America in the 1970s, being a chef was not a profession. I remember going dancing in a club in LA with a girl and when I told her I was a cook she took off. After that I always said I was a racing car driver,” he jokes. “Now it has gone the other way and so many chefs are famous for the wrong reasons; they're good on TV, but not in the kitchen.”

This seems to be a particular bug bear of his.

“People should be patient and learn the profession before going on television or opening their own restaurant,” he warns. “That’s really the most important thing. If you want to be a musician you need to play an instrument really well first, and the good ones

do. Look at people like Lady Gaga: she can play so many different things and it’s amazing.”

The Lady Gaga of the foodie world, Puck conquered the kitchen before embracing his TV personality. He's since appeared on American Idol and has had acting roles on Frasier, The Weather Man and The Simpsons, although he’s quick to tell me that he has no desire to be an actor. Still, he’s well-practiced at being in front of a camera, having cooked and presented numerous times, so much so that tending to both a stove and an audience has become second nature to him.

“I’m a professional; I’ve done it so many times.

It’s like asking if I think swimming in the ocean is challenging – well, it could be, if there are 10 ft waves,” he laughs.

“The same thing applies to cooking; if you have no equipment then it would be challenging. I just did Saturday Kitchen and it was a breeze.”

Easy living seems to be a recurring theme for Puck, who is incredibly laid-back despite his busy schedule.

I imagine his kitchen is devoid of Gordon Ramsay-style tantrums, namely due to his passion for the job. “I don’t know how many people there are out there who can’t wait until it’s five o’clock and they can go home, but for me it’s the opposite,” he says smiling. “I wake up in the morning and I have so many ideas. I can’t wait to go to work.”

CUT at 45 Park Lane, W1K, dorchestercollection.com

“People should be patient and learn the profession before going on television”

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& DINING

DRINKING

BY ELLEN MILLARD Photography: Paul Winch-Furness, images courtesy of: Peyotito

review

Modern Mexico

Good as Gold “I’ve got 99 champagne bottles but a miniature golden design ain’t one” is what we imagine Jay Z said when he purchased Champagne Armand de Brignac back in 2014. So it’s good news for the rapperturned-businessman that the brand’s Christmas offering will appeal to those after a Midas touch. Presented in a striking metal vessel and handcrafted box, the special edition bubbly has been designed in a stocking-friendly size of 187ml especially for the festive season. £125 for 187ml, available at Harrods, harrods.com

Having travelled around Mexico’s Pacific Coast, I’d like to think that I have some idea of traditional Mexican cuisine. And given that claim, I would argue that Peyotito – the recently opened Mexican restaurant in Kensington – does little to represent the country’s cuisine authentically, despite being headed up by Eduardo Garcia of Máximo Bistrot – the acclaimed restaurant in Mexico City.

However, this shouldn’t put you off from going; this trendy new haunt is evidently looking to cater to its equally fashionable west London set and this it certainly succeeds in doing. The decor is where the restaurant sells itself, presenting an inviting industrial setting with exposed brick walls, low-lit lighting and a sleek bar, which incidentally served up the best Margarita I’ve ever had.

Presenting what it refers to as ‘Modern Mexico’, the menu has been divided into five parts – Ensalada, Crudo, Ceviche, Mole and Masa – with small portions that are all dairy and glutenfree. To start, my guest and I had guacamole with homemade tostadas. The guacamole was severely lacking in seasoning as well as chili which, given that I’m not a huge spicy food fan, is saying something. The octopus ceviche, on the other hand, was excellent. Fresh and light, the accompanying clam and tomato broth didn’t drown its delicate flavour.

Mole is the name given to a traditional Mexican sauce used in a variety of dishes and at Peyotito, one can choose between chicken,

short rib and asparagus. We opted for the vegetarian option and weren’t disappointed. The roasted white asparagus was cooked perfectly with a slight crunch, while the aubergine sauce truly brought the dish to life. Another plate I’d highly recommend is the tacos de pescado with beautiful seasonal grilled fish, while the 24-hour braised lamb (which came recommended by our waitress) was greasy and lacking in flavour.

Although the food is tasty and atmosphere buzzy on a Saturday evening, Peyotito was let down by some members of its staff. Our waitress was very accommodating, but she failed to listen to our request that dishes be sent out staggered, which meant we had no choice but to send some back in order to avoid our miniscule table from collapsing under the weight.

Following this and with 15 minutes to spare before our regimented two-hour table slot was over, the harassed Maître D’ came over to inform us not-so-politely than we had to get the bill before dessert had arrived, as she had customers waiting. An abrupt end to what had been a very nice evening. Olivia Sharpe 31 Kensington Park Road, W11, peyotitorestaurant.com

A Taste of Italy

Cause for Celebration If you’re on the hunt for a wedding venue, the perfect location for your next birthday bash or you’ve been given the unfortunate task of organising the office Christmas send-off, the Ivy Chelsea Garden has the answer to your party planning woes with its new private room. With space for 30 dinner guests or 50 for a drinks and canapé reception, the room is decorated with floral prints and has a private bar, providing the perfect setting for your next celebration.

195-197 King’s Road, SW3, theivychelseagarden.com

When you finally tire of avocado and poached eggs on toast, take a break from the world’s most Instagrammed breakfast and opt for an Italian feast instead. Theo’s Simple Italian at Hotel Indigo Kensington has launched a four-course brunch menu of sharing plates, including antipasti starters of buffalo mozzarella and marinated artichokes and mains of fresh pasta with slow-cooked beef, wood-roasted guinea fowl with proscuitto and frittata. If you’ve room for dessert, don’t miss founder Theo Randall’s famous Amalfi lemon tart.

34-44 Barkston Gardens, SW5, theossimpleitalian.co.uk Images courtesy of: Theo’s Simple Italian at Hotel Indigo Kensington

Photography: Jean Cazals

Wine Not? Those who know their Sauvignon Blanc from their Pinot Grigio and their Merlot from their Malbec will be pleased to hear of Humble Grape’s newly launched Wine Club, a delivery service of the latest vino from small-lot vineyards. Members will receive a case of 12 bottles, which will have been carefully curated to suit their palate. If you’re not keyed up on all things grape-based, don’t worry – every delivery comes with tasting notes and a brief story behind each wine, so you will have the knowledge of a sommelier in no time. £165, humblegrape.co.uk

Clay Time Whether you’re a keen olive oil fan, an oenophile or an avid collector of abstract art, Kensington Coffee’s pop-up ReccoArt exhibition is sure to be of interest. Specialising in Croatian artwork, wine and oil, the brand offers beautiful clay bottles in vibrant prints that have been designed by local artisans and filled with the country’s tastiest delicacies. Also on offer are stunning olive tree boards that make for perfect serving platters.

Until 30 November, from £200 for an olive tree board, 45 Kensington Church Street, W8, kensingtoncoffee.co.uk

New Deli Just because Britain is in the throes of a divorce with the European Union doesn’t mean it can’t delight in the culinary skills of its member states. This is certainly the view at The Continental Pantry, a new wine shop and deli in Notting Hill that specialises in European cuisine. Founded by intrepid explorers Kate Cornell and Maria Castellanos, who have travelled through Spain, Italy and France to uncover the tastiest gourmet offerings (for research purposes, of course – you’re welcome), the shop boasts a delectable menu as well as the chance to buy traditional delicacies sourced from artisans across the continent.

57 Ledbury Road, W11, thecontinentalpantry.com

s l u x u ryl o nd o n . c o. u k s

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LONDON LIVING Photography: Dave Benett Barbora Bediova & Alistair Guy

Heida Reed

Craig McGinlay, Tallia Storm & Marc Jacques Burton Tigerlily Taylor

James E Harvey-Kelly, India Rose James, Mimi Nishikawa & Sascha Bailey

David Schulte

Zoe Rocha & Ralf Little

Photography: Noah Da Costa Georgia & Sir Nicholas Coleridge CBE

Patrick & Sophie Faucheur

Rebecca Davies & Mieka Sywak

Andrew Marr & Sir Ben Kingsley

James Gummer, Julia De Boinville, Alby Shale & HRH Princess Eugenie of York

Sir Ben Kingsley, and Lord & Lady Lingfield

HRH The Duke of Gloucester & Archie Parker

Baroness Bloomfield & Rebecca Hossack

s l u x u ry l o nd o n . c o. u k s

Sir Stuart Rose, Michael Spencer, Anna Hartropp & Sarah Spencer

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LONDON LIVING Photography: Dave Benett Barbora Bediova & Alistair Guy

Heida Reed

Craig McGinlay, Tallia Storm & Marc Jacques Burton Tigerlily Taylor

James E Harvey-Kelly, India Rose James, Mimi Nishikawa & Sascha Bailey

David Schulte

Zoe Rocha & Ralf Little

Photography: Noah Da Costa Georgia & Sir Nicholas Coleridge CBE

Patrick & Sophie Faucheur

Rebecca Davies & Mieka Sywak

Andrew Marr & Sir Ben Kingsley

James Gummer, Julia De Boinville, Alby Shale & HRH Princess Eugenie of York

Sir Ben Kingsley, and Lord & Lady Lingfield

HRH The Duke of Gloucester & Archie Parker

Baroness Bloomfield & Rebecca Hossack

s l u x u ry l o nd o n . c o. u k s

Sir Stuart Rose, Michael Spencer, Anna Hartropp & Sarah Spencer

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The Concierge What is it you require, sir? How may I help, madam? The Concierge is here to help with every need, whim or wish, however great or small Apparel

For the Home

Richard Ward

Smile Style Dental Care

Repairs & Cleaning

FurniturE, SOFT furnishings

82 Duke of York Square, SW3 4LY 020 7730 1222 richardward.com

146 Holland Park Avenue W11 4UE 020 7727 5810 smilestyledental.co.uk

& APPLICANCES

Jeeves of Belgravia 123 Fulham Road, SW3 6RT 020 7589 9229 jeevesofbelgravia.co.uk

Hutch Interiors 61 Golborne Road, W10 5NR 020 3659 4320 hutchinteriors.com

Sloane Tailors & Dry Cleaners 69-71 Lower Sloane Street SW1W 8DA 020 7824 8644

Precious Pieces

Katharine Pooley 160 Walton Street, SW3 2JL 020 7584 3223 katharinepooley.co.uk

Jewellery Valuation & repair

Ligne Roset

Hawkes and Son

23/25 Mortimer Street, W1T 3JE 020 7323 1248 ligne-roset.co.uk

50-52 Walton Street, SW3 1RB 020 7589 2523 hawkesandson.com Watch Repair

April Russell Design 89 Larkhall Rise, SW4 6HR 020 7720 0046 aprilrussell.com

Cartier 143-144 Sloane Street SW1X 9BL 020 7312 6930 cartier.co.uk

Sub-Zero & Wolf 251 Brompton Rd, SW3 2EP 0845 250 0010 subzero-wolf.co.uk

Beauty Salons & Spas

42 The Dental Practice The Chelsea Day Spa 69a King’s Road, SW3 4NX 020 7351 0911 thechelseadayspa.co.uk

42 Pembridge Road W11 3HN 020 7229 5542 42thedentalpractice.com

Hydrohealing Spa

The Portobello Clinic

216a Kensington Park Rd, W11 1NR 020 7727 2570 hydrohealing.com

12 Raddington Road W10 5TG 020 8962 0635 portobelloclinic.com

Strip Wax Bar 112 Talbot Road, W11 1JR 020 7727 2754 stripwaxbar.com

Haute Cuisine

Urban Retreat at Harrods

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park 66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA 020 7201 3899 barboulud.com

Bar Boulud 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL 020 7893 8333 urbanretreat.co.uk Medical & Dental Services

Bibendum 81 Fulham Road, SW3 6RD 020 7581 5817 bibendum.co.uk

The Watch Gallery

Nina’s House

Cadogan Street Dental Office

129 Fulham Road SW3 6RT 020 7952 2730 thewatchgallery.co.uk

281 King’s Road, SW3 5EW 020 7751 5827 ninashouse.com

47 Cadogan Street, SW3 2QJ 020 7581 0811

Vintage Watch Sellers

Pampering & Wellbeing

The Cow Chelsea Consulting Rooms

Hairdressers

2 Lower Sloane Street, SW1W 8BJ 020 7763 9100 chelseaconsultingrooms.com

Hari’s

Medicare Français

305 Brompton Road, SW3 2DY 020 7581 5211 harissalon.com

3 Harrington Gardens, SW7 4JJ 020 7370 4999 medicare-francais.co.uk

Watches of Knightsbridge 64 Knightsbridge SW1X 7JF 020 7590 3034 watchesofknightsbridge.com

Dining

89 Westbourne Park Road, W2 5QH 020 7221 0021 thecowlondon.co.uk

Electric House

WANT TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS LISTED HERE? If you are interested in promoting a service on these useful pages, please contact Sophie Roberts for more information s.roberts@runwildgroup.co.uk 020 7987 4320

191 Portobello Road W11 2ED 020 7908 9696 electrichouse.com

CONCIERGE

Gaucho

William Curley

Childcare

dog training

89 Sloane Avenue, SW3 3DX 020 7584 9901 gauchorestaurants.co.uk

198 Ebury Street, SW1W 8UN 020 7730 5522 williamcurley.co.uk

Kensington Nannies

M.A. Dog Training and Services

The Ledbury Restaurant

Drinking

3 Hornton Place, Kensington High Street W8 4LZ 020 7937 2333 kensington-nannies.co.uk

07547 716076 madogtraining@gmail.com madogtrainingandservices.co.uk

127 Ledbury Road, W11 2AQ 020 7792 9090 theledbury.com

The Mitre 40 Holland Park Avenue, W11 3QY 020 7727 6332 themitrew11.co.uk

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay 68 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HP 020 7352 4441 gordonramsay.com

The Botanist 7 Sloane Square, SW1W 8EE 020 7730 0077 thebotanistlondon.com

Hillside Clothes Care Boujis 43 Thurloe Street, SW7 2LQ 020 7584 2000 boujis.com Members’ Clubs

Chelsea Arts Club Scalini

cleaners

1-3 Walton Street, SW3 2JD 020 7225 2301 scalinilondon.co.uk

143 Old Church Street SW3 6EB 020 7376 3311 chelseaartsclub.com

Umami

The Sloane Club

100 Cromwell Road SW7 4ER 020 7341 2320 umamilondon.co.uk

Lower Sloane Street, SW1W 8BS 020 7730 9131 sloaneclub.co.uk

Delicatessens

computer & technology help

Business Affairs

118 Kensington Park Road W11 2PW 020 7243 6900 hillsidedryclean.co.uk

Infusion Haberdashery and Dry Cleaners 3 Chepstow Road W2 5BL 020 7243 8735 infusion-haberdashery.co.uk

95 Notting Hill Gate W11 3JZ 020 7985 0903 purplebone.com

Little Luxuries Flowers

Nikki Tibbles Wild at Heart

Ottolenghi Delicatessen

Couriers

63 Ledbury Road, W11 2AD 020 7727 1121 ottolenghi.co.uk

Selena Courier Service

lifestyle services london lifestyle service

Melt Chocolates

White Circle Collection

59 Ledbury Road, W11 2AA 020 7727 5030 meltchocolates.com

71 Walton Street, SW3 2HT 020 7989 9890 whitecirclecollection.com

222 Westbourne Grove W11 2RH 020 7727 3095 wildatheart.com

specialist services BUILDERS AND DECORATORS

Lethbridge London Ltd Building & Decorating Specialist 020 3609 1918 lethbridgelondon.co.uk

William Gaze Ltd

s l u x u ry l o n d o n . c o. u k s

psychotherapist

07770 378791 suzannethomas@suzannethomas.co.uk suzannethomas.co.uk

Richard Darsa

Chocolatiers

Frame Set & Match 111 Old Brompton RoadSW7 3LE 020 7589 7635 framesetandmatch.com

Purple Bone

78 Cadogan Place, SW1X 9RP 07768 200 551 richard@darsa.net

2-5 Duke of York Square, SW3 4LY 020 7730 7102 partridges.co.uk

PICTURE FRAMER

Suzanne Thomas

La Bottega

Partridges

Abels Moving Services UK Residential, European and International Removals & Storage 01842 816600 info@abels.co.uk, abels.co.uk

Pets

65 Lower Sloane Street, SW1W 8DH 020 7730 8844 labottega.co.uk

Suite 86, 235 Earls Court Road SW5 9FE 020 3643 5410 selenacourier.co.uk

moving services

Basement, Loft & Extension Specialist 020 7078 8874 williamgazeltd.com

security services

Westminster Security Ltd 34 Buckingham Palace Road SW1W 0RH 020 7123 4544 / 0755 4000 300 westminstersecurity.co.uk SHORT-LET RENTAL MANAGEMENT

Easy Rental Services aurelie@easy-rental-services.com 020 3567 0604 easy-rental-services.com EMOTIONAL WELLBEING THROUGH WRITINg

Ease your emotional baggage through writing. Sit with a writer and, using a specially developed format, write out your traumatic event or problem to release it. To book 60 or 90 minute appointments email info@lilybass.com or call 07733 112333, lilybass.com

105

HOMES showcasing the

finest HOMES & PROPERTY from the best estate agents

Millionaires’ Row The Royal Borough dominates Zoopla’s list of the most expensive London addresses

Image courtesy of

Featured Estate Agents NOTTING HILL 301 Westbourne Grove W11 2QA 020 7717 5311

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aylesford.com

CHELSEA 60 Sloane Avenue SW3 3DD 020 7594 4740 KENSINGTON 116 Kensington High Street W8 7RW 020 7937 7244 NOTTING HILL 30 Ledbury Road W11 2AB 020 3040 8585

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KNIGHTSBRIDGE & CHELSEA 47 Beauchamp Place SW3 1NX 020 7584 7020

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8 Chertsey Street, Surrey GU1 4HD 01483 339740

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hlrlets.com CHELSEA 117 Sydney Street SW3 6NR 020 7351 7822

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kfh.co.uk EARLS COURT 243 Old Brompton Road SW5 9HP 020 7740 2020 FULHAM 825-827 Fulham Road SW6 5HG 020 3486 2280

KNIGHTSBRIDGE 60 Sloane Avenue SW3 3DD 020 7591 8600 NOTTING HILL 298 Westbourne Grove W11 2PS 020 7229 0229 SOUTH KENSINGTON 157 Gloucester Road SW7 4TH 020 7871 4111

Kensington 9 Kensington Church Street W8 4LF 020 7368 4450 North Kensington 136 Lancaster Road W11 1QU 020 7313 8350 Notting Hill 2-6 Kensington Park Road W11 3BU 020 7313 2890 South Kensington 29 Harrington Road SW7 3HD 020 7590 0800

FULHAM AND CHELSEA 29 Effie Road SW6 1EN 020 7731 0051

W11 4UE 020 3542 2111 SOUTH KENSINGTON 29 Harrington Road

londonland.co.uk 1 Montpelier Street SW7 1EX 020 7591 0288

SW7 3HD 020 3040 6370

malverns.co.uk knightfrank.co.uk BELGRAVIA 82-83 Chester Square SW1W 9JH 020 7881 7722

KENSINGTON Malvern Court Onslow Square SW7 3HU 020 7589 8122

marshandparsons.co.uk

FULHAM 203 New King’s Road SW6 4SR 020 7751 2400

Chelsea Rawlings House 2a Milner Street, SW3 2PU 020 7591 5570

Hyde Park 1 Craven Terrace W2 3QD 020 7871 5060

Earls Court 246 Old Brompton Road SW5 ODE 020 7835 0620 Holland Park 57 Norland Square W11 4QJ 020 7605 6890

KENSINGTON 54-56 Kensington Church Street W8 4DB 020 7938 4311

s l u x u ry l o n d o n . c o. u k s

CHELSEA 196-200 Fulham Road SW10 9PN 020 7578 9000

KNIGHTSBRIDGE 66 Sloane Street SW1X 9SH 020 7235 9959

KENSINGTON 145 Kensington Church Street W8 7LP 020 7535 3300

NOTTING HILL 303 Westbourne Grove W11 2QA 020 7221 1111 SOUTH KENSINGTON 90 Old Brompton Road SW7 3LQ 020 7581 7000

miltonstone.com

Notting Hill 168 Westbourne Grove W11 2RW 020 7727 5750

waellis.co.uk

KENSINGTON 18 Astwood Mews SW7 4DE 020 7835 2888

SLOANE STREET 139 Sloane Street SW1X 9AY 020 7730 0822

KNIGHTSBRIDGE 174 Brompton Road SW3 1HP 020 7306 1610

nicolasvanpatrick.com KNIGHTSBRIDGE 20 Montpelier Mews SW7 1HD 020 3770 3474

CHELSEA 352a King’s Road SW3 5UU 020 7349 4300

savills.co.uk

KNIGHTSBRIDGE 188 Brompton Road SW3 1HQ 020 7581 5234

HOLLAND PARK 128 Holland Park Avenue

KENSINGTON 103 Kensington Church Street W8 7LN 020 7938 3666

sothebysrealty.co.uk BELGRAVIA 77-79 Ebury Street SW1W 0NZ 020 3714 0749

Kensington 118 Kensington Church Street, W8 4BH 020 7727 1500 Knightsbridge & Chelsea 289 Brompton Road SW3 2DY 020 7589 6616

russellsimpson.co.uk Chelsea 5 Anderson Street SW3 3LU 020 7225 0277

winkworth.co.uk

struttandparker.com CHELSEA 43 Cadogan Street SW3 2PR 020 7225 3866 WEST CHELSEA 140 Fulham Road SW10 9PY 020 7373 1010

Notting Hill 178 Westbourne Grove W11 2RH 020 7727 3227 South Kensington 123a Gloucester Road SW7 4TE 020 7373 5052

109

MOVE. Faster.

Sell with Knight Frank.

Our understanding of the everchanging market enables us to price your property accurately, so you can rely on Knight Frank to get you moving.

Call us today for a free market appraisal of your property.

Guide price: £1,200,000

Knightfrank.co.uk/chelsea Chelsea@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5903

Redcliffe Square, Chelsea SW10 An immaculately presented flat on a premier Kensington and Chelsea garden square which offers high ceilings, plenty of character and an exquisite finish. 2 bedrooms, bathroom, open plan kitchen/reception room, access to communal garden.

EPC: C. Approximately 62 sq m (672 sq ft).

Chelsea@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 5903

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £11,950,000

Glebe Place, Chelsea SW3 A family house that is a masterpiece in contemporary design. Master bedroom with dressing area and full bathroom en suite, 4/5 bedrooms (4 en suite), drawing room with 6m ceiling and full height glass doors opening onto a 32ft garden. EPC: E. Approximately 371 sq m (4,000 sq ft).

Chelsea@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 5903 JSA Russell Simpson

Ken & Chel - Oct 2016

05/10/2016 11:34:05

K&

05

Hollandgreen Place, Kensington W8 Spectacular four bedroom apartment in a prime development with parking A sophisticated and exceptionally large lateral apartment, situated on the sixth floor (with lifts) of this prestigious new development, with ceiling heights of 2.9m and impressive views to the west, south and east of the landscaped grounds and surrounding area. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, utility room, private terrace, 24 hour concierge service, underground parking, storage, lifts.

EPC: B. Approximately 406 sq m (4,371 sq ft).

Leasehold: approximately 995 years

Guide price: £16,500,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/kensington kens@knightfrank.com 020 3551 5156

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/KEN150200

K&C - Hollandgreen, 51 cm

04/10/2016 13:31:14

MOVE. FASTER. SELL WITH KNIGHT FRANK. Our understanding of the ever-changing market enables us to price your property accurately, so you can rely on Knight Frank to get you moving.

Call us today to arrange your free market appraisal.

KnightFrank.co.uk/knightsbridge knightsbridge@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5913 Guide price: £5,750,000

Princes Gate Mews, Knightsbridge SW7 An impressive five bedroom Knightsbridge mews house. Master bedroom with dressing room and en suite, 4 further bedrooms (3 en suite), reception room, cinema, kitchen/dining room, bar, cloakroom, utility room, plant room, garage. EPC: C. Approximately 279 sq m (3,003 sq ft). knightsbridge@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 5913

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £1,950,000

Beaufort Gardens, Knightsbridge SW3 An immaculately refurbished and interior designed two bedroom apartment in the very heart of Knightsbridge. Master bedrooms with dressing room and en suite bathroom, bedroom 2 with en suite, reception room, kitchen. EPC: D. Approximately 104 sq m (1,119 sq ft). knightsbridge@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 5913

Kensington & Chelsea November- Princes Gate Mews/Beufort Gardnes

03/10/2016 15:17:09

Ke

09

Bramham Gardens, Earl's Court SW5 Immaculately presented three bedroom garden square apartment Stunning ground and first floor, three bedroom/three bathroom apartment, located on one of SW5's most desirable garden square addresses, which benefits from direct garden access as well as two private first floor terraces. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, terrace and balcony. EPC: E. Approximately 180 sq m (1,945 sq ft).

Leasehold: approximately 60 years 6 months

Guide price: £4,850,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/southkensington southkensington@knightfrank.com 020 3641 6122

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/STK160141

Kensington & Chelsea - November issue to print

04/10/2016 10:54:26

K&C October

04/10/2016 12:16:31

K

1

Cadogan Square, Knightsbridge SW1X Stunning three bedroom penthouse apartment, designed by Candy & Candy This lateral 3 bedroom apartment has been renovated to a high standard to offer an opulent, contemporary living environment. On the top floor, the apartment benefits from far reaching views as well as a resident porter, lift access and recently refurbished communal areas. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room, open plan kitchen/dining room, study, resident porter, lift access. EPC: F. Approximately 194 sq m (2,084 sq ft).

Available furnished

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings knightsbridgelettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 6019

Guide price: £4,750 per week KnightFrank.co.uk/KNQ217659 All potential tenants should be advised that as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

K&C November 2016 - lettings

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

04/10/2016 15:44:43

St Stephens Gardens, Notting Hill W2 Bright top floor one bedroom flat with access to communal gardens

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings nottinghilllettings@knightfrank.com 020 3551 9610

Charming flat set on the top floor of a period building on St Stephens Gardens comprising double bedroom, shower room, reception room, open plan kitchen and dining area. The property is located on a square with access to communal gardens; and is in close proximity to the restaurants and boutiques of Westbourne Grove.

EPC: F. Approximately 29.8 sq m (321 sq ft).

Available furnished Guide price: £375 per week KnightFrank.co.uk/NHQ248712 All potential tenants should be advised that as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

K&C Lettings Nov 2016 - St Stephens Gardens 47,5

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

22/09/2016 09:59:50

PROPERTY

Knightsbridge Know-How With 16 years at Knight Frank’s Knightsbridge office and counting, Rupert des Forges tells Ellen Millard about the changing face of the area and what the future holds for the property market

Ashburton House, 7 Rutland Gardens, SW7 1BS, £13,800,000

If Rupert des forges was a contestant on Mastermind, Knightsbridge would be his specialist subject. With 26 years working in the area – 16 of which have been with Knight Frank – he would no doubt be an authority at the quick-fire round.

The head of Knight Frank’s Knightsbridge office joined the firm in 2000, and has witnessed much change in the area since then. “I think the start of the Noughties was an exciting time for Knightsbridge because it was when it became a truly internationalised market,” he tells me. “It had always appealed to international buyers to a degree, predominately European and North Americans, but it was the advent of the super prime market that really opened the area up to a different sort of audience. This was largely led by the construction of buildings such as The Knightsbridge Apartments in 2002.”

The high-rise build brought a wave of global buyers to the area, appealing to those who were looking for a fusion of hotel and residential living. “Predating that, garden squares were the pinnacle of property; if you lived in one then you were at the most expensive and prestigious address,” des Forges recalls.

“That was very much superseded by the advent of these large, fully-serviced apartment blocks and that in turn brought in many different types of buyers from a far broader spectrum.”

It was the 2008 crash that really cemented Knightsbridge's position on the world’s list of the most covetable addresses. At a time of uncertainty,

s l u x u ry l o n d o n . c o. u k s

stability was paramount and those looking to invest their money in property turned to the one area that was still standing strong. “Knightsbridge led the way for London to become the defensive asset class of the world,” des Forges explains. “When the world was shaken, people looked for stability and that’s what London and the UK give.” Since then, international interest has been palpable – Knight Frank sold to 75 different nationalities in the last year alone, and Knightsbridge remains at the epicentre of all that, thanks to its repertoire of internationally recognisable addresses and amenities.

As 2016 draws to a close, des Forges predicts that the market will bottom out in 2017 and that, despite the result of the EU referendum, London’s enduring appeal will remain. He recommends that those looking to sell should ensure that their plan for the future is in place before starting, and that presentation and trusting your agent are, as always, paramount.

“Selling a house is a team effort and that element of trust and flexibility is important,” he says.“The estate agents who are good at their jobs are the ones who really make themselves a trusted advisor to their clients and provide a level of service that sets them apart. Knight Frank has a global footprint and strategy that targets pockets of wealth from around the world and brings it to your doorstep, and that’s something you shouldn’t ignore if you want to sell in this part of London.” So if you ever have a question about Knightsbridge, you now know who to ask.

60 Sloane Avenue, SW3 3DD, 020 7591 8600, knightfrank.co.uk

117

You’re leaving already?!

SOUTH KENSINGTON ONSLOW GARDENS SW7 2 1 1

CHELSEA SWAN COURT SW3 3 1 1

6686|01 K&C First Sales DPS One ART.indd 1

Guide £1.7 million million

912 sq ft EPC=C

BAYSWATER QUEENS GARDENS W2 2 1 1

Guide £2 million

1,173 sq ft EPC=C

Guide £1.1 million

652 sq ft GRADE II LISTED

30/09/2016 15:12

6686

Call us 7 days a week on 020 7877 4640 savills.co.uk

KNIGHTSBRIDGE ENNISMORE GARDENS SW7 1 1 1

Guide £1.675 million

699 sq ft EPC=D

EARL’S COURT EARL’S COURT SQUARE SW5 2 1 1

Guide £1.55 million

1,002 sq ft EPC=B

Guide £0.00 million

CHELSEA IFIELD ROAD SW10 3 1 2

15:12

6686|01 K&C First Sales DPS One ART.indd 2

Guide £1.2 million

931 sq ft EPC=C

SOUTH KENSINGTON ROLAND GARDENS SW7 2 1 1

Guide £2.25 million

1,310 sq ft EPC=C

30/09/2016 14:51

Contact us on 020 7535 3300 or kensington@savills.com savills.co.uk

WELL PRESENTED HOUSE WITH GARAGE AND TERRACES ARRANGED OVER FOUR FLOORS

PRINCEDALE ROAD W11 4 1 4

2,500 sq ft EPC=C

Guide £4.15 million

Reception room | dining room/kitchen | 4 bedrooms | 4 shower/bathrooms (2 en suite, 1 Jack & Jill) | gym/media room | large garage with utility area roof terrace

6686|02 K&C Ken & NHill Prime DPS Two ART.indd 1

30/09/2016 11:45

6686

Contact us on 020 7727 5750 or nottinghill@savills.com

ATTRACTIVE MEWS HOUSE IN THIS CHARMING GATED PRIVATE MEWS

LINDEN MEWS W2 2 1 2

11:45

6686|02 K&C Ken & NHill Prime DPS Two ART.indd 2

1,204 sq ft EPC=D

Guide £2.3 million

Reception room | open plan kitchen | 2 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms (1 en suite) private mews | off-street parking | RBKC

30/09/2016 11:47

Bricks & More 020 7221 1117 www.crayson.com

10 Lambton Place London W11 2SH

Based in London, few property advisors have ears closer to the ground – or have built up a better understanding of the prime central London property market.

Our exceptional personal service, discretion and knowledge of the market has transformed our name into bywords for trust and transparency.

Come and talk to us today and see how we can help deliver the very best returns on your most important assets.

In the manner to which you are accustomed.

The Hudson Collection Notting Hill W2 If you want a Townhouse that could only be in London, then here it is, restored to all its former glory, and filled with modern conveniences...

Five distinct Townhouses representing the ultimate in style. Each with private entrances, full time concierge and access to communal gardens. The result is a refreshing change from the nuclear wasteland option so often seen today.

Guide Prices range from ÂŁ5.995 million to ÂŁ8.75 million

020 7221 1117 www.crayson.com

10 Lambton Place London W11 2SH

The Wingrave Collection Notting Hill W2

h

Victorian London meets the Upper East Side – all the charm of the old, mixed with the efficiency and style of the experts in apartment living...

y.

Two lateral apartments occupy the top floor of this development. The layouts are carefully thought through to give maximum satisfaction. With a full time concierge and views over communal gardens, who wouldn’t want one?

Guide Price of £3.95 million and £4.95 million

020 7221 1117 www.crayson.com

10 Lambton Place London W11 2SH

Craven Hill Gardens Bayswater W2 Three beds, two floors, outside space – this is more than pied-a-terresville, this is home...

020 7221 1117 www.crayson.com

10 Lambton Place London W11 2SH

Reception Room Kitchen Master bedroom suite Two further bedrooms One further bathroom Utility Cloakroom Off street parking for two cars 1,163 sq ft/ 108 sq m City of Westminster EPC rating band E Sole Agent Leasehold Guide Price ÂŁ1.85 million

Think central London property.

Think KFH. kfh.co.uk/central

London-wide reputation. Central expertise.

Our central branch locations:

Established in 1977, we are one of London’s leading independent property services groups. Trusted across the Capital, our extensive network, local insight and comprehensive services are key to delivering success in central London.

• Bayswater

• Holland Park

• Clerkenwell

• Marylebone

• Earls Court

• South Kensington

• Fulham and Chelsea

• St John’s Wood

Whether you are looking to buy, sell, rent or let in central London or across the Capital, we will achieve the result you need.

Find your local branch at kfh.co.uk/central

KFH_Runwild_Central London.indd 1

• Fulham

07/09/2016 15:18

11

5:18

Harwood Road, Fulham, SW6 £1,250,000 Fulham and Chelsea 020 7731 0051 fulham.sales@kfh.co.uk

11.16 Runwild Kensington and Chelsea.indd 2

This spacious three bedroom, two bathroom maisonette has been meticulously refurbished and extended to an exceptionally high standard.

Ideally located within moments of the restaurants and amenities of Kings Road and transport links of Fulham Broadway.

• • • • • • • •

Three double bedrooms Two bathrooms Open plan living space Private garden Close to transport links Chain free Freehold EPC rating C

06/10/2016 17:19

Holland Park, Holland Park, W11 £1,400 pw / £6,066 pcm Holland Park 020 3542 2120 hollandpark.lettings@kfh.co.uk

This elegant flat is flooded with natural light and benefits from wood flooring throughout, excellent entertaining space and superb views.

Holland Park is a sought after residential address moments from the great variety of amenities that Holland Park Avenue, Notting Hill and Kensington have to offer, as well as excellent transport links.

• • • • • • • •

Master bedroom with dressing room and en suite Double bedroom with en suite Third bedroom/study Fully fitted kitchen Spacious reception South facing roof terrace Furnished or unfurnished EPC rating F

£210 tenancy agreement fee per property. Other fees apply, visit kfh.co.uk/lettingsfees

11.16 Runwild Kensington and Chelsea.indd 3

06/10/2016 17:20

11

17:20

Admiral Square, Chelsea, SW10 £1,350 pw / £5,850 pcm Earls Court 020 7740 2025 earlscourt.lettings@kfh.co.uk

Stunning two double bedroom apartment, boasting luxury living space combined with beautiful views over the River Thames. Arranged over the raised ground floor, this home provides a modern and fully equipped kitchen with granite worktops, underfloor heating and patio doors that open up onto the private wrap around terrace.

• • • • • • • •

Two double bedrooms Two bathrooms (one en suite) Neutral décor throughout Kitchen with integrated appliances River views Large wrap around terrace Furnished EPC rating D

This property is conveniently placed moments from Imperial Wharf station. £210 tenancy agreement fee per property. Other fees apply, visit kfh.co.uk/lettingsfees

11.16 Runwild Kensington and Chelsea.indd 4

06/10/2016 17:20

carterjonas.co.uk

LIMERSTON STREET Chelsea SW10

An incredibly bright freehold family home located moments from the cafes, boutiques and transport links of the Fulham Road and the Kings Road.

3 reception rooms • 4 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • Garden • EPC rating C

Guide price £3,250,000

Knightsbridge & Chelsea

020 7584 7020 knightsbridge@carterjonas.co.uk

CATHCART ROAD Chelsea SW10

An incredibly unique maisonette situated on this desirable treelined street in the Boltons conservation area. Featuring a large reception room with high ceilings, separate dining room and galley kitchen on the upper floor.

Reception room • 2 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms • Private patio • EPC rating C

Guide price £1,275,000

Knightsbridge & Chelsea

020 7584 7020 knightsbridge@carterjonas.co.uk

carterjonas.co.uk

ALBERT PLACE Kensington W8

A wide, low-built house with offstreet parking and a south-facing garden. The house extends to approximately 4,551 sq ft (422 sq m) over four floors and is set on a tranquil cul-de-sac off the northern end of Victoria Road.

2 reception rooms • 5 bedrooms • 4 bathrooms • Roof terrace and patio • Self-contained flat • EPC rating E

Guide price £10,250,000

Holland Park & Notting Hill 020 7371 1111 hollandpark@carterjonas.co.uk

JSA Parallel Property

07599 409 665 garethjones@parallel-property.co.uk

PORTLAND ROAD Holland Park W11 A superb house situated in the heart of Holland Park on this quiet and sought-after residential road. This light, bright house boasts high ceilings, fantastic entertaining space and a west-facing patio garden. The house is presented in thoroughly good order throughout.

2 reception rooms • 4 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms • Garden • Contemporary finish • EPC rating E

£1,850 pw*/£8,016 pcm* Holland Park & Notting Hill 020 7371 3377 hollandpark@carterjonas.co.uk

GLEDHOW GARDENS Earls Court SW5 An exceptionally large apartment in the heart of South Kensington. The property benefits from wooden flooring throughout and access to the communal gardens.

Reception room • 3 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • Communal gardens • EPC rating E

£1,025 pw*/£4,442 pcm* Knightsbridge & Chelsea

020 7584 7020 knightsbridge@carterjonas.co.uk *Rent excludes reference and tenancy paperwork fees. Please contact our branch who can provide this information.

Lots Road

ÂŁ2,350,000

Chelsea SW10

freehold

A wonderful 5 bedroom family house on Lots Road in Chelsea, benefitting from southerly views towards the River Thames. The property measures approx. 2,031 sq ft, with well-balanced accommodation set across 4 floors.

EPC rating D

Chelsea

020 7594 4740

sales.chelsea@chestertons.com

chestertons.com

Tregunter Road

Chelsea SW10

Accessed via a private side entrance on Tregunter Road, this unique & spacious 2 double bedroom flat benefits from a large west-facing garden & a secure garage measuring approx. 557 sq ft.

EPC rating D

Chelsea

020 7594 4740

sales.chelsea@chestertons.com

ÂŁ1,695,000 share of freehold

ÂŁ4,850,000

Earls Court Road

Kensington W8

freehold

A stunning family home refurbished to an exceptional standard throughout, benefitting from off street parking & a large landscaped garden. Measuring approx. 3,175 sq ft, the property comprises a large open plan kitchen/dining room, a double reception room, a large family room with direct access to the garden, 5 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 3 shower rooms (1 en-suite) & a utility room. The property is well positioned for access to the open spaces of Holland Park, while Kensington High Street is within close proximity.

EPC rating C

Kensington

020 7937 7244

sales.kensington@chestertons.com

chestertons.com

Kensington Church Walk

Kensington W8

A 3 bedroom, Victorian, end of terrace house with a roof terrace & off-street parking. The property offers a bespoke kitchen by De Menagerie with integrated Gaggenau appliances, an open-plan dining area, a bright reception room, guest cloakroom, 3 bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms & ample storage. Kensington Church Walk is located off Holland Street & is a pretty & secluded courtyard just off Kensington High Street.

EPC rating C

Kensington

020 7937 7244

sales.kensington@chestertons.com

ÂŁ3,995,000 freehold

Spectacular and stylish living behind a delightful period faรงade Matching people and property in London for 160 years.

Moncorvo Close SW7 £8,250,000 £8,250,000 A well-presented well-presented four-bedroom four-bedroom townhouse, townhouse, situated situated over over four fourfloors floorsfeaturing featuringaaprivate privategarden gardenand andoff-street off-streetparking. parking.

The property is ideally located in a highly sought-after private development in Knightsbridge.

The property is ideally located in a highly sought-after private development in Knightsbridge.EPC=D EPC=D

Private street street entrance entrance •• Off-street Four bedrooms bedrooms • Approx Approx 3,000 3,000 sqft sqft •• Private Off-streetparking parking • Four Prime Prime Sales: Sales: 020 020 8033 8033 9034 9034 sales.skn@marshandparsons.co.uk sales.skn@marshandparsons.co.uk

St. Marks Road W10 £4,750,000 An immaculately presented six-bedroom red-brick house, with a large 37ft west facing garden, located a short walk from Portobello Road. Freehold. EPC=F

• Beautiful six-bedroom house • 37ft garden • Approx 4,000 sqft • High ceilings North Kensington Sales: 020 8033 9034 sales.nkn@marshandparsons.co.uk

Manson Mews SW7 £2,550,000 A stylish and contemporary four-bedroom mews house arranged over three floors, with a west facing roof terrace and large garage. Hyde Park is located moments away. Freehold. EPC=D

• Four bedrooms • Private roof terrace • Internal garage • Close to Hyde Park South Kensington Sales: 020 8033 9034 sales.skn@marshandparsons.co.uk

ADDISON PLACE, W11

Freehold for Sale £1,495,000

A delightful unmodernised two double bedroom cottage, arranged over only two floors in this quiet backwater just off Addison Avenue. Close to Holland Park and Westfield, the property comprises approximately 803 sq.ft. with large open plan reception room, leading to a patio garden, galley kitchen, two bedrooms and bathroom.

QUEENSDALE PLACE, W11

Freehold for Sale £2,950,000

An attractive four storey Victorian terraced house, in a quiet cul-de-sac, in the heart of the Norland Conservation Area.

Approximately 1,519 sq.ft. the newly refurbished accommodation comprises 31’ open plan reception room, large kitchen/ dining room, utility room, 3 bedrooms, bathroom, shower room, west facing patio garden.

HOLLAND PARK AVENUE, W11

Leasehold for Sale £1,600,000

A charming 2 bedroom apartment situated in this handsome Grade II Listed building, at the western end of Holland Park Avenue. The apartment offers flexible living space and extends to 1,094 sq.ft with a private 59’ rear garden. Impressive drawing room, kitchen, bathroom, 2 double bedrooms and private garden.

ROYAL CRESCENT, W11

Freehold for Sale £2,500,000

A beautifully presented five bedroom house with views over the communal gardens. The house has been refurbished to a high standard and offers approximately 1,941 sq.ft. of accommodation. First floor drawing room, kitchen, 5 bedrooms, bathroom, 2 shower rooms, first floor balcony and access to the central communal gardens.

ADDISON ROAD, W14

To let £950 per week – Unfurnished

Situated on this prestigious tree lined road, a first floor flat located in a wonderful, detached, Victorian villa with excellent proportions. The property comprises superb reception room with high ceilings, large double doors leading to kitchen, 3 bedrooms, bathroom, en suite shower room, access to the large west facing communal garden.

OAKWOOD COURT, W14

To Let £925 per week – Unfurnished

A stunning 2/3 bedroom apartment on the fourth floor of this popular development, only moments from the gates of Holland Park. Spacious entrance hall with study area, large double reception room (with dividing doors) large eat in kitchen, 2 double bedrooms, en suite shower room, bathroom. The property is presented in good decorative order with wooden floors.

CLARENDON ROAD, W11

To let £9,000 per week

A semi detached stucco fronted Victorian family house with direct access to superb communal gardens and off street parking for two cars as well as a private garage. The house comprises large intercommunicating reception room, study, kitchen/breakfast room, 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 cloakrooms, terrace, private garden, parking, staff flat and direct access to communal gardens.

ADDISON PLACE, W11

To let £750 per week – Unfurnished

Quietly located just off the exclusive Addison Avenue a spacious mews house with a delightful terrace, patio area and integral garage. The house comprises large open plan reception room with kitchen and dining areas, roof terrace accessible from two doors, 2 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, cloakroom, terrace, patio and integral garage.

BOWLAND YARD, BELGRAVIA SW1X

£2,950,000 LEASEHOLD

• TWO BEDROOMS • TWO BATHROOMS • RECEPTION ROOM • DINING AREA • SEPARATE KITCHEN • • PRIVATE PATIO • OFFICE AND UTILITY AREA • AIR-CONDITIONING • LONG LEASE •

BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861 belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk

henryandjames.co.uk

LOWNDES SQUARE, KNIGHTSBRIDGE SW1X

£1,395 PER WEEK • ONE DOUBLE BEDROOM • RECEPTION ROOM • SEPARATE KITCHEN • BALCONY• • LIFT • HIGH CEILINGS • PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED • ACCESS TO COMMUNAL GARDENS • EPC D • Plus £240 Tenancy Fee and £60 Referencing Fee (per person)

BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861 belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk

henryandjames.co.uk

Lexham Gardens, Kensington W8

ÂŁ3,500,000

A stunning two bedroom apartment situated on the first floor of an imposing Victorian white stucco fronted building presented in excellent condition. The property has fantastic volume with unexpectedly generous ceiling heights providing superb living accommodation and entertaining space throughout. Lexham Gardens is a sought after residential address located between South Kensington and High Street Kensington.

EPC rating D. Approximately 1,735 sq ft Master bedroom with en suite bathroom | Further en suite bedroom | Reception room | South facing terrace | Live in caretaker

Share of freehold

77-79 Ebury Street, London SW1W 0NZ sothebysrealty.co.uk +44 20 7495 9580 | london@sothebysrealty.co.uk

sothebysrealty.co.uk

Iverna Court, Kensington W8

£2,350,000

A charming two bedroom, two bathroom Ivar London apartment. The bright and spacious property has been completely refurbished to an extremely high standard and is situated on the sixth floor of this prestigious mansion building in the heart of Kensington. The building has a beautiful entrance hall with wood panelling and benefits from a porter, birdcage lift and has access to the private gardens. EPC rating F. Approximately 1,378 sq ft Two bedroom | Two bathrooms | Third bathroom | Interior designed by Ivar London | Kitchen | Access to private garden square | Lift

Share of freehold

© 2016 UK Sotheby’s International Realty. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty is a registered trademark licensed to UK Sotheby’s International Realty in the UK. Each offïce is independently owned and operated. All information non - contractual, approximate and subject to error, change and withdrawal without notice. Rent excludes administration fees. Please contact our offïces who can provide this information.

Beaufort Gardens Knightsbridge SW3 An exclusive development of nine new high specification apartments situated in Knightsbridge, London.

Prices starting from ÂŁ975,000 Launching October 2016

www.37beaufortgardens.co.uk

MAYFAIR OFFICE +44 (0)20 7409 9001

Paul Finch paul@beauchamp.com +44 (0)20 7499 7722

Christian De Meillac christian.demeillac@harrodsestates.com +44 (0)20 7409 9001

ENNISMORE GARDENS, KNIGHTSBRIDGE, SW7 An impressive grade II listed family house situated in this prime Knightsbridge address. The house has imposing dimensions with High Ceilings and Period Features. Elegant entertaining space, excellent bedrooms and a passenger lift from the ground floor upwards. The house is beautifully presented, and it is unusual in having windows to three sides. In addition to the communal gardens which we understand can be accessed for a small annual charge the property has a terrace at the rear of the first floor drawing room, and at the top of the house.

Ennismore Gardens is located to the north of the Brompton Road and just to the south of Hyde Park and is within walking distance of all the many international amenities of the Knightsbridge area. Two reception rooms, study, kitchen/breakfast room, 6 bedrooms, 5 bath/shower rooms. Small terrace, lift and access to communal garden for a small fee. EPC Rating F John Taylor UK 48 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AX Tel: 020 3284 1888 Email: london@john-taylor.com

GUIDE PRICE: £11,250,000 FREEHOLD FRANCE

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LEXHAM MEWS, KENSINGTON, W8 This newly refurbished, light and bright mews house is approx. 3170 sq.ft and is arranged over 4 floors with the added benefit of a lift which services all floors. The reception/media/office room occupies the lower ground with a cloakroom and lift access and is flooded with light from a light well. This area can be used as an office with a separate front door access. On the ground floor there is a spacious entrance hall with 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. On the upper floors, an open plan sitting room, kitchen/dining room with lift access and doors leading onto the terrace. This floor has a glass back wall with great light. The master bedroom with en suite bathroom and dressing room has a separate wet room. There is a 4th bedroom and bathroom. The garage has internal access. The residential and business use council classification significantly reduces stamp duty. EPC Rating C. JSA Lurot Brand, South Kensington.

John Taylor UK 48 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AX Tel: 020 3284 1888 Email: london@john-taylor.com

GUIDE PRICE: 4,500,000 FREEHOLD FRANCE

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Holding Court Elena Dimova, managing director of CENTURY 21 Sophia Elena, speaks to Olivia Sharpe about the bright future of the London property market as 2016 comes to a close Above/ xxxxx

Walking around Kensington Court and its surrounding gardens is almost like being in a time warp. From the beautiful, red-brick Victorian mansion blocks, to the blue plaque on Kensington Court Gardens in tribute to the British poet T.S. Eliot (who resided here after WWII), traces of its history are everywhere.

I am currently sitting in a first floor flat in Kensington House on Kensington Court with managing director of CENTURY 21, Elena Dimova.

The three-bedroom property for sale has all of the comforts required for the most discerning modern day buyer.

The light and airy kitchen – equipped with top-of-the-range Gaggenau appliances and a breakfast island featuring Calacatta Borghini marble – flows into the dining area and inviting living room, making the overall space ideal for entertaining. Striking features, including an innovative lighting fixture by Gallotti & Radice that sits above a Minotti dining table, highlight the flat’s meticulous finish. From the reception room, one is led through to the master bedroom with en suite, plus two further bedrooms and bathrooms.

Photography: Sarel Jansen

Dimova explains how the flat’s lateral design makes it particularly attractive to buyers, as this type of layout for a three-bedroom property is hard to come by in London. Similarly, the building’s period features are another big selling point. “They not only give a sense of history, but also a feeling of grandeur and sense of home,” she says. “The open plan space, which allows you to cook while entertaining guests, is also ideal because in today’s world, time is a precious commodity.”

Changes in stamp duty and the EU referendum affected the UK property market earlier this year. However, Dimova believes that the dust has finally settled. “The last eight weeks in particular have been very good,” she says. “If you look at sterling, which is down 18% since this time last year versus the US dollar and the euro, you can see how it makes London a very interesting place to buy right now for foreign investors.”

While the uncertainty due to Brexit still poses some risk to investors, Dimova notes how overseas buyers are taking a medium to long-term view of

PROPERTY

the market and taking advantage of the weak pound and low borrowing rates.

“At the moment there are options available because you can get your hands on property that, in a fast-paced market, you wouldn’t have been able to, so it’s a great time to be looking at what’s out there.”

CENTURY 21 is well placed to offer its clients the very best advice and acces to buyers. The worldwide organisation has 6,900 offices across 78 countries and more than 101,000 sales professionals, making it the largest estate agency globally. “Yesterday I was discussing one of our London properties with the head of the CENTURY 21 team in Beijing, who is in charge of overseas Chinese investment. We have more than 1,100 sales offices in China,” says the director, proudly.

The company's London office in Holland Park has been there for more than 10 years and during this time, it has had a very low turnover of staff. The UK team speaks a number of different languages, ranging from English and Spanish to Greek and Bulgarian. Due to people’s busy lives and having to look after international clients, Dimova and her team are typically on call both day and night and the director even jokes how her mobile has become almost an extension of her body. “When I’m away on holiday my Blackberry is on 24 hours a day and if I don’t respond to a client within half an hour I feel like there's something wrong, even when it’s Christmas Eve,” she says, laughing.

CENTURY 21 goes above and beyond to deliver its clients the most professional, tailor-made advice: “We approach our clients’ property portfolios holistically. Whether they’re buying, selling or renting, we help them across the board, as well as soliciting advice from external professionals, such as lawyers and surveyors.” While some members of the industry have argued that technological advances will eventually lead to the demise of the estate agent, Dimova does not believe this will be the case.

“When it comes to selling, it’s actually very complex,” she explains.

“You’re dealing with people’s most prized asset so why would anyone be willing to take such a risk by putting it on the market without proper advice?” She also stresses how intricate the process is and so it is always worth investing in experts who have the negotiating skills required: “When the deal is agreed, that is when the work really begins. No matter how technology evolves, market knowledge, experience and the role of the property advisor will always be crucial to navigating and achieving success in the property world.”

Of course, understanding the need to move with the times is the secret to CENTURY 21’s success, and the company subsequently has its own unique website, where visitors can search the listings from around the globe in 18 languages and 36 currencies. With more information accessible, Dimova believes this has resulted in a savvier buyer. “A lot of buyers today are smart, they know the market, and they’ve seen a lot of properties so will be able to tell if you’re delivering a top quality product or if something just looks pretty.”

To attract overseas buyers, Dimova explains that their main priorities are both finish and location so a flat like this one in Kensington House is ideal, offering both high quality interior design and proximity to local amenities, including the park, shops, schools and transport links. As for the area itself, Dimova highlights how it is little wonder Kensington is one of London’s most desirable addresses.

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Master xxxxx Above/ Bedroom, Kensington House, Kensington Court

Living room, dining area and kitchen, Kensington House, Kensington Court

“Kensington Court is the very heart of the Royal Borough. From Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens to the opulent architecture, monuments and museums, the area combines hundreds of years of tradition with modern day sophistication.”

And as to the future of the London property market, Dimova is nothing but positive. “This is the greatest city on the planet,” she says. "And with the economic data improving versus expectations, the UK stock markets reaching record highs, and the International Monetary Fund having just upgraded its forecasts for the UK economy for 2016, we are seeing huge improvements in activity and a market coming back into balance.”

CENTURY 21 Sophia Elena, 10 Clarendon Road, W11 3AA 020 7229 1414, century21uk.com

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ACADEMY GARDENS KENSINGTON W8

ÂŁ4,500,000 share of freehold

alet parking | 24-hour concierge | Epc C two adjacent one bedroom apartments | high ceilings | fireplaces | v

www.century21uk.com/nottinghill

nottinghill@century21uk.com

KENSINGTON COURT KENSINGTON W8

£4,000,000 share of freehold

3 bedrooms | open-plan reception, dining area and kitchen | 3 bathrooms | first floor | fireplace | lift | caretaker | Epc D

10 Clarendon Road London W11 3AA

020 7229 1414

A BEAUTIFULLY REFURBISHED, THREE-BEDROOM MANSION BLOCK APARTMENT CADOGAN COURT, CHELSEA SW3 • Fifth floor with lift • Over 1,561sq ft living space •3 metre ceiling heights throughout • Enviable views across Chelsea • Retained period features • EPC rating C Guide price £4,250,000

CHELSEA OFFICE: T: 020 7225 5752

mark.greenway@harrodsestates.com

Share of Freehold

HARRODSESTATES.COM

A FIFTH FLOOR APARTMENT WHICH HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY RENOVATED SUTHERLAND HOUSE, KENSINGTON W8 • Large & bright reception rooms • Kitchen / breakfast room • Master bedroom with en-suite • 1,256sq ft / 117sq m • 2 further bedrooms & shower room • EPC rating D Guide Price: £2,600,000

KENSINGTON OFFICE: T: 020 3650 4600

nicholas.shaw@harrodsestates.com

HARRODSESTATES.COM

Share of Freehold

BRAMERTON STREET, CHELSEA, SW3 A bright and spacious house located just off the Kings Road. It comprises approximately 2,366 sq ft and has a large open reception room on the ground floor leading down to a family kitchen/breakfast room and separate dining room and utility room. The master bedroom with large windows and fitted cupboards is on the first floor and leads to an en-suite bathroom. There are three further bedrooms, a bathroom and a shower room making it ideal for family living. It benefits from high ceilings, wood floors and a large roof terrace which extends over most of the roof. It is available unfurnished for a long let.

4 bedrooms · 3 bathrooms · 2 reception rooms · Kitchen/dining room · Utility/cloakroom · Roof terrace · Patio · Approx. 2,366 sq ft · Energy Efficiency Rating E

£2,250 PER WEEK

UNFURNISHED

aylesford.com

+44 (0)20 7351 2383

le£ings@aylesford.com

Tenant’s fees may apply: Bank reference fee (charged directly): Lease charge (£180 inc. VAT): Credit reference fee: (£54 inc. VAT): Please contact us for further information.

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BEAUFORT GARDENS, CHELSEA, SW3 A recently refurbished apartment on the first floor of an attractive, part-stucco, period building in a quiet and exclusive street in the heart of Knightsbridge. The property is in very good condition and could be moved into immediately, with a beautiful open plan kitchen and reception room with wonderful proportions and a wealth of features including high ceilings, floor to ceiling windows and a full width balcony. In addition there are two good double bedrooms and bathrooms (one en-suite) and a mezzanine study area. Beaufort Gardens is a very sought after and discreet residential address, within a stone’s throw of Harrods, Harvey Nichols and the world famous shopping of Sloane Street. In addition, many restaurants and hotels of the highest standard can be found in the immediate vicinity, as well as the open green spaces of Hyde Park a short walk to the north.

Reception room · Office · 2 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · Terrace · Approx. 835 sq ft · Energy Efficiency Rating D

LEASEHOLD: 99 YEARS REMAINING

sales@aylesford.com

09:56

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GUIDE PRICE £2,495,000 SUBJECT TO CONTRACT

+44 (0)20 7351 2383

aylesford.com

07/10/2016 09:56

property

Smells like Team Spirit Hogarth Estates’ Ellen Breakwell examines the post-EU referendum market and stresses the importance of having both a strong lettings and sales team Above/ xxxxx

In the run-UP to the EU referendum, there was a lot of nervousness from buyers and many decided to delay for a few months to let the dust settle. This has now created pent-up demand. As we enter autumn, we believe that a lot of the paused buyers will return to the market and indeed, we are already seeing signs of an upsurge in enquiries and viewing appointments. However, this in turn will make opportunities to negotiate on price less prevalent as sellers are likely to hold firm as sentiment improves.

In the investor segment of the market, having the flexibility to sell or rent at appropriate levels is paramount and therefore being able to rely on your agent to offer both of these services effectively is vital. The sales and lettings departments need to work closely together to avoid a protracted void period, which occurs when no sale is achieved and results in a loss of income for the landlord.

Hogarth Estates recently had an instance where a buy-to-let landlord tested the sales market for a couple of months, with a view to switching back to renting if an acceptable offer for the property was not achieved. This landlord advertised her property for two months with the agreement of her tenant (who was due to vacate the property at the end of the two-month sales contract period). The landlord was very keen that, should a sale not be agreed in this time frame, we find a new tenant to take over from the current one at the end of the tenancy, so

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Nevern Square

that she would not be out of pocket. The sales and lettings teams worked together and monitored the progress on the sales front and then changed tactics quickly as it became apparent that the sales market was too depressed to support the price that she wanted. A new tenant was found quickly and the landlord avoided an empty flat with no rent coming in.

Prospective buy-to-let investors should recognise the importance of dealing with an agency that has a strong lettings department, which works well with the sales team. This ensures that, once an exchange of contracts has taken place, an agreement can be made with the vendor to allow the purchaser to start marketing the flat and find a tenant to move in as quickly as possible after completion. The lettings department can rely on the relationship that the sales team will have built up with the vendor to make this possible.

We had an instance recently in Nevern Square where a buy-to-let investor required a tenant for a new flat that they were buying. The sales team immediately coordinated with the lettings department to prepare potential rental applicants to view the property between exchange and completion, and negotiated with the vendor to allow viewings to take place during this period. By working together, a good tenant was found to move in straight after completion, thus generating income for our client at once.

16b Hogarth Place, SW5 0QT, hogarthestates.co.uk

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CADOGAN GARDENS, LONDON SW3 A stunning, recently refurbished, first and second floor flat, with two spacious double bedrooms and two bathrooms spanning across 1,489 sq.ft, located minutes from Sloane Square and the amenities of the Kings Road and Sloane Street. The flat also benefits from access to Cadogan Square.

Two Bedrooms – Two Bathrooms – Reception/Dining Area – Kitchen – Guest Cloakroom – Recently Refurbished – Communal Gardens

PRICE: £1,750 per week, Furnished, Available Immediately

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20 Montpelier Street Knightsbridge London SW7 1HD

CHELSEA PARK GARDENS, SW3 CRANLEY GARDENS, LYALL MEWS, SW1X SW7 Entrance Hall || 2 | Entrance Hall 2 Bedrooms Bedrooms 4 Bedrooms ||4|5-6 En Suite Bathrooms 5 Bathrooms En |Suites) | Reception/ Bathrooms |(3Kitchen/Reception Guest Cloakroom 2 Reception Rooms| Dining Kitchen/Breakfast Room Room | 718|sq ft | Lift | EPC ERoom | Kitchen/Dining Room | Laundry Room Study/Bedroom|Laundry 2,418|sq ft | Integral Garage | Room | 3,270 sq ft | Front Garden | to Additional off-street Parking | Access Rear PatioSquare GardenGardens | Access|to Belgrave EPC C An excellently proportioned and bright two Chelsea Park Gardens | EPC E double bedroom apartment, within the

An end-of-terrace freehold mews house heart ofinSouth Positioned on A charming lowKensington. built, and bright situated arguably onewide of Belgravia’ s most the second floor (with lift) of this attractive corner house with the of a desirable locations.

Thisadvantage low built house period building, the flat benefits from secluded courtyard garden leading directly was disassembled; comprehensively rebuilt wooden floors in this stunninggardens. semithe open onto the modernised exclusive communal and fully benefitting from plan technology livingby room witharchitects fully-fitted kitchen.

Designed known Elms & Jupp latest advances including airThe apartment further comprises master who were heavily influenced by a Edwin conditioning, Lutron lighting, motorised blinds, with modern en suite bathroom, Lutyens; Parksystem, Gardens is made abedroom built in Chelsea entertainment underfloor second bedroom and shower up of attractive artsfitted andadditional crafts with houses on heating and a fully kitchen Miele room.

The property is flooded with natural these quiet leafyappliances. streets. ThisThe fiveproperty bedroom and Gaggenau also light, offering anmaintained east-west exposure and property is well and presented enjoys private use of an integral garage as dual over Evelyn in immaculate condition.

Internally the mews well asviews additional off-streetGardens parking inalongside Chelsea’s roof tops. accommodation well appointed four and access to the is prestigious Belgraveover Square floors onlysubject to provide an ideal family home. gardens, to separate negotiations.

£6,450,000 £1,550,000,STC STC £6,750,000

Freehold Leasehold (121 years remaining) JSA with Russell Simpson

LYALL MEWS, SW1X CLAREVILLE GROVE EATON PLACE, SW1X MEWS, 4 Bedrooms || 4 En Suite Bathrooms | Entrance HallSW7 2 Bedrooms |2

Guest Cloakroom |2 Bathrooms (1 en|Suite) |Reception Kitchen/Dining/ Two Bedrooms En Suite Bathroom | Rooms Kitchen/Dining | | Reception Room||Guest 855 sq ftRoom | Basement Shower|Room Cloakroom Laundry Room||2,418 sq | Integral Storage Room Shared | Access Reception/Dining RoomTerrace | ftKitchen | Garage | Additional off-street to Belgrave Square Gardens Utility Room | 915 sq ft | EPC E Parking | Access to Belgrave Square An elegant flat with plentiful charm, occupying Gardens EPC C A charming|mews house idyllically approximately 855 sq ft of lateral space on the positioned in thishouse quietsituated cobbled cul-de-sac, An in arguably thirdend-of-terrace floor of this well-located handsome period within the heart of South Kensington. one of Belgravia’ s most mewses. building.

Arranged overdesirable the full width of the Thelow property is presented in immaculate This built house was disassembled; building, the principal reception room is flooded condition and has been carefully designed comprehensively rebuiltitsand fully modernised with natural light from south-facing aspects throughout with Italian solid wood floors benefitting fromInthe latest technology advances over the street. addition to the expansive and contemporary furnishings.

This attractive including air-conditioning, Lutron lighting, sitting area, the room boasts a bespoke house additionally benefits from south motorised builtspace in entertainment integrated blinds, kitchenaand for dining; system, perfect westerly aspects and plentiful natural light. underfloor heating and a fully kitchen with for open-plan entertaining.

Thefitted apartment Clareville Grove Mews is a secure gated Miele & admission Gaggenau The property awards toappliances. a superb shared terrace, lane,enjoys located at the end of Clareville also usenorth of an integral positioned toprivate the peaceful rear of the garage, first floor, Street, moments from the bountiful amenities additional parking in the mews and overlookingoffstreet Belgrave Mews.

Occupiers’ can and restaurants, the area is famous for. access to the prestigious Belgrave Square also enjoy exclusive access to Belgrave Square gardens, subject to separate the usual negotiations. consents.

£3000 £1,250Per PerWeek Week £1,900,000 STC

Furnished Furnished (174 years remaining) Leasehold

T: T: +44 +44 (0)20 (0)20 3770 3770 3474 3474 info@nicolasvanpatrick.com

info@nicolasvanpatrick.com RS: +44 (0)20 7225 0277 info@russellsimpson.co.uk

=AG GINNY TIARKS HICKS SOPHIE

SYDNEY STREET,LONDON, LONDON SW3 020 7351 7822 FAX:M: 020 7351 2274 117117 SYDNEY STREET, SW3 6NR 6NR TEL: TEL: 020 7351 7822 07530 689536 e-mail: ginny@hlrlets.com website: e-mail: sophie@hlrlets.com website:www.hlrlets.com www.hlrlets.com

MILNER STREET, SW3

MOORE STREET, SW3

This superb corner house has been totally refurbished throughout to an exceptionally high standard with air conditioning, Lutron lighting and Crestron sound system. The ground floor reception leads out to a large terrace overlooking a pretty paved garden and the well-designed open plan kitchen incorporates a dining and family living area. Wooden floors and neutral decoration give this house a modern feel while at the same time retaining many of the original features. Ideally situated within easy reach of the shops, restaurants and transport of Chelsea and Knightsbridge.

This wonderfully light house is in good order and offers extremely spacious accommodation in heart of Chelsea. The dining room and kitchen are both on the ground floor and there are steps leading down to a pretty paved garden. The elegant first floor reception is west facing and is an extremely good size. Conveniently located close to the schools, shops and restaurants of Knightsbridge and Chelsea.

- FIVE DOUBLE BEDROOMS -THREE BATHROOMS - DOUBLE RECEPTION ROOM - KITCHEN - FAMILY ROOM - TERRACE - PATIO GARDEN

- FOUR BEDROOMS - FIRST FLOOR RECEPTION ROOM - TWO BATHROOMS - KITCHEN - CLOAKROOM - PAVED GARDEN

£3,200 per week

UNFURNISHED

£1,750 per week

UNFURNISHED

PONT STREET MEWS, SW1X

KENWAY ROAD, SW5

This mews house is located in one of the best mews in Knightsbridge situated close to Harrods and the shops and restaurants of the area. The mews house is quite spacious with open living room leading onto a dining area which then leads onto the kitchen/breakfast room.. There is a twin bedroom and a double master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom.

The property also has a utility room and sauna plus the advantage of a parking space.

A super newly refurbished three bedroom house located in the charming Kenway Village.

The house is presented in immaculate order with an open plan living room leading on to a kitchen with dining area and access to a secluded patio. The house has been interior designed with excellent new kitchen and bathrooms which have been finished to an extremely high standard.

- DOUBLE BEDROOM - TWIN BEDROOM - ENSUITE BATHROOM - SEPARATE BATHROOM - DRAWING ROOM - DINING AREA - KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM - UTILITY ROOM - SAUNA - PARKING

- THREE BEDROOMS - OPEN PLAN DOUBLE RECEPTION - FULLY FITTED - KITCHEN/DINING ROOM - TWO BATHROOMS - SECLUDED PATIO - TERRACE

£1,100 per week

Part Furnished

117 Sydney Street London SW3 6NR Lettings: 0207 351 7822 or info@hlrlets.com

£1,050 per week

FURNISHED

Queen’s Gate Terrace, South Kensington, SW7 629 SQ.FT/58 SQ.M

A fabulous one bedroom, raised ground floor apartment with an impressive reception room, en-suite shower room and guest cloakroom. The specification includes a B&O entertainment system, Lutron lighting, VRV comfort cooling system and underfloor heating.

Price £1,250,000

SHARE OF FREEHOLD

020 7590 9339

Palace Gate, Kensington, W8 766 SQ.FT / 71 SQ.M

A superbly presented apartment, just one minutes walk of Kensington Gardens. Refurbished to a high standard in recent years and comprising of an open plan kitchen/reception room, utility room, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, study/2nd bedroom and shower room.

Price £950,000

SHARE OF FREEHOLD

020 7590 9339 38 GLOUCESTER ROAD, SW7

WWW.DOMINICLONDON.COM

SALES@DOMINICLONDON.COM

property

PrimeQResi

Property News

Journal of Prime Property

PRIME RESI provides us with a comprehensive monthly round-up of key news about the local luxury property market

primeresi.com

The Best Return Head of Residential Lettings Lisa Simon advises landlords on how they can maximise the returns on their property portfolio

Millionaires’ Rows The addresses on Zoopla’s rankings of the country’s most expensive locations haven’t changed much since last year, but some of the prices have. Kensington & Chelsea dominates the list, housing six of the 10 highest valued streets. The average price on Kensington Palace Gardens – still the most expensive address in Britain – has fallen from £42.6m to £38.2m, while third-placed Grosvenor Crescent in Belgravia has seen a drop of £1.2m, from £22.8m in July 2015 to £21.6m.

Further decreases were seen on Kensington’s Ilchester Place and Cottesmore Gardens. The Boltons was one of the few super-prime streets to see an increase, rising from £30.2m in 2015 to £33.3m.

These kinds of valuations are notoriously difficult to rely on as so few deals go down on the best roads. So make sure you take such figures with a pinch of salt.

174

Since the government implemented its stamp duty reforms in April, many landlords are scrutinising their portfolios to ensure that their investments are maximised. In addition to the 3% levy applied to the purchase of buy-to-let properties, many anticipate that post-tax returns could diminish under the new legislation, exerting additional pressure.

Before taking any action, it is crucial for landlords to consider how they hold their interests in property and the implications for their investments.

While owning property as an individual is simple, for many, it’s not very tax efficient. As such, many landlords are converting their individually owned portfolios into private companies due to certain legislation changes favouring corporate institutions.

Under the current industry legislation, landlords pay up to 45% of their rental profits in income tax, whereas companies pay 20% corporation tax, and that is likely to reduce to 17% over the next four years. Therefore, if a landlord does not rely on rental profits for their household income, or if they are not being used to repay loan capital, establishing a private company to manage a lettings portfolio looks very attractive. Furthermore, from 2017, loan interest will be restricted to income tax, while corporation tax will be exempt, further enhancing the appeal of the company model.

When residential properties are sold, individuals pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) of up to 28%, whereas companies are subject to lower rates (apart from in limited circumstances). In addition, companies are often taxed on a lower gain because they can claim an inflation allowance.

Corporate ownership also allows a range of investors to participate as shareholders, rather than having direct interest in the properties. This can benefit inheritance tax planning, as assets can be passed to the next generation without having to transfer the property. For example, landlords can introduce their grown-up children as minority shareholders or, with generous grandparents, grandchildren can become shareholders, and dividends can be paid to them for school fees or other expenses, rather than grandparents having to pay out of their taxed revenue. Dividends can also be paid to the wider family group, which should improve overall tax efficiency.

For those BTL landlords who own portfolios personally, it may be possible to move them into a new company structure; however, inadequate or poor advice could increase the risks of triggering high CGT and SDLT liabilities with no cash to settle them.

Navigating SDLT reforms is a sensitive and complex manoeuvre. In all instances, we encourage our landlords to seek advice from a tax expert. For the uninitiated, speaking to a lettings agent is a good place to start.

Carter Jonas, 127 Mount Street, W1K 3NT, 020 7493 0676, carterjonas.co.uk

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STARTING FROM £495,000 TO £1,395,000 LEASEHOLD

Occupying a prominent corner location in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Edwardes House has the hallmarks of an exceptional development, comprising of eleven new build residential apartments. Stylish one and two bedroom apartments feature open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas with contemporary interior specification featuring natural oak flooring, inbuilt kitchen appliances and Hans Grohe bathrooms.

Finishes and fittings have been carefully chosen to provide a sense of quality and a setting of neutrality to which residents can add their own personal touch. Edwardes House is a unique collection of prestigious new homes.

1 Studio flat | 4 One bedroom flats | 6 Two bedroom flats | Lift

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The Green Community Southfields welcomes a new collection of sustainable homes and apartments by eco-friendly developer Lendlease

Above/ xxxxx

Modern, communal and eco-friendly are three terms that best describe Cambium, the new sustainable housing development located in Southfields. The scheme, created by award-winning global developer Lendlease, offers a total of 55 townhouses and 55 apartments, each boasting an open-plan interior, stunning modern features and a high-quality finish.

Known for its commitment to sustainable developments, Lendlease has designed Cambium to provide its residents with optimum “green living” benefits, fusing modern aesthetic with durability. “Our vision is to create a thriving and sustainable community, and we have made sure the new development delivers high-quality, energy-efficient homes in a way that is sympathetic to the local environment,” says Richard Cook, head of residential at Lendlease. All living spaces are fitted with A+ energy efficient appliances, as well as energy-saving light, heat and water installations. More than 30 trees will also be planted as part of an ecologically diverse scheme, and an eco-play area is available for children.

As well as preserving the environment, the development also protects a historical landmark: a 200-year-old oak tree, which is believed to have been planted by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown – the landscape architect best known for designing some of the most notable gardens in the English countryside, including Warwick Castle and Blenheim Palace Gardens.

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Townhouses are available in three individual styles and range from three to five bedrooms in size, each with a private garden. Spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are also on offer and feature open lateral living, each with its own private terrace or balcony. All homes come complete with modern engineered timber flooring and floor-to-ceiling bifold or sliding doors, while all townhouses include an off-road parking space or garage.

“We have seen an increase in the demand for cleverly designed homes from families” says Cook. “This is why we have launched a range of townhouse styles that allow families to spread out over multiple levels, park right outside their front door and watch their children play in the communal urban meadow – all just a short walk or bike ride from Wimbledon Common.”

Perfect for both families and commuters, the development is situated just moments away from Putney Heath, Wimbledon Common and Southfields village, and falls in the catchment area for three Ofsted approved schools. Earl’s Court, Sloane Square and Victoria are all easily accessible by public transport.

The new apartments at Cambium are available from £429,950 and townhouses from £1.14m. For further details or to book an appointment call 020 3817 7000 or visit cambium.london

s l u x u ry l o n d o n . c o. u k s

H O M E O F TH E M O NTH 2 B E D R OO M A PA RTM E NT £ 595 ,0 0 0, I N C LU D I N G £ 2 0 ,0 0 0 O F BOCO N C EPT FU R N ITU R E A N E XC LU S IVE D E VELO P M ENT O F 1 , 2 A N D 3 B ED R O O M A PA RTM ENTS A N D 3 , 4 A N D 5 B ED R O O M H O U S E S I N LE A F Y SO UTH FI ELDS P R I C E S FR O M £429,950 P R I C E S C O R R EC T AT T I M E O F G O I N G TO P R E S S . I M AG E S A R E I N D I C AT I V E A N D F O R I L LU S T R AT I V E P U R P O S E S O N LY.

LI M ITE D TI M E O N LY TEL . 0 2 0 3 817 70 0 0 W W W.CA M B I U M . LO N D O N

Property News PRIME RESI provides us with a comprehensive monthly round-up of key news about the local luxury property market Illustration from a public exhibition by Kohn Pedersen Fox and McGrove Properties Ltd.

On the Money Managing Director of CENTURY 21 Sophia Elena, Elena Dimova, advises landlords on how they can make their properties stand out from the competition We are in the midst of a very busy lettings market. In addition to the usual stock we expect to see at this time of year, there are many “accidental landlords” who are marketing their properties to let instead of or in addition to trying to sell them.

What this means is that there is plenty of choice for tenants.

For landlords, it is absolutely crucial to review the comparable evidence with your agent and together decide upon a competitive marketing price for your property. The rental market is transparent and efficient. If your property is priced above its peers, it will miss out on the right audience and you may face a void period.

Having the right photographs and presence on the property portals,

Never Knowingly Undersold Planners have agreed to alter plans to redevelop the important Clearings site in Chelsea. The former John Lewis warehouses between Sloane Avenue and Draycott Avenue were bought by a Mike Ashley-backed JV between Citygrove Securities plc and McLaren Property for a reported £200m last year. RBKC had already given the green light for a Dixon Jones-designed 69-unit luxury scheme on the site, but the new owners have decided to change things around a bit and put in a request to “create a different residential element… that better suits market requirements”.

As such, the new Kohn Pedersen Fox designs have done away with seven townhouses and a six-bed apartment, upping the number of smaller units. This was all deemed fine by RBKC, and the three new buildings will now house 78 residential units with amenities, including private leisure facilities, concierge, residents’ business suite, and secure basement car parking for the private apartments. The gross development value of the “iconic” 192, 500 sq ft scheme has been estimated at around £900m, with completion due in 2020.

Hyde Park Barracks design by Quinland & Francis Terry Architects

Ultimately, if a tenant sees a property they like and know they can move into straight away… they will sign the lease as well as an agent who bestows emphasis on such matters, will make your property stand out from the competition.

What about viewings? The usual advice applies more so than ever. Ensure the property is presented in its best light. Declutter and neutralise if letting for the first time, so that prospective tenants may envisage themselves and their belongings in their new home. If the property has been previously let, it may need a coat of paint, so do it now to make it more attractive. Waiting to see if a tenant requests it as part of an offer is a false economy, as they most likely will; painting now will help you obtain more offers. The same applies to any other little touch-up needed – even making sure all the bulbs are working can go a long way.

Ultimately, if a tenant sees a property they like and know they can move into straight away, without the hassle of negotiating small changes with the landlord and possible delays associated with doing works, they will sign the lease. From a landlord’s perspective, surely as soon as the right tenant comes along, you want them in the property yesterday.

CENTURY 21 Sophia Elena, 10 Clarendon Road, W11 3AA 020 7229 1414, century21uk.com

Hyde Horse There’s been some goings-on down at Hyde Park Barracks, one of the most important development sites in PCL. While the potential for these six acres between Hyde Park and Knightsbridge is clearly enormous, part of the challenge involves finding a suitable home for the 200-horse Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, which has been in situ since 1795.

Despite Historic England’s recommendations, Sir Basil Spence’s 1970s creation failed to make a Grade II listing last year, after Conservative MP Tracey Crouch dismissed the existing complex and its 94-metre tower as “not of special architectural or historic interest”. Some major players have thrown their hats into the ring over the last couple of years, including Sir Stuart Lipton, Dixon Jones and Bruce Rippon’s SD&B International, which had some very classical plans drawn up by architects Quinlan & Francis Terry.

Now though, after a few months of radio silence, the MoD has decided to instruct giant consultancy Bilfinger GVA to look into relocation options and scenario testing, with a view to asking for bids “towards the end of next year”. The current value of the site has been roughly estimated at between £500m and £650m.

PROPERTY

Property News primeresi.com

PRIME RESI provides us with a comprehensive monthly round-up of key news about the local luxury property market Illustration from a public exhibition by Kohn Pedersen Fox and McGrove Properties Ltd.

Park Place living room

On the Money

The Skewed World of Estate Agency

Managing Director of CENTURY 21 Sophia Elena, Elena Dimova, advises landlords on how they can make their properties stand out from the competition

nick crayson, founder of Crayson, calls for a return of transparency in the property market

We are in the midst of a very busy lettings market. In addition to the usual stock we expect to see at this time of year, there are many “accidental landlords” who are marketing their properties to let instead of or in addition to trying to sell them.

What this means is that there is plenty of choice for tenants.

For landlords, it is absolutely crucial to review the comparable evidence with your agent and together decide upon a competitive marketing price for your property. The rental market is transparent and efficient. If your property is priced above its peers, it will miss out on the right audience and you may face a void period.

Having the right photographs and presence on the property portals,

Never Knowingly Undersold Planners have agreed to alter plans to redevelop the important Clearings site in Chelsea. The former John Lewis warehouses between Sloane Avenue and Draycott Avenue were bought by a Mike Ashley-backed JV between Citygrove Securities plc and McLaren Property for a reported £200m last year. RBKC had already given the green light for a Dixon Jones-designed 69-unit luxury scheme on the site, but the new owners have decided to change things around a bit and put in a request to “create a different residential element… that better suits market requirements”.

As such, the new Kohn Pedersen Fox designs have done away with seven townhouses and a six-bed apartment, upping the number of smaller units. This was all deemed fine by RBKC, and the three new buildings will now house 78 residential units with amenities, including private leisure facilities, concierge, residents’ business suite, and secure basement car parking for the private apartments. The gross development value of the “iconic” 192, 500 sq ft scheme has been estimated at around £900m, with completion due in 2020.

Hyde Park Barracks design by Quinland & Francis Terry Architects

Ultimately, if a tenant sees a property they like and know they can move into straight away… they will sign the lease as well as an agent who bestows emphasis on such matters, will make your property stand out from the competition.

What about viewings? The usual advice applies more so than ever. Ensure the property is presented in its best light. Declutter and neutralise if letting for the first time, so that prospective tenants may envisage themselves and their belongings in their new home. If the property has been previously let, it may need a coat of paint, so do it now to make it more attractive. Waiting to see if a tenant requests it as part of an offer is a false economy, as they most likely will; painting now will help you obtain more offers. The same applies to any other little touch-up needed – even making sure all the bulbs are working can go a long way.

Ultimately, if a tenant sees a property they like and know they can move into straight away, without the hassle of negotiating small changes with the landlord and possible delays associated with doing works, they will sign the lease. From a landlord’s perspective, surely as soon as the right tenant comes along, you want them in the property yesterday.

CENTURY 21 Sophia Elena, 10 Clarendon Road, W11 3AA 020 7229 1414, century21uk.com

Hyde Horse There’s been some goings-on down at Hyde Park Barracks, one of the most important development sites in PCL. While the potential for these six acres between Hyde Park and Knightsbridge is clearly enormous, part of the challenge involves finding a suitable home for the 200-horse Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, which has been in situ since 1795.

Despite Historic England’s recommendations, Sir Basil Spence’s 1970s creation failed to make a Grade II listing last year, after Conservative MP Tracey Crouch dismissed the existing complex and its 94-metre tower as “not of special architectural or historic interest”. Some major players have thrown their hats into the ring over the last couple of years, including Sir Stuart Lipton, Dixon Jones and Bruce Rippon’s SD&B International, which had some very classical plans drawn up by architects Quinlan & Francis Terry.

Now though, after a few months of radio silence, the MoD has decided to instruct giant consultancy Bilfinger GVA to look into relocation options and scenario testing, with a view to asking for bids “towards the end of next year”. The current value of the site has been roughly estimated at between £500m and £650m.

Walk in the Park Park Place Residences – a group of luxury apartments set within a six-storey restored Art Deco-inspired building – is currently entering the final phase of development under the management of property services company JLL. Located in the heart of St. James’s, the six apartments vary in terms of size and type: one one-bed studio, one two-bed duplex, three two- and threebed laterals and one four-bed penthouse.

Inside, you will find that all apartments have been designed using the same luxury furnishings, with bathrooms possessing a combination of marble walls, CP Hart baths and Artelinea vanity units, and the kitchens custom-made by 80-year-old Italian interior design firm Molteni & C. The development’s premium apartment, the penthouse, spans 3,400 sq ft over three floors, one of which is a 1,034 sq ft roof terrace offering 360 degree views of central London. parkplaceresidences.co.uk Park Place penthouse roof terrace

s l u x u ry l o n d o n . c o. u k s

The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme recently banned the malpractice of ‘portal juggling’. For those of you who don’t know, this is the re-releasing of a property listing by an agency on one or more portals, of a property that they’re already listing. It’s a way of trying to dupe the public and make a property look like it’s a new instruction. Zoopla Property Group has also come out and said that they will ban agents who continue to do this on their portals.

Since inception, such portals have been awash with such deceptions and it is about time TPO clamped down on them. It is important that the new shop windows paint an honest and transparent view of the property market, as this information is vital to the consumer. The standard and quality of instructions that are listed are the responsibility of the agencies who are selling those properties.

There is always frustration when a new instruction (if it is new) is listed on a portal and shows a photograph of a street, but none of the exterior or interior of the property. Sometimes not even a floor plan. TPO in essence should go further to prevent the listing of properties that sometimes don’t even exist.

Much property research is based on what the listings on the portals say. If the statistics are false the market can become heavily skewed. A particular weakness is the further undermining of statistics due to the constant over-valuation of property by agents for the sole purpose of winning instructions, with the constant subsequent price reductions, often over many months and sometimes years.

Within the new paradigm of a transparent online marketplace, property appears to be in a constant state of flux, in a general downward pattern of price reduction upon price reduction. These are highlighted on the sites every time it happens to each property. It looks poor and down-values their worth.

I’m not saying that price reductions are avoidable. Of course they’re not. Agents have to respond to the vicissitudes of the market, particularly in recent years where the constant stream of taxes and regulation have thwarted it. What I am talking about is the cynical over-valuation of property by agents to win instructions, which in my view is the worst offence and the largest single contributor to the skewed property market.

In future I hope that TPO looks at this false market and the negative effects it has for both agents and consumers.

Crayson, 10 Lambton Place, W11 2SH, 020 7221 1117, crayson.com

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property

Tranquillity on the Thames Discover a more peaceful side to city life with new development Chelsea Waterfront, where moments of calm can be found in the heart of the capital Above/ xxxxx

For centuries the desire to live by water caused the English nobility and London’s wealthy elite to build their homes on the banks of the River Thames. Today, riverside homes in the best locations are a rare and precious commodity, attracting a significant premium.

Chelsea’s charm and the promise of a tranquil home set in London’s loveliest district continue to ensure that properties along that part of the river command significant interest.

Now, a new riverside address is starting to attract attention. Designed

by British architect Sir Terry Farrell and developed by Hutchison Property Group, Chelsea Waterfront is an exceptional new development set over eight acres with breathtaking views of the Thames and, further along, the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral and the City of London.

Chelsea Waterfront will be the first development of its scale on Chelsea’s north bank for 100 years, featuring 10 buildings, including two standout towers either side of Chelsea Creek. The much loved local landmark, Lots Road Power Station, takes pride of place at the centre of the development. An ambitious restoration programme will return the building to its former glory and will

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include 260 apartments and a 100-metre ground floor mall with shops, cafés and a signature waterside restaurant.

New to the market this November is Chelsea Waterfront’s Compton House, a six-storey building comprising 21 two-, three- and four-bedroom luxury homes. Spacious apartments will feature interiors designed using the highest quality materials, including marble bathrooms, state-of-the-art kitchens with stone work surfaces, solid wooden cabinets and top-of-the-range appliances. Most apartments will also boast a private balcony or terrace.

Chelsea Waterfront comes with all of the luxuries of a modern city development, including an on-site gym, 24-hour security, a concierge service and direct lift access from an underground car park. Elegant water gardens designed by Britain’s leading landscape architects, Randle Siddeley Associates, add to the development's tranquil setting.

Chelsea Waterfront is just a short walk from the King’s Road, home to some of London’s best shops, cafés and restaurants.

Apartments from £1,438,000 available at Chelsea Waterfront from 1 November.

For further information call 020 7352 8852 or visit chelseawaterfront.com

s l u x u ry l o n d o n . c o. u k s

A development by Ronson Capital Partners in association with Derwent London

151 EAST 58TH STREET, MIDTOWN EAST, NYC

With over 2500 sq ft and windows offering uninterrupted north, west and south exposures, this penthouse has one of the more impressive views ever to hit the market.

Penthouse | Entrance hall | Open planned reception room with views | Eat-in kitchen 3 double bedrooms | 4 bathrooms | 1 WC | Concierge | Fitness room | Garage | Pets allowed

$37,500,000

60 Offices across England and Scotland, including prime Central London.

Connecting buyers and sellers around the world.

Our carefully selected international relationships put us at the heart of the world’s leading network of luxury real estate specialists, connecting our expertise, service ethos and UK coverage to high net worth individuals and property markets globally.

In an increasingly globalised world, reaching the right international audience is key when it comes to marketing luxury property.

At Strutt & Parker, we have the connections to reach the right buyers or sellers, wherever they are in the world. To see our selection of international properties, visit struttandparker.com or call Lulu Egerton on 0207 225 3866.

/struttandparker

@struttandparker

struttandparker.com

Ebury Street, Belgravia SW1

ÂŁ895 per week* Furnished

A contemporary, furnished, two bedroom apartment on the fourth floor of this sought after block with lift and 24 hour porter.

Entrance Hall | Reception room | Kitchen | Master bedroom with en suite bathroom | Second bedroom | Second bathroom with shower | Balcony | EPC rating C 960 sq ft (89 sq m)

Knightsbridge 020 3813 5116 knightsbridge@struttandparker.com

60 Offices across England and Scotland, including prime Central London.

Lennox Gardens, Knightsbridge SW1

ÂŁ1,975 per week* Furnished

A spacious, furnished, two bedroom apartment on the second floor (with lift) overlooking this charming garden square.

Entrance hall | Reception room | Kitchen | Master bedroom with en suite bathroom | Second bedroom with en suite shower room | EPC rating D 1,411 sq ft (131 sq m)

Knightsbridge 020 3813 5116 knightsbridge@struttandparker.com

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@struttandparker

struttandparker.com

Mimosa Street, Fulham SW6

ÂŁ2,350,000 Freehold

A fabulous and truly exceptional, fully extended five bedroom house in this highly desirable location.

Drawing room | Family room | Kitchen | Master bedroom with en suite bathroom | Four further bedrooms | Two further bathrooms | Utility room | Cloakroom | Paved garden | EPC rating E 2,099 sq ft (195 sq m)

Fulham 020 7731 7100 fulham@struttandparker.com

60 Offices across England and Scotland, including prime Central London.

Cheyne Gardens, Chelsea SW3

ÂŁ3,500,000 Leasehold

This unusual lateral apartment is six windows wide and has been immaculately refurbished to a very high quality. It is arranged over the second floor (with lift) of a beautiful, redbrick building.

Entrance hall | Reception room | Kitchen/dining room | Master bedroom suite | Second bedroom | Shower room | Lift | Caretaker/porter | EPC rating C 1,376 sq ft (127 sq m)

Chelsea 020 3813 9448 chelsea@struttandparker.com

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@struttandparker

struttandparker.com

Decadence Defined

Crafted to showcase complexity and depth, Rare Cask is drawn from the broadest spectrum of casks, 16 different types, ever identified by the Master Whisky Maker.

Far less than 1% of those casks maturing at the distillery have been identified as fitting to bestow the Rare Cask name. With rarity at its core, this is a whisky crafted from casks so rare they will never again be used in any Macallan whisky. Combining Spanish and American sherry seasoned oak casks, a high proportion of them first fill, gives rise to an exquisite whisky with a splendidly rich hue, and an unmistakable woody whisky.

This is a single malt which captures a true decadence; its creation goes beyond any other Macallan whisky and its rarity is absolute. It is a single malt of such diversity and intricacy it challenges the very conventions of whisky creation.

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N P LE A S E V I S I T T H EM ACA LLA N . CO M PLEASE SAVOUR RESPONSIBLY