The Mayfair Magazine February 2012

Welcome to a new chapter in Bentley history. The new Continental GT – a remarkable fusion of breathtaking performance, sensuous luxury and modern technology. This stunningly sculpted coupe’s sharp features are indicative of Bentley’s DNA. It harnesses an incredibly powerful 567bhp (575PS, 423kW) FlexFuel W12 engine

sporting innovative capabilities for everyday driving. This is matched with an exquisitely handcrafted, contemporary interior to ensure you are transported by all-wheel drive across countries and continents in superior comfort and elegance. Supreme motoring that is unmistakably Bentley. Welcome to the new Continental GT

Bentley Kent 92 London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1BA. Tel: 01732 453 700 www.bentleykent.co.uk The name ‘Bentley’ and the ‘B’ in wings device are registered trademarks. © January 2012 Bentley Motors Limited. Model shown: Bentley Continental GT, mrrp £135,750.

Price correct at time of going to press and includes VAT at 20%. Price excludes road fund licence, registration and delivery charges.

Fuel economy figures for the Continental GT in mpg (l/100km): Urban 11.1 (25.4); Extra Urban 24.9 (11.4); Combined 17.1 (16.5).

CO2 Emissions (g/km): 384.

BENTLEY KENT

from the

E DITOR Kate Harrison

W

ithout art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable’, so claimed George Bernard Shaw, once upon a time. It would certainly make it less interesting, especially within the Mayfair area, where galleries, theatres and displays of artistic worth are thrown out with careless abandon to the delight of all those who reside within it. Given Mayfair’s enduring love affair with the arts, we have dedicated this most amorous of month’s issue to art itself, exploring various ways of expression and celebration.

Firstly, after the devastating loss of one of the industry’s most respected artists, Lucian Freud, we celebrate the man who brought so much skill and irreverence to his work, as art editor Carol Cordrey gets a first look at the National Portrait Gallery’s retrospective exhibition, opening later this month (page 40).

Then Josh Sims meets the man behind the world’s leading ‘mechanical art gallery’, questioning the very definition of art (page 25), while Elle Blakeman meets with Amelie von Wedel, curator of the already infamous Arts Club, where contemporary art has been the backdrop to many a decadent Mayfair night (page 13).

And if we have inspired you to invest in art – apparently one of the safest forms of speculation in the current climate – then turn to page 18, where Olivia Platt-Hepworth seeks the advice of some of the world’s top experts on how to spot the next big thing.

And for those looking for inspiration for Valentine’s Day itself, take a look at our news pages (from page 34), where we discover that Mayfair really is the best place for couples, unless you have time to pop over to Rome of course (see page 100). Until next time, lots of love…

Enjoy

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C ONTENTS

29 Park life We pay homage to the many secret green patches that liven up our thriving metropolis

34 Residents news Celebrate Valentine’s Day in style with our guide to the top events taking place in Mayfair, St. James’s and Belgravia

13

77

State of the art

Jermyn style

Behind the scenes of Dover Street’s hottest new member’s club, the Arts Club, with curator Amelie von Wedel

We explore Savile Row’s sibling in male shopping

100

18 Guide to buying art

Roman holiday Discover the beautiful Italian city - a must for all art lovers

Expert advice on where to invest now and how to spot the next big thing

22 On the hunt Celebrate easter and art with Fabergé’s latest adventure

REGULARS 6

Editor’s letter

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My Mayfair

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Exhibition focus

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Collection

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Fashion

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Interiors

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Motoring

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Travel

103

Health & Beauty

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Food & Drink

116

Concierge

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Property

C ONTRIBUToRS FEBRuary 2012 s issue 005

Matthew Carter Matthew Carter is a London-based freelance journalist who’s been writing about cars for most of his working life. A former editor of Autocar magazine, he is a serial car owner.

Carol Cordrey Carol Cordrey is an art critic and editor with popular columns in many magazines. Each year she organises the international London Ice Sculpting Festival as well as sponsored art competitions which are judged by distinguished artists.

Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood

Head of Design Hiren Chandarana

Editor Kate Harrison

Designer Ashley Lewis

Deputy Editor Elle Blakeman

Production Manager Fiona Fenwick

Editorial Assistant Katie Richardson

Client Relationship Director Kate Oxbrow

Collection Editor Annabel Harrison

Head of Finance Elton Hopkins

Food & Drink Editor Neil Ridley

Managing Director Eren Ellwood

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FEATURE

State of the ART With a colourful history and stanch dedication to helping and enjoying the arts, the Arts Club has made a name for itself as a unique and vibrant place to socialise.

Elle Blakeman meets the club’s curator Amelie Von Wedel to discuss Paltrow, Dickens, and making absolutely sure she doesn’t please everyone

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ou can just imagine Charles Dickens sitting at the bar signing a book contract and drinking a whiskey,’ says Amelie von Wedel, the curator of the already infamous Arts Club. In just three months since the Arts Club reopened – to Mark Ronson DJing, Gwyneth Paltrow singing, and Royal attendance fanfare – the club has become one of the only places for visiting and London-based A-listers to be seen. After patron Prince Philip grabbed headlines attending the launch party (‘A stroke of PR genius,’ admits David Wynne-Morgan of Morton’s) Prince Harry kept them, looking rather more congruous than his grandfather, partying next to the beautiful people just before Christmas. The fashion world has given its always necessary stamp of approval via various starry advisors, from Paltrow’s collaboration on the décor with designer David d’Almada, to Stella McCartney’s eye-casting over the walls, and then of course there’s the arts side, which has been absolutely key, with von Wedel’s impressive credentials, aided by Sir Peter Blake’s enthusiastic input as club president. Paloma Faith is a resident musician, under Ronson’s musical directing, alongside Amy Winehouse’s band. The whole thing is like being caught in the wildest imagination of some ambitious PR. Founded by Dickens and Anthony Trollope, among others, in 1863, with member’s including Rodin, Whistler, Monet, Kipling and Degas, the easily missed address on London’s fashionable Dover Street housed an impressive melting pot of artistic ideas, discussions, and no doubt arguments, from day one – a culture that owners Arjun Waney (Zuma, Roka, La Petite Maison – say no more) and Gary Landesberg have been keen to maintain.

‘The fashion world has given its always necessary stamp of approval via various starry advisors’

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FEATURE

‘Not everyone likes all of the art,’ says von Wedel. ‘But I think that’s the point of contemporary art, if everyone likes it then it’s probably a bit too safe.

I don’t want to please everybody. However, many people have complimented the art here; I think people enjoy coming to a place that is a bit different, and the art allows us to create a space unlike anywhere else,’ she says.

Was she surprised by the almost instant success of the club? ‘No,’ she says. ‘I expected it, as I knew that with the names involved from the start, alongside the fabulous food [courtesy of chef Raphael Duntoye, hot from the kitchens of Le Petite Maison], and the location – I mean it doesn’t get better than Dover Street – then it was almost bound to work really,’ she says.

Von Wedel’s choices have certainly added a credence to the art side of the Arts Club, putting the Dover street venue on a level with galleries across the world, from the Museum of Contemporary Art in LA, who, like the Arts Club, have also housed solo shows from Theaster Gates (‘A real coop for the Club,’ says Wedel), to the Metropolian Museum of Art in New York, who are basing their upcoming Tomas Saraceno exhibit on the same model as the Arts Club sculpture – a huge piece that hangs imposingly over the wroughtiron staircase and has already won the club a design magazine cover. It also arguably opens the traditionally rather closed and insider art world to a wider audience. ‘I think that’s true. For example, some of the art we have was previously at the Hayward Gallery, but obviously not everyone goes to galleries, so it does allow different types of people to see it,’ says von Wedel.

While there is a permanent collection, there is a changing display of emerging artists, who will surely see their star rise after gracing the walls of the club. As curator, von Wedel has managed to walk that difficult line of staying true to the concept of the original club, without being detrimentally constrained by it. All of the art is contemporary, adding a modern touch to the space, while often nodding to the days of Dickens and Degas and important

‘Not everyone likes all of the art,’ says von Wedel, ‘but I think that’s the point’ eras gone by. The huge George Condo for example, an artist known for his vivid and absurd portraits, hangs in the place of what would once have held a like-for-like image of one of the club’s most important members – an avant-garde nod to the portrait concept.

‘Although Dickens and his fellow founders might be surprised by many of the 21st century’s artistic innovations, we like to think the new energy of the club is something of which they would approve,’ says von Wedel. Looking around at the animated discussions in the permanently busy salon, amid the colour, style and beauty – in every sense – of the modern-day club, I rather think he might.

The Arts Club, 40 Dover Street, W1S 4NP, 020 7290 3550 (www.theartsclub.co.uk)

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A guide

to buying

Is art the shining light of our economic times? Olivia Platt-Hepworth speaks to London’s top dealers on buying visual art for both personal satisfaction and financial assurance and asks their advice on building an art collection

Above left to right / ‘Personnages et oiseaux devant le soleil’ Oil on canvas by Joan Miró (1946) © Christie’s Images Limited 2011 Exterior image of the Philip Mould Gallery ‘Femme au fauteuil’ Oil on canvas by Pablo Picasso (1949) © Christie’s Images Limited 2011

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Against a backdrop of a tough economy, there has been one market that is defying the financial landscape of recent years: art. This surprising renaissance has been attributed to the value of art, which unlike many other forms of investment, is ultimately enduring. Happily, the emotional returns are also high, and in times of uncertainty, it seems buyers across the world are looking to visual art as a medium that they connect with and as an investment.

And the investment is big, last year a Sotheby’s auction made headlines after selling a Klimt painting, returned after being looted in World War II, for an undeniably healthy £25.4 million. Meanwhile Christie’s reported that its global sales in the first quarter of 2011 were up 10 per cent on the previous year to $3.2 billion.

‘Buying art has become tremendously fashionable and it can be a way of expressing one’s cultural interests,’ says Philip Mould OBE, British art expert, dealer and cohost of BBC programme Fake or Fortune.

Master paintings (works painted pre-1800) remain one of the most popular forms of art with buyers. ‘There’s a strong market for masterpieces; there’s a great demand for exceptional works, such as oil paintings, from buyers that are of high quality and in excellent condition,’ says Orlando Rock, deputy chairman of Christie’s Europe.

While they may look rather fabulous over the mantelpiece, old masters are also deemed as one of the safest forms of investment as they have an esteemed history. This history, or provenance to use the correct term, can offer a level of certainty for the buyer, through

the detailed knowledge of information such as where the work was previously hung, an original sales receipt or a newspaper clipping referencing the work or artist. The provenance can also help build a deeper bond with the piece, allowing buyers to understand the previous life of the art, and adding a level of heritage.

Buyers are also considerate of how their newly purchased works will fit into their lives and houses.

Last year Mould cohosted an exhibition at his gallery, Philip Mould Ltd with fashion designer Allegra Hicks, showing old masters juxtaposed against one of Hicks’ vivid clothing lines. The result was an old-meets-new effect, proving that the two can work in a harmonious, and often complimentary way.

However, it’s not only the traditional pieces that are fuelling the interest of buyers. Modern art, much of which is bought based on a combination of gut feeling and the expertise of the artist or the subject, rather than the provenance, are also proving to bolster the contemporary end of the market.

‘Contemporary art is about fashion, marketing, zeitgeist and speculation. There is a real thrill, shock and excitement with buying a Damien Hirst piece, which will elicit a completely different feeling for the buyer than an old master would,’ says Mould.

Buying contemporary art also allows buyers to purchase works that are often more financially achievable and can be a good place for first time buyers to dip their toe in the water.

‘Contemporary art is about fashion, marketing, zeitgeist and speculation,’ says Philip Mould OBE

Above left / ‘A mixture of frailties’ Household gloves and calico tailor’s dummy by Susie MacMurray (2004) Image: Courtesy of Agnew’s Gallery Above right / ‘Oranges, nuts, spices, boxes of sweetmeats, a jug and a cask on a table’ Oil on canvas by Luis Meléndez (Date unknown) © Christie’s Images Limited 2011

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ART

‘La table devant le bâtiment’ Oil on canvas by Juan Gris (1919) © Christie’s Images Limited 2011

The first solo exhibition of Manchester-based artist Susie MacMurray was well received at Agnew’s Gallery, based in the West End, late last year. The majority of MacMurrays works, priced from £1,500 to £20,000, were quickly snapped up by buyers. The show coincided with an exhibition of her work at the V&A Museum, which bolstered her reputation as ‘one to watch’ on the art scene and attracted buyers to Agnew’s.

‘Buying the works of emerging artists at an early point in their career can be a great way to enter the market. However, it is critical to research these artists.

Find out where they studied, if they have had any solo exhibitions and whether any of the major museums or institutions have bought their works,’ says Georgina Pemberton, a specialist in 20th Century and Contemporary British and Australian art at Agnew’s Gallery.

However, while art is increasingly viewed as a way to preserve wealth, the foremost reason of buying a piece or building a collection should always be for pleasure.

‘Whether you are a first time buyer or an avid

collector, one of the best reasons to buy art is for the enjoyment factor. The work should engage you on an emotional or intellectual level. It may elicit a response, evoke a memory or may provoke you to question your belief systems or ideas’, says Pemberton.

Adding to this, is the intrinsic motivation to buy works that relate to an individual’s cultural and national identity. ‘Every buyer has their own set of motivations and we’re seeing many looking further afield as the world becomes more globalized,’ says Rock. ‘At the same time, we’re seeing great activity of the acquisition of pieces due to repatriation, so that works by the nation’s artists remain there. Buyers purchasing for this reason are very passionate collectors, as they have a strong personal connection to the artwork.’

So, whether it’s an oil painting from the Dutch Golden Age or a four-dimensional, time-based installation, art remains one of the soundest investments for a post-recession world. And it looks so much nicer than a bank statement.

Georgina Pemberton, Director of Agnew’s Gallery, on the best advice for buying art and building a collection:

3. Research the subject. What is the subject of the work? Is the artist well known for this subject?

6. Look at prices commanded by their peers.

What are the asking prices of these works?

Are the works of this era in demand?

1. Research the artist and their reputation.

Is their work featured in art books or magazines? Have any of the major galleries hung their work?

4. Ensure it is in good condition. Is it museum quality? Is it in its original frame?

What is the medium of the work?

7. Be passionate about it. What’s the enjoyment factor? Do you have an emotional response to the work? What kind of emotions or memories does it trigger?

2. Know why you want to buy the work. Is it for pleasure? Is it to change the feel of a room in your home? Is it to build on your existing collection?

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5. Become friendly with an art dealer. Ask their advice. Tell them what type of art you are interested in purchasing and they can advise on other dealers/galleries you may be able to meet with.

8. Visit exhibitions and art fairs. Which galleries represent artists that appeal to you? Ask to be put on their mailing lists for upcoming shows.

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On the

Hunt Bringing together some of the biggest names in art and fashion, this Febraury sees FabergĂŠ launch an Easter egg hunt to remember. By Harriet Compston

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FEATURE

Elizabeth Hurley admired one. Alice Temperley decorated one. Princess Beatrice stroked one. In 2010, the Elephant Parade and its sculptures around the city brought the warm-blooded mammal stampeding back into Vogue. And London loved it. The project won numerous awards and raised £4.1m for Elephant Family, the charity founded by Camilla Parker Bowles’ brother, Mark Shand, to help protect the endangered Asian elephant.

This year sees another flamboyant artistic display: the world’s biggest ever Easter egg hunt. But GuinnessWorld-record bid aside, this is still no ordinary egg hunt: Fabergé eggs, a Who's Who of the creative world decorating them and royal favourite, The Goring Hotel hosting a ultra-exclusive breakfast in honour of the occasion.

Launching on Shrove Tuesday, two hundred two-and-a-half foot Fabergé fibreglass eggs will be strategically hidden throughout London: indoors, outdoors, squeezed in-between phone boxes, hung from balconies, for the forty days of Lent. For a small fee, anyone can join in – simply download the app and get cracking on solving the hunt’s clues.

Numerous artistic luminaries are involved: Vivienne Westwood, Diane von Furstenberg, the Chapman Brothers, Giles Deacon, Sophie Dahl, Zandra Rhodes and outlandish foodies Bompas and Parr who admitted that ‘nothing has intrigued, beguiled and challenged like The Big Egg Hunt’.

The designs are yet to be unveiled or ‘hatched’ as Nicky Haslam, another one of the designers put it, but expect great things. They are already guaranteed hot property and set to become highly collectable pieces of art. Following the hunt, the eggs will be sold in an A-list filled auction at Sotheby’s with the proceeds going to children’s charity, Action for Children, as well as Elephant Family, raising an estimated £2m.

Fabergé has been synonomous with glamour since Gustav Fabergé started making eggs in 1842 in St Petersburg. Under the directorship of his son, Peter Carl, the company first won high favour with the Imperial Romanov family in the 1880s and, soon after, gleaned the coveted Grand Prix at the 1900 World Fair in Paris.

However, in 1917, the Russian Revolution brought an abrupt end to the reign of the Romanov family and

Fabergé. Bar a pivotal role in Bond’s Octopussy, it wasn’t until ninety years later, in 2007, that the House of Fabergé rose to prominence once again with Peter Carl’s great granddaughters, Tatiana and Sarah Fabergé at the helm.

The Royal Collection owns over 300 works by Fabergé, 100 of which were on display at Buckingham Palace last year while one of England’s grandest stately homes, Luton Hoo, houses a further collection as well as its own Fabergé suite. The brands first boutique opened in Mayfair in November to great success, and the easter egg hunt is the next big event on the glittering agenda.

‘Eggs have become synonymous with Fabergé. The egg is symbolic to so many nations and cultures given its associations with life and rebirth’, says Sarah Fabergé.

‘I am ecstatic that The Goring is playing a part in this event; huge elephants and small children both deserve to be treasured and protected so we are delighted to be able to help. Also, this event is going to be such a brilliant laugh – how could we not be involved,’ says Jeremy Goring of the Goring Hotel. Their involvement is a specially commissioned dish of smoked salmon, scrambled Burford Brown eggs, quail’s egg, lobster and caviar, which will be available at the hotel for the duration of the hunt. Food critic, Tom Parker Bowles proclaimed the dish ‘a huge success.’

Despite the humble folklore surrounding Easter egg hunts, this is not the first time that this treasure-hunting mission has been glamorised. Last year, the Obamas hosted Hollywood’s elite including Samuel L Jackson and Will Smith for their annual ‘egg hunt and egg roll’ while Brad Pitt and his brood took part in a charity egg hunt at the Directors Guild of America in L.A. Britain is not far behind: Raymond Blanc has a traditional Easter egg hunt every Easter Sunday at Le Manoir and Blenheim Palace plays host to a ‘Hare-Brained Easter Egg Hunt’ around the grounds. Then there’s the perfect treat for children in Cumbria where the World of Beatrix Potter hides 100 unique Peter Rabbit eggs across the Lake District. It seems Fabergé is in good company.

‘This event is going to be such a brilliant laugh – how could we not be involved,’ says Jeremy Goring of the Goring Hotel

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The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt begins 21 February 2012. (www.thebigegghunt.co.uk)

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FEATURE

The mechanics of

Art

Can mechanics ever be art? Josh Sims meets with watchmaker and ‘mechanical art gallery’ owner Max Busser, to discover a world of intricate skill and craftsmanship and that would argue, wholeheartedly, that it can t h e M AY FA I R m a g a z i n e

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Max Busser has long had a fascination with all things mechanical – he is, after all, founder of the independent Swiss watchmakers MB&F, creators of some of the world’s most outlandish, complex and collectible timepieces, more typically referred to as ‘horological machines’ than mere watches. But when he opened an art gallery in Geneva late last year to celebrate similar mechanical arts – the gallery opened officially this January – it wasn’t for nothing that it came with a punning name: the M.A.D. Gallery – Mechanical Art Devices, yes, but also a reflection perhaps of wider opinion.

‘Mechanical devices are not considered art simply because the art world is snobbish,’ says Busser. ‘Even very knowledgable art collectors I know have looked at what we have brought together, then looked at me puzzled and have said “but that’s not art”. And if the art world doesn’t consider it art, it’s hard for the consumer to. But the fact is that too much value in contemporary art is in the idea over the craftsmanship now. In what we present, craft is all important. And in the human talent behind it, in the hundreds of hours of work that has gone into it, there is a clear measure of value.’

Indeed, the art on display in the M.A.D. Gallery blurs the distinction between functionality and aesthetics, purpose and surface, craft and meaning in ways that many are finding more provocative than even Busser expected.

Even over the soft launch period of a few weeks, many pieces have sold, and we’re talking about those priced anywhere up to CHF25,000. Among them, for example, are the ‘Jules Verne meets Dune’ hand-made lights by ex sci-fi designer Frank Buchwald – who makes just ten pieces a year, six of which

‘We have lost many of the craft skills over the last century. Real, deeply human genius lies in all those skills’ have sold from the gallery already; the ‘Transformer’ sculptures of Chinese artist Xia Heng, which move mechanically; the clapping and tapping machines of British art collective Laiking Land, through to the wind-up children’s cars created by Nika Zupanc, the motorised lights of Jake (son of James) Dyson and the machine photography of Denis Hayoun. All, of course, alongside MB&F’s own celebrated watches.

‘Our watches are celebrated as small pieces of kinetic art that also happen to tell the time,’ says Busser. ‘And the more I looked into it the more I found an under-valued parallel world of art works that just happen to, for example, project light, or run on wheels. In part the gallery is about supporting these independent artist-makers, backing the underdogs. But it’s also to raise awareness of the artistry and craft in machinery. These pieces can provoke the same deeply emotional response as more ‘official’ art. You look at them and can’t help think “wow, that’s amazing”’.

Might the recession’s refocusing on hand-made crafts, and new considerations of the real value of things be encouraging more of us to react similarly to the intricacy and expertise with which some products are made?

Might influential books the likes of Matthew Crawford’s The Case for Working With Your Hands: or Why Office Work is Bad For Us and Fixing Things Feels Good be a sign of growing interest in the beauty of engineering and pleasures of making? Unfortunately, Busser is pessimistic. ‘While the internet may have provided more niche skills and unknown makers with a new platform, in the

All images courtesy of M.A.D Gallery

FEATURE

digital age the mechanical is more than ever underrated,’ he says.

Just 20 years ago, people who bought mechanical watches, for example, tended to have a real connoisseur understanding of and love for how they worked,’ says Busser. ‘Now, like so many supposedly crafted products, they are bought primarily as status items. As a society, we don’t know how to use our hands anymore. We set white collar careers above blue collar jobs, and with that have lost many of the craft skills over the last century. It wasn’t that long ago when people could tinker with their car engines, and knew how to. Now we have to take them to specialists to have them hooked up to computers. And yet real, deeply human genius lies in all those craft and manufacturing skills.’

Busser is, at least, not entirely alone in his appreciation. Now on the hunt for new mechanical art makers to join his gallery – one candidate is a maker of electric guitars with an unusual machine aesthetic – he has also been approached with the idea of opening further M.A.D. Galleries in metropolitan city locations. ‘I’ve had no experience of the retail business nor of running art galleries – basically I’ve just filled the first M.A.D. Gallery with all the stuff I’d like to have at home,’ says Busser. ‘But from our initial sales it seems that there are at least enough people out there who get it, who appreciate something not just for the way it looks, or what it says, but also for the way it’s made and the way it works.’

M.A.D. Gallery, Rue Verdaine 11, Geneva (www.madgallery.ch)

Max Busser

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www.justerinis.com 0207 493 6174

FEATURE

Park life Exquisite greens, elegant mews and refusing to sell out to JFK, Mike Peake explores the long and rich history of Mayfair’s gardens Short of skydiving into Mayfair, it’s hard to get a sense of how it all looks from the air – although Google Earth, of course, does a pretty good job of freefalling you in. As you zoom down from the satellites, Mayfair quickly takes on its familiar ’squashed box’ shape, Oxford and Regent Streets forming robust borders to the north and east respectively, but what catches the eye is the way that Mayfair seems to merge into two vast oases of green to the west and south. Hyde Park and The Green Park (to give it its proper title) have long been to Mayfair what Central Park is to upper

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and mid-town Manhattan – and as with New York City, a generous smattering of quiet squares and gardens further ensure that serenity amidst the hustle and bustle is never far away.

Almost from the very start, Mayfair was planned with the sensibilities of its future inhabitants in mind.

Built largely in the 18th century on land owned by the Grosvenor Family, Mayfair’s epicentre was – and in many ways, still is – the grand and extravagantly proportioned Grosvenor Square: six prime acres in the heart of London which spoke volumes about the developers’ intentions.

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FEATURE

‘The first garden square in London was Soho Square in 1681,’ says London guide Peter Berthoud.

‘It became the model for many future developments around town.’ When Grosvenor Square followed suit in the 1720s, its planners settled on a surrounding street pattern that remains largely unchanged today. According to Berthoud, the very best addresses were on the square itself. ‘It was known as “first-rate” Georgian architecture – a series of regulations governing wall thickness and number of floors and so on – and that was used for the buildings facing the square,’ he says. “Second-rate” denoted the immediately surrounding streets, and then came “third rate”, designed with “reasonably well-todo people” in mind. ‘Finally,’ says Berthoud, ‘came the mews, considered at the time as pretty vile housing for horses and the grooms who looked after them with very little regulation at all.’

Today, of course, a Mayfair mews house can fetch an astronomical sum, such is the desirability of life in this magical corner of London.

It is impossible not to think of Grosvenor Square today without picturing the imposing American Embassy, built on the Square’s western side between 1958-60 on land that the Americans don’t actually own. Mayfair legend has it that when JFK inquired about buying the land from the Duke of Westminster, he was told that the sale would only be possible if the US returned all lands that had been seized

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from the Grosvenor Family after the War of Independence.

Considering that this included most of Maine and New York City, the deal – unsurprisingly – never went through.

American voices can often be heard in Grosvenor Square, just as they can in the neighbouring Mount Street Gardens, often considered a Mayfair hidden gem – although that certainly wouldn’t have been anyone’s description in the early 1800s when the site was a rather unsightly burial ground. ‘Today, there must be more benches per square yard here than anywhere else in London,’ says Berthoud. These days, he says, anyone wanting to donate a memorial bench must first join a rather lengthy waiting list.

Considerably more hidden than Mount Street Gardens – though slightly less gem-like – are Brown Hart Gardens, which can be found up flights of stairs off both Balderton and Duke Streets. Perched atop the roof of a power station that was built on the site of the former Duke Street Gardens in 1902, Brown Street Gardens don’t, perhaps, live up to the splendour of their near neighbours, but as a place to sit and take in the surrounding streets, they remain a worthwhile detour.

One of Mayfair’s most popular green spaces is the lovely Berkeley Square, which, according to Edward Walford, author of an 1878 publication titled Old and New London, Volume 4, ‘Vied with Grosvenor Square in being the most fashionable spot in the West-end. But in spite of its wealth and luxury,’ he said, ‘it also enjoyed the unenviable distinction of being infested with highwaymen.’

Horse-riding criminals notwithstanding, Berkeley Square is home to some of London’s finest – and oldest – Plane trees, planted in 1789. Some have recently been valued at as much as £750,000 each by local authority tree officers, this figure coming into play during disputes such as those where roots have disturbed neighbouring properties. A tree’s monetary value, which takes into account its size, health and historic significance, would lend weight to the arboreal defence counsel, so to speak.

Completing Mayfair’s rich patchwork of squares and gardens is Hanover Square, started in 1717 soon after King George I took the throne, and notable today for its imposing statue of Pitt The Younger at its southern end. It contrasts quite magnificently with the one of former cowboy Ronald Reagan in Grosvenor Square, and is another reminder of the ever-evolving face of Mayfair’s parks and gardens. Be they leafy and genteel or stark or stately, they will continue to bring a quieter side of life into the heart of London for generations to come.

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INTERVIEW

My

Colin Sheaf Auctioneer

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Describing Colin Sheaf as an auctioneer is a bit like saying Sebastian Vettel drives cars for a living. Chairman of both Bonhams’ UK business and the 200-yearold auction house’s Asian Art interests, Sheaf is something of an auctioneering legend, equally as at home in an English stately home appraising a treasure-laden parlour as he is standing on stage with a wooden hammer. Part international businessman, part historian and part ringmaster, he occupies a key position within the antique world and his office at Bonhams’ London HQ in New Bond Street – a £30m work in progress – puts him right at the heart of the action.

‘The offices here are actually several buildings that have been put together over the decades,’ says Sheaf, explaining that the final piece of the puzzle fell into place when Bonhams were able to secure frontage on New Bond Street itself. Now in the midst of a two-year redesign during which the entire block will be transformed into ‘a state of the art, 21st century auction house,’ Bonhams is fortifying its reputation as one of the industry’s biggest players. After years headquartered in the neighbouring (and slightly more genteel) St James, Sheaf says that the hustle, bustle and competitive buzz of Mayfair suits the company to a tee.

‘My day job is typically to steer an object from a mantelpiece where it has been since the 1750s onto a mantelpiece in a major new residential building in Beijing,’ he says. ‘It takes in all the intermediate stages and it’s a lot of fun.’

In the course of the average day Sheaf will talk to collectors, to antique dealers and to people who have bought and sold at recent Bonhams auctions.

He will also be planning his next event either here in London or in Hong Kong, and might well find himself busy helping clients wrestle with such

delicate matters as the tax implications of a sale, or advising on where in the world they are likely to attract the best price. As he says himself, ‘It’s not just about holding an auction,’ although there is little doubt that auction day is when Sheaf is well and truly in his element.

‘I’ve usually spent a great amount of time and effort into putting it all together and the conducting of the auction itself is a big part of it all,’ he says of his time in front of the crowd.

‘I find it very exciting, very challenging and stimulating, too. My best day was when I was able to stand up on the auction rostrum and say, ‘The bid is £9 million,’ which I did in November during the sale of an Imperial vase. I would be happy to do that every single day of my professional career!’

The £9m sale was one of 700 lots sold

by Bonhams during Asian Art Week, and with Asian art very much in vogue, Sheaf was able to steer the auction house to a record-breaking total of £30.9m in sales. By his own admission it was an auctioneering ‘perfect storm’ – a combination of excellent lots, first-rate research and a buoyant market – and it smashed all expectations. He will still be smiling about it come next Christmas.

Having spent all of his professional life within three-quarters of a mile of his current office, Sheaf has come to know this little corner of London intimately. He has a special place in his heart for both Bar Semplice in Woodstock Street and Hush’s Silver Room in Lancashire Court, and describes his morning walk to work from his home in Pimlico as ‘a commuter’s dream.’

‘Mayfair changes with the seasons,’ he says, ‘but I especially like it in late spring, when everything is fresh, clean and crisp. It is a truly wonderful time to be in one of the world’s great retail spaces.’

Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, London, W1S 1SR (020 7447 7447; www.bonhams.com)

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Mayfair & St James’s

News

From chocolate tasting to artistic inspiration, the top places to spend your Valentine’s Day

For the out-of-town art lovers…

In a strange and rather wonderful collaboration, the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill – have partnered with the Saatchi Gallery, installing art in various forms within the main sections of the hotel, and even transforming one of the suites. The collaboration will see three individually themed exhibitions across the year in the hotel lobby, the hotel’s restaurant The Montagu and The Churchill Bar, creating a cultural playground for guests to interact with.

The limited-edition Saatchi Gallery Suite will be available for guests to stay in from 1 February, who will be invited to write about their dreams within the room, contributing to the experience. It takes the concept of living with art to a whole new level.

For reservations, call 0845 888 1234 (www.london.churchill.hyatt.com)

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For the girl’s…

For those on a date…

The newly-opened Aurelia is the ideal place to come with your significant other, whether it’s the first date, or you’ve been married for years. The marble flooring will make you feel like you have been transported to a beautiful trattoria somewhere in Italy, while the process of sharing food on the special ‘a deux’ menu – split into sections inspired by different regions along the Italian coast from Rome to Valencia – is instantly relaxing and intimate.

Aurelia, 13-14 Cork Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 3NS 020 7409 1370 (www.aurelialondon.co.uk)

If no one is sending you chocolates, or no one is sending you good chocolate, book into the Mount Street Deli’s masterclass, with Original Beans founder Philipp Kauffmann. Kauffmann is a man who knows his chocolate, and will be offering guests a range of his own range to try, alongside talking you through the complicated flavours. Who needs a man?

Tickets £10 per person for Tuesday 14 February at 6pm 020 7499 6843; www.mountstreetdeli.com. www.originalbeans.com

www.peterberthoud.co.uk

For the literati…

Mayfair has long been an inspiration to authors, and has therefore been the setting for many great novels and plays, such as A School for Scandal, The Picture of Dorian Gray and A Handful of Dust. This Valentine’s Day, take a stroll around this historic part of London, and learn about the lives of some of the artists and writers’ who lived in the area. Discover the most exclusive bachelor apartments in town, and see St. Georges church – one of the landmarks in the film, My Fair Lady.

For lovers of book buying and browsing, the tour discovers some tucked away gems including the oldest bookshop in London, as well as the longest established antiquarian bookshop in the world and the birthplace of the very first paperback.

Email westminsterwalks@yahoo.co.uk to book your place.

Thursday 9 February 2012 - Monday 13 February 2012 6.30pm to approx. 8pm. Tickets £8 (Meeting point given on booking)

For couples…

Painter Cy Twombly.

Time Life Pictures, Getty Images © David Lees

If the idea of sharing a restaurant filled with tables of star-crossed lovers fills you with dread, then the May Fair hotel have a rather decadent alterantive way to celebrate – a joint Morrocan Stream Cleansing ritual. A therapist will guide you through the experience, but you are left alone to carry out the relaxing steps in your own private steam chamber, after which you will be led into the Rassul chamber, and presented with a specifically chosen range of products, including a scrub and matching mineral clay, face mask and organic oil mixture – sure to leave you both calm and refreshed, and not a hangover or plastic rose in sight. £99 for two. The May Fair Hotel (020 7915 2826; www.themayfairhotel.co.uk)

For the artists…

New York-based gallery, Eykyn Maclean, known for specialising in Impressionist and 20th century European and American Art, will be showcasing Cy Twombly paintings from the Ilena Sonnabend Collection to mark their launch in our fair isle. Cy Twombly: Works from the Sonnabend Collection, brings together all eleven works by the artist, and the show is a rare opportunity to view works from several important stages in the Twombly’s life, including many which have never before been publically exhibited, and a world-class Valentines’ treat for lovers of the artist.

Sonnabent, a colourful art dealer and collector who was married to Leo Castelli, famously asked for a Matisse instead of an engagement ring and was instrumental in introducing Gilbert and George to the U.S. as well as working with many of the great names in 21st century art, from Warhol to Koons.

The connection between Twombly and Sonnabend came through mutual friendships with Robert Rauschenberg.

‘Cy Twombly: Works from the Sonnabend Collection’ is at Eykyn Maclean, 30 St. George Street, London W1S 2FH from 7 February - 17 March 2012 Tuesday to Friday, 10am-5pm and Saturday, 11am-4pm (www.eykynmaclean.com)

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Belgravia

News From pop-up culture lounges to the Russian Philharmonic, Belgravia has much to celebrate this Valentine’s Day

For the culture vultures…

The Russian State Philharmonic Orchestra currently ranks among the finest symphonic ensembles in Europe, receiving frequent invitations to perform in countries around the world. This month they will be gracing Cadogen Hall, where they will perform some of Russia’s best-loved music.

Valery Poliansky conducts the orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s sparkling Polonaise from Eugene Onegin, closing with Rimsky-Korsakov’s colourful symphonic suite based on Arabian Nights, Scheherazade.

Before the exotic finale he is joined by his daughter, piano soloist Tatiana Polianskava in Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto, one of the composer’s enduringly popular and romantic pieces and happily, just in time for Valentines’ Day. Tuesday 7 February 7:30pm, Cadogen Hall Box Office on 020 7730 4500

For the wine connoisseur…

Boisdale is offering a Laurent-Perrier gourmet dinner, at their Belgravia restaurant. Members and their guests have an opportunity to taste four varietals of the champagne with canapés, followed by a three-course dinner.

If bubbles are not your posion of choice, the restaurant will also be hosting a Chilean wine-tasting evening, on February 21 with Philipe Tosso, the Chief Winemaker of Vina Ventisquero presenting.

020 7730 6922 (alexandria@boisdale.co.uk)

For the struggling artists…

This month, Eleven Gallery are playing host to From the Road, a new exhibition reflecting the endless potential presented by a landscape to an artist. Featuring prominent artists including Rob Carter, Wim Wenders, and Jane Hilton, the collection of photographs explores the varied perspectives of a number of different environments – from natural phenomenon to immense urban structures – and demonstrating both traditional and modern methodology in capturing the images. The artists featured convey a strong sense of location and encapsulate the experience of being in a place, revealing atmospheres from wonderment or adventure to solitude and loneliness. If you’re looking for a discursive Valentines date, this is perfect.

‘From the Road Exhibition’ is on at the Eleven Gallery until 17 March 2012 020 7823 5540 (www.elevenfineart.com)

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For the weekend away…

Experience some unknown treasures in Belgravia this month with The Halkin Hotel offering ‘tailor-made add-ons’ to their shopping packages, from jewellery consultations with prestigious jewellers, De Vromen, over a glass of champagne – naturally, to a bespoke cigar session at London’s leading cigar merchant, Tom Tom Cigars.

The hotel is also offering William Curley’s Couture Chocolate Afternoon Tea in their Assouline pop-up ‘Culture Lounge’, where guests can indulge in the à la carte selection of bespoke chocolate treats while picking up some cultural highlights from Assoline’s renowned range of books.

Shopping package from £340; afternoon tea priced from £37.50.

The Halkin Hotel, Halkin Street, London (020 7333 1059; www.halkin.como.bz)

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162 NEW BOND STREET LONDON W1S 2UG WWW.SOLANGE.CO.UK

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Art

News The latest discoveries, exhibits and must-sees in the art world this month

Hauser & Wirth Savile Row’s Hauser & Wirth have brought together two artists who are normally poles apart. Firstly, American artist, Mary Heilmann puts a zing into spring with her new, vibrantly coloured body of work entitled, Visions, Waves and Roads – a perfect example of contemporary life distilled into artistic inspiration.

Popular music, local highways, ocean views of America’s west coast, Sixties culture and the existing work of cult figures such as Warhol and Malevich seep into Heilmann’s hugely creative mind, resulting in ground-breaking film,

sculpture and – most unusually – club furniture in the form of tables and chairs.

Within the same venue but in the North Gallery, is Michael Raedecker’s, Volume, a display of his enigmatic, textured work that employs the unusual combination of paint and embroidery to represent everyday, domestic subjects.

The results of this Netherland-based artist’s approach to his surroundings are generally unsettling yet captivating, so be prepared to consider the ordinary as extraordinary.

23 February-5 April (www.hauserwirth.com)

Hauser & Wirth London, scheme, 2011, © Michael Raedecker Image: courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Peter White

Rumpole of the bailey That idiosyncratic character, Rumpole of the Old Bailey, will be the source of much gossip in St. James’s this month. Barrister and writer, John Mortimer, gave birth to Rumpole on paper, but he was brought to life and etched upon the public’s psyche by the lively and distinctive illustrations of Tony Healey in the series of best-selling books.

Healey has had a glittering career as a political and current affairs caricaturist, having worked extensively for the BBC, the Financial Times and The Daily Telegraph.

This exhibition celebrates Mortimer’s remarkable talents and offers Healey’s original Rumpole watercolours for sale for the first time, so it is certain to be a magnet for both devotees of Rumpole and collectors of top-quality illustration artwork.

20 February-3 March (www.illustrationcupboard.com)

By Tony Healey

Q&A with Bonhams about Picasso’s Notre Dame Q: What made Notre Dame so important to Pablo Picasso?

A: He would have passed it every day on his way to his studio at 7 rue des Grands-Augustins, and the Cathedral was close to him personally as well as geographically.

Q: The painting is of special note as it is one of the artist’s later landscapes; did he abandon that genre?

A: Picasso painted numerous scenes of Paris during the Second World War, including views of Notre Dame, and he continued to paint landscapes throughout the later part of his life.

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Q: It was painted in 1954; is this significant?

A: He painted a number of landscapes in 1954 that were of personal importance, such as images of Vallauris in the South of France where he spent a lot of his time. Also, Picasso was falling in love with Jacqueline Roque when he painted this vibrant image – she was to become his wife.

Q: Does the £700,000-1,000,000 estimate mean the painting is likely to be snapped up by an international collector or museum?

A: We anticipate having interest from all over the world as a work of this importance usually attracts international bidding.

Notre Dame de Paris

By Pablo Picasso, Courtesy of Bonhams

Impressionist & Modern Art Auction, 7 February (www.bonhams.com)

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Reflection (Self-portrait), 1985 Private Collection, Ireland © The Lucian Freud Archive Photo: Courtesy Lucian Freud Archive

EXHIBITION FOCUs:

Lucian Freud

Carol Cordrey discovers why the new Lucian Freud exhibit is causing a stir in the art world this month The rather underwhelming Cultural Olympiad promised far more than it delivered over the past four years but, in the nick of time, it is set to rescue its reputation by finishing with a series of high quality, artistic events.

One of those events is Lucian Freud Portraits, an enormous group of over 100 of his paintings, drawings and etchings organized prior to Freud’s death last year by the National Portrait Gallery and loaned from private collections and museums around the world. It coincides with another display of Freud’s work, but those will be etchings supplied by a single collector for sale at Christie’s, King Street. Although Freud’s fame developed from his paintings, these prints are of great significance in his oeuvre: they are subtle and monochrome in contrast to his highly expressive paintings, with the exception of Lord Goodman in his Yellow Pyjamas which Freud subsequently painted by hand using watercolour. Unusually, the artist drew the print images from life onto the copper plate placed on his easel, as if they were canvases; not all the prints relate to his paintings as some etchings were done from independent studies of his sitters; and the provenance of these 45 etchings may have a marked effect on their value as they have emerged from London’s renowned, master printer, Magar Balakjian, with whom Freud had a remarkably long and successful working relationship as well as friendship.

The grandson of the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, Lucien Freud was born in 1922 of German origin. Aged ten, Freud moved with his parents from Berlin to England and became a British national in 1939. After leaving the Merchant Navy in 1942 due to invalid status, he pursued his passion to become a professional artist. His career took various twists and turns with changes of style, which are clear to see in the National Portrait Gallery’s

exhibition. In the early days, he favoured a surrealist style, invoking meticulous attention to detail throughout his compositions as in Girl in a Dark Jacket. Later, his observational intensity remained, but from the 1960s he adopted a looser, more expressive application of thick paint, evident in Frank Auerbach, one of his many artist friends who sat for him.

It is well documented that Lucian Freud was unrelenting about the importance he placed on painting only those people or animals he knew well; without that connection he believed that a portrait ‘could only be like a travel book’ – completely detached from experiencing the real thing. He could adhere to this principle because of his prodigious talent which brought him fame and riches throughout a long career, resulting in iconic status by the latter part of the 20th century as Britain’s greatest living painter.

The psychological power of Freud’s portraits emerged from layers of paint that exaggerated his sitters’ features as if he had sculpted their flesh, whilst their poses and body language highlighted their character. He painted an eclectic mix of the unknown like Sue Tilley - Benefits Supervisor Sleeping - or the famous like Kate Moss and Brigadier Andrew Parker-Bowles or the infamous like performance artist, Leigh Bowery (Seated). Animals featured too, particularly elegant Eli, a dog belonging to his assistant, David Dawson, and all were painted with the same rigour as people.

Freud was as demanding of his subjects as of himself; sittings could last many hours spread over numerous months and sometimes years but they sensed that the suffering would be worth it, artistically and financially. How right they were for last year Christie’s sold the painted Woman Smiling for £4,745,250 and the etching Head of Bruce Bernard for $20,000.

Lucian Freud Portraits 9 February - 27 May www.npg.org.uk

The Printers Proof: Etchings by Lucian Freud from the Studio Prints Archive 15 February www.christies.com

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The Brigadier, 2003-04 Private Collection Š The Lucian Freud Archive Photo: Courtesy Lucian Freud Archive

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ART

Prize Lot: CHRISTIE’S

HOCKNEY ON PAPER Own a piece of art history with a landmark sale of David Hockney

Particulars: Expected Value (item): £12,000 - £18,000 Expected Value (auction): In excess of £1m Estimated Range: £1,000 - £150,000 No. of Lots: 147 Place: Christie’s South Kensington, 85 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3LD David Hockney (b.1937) Sun (1973) © Christie’s Images Limited 2012

Date: 11.00am, 17 February 2012

A high-profile sale in the art history world, Christie’s will be hosting ‘Hockney on Paper’, a landmark sale of works by David Hockney in February. Art collectors and Hockney fans will see a diverse range of the Bradford-born artist’s works stretching back over five decades, from his student days to his recent foray into the world of digital imaging; spanning still lifes, country landscapes and his studies of water and light, including Sun (1973) (pictured).

One of the world’s most highly respected and celebrated artists, the current sale record for Hockney was set by Beverly Hills Housewife (diptych, 1966-7), which achieved $7.9 million at Christie’s New York in May 2009 from the Betty Freeman Collection.

The Hockney on Paper sale is timed to coincide with the major Hockney exhibition David Hockney: A Bigger Picture (21 January - 9 April), taking place in the Royal Academy in London. This auction will offer fans the opportunity to see a comprehensive survey of the artist’s prints and works on paper and acquire works with estimates starting at £1,000. (www.christies.com)

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ART

Prize Lot: BONHAMs

THE ULTIMATE CLASSIc A 1965 Jaguar E-Type that belonged to Sir Elton John is offered at Bonhams

A 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2 Roadster that belonged to Sir Elton John is one of the highlights of the Collectors’ Motor Cars and Automobilia sale at Bonhams Oxford on 3 March 2012. Estimated to sell for £50,000-£70,000 the car was bought by Sir Elton in 1987. According to his fleet manager, Sir Elton and his staff referred to the E-Type as ‘OK Elton’ due to its number plate, which it was worn throughout his ownership and is sold with the car.

An icon of the Sixties, few cars had such universal appeal as the Jaguar E-Type, and in many people’s eyes, the Series 1 4.2 is the best E-Type of all. Jaguar adopted an updated version of the E-Type in 1964 with the enlarged 4.2 litre six cylinder engine.

Although not improving the 145mph top speed, the engine had a noticeably increased torque range. An all-synchromesh gearbox and an improved brake servo system were standard to the 4.2 cars and there were also major technical improvements in the clutch and electrical cooling systems. Inside, the interior houses better seats, and a revised dashboard.

Research has confirmed that this Jaguar E-Type was originally supplied to right hand drive, manual specification. The certificate notes that it was sold new in Carmen red livery and had a black interior and matching hood, as it is today. The cosmetic appearance is still good, with only minor interior wear, the bodywork is entirely straight, and under the bonnet is very clean. (www.bonhams.com)

Particulars: Expected Value (item): £50,000 - £70,000 Expected Value (auction): £418,760 – £547,830 Estimated Range: £100 - £70,000 No. of Lots: 109 (29 cars) Place: Bonhams Oxford, Banbury Rd, OX5 1JH Date: 12.00pm , 3 March 2012

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Ex-Elton John Jaguar E-Type Series I Roadster © Bonhams

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ART

Prize Lot: sotheby’s

RARE & RESTORED Extraordinary Milhous collection prepares for final encore with elaborate dance organ

The Milhous Museum, compiled over the past 50 years by brothers Bob and Paul Milhous, houses rare and important automobiles, mechanical music, and collectibles, boasting one of the world’s most notable assemblies of orchestrions, fair, dance and theatre organs. At the end of February this year, RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, is delighted to offer the Milhous Collection in situ at auction.

One of the absolute highlights of the Milhous Collection is the largest scale Gaudin organ known. Gaudin focused on building fairground organs with elaborate carvings and exposed brass trumpet pipes before shifting their emphasis to elaborate dance organs in the 1920s.

This stunning example was found in England mostly intact but with moisture damage. It underwent total restoration by the world-renowned fourth-generation organ expert Johnny Verbeeck and his staff in Belgium. It plays either cardboard book music or from a convenient MIDI player and with the organ comes 16 very large cardboard music books and 142 MIDI files.

The rare opportunity to acquire a Gaudin organ of this size and detail will likely never come again. (www.sothebys.com)

Particulars: Expected Value (item): $1,000,000 - $1,200,000 US Expected Value (auction): $40,000,000 US Estimated Range: $500 - $2,500,000 US No. of Lots: 839 Place: Boco Raton, Florida Date: 24-25 February

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Lot 790 The Gaudin 125-Key Dance Organ Courtesy of RM Auctions

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Jewellery

News Glamorous and seductive pieces to cherish for a lifetime

Sweet temptation Not wishing to be left out of the romantic over-exuberance of Valentine’s Day, Chopard’s appetizing new jewellery line will tempt you towards glittering new delights and leave your mouth watering.

The Geneva jewellery house has created a playful new collection which is deliberate in turning away from the stiff formality of high jewellery and instead is all about having fun. Sumptuous colours and scrumptious shapes will entice you like a child drawn to a sweet shop’s window display; a delectable concoction of candy-bright jewels which can be worn any day of the week.

White heat Boodles’ Velocity and Roulette collections are certain to cause a stir this February.

The collections are made up of 18-carat white gold, yellow and rose gold pendants, bracelets and earrings and white diamonds.

Roulette large bracelet, £18,000, Boodles (www.boodles.com)

(www.chopard.com)

Cutting Edge Iconic British jewellery designer Stephen Webster has merged with the fabulously decadent Eden Rock St. Barths hotel, just in time for the 2012 bikini-clad season in the Caribbean.

The collaboration between the two brands was born through a shared, distinctive ambience of high luxe glamour with a rock ’n’ roll edge as well as Eden Rock-St.Barths’ belief to look beyond great service and luxury accommodation to define the hotel experience

W&W bespoke British Jewellers W&W have opened their first studio on on Webbs Road in the heart of Battersea. Unlike conventional jewellery stores, you have total power throughout the process and W&W pride themselves on being able to accommodate any request.

You can work with specialists to ensure that what are eventually created are unique and stunning pieces.

Emerald cut central diamonds with baguette cut diamond shoulders bespoke engagement rings, from a selection, W&W (wandwjewellery.com)

Above: rings from the Temptation Collection, adorned with heart shaped pink and blue sapphires, diamonds, whiteand rose-gold, from a selection, Chopard Above right: tsavorites, amethyst and white-gold ring from the Temptation Collection, from a selection, Chopard (www.chopard.com)

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Pendant, from £4,580, and earrings, from £3,650, in either 18-carat white gold set with Hematite or 18-carat yellow gold set with white Mother-of-Pearl Stephen Webster, 93 Mount Street (www.stephenwebster.com)

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A dream for two Cartier’s bespoke diamond engagement rings adhere to a positively Shakespearean philosophy of everlasting devotion and beauty

The French jeweller has always prided itself on having love as its defining principle, having aided couples for over 160 years, including Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

With the latest ‘Set for You’ by Cartier bespoke service, couples can create their own personal engagement ring within three weeks. Select from five exceptional rings for the setting of a round diamond that weighs from between 0.18 to 1.99 carats. Choose from the refined, platinum-wire body of the Déclaration ring, the diamond-paved scrolls around the floral setting of the Ballerine ring or the classic simplicity of the Solitaire 1895.

The House of Cartier have also recently introduced the stunning Bridal Collection and specially hosted ‘bridal nights’, where couples can spend an enjoyable evening examining the stunning ring collections to ensure the perfect choice is made: ‘A dream for two, his and hers, between you and the jeweller, the diamond and the setting, the ring and Cartier.’ (www.bridal.cartier.co.uk)

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t h e M AY FA I R m a g a z i n e

The Westbury Hotel Bond Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 2YF Telephone: Facsimile: Website:

+44 (0) 207 629 7755 +44 (0) 207 495 1163 www.westburymayfair.com

of Hearts diamonds The Queen

and

With 2012 comes the 175th anniversary of Tiffany & Co., an American institution known and loved worldwide for its legacy, design, celebrated following and, of course, that iconic little blue box.

Annabel Harrison steps back in time to recount the Tiffany story

All images: Š Tiffany & Co.

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‘It calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that’d make me feel like Tiffany’s, then I’d buy some furniture and give the cat a name.’ Many famous words have been spoken about Tiffany & Co. over the decades, but for almost every woman, few will have resonated as much as those of the adored Audrey Hepburn, who sought solace in the New York store in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

For many women, too, key milestones in their lives will be forever associated with Tiffany; a teenager might be given a silver Elsa Peretti Open Heart pendant to mark her 18th birthday; a university graduate could receive a lucky Tiffany Twist clover charm to commemorate her achievements; a young woman could accept a marriage proposal via an exquisite diamond Tiffany ring; and an elegant lady thanks her husband for a bespoke Tiffany gift on their 25th silver wedding anniversary. So where did the story start? Have women always been so enchanted by the prospect of a little blue box?

‘Small square boxes are dangerous. Every woman knows there are only two kinds of rings: The Ring and all other rings’ In 1837, 25-year-old Charles Lewis Tiffany, inspired by the dynamic growth and extravagant tastes in New York at the time, opened a new emporium with Teddy Young, named Tiffany, Young and Ellis. It sold stationery and luxury goods, and fashionable ladies in silks and satins descended upon the store, thrilled by the exquisite and beautifully patterned designs. Having introduced major gemstones to the United States in 1848, Charles Tiffany earned himself the moniker ‘King of Diamonds’ and five years later, he took full control of the company. With this came the shortened name Tiffany & Co., as well as a firm emphasis on jewellery, arguably the best decision that Tiffany could have made for his company.

By 1906, the Big Apple was smitten. ‘Tiffany has one thing in stock that you cannot buy of [Charles Tiffany] for as much money as you may offer; he will only give it to you. And that is one of his boxes,’ reported the New York Sun. In the decades that followed, Tiffany & Co. amassed an impressive roll-call of famous admirers.

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The late Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who accumulated a fabulous collection during her lifetime, had a penchant for beautiful jewellery and was often gifted with exquisite pieces: ‘My mother says I didn’t open my eyes for eight days after I was born, but when I did, the first thing I saw was an engagement ring. I was hooked.’ Taylor received a Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany dolphin clip from Richard Burton and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis made Schlumberger’s jewellery her signature. In fact she wore Schlumberger’s gold and enamel bracelets so frequently in the early and mid-1960s that the press nicknamed them ‘Jackie bracelets’.

Equally, references in films, song lyrics and popular culture undoubtedly boosted the brand’s reputation as one that offers its customers style, luxury and quality.

Marilyn Monroe exclaimed ‘Tiffany’s!’ in Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend and Eartha Kitt implored for ‘decorations bought at Tiffany’s’ in Santa Baby. The flagship store has been located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in Manhattan since 1940 and the polished granite exterior is well-known as the location for a number of films including, of course, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The first Super Bowl trophy, awarded in 1967, was a Tiffany design and, perhaps most significantly, but unbeknown to many, the Great Seal of the United States, as shown on the trillions of dollar bills that are exchanged each year, was redesigned by Tiffany in the 1880s, an honour that cannot be underestimated.

In addition to such wide-ranging design and cultural influence, the very name Tiffany has become synonymous with romance and love. Upon visiting the company’s website, a pale turquoise tab in the top right hand corner catches your attention, inscribed with the words ‘What makes love true’. This leads to an enchanting site featuring prettily entitled sections of ‘Love Stories’ and ‘The Art of Romance’, essentially,

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paying homage to love. There are even Tiffany Tips, for ‘when love gets serious’: Tiffany Tip No. 5 is particularly pertinent this month; ‘Small square boxes are dangerous.

Every woman knows there are only two kinds of rings: The Ring, and all other rings. An unwed man presenting the latter had better prepare a clever preamble or look for cover.’

Unsurprisingly, there are perfect presents for Valentine’s Day from the company which has long been associated with the heart emblem; the Tiffany Hearts® collection features elegant lockets suspended from fine chains. A heart locket of 18-carat rose gold is inscribed with ‘I Love You’, although any other romantic, personal message may be kept within the locket.

Heart lockets of sterling silver can share the ‘I Love You’ inscription or sparkle with diamonds at the locket’s centre. If your lady loves pink, the vibrant pink spinel earrings, perfectly matched and totalling 11.19 carats, are paired with sparkling diamond florets. Particular attention has been paid to unleashing the prettiest of colours, through skilful hand cutting of the gems.

Gentlemen, if you are proposing this Valentine’s Day and take one piece of advice, it must be this. Tiffany Tip No. 20: ‘Remember, over a lifetime, a woman looks at her ring a million times’. Choose wisely.

The Tiffany Hearts® collection is available at select Tiffany & Co. stores worldwide and prices range from £325 to £660. Chains are sold separately. The pink spinel and diamond earrings in platinum are priced at £38,700.

Tiffany & Co., 25 Old Bond Street (00800 2000 1122, www.tiffany.co.uk)

t h e M AY FA I R m a g a z i n e

HERE COMES THE SUN London City to: Barcelona Faro Ibiza Malaga Nice Palma

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Watch

News Classic timepieces to covet now and enjoy for a lifetime

One to watch Every month, we choose our favourite watch from the newest models. February’s watch of the month comes courtesy of Patek Philippe

Feel the love Launched in 1999, Patek Philippe’s Twenty-4 was created for the refined, active woman who seeks a watch that reflects her style. The curved silhouette of the case is a loving caress for the feminine wrist

Twenty-4, £28,380, Patek Philippe Available at Mappin and Webb, 1 Old Bond Street

Stealing the show at SIHH

Joining the 18 exhibitors and 1,200 journalists at Geneva’s Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) last month were 12,500 guests, privileged enough to have been invited to one of the world’s foremost watch expositions. Celebrating its 20th birthday, SIHH 2012 saw the likes of Audemars Piguet, Girard-Perregaux, Greubel Forsey and Vacheron Constantin premiere the finest watches from their latest collections.

While each brand managed to enamour in some way, it was creations by IWC and A. Lange & Söhne that stole the show for us. Affirming their reputation as purveyors of premium pilot watches, IWC unveiled its Pilot Chronograph Top Gun Miramar (pictured), a watch that features a brand new IWC 46mm ceramic case and massive 168-hour power reserve, and across the exhibition hall A. Lange & Söhne revealed what will surely prove one of the best-looking watches of the year, the Datograph Up/Down (shown overleaf).

t h e M AY FA I R m a g a z i n e

For the watchmakers at Blancpain, Valentine’s Day is an excuse to get creative. February 2012 sees the brand launch a new, limited series of romantic timepieces, set with 2.95 carats of precious stones and boasting a diamond-set bezel.

Each of the 14 Saint-Valentin 2012 chronographs is fitted with a white alligator leather strap and presented in a wooden box, delicately lined with white nappa leather. In a final nod to Cupid, the heart-shaped counterweight of the central sweep seconds hand is delicately hand-painted with a feather.

The race is on Welcome to Chopard’s fifth limitededition Jacky Ickx watch, a piece engineered with the needs of a racing driver in mind. The watch features a 24-hour counter at 12 o’clock, allowing a driver to check the remaining duration of a race, a flyback function meaning a user can start a new timing operation without first resetting the hands, and a tachometric scale on the bezel that serves to measure speed.

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QUINTESSENTIAL BRITISH LEATHER GOODS SINCE 1934

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

Ettinger Pinstripe Ad Canary Feb12 297x210.indd 1

19/1/12 11:18 AM

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Image courtesy of Hackett

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Back to

Black

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This season, be inspired by classic monochrome – a clean look that should be the basis of every gentleman’s wardrobe

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1 Classic leather gloves, £125, Marc by Marc Jacobs (www.mrporter.com) 2 Meisterstück Diamond pen Le Grand, £280, Montblanc (www.montblanc.com) 3 Capeland flyback chronograph, £4,990, Baume & Mercier (available at Harrods and Selfridges) 4 Button cufflinks, £160, Turnbull & Asser (www.mrporter.com) 5 Ad facet lines palladium-plated tiebar, £110, Dunhill (www.dunhill.com) 6 Datograph Up/Down, £52,000, A. Lange & Söhne (available at Harrods and Selfridges) 7 Aston Martin racing carbon end cufflinks, £55, Hackett (www.hackett.com) 8 St Paul’s lid over body attaché, £2,465, Tanner Krolle (www.tannerkrolle.com) 9 Navitimer 1461, £3,500, Breitling (available at Harrods and Selfridges) 10 A4 Enigma briefcase, £1,100, Tanner Krolle (www.tannerkrolle.com) t h e M AY FA I R m a g a z i n e

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Purple Reign

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Go regal this Valentine’s Day, with the pretty shades of amethysts, coloured stones, rubies and yellow sapphires

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11 1 Pendant earrings in 18-carat yellow gold with peridot and amethyst, £1,900, Bulgari (www.bulgari.com) 2 Baroque rings in 18-carat yellow gold and coloured stones, £7,100, Chanel Fine Jewellery (www.chanel.com) 3 ‘Whorl’ gold cuff, £4,890, Cassandra Goad (www.cassandragoad.com) 4 Nugget 18-carat gold-plated amethyst earrings, £135, Monica Vinader (www.net-a-porter.com) 5 ‘Fuscata’ 18-carat yellow gold ring set with amethyst, iolite, grey moonstone and diamonds, £3,960, Cassandra Goad (www.cassandragoad.com) 6 ‘Sassi’ necklace in yellow gold with amethyst and peridots, £6,050, Bulgari (www.bulgari.com) 7 Double claw set pearl bracelet, £365, Mawi London (www.mawi.co.uk) 8 ‘Amulet’ 18-carat yellow gold ring set with amethyst, rubies and diamonds, £4,980, Cassandra Goad (www.cassandragoad.com) 9 Camelia cuff in 18-carat yellow gold, £12,175, Chanel Fine Jewellery (www.chanel.com) 10 ‘Tutti Frutti’ cabochon pearl ring, £235, Mawi London (www.mawi.co.uk) 11 22-carat gold-plated cabochon clip earrings, £72, Kenneth Jay Lane (www.net-a-porter.com) 060

t h e M AY FA I R m a g a z i n e

Kaleidoscope_FP_CanaryWharf_Layout 1 15/11/2011 14:53 Page 1

KALEIDOSCOPE BY

HEMING

CLASSIC JEWELS • DIAMONDS • FINE WATCHES FOR LIFE'S EXCEPTIONAL OCCASIONS 18-19 Burlington Arcade, London W1J 0PW

T: +44 (0)207 499 7644

W: www.hemingjewels.com

softly softly Photographer:

Jon Cottam

Fashion Editor:

Lucie Dodds

Cream cashmere round neck jumper, £130, Jaeger, (www.jaeger.co.uk); cream wool mix collar cream, £1,075, black wool mix turn up trousers, £425, both Philip Lim at Matches, (www.matchesfashion.com); blonde suede platform Evans boots, £695, Jimmy Choo (www.jimmychoo.com)

Cream ribbed snood, £99, cream ribbed beret, £49, both Belinda Robertson (www.belindarobertson.com), grey polo neck tunic dress, £135, The White Company (www.thewhitecompany.com)

Cream textured jumper, £345, waistcoat jacket, £445, Isabel Marant at Matches, as before. Black leather trousers, £735, Joseph (www.joseph.co.uk)

Mohair open knit jumper, £255, black wool mix coat, £1,250, grey zip high-waist trousers, £350, all Joseph, as before

Taupe cashmere tie tunic dress, ÂŁ370, and matching scarf, ÂŁ215, both Handwritten at Liberty (www.handwrittenuk.com)

Grey ribbed cashmere dress, £299, grey ribbed cashmere waterfall cardigan, £795, black leather belt, £90, grey cashmere leggings, £159, fur neck scarf, £599, all N Peal (www.npeal.com)

Grey jumper, £1,190, black hooded double cashmere belted coat, £695, black trousers, £575, all Joseph, as before. Brown leather ankle Dyers boots, £650, Jimmy Choo, as before Hair: Darren Hau at Naked Artists using Bumble & Bumble Make-up: Kate Hughes at Tiger Creative using Benefit Cosmetics Retouch: www.peachperfect.com

Northampton • England

Makers of the finest English shoes since 1879

U.K. 25 Royal Exchange, London EC3 New Shop - 92 Jermyn Street, London SW1 69 Jermyn Street, London SW1 20-21 Burlington Arcade, London W1 25 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3

FRANCE 14, Rue Chauveau-Lagarde, La Madeleine, 75008 Paris U.S.A. 7 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019 www.crockettandjones.com

C&J Rex.indd 1

14/9/11 16:49:53

FASHION

Italian style Steal a lesson in style from our arguably more fashionable European counterparts, and go for a made to measure suit from DAKS’ new bespoke service. With over 300 uber-luxurious fabrics to choose from, and everything made in Italy, you will end up with a beautiful personalised outfit that will both stand out in a crowd of suits and last for years to come.

Bespoke suits, from £1,450 (www.daks.com)

Him

By ELLE BLAKEMAN AND katie richardson

Scents of occasion Tom Ford will never steer you wrong.

It’s impossible.

And that’s why we cannot recommend his latest Private Blend Lavender Palm fragrance highly enough.

A slightly lighter version than his other blends, designed to invoke the carefree heat of California, the fragrance is based on ultra-sensual citrusy notes, perfect for the romantic air of February.

Available from 1 February at Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols. (www.tomford.com)

t h e M AY FA I R m a g a z i n e

Man bag Founded in London in 1856, and once commissioned by Princess Diana to make school trunks for her royal offspring, The Tanner Krolle saddlery company has evolved into a luxury luggage house, and this year is releasing classic pieces in the finest leather that you’ll want to get your hands on early.

Leeds briefcase, £1,025.

11 Shepherd Market, Mayfair, London, W1J 7PG (www.tannerkrolle.com)

Beautifully British As thoughts move to the six nations and the other rather big sporting events (something in July?), luxury shirt brand Thomas Pink has just announced that it will be the official outfitter for the British and Irish Lions on their 125th anniversary tour to Australia next year. The collection will be hitting stores later in the year, and is sure to keep British spirits up in the wake of the Olympics. (www.thomaspink.com)

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FASHION

Trade off As the fashion world moves forward endlessly – and with increasing speed – new online venture Covetique could hold the answer to your financial and storage issues. Caught somewhere between Net-a-porter and ebay, Covetique promises to sell your pre-loved designer clothes for you, doing all of the difficult bits from photographing them to authenticating labels, and posting to buyers.

They only take high-quality items in good condition, so it’s a great way to get rid of those ‘no longer fits’ or ‘what was I thinking’ buys, while clearing space in your wardrobe for that new dress you’ve been coveting. (www.covetique.com)

By ELLE BLAKEMAN

Her

Step into paradise

Karl goes solo

For every woman with a Cinderella complex and shoe obsession, the mere mention of Manolo Blahnik’s name is enough to send shivers down your spine, while the sight of the creations themselves is enough to demand a cold shower. Following the overwhelming success of 2010’s ‘World of Manolo’ pop-up at Liberty, Mr Blahnik is now becoming a permanent feature of the eternally chic store, with a dedicated area on the second floor launching his S/S 12 collection. Dedicated fans will also be able to pick up other items inscribed with the brand’s signature drawings, from tote bags and notepads, to the most fabulous umbrella to ever face the London rain.

The latest ambition of Chanel visionary Karl Lagerfeld is realised this month as his rock ’n’ roll inspired clothing collection, simply named, Karl, becomes available at Net-aPorter (from 25 January). We predict a crash bigger than the Outnet sale, as fashionistas battle to get their hands on the leather biker jackets, metallic vests and scoop-back black dresses, all in Lagerfeld’s signature monochrome aesthetic – both high-fashion and wearable.

(www.liberty.co.uk)

(www.net-a-porter.com)

On display From the end of this month until the end of February, Selfridges will be showcasing five emerging fashion talents in their flagship windows in the culmination of their Bright Young Things search. The designers have also been commissioned to produce exclusive items for the department store, with each of their styles said to reflect the eclectic tastes of its customers. Go and be inspired by some fresh ideas for your 2012 wardrobe. (www.selfridges.co.uk)

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t h e M AY FA I R m a g a z i n e

Chosen with

The jewellers of the Burlington Arcade have all you need for the most romantic month of the year

Love

J

ewellery is the international expression for ‘I love you’, and the Burlington Arcade, located in Mayfair, promises to captivate those who are seeking rarity, quality and one-of-a-kind pieces for loved ones.

Housing London’s most exclusive jewellers, you’ll find exquisite examples from the most celebrated of jewellery designers, including Boucheron, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.

From engagement rings to diamond necklaces for women and beautiful antique watches to contemporary timepieces for men, the Burlington Arcade’s impressive array of experts are on hand to help you find the perfect piece.

This allows you to buy with confidence, ensuring you have an item to treasure for years to come.

H EM ING & a r m o u r Winston

Heming has a rich history dating back to 1745, specialising in classic and sports watches.

Meanwhile, the family business of Armour Winston has housed three generations of jewellers within the Burlington Arcade since 1952. With an exceptional selection of watches, from Cartier to Rolex - and the opportunity to part-exchange - you will be sure to leave happy.

Ciro

For those with a penchant for the dramatic, look no further than Ciro where eye-catching costume jewellery, pearls and jewels offers more than a touch of sparkle to your winter wardrobe.

Hancocks, Richard Ogden & Susannah Lovis

Open since 1845, Hancocks is something of a British institution, charged with the honour of making every Victoria Cross medal. You can also find unique, historic jewels within this chic store. Meanwhile, Richard Ogden draws on the expertise of four generations of jewellers, with a dedicated ‘Ring room’ and holding an exceptional range of heritage and contemporary pieces. While, Susannah Lovis has a gift for inspiration, with a flair for the most unusual of pieces, whether you are looking for something antique or modern.

PROMOTION

Nourbel & L e Cave lier

The company is launching its very first two-floor concept boutique at 23 Burlington Arcade. Peek in the store where you can find unique and often hand-crafted pieces using striking bold-coloured gems from rare natural Zambian emeralds, to deep rubies, all finished with fine white diamonds.

Heming & h i r s h

With one of London’s top in-house design teams Heming’s designers, who favour clean and elegant designs, can tailor your jewellery exactly to you. If your’e looking for something to make a brighter statement, Hirsh’s vibrant, intensely-coloured gems and brilliant diamonds with stylish design, promise to add a glamorous finishing touch to any outfit.

DAVID D U GGAN & VINTAGE WATCH CO MPANY

They say time is the most precious gift, so when looking for a token of affection for the man in your life, a watch makes an ideal and heartfelt present. David Duggan is an excellent place to start, with a selection of fine watches, including pre-owned timepieces, as well as expert and impartial advice. And if you are seeking a unique, and more retro-inspired timepiece, then the Vintage Watch Company stocks an incredible range of older watches from the classic 1920’s to the more bold 1980’s - and everything in between.

M atthe w Fo ster & J ohnson Walker

A treasure trove of the best in Art Deco, Art Modern and 1960s jewellery, Matthew Foster’s jewellery elegantly captures the spirit of its age. Meanwhile, Johnson Walker specialises in unique antique jewellery, primarily from the glamorous 1940s.

SO MLO ANT IQUES

If like Bond, your brand is classic Omega, then head to Somlo Antiques, a beautiful store that incorporates the world’s first Omega vintage store, alongside beautiful wrist and pocket watches. This is also the place to come for vintage watch repairs, where your much-loved timepiece will be merticulously restored to its former glory.

Michael Rose, Tessier & Ca m eo Corn er

Mil l e p e r l e

Michael Rose offers a simply stunning array of limited-edition and vintage jewellery, whilst the man himself is an impressive wealth of information, and always on hand to give advice and direction. While Tessier houses gorgeous gems with historic significance. Cameo Corner holds a fabulous range of fine antique jewelley, spanning several stylish decades and eras, and has over 100 years experience in the area.

For more information visit t h e M AY FA I R m a g a z i n e

Specialists in pearls from all over the world, including Tahiti, Japan, Indonesia and the Pacific, Milleperle offers beautiful pearls in every colour imaginable, symbolising purity and everlasting perfection – what more could a girl ask for?

www.burlington-arcade.co.uk 075

FASHION

Jermyn

Illustrations: Mai Osawa

s t y l e

For years Jermyn Street has played second fiddle to its better known sibling Savile Row. Ash Bhardwaj explores the areas unique pull to London’s most discerning of men, and gets a lesson in personal shopping

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W

here does the modern gentleman shop in London these days? Westfield is a scrum of out-of-town visitors, frantically competing to enter the latest chain store or spot the publicityhungry celebrity; Carnaby Street is thronged by tourists seeking clothes more suited to One Direction than One Hyde Park; and while Savile Row is renowned for the bespoke suit, you will have a problem if you wish to extend your sartorial excellence into the evening?

‘Shopping for what you wear shouldn’t be seen as an arduous task,’ says Emily Grace Wright, founder of personal styling service Goldie Styling’s.

‘It’s an experience in which you craft how the world sees you. You have to be in the right frame of mind and in a comfortable environment, to pursue well-made, and well-fitted garments. For men, there’s no single place in London better than Jermyn St.’ Jermyn St (pronounced German St) is one of those hidden gems that can remind you of London’s magic, charm and heritage. Parallel to Piccadilly, but almost invisible amongst the wide streets and grand Regency buildings of the surrounding area, crossing the threshold of Jermyn St is like taking the train from Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross, or going through the wardrobe into Narnia – it feels like being allowed into a secret world where aggressive sales pitches are foreign concepts, and true British quality is sacrosanct.

Just as Savile Row’s reputation was founded on the suit, Jermyn Street’s legacy was founded on shirts and gentlemen’s apparel. ‘Made-to-measure shirts are a luxury,’ says Wright, ‘but having shirts tailored can create a much better silhouette than just putting one on straight from the shelf.’ Suitably convinced that this luxury was now a necessity, we headed to the sumptuous premises of Turnbull & Asser; premises that have more in common with an Oxford dean’s study than a gentlemen’s outfitters. Founded in 1885, Turnbull & Asser have shirted such luminaries as Prince Charles, Sir Winston Churchill and James Bond.

‘Being on Jermyn St is more than just a shopping location,’ says Wright.

‘It’s a guarantee of quality – if a shirt-maker is here, it’s because he holds himself to the very highest of standards as a matter of pride.’ As well as ensuring the shirt is perfectly fitted to your individual body and quirks, a made-to-measure shirt ensures that there is perfect individuality when deciding between different shirt parameters.

‘A shirt should be crisp, with minimal gimmicks, unless you have the flair to pull off a full-on paisley/stripe shirt/tie combo,’ says Wright. ‘It should have a narrow collar and be fitted. No cut-away, wide collars,’ But what about all those smart-looking Americans? ‘Too 1920s,’ says Wright, ‘it will widen your face.’ Narrow collar it is then.

FASHION

After the shirt was sorted, we headed off in search of the accoutrements that turn a skeleton of taste in to a fully fleshed body of style. For this we chose New & Lingwood, a company originally founded to serve the scholars of Eton, and one that survived the Blitz, even though their original premises didn’t. The suit suggested was in grey, as it has to be the opposite colour to one’s coat, with a narrow, but long, lapel.

‘Crossing the threshold of Jermyn St is like going through the wardrobe into Narnia’ ‘Keep the ties slim,’ says Wright, ‘you can accessorise with colour and print once you have built up the basics. For this year, print on print is a bold look, while a striped shirt with a bright tie is super-dapper. Just limit your use of lilac however, unless you wish to look as if you have rolled out of Next.’

Delighted, I left New & Lingwood with an extra assurance in my step, and perhaps a slightly Byron-esque look. Charles Tyrwhitt provide an excellent range of cufflinks that would be a point of conversation, rather than one of entertainment (apparently the metal on all one’s hardware should match, so it would be silver cufflinks, lighter and bag-clips), and you can finish accessorising at nearby James Smith & Sons, where you will find an impressive range of umbrellas that any self-respecting modern gentleman would happily carry on the mean winter streets of London.

Next on the agenda is Hackett for some smart casual attire for the approaching evening. ‘Evolutionary not revolutionary’ is Hackett’s motto, and my style guide approved. ‘Classic British style is very much in the ascendancy,’ says Wright, ‘but to stay modern, pick a single vent at the rear, paired with a slim leg.’

Finally onto Foster & Son’s where a you can find a good shoe to complete your outfit. ‘Footwear can make or break a look,’ says Wright, ‘more attention and investment should be paid here than anywhere else in the outfit.

For the winter that is upon us, a boot is ideal. In fact, it’s essential. Go for a classic style like a Chelsea.’

With my outfit complete, I browsed the Beretta store, where the young assistant enthusiastically demonstrated the details on their hunting gun that had barely changed since Beretta’s founding in 1526; lovely, but perhaps I’ll wait until I have a country pile to go with my outfit. (www.jermynstreet.net)

t h e M AY FA I R m a g a z i n e

079

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For more information about our full range of products, contact us quoting The Mayfair Magazine for a free consultation in our showroom or even your own home.

Bang & Olufsen of Chelsea Scan the code with your Smartphone to browse Bang & Olufsen on your mobile. Download a QR reader app from your app store. A charge may be applied by your network provider.

147 Kings Road, London SW3 5TX Tel: 020 7376 5222 Email: chelsea@bang-olufsen.co.uk www.bang-olufsen.com/chelsea

Bang & Olufsen of Chelsea - BeoVision 7-55 advert - Place at 100% (297 x 210mm) Production questions:

Interiors

News Update your home with the latest interiors products, from fabulous wallpaper to decadent finishing touches

Wall to wall Ahead of springtime, create a vibrant and seasonal feature wall with this Arampali paper from Designers Guild. Adorned with floral bouquets in a peony, orange and peacock blue colour way, the pattern is also digitally-printed onto luxurious non-woven ground for easy hanging. Matching fabric is also available.

Amrapali wallpaper in Peony, £173 per roll, Designers Guild, (www.designersguild.com)

Classic Vs Contemporary - Mirrors Classic When notable interior designer Anna Casa launched her showroom in Hay Hill last year, she provided the area with a destination for opulent yet contemporary homeware and previously elusive European brands. Anna has personally-sourced each item, including this sleek glass mirror with overlapping panels.

Naide Mirror, £67.60, Anna Casa Interiors (www.annacasa.net)

Contemporary Finishing touches This autumn sees the launch of Sanderson’s first range of ready-made cushions.

Designs include Sanderson classics and more recent bestsellers such as the distinctive 1950’s-style ‘Dandelion Clocks’ and the more traditional, cosy ‘Woodford Plaid’. A broad and versatile range of fabrics has been carefully selected from various Sanderson collections to create this stunning new range of 24 designs that will brighten up and lend a sumptuous quality to any bedroom or living room interior.

Cushions, from £35, Sanderson (www.sanderson-uk.com)

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At its most luxurious furniture is interchangeable with art, a concept exemplified by the beautiful collection from Chelini. The Italian brand creates statement pieces which reflect the ancient wood-carving skills of Florentine artisans.

While the design of this mirror is guaranteed to inject timeless elegance into any space, the manual creative process ensures each piece is slightly unique with its own peculiarities and natural tones, a fact which only serves to enhance its exclusivity.

Chelini Furniture Collection, from a selection, Vale Garden Houses, (www.valegardenhouses.com)

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Suite Dreams: 45 Park Lane THE Sister hotel of The Dorchester, 45 Park Lane is a decadent establishment with one of the most desired addresses in the capital, and just a short distance from some of London’s most exclusive shopping areas and historic sites.

The hotel opened last September, with New York-based architect and interior designer Thierry Despont succeeding in creating a space with the aura of a private residence; a suave, glossy, masculine style is simultaneously contrasted with light textures and peppered with art, culture and history in a gloriously idiosyncratic fashion.

Curzon Suites Hidden on the sixth floor, with stunning views of Hyde Park, the Curzon Suites are luxurious corner rooms, each of which manage to fuse a contemporary style with glamorous Art Deco influences. Each one features state-of-the-art technology, including mirrors with integrated television screens, and they have been exquisitely furnished with double vanities, king-size beds and spacious marble bathrooms, conspiring to consolidate both comfort and elegance. (www.45parklane.com)

INTERIORS

Mirror, mirror

Finishing touches Hand-blown glass ornaments are a great way to inject colour and interest into a room with a retro twist.

Tahiti Sphere, £690, Peter Layton (www.londonglassblowing.co.uk)

Clean lines and enhanced functionality with a vintage touch make this a bedroom classic.

Decadent Deco Mirror, £195 The French Bedroom Company (www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk)

Cosy corner The Curzon Suite chairs are sumptuous, ruby red velvet designs akin to those of a high-end cigar lounge of the 1970s. Fleming & Howland’s John Stuart Mill wing arm chair is an equally stylish choice.

John Stuart Mill Wing Arm Chair £2,195, Fleming & Howland (www.chesterfields1780.com)

Mood lighting

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Soft, simple lighting designs epitomise the understated finish of the Curzon Suites.

This couture piece was inspired by elegant Audrey Hepburn.

Iconic, archived prints add an air of sophistication to any space. A selection is available at John Lewis.

Tiffany Table Lamp, £1,500, Charles Burnand (www.charlesburnand.com)

Getty Images Gallery James Dean & Ursula Andress Framed Print, £495, John Lewis (www.johnlewis.com)

Add atmosphere

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FEATURE

welcome to the

Club Suddenly member’s clubs are the only place in London to be seen.

Elle Blakeman explores the current trend for joining the club Blame Studio 54. Blame it on the weather. Hell, blame it on the boogie: member’s bars are back. Not the showy, over-hyped hangouts, where knocking back a dubiously named lukewarm drink standing beside those chasing the top stop at the next Royal Wedding is de rigour, but chic, classic, low-lit dens where you can transport yourself to an epoch of style and sophistication.

Bars that you could walk past a thousand times and never know they were there. Bars where even a brief glance at their website demands an express invitation and a password. So why are we all so keen to get back behind the velvet rope?

‘The industry is still in the process of dramatic change,’ says Marlon Abela, Chairman of Morton’s. ‘There is a real feeling of transition in the air, covering everything from the traditional men’s clubs of Pall Mall, which have made such a remarkable comeback, to clubs which cater for those who want to party until the early hours.’

There seems to be an almost tribal element to the current sea of members clubs, a desire if not a need to socialise with similar minds, and one that clearly flies in the face of Groucho Marx’s refusal to belong to any club that would have him. It all seems to depend on what you’re looking for, Soho House Group, for example, allows members to be involved in an online community – inviting you to talks, shows, DJ nights and screenings. Immediately your interests in a particular screenwriter or artist may just open a whole other realm of similar-minded people for you.

All SHG locations have a unique selling point; Shoreditch House provides the rooftop bar (David Walliams hired synchronised swimmers for his wedding reception here), a bowling alley for private hire and designated rooms for different ambiances. And as a member of ‘Every House’ of the Soho House Group, you would also have access

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to sister clubs in Los Angeles, Miami, Berlin and so on.

These clubs tend to hold a real draw for celebrities, where the benefits are obvious – they are left relatively undisturbed, no photographs are allowed and people can therefore dine in peace, without worrying that their meal will end up in tomorrow’s tabloids. Equally, Soho House is the perfect choice for the movie mogul, and more central.

But there are clubs to suit all requirements. If you’re a workaholic and don’t want to leave business behind, take your office with you to One Alfred Place; a period-style club, with personal assistants on hand to administer any job you may need to delegate. Amika is for the socialite, Eight is for the city boys who believe they’re James Bond personified and Blacks is for the old money types who enjoy being surrounded by wood-panelled walls. The Arts Club and the Hospital Club are for those with creative streaks and Cavendish Square with its boudoir-style is for the party girls (and boys). Even the politicians have a home at Annabel’s.

‘Londoners have liked clubs for more than two centuries. They always have. I think it makes Londoners’ feel special to be accepted by a club whose membership they aspire to be a part of. People like to feel as though they belong,’ says Abela.

‘If you don’t want to be out partying in cheezy nightclubs, then member’s bars are the only place to go,’ says Jo Vickers of JV Public Relations.

And today’s member’s clubs have upped their game more than ever before, Michelin-starred food, art to rival any London gallery, celebrities dropping by for a cocktail and maybe even an impromtu sing-a-long, it seems that the member’s club reassainance is all set to continue. So, the question does not seem to be whether to join in, but simply which tribe are you in?

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FEATURE

For the hedonistic… Home House ‘House rule: ‘Never say no to any customer request unless it’s illegal,’ says the House’s Managing Director Andrew Richardson. Enough said. If you want to party like its Studio 54, then head for the new ‘Vaults’ section of this Portland Square destination. Hidden behind a leather-clad door at the base of a resin staircase you will find a grown-up playroom where decadent disco is well and truly back in vogue.

From X-Box’s and karaoke machines to a burlesque stage, there is little that you can’t do in the pursuit of fun. Fans include Madonna, Holly Valance and Nick Candy, and Yasmin le Bon. Home House, 20 Portman Square, London, W1H 6LW (020 7670 2000; www.homehouse.co.uk)

For the traditional… Annabel’s The late Mark Birley’s club will always hold a special place in the hearts of many a Londoner. This elite club, merely a stairwell from the outside, is as British as it gets, with opulent interiors, classic British food (the chocolate cake is to die for) and a decadent dancefloor to party the night away, this has become a must-do on the list of every visiting A-lister to Mayfair. The stories, like the guest list, are legendary, and you never know who might stop by - Lady Gaga’s improptu gig last May will go down in history. But do make sure you dress to impress, as the strict dress code bends for no one.

44 Berkeley Sqaure, London, W1J 5QB (020 7629 1096; www.annabels.co.uk)

For the social elite… The Art’s Club Three months after opening, and the Art’s Club is still creating waves in the social scene of London’s elite. With a long – rumoured to be four digit long – waiting list of people clambering to be in league with the high-profile members, and booking virtually essential for those seeking to sample former La Petite Maison chef Raphael Duntoye’s exquisite food, the place is doing its Dickens/Whistler/ Kipling heritage proud. Currator Amelie von Wedel is scoring coup after coup on the art front, and with celebrity involvement from Paltrow, Ronson and the royals, it seems there is no end to the decadent heights of this Dover Street spot.

The Arts Club, 40 Dover Street, W1S 4NP (020 7290 3550; www.theartsclub.co.uk)

For those who want to go where everybody knows your name… Morton’s From the receptionist who will welcome you by name, and probably ask how your holiday to whichever specific little corner of the globe you’ve just returned from, to Giuseppe Colucci, the bar manager who will have your usual in a glass before you’ve taken off your coat, Morton’s is a home away from home for those looking for grown-up glamour. Once the private residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer (proof if any were needed that Morton’s really does have one of the best views in London – perched as it is overlooking Berkely Square), this Grade II listed building draws many an after work crowd looking to relax after a long day in the office. Although the stiletto-proof sofas in the downstairs club are testament to the fact things can get a little wild.

28 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London, W1J 6EN (020 7499 0363; www.mortonsclub.com) Image: Courtesy of Marcus Peel

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FAST THERE & Fast Back

Quick, sure-footed and great to look at, the Audi A7 is as good as any Audi on the road, says Matthew Carter

MOTORING

Tastes change. A few years ago, a big saloon – a BMW 7-series, say – was a sign that you’d made it.

Today, driving a Seven means you’re a chauffeur for an up-market private hire company. Same applies at Audi.

Aside from looking like an A4 on steroids, the Audi A8 is effectively an upmarket taxi, albeit a very nice one at that.

Let’s face it, saloons are boring. And that’s why the Germans (and it’s the Germans that dominate this sector of the market) have created a whole bunch of alternatives from the frankly weird BMW 5-series Gran Turismo to the swoopy Mercedes CLS. Thankfully it was the Merc rather than the Bee-Em that inspired what’s probably the best of the lot: the Audi A7. The Audi is what the manufacturers like to call a five-door coupé… and never mind that that’s a contradiction in terms.

What they really mean is that it has a rather more svelte profile than a typical ‘three-box’ saloon (one box for the engine, one for the passengers and one for their luggage). Audi calls it a Sportback, and that’s a pretty fair description. Unlike the four-door Merc, which has a separate boot, the Audi is a hatchback, offering five-door practicality with sporting looks. It’s a niche design concept which, in Audi terms, started with the A5 Sportback but which has been further refined in the A7. Ignoring the R8 supercar, I reckon the A7 is the best Audi on offer.

And that’s odd. As underneath the fastback body, the A7 is essentially the same as the equivalent A6 saloon.

Yet it feels livelier, more luxurious… all round the better car.

Needless to say there are a number of different engine options, petrol and diesel, and two and quattro four-wheel drive. The latest generation of VW Group direct injection petrol engines – TFSI in Audi-speak – are smooth, refined and impressive, but for high mileage drivers there’s nothing to beat the top-of-the-range 245bhp 3.0-litre TDI diesel. Top speed is governed to 155mph, which is no hardship in the real world, while its sprinting ability is impressive for a car of this bulk – it’ll hit 60mph from rest in under 6.3 seconds.

Even better is the effortless way that power is delivered. The quattro version has S tronic (VW calls it DSG), a seven-speed automated manual transmission as standard (you can either change gear yourself using the steering wheel mounted paddles or leave it to its own devices) which takes full advantage of the engine’s huge reserves of pulling power to whisk you past slower traffic.

Add four-wheel drive to the mix and what you have is a fast, comfortable and, above all, secure grand tourer.

And this is an Audi which has more than a hint of sporty handling. It uses the latest generation of quattro technology with a 40:60 bias to the rear wheels and an advanced differential which can vary the torque distribution between front and rear axles more widely.

It’s economical, too. Use it hard and fuel

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In brief Car:

Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro SE S tronic Price:

£49,010 Engine:

2,967cc, V6-cylinder diesel Power:

245 hp Performance:

155 mph max, 0-62 mph in 6.3 secs Drive:

Four-wheel drive, seven-speed double clutch automated manual

consumption will dip into the low 30s, but used sensibly you should be able to get 40+mpg. It’s helped by a standard stop/start system which automatically kills the engine when stationary at lights or junctions. Comfort and handling are helped by standard adaptive chassis dynamics which allow the driver to set various parameters for the suspension, steering weight and throttle response. In Dynamic mode the A7 feels more alert than is usual in a big Audi while the Comfort setting does just what it says on the tin.

But where the A7 really excels is inside the cabin.

The ambience is just right, a clever mix of minimalist luxury and cool technology. Granted much of the latter comes only after an expensive visit to the options list, but some of the things the A7 can do really does raise the bar: I mean, it’s possible to turn the interior into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot if you so desire. Standard features include a DAB radio, heated and electrically adjusted front seats, Bluetooth, cruise control and keyless go.

The test car had £10k’s worth of extras – comparatively modest for an Audi Press car – of which I’d happily pay £2,050 for the technology package, which provides an excellent head-up display and upgrades the sat nav to a touch screen system. I’d probably pay £1,750 for the comfort package, with memory seats and a rear view parking camera, but I’d baulk at the £1,200 wanted for a sun roof. And I wouldn’t bother with the grand they want for fancy alloys: the standard ones are fine. Thankfully, the test car was to SE rather than S line specification – Audi, along with BMW and M-B, are guilty of thinking sports suspension, the major feature of S line spec, improves the car when all it does is ruin the ride.

Since the A7 Sportback went on sale a little over a year ago, there’s only been one significant change to the car. The early examples were four-seaters only but it’s now possible to get a five-seat version at no extra cost, though it will be a little cramped with three adults in the rear.

In both cases, though, taller passengers will find the sloping roofline limits headroom but the large boot compensates to a degree. Unlike the M-B CLS, which has a comparatively small boot and an awkwardly small opening, the full size tailgate of the Audi makes loading luggage dead easy. And those rear seats fold to increase load space if required. This is a seriously practical car.

So the A7 really does offer a genuine alternative to the more predictable saloon. It also proves there’s nothing new under the sun. Those with long memories might recall the Rover SD1, an upmarket hatchback equally beloved by company directors and by the police.

Now if only Rover, when under BMW ownership, had recreated that concept rather than dish up the staid 75 saloon the company might still be with us today. (www.audi.co.uk)

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MOTORING

CALIFORNICATIONÂ The Ferrari California launched to fanfare and sell-out, waiting list heaven, much to the joy of the prancing horse brand, but how does it fare against the big boys? James Chevalier takes a spin to find out

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s previously explained by TopGear, ‘Ferrari has aimed to make a car that’s luxurious and useable every day, because it knows there are many thousands of newly ultra-rich around the world who don't see why a supercar should be grumpy, uncomfortable and difficult to drive through town.’

At its most popular, the Ferrari California was selling out up to three years in advance, showing that this particular model really had hit the spot.

With so much choice in the luxury grand touring market, Ferrari has stepped slightly out of their typical market with this model, taking on cars that have dominated in the field for many years, but how does it fare with the slightly less glamorous, everyday use?

For me, with two small children, a busy job, the need to park in central London and the occasional requirement for trips across the Channel, it’s a hard job to find a car that does this, whilst still delivering sensational thrills, ultimate comfort and the feel-good factor of driving something fairly unique.

Until this weekend, I had a Bentley GTC at the top of my Grand touring wish list for more years than I can remember (sorry Ferrari), however, after just two days and a trip to Paris, the Cali changed everything (sorry Bentley).

Taking its inspiration from the spirit and emotions of one of the great Ferraris of the past (the 1957 250 California) the car forms part of Ferrari’s high performance 8-cylinder range – and like the remainder of the Ferrari models, the California’s sleek, aerodynamic styling is the result of Ferrari’s longstanding collaboration with Italian designer Pininfarina.

The original California was a superbly elegant open top car designed for the track, which has, over the years, come to symbolise superior sportiness, performance and faultless craftsmanship. It only takes a moment in the company of the latest version to appreciate the synergy of classic design with modern innovation and comfort – the result is quite simply beautiful.

Viewed head-on, the car clearly takes much of its vision from the prestigious ‘Prancing Horse’ car from which it takes its name. However, a host of original flourishes and signature Ferrari styling cues give the California a distinctive, modern and muscular poise, but retaining the familiar sleek elegance harking back to the 250 GT California.

Boasting 0-60kmh in less than four seconds and with a direct fuel injection V8 engine that produces over 450hp, the California’s performance is rivalled only by the most exclusive sports cars on the road. Its seven-speed gearbox with steering wheel-mounted F1-style paddles coupled with a dual clutch and a catalogue of performance-optimising technical wizardry really make this car a dream to drive.

This is, in truth, an excellent touring car. While the engine is no doubt powerful, the comfort mode ensures a cruising style which is altogether more relaxed and subtle than you would expect from a Ferrari. Once through the Channel tunnel on open French roads, the Cali is surprisingly quiet at cruising speed and with no requirement to raise your voice in the cabin. My passenger and I happily talked as the car carried us closer to Paris, with the occasional moment of silence whenever I put my foot down (the engine note has been carefully developed to ensure that acoustic comfort in the cabin is perfectly harmonised with the trademark driving thrill).

‘The Ferrari California is designed for everyday use and for weekends away whilst still guaranteeing all of the emotional impact that only an authentic Ferrari can deliver,’ says Michael Schumacher In sport mode, the V8 responds with a deeply satisfying reverberation as the handling becomes noticeably more defined. The car’s performance varies from very exciting to extreme and in sport mode, the car is aggressively ready to give you all it has to offer at a mere touch of the accelerator. If and when required, the Cali is a very fast car; coupling the instant gear selection and dual-clutch transmission, drivers enjoy corner after corner with a rewarding sense of lightning speed and stable control.

Once in Paris, the high-speed action swiftly came to an end, but despite a few hours of start stop traffic – the California managed perfectly, with no overheating and no clutch issues. It was like driving a normal car, but

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one that half of Paris wanted a picture of. When the traffic thinned out again, we made the most of some of the long echoey tunnels where the exhaust note is so perfectly tuned, I fell in love a little bit more with every mile that passed.

The brakes, suspension and chassis were magnificently well equipped to deal with whatever road and speeds we threw at them, that it further emphasized what a tremendously capable car this was.

In line with Ferrari tradition, this model positively brims with innovative features combining versatility of use and in-car comfort. It is available exclusively as a convertible in either a two-seater version with a traditional rear bench or in the 2+ version which sees the rear bench equipped with seating for one to two passengers. In both versions, the rear backrest folds down to allow the stowage of longer items such as golf bags or skis. The boot capacity is also impressively generous: 340 litres with the top up and 240 with the top down. Personally, we managed to fit a decent number of bags in the car, even with leaving the folding roof cover down in the boot to allow the occasional top down action.

In the cabin, a new electrically adjustable, magnesium-framed seat has been specially developed for the California as is the combined analogue / four-screen TFT Multifunction display instrument panel. The model also boasts an innovative infotainment system with 6.5’’ touch screen, Sat Nav, USB connection, Bluetooth, hard disc, voice commands and IPOD connector.

With the UK model available for just over £140k which includes a 4 year warranty, a NavTrak security device and a radically improved satellite navigation system, all fitted as standard, the California offers surprisingly competitive value for money in its class.

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Handing back the keys after my all-too-short experience with the California, was like giving my wife away, just after the honeymoon (if you’ll excuse the analogy). It’s just all happened too soon. While the stunning modern-day California may hark back to the looks of the original 1957 model, as the first Ferrari to feature multi-link rear suspension and a front V8 engine, the current car is very much a motor for a twenty-first century driver.

So I stand corrected, with my GT wish-list now boasting a distinctly Italian theme, and like The Mamas & the Papas, I’m left dreaming of California. (www.ferrari.co.uk)

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Travel

News The places to see in this month and the must-have pieces and advice to get you there

Short haul Vs Long haul

Don’t leave home without…

The new Kindle. Smaller and lighter than previous models, it has the most advanced E-Ink display yet, while the faster page turns now allow you to read the latest bestseller with ease.

Kindle, £89, Amazon (www.amazon.com)

Short haul:

Long haul:

Hotel du Vin in Glasgow

One&Only Reethi Rah, the Maldives

The oh-so fashionable Hotel du Vin in the heart of Glasgow’s One Devonshire district is playing host to an exclusive art and wine event this month. The two-night break includes a personalised tour – aided with complimentary wine – of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery Museum; housing an exhibition of the finest artists of Italy, France and Scotland. You can then take a tour of the previously unseen works at The Burrell Collection – over 8,000 objects gifted to Glasgow

by Sir William Burrell for the celebration of his 150th anniversary. And if you are looking for yet more culture, you can sign up for an additional Charles Mackintosh walking tour with afternoon tea, where you can discover Glasgow’s remarkable architecture. With the artistic juices flowing, you are chauffeured back to the hotel for a traditional Whisky tasting session with the Master Blender, followed by a Bistro supper, and probably a well-deserved bath with their new ‘Terre du Vin’ product range – a new collaboration with luxury favourite Miller Harris – how decadent!

As if the Maldives needed a further level of indulgence, this month you can ‘fully’ unwind by taking part in specialist art therapy with renowned Australian artist Christopher Hogan, who will be the artist in residence at the sleek, all-villa resort, the One&Only Reethi Rah. Known for his wildlife compositions, Hogan was propelled to international recognition due to his ‘Reef Series’ work, and will be on the exquisite white beaches from 1 February until April.

Guests can book art classes with Hogan and soak up inspiration from the breath-taking surroundings, which include almost four miles of private beach, beautiful gardens housing treatment spas and seriously intimate accommodation in luxurious beach and water villas.

And for those who are finding the art angle a bit too much, a visit to the resident One&Only Espa spa is a must. Set in beautiful gardens and offering healing therapies in eight luxurious treatment villas, relaxing treatments include crystal steam rooms, swirling vitality pools, saunas and ice fountains – bliss.

From £235 per person, for two nights’ B&B including dinner on one night, a Private Gallery Tour and Whisky tasting. Call: 0141 339 2001, quoting ‘Art du Vin’.

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(www.oneandonlyresorts.com)

There’s an app for that… Jetsetter Your personal travel agent, this app can book hotel rooms and holidays in under a minute, while allowing you to research where you’re headed with reviews and photos of your destination. You can gain insider access to the world’s best travel experiences, and get great deals too.

Free, on iPhone, and BlackBerry.

Available to download on iTunes.

The best advice we’ve ever heard…

‘Always arrive in plenty of time so that when you step on the train or sit down in the plane you’re relaxed,’ says Dame Vera Lynn

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South American Dream

Once one of the world’s wealthiest countries, Gabriel O’Rorke discovers why today the small South-American destination of Uruguay has other, more interesting, riches to boast about

TRAVEL

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s the second smallest country in South America, Uruguay is comparatively bite-sized, both in terms of land and population. Sitting on the Atlantic coast bordering Argentina and Brazil, its golden beaches and rolling planes are inhabited by just 3.5 million people, who share it with 16 million cows.

At the turn of the 19th century this former Spanish colony was one of the world’s wealthiest countries; today its economy is strong, corruption is low and a feeling of the ‘good life’ remains in its outstanding hotels and restaurants.

Landing in Montevideo, we head eastwards driving along the 400-mile coastline, past swanky beach pads and the high-rise hotels of Punta del Este before arriving at the low-key, yet exclusive, village of Playa José Ignacio.

Our destination is one of the area’s newest hotels, Playa Vik. Owned by Norweigan-Uruguayan entrepreneur, Alexander Vik, and designed in collaboration with Montevidean architect, Carlos Ott, the hotel consists of separate casas (houses) built around a central boat-like building called the ‘sculpture’.

Each casa has two or three bedrooms, leafy terraces, large bathrooms with stand-alone wooden bathtubs and minimalist decoration to make the most of the modern art on the walls.

Meanwhile, inside the fifty-five foot titanium and glass ‘sculpture’ there are four sea-view suites, as well as a restaurant, living room and library. An angular white bench designed by Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid makes an impression as you enter but the focal point is the slate infinity pool out the front.

Overhanging the beach, and with fiber optics that light up at night mirroring the stars of the Southern Hemisphere, the pool is surrounded by wooden decking, dotted with sun loungers. The sea spreads out before it, and to one side there is an open fire and barbecue.

Wandering along the beach the muted pastel tones of sand and sea remind me of a Jack Vettriano painting, but instead of dancers, butlers and umbrellas, there are dog-walkers, families and fishermen. Sand dunes serve as a border along the seafront, and fishing boats prepare to take to the seas for the night.

Upon returning to the hotel, we sip signature Caipiroska cocktails and watch the sun set over the towers of Punta del Este. As it grows dark we move inside for incredibly tender steak served with sweet potatoes and spinach.

The next morning, after a swim and breakfast of pancakes and scrambled eggs, we wander into the village. A leafy square surrounded by pretty cafes and boutique shops make up the ‘centre’ but the beautiful people (tourists, polo players and holidaymakers with salty hair and white linen clothes) hang out at the beachside restaurant La Huella.

However, one of the unbeatable attractions of staying at Playa Vik is that you don’t have to chose between the two sides of Uruguay: the beach and the countryside. For Alexander owns another hotel, Estancia Vik, which opened in 2009 and is located just ten-minutes inland on a 3,700-acre private estate.

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Estancia Vik is an impressive white structure built by Uruguayan architect Marcelo Daglio. Its columns and terracotta roofs are evocative of the colonial style, and its location gives superb views of the estate.

Uruguay’s expansive planes are covered with cacti and lagoons, and populated by flamingos and ostriches - thus bringing about the area’s nickname ‘the Wild West’, and there is no better way to explore than on horseback. The Vik gauchos will take you on hacks, and there’s even a polo field so ask for a ‘stick and ball’ session if you feel game.

Inside the hotel, whitewashed buildings surround internal courtyards

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adorned with foliage, outdoor seating and a 20-metre swimming pool (also with trademark lights mirroring the evening sky). There are also large sculptures in these outside areas which serve as a clue for what is to come when you go inside: all the rooms, including the twelve suites, have been designed and decorated by 20 Uruguayan artists.

Each room is completely different, as the artists were given free reign.

The results are varied and extremely impressive: the living room has a 300-square-metre ceiling frieze, inspired by images of Uruguay on Google Earth, whilst the indoor barbecue restaurant has silver corrugated iron walls splattered with graffiti-style paint.

As for the bedrooms, all have stand-alone baths, rainshowers and private doors leading into the grounds, but their decoration could not be more individual. The Trujillo Suite has suggestive nudes on the walls, whereas the Master Suite Daglio is covered with small photographs of the making of the estancia, and the Duarte Suite is light and fresh with handicrafts hanging from the ceiling.

The food at both Playa and Estancia Vik is delicious, fresh and has a regional touch, but we decided to venture out on our final evening and made a reservation at Casa Anna in the nearby village of Garzon.

It is not every day you have the chance to be cooked for by the team of South America’s most prolific celebrity chef, Francis Mallmann, but this is the case at Casa Anna. The English cottage style restaurant cum hotel is set around a large garden full of flowers and fairy lights. After aperitifs under the stars, we savoured a last supper of gazpacho, melt-in-the-mouth ravioli and baked bananas.

Cox & Kings (020 7873 5000 www.coxandkings.co.uk) offers a 7-night stay at Playa Vik and Estancia Vik, priced from £3,895 per person including private transfers, flights into Montevideo via Sao Paolo with TAM and breakfast daily.

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Kate Harrison enjoys a romantic weekend in Florence at a restored, aesthetic marvel of a hotel where it’s all part of the process to come, see and stay in bed

Lobby, The Chedi Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria

Roman HOLIDAY Combine art and love in Italy’s most luxurious city. By Katie Richardson Tradition has it that if a visitor throws a coin into the Fontana di Trevi, they are ensured a return to Rome. One of the world’s most romantic cities, and currently bidding for the 2020 Olympic Games, Rome is a bustling hub – a constant reminder that it was once the most important city in the world.

Bursting with Italian masterpieces; the resplendent Pantheon, the stately Basilica di San Pietro – the largest Catholic Church in the world, the not-so-humble profiterole, and a positively electric atmosphere, it is easy to understand why almost ten million people flock to this city every year.

The edges of the marble buildings seem sharper in Rome’s frosty February air, and thanks to the low-rising sun, the city-scape is more vivid. Now is the perfect time to visit; the stifling heat haze and the summer traffic is months away but there are a few good days of strong sunshine, enough to enjoy an espresso or a cup of mulled wine in one of the cobbled streets’ many trattorias.

Fashionistas should take a stroll down Via Condotti, Via Frattina and Via Borgognona to snap up the best in Rome-based Italian fashion; while art lovers should head to the picturesque Piazza Navona, which is always ripe with energy, full of street entertainers and artists. Rome’s remarkable collection of museums, the Villa Borghese, also houses some of the world’s most outstanding art, including pieces by Raphael, Caravaggio and Titian.

Rome’s rich heritage is unparalleled and something seems to be happening on every winding street, if you find time running out, make sure you visit that fountain, and come back again soon.

London to Rome in February with British Airways: return fares start from £115 economy, and £357 Club Europe (www.britishairways.com; 0871 909 2303)

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Where to stay Set in an exquisite Mediterranean park, the award winning Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria (www.romecavalieri.com) is truly the essence of luxury. The hotel houses an impressive collection of art – fine paintings, a rare Aubusson tapestry, Sèvres porcelain, 18th Century bronze candelabra, precious imperial furniture and a wonderful collection of hand-blown glass by Emile Gallé –and with the chance to take a private tour with an art historian, it is the perfect place to soak up culture along with comfort.

Eating and Drinking Santo Padre is the secret canteen for Rome’s A-list, go and choose from the plethora of classic Roman pasta dishes (18 Via Collina). Another excellent traditional trattoria near the Vatican Walls is Sagro del’Vino. Don’t be concerned by the paper-covered tables – this is the place to eat if you are after the true tastes of Italy’s capital city (5 Via Marziale). For drinking, the Travinskij bar in the uber-luxe Hotel de Russie is one of the most exclusive meeting places in the city. where famed barman Massimo D’Addezio’s makes a mean De Russie Martini (www.hotelderussie.it).

Mayfair recommends The Via Margutta is forever welded in the imagination of those wishing to walk in the elegant shoes of Audrey Hepburn.

The cobbled street near the Spanish steps, draped in ivy and lined nowadays with stunning art galleries and boutiques, is the setting of where Princess Ann began her fleeting love affair with Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) in ‘Roman Holiday’. It’s the haunt of artists’ models, holds some of the best restaurants, and is the place to be seen.

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Metal Frame Lizard Clutch, The Row, £3,915 (www.net-a-porter.com)

Leather Gloves, Burberry, £195 (www.burberry.com)

Age Defense BB Cream, Clinique, £25 (www.clinique.co.uk)

Rose gold-dipped lace cuff, Aurélie Bidermann, £785 (www.aureliebidermann.com)

Sam fine-knit scarf, Isabel Marant, £165 (www.net-a-porter.co.uk)

Dior Show mascara, £23, (www.dior.com)

Cotton-gabardine trench coat, Yves Saint Laurent, £1,745 (www.yvessaintlaurent.co.uk)

ALS:

NTI E S S E SE

A

SUITC

tly ey silen e ‘ troll weekend s a C y ‘Cand f your heeled gh to fit all o chic w u o is n h e T : t is large als in. in style a grea Travel legance, and ream is once. essenti c B e B s t -one all a scream w all-in ted ealing ue’s ne ng and conc e new upda in iq n li C th ti s : c s r e e h te fo v s o a g r la h mustting, p make-up ba ger, thicker r Beauty duct, hydra n u lo o y r in p fo pro travel ill leave room one-stop sho lack. w a tb hmere And it w mascara – lamorous je ed cas e flair r e id o r g ho emb minin t, Dior S hic, fe licately a nt’s de e will add a c ic trench co a r a M s l s u e la h b c a e s s I n . aurent’ e chic: ampag n style Daytim is neutral ch Yves Saint L ortless Italia h ff th it e r fect w r in is a pe c shawl outfit. Team hic gloves fo ce cuff nn’s eclecti c y la f n o d a e ir p a a to p ip m r a -d g e d ld in id an se go élie B stunn This ro esigner Aur nd will look o mour: d a h indig y la e r g it g e w g d ll Evenin French jewe ck ’n’ roll e ully fringed . h tc lu o tf har le of ss, ar isite c examp bohemia wit lue shift dre ly exqu this tru tb h d ig n mix of a n is mid ede sandals wYitFhA th the MA I R m a g sa,zsiu ne ribbon

Ribbon-fringed organza dress, Lela Rose, £1,290 (www.lelarose.com)

Candy case, Aspinal of London, £795, (www.aspinaloflondon.com)

Suede sandals, Mui Mui, £420, (www.net-a-porter.com)

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Combining the excellence and experience of The Wellington Hospital, The Platinum Medical Centre provides only the best in private healthcare

Platinum Medical Centre, 15-17 Lodge Road, St Johns Wood, London, NW8 8NX Tel 020 7483 5148

www.theplatinummedicalcentre.com

Beauty

News Tips and tricks to look and feel your best from industry insiders

Catwalk to counter This month’s trend:

Ultra-full lashes There’s something about long lashes that is just so endlessly glamorous. This month we were inspired by the wide-eyed models of Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana, whose bambi-like lashes stood out for miles past the front row. For once, models and the real world collide, as the best way to get the look is to get professional lash extensions. The best we’ve found are at EF Medispa, where in just an hour and a half, you will be transformed with lightweight, natural-looking lashes that last for around four weeks, and most importantly, do not damage your own. The end result takes years off your face, and also means that you don’t need to overload on the mascara (which can risk looking slightly teenage) to get the look.

Lash extensions from £160, at EF Medispa, 193 King’s Road, SW3 5ED (020 7368 7676; www.efmediaspa.com) AYFAI

Product update:

Snoxin

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© Louis Vuitton

om men

The creators of 2011’s sell-out Nanoblur have done it again – this time with an anti-aging serum that contains more super effective, next-generation peptides at their highest possible concentration, putting this fairly inexpensive product up there with the big boys.

Treatment of the month: Crème de la Mer The Pure Renewal Facial As Christmas becomes a distant memory and winter insists on drawing on, reasons for celebrating seem few and far between, however we have found one so good it’s enough to see us through to Spring. A-list favourite Crème de la Mer have just launched a new facial at The Urban Retreat, one specifically designed to boost and renew traumatised winter skin. Hidden away on the fifth floor of Harrods, the spa is the brand’s one and only treatment room in the world, and is suitably luxurious and marine-inspired with soft colours, sounds of the ocean, and a huge fish tank filled with beautiful orange-hued parrot fish. The treatment itself takes you through a deep cleanse, facial massage and acupressure stimulate circulation, before smothering your skin in The Concentrate – an ultra-potent form of the cult classic. You will leave deeply relaxed and any taut or uncomfortable skin will be restored to its summertime glory.

£29.99, available from February, Boots

The best advice we’ve heard…

Invest in a silk pillowcase. This small change can make a big difference as silk is smoother on your skin and doesn’t rub expensive night creams off. It is also much gentler on your hair, keeping it glossy and in less need of rewashing.

100% Mulberry silk pillowcase, £34.99, Silk Perfect (www.silkperfect.com)

Crème de la Mer The Pure Renewal Facial, £120, 60 minutes.

(020 7893 8333; www.urbanretreat.com)

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WINDSURF TECHNOLOGY

59 South Audley Street, Mayfair 68/69 Burlington Arcade, Piccadilly HARRYSOFLONDON.COM

BEAUTY

Scarlet women To mark the month of love and lust, Elle Blakeman looks at the history of red lipstick, discovering the many controversies and stories behind this most passionate of shades

It’s all in the shade. That deep, rich scarlet that blushes boldly from a woman’s lips like an expensive Valentine’s rose. The shade that tells the world she’s alive; more than alive: powerful. Predating and outperforming other femme fatale classics including the LBD and the stiletto, the red lip is more than a cosmetic, it’s amour. From Cleopatra to Lady Gaga, red lips have borne the unmistakable edge of A Woman Not To Be Messed With; one in her sexual prime, and more importantly, one who knows it.

Once upon a time a wearer of red lipstick was as decadent as you could get, with the ingredients of the come-hither shade including crushed jewels, in addition to iodine, and a seaweed dye.

Cleopatra, of course, wanted more, demanding her lips be stained a deeper red than ever before. Crushed beetles and ants were rather gruesomely added to the mix, perhaps officially launching the concept of suffering for beauty. Queen Elizabeth I followed suit – another woman with power – with designs on looking her ruby-lipped best.

In later years, the moral guardians of the day raised issues over the provocative nature of the look – said to reflect a woman’s state of arousal – urging young women to avoid the racy, taboo scarlet lips that would instantly mark her out as a rebel, ironically the very reason it would later become popular again. After the New York Times urged American women to ‘apply with caution’ in 1915, dark red lipstick once again became a trend, gaining status with the fashionable flapper girls of the day, and symbolising their newfound freedom.

Elizabeth Arden was then widely credited with introducing women to different shades of lipstick in the

Thirties, but red remained the most popular. Hot on her heels was rival Helena Rubinstein, who famously argued that there were ‘no ugly women, just lazy ones,’ and between the two powerhouses, not to mention some serious marketing strategies, it was once again acceptable for the good girl to wear lipstick.

Jumping past the golden era of Hollywood, the universal allure of Monroe and the sheer unadulterated glamour of Elizabeth Taylor, via the Eightie’s shoulderpadded femme fatales, and we have now arrived at a point where a flash of red lipstick is the equivalent of a power tie, or a stiff brandy before a meeting. The confidence that comes with knowing you are calling the shots, taking centre stage, is worth a hundred times the cost of Chanel’s Rouge Allure. In red lips you are Cleopatra herself, Jerry Hall in Studio 54 or Elizabeth Taylor in her heyday.

‘The lipstick effect’ is a much cited effect of times of financial crisis – with men in boardrooms claiming that women will maintain this one little luxury at any cost; this is something that some of us have known for years.

‘In red lips you are Cleopatra herself, Jerry Hall in Studio 54 or Elizabeth Taylor in her heyday’

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HEALTH PROMOTION

Steady on the slopes Whether it’s the allure of Chamonix, the breathtaking views of Val d’Isère or even somewhere a little more off-piste that entices you this season – don’t let skiing injuries spoil your trip

W

hether you’re a seasoned expert or a recreational skier, snow and speed can be a troublesome pairing, so read on for our top tips on staying safe on the pistes.

•

Lesson 1: Prevention •

Warm up and warm down before skiing, and try to strengthen your core muscles before going away. Skiing is a great way to burn those Christmas calories; using all major upper and lower muscle groups, with huge benefits for your cardiovascular system.

Don’t go off-piste: stick to tracks which are suitable for your level. Pushing your body too far, especially if you are not used to it, will only increase the likelihood of injuries.

Keep warm: cold weather can restrict your body’s natural flexibility, invest in well-fitted clothes to maximise warmth.

The most common injuries occur to your hand and wrist, knees, shoulders and head. Some may require physiotherapy and even surgery if left untreated, so investing in protection such as wrist guards, helmets and other accessories can reduce the risk of breaks and serious harm, as can learning to break falls properly.

Lesson 3: Act swiftly •

Don’t leave any injuries untreated – they will only become harder to remedy, and may even prevent you from skiing next season.

• Instead if you are still concerned on your return, pay a visit to your GP, who will arrange a referral to a specialist and X-rays, if needed. The earlier you seek treatment, the better the outcome.

• • Remember to also look out for any skin damage you may have sustained. Winter sun is powerful too, with UV Lesson 2: Common injuries rays easily reflecting • Knees take the brunt of the twisting and turning nature of skiing.

Miss Barbara Jemec, MD, FRCS(Plast), off the snow, so don’t They are only designed to flex to a certain extent, and duly react EBOPRAS is a Consultant Plastic surgeon forget to pack your with damage ranging from bruising and soreness, to sprains and at the Royal Free Hospital, where one of her sun screen. dislocations if precautions are not taken. super-specialities is Hand surgery. Her thesis on Dupuytren’s disease led to a Doctor of Medicine degree. She works in the multi-disciplinary London Hand and Wrist Unit at the Platinum Barbara Jemec looks at the process Medical Centre.

What is the treatment?

Meet

the specialist

skiing injuries

of diagnosing and treating ‘skiers thumb’ – a common skiing injury

When skiing, ‘skiers thumb’ or injury of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), becomes a common injury sustained on the slopes. When skiers fall, holding on to their poles, the thumb is wrenched away from the hand and the UCL (connecting the base of the thumb to the hand in the first webspace) can tear. The result is immediate pain, swelling and bruising.

Sometimes it is difficult to diagnose the injury acutely, and patients often present later with pain and instability of the thumb.

How is it diagnosed?

There is tenderness over the base of the thumb on the side of the first webspace and the thumb is unstable. Sometimes ultrasounds or X-rays are necessary.

If the tear is incomplete or if there is tenderness, but no instability of the joint, the injury can be treated by splinting for six to eight weeks. If the tear is complete and the joint is unstable the ligament must be repaired surgically.

What happens if I don’t have treatment?

The long term effect of a torn UCL is pain and an unstable thumb, which leads to deformities of the other joints of the thumb.

What is involved in surgery?

The ligament is repaired, but sometimes an accessory wrist tendon is needed to strengthen the repair.

Post-operative care After surgery, the thumb is splinted for four to six weeks, light activities can be resumed after six to eight weeks without a splint, but a return to sport is only advised after three months.

For further information, please visit The Wellington Hospital www.thewellingtonhospital.com or contact the Enquiry Helpline on 020 7483 5148.

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London

DESIGN WEEK 2012 Inspired

by Design

DIARY DATES oPEn 10am – 6pm

For more information call 020 7225 9166 email enquiries@dcch.co.uk or visit www.dcch.co.uk design Centre Chelsea Harbour Lots Road London SW10 0XE

FREE ENTRY TRADE PREVIEW Sun 11 – Tues 13 March ALL WELCOME Wed 14 – Fri 16 March AbbOTT & bOYD ALTFIELD ALTON-bROOkE ANN SACkS ARMANI/CASA bAkER LIFESTYLE bAkER LONDON bEACON HILL bELLA FIGuRA bESSELINk & JONES bLENHEIM CARPETS bOLIER THE bRADLEY COLLECTION bRIAN YATES bRuNSCHWIG & FILS CHAPLINS CHASE CHRISTIAN FISCHbACHER CHRISTOPHER HYDE LIGHTING CLIVE CHRISTIAN COLE & SON COLEFAx AND FOWLER COLONY DAVID SEYFRIED LTD DAVIDSON LONDON DECCA FuRNITuRE DEDAR EDELMAN LEATHER ELANbACH ENGLISH GEORGIAN EVITAVONNI FLExFORM FOx LINTON GLYN PETER MACHIN GOLFAR & HuGHES GP&J bAkER HARLEquIN HENRY bERTRAND ILLuMINATI INTERDESIGN INTERIOR SuPPLY JASON D’SOuzA JEAN MONRO J. RObERT SCOTT JVb FuRNITuRE COLLECTION kRAVET LONDON LEE JOFA LELIEVRE LIzzO MARVIC TExTILES MuLbERRY HOME THE NANz COMPANY NObILIS ORIGINAL bTC PIERRE FREY POLIFORM PORTA ROMANA RAMM, SON & CROCkER REMAINS LIGHTING RIbA bOOkSHOP R.I.M TILE bOuTIquE RObERT ALLEN ROMO RubELLI/DONGHIA SA bAxTER SAHCO SAMuEL HEATH SANDERSON FABRICS LIGHTINGMIRRORS CARPETS BATHROOMS ACCESSORIES OUTDOOR FURNITURE WALL COVERINGS HARDWARE TILES THE FURNITURE SILk GALLERY SIMPSONS & FuRNITuRE SOLID WOODEN DOORS STARk CARPET STARk FAbRIC FLOORING SuMMIT FuRNITuRE TAI PING CARPETS THREADS AT GP&J bAkER TIM PAGE CARPETS TISSuS D’HELENE TOP FLOOR RuGS/WOOD TuFENkIAN ARTISAN CARPETS TuRNELL & GIGON VAuGHAN VIA ARkADIA (TILES) VICTORIA + ALbERT bATHS VOSLED LTD WATTS OF WESTMINSTER WEMYSS WIRED CuSTOM LIGHTING WOOL CLASSICS zIMMER + ROHDE zOFFANY PLuS DESIGNERS GuILD + OSbORNE & LITTLE IN kING’S ROAD, LONDON SW3

FURNITURE FABRICS LIGHTING CARPETS BATHROOMS ACCESSORIES OUTDOOR FURNITURE WALL COVERINGS HARDWARE FLOORING TILES

Food & Drink

News

Culinary delights and seasonal tipples for the winter months

High spirits?

Haute cuisine at home In these cold, dark tail-end months of winter you can be completely forgiven for not wanting to leave your home. So to stop you having to choose between those warming home comforts and gourmet food, The Mount Street Deli has launched a new delivery service, taking the hassle out of home entertaining by bringing some of the most popular dishes from several of the famed restaurants in the Caprice Holdings empire. Home diners can now enjoy The Ivy’s signature shepherd’s pie, J Sheekey’s Famous fish pie, as well as a host of mouthwatering desserts from the likes of Annabel’s and Scotts. All you need worry about is the washing up. (www.themountstreetdeli.co.uk)

From Russia with love The highly anticipated Novikov restaurant has finally opened its doors at the heart of Mayfair. The project is the first outside of Russia for esteemed restaurateur Arkady Novikov and is divided into three very distinctive spaces: Asian and Italian-themed restaurants, as well as

the Novikov Bar, all complete with unique interior styling and boasting an eclectic and eccentric collection of furnishings from different countries and periods. www.novikovrestaurant.co.uk

Inspired by the world famous Fabergé eggs, Imperial Collection Vodka have announced the release of a limited-edition bottle, housed in a bejeweled enamel case fashioned

by Russian artisans. The vodka itself has been distilled using high quality wheat and rye, filtered twelve times to ensure its purity. Just 100 eggs have been produced for the UK, available exclusively at Browns of South Molton Street. (www.brownsfashion.com)

Ginseng sling

Kammerling is an entirely new aperitif, which is based on the distinct flavor of ginseng as well as a blend of no less than 45 natural botanicals.

Developed by highly regarded bartender Alex Kammerling, the spirit, which is distilled at 33% abv, uses four types of ginseng root alongside freshly peeled grapefruits, Echinacea, Ginko Biloba, Goji berries and Schizandra for a unique taste that is truly unlike anything else on the market – as if we needed another hard-to-resist poison. (£19.95, www.kammerlings.com)

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Stuff

textbook

Conduit Street’s outlandish and artistic restaurant, Sketch, has this year reached double figures.

Neil Ridley catches up with Pierre Gagnaire, the French master chef, whose cuisine has famously dazzled and inspired, providing a new outlook on Mayfair’s fine dining for the past decade

FOOD & DRINK

To say that a visit to Sketch is like walking into a scene from Alice In Wonderland is probably selling the experience a little short. Leaving the bustle of Regent Street behind as you step onto Conduit Street and open the innocuous looking doors of Sketch’s plush Georgian Townhouse does not prepare you for what lays inside. And as my host, French maestro Pierre Gagnaire notes, ‘Sketch is neither a restaurant, nor a museum,’ helping me to grasp the scale of imagination that has gone into making it one of the most highly regarded culinary destinations in Europe.

The brainchild of restaurateur Mourad Mazouz and Gagnaire, Sketch is really three restaurants in one: the lavish Gallery, which comes complete with a 360-degree projection adorning its walls, the refined Lecture Room, a mish-mash of rich velvet / mildly hallucinogenic Art Deco carpets and The Parlour – by day, a cosy tea room and by night, a sophisticated cocktail bar.

The complex also boasts what can confidently be described as the coolest / strangest (delete as appropriate) toilets in Europe.

As I enjoy a coffee and a pastry with Gagnaire, now the recipient of no less than eleven Michelin stars, I try to delve into the ethos behind his culinary vision for Sketch. ‘It is a place where you can you can find music, exhibitions and a meeting of diners from all kinds of social backgrounds,’ he says. ‘The cuisine isn’t a concept, it is like its namesake: a sketch – it’s never finished. It’s evolving every day.’

So does Pierre feel his cuisine has been influenced more by art than ingredients and flavor themselves? ‘I would say it’s an equal mixture of both,’ he says. ‘Like every chef, you have to learn the craft, and over the last 40 years I have understood that food can be artistic and day after day I try to seek out new textures and flavor, sometimes elaborate, sometimes very basic, but always with my own personal touch.’

And what influences this personal touch? ‘For me, the big influence is the word and the sentence,’ he says. ‘In the art world, Pollock or Matisse, but really I look to myself to best translate my vision of the food for the staff and the diners, it’s more precise that way. But I can’t work alone – you need a huge energy to make a place like Sketch a success every day.’

The artistic angle which enters each of Sketch’s distinctly different menus is elaborate by anyone’s standards. From The Gallery’s Lobster Aiguillette, beautifully arranged with ginger, pink grapefruit, soya sprouts, almond and green tea paste to The Lecture Room’s ‘Perfume of The Earth’,

a dish inspired by one of Gagnaire’s favourite perfumes (Terre d’Hermès) with smoked snails and Foie Gras soup, flavours are placed together with a deft understanding of the diner’s senses and mood. I ask Gagnaire whether he considers a visit to Sketch a sensory experience. ‘Yes, but this is a quality to all great restaurants. If your perception of time is altered by the experience in the restaurant, it’s perfect,’ he says.

‘Seasonality is a huge influence. When you look at the weather today (it is teeming down with rain), it will almost certainly influence the way you dress and the way you eat.’

In line with Gagnaire’s constantly shifting vision for Sketch, major renovations have been implemented in The Gallery, courtesy of a collaboration with Turner Prize-winning artist Martin Creed, which will be unveiled to the public on the 1st March. ‘This is definitely the biggest change we’ve made to the restaurant in the last decade,’ he says. ‘We have commissioned Creed to completely redesign the theme of the room, and although we don’t know exactly what the end result will be like, I’m sure the food will change and be influenced and inspired by the artwork – the spirit of The Gallery will change.’

I press Gagnaire about whether there is a particular signature dish he has in mind that perhaps typifies the sense of direction Sketch is taking.

‘There are so many directions in which our dishes travel, but there is definitely a spirit behind our food for sure,’ he says. ‘Sometimes this is a problem for some diners, who love food to be very conceptual, but we don’t do that – it’s not our mission.’

As we watch the rain continue to pour down outside, Gagnaire breaks into a full smile, which seems to confirm his passion behind catering for not only our taste buds, but our state of minds too. ‘I love days like today from a culinary perspective,’ he says. ‘Sketch is really my second home. I love this city and the area – particularly the couture and the spirit around here.

Every time I visit the restaurant, it is so creative and inspiring,’ he says. ‘It really is the place where I can gain inspiration because it has so many facets. When you have a cup of coffee with your eggs in the morning here, it’s a completely different experience from having Steak Tartare later in the day.’

There’s no doubt that this Mayfair destination will continue to evolve, let’s hope the sketch remains unfinished.

‘Sketch is neither a restaurant, nor a museum,’ Pierre Gagnaire

t h e M AY FA I R m a g a z i n e

9 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XG (020 7659 4500; www.sketch.uk.com)

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Mayfair

the heart of

R e s ta u R a n t

|

c o c k ta i l b a R

|

lounge

|

aRt galleRy

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chef’s dining Room

|

la cave

10 lancashiRe couRt new bond stReet london w1s 1ey +44 (0) 20 7518 9388 www.mewsofmayfaiR.com

Friday 8TH JUNE 2012

City Friday & Polo Party at MINT Polo In The Park ‘The Best Corporate Day Out’ - as voted by CITY AM Winner of ‘Best Sports Attraction’ - London Lifestyle Awards 2010 & 2011

Book it while you can!

This sensational summer event brings you first class hospitality in a beautiful, central London setting, dynamic sports action and plenty more entertainment including the new Friday night ‘Veuve Clicquot at Hurlingham’ launch party.

Clicquot at Hurlingham’ party tickets start at £50 plus VAT per person.

For more details or to book, telephone 0207 936 5284/5282 or email: rachel@ cityevents.uk.com

Choose from all day, fully inclusive hospitality or a half day with our ‘Cool Britannia’ Afternoon Tea and then party the night away with Veuve Clicquot at The Hurlingham Club!

Package prices for Friday 8th June start at just £185 plus VAT per person. ‘Veuve

run wild media advertisement #3.indd 1

www.mintpolointhepark.com

17/01/2012 22:36

INTERVIEW

Remembering M a y f a ir Brown’s Hotel Anyone breezing into London for a spot of business in the early 19th century would have done well to first make arrangements to stay with friends or family. Hotels were as good as non-existent, though a room and a meal could, of course, be found at the city’s numerous lodging houses and coaching inns. But if Sir wanted someone to present him with fine food and tend to his every whim in the manner that visitors to modern five-star hotels have become accustomed, he might have been somewhat disappointed.

The arrival of the railways changed everything. As people became more mobile, their needs adjusted, and catching the zeitgeist from the very start was the former valet to Lord Byron. His name was James Brown, and when he opened the doors of his new-fangled ‘hotel’ in Mayfair’s Albemarle Street in 1837, he helped pave the way for a whole new London experience.

In essence, Brown’s Hotel was a house where gentlemen were able to visit with their families; from the very start, it was a hit.

‘I imagine Mayfair being a little greener back then, but it was certainly already a very stylish area,’ says Stuart Johnson, the hotel’s General Manager. ‘Albemarle Street itself was one of the first one-way streets in London, designed to accommodate traffic visiting the Royal Academy.’

And Brown’s was right in the thick of it.

In 1889, the hotel acquired three neighbouring houses in Albemarle Street and three more in 1905, by which time its status as one of London’s most glamorous and luxurious hotels was cemented.

Guests have included Alexander Graham Bell, who demonstrated his new telephone at the hotel in 1876; Theodore Roosevelt, who Honeymooned at Brown’s in 1886; and in 1894 Rudyard Kipling, who stayed at the hotel to work on The Jungle Book. The very desk he wrote at can still be found, offering inspiration to modern writers, in the hotel’s Dover Suite. Literary aficionados will also know that the setting for Agatha Christie’s 1965 novel At Bertram’s Hotel is Brown’s in all but name.

Visitors to Mayfair have long been attracted by the idea of afternoon tea, that quirkily English pursuit in which sandwiches and pastries are washed down with hot drinks and a respectful nod to more genteel times. Many are drawn to Brown’s, which has been serving afternoon tea for more than 150 years and was said to be where Queen Victoria would often head to sip and while away a few hours.

In more recent history, the most significant event in the Brown’s story was written when it became part of Rocco Forté Hotels in 2003.

A £25m refurbishment followed – during which time it was closed for an astonishing 21 months – but the spirit of the 170-year-old London landmark was lovingly preserved. ‘You can almost imagine going to the reception desk,’ says Johnson, ‘and believing that someone from a Dickens novel was sitting behind it with a quill, making out your bill. Underneath and out of sight, however,’ he smiles, ‘is all the modern computer technology that keeps everything ticking along nicely.’

‘Agatha Christie’s 1965 novel At Bertram’s Hotel is Brown’s in all but name’

Above / Brown’s Hotel, historic private room II Right / Historic exterior

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Where can I... ?

Some of the interesting requests made to Mayfair’s most experienced concierges

FIX IT QUICK

Dry cleaner / Clothing repair

Watch Club

Mayfair Prestige

Sivellav

4-5 Royal Arcade, W1S 4SD 020 7495 4882

0845 862 2142 info@mayfair-prestige.com

020 7407 2115 support@ems-events.co.uk

LAND, SEA AND AIR

VIP Car Hire

Soho AV

The Circle, Queen Elizabeth Street SE1 2JE 0870 200 4949 contact@vipservices.co.uk www.vipservices.co.uk

020 7494 4449 hire@sohoav.com

Buckingham Dry Cleaners 83 Duke Street, W1K 5PF 020 7499 1253

City Centre 31 Avery Row, W1K 4BD 020 7629 5558 info@citycentredrycleaners.co.uk

Buy a car

Jack Barclay 18 Berkeley Square, W1J 6AE 020 7629 7444

Jeeves of Belgravia

Porsche

54 South Audley Street, W1K 2QQ 020 7491 8885

Berkeley Square, W1K 3NA 020 7514 0900

Washington Dry Cleaners

Rolls Royce

18 Half Moon Street, W1J 7BF 020 7499 3711

15 Berkeley Square, W1J 6EG 020 7491 7941

IT / Tech support

Charter a helicopter

Luxury yacht charter / sale Exclusive Lifestyle 72 Bond Street, W1S 1RR 0845 338 0377 info@exclusivelifestyle.co.uk

Cheyne 13 Cleveland Row, SW1A 1DH 020 7968 7450

Avolus Ltd 38 Lombard Road, SW11 3RP 020 7978 6506 dsonaldson@avolus.com

36 Davies Street, W1K 4NF 020 7355 0980

First City Air LTD

Rent a Rolls Royce

Wavex 0845 644 8060 support@wavex.co.uk www.wavex.co.uk

Shoes re-heeled James Taylor and Son 4 Paddington Street, W1U 5QE 020 7935 4149 post@taylormadeshoes.co.uk

Mayfair Cobblers

Lister House Chelsea Bridge Rd, SW1W 8RH 020 7259 9313 www.firstcityair.co.uk

Emtjets 23 Berkeley Square, W1J 6HE 08453 888 248 chartereurope@emtjets.com

Exclusive Aircraft 3rd Floor 14 Hannover Street W1S 1YH 020 7183 7988 info@exclusiveair.co.uk

4 White Horse Street, W1J 7LG

Sole Man

Sunseeker

Hanwells

Mti Commodities UK Ltd 80 Park Lane, W1K 7TR 020 7529 5330

Novum Securities Ltd 47 Park Lane, W1K 1PR 020 7399 9400

Old Park Lane Capital

86-91 Uxbridge Road W7 3ST 020 7436 2070

49 Berkeley Square, W1J 5AZ 020 7493 8188

Phantom Hire

South China Securities Ltd

0800 542 1337

12 Stanhope Gate, W1K 1AW 020 7491 9225

Thames cruise City Cruses 020 77400 400

London River Cruises 020 7839 8008

London Battersea Heliport

Killik & Co 46 Grosvenor Street, W1K 3HN 020 7337 0443

Princess Yachts

Pensar

Mike Will Fix It

Artemis 57 St James Street, SW1A 1LD 020 7399 6000

64 Grosvenor Street, W1K 3JH 020 7499 5050 london@princess.co.uk

0845 402 6797 www.pensar.co.uk

020 7737 2514 / 0776 264 7547 www.mikewillfixit.com

Buy / Sell shares

TAIB Securities Ltd 11 Carlos Place, W1K 3AX 020 7533 1600 taibsecurities@taib.com

International Courier

Bridges Wharf, Battersea, SW11 3BE 0844 884 8660

River Thames Cruises

DHL

020 7237 3108/9111

0844 248 0844

Electric cars

Spirit of Chartwell

FedEx

020 7372 2077

0845 607 0809

54 Stratton Street, W1J 8LP 020 7493 3505

The Electric Car Corporation

Thames Cruises

London Executive International

Watch repair

1st Floor, 5 Aldford Street, W1K 2AF 020 7495 5270 sales@eccplc.com

020 7928 9009 info@thamescruises.com

020 7450 0060 enquiry@londonexec.com

1 White Horse Street, W1J 7LB 020 7355 2553

Timpson

Royal Arcade Watches

Thames Dinner Cruises

Excel

0845 299 4127

020 7536 7170

4 Royal Arcade, W1S 4SD 020 7495 4882

Luxury car rental

Russell Talerman 34-36 Maddox Street, W1S 1PD 020 7491 0625

48-56 Ebury, Bridge Rd, SW1W 8QF 020 7730 8888 info@belgraviagarage.com

Audio Visual hire

0844 888 4111

Marcus Watches

Mayfair Corporation

AV2hire.comn

Go-Betweens Couriers Ltd

170 Bond Street, W15 4RB 020 7290 6500

020 8255 0522 chauffeur@mayfaircorp.co.uk

020 3130 0401 info@hire-av.co.uk

020 7278 1000 info@gobetweenscouriers.com

Belgravia Garage

LAST MINUTE BUSINESS

Local courier City Sprint

CONCIERGE

Mail Boxes etc 020 7491 0022 info@mbemayfair.co.uk

MTS Mayfair Translation

Doctor

Florist

Lees Place Medical Centre

Paul Thomas Flowers

Prestige Taxi

14 Soho Street, W1D 3DN 0795 740 5061 info@mayfairtranslation.co.uk

11 Lees Place, W1N 6LN 020 7036 6060

4 Shepherd Street, W1J 7JD 020 7499 6889 shop@paulthomasflowers.co.uk

Crown Security Chauffeurs

Russian Business Translator

The London General Practice

0845 901 1471 info@crown-chauffeurs.co.uk

0770 411 4323

5 Devonshire Place, W1G 6HL 020 7935 1000

Executive Cars UK

LIFE SAVER

0800 048 3359

London Prestige Chauffeur Service 020 7624 2632 www.prestigechauffeurs.org

Signature Cars 020 7127 4838

The Executive Car Service 020 7635 2571

TST Car Service 94 Mount Street, W1K 2SZ 020 7409 3033 admin@tstcars.co.uk

UK Chauffeurs Ltd 020 3326 0513 bookings@ukcl.net

Private Dining Room Corrigans 28 Upper Grosvenor Street W1K 7EH 020 7499 9943

Baby sitter

Rockabye Babysitters 9 Wimpole St, W1G 9SG 020 7624 0060

Find a Babysitter.com

Optician

Dentist

Arthur Morrice

Lund Osler Dental Health Care

11 Beauchamp Place, SW3 1NQ 020 7584 4661 sw3@arthur-morrice.com

56 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7JN 020 7838 8969

Dog walkers

Crescent Dental Clinic 57 Crawford Street, W1H 4JL 020 7723 2255 info@crescentdental.com

47 Davies Street, W1K 4LY 020 7495 3030 info@wildthingsflowers.co.uk

William Clark Flowers 26 Seymour Place, W1H 7NN 020 7402 3444 shop@williamclarkflowers.com

Last minute gifts Halcyon Days 14 Brook Street, W1S 1BD 0844 880 8210 enquiries@halcyondays.co.uk

Harrods 87–135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL 020 7730 1234

Central London Dog Walking Service

Jeff de Bruges

18 Warwick Square, SW1V 2AB 0785 604 5975

13 South Molton Street, W1K 5QW 020 7409 0213

Doug Jarvis

Chelsea Dogs

Linley Accessories

38 Poland Street, W1F 7LY 020 7437 6383

7 Chelsea Square, SW3 6LF 0778 632 5053 info@chelseadogs.co.uk

46 Albemarle Street, W1S 4JN 020 7290 1410

Happy Paws

34 Burlington Arcade, W1J 0QA 020 7499 6337

Aqua Dental Spa 25 Manchester Square, W1U 3PY 020 7935 5332

Sartoria

N Meyer & Associates 11 South Molton Street, W1K 5QL 020 7499 1225

Hibiscus

Urgent Care Centre 42-52 Nottingham Place, W1U 5NY 020 7908 2144

020 7580 6403

20 Savile Row, W1S 3PR 020 7534 7000 www.sartoria-restaurant .co.uk

29 Maddox Street, W1S 2PA 020 7629 2999

The Mayfair Medical Centre 3 - 5 Weighhouse Street, W1K 5LS 020 7493 1647

Wild Things of Mayfair

Pall Mall Dental 15 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5LU 020 7766 7250 info@pallmalldental.co.uk

Sartoria

Peter Kertesz

20 Savile Row, W1S 3PR 020 7534 7000

29A Brook Street, W1K 4HE 020 7629 3262

Tempo

Swiss Smile

54 Curzon Street, W1J 8PG 020 7629 2742

10 Brook Street, W1S 1BG 020 7290 1180 brookstreet@swiss-smile.com

41 Cumberland Street, SW1V 4LU 0781 846 3286

K9 to 5 Club

Penfriend London

Personal chef

46 Broadwalk Court, W8 4EF 0771 006 4871 info@k9to5club.co.uk

Galor Personal Chef

Mayfair Mutts

The Personal Chef

Upper Brook Street, W1 020 7409 7739 07957 460 610 mayfairmutts@hotmail.co.uk

020 7871 1080

Pawsh Dogs Dog Walking

020 7371 4076 contact@galor.co.uk

Personal shopper Gabrielle Teare 0798 531 9300 info@gabrielleteare.com

54 Harwood Road, SW6 4PY 0750 344 8489

High Heals

30 Bruton Place, W1J 6NL 020 7409 1728

The Mayfair Dental Practice

Pedigree Pups

Sophie Deedes 0759 504 3802

0780 433 7486 sam@pedigree-pups.com

Mark Lord London

Translator

71 Park Street, W1K 7HN 020 7499 2168

Pets in the City

0786 658 1230 mark@marklordlondon.co.uk

Central Translations

Teeth @ W1

21 Woodstock Street, W1C 2AP 020 7493 5511

7 South Molton Street, W1K 5QG 020 7499 7015

The Guinea Grill

t h e M AY FA I R m a g a z i n e

75 St Helens Gardens, W10 6LL 020 8962 0700 0795 730 3858 info@petsincity.com

Threads Styling Consultancy 020 7749 0784 info@threadsstyling.co.uk

117

Stationery printer City Images 8 Avery Row, W1K 4AL 020 7495 0421 post@cityimages.co.uk

Mail Boxes etc

020 7823 1888 info@mangotree.org.uk

Randall & Aubin 16 Brewer Street, W1F 0SQ 020 7287 4447

Mount Street Printers

The Wolseley

4 Mount Street, W1K 3LW 020 7409 0303 info@mountstreetprinters.com

160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB 020 7499 6996

Casinos

Late night ice-cream Baskin-Robbins

Aspinalls

Edgware Road, W2 2HZ 020 7262 3918

28 Curzon Street, W1J 7TJ 020 7499 4599

Freggo Ice Cream Bar

24 Hertford Street, W1J 7SA 020 7495 5000

27-29 Swallow Street W1B 4QB 020 7287 9506 scoop@freggo.co.uk

Crockfords Club

Gelupo

30 Curzon Street, W1J 7TN 020 7493 7771

7 Archer Street, W1D 7AU 020 7287 5555

Colony Club

The Dorchester Spa Park Lane, W1K 1QA 020 7319 7109 spa@thedorchester.com

RECHARGE AND RECUPERATE

Women’s hair

Noura 16 Curzon Street, W1J 5HP 020 7495 1050 noura@noura.co.uk

8 Shepherd Market, WIJ 7JY 020 7491 0022 info@mbemayfair.co.uk

PARTY TIME

Henry Bonas events@henrybonas.com 020 3214 2099

Dog grooming Mayfair Mutts

Upper Brook Street, W1 020 7409 7739 0795 746 0610 mayfairmutts@hotmail.co.uk

Pets in the City

Nicky Clarke 130 Mount Street, Mayfair, W1K 3NY www.nickyclarke.com

Janet Ginnings Hair and Beauty Salon 45 Curzon Street, W1J 7UQ 020 7499 1904

Joe’s Beauty Salon

75 St Helens Gardens, W10 6LL 020 8962 0700 / 0795 730 3858 info@petsincity.com

73 Burlington Arcade, W1J 0QR 020 7629 3456

Massages

Michael John Hair and Beauty

Mayfair Spa - The Mayfair Hotel Stratton Street, W1J 8LT 020 7915 2826 mayfairspa@radisson.com

Michael John Boutique 25 Albemarle Street W1S 4HU 020 7629 6969 online@michaeljohn.co.uk

25 Albemarle Street, W1S 4HU 020 7629 6969

Sassoon Salon 60 South Molton Street, W1K 5SW 020 7491 8848

Top One Hair and Beauty Specialist’s 53 Berkeley Street, W1J 8EX 020 7629 6465

London Club International

Midnite Cookies

Spa Illuminata

10 Brick Street, W1J 7HQ 020 7518 0000

15 Exeter Street, WC2E 7DT 020 7836 5131

63 South Audley Street, W1K 2QS 020 7499 7777

SAMPLE THE FINEST

The Palm Beach Casino

The Icecreamists

The Dorchester Spa

Aspinal of London

30 Berkeley Street, W1J 8EH 020 7493 6585

Selfridges, W1A 1AB 020 8616 8694 office@theicecreamits.com

Park Lane, W1K 1QA 020 7319 7109 spa@thedorchester.com

0845 053 6900 enquires@aspinaloflondon.com

Members clubs

Men’s hair

44 Baker Street, W1U 7RT 020 7388 2404 info@chess.co.uk

Parks Tower Casino 101 Knightsbridge SW1X 7RQ 020 7235 6161

The Ritz Club 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BS 020 7499 1818

Fancy dress Pantaloons 020 7630 8330 www.pantaloons.co.uk

So High Soho Ltd 96 Berwick Street, W1F 0QQ 020 7287 1295 online@sohighsoho.co.uk

Late night food Automat 33 Dover Street, W1S 4NF 020 7499 3033 info@automat-london.com

Benares 12a Berkeley Square House, W1J 6BS 020 7629 8886

Hakkasan 17 Bruton Street, W1J 6QB 020 7907 1888 mail@hakkasan.com

Mango Tree 46 Grosvenor Place, SW1X 7EQ

Arts Club

Atherton Cox

40 Dover Street, W1S 4NP 020 7499 8581

18 New Cavendish Street, W1G 8UR 020 7487 4048

AURA

Sassoon Salon for Men

48-49 St James Street SW1A 1JT 020 7499 9999

56 Brook Street, W1K 5NE 020 7399 6935

Maddox Club 3-5 Mill Street, W1S 2AU 020 7629 8877

Mortons Club 28 Berkeley Square, W1J 6EN 020 7499 0363

Savile Club 69 Brook Street, W1K 4ER 020 7629 5462 admin@savileclub.co.uk

The Lansdowne Club 9 Fitzmaurice Place, W1J 5JD 020 7629 7200 secretary@lansdowneclub.com

Party planner Concorde Media

The Barber at Alfred Dunhill 2 Davies Street, W1K 3DJ 0845 458 0779

Spa & beauty Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa 29 Davies Street, W1K 4LW 0870 787 6626

Michael John Boutique 25 Albemarle Street, W1S 4HU 020 7629 6969 online@michaeljohn.co.uk

Nails Inc 41 South Molton Street, W1k 5RP 020 7499 8333

Mayfair Tanning & Waxing LTD,

020 7297 3344

19 Denman Street, W1D 7HP 020 7494 3344

G&D Events

The Athenaeum

020 7682 2682 www.g-and-devents.com

116 Piccadilly, W1J 7BJ 020 7499 3464

Backgammon board

London Chess Shop

William & Son 10 Mount Street, W1K 2TY 020 7493 8385 info@williamandson.com

Caviar Caviar House & Prunier 161 Piccadilly, W1J 9EA 0871 961 9577

Harrods 87 - 135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL 020 7730 1234

Cheese Harrods 87 - 135 Brompton Road SW1X 7XL 020 7730 1234

La Fromagerie 2-6 Moxon Street, W1U 4EW 020 7935 0341 moxon@lafromagerir.co.uk

Chocolates Charbonnel et Walker The Royal Arcade 28 Old Bond Street, W1S 4BT 020 7491 0939

CONCIERGE

Jeff de Bruges

Nicolas

Burlington Jewellers

Pasha Clinic

13 South Molton Street, W1K 5QW 020 7409 0213

11 Curzon Street, W1J 5H5 020 7629 1564

37 Maddox Street, W1S 2PP 020 7409 7354 info@pashaclinic.co.uk

Rococo Chocolates

Vintage watches

10 - 11 Burlington Arcade W1J 0PG 020 7493 0777

45 Marylebone High Street, W1U 5HG 020 7935 7780

Cigars

David Duggan 63 Burlington Arcade, WIJ 0QS 020 7491 1675

Guy & Max

Perfect Feet Spa

8 Shepherd Street, W1J 7EJ 020 7499 5898 studio@guyandmax.com

7 - 9 Queensway, W2 4QJ 020 7243 6723 info@perfectfeetspa.com

Sautter of Mount Street

Rolex Boutique

Hancocks & Co,

Selfridges & Co

106 Mount Street, W1K 2TW 020 7499 4866 info@sauttercigars.com

61 Brompton Road, SW3 1DB 020 7581 7073

Burlington Arcade, W1J OHH 020 7493 8904 info@hancocks-london.com

400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB 0800 123 400

Fine wine

24 Burlington Arcade, W1J 0EA 020 7499 2032

Lea & Sandeman 170 Fulham Road, SW10 9PR 020 7244 0522

Jeroboams 20 Davies Street, W1K 3DT 020 7499 1015

Suze in Mayfair

The Vintage Watch Co.

Watchclub 4 - 5 The Royal Arcade, W1S 4SD 020 7495 4882 info@watchclub.com

WEIRD AND THE WONDERFUL

J.Condrup

Burlington Arcade, W1J 0QX 020 7491 9155

Michael Marks

Rent a double decker bus

58 Davies Street, W1K 5LP 020 7491 0332

Richard Ogden

Bespoke perfumes Clive Christian

Tiffany & Co.

Humidors

Harrods, Knightsbridge 020 7730 1234

25 Old Bond Street, W1S 4QB 020 7409 2790

Linley

Floris

46 Albemarle Street, W1S 4JN 020 7290 1410

Peter Jones, Sloane Square, SW1W 8EL 020 7730 3434

Exotic pyjamas

Sautter of Mount Street

Jo Malone

106 Mount Street, W1K 2TW 020 7499 4866 info@sauttercigars.com

23 Brook Street, W1K 4HA 0870 192 5181

Luxury hamper Fortnum & Mason 181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ER 020 7734 8040 corporate@fortnumandmason.co.uk

Harvey Nichols 109 - 125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ 020 7235 5000 contactknightsbridge@harveynichols.com

John Lewis 300 Oxford Street, W1A 1EX 08456 049 049

Luxury liquor

Miller Harris 21 Bruton Street, W1J 6QD 020 7629 7750 info@millerharris.com

Ormonde Jayne 12 The Royal Arcade, W1S 4SL 020 7499 1100 sales@ormondejayne.com

Hackett 137 - 138 Sloane Street SW1X 9AY 020 7730 3331

Harrods

London Bus Export Company 01291 689741 lonbusco@globalnet.co.uk

London Heritage Travel 01353 863273

This Bus.com 0845 4652 394

Security cameras IP Tec 351 Horn Lane, W3 0BX 020 8993 3377 sales@iptecworld.com

87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL 020 7730 1234

I-tesco

Louis Vuitton

72 Bond Street, W1S 1RR info@i-tesco.co.uk

190 - 192 Sloane Street, SW1X 9QX 020 7201 4190

Shotgun repairs

Myla

Anderson Wheeler

Bug detectors

4 Burlington Gardens, W15 3ER 020 7491 8548 info@myla.com

13 Shepherd Market, W1J 7PQ 020 7499 9315

London Detective, W1

Prada

0800 970 7925 enquiry@ksm-investigations.co.uk

16-18 Old Bond Street, W1S 4PS 020 7647 5000

23 Burton Street, W1J 6HH 020 7499 4411 gunroomuk@hollandandholland.com

Ralph Lauren

James Purdey & Sons Ltd

1 New Bond Street, W1A 3RL 020 7535 4600

57 - 58 South Audley Street W1K 2ED 020 7499 1801 enquiries@purdey.com

Sweepers De-Bugging Service

Gerry’s Wines & Spirits

302 - 308 Regent Street, W1B 3HH 0870 765 4307

74 Old Compton Street, W1D 4UW 020 7734 2053

Diamonds valued

Harrods

Armour Winston

87 - 135 Brompton Road SW1X 7XL 020 7730 1234

43 Burlington Arcade, W1J 0QQ 020 7493 8937

t h e M AY FA I R m a g a z i n e

Ladurée

45 - 46 New Bond Street, W1S 2SF 020 7477 2455 jc@jcondrup.com

28 Burlington Arcade, W1J 0NX 020 7493 9136

41 North Audley Street, W1K 6ZP 020 7491 3237 info@suzeinmayfair.com

London’s best hot chocolate

Fish pedicure

Holland and Holland

Aqua Sheko

William & Son

14 Holland Street, W8 4LT 020 3489 8336 reservations@aquasheko.co.uk

10 Mount Street, W1K 2TY 020 7493 8385 info@williamandson.com

119

PROPERTY

Featured

Estate Agents Horne & Harvey Est. 1803

Beauchamp Estates 24 Curzon Street London W1J 7TF 020 7499 7722 www.beauchamp.co.uk

Chesterton Humberts 47 South Audley Street, Mayfair London W1K 2QA Residential Sales 020 7629 4513 Residential Lettings 020 7288 8301 www.chestertonhumberts.com

Horne & Harvey

23a St James’s Street London SW1A 1HA 020 3318 7167 www.horneandharvey.co.uk

James Taylor

7 New Quebec Street London W1H 7RH 020 7724 4777 www.jamestaylorproperty.com

Knight Frank

Hamptons International Knightsbridge 168 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge London SW3 1HW 020 7584 2014 www.hamptons-int.com

Harrods Estates

Mayfair Office 61 Park Lane London W1K 1QF 020 7409 9001

Mayfair - Sales 120a Mount Street London W1K 3NN 020 7499 1012 www.knightfrank.co.uk Mayfair - Lettings 120a Mount Street London W1K 3NN 020 7499 1012 www.knightfrank.co.uk Marylebone - Sales 120a Mount Street London W1K 3NN 020 7483 8349 www.knightfrank.co.uk

St. John’s Wood - Sales 5-7 Wellington Place St John’s Wood London NW8 7PB 020 7586 2777 www.knightfrank.co.uk St. John’s Wood - Lettings 5-7 Wellington Place St John’s Wood London NW8 7PB 020 7483 8353 www.knightfrank.co.uk Wapping - Lettings 35a Wapping High Street London E1W 1NR 020 7480 6848 www.knightfrank.co.uk

Russell Simpson

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

London Sotheby’s International Realty 26a Conduit Street­ London­W1S 2XY 020 7495 9580 www.sothebysrealty.com

Marsh & Parsons

35 Maida Vale, W9 1TP 020 7368 4458 www.marshandparsons.co.uk

Mercer Pasqua

23 Berkeley Square Mayfair London W1J 6HE 020 7665 6633 www.mercerpasqua.co.uk

Strutt & Parker

13 Hill Street London W1J 5LQ 020 7629 7282 www.struttandparker.com London Knightsbridge 66 Sloane Street London SW1X 9SH 020 7235 9959 www.struttandparker.com

For Estate Agent Listings please contact Fiona Fenwick at: f.fenwick@runwildgroup.co.uk

Ayrton Wylie

Douglas & Gordon

John D Wood & Co

Savills

Beauchamp Estates

Farrar & Co

Kay & Co

Spencer James

Best Gapp

Fine & Country

Manse & Garret

The Cloister

Blenheim Bishop

Gascoigne Pees

Marler and Marler

W.A.Ellis

Brian Lack & Co

George Trollope

Messila Residential

Wetherell

Carter Jonas

Hobart Slater

Patterson Bowe

Winkworth

Cluttons

Jackson-Stops & Staff

Plaza Estates

www.ayrtonwylie.com www.beauchamp.co.uk www.bestgapp.co.uk www.blenheimbishop.co.uk www.brianlack.co.uk www.carterjonas.co.uk www.cluttons.com

120

www.dng.co.uk

www.farrarandco.co.uk www.fineandcountry.com www.gpees.co.uk

www.georgetrollope.co.uk www.hobartslater.co.uk www.jackson-stops.com

www.johndwood.co.uk www.kayandco.com

www.manseandgarret.com www.marlerandmarler.co.uk www.messilaresidential.com www.pattersonbowe.co.uk

www.savills.com www.spencer-james.co.uk www.thecloister.co.uk www.waellis.co.uk www.wetherell.co.uk www.winkworth.co.uk

www.plazaestates.co.uk

t h e M AY FA I R m a g a z i n e

Fountain House (page 146)

HOMES

& PROPERTY

Knight Frank

Chesterfield Street, Mayfair, W1 Classical Georgian Home

A fine period house retaining many original features, situated in this quiet street in the heart of Mayfair. 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, Kitchen, Patio/terrace.

Approximately 367 sq m (3,946 sq ft) Freehold ÂŁ8,500,000 (WER100107)

KnightFrank.co.uk/Mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7482

Knight Frank South Audley Street, Mayfair, W1 Mayfair Pied-a-Terre

Set within a Victorian building in the heart of Mayfair, this bright one bedroom flat overlooks The Grosvenor Chapel and is opposite the Mount Street Gardens.

1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 reception room, Kitchen, Lift.

Approximately 39 sq m (420 sq ft) Leasehold: 117 years approximately ÂŁ825,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/Mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7482

(WER050101)

Park Street, Mayfair, W1

One bedroom flat with porter A bright and contemporary one bedroom flat in this purpose built block with 24 hour uniformed porterage.

1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 reception room, Kitchen/diner, Porter/concierge and Lift.

Approximately 72 sq m (780 sq ft) Leasehold: 107 years approximately ÂŁ1,300,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/Mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7482

(WER110065)

Knight Frank Lees Place, W1K Handsome and spacious lateral apartment Boasting impressive period features and a south facing balcony, the substantial living accommodation includes 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, further bedroom/study, large reception room, dining room, kitchen, and garage space. Furnished.

£2,850 per week

Mayfair Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7499 1012

(118167)

Grafton Street, W1S Stylish entertaining space An exceptional newly developed apartment with interior designed furnishings and spacious layout located behind an imposing period façade. 3 bedrooms, 3 en suite bathrooms, reception room, separate dining room, kitchen, private entrance. Furnished.

£3,750 per week

Mayfair Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7499 1012

(157339)

Knight Frank Green Street, Mayfair, W1K

Graceful duplex apartment with private patio Accommodation comprises a spacious south facing master bedroom suite, 2 further bedroom suites, bright reception room, eat-in kitchen, private patio and direct access to Green Street gardens.

Furnished or unfurnished.

£2,950 per week

Mayfair Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7499 1012

(140534)

Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A

Restored Georgian townhouse on historic garden square Combining the best of period features and contemporary design, this south facing house offers over 6,000 sqft of living space. 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, kitchen and breakfast room, 5 further reception rooms, studio room, utility room. Furnished.

£5,500 per week

Mayfair Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7499 1012

(148897)

SOLD Hallam Street, Marylebone W1 3 bedroom apartment

SOLD £6,950,000

SOLD

Park Crescent, Marylebone W1 2 bedroom apartment

£830,000

Nottingham Place, Marylebone W1 6 bedroom townhouse £4,995,000

WHY KNIGHT FRANK

600k SOLD Picton Place, Marylebone W1 2 bedroom apartment

£565,000

8 178m

languages on our site meaning our international buyers can view your property in their language

Weymouth Mews, Marylebone W1 3 bedroom mews house £2,250,000

£3,600,000

Mansfield Street, Marylebone W1 4 bedroom apartment £4,500,000

Marylebone Street, Marylebone W1 2 bedroom apartment £625,000

SOLD

(Guide prices quoted)

SOLD

SOLD

value of property sold by the Marylebone office in 2011

SOLD Seymour Place, Marylebone W1 5 bedroom townhouse

visitors a month to our Global Property Search, putting your property in front of more people

SOLD

SOLD Blandford Street, Marylebone W1 1 bedroom apartment

£750,000

Montagu Square, Marylebone W1 3 bedroom apartment £2,600,000

Exceptional results in Marylebone Let our knowledge, experience and success help generate the best results for you in 2012 020 7483 8349 marylebone@knightfrank.co.uk KnightFrank.co.uk/Marylebone

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Upper Wimpole Street, Marylebone W1 Magnificent Grade II listed house

This magnificent house has been beautifully restored to an exceptionally high standard encompassing KnightFrank.co.uk/Marylebone the latest in modern technology. 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 5 reception rooms, kitchen, cinema room, marylebone@knightfrank.com gymnasium, lower ground floor two room staff / guest flat, extensive storage vaults, patio / terrace.

020 7483 8349 Approximately 745 sq m (8019 sq ft) Freehold ÂŁ12,500,000 (MRY100045)

Hamptons Mayfair

020 7558 8440 mayfair@hamptons-int.com

Portman Mansions, W1 A beautifully presented two bedroom, two bathroom apartment of over 1,409 sq ft in an attractive, red brick, mansion block in Marylebone, benefiting from 24 hour security.

Hamptons Mayfair 020 7558 8440 mayfair@hamptons-int.com

In the year of medals, we are already on a winning streak.

Hamptons International Silver for Best for UK Large Estate Agency and Best for Marketing.

ÂŁ1,400,000 Leasehold Reception/Dining Room Kitchen/Breakfast Room 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite)

Hamptons Kensington

Lettings. 020 7937 9372 kensingtonlettings@hamptons-int.com

Kelso Place, W8

ÂŁ2000 per week Furnished/Unfurnished

A beautifully refurbished house located on a quiet street in Kensington. This immaculate 4 bedroom property boasts a spacious eat-in kitchen leading onto a landscaped garden and off street parking

Hamptons Kensington Lettings 020 7937 9372 kensingtonlettings@hamptons-int.com

Reception 4 Bedrooms Garden Parking Utility Room Recently Refurbished

Here. There. Everywhere. We were the first UK estate agency to launch an app for iPad, and an app for iPhone, and our website has hundreds of thousands of visitors each month. Wether you want to buy, sell, let or rent, it couldn’t be easier.

Hamptons Knightsbridge

020 7717 5463 knightsbridgelettings@hamptons-int.com

North Audley Street, W1K A spacious and well presented two bedroom two bathroom property with high ceilings and good natural light. Centrally located in an enviable Mayfair location.

Hamptons Knightsbridge 020 7717 5463 knightsbridgelettings@hamptons-int.com

Best for Property Management 2011

Hamptons International has been crowned Gold Winner in Best for Property with The Sunday Times and The Times, recognising Hamptons’ commitment to exceptional customer service. Call us to find out more about how our Property Management Services can help us meet your property requirements

ÂŁ1,000 per week Furnished Bright reception room Eat in kitchen 2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms Central location

PROPERTY

Expert comment SALES: Mayfair remains an excellent place for property investment

As Chesterton Humberts’ research department predicts that house prices across the UK look to remain flat for 2012, Mohamed Nurmohamed, director of the Chesterton Humberts Mayfair office reflects on the 2011 property market and offers his own predictions for 2012 2011 was a very positive year for many of our clients, who continued to achieve record sales and rental prices. Therefore, despite national predictions for the coming year, I remain quietly confident that the 2012 prime residential market in London will continue to see positive growth.

The Central London property market resisted the 2011 trend for minimal growth, with property prices exceeding both the London and national averages throughout the year. As the area proves to continually attract high net worth individuals and investors, I believe 2012 will enjoy similar growth,

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although at a lower predicted rate of between 2%-5%.

Mayfair has long been a prime haven for both overseas and domestic investors, offering accessibility to amenities, culture, fine restaurants, excellent transport links, not to mention the abundance of luxury shops. Furthermore, a number of high-value development initiatives are set to achieve record prices, highlighting the broad global appeal of property in Mayfair.

I may be exacting some favouritism over the area, however proof of the regions’s enduring popularity can be seen in the influx of buyers and renters who moved here in 2011, after recognising Mayfair’s ability to offer a secure investment platform, desirable location and an exclusive lifestyle. This rare and attractive combination is one found in few other areas.

Consideration should of course be given to the effects of the ongoing Eurozone crisis upon the housing market. This is likely to impact upon mortgage and credit markets, testing consumer confidence, however as per usual, prime London should emerge relatively unscathed as it continues to offer investment stability and perceived value, even in a correcting market.

Chesterton Humberts, Mayfair Office (020 7629 4513; www.chestertonhumberts.com)

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Kings Road, Chelsea SW3 An exceptional London pied-à-terre A light and spacious duplex one bedroom apartment situated on the first and second floors • A well-proportioned open plan reception room and Poggenpohl kitchen • Dining room • Large bedroom • Large Starck bathroom • Communal terrace • 843 sq ft / 78 sq m

Philippa Cockburn

020 7808 8543

philippa.cockburn@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Guide Price £1,250,000 Leasehold: 121 years remaining

Over 550 Offices in 46 Countries

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Now Open in Chelsea 62-64 Fulham Road SW3 6HH chelsea@sothebysrealty.co.uk

020 7808 8540

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Belgravia House, Halkin Place SW1 A light and spacious third floor flat located in the heart of Belgravia.

Entrance hall • Double reception/dining room • Kitchen • Cloakroom Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom • Two further bedrooms Two bathrooms • Porter • Lift • 1,450 sq ft/ 135 sq m

Philippa Cockburn

020 7495 9581

philippa.cockburn@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Guide Price £3,200,000 Leasehold

Over 550 Offices in 46 Countries

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Avalon Road, Fulham SW6 A modern house providing luxurious and contemporary living moments from the Kings Road.

Entrance hall • Living room • Reception room • Dining room Study • Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom • Kitchen Two further bedrooms • Bathroom • Private courtyard

Philippa Cockburn

020 7808 8543

philippa.cockburn@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Guide Price £1,975,000 Freehold

Over 550 Offices in 46 Countries

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Jermyn Street, St James’s SW1 A fifth floor apartment in a very well maintained building offering 24 hour porterage and secure parking.

Two bedrooms • Two en-suite bathrooms • Reception room • Kitchen/breakfast room • Guest cloakroom • Lift • Secure off-street car parking space 24 hour porter • 1,334 sq ft / 124 sq m

Svetlana Shcholokova

020 7495 9591

svetlana.shcholokova@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Guide Price £2,250,000 Leasehold: 103 years remaining

Over 550 Offices in 46 Countries

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New Cavendish Street, Mayfair W1 Residential investment opportunity.

Grade II listed, period property located in the heart of Marylebone • Five flats and one commercial unit at ground floor level producing an annual income of £126,140 and with a gross internal area of 4,111 sq ft (382 sq m)

Offers in excess of £3,500,000 Head lease with 901 years unexpired for sale by private treaty via informal tender

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Casper Tham 020 7495 9583 casper.tham@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Guy Stebbings 020 7861 5413 guy.stebbings@knightfrank.com

19/01/2012 18:00

70 Offices • 5 Continents • 11 Countries

this month’s

Mayfair home to buy

• Russia • Italy • France • Spain • South Africa • Australia • Singapore • UAE • Barbados • Gibraltar • United Kingdom

SoUth aUdleY Street w1k

£4,100,000 share of freehold

A rarely available family apartment situated on the 1st floor of a highly regarded Mayfair portered block with views of Hyde Park. The property comprises 3 double bedrooms, a double reception room, eat in kitchen, 3 bathrooms, cloakroom & a lift.

Mayfair Sales

020 7629 4513

v

sales.mayfair@chestertonhumberts.com

chestertonhumberts.com

Upper Brook Street w1k

£4,425,000 leasehold

A prestigious & rarely available 1st floor south facing period family apartment with 2 double bedroom & views towards Grosvenor Square.

GroSvenor SqUare wk

£2,750,000 leasehold

A rare opportunity to acquire a spacious apartment overlooking Grosvenor Square. Comprising 2 bedrooms & 2 en-suites, a reception/dining room, kitchen, guest cloakroom & porter.

Mayfair Sales

020 7629 4513

v

sales.mayfair@chestertonhumberts.com

CheSterfield GardenS w1j

£2,850,000 share of the freehold

An exceptional Mayfair apartment situated within a highly sought after portered building. Double reception room, eat in kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, guest cloakroom & storage room.

hertford Street w1j

£1,950,000 leasehold

A stunning double aspect Mayfair penthouse set within a fine Art Deco building with views across London. Comprising 3 double bedrooms, a reception room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms lift & porter.

Mayfair Sales

020 7629 4513

v

sales.mayfair@chestertonhumberts.com

chestertonhumberts.com

70 Offices • 5 Continents • 11 Countries

this month’s

Mayfair home to rent

• Russia • Italy • France • Spain • South Africa • Australia • Singapore • UAE • Barbados • Gibraltar • United Kingdom

dUnraven Street w1k

£2,400 per week

A bright 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom apartment, of approx. 1,765 sq ft with the benefit of a delightful private roof terrace.

The apartment is located on the 4th floor & has direct lift access, air conditioning, wood flooring & access to Green Street gardens.

Mayfair Lettings

020 7288 8301

v

lettings.mayfair@chestertonhumberts.com

chestertonhumberts.com

Green Street w1k

Green Street w1k

£2,950 per week

A stunning & contemporary 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom apartment in a period building with direct access to Green Street gardens. Offering a bright reception room & large contemporary kitchen.

£1,750 per week

A brand new duplex apartment occupying the 4th & 5th floor (with lift) of this period red brick building. Comprising 2 bedrooms, dressing room/study room, & reception room with oak flooring.

Mayfair Lettings

020 7288 8301

v

lettings.mayfair@chestertonhumberts.com

dUke Street w1k

Balderton Street w1k

£1,350 per week

A 3 double bedroom apartment on the top floor (with lift) of this period red brick building offering a spacious reception room, modern fully fitted kitchen & 2 bathrooms.

£600 per week

A stunning recently refurbished studio apartment with fabulous high ceilings & an abundance of natural light, offering a spacious open plan reception area & separate sleeping area with en-suite shower.

Mayfair Lettings

020 7288 8301

v

lettings.mayfair@chestertonhumberts.com

chestertonhumberts.com

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Elegance

Bramah penthouses deliver far beyond the highest expectations for space and sophistication

PROPERTY

Bramah Penthouse, Chelsea, SW1 £POA Leasehold

An extremely rare opportunity to acquire a new penthouse at the prestigious Grosvenor Waterside, situated in one of the most sought after areas between Chelsea Bridge and Sloane Square, and in easy reach of Knightsbridge and Brompton Road.

The two and three-bedroom penthouses are available immediately. Each provides lateral living space together with a balcony and an extensive private roof garden that provides magnificent vistas of Chelsea, the River Thames and central London.

DPENTHOUSE PENTHOUSELIVING LIVING The penthouses have been designed and built to an exceptional standard and feature keycode-controlled lift access to the penthouse level, 24/7 concierge service and security and two secure underground parking spaces. ereopportunity opportunitytotoacquire acquirea anew newpenthouse penthouseatatthe the The luxury kitchens with granite worktops are svenor enor Waterside, Waterside,which whichis issituated situated between between Chelsea Chelsea REFINED EFINED PENTHOUSE LIVING LIVING eneSquare.

Square. PENTHOUSE spacious and welcoming, creating a perfect venue for e-bedroom ee-bedroomduplex duplexapartments apartmentsare available availableimmediately. immediately. dining andare entertaining.

The chic, expansive reception ateral eral living livingspace spacetogether togetherwith witha abalcony balconyand andanan spaces feature floor-to-ceiling windows and balcony doors, eroof roofgarden gardenthat thatoffers offers stunning stunning elevated elevated views views nextremely extremelyrare rareopportunity opportunitytotoacquire acquirea anew newpenthouse penthouseatatthe the ne. ine. Grosvenor stigious estigious GrosvenorWaterside, Waterside, which whichis issituated situated between between Chelsea Chelsea providing bright and airy areas that are ideal for relaxation dge ridgeand andSloane SloaneSquare.

Square. ave havebeen beendesigned designedand andbuilt builttotoananexceptional exceptionalstandard standard and enjoyment.The large bedrooms with fitted or walk-in hetwo twoand andthree-bedroom three-bedroomduplex duplex apartments apartments are areavailable availableimmediately. immediately. ode-controlled code-controlled lift liftaccess access to tothe the penthouse penthouse level, level,24/7 24/7 ach h provides provideslateral lateralliving livingspace spacetogether togetherwith witha abalcony balconyand andanan ce and and security security and andsecure secure underground underground parking. parking. wardrobes all have luxurious en-suite bathrooms, with xtensive ensive private private roof roof garden garden that that offers offers stunning stunning elevated elevated views views London’s London’sskyline. skyline. extra-spacious baths and body-jet showers to the en-suites hepenthouses penthouseshave havebeen beendesigned designedand andbuilt builttotoananexceptional exceptionalstandard standard Penthouses.com hPenthouses.com ndfeature featurekeycode-controlled keycode-controlledliftliftaccess accesstotothe thepenthouse penthouselevel, level,24/7 24/7 insecure the master bedrooms oncierge cierge service serviceand andsecurity securityand and secure underground underground parking. parking.

DE DE & & OUT OUT

INSIDE NSIDE & & OUT OUT

ww.BramahPenthouses.com ww.BramahPenthouses.com

mation rmationplease pleasevisit visitthe the website website www.bramahpenthouses.com marketing arketing suite: suite:

orfurther furtherinformation informationplease pleasevisit visitthe thewebsite website contact contactthe themarketing marketingsuite: suite:

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0 60 60 300 300 44 +44 (0)20 (0)20 300 30060 60300 300 info@BramahChelsea.com fo@BramahChelsea.com helsea.com Chelsea.com

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Chic

Stunning panoramic views at one of London’s premier addresses

PROPERTY

Park Lane, W1K £16,000,000 Leasehold Park Lane’s sublime four bedroomed penthouse apartment on the tenth floor of an exclusive building features high contemporary interiors, generous outside space and breath-taking panoramic views of the most exclusive part of London.

A spacious entrance hall connects to the stylised kitchen and open-plan dining space. The attractive terrace that runs the length of the property is accessed from here, and also by the hugely generous reception room.

The luxurious master bedroom is situated to the west of the penthouse, and has a beautifully chic en-suite, while the three additional bedrooms all have en-suite shower rooms. With a guest cloakroom, utility room and private lift, it’s perfectly designed to provide excellent entertaining space and versatile living arrangements.

Well connected for easy access to Oxford Street, Piccadilly and Hyde Park, transport links include Hyde Park Corner Underground Station.

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Perfection Recently refurbished to the highest standard, with unrivalled views over Hyde Park

PROPERTY

Fountain House, W1K ÂŁ19,500,000 Leasehold A spectacularly presented penthouse situated on the ninth and tenth floors of the prestigious Fountain House on Park Lane. This commanding property benefits from an extensive terrace that wraps around the double reception room and master suite on the lower floor, with far-reaching views over the open acres of Hyde Park.

The building offers easy contact to a world-class selection of shopping and fine-dining facilities, and has excellent public transport access.

It features an exceptional concealed kitchen with marble work surfaces, designed to look like an additional reception room, and an elegant study. The stone staircase and the personal lift take you to four of the five bedrooms on the upper floor, all complimented with en-suite bathrooms.

The attractive terrace has a barbeque, a hot tub, awnings, heaters and is integrated into the Creston controlled audio and visual system that features throughout the property.

Featuring electrically operated sliding doors, the property has air conditioning throughout and under-floor heating in all stone areas.

Fountain House is served by a 24-hour porterage service and the penthouse has two designated parking spaces in the underground car-park.

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Whitehall Court SW1 A beautiful apartment with three interconnecting reception rooms and a balcony the length of the apartment with stunning views over the River Thames.

Leasehold

Price on application

Whitehall Court SW1

Whitehall Court SW1

A unique three bedroom, two bathroom apartment on the 7th and 8th floors of this prestigious and elegant building. The apartment boasts a spacious roof terrace with stunning views over Buckingham Palace and St James’s.

A charming spacious one bedroom apartment on the first floor of this highly sought after Victorian mansion block. Boasting period features and high ceilings.

Leasehold

Leasehold

020 7839 6006

23a St James’s Street, London, SW1A 1HA

£1,850,000

£980,000

Horne & Harvey Est. 1803

ST JAMES’S STREET A spacious sixth floor apartment located in the heart of St James’s. This two bedroom apartment has direct lift access, is exceptionally light and has been finished and furnished to a very high standard with wood flooring and air-conditioning.

Furnished

HAYS MEWS

Bray House SW1

A charming one bedroom mews in the heart of Mayfair. This property has been newly refurbished but has retained many period features.

Boasting wooden floors throughout and lots of natural light.

An excellent one bedroom apartment situated on the first floor of this portered building in the heart of St James’s. Duke of York Street is close to Piccadilly and all the theatres, restaurants, clubs and shops of the West End.

Furnished

Furnished

£725 per week

£1200 per week

£475 per week

www.horneandharvey.co.uk

SAVOY APARTMENTS, Savoy Court, WC2 Now available for short lets during the Olympics, this recently decorated 2,760 sq.ft., three-bedroom apartment adjoins the refurbished Savoy Hotel. The apartment features a large reception room with a separate dining area that seats 10, three double en-suite bedrooms, a study, a newly equipped kitchen, a guest cloakroom, air conditioning, a storage area and 24-hour concierge.

The services of the five-star hotel – including parking, concierge, room service, spa, gym, swimming pool and world-class restaurants – are available for a separate fee.

Available furnished.

Long Let: £3,500pw Short Let: £10,000pw 020 7409 9158 robin.boghhenrikssen@harrodsestates.com

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: +44 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: +44 020 7409 9001

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ORME SQUARE, London, W2 This elegant 9,630 sq.ft. (895 sq.m.) house located on a beautiful garden square is arranged over four floors. It has three large reception rooms, a dining room, kitchen, six bedrooms, five bathrooms and a guest cloakroom. The property also benefits from a large private garden, staff quarters and a double garage plus additional parking.

Freehold ÂŁ17,000,000 020 7409 9205 alexander.richards@harrodsestates.com

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: +44 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: +44 020 7409 9001

HARRODSESTATES.COM

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REFINED PENTHOUSE LIVING

INSIDE & OUT

An extremely rare opportunity to acquire a new penthouse at the prestigious Grosvenor Waterside, which is situated between Chelsea Bridge and Sloane Square.

The two and three-bedroom duplex apartments are available immediately.

Each provides lateral living space together with a balcony and an extensive private roof garden that offers stunning elevated views of London’s skyline.

The penthouses have been designed and built to an exceptional standard and feature keycode-controlled lift access to the penthouse level, 24/7 concierge service and security and secure underground parking.

www.BramahPenthouses.com For further information please visit the website or contact the marketing suite: Marketing Suite 8 Gatliff Road London SW1W 8DP T +44 (0)20 300 60 300 E info@BramahChelsea.com