The Mayfair Magazine February 2013 by Runwild Media Group

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Editor’s Letter | The mayfair Magazine

From the

Editor I

t’s often said that the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. In this, the official Hallmark-sponsored month of love, there is a commendable lack of indifference here in Mayfair. Restaurateur Chris Corbin and chef Peter Gordon are gearing up for the most glamorous night of the culinary season, their annual Who’s Cooking Dinner event, which raises money for blood cancer charity, Leuka. We check in with the gastronomic powerhouses who have managed to bring 20 of London’s top chefs together – including Corrigan, Koffmann, Hix and Hartnett – and live to tell the tale (p. 18). Meanwhile, I meet the extraordinary Ed Parker, an ex-military man whose life took a laudable detour when a ‘mid-life crisis’ trip to the North Pole turned into a mission involving four seriously injured soldiers and HRH Prince Harry, as well as a permanent charity that has to date raised over £1.4 million for wounded soldiers – a truly inspiring story that is just begging to be made into a Hollywood film (p. 12). Another philanthropist in our midst is the inimitable Sir Terence Conran, who was recently awarded a medal for arts philanthropy by HRH The Prince of Wales for his services to the industry (p. 25). Katie Randall talks to the man himself, who explains why he unreservedly still believes in the importance of British design and his plans to continue to tirelessly champion the arts. Art and design are key themes for Mayfair this month, providing the ideal backdrop for romantic endeavours; Picasso’s formative years are celebrated at the Courtauld Gallery (p. 38) meanwhile as the timeless cinematic style of Hitchcock is brought back to the centre stage, fashion expert Stephen Doig explores the lasting sartorial effect of his leading ladies (p. 54). And, despite the danger, mother-obsessed men and occasional terrifying shower scene, who wouldn’t want to be a Hitchcock blonde?

Elle Blakeman Editor

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

108

098

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Contents

February 2013

058 111

037

Features

Interiors

Food & Drink

012 | Pioneering spirit Elle Blakeman meets Ed Parker about how a trip to the North Pole with Prince Harry became the start of charity Walking with the Wounded 018 | Who’s cooking dinner? London’s finest chefs come together in one kitchen and indulge in some amicable rivalry in the name of charity 025 | A vision for the future Sir Terence Conran talks success, philanthropy and his iconic designs 094 | Cool runnings We discover how the frozen lakes of Scandinavia have become the perfect playground for serious rally driving enthusiasts 098 | All change please As Grand Central Terminal turns 100 years old this month, Mike Peake explores the history of New York’s most iconic station

028 | Interiors news 030 | American woman Meet Faiza Seth, philanthropist and CEO of the bespoke interior design firm, Casa Forma

079 | Food & drink news 080 | The food of love How will you spend this Valentine’s Day? Neil Ridley offers some welcome alternatives to red roses and chocolates 086 | Restaurant review: Sake No Hana

Art 037 | Art news 038 | Becoming Picasso A new exhibition arrives at the Courtauld Gallery 043 | Prize lots 048 | Exhibition focus Tate Modern’s Roy Lichtenstein retrospective

Fashion 051 | Style spy/Style update 054 | Heroine chic Stephen Doig explores the lasting appeal of Hitchcock’s leading ladies 058 | After dark Romantic Dior tulle and midnight shades in this month’s fashion shoot

Regulars

Collection

Beauty 089 | Beauty news 091 | Spa review: Elemis Day Spa, St Christopher’s Place

Travel 103 | Travel news 104 | The spirit of Scotland: Journey to the highlands for the perfect short-haul escape at Gleneagles 108 | City break: Edinburgh Romance meets culture in the ‘Athens of the North’

Property 123 | Property news 132 | London calling Is the prime central London market still a safe bet? 146 | Value added Managing Director David Adams of John Taylor UK, advises on the future of housing prices in London 148 | Property profile: Beauchamp Estates 150 | A voice from the country 152 | Castles in the sand The ultimate holiday home in secluded South Africa

Contributors | The mayfair Magazine

The contributors F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 3 s i s s ue 0 1 7

Editor Elle Blakeman Assistant Editor Kate Racovolis Contributing Editor Kari Rosenberg Art Editor Carol Cordrey Food & Drink Editor Neil Ridley Collection Editor Annabel Harrison Editorial Interns Daniella Isaacs Sandra MacKenzie Head of Design Hiren Chandarana Senior Designer Lisa Wade Production Manager Fiona Fenwick Production Hugo Wheatley, Alex Powell Editor-in-Chief Kate Harrison Client Relationship Director Kate Oxbrow

Stephen Doig Stephen is an awardwinning fashion writer who has worked for Harper’s Bazaar and Mr Porter. This month, he traces the lasting style history of Hitchcock’s femme fatales.

Carol Cordrey Carol is an art critic and editor. She organises the annual London Ice Sculpting Festival and is permanently on the art scene bringing us the latest happenings.

richard yarrow Richard is a freelance motoring journalist and a former associate editor of Auto Express. He writes for national newspapers, consumer publications and the automotive business press.

mike peake Mike has written extensively The Sunday Times and Daily Telegraph. This month, he reports on the 100-year anniversary of New York’s iconic Grand Central Terminal.

Head of Finance Elton Hopkins

daniella isaacs Daniella is a Drama graduate of Bristol University and is an actress and freelance journalist. This month, she advises us what should be on our cultural ‘must-do’ list this month. KATIE RANDALL A post-graduate of the University of Westminster, Katie is a fashion and lifestyle journalist who has written for a number of publications and websites, including Handbag.com and The Publican.

neil ridley London-based food and drink expert Neil Ridley has written for The Evening Standard, Whisky Magazine and The Chap. This February, he finds the best places in town to spend a memorable Valentine’s Day. kate racovolis An alumnus of Columbia University’s Journalism School, Kate comes from a background in fashion writing and is working on her first book. She brings us the latest style news in Mayfair.

Associate Publisher Sophie Roberts Managing Director Eren Ellwood

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canary the city m a g a z i n e

wharf

i-Candy

fulham Resident s Journal ’

envy-inducing gadgets and techno wizardry

Screen Siren Scarlett Johansson talks about being a damsel in distress in her new film

A Spring

romance

fall in love in with colour, texture & tailoring from the new season’s collections

cover

On the

has the trend for gold plating and diamante embellishments on everyday items gone too far?

fool’s gold?

Written for the residents of sW6 JANUARY 2013 • IssUe 6

Image: below zero ice driving TAKEN FROM cool runnings (www.belowzeroicedriving.com) See page 94

Pioneering

spirit

When Ed Parker was planning a trip to the North Pole with a fellow ex-army friend he had no idea that he would end up accompanied by four wounded soliders and HRH Prince Harry, setting the foundations for a much-needed charity. Here, he talks to Elle Blakeman about the challenges that they have overcome and the ones that lie ahead

s mid-life crises go, it was a good one. Two years ago, former military man Ed Parker was in the middle of planning an ‘old fart’s’ trip to the North Pole when his nephew, Harry, 26, was badly injured in Afghanistan. ‘I saw Harry in hospital and it had rather more of an effect on me than I expected,’ he says. ‘As our planning for the pole continued, I said to my chum, “Why don’t we take the wounded?”. It was a slightly throwaway line but it grew from that.’ Parker, along with friend, Simon Daglish, also a former military man, decided to go ahead with their trip, taking four wounded servicemen along with them, with injuries ranging from missing and paralysed limbs to – staggeringly – a broken back. ‘We thought because of my nephew we would open it up to include the wounded to raise awareness and raise money.’ Parker is quick to point out that the raising money part was secondary. ‘It was more that we wanted to raise awareness of the courage and determination of these young people and the fact that they do still have a future.’ Harry lost both of his legs and injured his hand, but being ex-army himself, Parker has a very stoic view of injury in warfare. 

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

‘The idea of HRH joining wasn’t even mentioned until Harry turned around at the press launch and said, ‘I’m coming along, you know that don’t you?’

 ‘It’s what happens; you can’t say “God this is awful” because it’s just what happens when one is a solider.’ ‘A lot of people dwell on the past and how awful it is but, to be blunt, it’s happened. And so what you’ve got to try and do is focus on what the future may hold and the fact that you are physically or mentally less able than you were beforehand doesn’t mean that you are closing all the doors to life.’ This inspirational message is not new, but doing a ‘show’ rather than ‘tell’ by taking four wounded soldiers across one of the toughest terrains in existence adds the touch of testosterone and frankly sheer bloodymindedness that soldiers and civilians alike can identify with. ‘These guys don’t want pity or sorrow because it’s so negative. The long-term benefits for those four are very significant. For them it was a personal journey that set them on a completely different road to where they were before. And that to me is a great by-product. The message to others is the key. It was to show others – both military and civilian – that if you are in a bad place physically or mentally, why stop? Some of the reaction that we got from the public after we had done it was extraordinary. People who had suffered injury or had found themselves in a dark old place, said “What you have shown us is that you have to keep trying”.’ Their plans went into military-level overdrive when Parker approached Prince Harry to ask him to be a patron of the charity. Apparently the idea of HRH joining the group wasn’t even mentioned until Harry turned around at the press launch and said, ‘I’m coming along, you know that don’t you?’. Harry’s involvement took the entire operation into a new direction. ‘It all changed then’ says Parker. ‘We thought the North Pole was just going to be a little one-off and we’d crawl back

under our stones and get on with life but it didn’t quite happen like that. When we got back he said to me “You can’t stop. You’ve got to keep going”. And, well, you have to do as you’re told!’ he says, as I think most Englishmen would do when given a direct instruction from the third-in-line.

‘They take the p**s out of me for being old, which I find deeply upsetting; they wanted to rename it “Walking with the aged”’ As a result of the Prince’s involvement, the media attention given to the project was more than they could have possibly imagined – including a two-part BBC documentary – giving the charity a fantastic platform for their message. ‘We had a hell of a head start from a charitable perspective and we said that any money we collected would be put towards training the wounded and to get them into work.’ However on the trip and away from the cameras, the Prince was simply ‘Harry’, and by all accounts was no different to any of his teammates. ‘He is a soldier,’ says Parker, affectionately. ‘He’s one of the boys and he is just like any young officer. He is very professional and isn’t treated in any way differently to his rank. He doesn’t want to be different; the fact that he is flying helicopters in Afghanistan now shows that he is employed by the army to be a soldier and that is what he does, and he actually does it rather well.’ Having served in the army for over seven years,

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

it is clear that Harry can really understand these soldiers and what the charity is aiming to achieve. ‘He identifies with these guys very, very closely. He considers himself one of them. He understands who they are and what they have been through. When they turn up at the first meeting they think “Oh my God that is Prince Harry” and it is a bit awkward, but they realise very quickly who he is. When we were up on the ice and it was just the eight of us, there were no minding your Ps and Qs, it was just “Get on with it”. He did everything, and is fit as well so he was able to do his own bit as well as everyone else. He is very normal.’ And being British, ‘normal’ meant heckling each other at every given opportunity. ‘I think the banter side is very restorative, and there is a lot of vicious banter on these trips,’ says Parker. ‘If you are British, it is said that someone is only your friend when they can take the p**s out of you. Seeing guys who are so rude to each other, it is extraordinary. I know that they lie on their beds at three in the morning when it’s dark and they are in their own worlds, but the humour carries people through. That is something that I know Prince Harry identifies with very strongly and he is never going to sit there and say “Poor you”, but there is a caring element to it as well. If someone says “Poor you” it will make you think “Oh, poor me!”.’ ‘They take the p**s out of me for being old, which I find deeply upsetting; they wanted to rename it “Walking with the aged”.’ And we’re back to the mid-life crisis; we’re lucky he didn’t just go with a Jag. Of course, if there is a downside to all the coverage, it’s that much of it has naturally focused on the trips themselves, as opposed to the work funded by the charity, which has to date raised an incredible £1.4 million to help

wounded and injured servicemen. To start, Parker is keen to stress that none of the money raised goes towards the actual trips, these are funded by corporate donations. Instead all the money raised for the charity goes towards schemes, often run in conjunction with other military charities such as Help the Heroes, to retrain the wounded, injured and sick to return to civilian life. ‘It’s not enough to just rehabilitate these guys back to health, because if you don’t have a job, then you don’t have security. You can make these guys as physically wonderful as you want, but if you don’t give them that holistic strength through a job, then the results have already been seen – drug and alcohol abuse, a huge number in prison or homeless.’ Naturally, given his own knowledge of the forces, Parker and his team understand the challenges faced upon leaving the army, particularly for the wounded. ‘They are big institutions where you’re fed, you’re clothed, you’re housed, you’re told what time to get up… Everything is there and when you leave suddenly there is nothing there for you and you have to do it all yourself. ‘We identified that these guys needed retraining, as although you get a lot of excellent skills in the services, not all of these transfer. But they are highly trainable: they’ve got discipline, they are loyal to their cause and hopefully you can garner that loyalty elsewhere.’ It’s easy to forget how young most of the men are upon entering the forces, the majority join between 20 and 24 – an age when their civilian counterparts are still binge drinking 

Feature | The mayfair Magazine

 cider and stealing traffic cones. ‘There are some private soldiers in the infantry who if you ask “What is your skill?” will say “I know how to shoot a rifle”, says Parker, highlighting the unaffected candour of many ex-soliders. ‘Now, by and large you don’t really have a need for that in the corporate world, so it is identifying what they could do and what they want to do and actually holding their hand into a new career.’ The charity has several inspirational case studies behind them, with beneficiaries moving into a range of roles including landscape gardener, ski instructor and even a recreational helicopter pilot.

‘If you have been in conflict, you will have some form of mental baggage that you are bringing home’ Statistics are very much behind the thought process, with an estimated 10 per cent of prison inmates and 10 per cent of London’s 6,000 homeless, formerly in the forces. ‘There is a cost to society if these guys become unemployable – prison alone costs £35,000 a year each to maintain. However if they get a job, they start to pay tax and so on, not to mention boost their own self-worth, allowing them to find their place in society again.’ This ‘prevention rather than cure’ approach is obviously highly preferable to the alternative, but, as these things always are, it is also a much tougher sell to the public. Clear to include mental illness – especially Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome – in the category of ‘Wounded, Injured and Sick’, Parker is very

aware of the need to watch out for adverse mental effects on leaving soldiers. ‘I believe that if you have been in conflict, you will have some form of mental baggage that you are bringing home. For every physical injury, there are four or five people with mental injures as a result of conflict, and that is something we need to address.’ Suicide figures run high in veterans, indeed Parker points out that more soldiers committed suicide after the Falklands, than those who died fighting in it. Mental illness is also much harder to diagnose and can often be repressed for several years, making the need for permanent support vital. Thankfully military charities have so far weathered the recession, the tragic headlines of ‘Our Boys’ in Iraq and Afghanistan providing a constant reminder of the problems faced. The real challenge will be when the fighting stops, for now, and these soldiers continue to need long-term support. ‘We really need to let people know that this isn’t just a once-a-year expedition, but a fundraising organisation to change the lives of injured servicemen forever.’ As Patron of the charity, Prince Harry says: ‘The debt [that this country owes its servicemen] extends beyond immediate medical care and short-term rehabilitation. These men and women have given so much. We must recognise their sacrifice, be thankful, so far as we can ever repay them for it.’

Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

cooking

Twenty chefs, two hundred guests and one seriously impressive auction and all for charity. Will it be smooth sailing or a case of too many cooks? WORDS: Priscilla Pollara

Chez Bruce

Zuma

The Providores Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley Harryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar 18

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

Hibiscus

Clarkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Murano

Hix

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal 19

ierre Koffmann is setting up in a relatively minute area of the Four Seasons Kitchen, flanked by Mark Hix and Richard Corrigan; Sally Clarke is waiting for some specially ordered Welsh lamb that was last seen halfway up the M4 and Hakkasan’s Tong Chee Hwee is doing something so impressive with raw fish that the 19 other household-name chefs all stop to watch him work. Behold: Mayfair’s very own version of Masterchef. There aren’t many with the culinary clout to persuade 20 of the city’s finest chefs to descend on the Four Seasons Park Lane to each cook a for an unknown table, but happily, founders Peter Gordon and Chris Corbin are among the few.

‘The air of mystery over the identity of each table’s chef is what gives this evening its unique element of magic’ The clue to ‘Who’s Cooking Dinner?’ – now in it’s 13th year – is in the title. The 20 kitchens arrive, complete with entourages and menus, with each chef catering for a table of 10. Each one of these tables cost an eye-watering £6,000, but it’s all for a good cause: the evening’s proceeds go to Leukaemia and blood cancer charity Leuka. None of the tables know who will be cooking dinner for them until the name is drawn on the night. Enjoyably, there is even some trading that goes on once the draw has taken place, often when a table gets the same chef for two years

Hakkasan 20

running (the event is a lot of fun, so the recidivism rate is high). Among the kitchen greats making ‘Who’s Cooking Dinner?’ so special are the likes of Michele Lombardo from Harry’s Bar, Bruce Poole from Chez Bruce and Chris and Jeff Galvin of La Chapelle, while past participants have included Heston Blumenthal, Jamie Oliver and Mark Edwards. ‘We’re so lucky to have such an amazing family of chefs and restaurants supporting this event. Each year they rise to the occasion – the dishes paraded into the ballroom are highly innovative and of astonishing quality,’ says Corbin. It’s almost a wonder that so many of the capital’s chefs are able to be present at the same place at the same time. Tim Hughes, head chef of Scott’s, assures us that the cause is more than enough to unite the team. ‘The charity’s bigger than any individual. That’s the main thing. That’s why in this it’s not about ‘Tim Hughes’ or ‘Mark Hix’, it’s about Leuka. It’s about the good that 20 kitchens can do for this charity to make it such a special event.’ Year after year, they each admit that it would be impossible to stay away from participating, despite the logistical nightmare of relocating 10 restaurants into one kitchen. Corbin acknowledges the difficulties, while knowing that chefs of this calibre can work almost anywhere. ‘Honestly, these guys are so talented, they could prepare a four-course meal for a table of ten on a coffee table.’ Corbin and Gordon’s shared résumé is a formidable history of London cuisine – Corbin is one half of a powerful business duo whose credentials include The Ivy, The Wolseley, Brasserie Zédel and Café Colbert, while Gordon is famed for his celebrated ‘fusion food,’ epitomised at The Providores and Kopapa. Between them, they have an impressive circle of friends and colleagues to call upon for this venture. It quickly snowballed, with each chef able to recommend another whom he thought would want to be involved. When asked how

The Ledbury

Bistrot Bruno Loubet

Brasserie Chavot

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

they first persuaded chefs to get on board, Gordon’s answer is simple: ‘People wanted to. We’ve never asked a chef and had them say “No”.’ However, there is a stronger bond between the two than a shared love of food. The story behind the creation of ‘Who’s Cooking Dinner?’ has for the past 13 years proved to have considerable fundraising power. It was set up to raise awareness of Leukaemia and to continue the ongoing battle towards beating the disease – a cause close to the hearts of the founders, who have both been directly affected by it; Corbin personally, and Gordon via his sister. This first-hand experience gave them both an understanding of the improvements needed in treating the illness. The money they have raised has provided Hammersmith Hospital with the Catherine Lewis Centre, a new, state-of-the-art facility of which Corbin is justifiably proud. ‘We’ve built, equipped and staffed the building and put on an extra floor for research. It’s made a really major difference the way the

Hammersmith is able to treat leukaemia.’ In its first year, Gordon’s sister was able to witness the work of the event she helped to inspire, when a guest donated her flight across from her home in Australia to speak about her experiences. The event now has a base in New Zealand as well, with ‘Dining for a Difference’ in Auckland raising money for the Leuka’s antipodean equivalent. The importance of the cause is not lost on anyone on the night, despite the celebratory mood, and it feels like everyone is happy to have a chance to give back. ‘I think generally chefs are quite nice people,’ says Hughes, ‘we work with people from all walks of life. We do worry about people and if we see something that needs to be done, we want to be part of doing it.’ For many of the chefs, the event has become a kind of annual reunion, a chance to get back to the kitchen with colleagues from years gone by. ‘It’s the camaraderie – everyone is keen to see what everyone else is doing. What’s lovely 

Pollen Street Social

Corrigan’s Mayfair

The Wolseley 21

Feature | The mayfair Magazine

 is that if someone’s got a table that can’t eat something, all the chefs get together and swap ingredients. The culinary highlights are when chefs pull together a dish at the last minute they’ve never done before.’ ‘We’re all about the same vintage,’ says Hughes. ‘We all know each other, we grew up together, so everyone helps, everyone mucks in and gets along with each other. There’s a lot of mutual respect.’ So no chef egos I ask, slightly saddened if I’m honest, having pictured knifes and swear words flying around. ‘No’ he says. ‘Chefs would never do that with other chefs!’. Delicacies likely to be seen on the night include Tong Chee Hwee’s ostrich fillet in a chilli and soya bean sauce, while Ashley Palmer Watts will be rustling up hay-smoked mackerel and Tom Aikens is preparing a celeriac and apple consommé. The range of food available makes the suspense of finding out just who will be cooking your dinner even more exciting, lending the night an air of mystery as your table’s menu is announced on the night. It’s clear that the thrill of suspense has yet to fade for Corbin even after more than a decade of dinners; ‘You’re buying this table for £6,000, so £600 per guest for a four-course meal, and you’re buying it without knowing which chef is going to be cooking for you on the night. There’s always a bit of a frisson when people are waiting to find out who they’ve got – it’s a brilliant format.’

Koffmann’s at The Berkeley

Scott’s 22

The excitement continues after the meal as the fundraising steps up a gear with a charity auction, in which guests compete to have one of 10 chefs cook a private meal in their own home for themselves and their guests. Led by a Sotheby’s auctioneer, prizes have proved to be costly in previous years – Hakkasan hold the record with a winning bid of £32,000. It’s certainly not an auction to miss. With figures, like that, it’s no surprise that Leuka has received over £4 million from ‘Who’s Cooking Dinner?’ since its creation. The Catherine Lewis Centre stands as proof of the positive impact the event has had, and Corbin has no plans to stop any time soon, focusing on promoting research to continue to strive for an effective cure. This year’s line-up is as impressive as ever, promising a night of spectacular food and hopefully another tremendous contribution to this very worthy cause – who said the number 13 was unlucky? (www.whoscookingdinner.com; www.leuka.org.uk)

THE LINE-UP Bruno Loubet Bistrot Bruno Loubet Bruce Poole Chez Bruce Sally Clarke Clarke’s Richard Corrigan Corrigan’s Mayfair Ashley Palmer-Watts Dinner by Heston Blumenthal Tong Chee Hwee Hakkasan Michele Lombardi Harry’s Bar Claude Bosi Hibiscus Mark Hix Hix Pierre Koffmann Koffmann’s at The Berkeley Chris & Jeff Galvin La Chapelle Marcus Wareing Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley Angela Hartnett Murano Jason Atheron Pollen Street Social Tim Hughes Scott’s Brett Graham The Ledbury Peter Gordon The Providores Eric Chavot Brasserie Chavot Lawrence Keogh The Wolseley Rainer Becker with Bjoern Weissgerber Zuma

La Chapelle

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A vision

for the future We catch up with the inimitable Sir Terence Conran to discuss his recent Medal for Arts Philanthropy and why British design is the best in the world w o rds : katie ra n dall 25

OPENING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The BOUNDARY RESTAURANT; ‘The Way We Live Now’, Sir Terence Conran Exhibition at The Design Museum; computer-animated image of the new design museum’s new premises; ‘The Way We Live Now’ at The Design Museum; The CONRAN Shop; ‘The Way We Live Now’ at The Design Museum; CENTRE: Sir TereNCE CONRAN by julian broad

ir Terence Conran is the man with the golden touch. Any business or philanthropic project to which he turns his hand becomes a consummate success. He is a creator of iconic places – he gave London its Design Museum 20 years ago and changed the world of interior decoration by founding Habitat in the sixties. It is in recognition of his tireless work championing the arts and the huge recent donation to the Design Musuem’s future, that HRH The Prince of Wales presented Conran with a medal for Arts Philanthropy last December. Conran is one of the world’s best-known designers, restaurateurs and retailers, renowned for his vision for the future and for his staunch passion for craftsmanship, arts education and excellent design. After a lifetime founding British institutions; setting up restaurants, such as Lutyens and The Boundary; and donating to projects with which he shares an affinity, Conran is not ready to rest on his laurels yet. ‘It was certainly a surprise to me – albeit a pleasant one,’ he says of the award. ‘Of course I was extremely proud to receive the medal and very pleased that my contribution had been acknowledged. But without wanting to sound curmudgeonly, I have never been one for celebrating personal achievements and accolades too long.’ His energy is boundless when it comes to his work, he admits, ‘There’s so much I still want to achieve and you will never get anywhere in life polishing trophies’.

This entrepreneurial spirit and drive became apparent from a young age. Born in 1931, Conran enrolled at the Central School of Arts and Crafts at the age of 17. While studying, he used to sell his own textile prints, but the designer was involved in business from a much earlier age. ‘Even as a small child I enjoyed making things and my favourite present was a bag of wooden off-cuts and a box of tools. ‘I remember exchanging a wooden battleship I had made for a potter’s lathe and being extremely proud of myself with my side of the deal.’ Little did the world know that this boy, with his handmade battleship, would grow up to found design-focused homeware store, Habitat, and his own architecture practice, Conran Roche, completing projects across the globe. Previous commissions have included London landmarks, Michelin House and the Bluebird garage. Conran has set a standard for post-war designers, refocusing consumers’ attention on good design and ensuring that the items we surround ourselves with make the world in which we live a more ‘interesting, enjoyable and comfortable place’. Educating the future generation in creative design is extremely important to the designer, and up until recently, he was the provost of the Royal College of Art. The Government discussions of stripping Art and Design from their Baccalaureate particularly irks the designer. ‘The strength of the UK creative industries is no accident, it lies in the quality of the education that our young receive, which is why I founded the Design Museum. We should be encouraging creativity and innovation in our young, not stifling it.’ The young Sir Terence and his sister Priscilla were certainly encouraged and supported creatively from an early age by their mother. Conran recalls, ‘I think if she had grown up in a more progressive era, she would certainly have

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been an artist or a designer. We really do owe her so much for setting us on a creative path from an early age.’ When speaking with Conran, you quickly begin to understand that he is not driven by personal success and definitely not by money. He has a bigger vision for the future of British design. ‘I am depressed enough that as a country we make so few things. Imagine if we no longer designed them as well?’ He says, ‘I’d like to make a difference in that respect. It has been my lifelong belief that we have the most

‘It has been my lifelong belief that we have the most amazing craftsmen in this country’ – Sir Terence Conran amazing craftsmen in this country, and added to the fact that the UK’s creative industries are the finest in the world, why on earth are we no longer a country that prides itself on making things?’ Conran urges that we keep utilising these skills, because they were a vital part of our past. Cementing his argument, he sagely adds, ‘We will never be the workshop of the world again, but at least we should continue to be a high-quality workshop.’ It is perhaps these beliefs that underpin his whole philosophy on philanthropic giving. Conran’s latest donation of £17.5m to the Design Museum will help fund its ambitious move to the former Commonwealth Institute building in West London. The new world-class museum is due to open to the public in 2014 and will showcase the very best in British craftsmanship and international contemporary design. This latest investment brings the total sum of money donated to the museum, by Conran and the

Conran Foundation, to a staggering £50 million. The designer has also extended his wealth of business experience to food. His relationship with it is rooted in memories past. He remembers a trip with Michael Wickham, driving through the Dordogne in an old Lagonda. ‘I was amazed by the quality of everyday French country life. The unpretentious but abundant displays on market stalls had a strong impact on me, and demonstrated how everyday products could be both beautiful and practical.’ He explains that he has always tried to capture something of these qualities in his work ever since. Conran kick-started his career in post-war Britain, inspired by visionaries such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It was a time which according to Conran, was ’rife with optimism.’ In 1950, he began to work under architect Dennis Lennon, whose practice was commissioned to design the interior of a quarter-scale model of a princess flying boat for the 1951 Festival of Britain. ‘Working for Dennis at the festival was one of the most exciting times of my life, when I believed anything was possible,’ he says. ‘You have to remember what a grey and austere place we lived in back then and how the festival demonstrated an enormous appetite for change, even if it took another decade for the changes to take place.’ The colourful event provided a change of palette for an austere Britain and Conran’s abiding memory of this period clearly shapes his views today. To Conran, design is a tool to inspire and to make a difference to people’s lives. ‘I still smile when I close my eyes and remember the sight of people turning up on the South Bank with their mackintoshes and gas-mask cases filled with sandwiches to see this dream of the future.’ (www.conran.com)

FAR LEFT: Sir TERENCE CONRAN by julian broad; BELOW, FROM LEFT: Sir TERENCE CONRAN giving Jonathan Ive an honorary degree as provost at the royal college of art; Sir TERENCE CONRAN IN HIS YOUNGER DAYS; 1952 conran furniture

Interiors | The mayfair Magazine

Interiors news Usher in spring with all things bright and beautiful

W O R D S : S a n dr a m a c k e n z i e & D a NIE L L A I S AAC S

The show must go on Portuguese luxury fabric brand Aldeco introduces itself to the country with a special collection entitled ‘The Show Must Go On,’ – a celebration of the classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s movie. The 29 vibrant and original fabrics were inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s timeless portrayal of Holly Golightly, channelling the elegance, mystery and glamour of the film. (www.aldeco.pt)

Love story Wild at Heart steps up to the plate This Valentine’s Day with a gift that really does keep on giving. Their Year’s Supply of Flowers begins with a presentation bouquet, allowing the lucky recipient to personalise the flower selection to their acquired taste. They’ll then receive a bouquet monthly; thoughtful enough to please the most dedicated romantic while also saving the skins of the hopelessly forgetful. A simple yet lovely concept, which guarantees your 14 February will be a success. Nikky Tibbles at Wild at Heart (www.wildatheart.com)

Wall to wall Nina Campbell’s latest collection, Braemar, for Osborne & Little is a masterpiece in simplicity. We particularly love the elegant colour palette – a breath of fresh air for the spring ahead. Abbotsford wallpaper, £49 per roll, Elcho chair fabric, £52 per metre, both Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little (www.osborneandlittle.com) 28

FINISHING TOUCH A lasting token of affection, this smooth walnut-hue heart candle is a perfect accessory for your home this February. The elegant piece comes in a set of four with tealights included. Heart Candle, £35 from David Linley (www.davidlinley. co.uk)

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American woman

Over lunch at The Arts Club we meet Faiza Seth – a passionate philanthropist and the glamorous CEO of interior and architectural firm Casa Forma w o r d s : d a n i e l l a i saacs

s a self-confessed workaholic, Faiza Seth finds it hard to relax. And this comes as no surprise – between being the CEO of bespoke interior and architectural design firm Casa Forma and overseeing an entire school in Hyderabad, India, Seth is clearly a woman of action. As she elegantly glides into our meeting at The Arts Club, Hermès Birkin in hand, she immediately explains exactly why Casa Forma was created; to fill a niche at the onset of one of the most trying of economic climates in over

half a century. ‘I saw properties that were screaming out to be modernised,’ says Seth. Casa Forma was formed to provide a comprehensive architecture and design service for the most sought-after residential and commercial properties in London, India, Dubai and around the world. The service had to be bespoke and Seth and her team of 21 were adamant that the ‘client comes first’ and is ‘always right’. Countless hours are spent with their clients to gain a real understanding of their particular 

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Countless hours are spent with clients to gain a real understanding of their particular style and way of lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

 style and way of life. With over 60 properties completed since 2007 and 21 projects currently in progress, Casa Forma is quickly gaining momentum. Its craftsmanship and high level of detail is evident in its award-winning property in Davies Street, Mayfair, known as The Manor. The floor consists of a beautiful selection of natural materials including stained walnut and ebony Makassar timbers, which sets the sophisticated tone of the property. Moon onyx decorates the foyer walls, with dramatic back-lighting, bestowing a chic, subtle glow. Seth is most proud of the company’s recent achievement, One Hyde Park, which she describes in a Californian twang as ‘pure awesomeness’. Decorated in intricate Art Deco pieces with impeccable attention to detail, the property is testament to the now globally renowned firm. Casa Forma has headquarters in Dubai, in partnership with the Royal Family, and is also developing a team to be based in Brazil. With a network consisting of designers from Switzerland, Persia, Italy and a host of other countries, its expansion is Faiza Seth, Casa natural. ‘Everyone brings their own experiences, background and cultural sensitivities,’ Seth says. The brand was simply made for an international clientele. But Seth is not easily satisfied. She has huge ambitions for the firm for the future, from a higher profile in Brazil and the Middle East and potentially seeing the launch of a luxury retail store. However, when Seth takes time off from Casa Forma, she does not kick off her heels and relax in her Mayfair home. A large part of her time is spent focusing on her philanthropic pursuits. From a young age she volunteered in her local community in Chicago, and charity quickly became a major influence in her life. In 2010, she partnered with the Hope Foundation and created Soham for Kids, a school in Hyderabad,

‘Everyone brings their own experiences and background cultural sensitivities’ – Forma

opening spread l-r: faiza seth; down street; right: down street (PHOTO BY JAMES BALSTON)

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which focuses on equipping students with skills to learn how to be more independent as they grow older. ‘We’re all part of one community,’ says Seth. ‘“Soham” is a Sanskrit word meaning “I am”, and it’s something that unites us all.’ Visiting every two months, she pays close attention to the quotidian of the school; she chooses the children’s meals, their curriculum and makes it her duty to visit the home of every student before their entry into the school. Three years on and Soham for Kids is a world-renowned organisation and Seth is always warmly welcomed by the Hyderabad community when she goes. Although the charity funding at present relies on pledges from her contemporaries – including the first Asian woman in the House of Lords, Baroness Jenkin and International Head of Asian Art, Dr Amin Jaffer – Seth is working towards donating a percentage of Casa Forma’s profits directly to Soham for Kids in the future. Casa Forma and Soham for Kids seem to be ideally aligned, with a shared value of hard work and attention to detail at the fore. With Seth’s determination and ever-positive outlook for making a difference, it seems there couldn’t be a better person to get the job done. After our meeting, she dashes off to One Hyde Park, to be followed by a finance meeting and then a conference call with the head teacher of her school – all in a day’s work.

above: davies street; far left: down street (PHOTOS BY JAMES BALSTON) left: soham for kids

www.bachet.fr

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Couture

culture Celebrate this Valentine’s Day with new scents from Penhaligon’s, macarons from the ‘Dior of desserts’, Pierre Hermé, and nights of fairytale romance WORDS: DANIELLA ISAACS

Valentine’s Day is upon us. For those who want to get into the romantic spirit, W1 is also feeling rather kind-hearted this month. If you are planning on celebrating the day, there are a couple of places to visit in preparation. Drop into Penhaligon’s where the bespoke brand has created the perfectly scented couple – Artemisia and Endymion. The contrasting notes take their names from the Greek myths; Endymion, a mortal who chose everlasting sleep to enable him to dream of his lover and Artemisia, goddess of the wilderness. Continue to indgule your senses with Pierre Hermé’s famous macarons. His La Styliste set of 15 is certain to go down well with any partner. And for a more lasting token of affection, pop into Halcyon Days where you will find this beautiful Bicycle Built for Two handcrafted enamel box – elegant and personal it’s everything a girl could ask for. Valentine’s wouldn’t be complete without the perfect date night; get yourself a ticket to one of the most enchanting evenings of the year, the Make A Wish Foundation Valentine’s Ball at The Dorchester. Whilst indulging in an exquisite three-course meal, followed by dancing, feel content knowing that your donation will go towards granting the wishes of some very deserving young children. For those who would rather rest their heels, soak up some theatre with the queen of the West End, Dame Helen Mirren, who will be treading the boards once more, as she revisits her acclaimed role as Queen Elizabeth II in Peter Ackroyd’s The Audience. The play imagines pivotal meetings between the Royals and Prime Ministers from the past six decades. Mirren also graces the silver screen this month in Hitchcock, starring alongside Academy Award-winner Anthony Hopkins in the love story about the seminal film director. And London continues to celebrate the finest thespians with the 66th British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards; the ceremony taking place on 10 February. The star-studded event will surely feature a plethora of glamorous dresses, excitable newcomers and a few embarrassingly weepy speeches (we hope). So whether your Valentine’s Day is to be grand or low key, spoil yourself regardless with this elegant menu of soirées and treats.

left: Make A Wish Foundation Valentine’s Ball, tickets £250 per person (www.make-a-wish.org.uk); from top: image: hitchckock; British Academy Film Award; ‘bicycle built for two’ enamel box, £165 from halcyon days (www.halcyondays.co.uk); The Audience (theaudienceplay.com); Penhaligon’s London ‘Endymion and Artemisia’ perfume, from £68; ‘la styliste’ macarons, box of 15, £33 (www.pierreherme.com)

For the perfect gift this Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day 14 Brook Street, London, W1S 1BD. T. +44 (0)20 7629 8811 www.halcyondays.co.uk

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Q&A with…

Royal Academician, Fiona Rae, about her stunning new work

Previously unseen Man Ray images and revisiting Baroque greats – an exciting month for the art world worDS: CAROL CORDREY

Picture perfect Man Ray (1890-1976) began his artistic career in the conventional way, as a painter who used photography to record subjects that could be painted at leisure in his studio. In 1920, he undertook portrait photography to fund his paintings and after befriending Marcel Duchamp, Man Ray’s moved to Paris the following year. It was here that he became absorbed in the anarchic Dada and Surrealist movements and photographed its key artistic and literary figures including Salvador Dalí and James Joyce. The National Portrait Gallery is celebrating this colourful history with an exhibition consisting of over 150 prints, most unseen in the country before. Man Ray Portraits, National Portrait Gallery, WC2H, 7 February - 27 May (www.npg.org.uk)

Baroque treasures Bartolomé Esteban Murillo was highly acclaimed during the 18th and early 19th centuries, but his halo seems to have lost some of its glow in more recent times when Baroque art fell slightly out of favour. This is set to change, however, as the Wallace Collection presents eight of his masterpieces alongside several paintings by Murillo’s associates, Osorio and Gutiérrez. The exhibition is being timed to coincide with Murillo and Justino de Neve: Art of Friendship, hosted by the Dulwich Picture Gallery. The combination of the two events is cause for excitement as it reunites, for the first time in 200 years, some of the finest European Baroque paintings. Their emotive subject matter will span both religious and everyday subjects, giving us a treasure trove of art to suit all tastes. Murillo at the Wallace Collection: Painting of the Spanish Golden Age 6 February-12 May (www.wallacecollection.org)

Q: Your abstract paintings are richly textured and either very dramatic or very subdued; do your compositions echo individual moods? A: The paintings are improvised so I don’t necessarily have a clear outcome in mind at the start; I go off on a painterly journey and see what happens along the way. This exhibition has paintings with quite different visual outcomes from similar starting points. Q: The emotive character and titles of your work suggest that it is deeply personal but do you like viewers to interpret it individually? A: The titles are ‘found’ sentences that are ambiguous or slightly strange; although they might have a strong flavour, they don’t have a straightforward interpretation which keeps it open for the viewer’s own response. Q: Is there any particular significance to the small, figurative elements in these abstracts? A: I bought some embroidered pandas in a Chinese import shop in New York, and was inspired by their strange and uncanny presence to use them in different ways in these paintings; I think they function as protagonists, onlookers, charms and wizards in the midst of all the painterly action. Q: As the first ever female Professor of Painting at the Royal Academy Schools, how do you feel you have influenced your students? A: I like the idea of art students influencing me; I like knowing what the younger generation are thinking and talking about. I think my role is to offer encouragement, critical analysis where necessary, and ‘permission’ to do whatever they want. Fiona Rae: New Paintings, 18 January – 23 February (www.timothytaylorgallery.com) 37

TOP left: WORKS BY Man Ray; TOP RIGHT: fIONA rAE PAINTINGS; below: image courtesy of the wallace collection

Art news

‘Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life’ – Picasso

Becoming Picasso:

Paris 1901

Forty years after the death of Pablo Picasso, a remarkable new exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery brings together 18 of his early masterpieces from 1901, exploring the intriguing story of his turbulent breakthrough year as an artist in Paris W O R D S : r e b e cc a w a l l e rs t e i n e r

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he seeds of Picasso’s meteoric rise to international stardom to become one of the towering figures of twentieth century art history were sown early on in his career. On 14 February, Becoming Picasso: Paris 1901, a new exhibition will open at the Courtauld Gallery, exploring Picasso’s extraordinary development in his breakthrough year, 1901. ‘Becoming Picasso reunites major paintings from Picasso’s debut exhibition with the influential dealer Ambroise Vollard that are now considered to be the artist’s early masterpieces,’ says curator Dr Barnaby Wright. It was in 1901 that Picasso – a 19-year-old Spanish hopeful – first settled in Paris and had his first successful exhibition with Vollard, developing his famous blue palette. ‘Many of these themes would preoccupy him for the rest of his life,’ adds Wright. 1901 began well for the ambitious young Picasso, when his debut exhibition immediately received critical acclaim, thereby launching him onto the Parisian art scene. The critics effusively praised his vigorous creative energy, originality and skill. Art critic Gustave Coquiot wrote, ‘Picasso is an artist who paints all round the clock, who never believes that the day is over in a city that offers a different spectacle every minute. A passionate, restless observer, he exults like a mad, but subtle jeweller in bringing out

vigour, experimenting with new ways of painting. 1901 is also the year when he developed his immediately recognisable Picasso signature and the paintings, in the Courtauld’s show are amongst the earliest to bear it. What did his friends and family think of Picasso? Fernande Olivier, his first long-term girlfriend, who lived with him for six years, in a tiny Montmartre studio said, ‘Picasso was small, thick-set, restless and disquieting, with dark, piercing eyes with a thick lock of black hair slashed across his intelligent and obstinate forehead.’ He had grown up in a predominantly female household and was adored and spoilt by his mother and sisters. They drew closer together as a family after Picasso’s youngest sister became terminally ill and died. Picasso also loved his father, an artist, who specialised in painting doves and pigeons and taught his son how to draw. In later life, Picasso was at ease around women and his passionate nature meant that he was never short of female company – despite his tendency to regard them as either doormats or goddesses. In spite of his blossoming career, he never cut off links with his home and made regular trips back to Barcelona to visit his beloved family and friends. He liked to quip: ‘My mother said to me, “If you become a soldier you’ll be a general; if you become a monk you’ll end up as the Pope.” 

LEFT: Self-Portrait (Yo - Picasso); BELOW: A PHOTOGRAPH OF PICASSO

‘Picasso is an artist who paints all round the clock, who never believes that the day is over, in a city that offers a different spectacle every minute’ his most sumptuous yellows, magnificent greens and glowing rubies.’ But although the Parisian art world loved him, Picasso wasn’t content to rest on his laurels and in the second half of 1901, he threw himself into his work with renewed

RIGHT: icasso Evocation (The Burial of Carles Casagemas); FAR RIGHT: The Phillips Collection - Picasso The Blue Room

Instead, I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.’ Only a few months after enjoying his success with his Vollard show, Picasso was away in Spain, when a terrible tragedy happened: his close friend, Carles Casagemas, driven mad by a disastrous love affair, shot himself at the Hippodrome Café in Montmartre, after first attempting to murder his girlfriend. When Picasso heard about his Casagemas’ suicide, his elevated mood was quickly changed into one of hopeless despair – from which he never completely recovered. Normally outgoing and witty, Picasso now withdrew from his friends and spent more time painting alone. He also began acting bizarrely, moving into Casagemas’ apartment and repeatedly painting him lying in his coffin, with his gaping bullet wound – perhaps as catharsis for his trauma. As the centrepiece of the Courtauld exhibition, Wright has selected Evocation The Burial of Casagemas 1901, Picasso’s surreal painting of Casagemas ascending to heaven on a white stallion, surrounded by mourning prostitutes, naked apart from their stockings – lent by the Musée d’Art Moderne, Paris . With this painting’s unconventional subject matter, Picasso challenged traditional religious painting. After Casagemas’ death, Picasso’s palette also changed and he began experimenting with darker blues and blue-greens to express his feelings of blueness and despair. ‘The end of 1901 is traditionally regarded as the beginning of Picasso’s renowned Blue Period,’ says Wright. ‘It was in this year that he became unashamedly modern – but at the same time aware that he had inherited a rich artistic tradition,’ he adds. In his blue paintings, Picasso pays homage to the work of Edgar Degas, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Vincent van Gogh, but moves

away from their bright palettes to experiment with darker colours to explore the essence of things in a new abstract way. ‘Although he unashamedly steals ideas from other artists he always makes something new out of it,’ says Wright. Another draw in the show will surely be Picasso’s exquisitely painted Seated

‘In Paris, Picasso could live and love just as he chose, but he preferred to work furiously’ Harlequin, 1901, lent by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Picasso repeatedly painted colourful Harlequins during the next years and they acted his alter ego. Picasso enjoyed boasting that he had imitated every style – apart from his own – and continued to reinvent himself creatively throughout his life. In Paris, Picasso could live and love just as he chose, but he preferred to work furiously, painting up to three canvases a day. At the beginning 1901 he had focused on capturing the hedonistic Belle Epoque mood, but towards the end of 1901, he began to choose more profound subjects including Absinthe drinkers, prostitutes, Madams, and the wretched inmates of the Saint-Lazare women’s prison. Picasso’s painting Absinthe Drinker, 1901, has been lent to the exhibition by the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, and pays homage to Degas’s earlier painting of the subject. This exhibition offers a great chance to experience the birth of Picasso’s genius through a spectacular group of his paintings, before he became one of the greatest artistic icons of the twentieth century. Becoming Picasso, 14 February – 26 May, Courtauld Gallery, WC2

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bonhams | PRIZE LOT 1928 Rolls Royce

he most pervasive myth associated with Texan multi-millionaire Jerry J. Moore, is that on visiting France in the mid-sixties, he was so impressed with a local château that he had the entire Particulars: building dismantled, numbered, and carried across the Atlantic to be reassembled in his Expected Value (item): £235,000 - £300,000 home state. The veracity of this is debated by a more recent estate agency description of the Expected Value (auction): home as a ‘residential scale reproduction of £15,500,000 - £16,500,000 the Palace of Fontainebleau’ – not quite the Estimated Range: same thing. However, the property mogul’s £235,000 - £300,000 legendary passion for vintage cars is beyond a No. of Lots: doubt, as exemplified by this 1928 ‘Playboy 520 Roadster’ Rolls Royce that was once housed in Place: his collection. The cars were admirably stored Grand Palais, Paris in his Houston palace, which included a rare Date: climate-controlled garage to ensure their 6 - 7 February perfect preservation. This particular car is a striking black model, with a cream leather interior and red detailing. The design is instantly recognisable from numerous classic Hollywood films and is evocative of a bygone era of style and glamour. This item comes to auction at the historic Grand Palais in Paris, a location the late Mr Moore certainly would have approved of for his treasured cars. Other exciting lots include the 1929 Gipsy Moth bi-plane which featured in the 1985 film, Out of Africa and a Bugatti Type 54, which was raced by Achille Varzi in 1931.

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christie’s | PRIZE LOT Jeanne Hébuterne (au chapeau) by Amedeo Modigliani

he love affair between Amedeo Modigliani and Jeanne Hébuterne has gone down in history as one of the art world’s most romantic and ultimately tragic stories. The couple first met in 1917 when he was 32 and she was just 19, studying at the Académie Colarossi in Paris. Their subsequent affair was strongly objected to by Hébuterne’s parents, since Modigliani was at the time better known as an alcoholic and drug addict than as an artist. Hébuterne defied her parents and moved in with Modigliani, and their bohemian lifestyle has become infamous, cementing the image of the painter as the epitome of a tortured, starving artist. In the course of their relationship, he painted her at least 15 times, although the total number is likely to have been significantly greater. Modigliani frequently destroyed his own work, infuriated by its perceived worthlessness, often when in a substance-fuelled rage. Their life together was made increasingly difficult by Modigliani’s lack of success and rapidly declining health as he battled tuberculosis, contracted in his teens. Although his works did sell, they were never valued highly and his first solo show was closed in the middle of a scandal when the Parisian chief of police objected to the nude paintings. In 1919, the year Jeanne Hébuterne (au chapeau) was painted, his work had sold favourably at a London exhibition and the longsuffering painter’s prospects showed signs of improving. On 24 January, 1920 Modigliani died from his thenincurable illness and Hébuterne threw herself from a fifth-floor window the day after his death, killing herself and her unborn child. They were originally buried separately until her family relented ten years after her death, allowing her to be reinterred next to her lover in the Père Lachaise Cemetery. This portrait, painted shortly after the birth of their Particulars: daughter Jeanne, is a strikingly modern work, Expected Value (item): exemplifying Modigliani’s structural style in the £16 million - £22 million sweeping line of neck to shoulder. The painting has Expected Value (auction): been held in a private New York Collection until £2 million - £22 million recently and has previously been owned by Paul Guillaume and Henri Belien. Estimated Range: £67.5 million - £100 million No. of Lots: 37 Place: London Date: 6 February 45

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SOTHEBY’S | PRIZE LOT Liebespaar (Selbstdarstellung mit Wally) by Egon Schiele

requently hailed as Gustav Klimt’s natural successor, who tragically died before he could truly take his place at the forefront of the modernist canon, Egon Schiele nevertheless managed to produce a staggering amount of spectacular art during his 28 years of life. Sotheby’s holds the auction records for both oil and paper works by the artist, and now brings three more important paper works to the market. The highlight of these is undoubtedly his Self-Portrait with Wally, also titled simply Lovers. Schiele met his muse and lover Walburga Neuzil in 1911, and although she is the subject of some of his greatest works and stood by him through his trial and imprisonment for displaying ‘indecent’ images, in 1914 he decided he needed to make a socially advantageous marriage, and Wally was clearly unsuitable. The stories relate that once he had decided on the middle-class Edith Harms as a suitable bridge, he met Wally at a café and proposed that although he was to be married, they should continue to take a holiday together each summer – without his wife. Unsurprisingly, this generous offer was refused, and the pair would never meet again. Wally died of scarlet fever in Christmas 1917, and Schiele outlived her by less than a year, succumbing to Spanish influenza in October 1918, just three days after the death of his wife from the same illness. This drawing was likely created in a contemplative mood, as a retrospective once the decision had been made to leave Wally for Edith. The male figure, a self-portrait, conveys a feeling of awkward tenderness, in-keeping with what is known about the couple’s turbulent relationship. The lavish colours Particulars: heighten the sense of emotion, emphasised by the Expected Value (item): impeccable draughtsmanship with which their pose £6.5 million - £8.5 million is illustrated. As an exemplary depiction of both the skill and emotion Schiele was able to convey, the Expected Value (auction): £130 million drawing is a 20th century masterpiece as well as a transfixing capture of a moment in time. Estimated Range: £80,000 - £100 million No. of Lots: 57 Place: Sotheby’s, London Date: 5 February 47

Exhibition Focus:

Lichtenstein As Tate Modern opens a new exhibit featuring over 125 works of Lichtenstein, Carol Cordrey explores the roots of the acclaimed artist who helped to propel Pop Art into mainstream society

A ABOVE: Whaam!; RIGHT: Oh, Jeff...I Love You, Too... But..., BOTH BY ROY Lichtenstein

merican artist, Roy Lichtenstein’s use of meticulous painting techniques propelled comic-strip imagery from lowly, popular culture to that of fine art and transformed him into an international figure in the Pop Art movement. He was born in New York (1923 -1997) and spent most of his life there creating graphic art, paintings, collages and sculpture. In February, Tate Modern will reveal around 125 of those works in the most comprehensive exhibition ever devoted to him. Bizarrely, his international fame sprang from a throwaway challenge from one of his young children who showed him a comic strip and said, ‘I bet you can’t paint as

good as that’. He could, and he did so by hugely enlarging the images, which revealed the Benday dots of the commercial printing process employed in such popular culture. Lichtenstein utilised the bold lines and colours of comic-strip designs and laboriously replicated the dots by hand-painting vast numbers of appropriately coloured circles in a manner that is similar to Pointillism; when viewed en masse from a distance, the dots visually re-grouped into solid objects in his compositions. Previously, in the 1950s, Lichtenstein had worked in the style of Abstract Expressionism, which rejected academic traditions and glorified the physical, expressive act of

The mayfair Magazine | Art

painting. Pop Art rejected abstract compositions in favour of figurative ones and used popular media such as comics, advertisements, packaging, books and cinematic imagery as the source of its paintings, collages and sculpture. Andy Warhol promoted Pop Art through his silkscreens of soup tins, portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Brillo soap pad sculptures amongst others, whereas Lichtenstein painted his everyday objects and comic-strip scenes, the first exhibition of which opened in 1962 in New York and was a sensational success. Included in this exhibition will be some of Lichtenstein’s most famous, large-scale paintings: the war-themed diptych, Whaam! depicting an explosion between two enemy aircraft; Look Mickey, which reproduces a cartoon’s blundering fishing scene involving Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck; and Drowning Girl which portrays an abandoned heroine

drowning in melodramatic fashion. All are in Lichtenstein’s signature comic-strip style, complete with speech bubbles that highlight and parody American post-war culture.

‘His international fame sprang from a throwaway challenge from one of his young children’ Later in his career, Lichtenstein made a series of huge female nudes and wonderful Chinese landscapes, and in the 1980s he created two enormous murals for the Equitable Life Assurance building in New York, all of which serve to illustrate the versatility of this gifted artist whose popularity has far outlived him. Lichtenstein: A Retrospective, 21 February – 27 May, Tate Modern (www.tate.org.uk)

The mayfair The mayfair Magazine Magazine | Food |& Fashion Drink

style spy o p wood - Ph i l l WORDS: Henry H

ips

Guys on film Broad lapels, oversized collars and bold lines are the stand-out features of Prada’s S/S 2013 collection. The sharp tailoring is showcased expertly in the new advertisement campaigns featuring some of Hollywood’s leading figures: Layered shirts and clean-cut minimalism imbue Dane DeHaan, Benicio Del Toro, Harvey Keitel and Aaron Taylor-Johnson with a playful Sicilian insouciance. If Prada was aiming for intensity, this is one of its best offerings yet. (store.prada.com)

Tyler tradition

Fantastic Mr Hare Stafford Street-based Mr Hare, conceived in the foothills of Andalucia in 2008, is releasing a Radio Scarpe range this Spring. Reworking vintage models with electric colours and inventive tweaks, the attitude on show reflects what Radio Scarpe actually is: Italy’s shoemaker gossip network. And we particularly love the ARNO shoes. Made from cashmere suede, they form incredibly soft, unlined, split-skin espadrilles that promise to keep you cool in even the hottest temperatures. ARNO shoe, £240, Mr Hare, 8 Stafford Street, W1S (www.mrhare.com)

Tyler Alexandra, daughter of Perry Ellis, has continued the family tradition with her latest creation – the Bailey bag. Dark, understated and sophisticated, its main feature is a zip that forms an elegant plimsoll line round the entire bag. Available in ostrich or leather, its studded feet, double-way zip and suede interior lining ensure practicality is not sacrificed on the altar of style. With its timeless lines and couturequality stitching, this bag is destined to be a classic. Bailey bag, £1,859, Tyler Alexandra (www.tyleralexandra.com)

Legendary lenses The Legende Line – christened Grand Skieur, spent 12 months in research and development labs in Japan. It shows. Sculpted round the temples, the alpine shape, sturdy titanium mainframe and thick, single bridge makes even the most frippery of fops look like they mean business. Legende Collection, £620, 140 New Bond St, W1S (www.zilli.fr) 51

Fashion | The mayfair Magazine

Valentino in wonderland

ate d p u le y st WORDS:

This month pay a to visit our Italian cousins at the new RedValentino flagship store at Corso Venezia 6, Milan. The boutique, designed by Valentino creative directors, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, plays with concepts of space and time to create a fantasy shopping experience. In a playground of imagination with an arbor-lined passageway made entirely of paper, the space elegantly showcases RedValentino’s clothing and accessories collections for A/W 12 and S/S 13. (www.blog.redvalentino.com)

katie ra n dall

Westwood’s revolution At last year’s Paralympics closing ceremony, Vivienne Westwood launched her latest initiative, Climate Revolution, to raise awareness about climate change and our need to take action. Her S/S 2013 Gold Label presentation in Paris, reinforced the message, with models sporting ‘Climate Revolution’ badges and capes sauntering down the runway. The clothes, showcasing the perfect blend of style and substance were a cacophony of brightly printed trouser suits and elegant structured dresses. (www.climaterevolution.org.uk; www.viviennewestwood.co.uk)

Delicate doll

Delicate and luxurious, this enchanting Montblanc Valentine’s Day necklace would make many a heart flutter when opened on 14 February. The piece is comprised of a large golden pink heart overlapped by the Montblanc star. An alternative to a classic chain, the emblems hang on an adjustable leather cord, available in black and brown. When words just aren’t enough, say it with jewellery… Montblanc Valentine’s Day necklace, £230 (www.montblanc.com)

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD GOLOD LABEL S/S 2013

With love

Prada’s dainty feminine flats have us weak at the knees. Although a practical shape, the brushed patent calfskin texture and moulded metal buckles elevate the style to formal heights – and they are chic enough to don in the evening too. A definite wardrobe staple. Prada S/S 2013 ballerina flats (www.prada.com)

Colour me happy Tote technology around in style with these bright cases for iPads, iPad Minis and iPhone 5s – the latter being the newest addition to the Smythson family. The heritage brand is renowned for its classic style and penchant for quality, so your tablets are in safe hands. There are a variety of sumptuous hues and leathers to choose from, the only problem will be deciding which colour you fancy. iPad Mini case, £270, Smythson (www.smythson.com) 52

Our boutique is located 20 Motcomb Street London SWIX 8LB tel. 020 7823 2176

www.annickgoutal.com

RIGHT: Grace kelly and JAMES STEWART in ‘REAR WINDOW’ (1954) © The Moviestore Collection Ltd

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

Heroine

chic

As Hitchcock takes to the cultural centre stage once more with the release of a film about his life, Stephen Doig examines the lasting sartorial allure of his leading ladies

‘Y

ou’ve got this town in the palm of your hand’, says James Stewart’s character in a scene from the 1954 thriller Rear Window to the regal Lisa Freemont, played by Grace Kelly. The sentiment couldn’t be more appropriate; his character might be referencing a fictional upper society New York, but it’s equally true of Kelly’s effect on Hollywood, both at that time and to this day. Kelly’s character – a glacial, pristine ‘fashion consultant’ and society heiress – pays a visit to her wheelchair-bound boyfriend, in a monochrome dress with a full white skirt, embroidered at the waist, with a row of pearls around her neck and a slick of red lipstick. As she prepares to leave, pulling on her immaculate white gloves and draping herself in a white shawl, the effect is utterly mesmeric, the look utterly timeless.

In today’s fast fashion and celebrity culture, where starlets and film icons have every slither of flesh or dubious dress decision scrutinised in print and online, the durability of timeless icons of Old Hollywood have never felt more alluring. And no more so than in the scenes of Hitchcock’s movies, where style oozes from every celluloid second and a woman is never anything less than devastating in how she looks. With Antony Hopkins set to star as the portly director in this month’s Hitchcock, alongside Dame Helen Mirren and Scarlett Johansson (as Psycho’s Janet Leigh), the iconography and legacy of Hitchcock’s films are once more part of the zeitgeist. The boy from Leytonstone went on to set a new standard in film – conquering Hollywood at a time when the focus of the world was upon it – and in doing so cemented the careers of 

 some of history’s most iconic leading women. Rumours have abounded since, that his relationship with them was damaging and unhealthy – Hitchcock focuses on his roving eye and eventual obsession with Leigh – but his legacy and his visual impact has left a raft of imitators and inspired designers in his wake. ‘What’s incredible is how consistent Hitchcock was in his sense of style and dressing’, says Hollywood stylist Giorgia Severigno. ‘It wasn’t just Grace Kelly, but with every leading actress, he turned her into a goddess and makes the audience fall in love with her. You want to be that heroine’. Whether it’s Tippi Hedron in a sleek, mint-green skirt suit reclining on a bench smoking a cigarette in The Birds or a devilish Kim Novak with platinum blonde hair and an ice-white trenchcoat in Vertigo, his leading women – from victims to vamps, thieves to femme fatales – are perennially turned into catwalk creations who bring their stamp of style to a mundane, middle-America world. Just think of the neat, slickly attired Janet Leigh sweeping into the parking lot of the Bates Motel somewhere rain-swept and desolate in Psycho. It was a look that Alexander McQueen turned to in his A/W 2005 collection, referencing the immaculate suiting, chignon hair and debutante dresses of Hitchcock. Of course, this fashion sensibility didn’t materialise overnight. The secret arsenal in Hitchcock’s bow was Edith Head, the costume designer responsible for the outfits of his heroines. Head, a former school teacher, was contracted to Paramount Pictures and soon became Hitchcock’s most trusted collaboratrice. She created the looks for Rear Window, To Catch a Thief, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Vertigo and The Birds, to name a few (she also famously worked on Audrey Hepburn’s 1953 Roman Holiday) and went on to win eight Academy Awards – more than any other woman. ‘What’s incredible is that this was not a fashion designer setting the trends, it was a costume designer’, says Severigno. ‘This was the first instance of Hollywood setting trends, Hollywood showing that it had real fashion clout and power.

Chanel had done it previously at Goldwyn, but this was one of the first times that blockbusters became about selling a fashion ideal.’ Head carved out a niche for herself amid the all-male world of the studios by consulting with the women she dressed and working with them, instead of merely dictating to them. Her designs even held sway on how the women in the films acted, as Novak once said of her ensemble in Vertigo: ‘That grey suit helped me stand so straight and erect, the way Edith had built it. I hated that silly suit, to tell you the truth, but it made me feel uncomfortable as Madeleine’ – Madeleine being her character with a sense of unease intrinsic to the role. Similarly, Doris Day, a star of The Man Who Knew Too Much, recounts ‘the clothes were not right for me, but they were just right for what a doctor’s wife would wear, and that’s what I was playing’. As Head herself once said, she used clothes to convey messages. ‘Fashion is a language’, she wrote in her biography. ‘Some know it, some learn it, some never will – like an instinct’. It was in Grace Kelly that Head found her muse, to the extent that Alfred Hitchcock flew Head to the French Riviera for the filming of To Catch A Thief to be on hand for tweaks and adjustments – something that was unheard of for a costume designer at the time. ‘What Grace has is an elegance all her own’, Head wrote. ‘The white gloves are her trademark, so is the smooth hair. She looks that way even after sleeping all night on a plane.’ Kelly became the perfect calling card for Head’s work, showcased to a global audience. What is perhaps most impressive is that Hitchcock’s women, despite many of them playing victims, rarely look like they are. Despite the misogyny that the director has come to be labeled with in recent years, as details about his relationship with his leading ladies emerge, few can deny how utterly capable and commanding his heroines look and how timeless their appeal is. Kelly once attested that ‘Mr Hitchcock taught me everything about cinema’. And he has taught legions more about style.

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

‘What’s incredible is how consistent Hitchcock was in his sense of style and dressing’ – Giorgia Severigno, Hollywood stylist

TOP: GRACE KELLY, and CARY GRANT in ‘TO CATCH A THIEF’ (1955); LEFT: TIPPI HEDREN and SEAN CONNERY in ‘MARNIE’ (1964), both © The Moviestore Collection Ltd

Tulle gown, Christian Dior ÂŁ10,500, (020 7172 0172) 58

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

After

dark Prepare for romance this month, as playful couture meets sophisticated shapes and delicate, whimsical fabrics, all in seductive midnight shades S T Y L I S T: f r a n c e s c a b a r r o w P H O T O G RA P H ER : h u gh o â&#x20AC;&#x2122; m a ll e y

Fashion | The mayfair Magazine

Jacket, £700, Max Mara (020 7518 8010). Silk trousers, £270, Kelly Love (www.kellylove.com). Trilby in velour with velvet twisted tube and jewellery, £750, Philip Treacy (www.philiptreacy.co.uk). Leather collar, £607.50, Alice Menter (www.alicementer.co.uk).

advert

Feather cocktail dress, ÂŁ450, Carolina Herrera (020 7581 3031). Isla wide fade-in cuff, ÂŁ265.50, Alice Menter (as before)

Fashion | The mayfair Magazine

Gown, Vivienne Westwood Red Carpet Capsule Collection, £2,100, (020 7629 3757). Isla wide fade-in cuff, £256, and Ruby cuff (mixed), £189, both Alice Menter (as before)

Full length skirt, £635, Carolina Herrera (020 7581 3031). Silk blouse, £245, Max Mara (020 7518 8010)

advert

CREDITS

Creative director and stylist: Francesca Barrow at Façonner (www.faconner.co.uk) Hairstylist: Joey Wheeler at Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa (020 7730 1222; www.richardward.com) Make-up artist: Tora Young Model: Jenna at Bookings Location: The Kensington Suite at Wyndham Grand Chelsea Harbour, SW10 0XG (020 7823 3000; www.wyndhamgrandlondon.co.uk)

G e n t l e m A n

ABOUT TOWN Best of British Luxury Shopping

The Burlington Arcade has been a true luxury landmark in London since 1819. Housing more than 40 specialist shops and luxury footwear brands, including Jimmy Choo’s only UK menswear store, shoppers will find rare gemstones, vintage watches and the finest leather and cashmere accessories. Discreetly located between Bond Street and Piccadilly, the Arcade has long been favoured by royalty, celebrities and the cream of British society. Armour Winston

Looksharp Complement a new suit with a classic timepiece from the world’s largest collection of vintage Omega and Patek Philippe pocket watches at Somlo Antiques or a vintage Rolex from The Vintage Watch Company - you can even have a vintage Rolex watch from your year of birth. Visit the UK’s only in-house Patek Philippe-trained technician at David Duggan’s store, who trades in pre-owned high-quality watches ranging from £2,000-£400,000. For a more contemporary look, head to Almar, who stock Audemars Piguet, De Grisogono, Franck Muller and Hublot.

Heirloom watches A vintage watch is a piece of history that, exempt from inheritance tax, can provide a valuable connection to the past. If it is treated with care and respect it will repay its owner with untold years of reliable timekeeping. Top tips from our experts on looking after your investment 1. A vintage watch should be serviced at least once every three to four years; this replaces the old oils with new and removes any dirt that will affect the performance of the watch. 2. Make sure that you use an authorised vintage service representative. 3. Do not wind your watch whilst it is still on your wrist, as this can cause the winding stem to bend or break. Always take off your watch first. David Duggan The Vintage Watch Company

Heming

follow the leader

Did you know…?

Put your best foot forward with Harrys of London, Crockett & Jones, Church’s and Jimmy Choo – some of London’s finest shoemakers for uncompromising quality and fit. The vast array of luxury and bespoke styles on offer at the Burlington Arcade makes it the shopping destination with the largest selection of men’s footwear in central London.

The Omega Speedmaster Chronograph became the first watch on the moon worn by Buzz Aldrin.

Crockett & Jones

Harrys of London

nicetouch The Arcade houses some of the City’s oldest and best luxury goods stores. To make an impression on the move, head to Pickett for a bag expertly crafted from the finest leather and pick up an unusual umbrella from Church’s. For an eyeTheo Fennell

catching talking point, take a look at signet rings from

Penhaligon’s

Theo Fennell or for an unusual pair of cufflinks, stop by Cameo Corner. Finish the Church’s

perfect outfit with a spritz of fragrance from Penhaligon’s. Still made in England, these scents contain a range of luxurious and rare ingredients, from hand-squeezed bergamot to Jasmine at twice the price of gold.

Cameo Corner Pickett

boys day out 3 of the best drinking companions to enjoy a luxurious tipple

LINLEY

Daniel Bexfield Antiques

Pickett

For more information visit www.burlington-arcade.co.uk

RUN WILDbracelet london_UK 13/04/12 09.37 Pagina 2

From the Honeycomb Eternelle Ring Collection

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

mayfair

Resident’s Journal

From the Chairman of The Residents’ Society Dear Residents, Your local amenity society would like to wish all of its resident and business members a very Happy New Year. For those neighbours who are unaware of our work, we are here to liaise between all local interests within Mayfair and St James’s and the various authoritative bodies that impinge on our lives. We enjoy good working relationships with Westminster Council, the Police and the Grosvenor Estate. Our committee of volunteers engage with planning and licensing departments on behalf of our members, to promote a harmonious environment for those of us fortunate enough to live or work in the area. We also aim to make visitors enjoy a positive experience, without causing undue problems for residents or businesses. If you are not already a member, we hope you will consider joining us and also following our website: www.rsmsj.com, to keep abreast of events and information that affect our area. Current resident membership costs £20 per year, business membership rates differ. For further information, please contact us at: info@rsmsj.com. We look forward to seeing you at one of our social events soon. Anthony Lorenz, Chairman The Residents’ Society of Mayfair and St. James’s

The Residents’ Society of Mayfair & St James’s Committee Members Chairman Anthony Lorenz (Events & Traffic)

Secretary Richard Cutt (Crossrail & Finance)

Planning Applications Ronald Cottee (Planning)

Membership Pol Ferguson-Thompson (Membership & Website)

Traffic Lois Peltz

Police Mary-Louise Burrows

Licensing Derek Stratton

The Notebook The most local of news and events happening in the heart of the area this month

Controversial art comes to Mayfair Born in 1971 in Algeria, Adel Abdessemed has established himself as a prominent figure on the contemporary art scene, exploring the effects globalised society has on the individual. Having been exhibited all over Europe, the artist first joined forces for an exhibition with David Zwirner in 2008, and is coming to London to reignite this partnership in February with another show. Using his own experience as a modern-day Ulysses, travelling the globe, his signature works often involve visual language that is rich and direct, sensitive and controversial, radical and mundane. Naturally, it is the controversial that attracts attention. Critics of the artists work note its morbidity and violence, and animal rights groups in the past have disapproved of his use of animal pain to express himself. Abdessemed is unrepentant, however, telling Artnet.com in February 2012, ‘reality is ill,’ and, ‘we don’t need hope, we need truth.’ It is this attitude that prompts his use of images such as Nick Ut’s Vietnamese napalm victim. As well as the ivory sculpture, the victim also appears as a ghostly charcoal sketch on the studio floor. So pay a visit and see what the fuss is about. Adel Abdessemed: Vase abominable, 22 February-30 March, David Zwirner Gallery, 24 Grafton Street, W1S 4EZ (www.davidzwirner.com)

St. Marks church ongoing development Over the last few months, the ongoing refurbishment process of St. Marks Church has turned what was the crypt into The Basement, a unique space suitable for a pre-drinks reception or after party. Built in the early nineteenth century, the former church has had an interesting thirty years. In the 1980s, it was one of the first buildings in the UK to be placed on English Heritage’s ‘Buildings at Risk’ register, meaning it was ‘unsafe’ and at risk of collapsing. The building was saved when One Events stepped in, giving it a new lease of life as a venue for hire. Andrew Morrow, Head of Events at the company, says the scheme really kicked off when the company was contacted by fashion designer Antonio Berardi, who wanted a ‘run down church with paint falling off the walls,’ for London Fashion Week. Morrow says, ‘We were happy to oblige.’ One Mayfair, 13A North Audley Street, W1K 6ZA (www.onemayfair.com)

above: Cri by Adel abdessemed, 2012

mayfair RESIDENTS’ JOURNAL | Diary

right: patrick hellmann s/s 2013; below: archer Vase £3,120, Phoenix Perfume, £1,350 both by lalique for patrick hellmann

Mews Makeover Founder James Robson has refurbished the Mews of Mayfair with one ideal in mind: to be the ‘best of British – without all the pomp.’ Hiring Richard Sawyer, previously of the iconic Rules restaurant in Covent Garden, is certainly a good start. Hidden down a cobbled alleyway, the food has a delicious British stamp and the interiors are all locally sourced. Getting the right balance of formality is often a hard call for a restaurant, but Mews has hit upon the right combination – we love the new look. Mews of Mayfair, 10 Lancashire Court, W1S 1EY (www.mewsofmayfair.com)

Gentlemen’s club Designed to resemble his own living room, designer Patrick Hellmann’s newest London retail location houses the designer’s menswear collection, as well as his luxury custom-made furniture, in style. Opened at the end of last year on St. James Street, the elegant monochrome store also stocks the Berlin-based designers beautiful collaboration with Lalique - an artfully blown satin crystal glass vase and an indulgent heady cologne in an equally exquisite bottle. The store covers two floors of both retail and workshop space and the ground floor offers an open plan studio for tailoring and made to measure suits. With expert tailors on hand to cater to your every whim, stepping over the threshold at Patrick Hellmann’s is less like walking into a shop and much more like entering your own personal walk-in wardrobe. Patrick Hellmann Collection, 54 St. James Street, SW1A 1JT (www.patrick-hellmann.com)

Botton line on religion Bestselling Alain de Botton, founder of the School of Life in Mayfair, is back with another book trying to make everything understandable. In Religion for Atheists, de Botton starts from the premise that we are all searching for meaning and goes on to suggest that religions are full of great ideas on how to live. Drawing on thousands of years of insight into love, friendship, work, life and death, de Botton constructs a practical picture that helps us to find our place in a very complicated world. Hamish Hamilton, £9.99. Pick up a copy from Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9HD (www.waterstones.com) WORDS: HENRY HOPWOOD-PHILLIPS

mayfair RESIDENTS’ JOURNAL | Planning & Society

Planning & Society Ground-level developments and societal structural changes in the area

W1 residential development back on the cards Planning permission to develop Audley Square House on South Audley Street into large-scale residential apartments has been renewed. A division of John Caudwell’s property investment and development business obtained the car park site in 2011. The company initially received permission to create an eight or nine storey building, for 24 apartments and a swimming pool and gym. This ended in February 2013, and on application for an extension, the project received a recommendation of refusal by planning officer Steve Brandon, who says, ‘With the adoption of the Core Strategy and London Plan there is a land use issue – whether the scheme optimises housing potential. We don’t think it does because of the low number of large flats.’ However, a spokesperson for Caudwell Properties’ confirms that planning permission has been extended, after members overturned the refusal.

Planning applications in the local area Application Received: 13 December Address: Grosvenor Street Proposal: Replacement of damaged stone front area balusters and repairs to pedestal and iron gate. Application Received: 14 December Address: Berkeley Square Proposal: Display for temporary period of six months of nonilluminated ‘to let’ board, located on the railings at street level and measuring 0.45m x 0.6m.

Image courtesy of John Caudwell

Application Received: 14 December Address: Stanhope Gate Proposal: Display for a temporary period of six months of a non-illuminated estate agent board, attached to the railings in front of the building at street level and measuring 0.6m x 0.45m. Application Received: 17 December Address: Culross Street Proposal: Proposed cleaning, structural repair and repointing to brickwork to front and rear elevations and repair and replacement of natural stone features

Planned road works and closures in and around February STREET

PLANNED WORK

DATES WORKS OWNER

Davies Street (j/w South Moulton Lane and Davies Street)

Compensation grout shaft worksite requirements

Until 10 March 2015 Crossrail Ltd 0345 602 3813

12-13 South Molton Street

Lay 3m of 90mm PE main and abandon 3m of 4" ductile iron main

Until 8 February

National Grid Gas plc 0845 605 6677

Park Lane from j/w Aldford Street to j/w Deanery St Hill

Section fell dangerous tree, grind root and re-plant new tree. Lane 2/3 closures, one running lane to be maintained at all times

27 January, 3 & 10 February

Transport for London 0845 305 1234

Deanery street, between Park Lane and Tilnery Street

Footway and crossover reconstruction

4-8 February

City of Westminster 020 7641 2000

86-89 Piccadilly (near j/w Halfmoon Street)

Excavate c/w to repair and replace a frame and cover

7 February

Cable & Wireless 01908 845 000

Hyde Park Corner, adjacent to Piccadilly eastbound on-slip

Cycle stand installations (5x stands and snagging)

25-27 February

Transport for London

23 South Street (j/o Balfour Mews)

Repack to leaking valve in the carriageway. Permanent reinstatement to be completed in same phase

2-6 February

Thames Water 0845 9200 800

Berkeley Square (carriageway outside no. 35 to customer building no. 34)

From existing C2 chamber lay approximately 5m of duct onto FW and lay 25-29January another 5m of duct onto FW to customer building and core drill

Cable & Wireless

mayfair RESIDENTS’ JOURNAL | The Calendar

The Calendar Outstanding events for Mayfair residents keen to get out and about

Virtuosa Violinist Acclaimed virtuosa, Tamsin Waley-Cohen, returns to the Cadogan in February. Having made her name locally after a performance of Vaughan’s Lark Ascending last year at the venue, the violinist runs fearlessly through Mendelssohn’s bravura early concertos, before being joined by talented pianist Huw Watkins and Orchestra of the Swan’s House. The jewel of the set, however, is Joseph Suk’s rarely played Serenade, composed to impress a particularly imposing father-in-law – Antonin Dvorak! Tickets from £10-35, 19 February at 7.30pm, Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1X 9DQ (www.cadoganhall.com)

Drugs and bugs Now in its nineteenth manifestation, The Economist’s Pharma Summit is the highlight of the year for those involved with, or interested in, the pharmaceutical industry. This year representatives ranging from J&J to Roche debate whether research and development, historically crucial to business models, has a large role to play in future medical research. 28 February, The Dorchester, 53 Park Lane, W1K 1QA (www.economistconferences. co.uk) 5

Become a wine wizard Never been able to tell your Burgundy from your Bordeaux? This one-day wine course, offering eighteen wines and a three-course dinner, is described by its director as a ‘boot camp’ for those not in the know. Hosted by local restaurant, Suze, the course gets lots of bibulous diction about tannins and acids into your head; as well as offering neat little tricks, enabling you to evaluate the value of any given wine in seconds. £85, 9 February at 10.30am4.30pm, 41 North Audley St, W1K 6ZP (www.thirtyfifty.co.uk)

Clothes and Roles As London Fashion Week returns to the city this month, thoughts turn to sartorial matters. Capsule Wardrobes have invited Dr Suzanne Doyle-Morris, author of Female Breadwinners, to explain how to look effortlessly stylish, whilst maintaining a hetic, busy lifestyle – a feat she assures is achievable. A range of carefully chosen brands, not found on the High Street, will be on show and attendees will be given the opportunity to be styled by trained corporate stylists, offering tips and tricks for easy wardrobe management. £40, 30 January at 6.30pm, University Women’s Club, 2 Audley Square, W1K 1DB (www.capsule-wardrobes.co.uk)

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



FIX IT QUICK

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



Electric cars The Electric Car Corporation 1st Floor, 5 Aldford Street, W1K 2AF 020 7495 5270

Luxury car rental Mayfair Prestige 0845 862 2142 Luxury yachts Princess Yachts 64 Grosvenor Street W1K 3JH 020 7499 5050

Rent a Rolls Royce Hanwells 86-91 Uxbridge Road W7 3ST 020 7436 2070 Thames cruise City Cruises 020 7740 0400

LAST MINUTE BUSINESS

Audio Visual hire AV2hire.com 020 3130 0401

Local courier City Sprint 0844 888 4111

Buy / Sell shares Artemis 57 St James Street SW1A 1LD 020 7399 6000

Prestige Taxi Crown Security Chauffeurs 0800 731 5675

International Courier DHL 0844 248 0844

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Watch repair Marcus Watches 170 New Bond Street, W1S 4RB 020 7290 6500

LAND, SEA AND AIR

Charter a helicopter Emjets 23 Berkeley Square, W1J 6HE 0845 3888 248



IT/Tech support Mike Will Fix It 020 7564 7171 07762 647547

Sartoria This undeniably chic restaurant brings authentic Italian flavours, Milanese-inspired interiors and a touch of London style to its equally stylish clientele. 20 Savile Row, W1S 3PR 020 7534 7000

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

Translator Central Translations 21 Woodstock Grove, W12 8TX 020 7493 5511

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

Doctor Lees Place Medical Centre 11 Lees Place, W1K 6LN 020 7036 6060

The Mayfair Dental Practice 71 Park Street, W1K 7HN 020 7499 2168

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

LIFE SAVERS

Baby sitter Rockabye Babysitters 9 Wimpole Street W1G 9SR 020 7624 0060 Findababysitter.com 020 7580 6403

mayfair RESIDENTS’ JOURNAL | Concierge

Florist Wild Things of Mayfair 47 Davies Street W1K 4LY 020 7495 3030

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fine brokerage concierge TLG The Ultimate Boutique Fine Brokerage Bureau Expertise Exclusive Yachts and Private Jets Brokers’ Elite Selection. By Appointment only. 125 Mount Street W1K 3NS www.throughthelooking-eigen-glass.co.uk

PARTY TIME

Casino The Palm Beach Casino 30 Berkeley Street, W1J 8EH 020 7493 6585

Late night food Hakkasan 17 Bruton Street, W1J 6QB 020 7907 1888

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

Freggo Ice-cream Bar 27-29 Swallow Street W1B 4QR 020 7287 9506

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Massages Mayfair Spa - The Mayfair Hotel Stratton Street, W1J 8LT 020 7915 2826

Maddox Club A boutique sanctuary in which to party, with a DJ booth within a restaurant, successfully creating a venue, where partying and dining co-exist under one roof. 3-5 Mill Street, W1S 2AU 020 7629 8877

Party planner Concorde Media 020 7297 3344 G&D Events 020 7682 2682 Henry Bonas 020 3214 2099

Michael John Boutique 25 Albemarle Street W1S 4HU 020 7629 6969

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

Men’s hair Atherton Cox 18 New Cavendish Street, W1G 8UR 020 7487 4048

Women’s hair Janet Ginnings Hair and Beauty Salon 45 Curzon Street W1J 7UQ 020 7499 1904

Sassoon Salon Sassoon believes that great hair design begins with the client, and creates sophisticated looks that are technically precise, effortlessly chic and easy to recreate day after day. 60 South Molton Street, W1K 5SW 020 7491 8848

SAMPLE THE FINEST

Backgammon board Aspinal of London 0845 052 6900 Caviar Caviar House & Prunier 161 Piccadilly, W1J 9EA 0871 961 9577 Cheese La Fromagerie 2-6 Moxon Street W1U 4EW 020 7935 0341

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Members’ clubs

RECHARGE AND RECUPERATE

Dog grooming Mayfair Mutts Upper Brook Street, W1 020 7409 7739 mayfairmutts@hotmail.co.uk

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Personal shopper Gabrielle Teare 07985 319300 info@gabrielleteare.com

Chocolates Rococo Chocolates 45 Marylebone High St, W1U 5HG 020 7935 7780

Humidors Linley 46 Albemarle Street, W1S 4JN 020 7290 1410

Luxury liquor Gerry’s Wines & Spirits 74 Old Compton Street, W1D 4UW 020 7734 2053

Cigars Sautter of Mount Street 106 Mount Street, W1K 2TW 020 7499 4866

hot chocolate Ladurée 71-72 Burlington Arcade, W1J 0QX 020 7491 9155

Fine wine Jeroboams 20 Davies Street, W1K 3DT 020 7499 1015

Luxury hamper Fortnum & Mason 181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ER 020 7734 8040

The Vintage Watch Co. 24 Burlington Arcade, W1J 0PS 020 7499 2032

Rent a double decker bus London Heritage Travel 01353 863273 This Bus.com 0845 4652 394

Shotgun repairs James Purdey & Sons Ltd 57-58 South Audley Street W1K 2ED 020 7499 1801

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

WEIRD AND WONDERFUL

Bespoke perfumes Miller Harris 21 Bruton Street, W1J 6QD 020 7629 7750

Diamonds valued Armour Winston 43 Burlington Arcade, W1J 0QQ 020 7493 8937

mayfair Residentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Journal editor@residentsjournal.co.uk 020 7987 4320

If you have a view that you would like to share with the Residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Journal team, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact the Editor, Katie Randall, above or one of the following teams: for matters of culture: culture@residentsjournal.co.uk for news-related items: notebook@residentsjournal.co.uk for planning stories: planning@residentsjournal.co.uk for schooling news: education@residentsjournal.co.uk for local events: calendar@residentsjournal.co.uk

The mayfair Magazine | Collection

his company first came to our attention in 2010 when it helped Karl Lagerfeld to design a watch and jewellery trunk. Now, Munich-based safe-maker Döttling has impressed us with another unique way of keeping your valuables secure. Capable of housing – and protecting – six watches, in

addition to jewellery, cash and important documents, the Guardian employs materials usually used to make bullet-proof vests and anti-riot shields to provide the ultimate travel safe. Stab it, smash it, burn it or blow it up; a hard-as-a-diamond carbide component means that the Guardian will make mincemeat of saws, drills, power-tools and even sledgehammers. In short, it can only be illicitly opened by a code breaker with a lot of time on

their hands – time they won’t have, as the travel case is equipped with a GPS tracking device, meaning it can be located anywhere in the world. Tailor the cylindrical safe to your taste by having its handle brackets engraved or by customising the variation of fabric and leather on its cover. At 35 centimetres in length and 13.5 in diametre, the Guardian is small enough to fit in your suitcase but frankly, why would you ever want to hide it? Prices start from £7,900. (www.doettling.com)

Travel safe:

The ultimate guardian It’s a multi-walled, high-security cylinder capable of destroying drills, saws and anything else set against it; introducing, Döttling’s first travel safe W o r d s : Ri c h a r d B r o w n 67

We prefer not to be measured by dimensions. Unless it’s a new dimension of accuracy.

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

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

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

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The mayfair Magazine | Collection

Watch news Treasured timepieces, horological heirlooms and modern masterpieces WORDS: RICHARD BROWN

Lange’s enlightenment A. Lange & Söhne unveiled the latest incarnation of its iconic Lange 1 timepiece at the end of last year and The Mayfair Magazine joined Lange CEO, Wilhelm Schmid, and 89-year-old company founder, Walter Lange, in snowy Dresden for the launch. With a dial consisting of semi-transparent sapphire crystal parts, the Grand Lange 1 Lumen reveals the ‘secret’ mechanism behind Lange’s famous outsized date-display for the very first time. The best looking watch we’ve seen for a while, the Lumen comes with a 40.9 millimetre platinum case, a 72-hour power reserve and is limited to 200 pieces. Expect this timepiece to cost close to the £50,000 mark. (www.alange-soehne.com)

ONE TO WATCH Each month we select our timepiece of the moment from the watch world’s most exciting pieces:

‘Aesthetically, Patek Philippe’s 18-karat rose gold 5123r features the characteristic purity that defines the brand. Mechanically, the watch’s Caliber 215 PS movement highlights the company’s dedication to innovation’

as if By Magic In winter, so the story goes, the Swiss farmerwatchmakers would leave the fields for their workbenches, drawing inspiration from the delicate perfection of snowflakes they had seen. Corum’s latest creation holds a similar magic. Suspended weightless at the centre of its case by a sapphire mainplate at its base, the flying tourbillion within the Golden Bridge Tourbillon Panoramique appears to levitate. Delivered with two hand-sewn crocodile leather straps (black and brown) only 20 versions of this watch have been made, at £142,000 each. (www.corum.ch) Return to Refinement A true watch fanatic cannot help but marvel at the mastery of Franck Muller’s inventions. It may not have as many complications as Muller’s other timepieces (the Aeternitas Mega 4 has 36) but Muller’s new 7-Days Power Reserve is surely one of the brands most elegant. Part of the Franck Muller Vintage collection, the watch comprises 213 components made entirely in-house and 27 rubies in its movement alone. Well, this is Franck Muller after all. (www.franckmuller.com)

5123r, £18,060, Patek Philippe (www.patek.com) 69

Collection | The mayfair Magazine

#11

For him

Blue

steel

#10

Strike a pose and embrace the most masculine of colours this season

#7 #6

#1 Slim knitted silk tie, £105, Charvet (www.mrporter.com) #2 Moon machine, from a selection, MB&F (www.mbandf.com) #3 Capeland 10065, £2,940, Baume et Mercier (www.thewatchgallery.co.uk) #4 Crocodile card holder, £150, Santiago Gonzalez (www.mrporter.com) #5 18-karat white gold cufflinks, from a selection, Breguet (www.breguet.com) #6 Grained leather black poker set, £575, Thomas Lyte, 12-13 Burlington Arcade #7 Paisley-patterned silk-twill bow tie, £95, Drake’s (www.drakes-london.com) #8 Skull enamelled metal cufflinks, £125, Paul Smith (www.paulsmith.co.uk) #9 Albemarle executive bag, £495, Thomas Lyte, as before #10 Woven wax-cotton belt, £280, Loro Piana, 153 New Bond Street #11 Opus 12, from a selection, Harry Winston (www.harrywinston.com) 70

Swiss movement, English heart

The high-tech, high quality ceramic of the Coral’s bezel and bracelet creates a watch of both ethereal beauty and astonishing durability. The 24ct PVD gold accents add a delicate luxury to a timepiece as vibrant and precious as the “rainforests of the sea” from which it takes its name.

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With

this ringâ&#x20AC;Ś As we approach one of the most romantic days of the year, Olivia Sharpe explores the top engagement ring services across London for those of you looking to pop the question this February

The mayfair Magazine | Collection

or centuries, men have agonised over the ‘right’ way to propose when, really, this is the easy bit. While there are a million and one different ways to ask, from the clichéd rose petals scattered around the house to sky-writing the words ‘Will you marry me?’, there is one thing which unites them all together and that is the giving of the ring. And this is where men can really fall into some strife. Having a bad proposal, albeit traumatic, can be forgotten, but a bad ring is something your future wife has to live with for the rest of her life. As Kim Cattrall’s straighttalking character puts it in Sex and the City, “wrong ring, wrong guy”. Knowing which ring will suit your bride-to-be best is the crucial test as to whether you truly know her: the Four C’s – cut, clarity, carat and colour – should all reflect her personality, and therefore be completely unique. Although the choices may appear dauntingly endless, there is the right ring out there for everyone; you just have to know where to look.

Harry Winston Harry Winston has earned his stripes over the years as the King of Diamonds. With the legendary Hope diamond, a magnificent fancy blue gem weighing in at an impressive 45.52 carats, being the company’s most coveted treasure, the woman who is true to Harry Winston isn’t afraid to express herself and be powerful while remaining feminine at all times. Carrying everything from round brilliantcut, square emerald-cut, emerald-cut, cushion-cut, radiant-cut, oval, pear, marquise and heart-shaped diamonds, the company knows that we all have our own idea of what constitutes the perfect ring. Rings can therefore be tailor-made to the individual to

ensure each strong personality shines through. And you can be sure that there is no sparkle quite like a Harry Winston diamond, as each goes through a strict vetting process by an expert team of gemologists which evaluates them according to the Four C characteristics to guarantee they pass muster on both beauty and brilliance. At Harry Winston, only stones and not corners are cut, as quality, and not quantity, holds forth. Harry Winston,171 New Bond Street 020 7907 8800 (www.harrywinston.com)

De Beers Harry Winston may be known as the King of Diamonds but if this is the case, De Beers remains the supreme ruler, dominating the diamond industry. The romantic Adonis Rose ring, set in either pink gold or platinum, harkens back to the time of the Ancient Greeks, a civilisation to whom we owe the tradition of the engagement ring being placed on the fourth finger of the left hand (they believed that it contained a vein that led straight to the heart). The Promise ring, with white diamonds and set in pink gold, is the perfect symbol of your love and makes the same promise as you do when proposing of remaining eternally loyal to the wearer. In line with the current tradition of the solitaire diamond, you could opt for the elegant, timeless Aura Cushion Cut platinum ring. Also unique to the jeweller is the De Beers Iris; housed in each store, it provides clients with an objective way of seeing the beauty of their diamond through the eyes of an expert. The De Beers woman is strong and independent while at the same time loyal and traditional; investing in both the girl and the ring is worth every penny. De Beers 50 Old Bond Street 020 7758 9700 (www.debeers.co.uk) 

BELOW, FROM LEFT: DE BEERS; HARRY WINSTON

‘The ring will forever remain, as of heritage. The Bee my Love engagement ring, exclusive to the house, hums back to the regal emblems of the Napoleonic Empire, while the Josephine recalls its longstanding tiara tradition. With more than 200 years of history in jewellery, your love story will have already begun before you place the ring on her finger. Chaumet, 174 Bond Street (www.chaumet.com)

Tiffany & Co.

BELOW, FROM LEFT: chaumet; two rings by tiffany

Chaumet A Chaumet ring is destined for the princess. The company’s origin dates as far back as 1780 when Chaumet’s founder, Marie-Etienne Nitot, was the official jeweller to the Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte. During the Romantic period, Nitot’s successors were inspired by the decorative arts of 17th century France and this was shown in their jewellery designs. By 1880, Joseph Chaumet was establishing himself as the master of the Belle Epoque, attracting a predominantly royal and aristocratic clientele. Consequently, aigrettes, tiaras and other such social status symbols became a large part of the house’s sales, producing more than 1,500 different models of tiaras. By the early 19th century, Indian princes were hearing of Chaumet’s genius, leading to a pair of pear-cut diamonds being purchased by the firm for the Maharaja of Indore. Today, the luxury French jeweller prides itself on maintaining its strong sense

If you happen to pass a Tiffany store in the run up to Valentine’s Day, it would not be an unusual sight to see men queuing outside, all on the hunt for the same treasure: the precious little blue box. The timeless design of the Tiffany setting makes the perfect backdrop for either the Lucida, a square mixed-cut diamond with a step-cut crown and a brilliantcut pavilion, the Tiffany Legacy, which captures the elegance and romance of the Edwardian era with its patented cushion-cut centre stone and bezel-set diamonds, or the Tiffany Novo, which shows how the jewellery house is always looking to innovate with its customised mounting of four sleek, tapered prongs and aligned facets. A recent addition to the repertoire is the Tiffany Soleste; launched in 2011, it features a cushion-cut diamond centre surrounded by a double row of round brilliant accent diamonds, all set in a platinum diamond band. Well aware of the hectic lifestyles of the majority of its clients, the company recently introduced an iPhone Ring Finder app, enabling its predominantly male customers to view ring styles on an on-screen hand model if they can’t make it to the store. The hand’s

The mayfair Magazine | Collection

much a part of her personality as a piece of jewellery’ movement showcases the rings from different angles, highlighting the stones’ cuts and designs. Never going out of style, a Tiffany ring is something that can be passed down from generation to generation. Tiffany & Co., 25 Old Bond Street, 020 7409 2790 (www.tiffany.co.uk)

Grays For the vintage girl, Grays, home to the largest and most wide-ranging collection of antique and period jewellery, is your best port of call. Television programmes such as Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs have, of late, popularised the glamour of the early 20th century, resulting in older engagement rings which have recently come back into fashion. LAPADA member Anthea who runs AG Antiques (one of the stands at Grays) explains their increasing trend in contemporary society: “People love the uniqueness of an old ring. Antique and vintage rings are generally one-off designs and it would be almost impossible to see anyone else with the same ring. So many people want the older rings; the increase in popularity has definitely been noticeable.” Not only are people endorsing the better quality of workmanship that you often find with vintage rings but also the better value for money. Antique dealers sell on the margin scheme, which means that they only pay VAT on the profit rather than the whole lump sum, resulting in prices ending up cheaper than most modern counterparts. Popular vintage style rings currently include Art Deco and Edwardian, as well as triple cluster and diamond solitaire rings. When buying your antique engagement ring, make sure to get helpful advice from the dealer (that’s what they’re there for) and do not forget to get an insurance valuation. Grays Antiques, 1-7 Davies Mews / 58 Davies Street, 020 7629 7034 (www.graysantiques.com)

Hirsh London Championing the philosophy that “every piece is a work of art”, British jewellery brand Hirsh has certainly lived up to this mantra through its bespoke engagement ring service. Manager Ben Stevenson believes that it stands out from its competitors by offering a truly individual service, hand-making all of its jewellery in the company’s workshops. It is also committed to bringing the best in the following five elements: design, quality, service, expertise and value. Stocking a selection of staple styles, including Bridge, Cinq, Papillon, Regal, Trio, Solitaire and Artemis, you will begin the design process by looking at these “shoulder designs” with one of the in-store experts and seeing which you prefer. Although there to make sure your every wish is granted, clients will always be steered towards the practical if they start to contemplate wacky design ideas as, while Hirsh would never sell you a ring that you were not happy with, nine times out of ten it is the classic and simple designs that women want. Jeweller of choice for both the City boy and members of royalty, Hirsh can cater to everyone. Hirsh London, 56-57 Burlington Arcade 020 7499 6814 (www.hirshlondon.com) While it may still seem as though there are infinite possibilities available to you when choosing an engagement ring, at least you know that help is always close at hand. You may think that it is the act of proposing that clinches the deal, but remember that this is something that will naturally alter and become embellished over time, whereas the ring will forever remain the same, as much a part of her personality as a piece of jewellery.

BELOW, FROM LEFT: grays; hirsh london

CONTESSA To own a rare Argyle pink diamond is to own a truly magnificent heirloom. Contessa, beautifully handcrafted in Platinum and 18ct Rose Gold, features an exquisite combination of stunning craftsmanship and the rarest of Australian Argyle pink diamonds. Simply, they are the rarest diamonds in the world and are revered for their unique provenance and intrinsic beauty.

UNITED KINGDOM The Royal Arcade, Old Bond St, Mayfair London W1S 4SW AUSTRALIA Sydney Gold Coast calleija.com

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The mayfair Magazine | Collection

Jewellery news Rubies, diamonds and stunning bespoke pieces – so many ways to say ‘I love you’ this month WORDS: OLIVIA SHARPE

Cupid’s arrow Creative genius Paul Flato was based in New York from the 1920s to the early 1940s and is widely credited as the first ‘celebrity’ jeweller, his long list of Hollywood clients including stars of the silver screen Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich and Katharine Hepburn. Flato is celebrated for his often flamboyant designs and Art Deco jewellery and this ruby and diamond bow-and-arrow brooch showcases Flato’s ostentatiously playful style. The piece, along with several other exceptional designs by Flato and the likes of Suzanne Belperron (ring, left), is available at London jeweller Lucas Rarities, which specialises in rare pieces of period jewellery and objets d’art. (www.lucasrarities.com)

CUTTING EDGE Luxury jewellery company Maxim Voznesensky recently opened its first London boutique and the Elements collection has been inspired by the four elements, earth, water, air and fire

‘The Fire pieces are just one part of Maxim Voznesensky’s ‘Elements collection’. Featuring bright red rubies, scorching yellow diamonds and blackened gold, the designer vividly captures the element’s characteristics’ Fire pendant with rubies, diamonds and yellow and blackened gold, from a selection, from the Elements collection (www.maximvoznesensky.com)

Roses are Red... French jewellery house Cartier’s latest creations nostalgically look back to past designs and influences. Following WWII, flowers (particularly orchids) bloomed bright and bold in the form of semi-precious colourful stones and the Caresse Pink Orchid ring, part of the Naturellement collection, speaks to classic design while offering a modern edge. Other heritage icons are parrots, love birds and the Cartier Panthère. (www.cartier.com) My Valentine Joubi has collaborated with Kabiri to create two exclusive pieces. The first uses the signature Joubi Geometric ring as its setting but reinvented in 18-karat rose gold and adorned with pavé pink sapphires. For something more outrageous, the jeweller has designed a Croc ring, a crocodile design conceived of 15 carats of pink sapphires in an 18-karat rose gold setting. Joubi Geometric ring, £4,000 (www.kabiri.co.uk) For the Love of… Say ‘I love you’ differently this year. To coincide with its launch at Harrods, Amedeo is offering an exclusive service whereby customers can create a bespoke portrait cameo. Go in with a photograph of a loved family member or even a pet and Amedeo can create the perfect likeness. The main collection in store includes key motifs of crowns, panthers, snakes and skulls. (www.harrods.com) 77

escape A tranquil oasis amidst the hustle & bustle of Mayfair. A unique dining experience begins as you walk down a tree-lined pathway to reach The Greenhouse. London fades away and calm descends. Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Bignonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acclaimed light touch with highly flavoured dishes brings a thrilling dimension to classic French cuisine. Make your reservation today at

The Greenhouse, 27a Hayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mews Mayfair, London, W1J 5NY 020 7499 3331 www.greenhouserestaurant.co.uk reservations@greenhouserestaurant.co.uk

The mayfair The mayfair Magazine Magazine | Food| & Property Drink

From New York with love

Food & s w e n k n i r d Take a bite out of the Big Apple this month as London prepares for a culinary invasion of our fair shores

Direct from NYC to the streets of Covent Garden comes Keith McNally’s foodie institution, Balthazar. Having stamped his mark on the Big Apple foodscape, serving up rich and hearty bistro fare, McNally is bringing his French brasserie restaurant to London this month; along with a delicatessen bakery attached to the premises. Hotly anticipated, though an unexpected surprise as the restaurateur has previously said that he is not fond of cloning his restaurants, the London branch will resemble its NYC alma mater. Housed in the old Theatre Museum, in a building called ‘The Flower Cellars’, Balthazar will be sharing the space with The London Film Museum. 4-6 Russell Street, WC2B (www.balthazarlondon.com)

W O R D S : K atie R a n dall

A pinch of salt The Salt Yard Group is excited for the publication of its first cookbook, Salt Yard: Food & Wine from Spain & Italy (£30). Renowned for modern tapas, the group’s founders, Sanja Morris, Ben Tish and Simon Mullins, will be exploring the heady flavours of Spain and Italy. The tome features over 100 of executive chef Ben Tish’s best recipes and essays from contributors such as food journalist Kevin Gould. The essays cover topics such as the relationship between food and sex and what goes on in a waiters’ mind. This is no bog-standard recipe book. Self-published with Piquillo Publishing (www.saltyard.co.uk)

Cocomaya’s bars of the world Artisan chocolatier, Cocomaya, is set to transport its customers around the world with a bite of chocolate. The company has created a selection of chocolate bars and boxes of truffles inspired by vintage travel and made from the finest quality South American cacao beans. The bars come in nine varied flavours from across the globe, with tastes ranging from liquorice and hemp, to evoke Amsterdam, to sea salt and pretzel, to convey the aroma of New York. Priced at £3.50, these delights are encased in wrappers printed with nostalgic cityscapes. (www.cocomaya.co.uk)

Bacchanalian delights Wine connoisseurs, your attention please. Hedonism Wines are offering a buyer the chance of a lifetime to invest in some wine-making history. The ‘Penfolds Collection’ (£1.2 million) contains a dazzling litany of temptations for wine collectors; a full vertical of signed Grange dating from its 1951 debut and a set of 13 magnum cases. The buyer will also be flown to Adelaide, Australia, for a VIP tour of the Magill Estate, along with a member of the winemaking team. They will also be entitled to a Penfolds bespoke wine cellar, built in their home – to show off the finest collection in town. Hedonism Wines, 3 - 7 Davies Street (www.hedonism.co.uk) 79

The food of

love

The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

With supposedly the most romantic day of the year almost upon us, Neil Ridley looks at some of London’s least predictable Valentine’s Day offerings

dmit it. We’ve all been there. In a hasty attempt to do something romantic for the love of one’s life, it’s easy to fall into the trap of purchasing an ‘off the shelf’ Valentine’s day kit – most likely comprising of the obligatory box of overpriced chocolates and a dozen red roses, which usually wilt by the close of play – as well as sitting through an excruciatingly schmaltzy candlelit meal, whilst being serenaded by an ageing Italian lothario, shoehorned into a tuxedo. In fact, lets face it, in recent years Valentine’s Day – once the inspiration for Chaucer’s dreamily romantic poem Parlement of Foules – has taken a bit of a nose dive in the amorous stakes with most couples preferring a quiet escape and some genuine quality time together, rather than being surrounded by the usual gaudy trappings of this now highly commercialised experience. Fortunately though, help is at hand and for those readers who are looking for something a little bit different to do this time around, there are a few distinctly red-rose-free options tastefully designed to suit any couple looking to cosy up together in style.

 Going out for a romantic bite If the idea of quietly romantic Italian dining is in order, then Albemarle Street’s Babbo should be near the top of your Valentine’s Day list. Head Chef Carlo Scotto has created a bespoke Valentine’s menu that is served with a glass of Champagne on arrival, with flavoursome seared scallops and fennel, spring onions and a radish salad, as well as a creamy asparagus, goats cheese and pea shoot risotto. Three courses are £55 while four courses are £65 per person. (www.babborestaurant.co.uk) If you’re struggling to think of a suitable gift for your loved one then Roast, based in the wonderfully foodie surrounds of Borough Market, can lend a helping hand. From 11 until 17 February, the restaurant will be presenting a 

left: latymer

complimentary pair of silver cufflinks and a sterling silver pendant, created by bespoke jewellery designer Noreen Mirza, to anyone ordering a bottle of champagne to the value of £60 or over when dining there. On the night itself, head cook Marcus Verberne will also be showcasing an exclusive ‘Sharing Menu’, inspired by the fine produce that neighbouring Borough Market has become world famous for. (www.roast-restaurant.com) For a more intimate dining experience, Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant, Umu, located on Bruton Place, has a romantic private dining booth, which is ideal for sharing some quality time together with your loved one. The restaurant is set in a converted wine cellar and counts the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Penelope Cruz as fans of its fresh, modern take on Kyoto-influenced cuisine. (www.umurestaurant.com) While a trip to Harrods might not initially seem the most romantic place in London to visit with your loved one, anyone with a penchant for fine seafood should consider a swift sojourn to Bentley’s Sea Grill, based in the food hall. Under the watchful eye of acclaimed Irish chef Richard Corrigan, Bentley’s will be serving a Valentine’s themed shellfish menu, including six oysters with a glass of Champagne for £35 per person. For a similarly romantic-themed dessert, Harrods Ice Cream Parlour has created a special Valentine’s Sharing Sundae – and if you’re still hungry, the neighbouring Godiva Chocolate Cafe have an array of luxury chocolate-dipped strawberries and a sharing Martini ‘Choctail’, served with a crêpe filled with strawberry and fleur d’oranger compote, topped off with a warm white chocolate rose ganache. The chocolate strawberries are £10 for four, while the Martini and crêpe are £14 per person. Now who said that shopping trips couldn’t be romantic?

 Perfect for a proposal If you’re planning to take this year’s Valentine’s Day a step further and pop the ultimate question, then a stunning evening view across the London skyline is surely hard to beat as your backdrop. Galvin at Windows – at the top of the London Hilton on Park Lane – has created an exclusive offer for Valentine’s Day where guests planning to propose to their partner whilst dining at the restaurant can apply to win an exclusive complimentary stay in one of The Hilton’s elegant suites. And to enhance the romantic mood further, the restaurant has perfected a decadent six-course Valentine’s Day menu, with dishes including lobster cocktail with rice cracker and caviar, pressed terrine of spiced foie gras and coconut cream with rose-scented tapioca. (www.galvinatwindows.com)

 The best bar for an amorous tipple A chilled glass of vintage Champagne is surely hard to beat when it comes to romantic tipples, but when this quintessential Valentine’s Day drink is turned into a perfectly balanced cocktail, even the most resistant of hearts will surely melt away. 69 Colebrooke Row, the acclaimed speakeasy-themed bar owned by the godfather of London’s vibrant cocktail renaissance, Tony Conigliaro is hosting a Champagne cocktail masterclass, giving you the opportunity to perfect your skills in mixology as well as learning the background of some truly classic cocktails.

 The best romantic weekend away Why stop at dinner when you can head out of London for a romantic long weekend retreat? Pennyhill Park in Surrey is a five-star boutique hotel-cum-manor house, which boasts an extensive spa complex alongside two-Michelin starred fine dining, courtesy of head chef, Michael Wignall. For a limited period Wignall has created a unique ten-course tasting menu, priced at £105 per person, including Champagne. (www.pennyhillpark.co.uk)

The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

 Staying in… (The most romantic option!)

FROM TOP: BABBO; HEDONISM WINES (IMAGE BY BEN FISHER); BENTLEY’S SEA GRILL; PRIVATE BOOTH AT UMU

Turn off the iPhone and put your laptop back in its bag… Ok, staying in on Valentine’s Day is undoubtedly going to be fraught with distractions, but who could argue against the perfect simplicity of an uninterrupted snuggle on the sofa with a great bottle of wine? If you get peckish, the self-proclaimed cupids at Hello Fresh (who specialise in bringing together the ingredients to cook gourmet meals at home in a single box) have put together the ultimate aphrodisiac box, including chicken and chorizo paella, beetroot risotto and pan-fried salmon linguine and home-made pesto. This meal for two costs £39 and can be ordered up until 6 February for delivery a few days before your Valentine’s night in. Similarly, the Mount Street Deli will be cooking up some Valentine’s Day treats to take away including a mouthwatering array of freshly baked cakes, meringues and salads. Finally, to complete your perfect evening in, why not uncork a spectacular vintage, or perhaps a warming dram of something a little spirituous to get the blood flowing. Hedonism Wines on Davies Street has one of the most dazzling selections of Champagnes, dessert wines and spirits in the capital, catering for the most discerning of palates. Now all you need is a couple of candles and you’re set… (www.hellofresh.co.uk; www.themountstreetdeli.co.uk; www.hedonism.co.uk)

{

classic dishes, beautifully cooked. cosy, rustic, informal and incurably romantic

6 Old Court Place Kensington Church Street London W8 4PL

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www.maggie-jones.co.uk 020 7937 6462

TheThe mayfair mayfair Magazine Magazine | Food | Promotion & Drink

Celebrate with rosé

at Berry Bros. & Rudd No matter what your plans are for Valentine’s Day, it’s the perfect time to indulge in some top-quality Champagne – not that we need an excuse

n the name of St. Valentine, from 1 to 14 February, Berry Bros. & Rudd’s prestigious London shop in St James’s has an exclusive offer for Champagne lovers. The purchase of two bottles of Billecart-Salmon Champagne will come with a complimentary half-bottle of their Rosé Champagne, valued at £32. Billecart-Salmon Rosé is ‘one of the dreamiest, most seductive wines in the world’, says Simon Field, Master of Wine at Berry Bros. This elegant rosé has a delicate yet persistent mousse and a subtle nose leading to a light bouquet of red fruits and a fresh finish. An aperitif wine, it is delicious on its own and makes the perfect accompaniment to a dish of wild salmon or sushi – possibly inspiration for a dish to wow your loved one. One of the few remaining Champagne houses to be owned by the original family, BillecartSalmon has been in existence since 1818. The family have 100 per cent control of production, and their meticulous techniques have earned them their world-renowned reputation for the quality of its delicate rosé. The Brut Réserve

(a blend of three vintages) is also a beautifully harmonious and balanced wine. These Champagnes age particularly gracefully, so that you can drink some now and save the rest for another special occasion (or better still, a rainy one). Add a touch of sparkle to your Valentine’s Day celebrations with a glass of BillecartSalmon, or treat yourself to a rather decadent addition to your cellar for the next time you’re searching for a chilled glass of fine bubbly. One free half-bottle per person, per order, per day. A bottle is 75cl, a half bottle is 37.5cl. Offer live from 1 to 14 February inclusive. No cash alternative available and offer available while stocks last on a first come first serve basis. Available to customers who visit the London shop, 3 St James’s Street. Offer includes delivery on all orders over £100 per delivery address.

‘This elegant rosé has a delicate yet persistent mousse’ 85

Food & Drink | The mayfair Magazine

DINING OUT Sake No Hana, St James’s Street WORDS: elle blakeman

t’s a very English thing not to share your food. You order and hope no one else’s meal looks more appealing when it arrives; at best you can probably get away with pinching a forkful of pudding, but anything more is socially unacceptable. In this, the month of dinner à deux, take a tip from the less gastronomically territorial Asian community and order dishes for the table.

‘The dishes are small and packed with flavour, meaning that just a few bites of each is enough to feel sated’

Sake No Hana, the achingly cool Japanese restaurant at the bottom of St James’s Street, part of the Hakkasan Group, is the place to do this in serious style; the dining room is stunning – all bamboo, sensual lighting and latticework wooden beams – the people beautiful and the dishes small and packed with flavour, meaning that just a few bites of each is enough to feel sated. It’s an enjoyable way to dine; relaxing and easy, the ordering of several dishes at once is instantly less pressuring, and as everything is brought out as and when it’s ready, the formality and ‘waiting’ time of fine dining is removed. It’s hard to make a mistake, but it would be a shame to come here and not try the quail with shichimi peppers, similarly the grilled black cod and the braised venison with butternut paste are definite musts. Sake is not for everyone, but there are a few good ones here to try, either on their own or in a cocktail (the Smoky Plum, a sake-themed twist on a Negroni is particularly good). If you can manage it, I would thoroughly recommend substituting your usual end-of-meal coffee for the Espresso Martini – made with tequila rather than vodka, it’s a delicious and heady end to dinner. For dessert, I went with a Raspberry and dark chocolate mousse while my partner went for the slightly healthier Green tea crème brûlée; this is where my experiment with sharing came to an abrupt end. Sake No Hana 23 St James’s Street, London, SW1A (020 7925 8988; sakenohana.com)

LET THE SUN SHINE

The new terrace at The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant in Knightsbridge is the ideal destination for summer. A secluded and sophisticated venue for morning coffee or light meals, the terrace becomes a cigaristâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paradise in the evening with an extensive choice of whisky, cocktails and wine complementing a new cigar menu. For more information visit theribroom.co.uk or call 020 7858 7250 Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Cadogan Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 9PY

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The mayfair Magazine | Beauty

Treatment of the month As the only hairdresser to sit on the BAFTA committee, Paul Edmonds knows a thing or two about Red Carpet quality. As the stars search for the perfect pre-awards treatments this month, ready to wow the world at the upcoming awards, we have found The Ultimate Protein Rejuvenate Treatment at Edmond’s salon. The revitalising protein will leave your hair shiny and voluminous, just like the A-list elite. And with clients including Dame Helen Mirren and Penelope Cruz, you might just find yourself sitting next to a famous face too. Ultimate Protein Rejuvenate Treatment, from £65. Paul Edmonds Salon (020 7589 5958; mail@pauledmonds.com)

3 of the best…

1 2 3

romantic fragrances

#1 New Look 1947, £125 for 125ml, Christian Dior (www.selfridges. com)

#2 Dahlia Noir, £61 for 50ml, Givenchy (www.johnlewis.com)

#3 Fetish, £295 for 50ml, Roja Dove Parfums (www.harrods.com)

Beauty news

It’s a month for turning back time and putting on the gloss W O R D S : sa n dra macke n z ie & katie ra n dall

Lipstick jungle Searching for the perfect red lipstick is a quest that can last a lifetime; navigating the perils of too bright or too dark to find the one that’s just right. Givenchy’s Le Rouge is one of the strongest contenders we’ve seen, combining rich, intense colour with a lightweight finish for effortless glamour. Sheathed in a stylish leather case, this is a lipstick designed to demand attention. Le Rouge, £24, Givenchy (www.givenchybeauty.com)

Recharge skin This month, Sisley has brought out a new detoxifying night treatment for stressed skin. Bombarded daily with pollution and handling everyday stress, skin can lose its ability to rid itself of toxins. Here comes the science – Sisley research has identified the activity of the proteasome, a kind of cellular dustman responsible for eliminating damaged proteins that have the potential to become toxic. In periods of stress, the proteasome is overburdened. Botanical D-tox contains rice peptide extract, which stimulates the activity of proteasome to enable cells to detoxify themselves – sping cleaning indeed. £134, Sisley (www.harrods.com)

Turn back time The scientific research behind Shiseido’s Bio-Performance Advanced Super Restoring Cream is staggeringly complex. But the results are simple – it returns your skin to the glory of its youth. The ‘self-restoring power’ of the product claims to firm and reshape skin in just a month, by strengthening the inner functions of the skin and preventing cells from depleting over time. The only cream in the world to utilise these discoveries, it also doubles as a supereffective moisturiser. £94, Shiseido (www.houseoffraser.co.uk)

Captivate Your Senses The first internationally-acclaimed Chuan Spa in Europe is now open at The Langham, London. Rediscover your source with luxurious treatments inspired by the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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

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

ChuanSpa ExclusiveMag.indd 1

15/3/11 13:35:46

The mayfair Magazine | Beauty

Spa review Elemis Day Spa, Lancashire Court

W O R D S : K AT I E R A N D A L L

nder twinkling stars in an exotic, Arabian-themed steam room, we breathe a collective sigh of relief – our Rasul ritual for two is off to an exceptional start. An Arabian deep-cleansing and detoxifying treatment, using medicinal muds, it is ideal for overworked bodies and for those who have little time to spare – from start to finish, the ritual takes just 45 minutes. After descending a narrow staircase in this intimate day spa, we reach the Rasul room. Tiled in beautiful colours and dimly lit, it sets the stage for quality couples’ downtime. The treatment places you in the driving seat, applying the products yourself. After a facial cleanse and a full-body exfoliation with Elemis’ Lime and Ginger Salt Glow scrub, we are ready to enter the herb-infused steam chamber. Our therapist discusses the purpose and properties of each of the natural muds, and where on the body they are to be applied, before leaving us to unwind. A light and hydrating mask is applied to the face, along with a thick green mask for the arms, a clay-like mud for the legs and an ochre-tinted concoction for the torso. We derived childish pleasure from this, gleefully applying the muds. Drifting in and out of consciousness, we sit for half an hour, before a warm tropical rain shower from the roof of the chamber washes away all traces of the mud, and with it, every ounce of tension and stress from the body. We then had free-run of the Elemis moisturising lotions and potions, and left feeling soft of skin and light of heart. An Arabian adventure in central London – absolute heaven. Rasul for two, £80 for 45 minutes, Elemis Day Spa, 2-3 Lancashire Court, W1S (020 7499 4995; www.elemis.com)

‘It is ideal for overworked bodies and for those who have little time to spare’

Meet the Specialist Mr Richard Packard, MD, DO, FRCS, FRCOphth, trained at Moorfields Eye and Charing Cross Hospitals in London where he began minimally invasive cataract surgery in 1979; he was appointed as consultant in 1982. Since then he has been published widely on cataract and lens surgery and been an innovator in all aspects of this. He has lectured in over 50 countries and in 1999, on the retirement of his mentor Eric Arnott, took over the directorship of the worldrenowned Arnott Eye Centre.

eye your health Keeping an on

Unlike visits to the dentist, regular visits to an eye specialist are rare. But, just like your mouth, your eyes hold key information about the state of your health

The mayfair Magazine | Health Promotion

nless you wear glasses or require regular visits for conditions such as glaucoma or diabetes, the health of your eyes isn’t likely to be on your radar – but it should be. Unlike most other organs in the body, your eyes are unlikely to become painful when they become unhealthy. So rather than wait for signs and symptoms, which may not appear, the best plan of action is to have your eyes looked at regularly. When a specialist examines your eyes they can determine the state of your general health, as well as the health of your sight. It is suggested that those over 40 in particular, or anyone with a family history of eye disease such as glaucoma, should have their eyes checked every two years – unless advised differently.

‘Without a regular eye examination, particularly in at-risk patients, much may be missed that could be treated at an early stage’ – Richard Packard Those more likely to develop problems with their sight are: • Men and women over 60 • Certain ethnic groups, e.g. African-Caribbean communities are at greater risk of developing glaucoma and diabetes, and South Asian communities also have a higher risk of developing diabetes, which can lead to damage of the retina. • Those with a family history of eye disease Remember to keep your eyes healthy in between eye checks. Smokers are much more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, as are those who regularly exceed alcohol limits. Keep fit too – sight loss can occur from high blood pressure, diabetes and narrowing of the arteries around the body, so exercise is helpful in keeping this at bay, as is eating a healthy, balanced diet. If you have any plans to escape the British weather this winter, make sure you protect your eyes from the sun – whether you’re on a beach or a ski slope. Sunlight exposure and UV rays can have an irreversible affect on your eye sight. If you do notice any changes in your sight, please make an appointment to see an eye specialist as early as you can.

Eye don’t believe it Mr Richard Packard, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Arnott Eye Associates and The Wellington Hospital looks at how technology has helped in detecting and monitoring diseases of the eye. The eye is our window onto the world around us, but for a specialist this organ is almost unique in allowing us to learn about diseases affecting the eye, but also those involving the whole body. Many of the conditions that can be discovered from looking at the health of your eyes can be found before any serious damage has taken place. Also, for certain conditions like diabetes or glaucoma, regular check-ups are vital – so the disease can be monitored and your treatment can be started or modified, as soon as possible. Technology To aid the process of screening and diagnosis there are a number of useful tools. For instance, visual field analysers assess damage to the optic nerve or brain nervous pathways. Whereas digital retinal photography record changes in the eye, which is helpful in assessing diabetes or age related macular degeneration, by looking at comparisons over time to help make decisions about how best to manage your treatment. The OCT (ocular coherence tomography) is used to assess the depth of the front chamber of the eye, which can be important in certain types of glaucoma. And it also looks at the retina to see if there is swelling in the central retina due to retained fluid caused by diabetes. In glaucoma it is useful for assessing the shape and 3D appearances of the optic nerve, and to monitor any changes in this. There are many other devices and technology which assist in diagnosis, and serious conditions like brain tumours and advanced high blood pressure may also be found in this way. However without a regular examination, particularly in at risk patients such as those with diabetes or patients over the age of 60, much may be missed which could be treated at an early stage.

For further information or if you would like to arrange an appointment at The Wellington Hospital please contact the hospital Enquiry Helpline on 0207 483 5004 or visit www.thewellingtonhospital.com 93

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The mayfair Magazine | Motoring

Scandinaviaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s frozen lakes have become the place to execute the perfect action-movie skid â&#x20AC;&#x201C; driving in classic cars has never looked so cool w o r d s : r i c h a r d ya r r o w

S G N I N N RU 95

t this time of year, skidding a powerful rear-wheel-drive sports car is worryingly easy to do. On the streets of central London – in fact, on the streets of anywhere – this is not helpful. But as anyone who has ever taken their parents’ runabout into an empty, snow-covered supermarket car park when they were younger knows, it’s also a bit of a hoot. Okay, maybe that’s only me. Just as the famous Ice Hotel opens its doors for the winter months in the Swedish Arctic village of Jukkasjärvi, so several of the region’s frozen lakes get transformed into high-octane

‘What you learn in one day on the ice is invaluable and completely transferrable to winter road driving’ motorsport venues for the season. And it’s become far more sophisticated than just taking the wheel and doing powerslides until you feel sick. Treats for the sideways enthusiast include full-size replicas of some of the world’s most demanding race tracks, plus the opportunity to tackle them in serious performance machinery under the guidance of world-famous drivers. The only difference to any other track day is there are no crash barrier – because there’s nothing to hit. Laponie Ice Driving has two Silverstones and

a Paul Ricard circuit as part of its impressive nine-track offering. They’re created by the same type of vehicle that smoothes out ski-resort pistes. GPS guidance makes sure every corner is an inch-perfect recreation of the real circuits hundreds of miles south, and 20 instructors help customers find the racing line. It’s possible to hit 120mph in places using the 28-strong Laponie fleet, which includes Lamborghinis, Porsches and Corvettes. Ten-time French ice-racing champion Yvan Muller is a brand ambassador and can even be hired as a guest instructor by prior arrangement. Now in its eighth season, Laponie is based in the village of Arjeplog. Far from being quiet, it’s a buzzing metropolis at this time of year, home to all the world’s big-brand car manufacturers as they put future production models through cold-weather testing. Disguised prototypes are a regular sight. Richard Sumner, Laponie’s UK manager, says people come for a variety of reasons. ‘The common denominator is a love of driving, pushing yourself to the limit, having fun and the extra-curricular activities like snowmobiling, sledging, huskie rides, helicopter trips and skiing.’ Going flat-out in an unknown car on a slippery surface can be unnerving, and drivers will naturally worry about going straight on at the first corner. But with up to 1,100 tiny metal spikes built into each tyre, grip isn’t a problem. Sumner explains: ‘The big difference to driving fast anywhere else is that you can do it in complete safety. Any unfortunate incidents

The mayfair Magazine | Motoring

result in you being brought to a standstill by a bank of soft snow, rather than hard concrete or, heaven forbid, another vehicle.’ Also running Porsches in the region is ice-driving company Below Zero, but its offering is slightly different – they specialise in genuine 1970’s-era 911 rally cars. Company MD Richard Tuthill is a former professional racer and originally launched the business to train colleagues who wanted to improve. He soon realised there was wider demand and greater benefit. ‘What you learn in one day on the ice is invaluable and completely transferrable to winter road driving. Everyone should do this for safety reasons, aside from the fact it’s about the most fun you can have in a car!’ Below Zero is based in the Swedish village of Kall, amusingly the local word for ‘cold’. It’s an appropriate name as temperatures of –15°C are not uncommon in this part of the world. Tuthill says, with a playground covering hundreds of acres of frozen lake, there’s no need for flagwaving marshalls. ‘The safety briefing lasts five minutes, then it’s all about the driving, because that’s the best way to learn. We’re there to explore the limits of the car and driver, and we encourage people to push it. There are always some spectacular crashes but they’re just into a snow bank and it’s like going into an airbag. The beauty is we just pull the car out and keep going. As long as the driver is happy, we’re happy.’ Kall is also home to Icedriving.net. Abi Brooks is events co-ordinator at Accelerate Driver Development, which runs the operation. ‘Clients normally start in four-wheel-drive Golf R cars and progress to the Porsche 911 Carrera 2 and 4. The

instructors encourage people to compare the handling of each. They use a unique trackside method of teaching, which frees up the passenger seat for your team-mate to sit in. This is much more fun, encourages team spirit and means no one is stood out in the cold!’ Clients are a mix of individuals and groups, friends and business colleagues, men and women. They’re mainly from the UK and Europe, but have come from as far as South Africa and South America. ‘They’re looking for thrills and fun bigger than you get from skiing or snowboarding. It’s about experiencing the exhilaration of controlling the car on ice in some of the world’s most stunning scenery.’ If you’re tight on time or don’t like the idea of too much travelling, a company called Ice Driver might be the option for you. It’s based in Mitandersfors, 90 minutes drive from Oslo airport but over the border into Sweden. ‘People take the 7.30am flight from Heathrow and they’re on the lake by lunchtime – that’s the appeal of what we’re offering,’ explains owner Alison McKenna. That, plus the chance to drive a host of rally-prepared cars including a BMW M3, Porsche 911, Subaru Impreza Turbo and Mitsubishi Evo. All activities take place on a farm owned by Petter Solberg, the former WRC rally champion, with guests staying in his private hotel and driving on a frozen lake right outside the door. They can even take lessons from the Norwegian ace by prior arrangement. For the ultimate thrill, what about dancing across the ice at the wheel of his 2008 WRC Citroën Xsara? Now that’s got to be serious fun. MORE INFORMATION www.belowzeroicedriving.com www.laponie-ice-driving.com www.icedriving.net www.icedriver.co.uk

This month, New York Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world-famous Grand Central Terminal celebrates 100 years of keeping up the pace of the city that never sleeps WORDS: mike peake

ALL CHANGE PLEASE 98

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

n the morning of February 1, Grand Central Terminal in New York City will brace itself for its daily rush hour, a whirlwind of foot and locomotive traffic that will see a new train arrive at one of the 45 platforms every 58 seconds. To the uninitiated, it might seem like just another day in the terminal’s long and colourful history – a flurry of commuters followed by the arrival of wide-eyed visitors in search of the luxury shopping, fine dining and internationally acclaimed hotels that lie within the immediate vicinity. In fact, 1 February will mark the 100th anniversary of the world’s largest train terminal, the very creation of which transformed a dark and grimy part of the city into one of the most glamorous destinations in the world. Fittingly, a $500 million refurbishment in the 1990s helped restore the terminal to its original 1913 glory, which means that everyone arriving on 1 February – just as any other day – will see the terminal exactly as the ultra-rich Vanderbilt family who built it intended. Grand Central Terminal (not to be confused with Grand Central Station, the adjacent subway stop) has been the undisputed king of East 42nd Street since the end of the 1800s – but today, it couldn’t be more different than how it appeared in its earlier guises. Noisy, surrounded by slums and at loggerheads with the emerging possibilities of electric trains, the old Grand Central was demolished and rebuilt between 1903 and 1913 at a cost of $2 billion in today’s money. With the trains now platforming underground, passengers arriving at Grand Central found themselves walking up into a Beaux-Arts palace, a vast cathedral of space surrounded by an unbeatable retail environment. ‘For people arriving in New York, it was a train terminal that represented the entire nation,’ says Dan Brucker, the terminal’s official historian. ‘They would step off the train and see nothing but electric lighting throughout, and this at a time when the New York streets were still lit by gas. People thought the Vanderbilts were mad when they poured so much money into Grand Central

because there was nothing around it, but what they did was build a city around the terminal, with hotels and office buildings and everything else. It put the development of Midtown Manhattan on a rocket pace.’ Brucker argues that without Grand Central, the beautiful Chrysler Building might never have sprung up next door. Today, the whole area is littered with world-famous landmarks and is home to some legendary shopping in Lexington, Fifth and Madison Avenues: testament to the vitality – and money – that the new Grand Central helped pump into the city over the coming decades.

‘Without Grand Central, the beautiful Chrysler Building might never have sprung up next door’ Such was the value of real estate above and so vast a tract of Manhattan (Grand Central occupies more than 40 acres) that the railroad wanted to demolish the terminal in the 1950s and build a 4.8 million square-foot tower that would be 150 metres taller than the Empire State Building. It was the age of cars and air travel and trains were out of fashion, and the ensuing fight by New Yorkers to save Grand Central lasted well into the 1970s, when it was finally designated a National Historic Landmark. New Yorkers certainly have a soft spot for it. They come to meander, to shop, to eat and to step aboard a train that can whistle them across America. Artists and photographers flock to it to capture the way the sunlight fingers its way through the windows of the main concourse. Every day, 700,000 people – the same as the entire population of Alaska – trundle through, plenty of them with their heads up, eyes wide 

 open at the sight of the awe-inspiring constellations by painter Paul César Helleu on the ceiling. Or the iconic four-faced clock – valued at $20 million – above the information booth. ‘That clock is set every single second by the Naval Observatory in Maryland,’ says Brucker. ‘It’s 100 years old and is accurate to within one second every 1.4 million years.’ While the talkative historian knows every inch of Grand Central Terminal like the back of his hand, one thing Brucker needs a bit of a prod to talk about is the secret platform built for President Franklin D Roosevelt to enable him to drive off his train, into a lift, and up into the Waldorf Astoria hotel. That little slice of Grand Central history remains something of a not-verysecret secret, but Brucker will happily regale you

100

with a little piece of more recent history, and one with a London twist, too: ‘When St Pancras station was being redeveloped,’ he says, ‘the planners came over and studied Grand Central under a microscope.’ They wanted to see, he says, how a terminal could combine beauty, space, history and a thriving retail environment in one go. To mark Grand Central’s centenary, a full day of star-studded activities has been planned for 1 February, but a mood of celebration will doubtless last all year. Free from the menace of the wrecking ball, restored to its 1913 glory and still at the heart of some of New York’s most sumptuous living, Grand Central Terminal is rightly deserving of its place in the history – and record – books.

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

Grand Facts The staircases in Grand Central were modelled on those of the Paris Opera House. The terminalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lost and Found Office receives more than 2,000 items a month. They say that 80 per cent get back to their owners. The basement in Grand Central is the deepest in NewYork City â&#x20AC;&#x201C; more than 10 storeys deep. Almost every movie showing a departing or arriving train that has been shot at the terminal used platform 34 as its location. More than 10,000 people enter Grand Central every day just to have lunch.

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Your Heart in Your Hands When you lead a busy life, sometimes the hardest thing to admit is a problem with your health. If you’ve recently experienced central chest pain, a dull pain or heavy feeling maybe even a mild discomfort in your chest. Don’t push these matters of the heart to the bottom of your priorities. Maybe it’s time to visit your GP The Wellington Hospital has an international reputation for excellence in cardiac care, offering a full range of Outpatient Cardiac Testing, Daycase and Inpatients Cardiac Care.

Think about your heart this month 0207 483 5004

www.thewellingtonhospital.com

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

Eco getaways that come with no guilt attached – jet away to brighter climes this month W O R D S : da n iella isaacs

Travel news TRAVEL TIPS Don’t leave home without… Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 4S A phone case that effectively doubles your phone’s talk and listening time – a must for serious travellers. Best of all, Apple’s collaboration with (PRODUCT) RED means a percentage of all sales go towards fighting AIDS. £59.95, Mophie, Apple & (PRODUCT) RED (www.store.apple.com/uk) There’s an app for that Postcard DIY A most modern way to say ‘Wish you were here’, this app creates custommade postcards using photos from your phone’s gallery and shares them with loved ones via email or social media. £0.69 from the iTunes App Store

Long haul

Park Hyatt Hadahaa, the Maldives

If you’re after the ultimate escape, book a villa on this remote private island in the Maldives. The Park Hyatt Hadahaa refrains from applying the rustic aesthetic of so many other escapes, choosing pure luxury. With 50 villas, 14 of which are built over the Indian Ocean, the Park Hyatt is almost as exquisite as the coral-filled waters that surround it. The Hadahaa prides itself on remaining one of the most eco-friendly resorts on the planet, there’s even a marine-biologist onsite who is hard at work to uphold its environmentally friendly status. Make sure you take up the offer of exploring the island’s magnificent house reef by snorkelling or scuba diving, and then lie down, relax and enjoy the Maldivian-inspired Vidhan spa – pure indulgence at its finest. (maldives.hadahaa.park.hyatt.com)

Short haul

Lefay Resort & Spa Lake Garda, Italy The vistas of the sea, mountains and olive groves from the Lefay Resort and Spa are truly breathtaking. This luxury eco-hotel is ideal for guests looking for pure relaxation and bespoke spa treatments. The resort sits on 27 acres of natural parkland above Lake Garda. Overall wellness is the central concept here, the exclusive Lefay Spa focuses on the principles of classical Chinese medicine alongside Western research. Soak in your private jacuzzi and feast on the exceptional Mediterranean cuisine, knowing that you are both improving your own health while also benefitting the environment. The hotel uses only renewable energies and is committed towards eco-sustainability. Prepare for a completely revitalising experience for your body and soul. (www.lefayresorts.com)

‘Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life’ – Michael Palin 103

The spirit of

Scotland

Annabel Harrison escapes to the bonnie highland for two days of dining, drinking, sport, spa-going and Scrabble at Gleneagles – the perfect long weekend away

f you have exceptionally high expectations of a place before you arrive, things can go one of two ways. Everyone, whether they had been or not, seemed to have an informed opinion about Gleneagles before I visited, declaring how lucky I was to be going and how amazing my trip would be, amplifying my day-dreamy vision of the place. Happily, expectations were more than met; it is with a heavy heart that I pack to leave, having had the most wonderful weekend. To begin with, and importantly, the journey is easy. The start is an essential component of a long weekend, during which you must instil a carefree, ‘really, we’re away for a week, not two days’ attitude. I am full of praise for civilised flight times and the 11am BA flight from Heathrow is indeed praiseworthy; it does not require an unpleasant early start and allows for a

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leisurely breakfast at the airport. Our Gleneagles experience starts the moment we arrive at baggage claim; a smart driver meets us (and every other guest) to transfer us to the hotel. The hour-long drive offers exceptional views of vivid, verdant fields and clusters of trees. We are shown to our room in Braid House, a modern offshoot of the main hotel building but still accessible without going outside. It is spacious and smart and there are several features with which I am particularly enamoured: the L-shaped sofa in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows (the view is spectacular from almost everywhere you can sit or stand in Gleneagles), the electric fire (lovely to lounge next to after swimming), the expansively comfortable bed and the beautiful, shiny, entirely cream and silver chrome bathroom. The middle-level suites are

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horse or challenge your inner Olympian with cycling, shooting and archery. You can even (which I couldn’t quite believe) test your theory that you might be a natural at falconry. However, my favourite activity is, hands down, our golf lesson with Head Pro Andrew Jowett. My golfing experience totalled two light-hearted driving range sessions years before but after an hour with Andrew, I felt ready to take on Tiger Woods (almost). Cleverly, my swing is filmed

‘Daytimes should be devoted to activity here and you’re certainly not short of options’

termed the ‘spirit’ suites, each named after one of owner Diageo’s spirits, and are all suitably Scottish and lavish, but if it’s a really special occasion, splash out on the Blue Tower Suite. Climb up your own spiral staircase to enjoy a drink on a private roof terrace with spectacular 360° views of the landscape. In fact, I am tempted to wax lyrical about this all-enveloping landscape because it is, quite simply, one of the best things about Gleneagles. As far as the eye can see, in every direction, are the green, rolling hills, beautiful whether bordered by bright blue sky or angry grey clouds, and thousands of acres of land. Daytimes should be devoted to activity here and you’re certainly not short of options. Head out for an ‘incredible run’ past the immaculate golf course (my partner’s words, not mine: I’m in the spa at this point – more on that later), practice your backhand with a tennis instructor, learn how to fly fish for trout, get back on the

and slowed down so that Andrew can correct my stance and explain how to improve my technique. The aching arms the next day (and a few after that) are definitely worth it, as the lesson culminates in me hitting a 150-yard-shot and impressing both my (surprised) boyfriend and Andrew. If you have kids in tow and they want to try golf too, this is not a hotel that would prefer children to be seen and not heard (although most during our stay seem exceptionally well-behaved). I can guarantee your kids won’t be bored for a second – if the weather is good, or even merely adequate, send them outside. They can cycle, train a gundog, play polo or own a pony for half a day (clearly a full day is just too exhausting). If it’s pouring, drop them off in The Zone (for tweens and teens) or The Playroom (for the little ones). Make the most of the calorie-expending activities because the opportunities to eat and drink come just as thick and fast. If you’re a whisky lover, settle down with a Whisky Sour, expertly mixed 

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‘The wonderful staff are a constant, welcoming presence’ by the smiley Graeme, while having a cigar in the Johnnie Walker Blue Bar in the Dormy Clubhouse; it’s open air with a fire pit in the centre and padded, blue (of course) heated leather seats. Connoisseurs should opt for a whisky tasting with the unbelievably knowledgeable Christopher Peck. In fact, you’ll encounter wonderful staff at every turn; nothing is too much trouble and they are a constant, welcoming presence. The Dormy Clubhouse (which has recently had a £3 million renovation) is the golfing hub of the whole estate and the all-day restaurant overlooks the closing holes of both the King’s and Queen’s courses. Here you can stock up on golfing essentials (I don’t need these quite yet) or enjoy lunch before or after a golf lesson. Think gastro-pub dishes interspersed with interesting Indian touches, thanks to the tandoor oven; a Chicken Tikka Caesar salad is unusual but very good. We feel like sleeping rather than golfing, though, after a deliciously comforting lunch of cod loin and chicken, mushroom and leek pie. If you fancy an equally informal meal in the evening, head to Deseo, right near Braid House;

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it’s so relaxed that I feel like I could have stayed in my dressing gown, and actually during the day, guests do, as they wander in, blissed out, from the spa. The menu declares: ‘DESEO means whatever you wish or desire. You’re free to order whatever you like, whenever you like, how you want it’. There’s a mouth-watering array of antipasto, soups, pastas, pizzas, tapas, meat and seafood on offer and whatever we like turns out to be tapas in the form of meatballs, chicken, prawns, courgettes and white/green asparagus, and decadently rich petit pots chocolate St-Emillion style and rich Spanish-baked cheesecake (so perhaps some cycling tomorrow is required!) The Streathern is perfect for an evening of romantic fine dining (but less child-suited – Deseo is best for that) after a chilled G&T, people-watching, in the busy bar. Our seats are in the conservatory of the otherwise highceilinged restaurant, offering a beautiful view as the sun sets. Our lovely waiter Matthew plays an essential part in our evening; he suggested the dish of scallops with ham knuckle and parmesan foam to the chef and it appeared on the menu (luckily for guests as it’s unbelievably good).

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The promise of classical French/Scottish cuisine is delivered; the roast of the day, beef Wellington, is tenderly moist and the pastry melt-in-your-mouth. My partner enjoys a goat’s cheese tartine then rib-eye (although he’s definitely envious of the Wellington) and we share ice cream. Special mention must be made of the excellent toppings; melted salted caramel, popping honeycomb and drizzly chocolate. After so much food, naturally I feel the need to lie down and the next morning I am treated to an über-relaxing aromatherapy massage in the spa, which offers all the beauty, body and massage treatments you’d expect, as well as an array of specialised treatments, including Ayurvedic, Oriental and ESPA Life (recently launched and offering intensive, transformative programmes geared towards improved health and wellness). I love the fact it’s above ground and natural light floods in. A naturopath consultation with Louise Westra is enlightening; naturopathy works in a complementary fashion in addition to a

clinical diagnosis. Iridology is used to assess the health of the body and Louise pinpoints specific ailments, as well as offering advice to me about to how to relieve these. On the morning we leave, there’s just enough time for a lazy breakfast; waffles and French toast are the stand-out favourites. If you need to bring home souvenirs or presents, head to the Shopping Arcade. Mappin & Webb, Dunhill London and Escada, among others, cluster along a wood-panelled corridor, tempting guests in. When the time comes to leave, just 48 hours after our arrival, it is too soon. I half want to stage a sit-in and refuse to move but this is hardly in keeping with the genial, well-behaved manner of the place. All I can reassure myself with, as the car drives away, is that I must come back; Gleneagles is a magical place. Rooms start from £225 per night on the Winter Warmer rate. The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland, PH3 1NF (01764 662231; www.gleneagles.com)

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ention to people that you are visiting Edinburgh and you will be beseeched with suggestions that you simply ‘must’ adhere to. We ‘must’ walk to the top of the Royal Mile, we ‘must’ climb Arthur’s Seat, we ‘must, must, must’ check out the authentic whisky produced here... It seems the Scottish capital has gathered some pretty loyal fans. Once dubbed the ‘Athens of the North’ for its rich and progressive cultural heritage, it has served as either a birthplace or home to multiple luminaries, from Chris Hoy to Charles Darwin; JK Rowling to Rory Bremner. Wide open spaces and stunning architecture surround you at every turn and you only need to look up to see the silhouette of the castle, reassuringly standing guard over the city. The fortress stands perched on volcanic rock – a lasting icon, not least because it is the backdrop to the annual Military Tattoo and Hogmanay celebrations. Come August, the city’s summer Fringe Festival has kept it in the creative spotlight since 1947, although the power of this event shouldn’t overshadow the very healthy perennial offering of galleries and museums that exists in the city. The atmospheric streets of the jumbled medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town will be a feast for your eyes, while the testing inclines will challenge your feet. Thankfully there are almost 200 independent coffee shops, – including the Elephant House where the Harry Potter tomes were penned, to rest up. Dark falls swiftly in winter giving you the perfect excuse for long, guilt-free evenings of indulgent eating and drinking. The journey up to Edinburgh is picturesque and there is something undeniably romantic about taking the train – First Class of course. East Coast operates 46 services each weekday from King’s Cross, and First Class includes complimentary food, drink and wifi, meaning that you can start your weekend early, arriving suitably indulged and relaxed. Advanced return fares with East Coast start from £34 Standard Class or £95 First Class. (08457 225225; www.eastcoast.co.uk)

[city break]

EDINBURGH

Combine romance with culture in a British city break bursting with natural beauty, vivid heritage and intrepid adventure w o rds : E lle B lakema n peacock alley at the caledonian hotel

* image by JoffreyM / Shutterstock.com ** rubiphoto / Shutterstock.com

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circus lane

the royal mile

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Where to stay Boasting what is probably the best location in Edinburgh – just at the edge of Princes Street, with the city at your doorstep and overlooked by the castle and its gardens – is the Caledonian hotel. Recently taken over by Waldorf Astoria, ‘The Caley’ has had a £24 million refurbishment; it shows. Sweeping stairs flanked by wide pillars, stunning Art Deco rooms and a Guerlain spa, the hotel is the ideal place to set up camp in Scotland – a sentiment shared by many a famous visitor, including former guests Nelson Mandela and ex-local, Sean Connery. And if anyone knows Edinburgh… The Caledonian, Princes Street (0131 222 8888; www. thecaledonianedinburgh.com)

a room at the caledonian hotel

SUITCASE E S S E N T I A L S #1 Umbrella, £285, Swaine Adeney Brigg (www.swaineadeney.co.uk)

#2 Coat, £1,095, Burberry (www.net-a-porter.com)

Eating & drinking edinburgh castle

Greyfriars Bobby and bobby’s bar*

Chris and Jeff Galvin have taken on Scottish fare in their new restaurant – Galvin Brasserie de Luxe in The Caledonian. Staying true to their Frenchinspired dishes, but with local ingredients, the result is exquisite, while the décor is all polished surfaces and archetypal lighting, reminiscent of railway hotels of a bygone era.

#3 Jumper, £750, Chloé (www.net-a-porter.com)

#4 Pumps, £65, French Sole (www.frenchsole.com)

Mayfair recommends street view in edinburgh**

relaxation room at the caledonian

Brush the cobwebs well away with a hike up Arthur’s Seat. A slightly rocky, fairly tough climb provides you not only with spectacular views over the city, but a serious sense of achievement.

#5 Bag, £561, Vivienne Westwood (www.viviennewestwood.co.uk)

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arrive and revive

The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Almâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; we hiked to today was an insider tip from our host. The view from here of sun-kissed mountain peaks reaching for the sky is simply spellbinding. We feel totally free, nearly giddy with joy. We might even spend the night up here. Just like the dairy maid. For information about holidays in Austria, visit www.austria.info/treasures or call 0845 101 1818

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Suite

dreams

… at Bovey Castle, Dartmoor National Park W o rds : S A N D R A M A C K E NZ I E

s a nation, we cannot always claim to be the most romantic of people. That title has long been held by countries across the channel and it is often to France or Italy we escape to when in search of the perfect couple’s holiday. Don’t book your Eurostar tickets just yet though – this Valentine’s, we’ve discovered a hotel that manages to combine romance and mystery with a charm that is quintessentially British. Bovey Castle in Dartmoor National Park offers a unique combination of beautiful rural landscapes, endless activities, fine dining and a world-class spa, ensuring that guests looking to relax or to explore are equally catered for. On arrival, your car is met by an impeccably dressed chauffeur who instantly sets the tone for your stay – courteous, welcoming and superbly luxurious. Once inside the castle, the surroundings are no less impressive; the 64 rooms have been individually designed by Annabel Elliot and seamlessly fuse tradition with style. Splash out on one of the few Grand State rooms – the four finest rooms in the castle. They are allocated through a bespoke service to ensure your room meets your personal tastes and specifications.

The hotel is known for its world-class golf course, built to rival sister courses at Gleneagles and Turnberry. While not exactly a romantic pursuit, those who can’t resist the call of the golf buggy are in for a treat – the 18-hole championship course is one of the finest in the country and also provides a fairly comprehensive tour of the idyllic estate. For the less actively inclined, the signature treatments on offer in that spa will leave you blissfully relaxed and reluctant to leave, while the Edwardian Grill provides a sumptuous menu, which demands to be savoured slowly. A truly indulgent and romantic escape that’s unashamedly, excellently English – now that’s a Valentine’s Day surprise guaranteed to delight. Bovey Castle’s Valentine’s Day retreat includes half a bottle of champagne in bedroom on arrival, a pre-dinner cocktail in the Oak Bar, dinner in The Edwardian Grill on five-course Valentine’s menu, two Sundӓri Express spa treatments and English breakfast. From £450 per couple, available 14-17 February. (www.boveycastle.com; 01647 445007)

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D SI DE SIGN GNER GN ER WED EDDI DING DI NG DRE R SS S ES S MAD ADE E TO MEA E SU SUR RE R E IN ITTAL ALY Y 81 1 E bu b ry S tr t reee e e t Lo Lon n d on S W nd W1 1 0 20 2 0 7 90 901 1 90 0 20 lee sp p o sed ed d ig i io o .cc om om

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Remembering

MAYFAIR S T G E O R G E ’ S C H U R C H HANOVER SQUARE

s building began on the famous squares of Mayfair in the 18th century, the wealthy inhabitants of this new area of London were faced with a severe lack of places of worship catering for the increased population. The Commission for the Building of New Churches was duly petitioned and the result was St George’s Chapel, completed in 1725. Dedicated to the patron saint of England, the church continues to place his feast day of 23rd April as a key service in their annual calendar.

‘St George’s became a popular choice for fashionable American weddings throughout the 19th and 20th centuries’

TOP: ST GEORGE’S CHURCH; ABOVE, AS BEFORE, IMAGES COURTESY OF ST. GEORGE’S CHURCH

St George’s quickly gained fame within London society as the church neared completion in 1724 – thanks in part to the arrival of composer Georg Frideric Handel. Some of his best-known works, including the Messiah, were composed at his Mayfair home on Brook Street. From his arrival in London to his death in 1759, Handel was a devoted parishioner who regularly attended services despite being almost completely blind and crippled from arthritis in the last few years of his life. He was also known for his charitable work, organising annual benefit performances of the Messiah in aid of the Foundling’s Hospital from 1750 onwards – echoing the church’s own impressive philanthropic record. St George’s continues to celebrate the life of their famed musical patron, with a screening of the 1942 film, The Great Mr Handel, already scheduled for March 2013.

St George’s is also noted for its strong connection with our relations across the pond – largely due to the presence of the US Embassy in nearby Grosvenor Square. Perhaps the most notable guest was the legendary American politician Theodore Roosevelt, who married his childhood sweetheart Edith Kermit Carow at the church in 1886. The young couple proceeded to tour Europe on their honeymoon before returning to the United States, where almost two decades later, he would be elected President. As the only location outside the United States where a President has been married, St George’s became a popular choice for fashionable American weddings throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. During the war, the church became a place of worship for numerous soldiers stationed at General Eisenhower’s Mayfair headquarters. This cross-Atlantic relationship is still maintained today, with Anglo-American weddings a regular occurrence. The church remains one of the most beautiful buildings in Mayfair and is at the heart of a thriving religious community. Music continues to play an integral role in services, as the stunning new organ – another American import – can testify. The impressive Corinthian columns forming the entrance make the building a Mayfair landmark; one which is likely to be around for many years to come.

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My life in MAYFAIR ARNAUD BIGNON HEAD CHEF, THE GREENHOUSE

‘This restaurant is very secret, so some people know, some people don’t know’ – Arnaud Bignon

FROM TOP: ARNAUD BIGNON; THE GREENHOUSE; MOUNT STREET GARDENS; John Dory with Iodized bread

rnaud Bignon will not be not be dining out this Valentine’s Day. Instead, he will be wearing his chef whites in the kitchen of The Greenhouse – cooking for the residents of Mayfair. Having relocated to London 11 months ago from Greece, where he cooked for the two Michelin-starred restaurant Spondi, Bignon effortlessly slid into his role as head chef at The Greenhouse, one of our culinary gems tucked away in Hay’s Mews. ‘This restaurant is very secret, so some people know, some people don’t know,’ says Bignon. For the lucky ones who do know about The Greenhouse, they would know not only about Bignon’s passion for finding the best seasonal produce, but also for the restaurant’s calming aura. ‘People come just to enjoy, I believe. I see it like this because we have people that take their own time out of the day, it becomes Zen to them, when you come inside it is a very Zen restaurant.’ ‘Zen’ and delectable – we need only look at the Valentine’s Day menu that Bignon has prepared. From succulent scallops with chicory, mandarin, ponzu and citrus, to tender beef with wasabi, celeriac and dry apricot, the French chef has a talent for combining unlikely pairs that complement each other beautifully. He assures us that the fois gras is not too rich – ‘With the consommé of raspberry and the marmalade of tomato you have the acidity, you have the sweetness; you will feel it’s quite light,’ he says. When not in the kitchen, Bignon finds the sense of calm continues outside the walls of the sanctuary-like restaurant in the rest of Mayfair. ‘When I have time, and when the weather is good, I go to the Mount Street gardens by The Connaught,’ he says. ‘It’s very nice because it’s very quiet – sometimes when lunch is a little busy and I’m quite stressed, I get to empty my mind and then I go back to work. There are just birds and no cars, it’s very nice and I like to read something or smoke a cigar for half an hour. You don’t feel like there are a lot of people when you go there.’ And when he isn’t dining at his own restaurant, he enjoys a spot of afternoon tea at The Wolseley and Sketch, where he visits his kitchen comrade and friend, Hervé Deville, who was his sous chef at Spondi. He frequents H.R. Higgins for a strong cup of coffee and loves Allens of Mayfair’s beef from Scotland and Welsh lamb. But he is sure to keep an open mind when it comes to dining out in the area. ‘I go to a lot of restaurants; I think you can find a lot of good restaurants here,’ Bignon says, somewhat understating the obvious. ‘When you go to the restaurant you just take pleasure, and your positivity makes you enjoy.’ Bignon’s Mayfair is very Zen indeed. The Valentine’s Day menu, £115, includes a complimentary half-bottle of Champagne to take home. (www.greenhouserestaurant.co.uk) 115

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Lettings Manager – Mayfair Lettings

17/01/2013 16:51

Vibrant, sophisticated and diverse, London is one of the world’s most exciting cities. Located at its heart, The Residences at W London offer a world-class lifestyle complete with all the perks of being a guest of W Hotels.® The Residences at W London are comprised of eleven exclusive two and three bedroom duplex penthouses situated on the top two floors of W London offering stunning views in a world –class location. wlondonresidences.com

Contact Kate Townrow 020 7499 1012 Gary Hall 020 7480 6848 coventgardenlettings@KnightFrank.com www.knightfrank.co.uk/lettings

The mayfair Magazine | Property

The MAYFAIR INSIDER simon barnes

property

news

Two elegant properties arrive on the market in Mayfair this month, with immaculate interiors and coveted locations W OR D S : s a n d r a m a c k e n z i e

Culross Street, Mayfair This impressively spacious townhouse presents a unique opportunity to enjoy a sheltered family home right in the heart of Mayfair. The contemporary-style property has every convenience for a family, including five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a gymnasium, wine cellar, swimming pool and private cinema. Security is assured by the CCTV system and there is space for parking two cars directly outside the house. With a grand entrance hall and a dining room leading out to the communal street garden, this property is ideal for socialising, dinner parties and raising a family – all while surrounded by the comforts and convenience of the capital. £20,000,000; enquiries to Knight Frank at 020 7499 1012 (www.knightfrank.co.uk)

South Audley Street, Mayfair The quintessential London pied à terre, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat is ideally situated for both Hyde Park and the attractions of central Mayfair. Recently refurbished in a stunning monochrome design, the property is bright and modern, with spacious rooms filled with natural sunlight. Each room is comprehensively fitted with every convenience, ensuring that the interior is every bit as accommodating for the modern couple as the location is. A significant opportunity to invest in a property on one of the city’s most prestigious streets. £2,750,000; enquiries to Messila Residential 020 7499 9904 (www.messilaresidential.com)

hree months after changes by the Chancellor on Stamp Duty (SDLT), to 7 per cent for residential property valued at greater than £2 million, what are the effects? Have the changes done what many had predicted and killed the market? Or is it business as usual. Well, I suppose it’s fair to say a bit of both. The effects have been three fold. The change in duty, the increase in costs for company purchases and the annual taxes have been a great excuse for many people not to do what they were not going to do anyway. Had this not come into force, these types of ‘buyers’ would have found another reason not to buy, so no real change here. Where the increases kicked in at the lower level of the market, there has been a difference, particularly as there is a considerable leap in duty of 5 per cent for properties between £1 million and £2 million and the new 7 per cent for properties over £2 million. The difference has been a point of negotiation with buyers wanting to deduct the extra stamp duty off the asking price – this has worked in some cases, not all. Higher up the market, where historically properties have been bought in company names, this has largely remained unchanged. International buyers, who remain omnipresent in the prime central London market, tend not to be driven by a timetable or budget, but can pick and choose what and where they buy. Where they have found the perfect property, they have continued to buy in company names, undeterred by the higher costs or higher tax. Although where the property has not quite come up to the mark, they have used this increased cost as a strong point of negotiation, or have used this as a reason not to buy at all! 020 7499 3434 (www.simonbarnes.com) 123

Hamptons Mayfair

020 7717 5465 mayfair@hamptons-int.com

Manchester Square, W1 An important Grade II-listed Georgian house in the north east section of this exquisite small garden square in the heart of Marylebone. This wide double-fronted property extends to circa 8000 square feet and is arranged over the lower ground, ground and three upper floors, with seven bedrooms and a self-contained basement flat. Hamptons Mayfair 020 7717 5465 mayfair@hamptons-int.com

ÂŁ16,000,000 Freehold 8 Bedrooms 4 Reception rooms Library Gym with wet room 2 Roof terraces Lift

Hamptons Pimlico & Westminster

0203 281 7214 pimwest@hamptons-int.com

Chapter Street, SW1P Developed by the 2012 Evening Standard award winners, this exceptional three bedroom house set behind a traditional facade, has been elegantly refurbished and includes the latest in 21st century home technology from OPUS. The house features an Italian bespoke kitchen from Cesar with Siemens appliances. Hamptons Pimlico & Westminster 0203 281 7214 pimwest@hamptons-int.com

ÂŁ2,250,000 Share of Freehold Reception Room Dining Room 3 Bedrooms Two bathrooms (one en suite) Balcony Garage

Hamptons Mayfair

020 7717 5467 mayfairlettings@hamptons-int.com

Hill Street, W1 A stunning apartment with excellent ceiling height and wonderful period features in the heart of Mayfair. On the first floor are two large reception rooms, a modern kitchen and a pretty terrace and on the second floor are two bedrooms, both with plentiful storage and two stylish bathrooms. Hamptons Mayfair 020 7717 5465 mayfair@hamptons-int.com

ÂŁ3,250 per week Unfurnished Drawing room Family room Two bedrooms Two bathrooms Terrace Split level

Hamptons Paddington

Lets. 020 7717 5473 paddington@hamptons-int.co.uk

Lancaster Gate, W2 A wonderful duplex apartment, totally new and with a contemporary style throughout. Both bedrooms are generously proportioned and both have en-suite bathrooms.

Hamptons Paddington 020 7717 5473 paddington@hamptons-int.co.uk

ÂŁ1,200 per week Furnished 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Contemporary design Dual aspect Exceptionally light

Clarges Street, Mayfair W1 Striking penthouse with parking, porterage and terrace in Mayfair. Master bedroom with en-suite • Two further bedrooms • Two further bathrooms • Double reception/dining room • Kitchen • Lift • Conservatory Terrace • Porter • Underground parking • Approximately 2,188 sq ft / 203 sq m Energy Rating: C

020 7495 9580

svetlana.shcholokova@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Guide Price: £5,400,000 Leasehold with approximately 95 years remaining

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May

Chesterfield Street, Mayfair W1 Historical house in Mayfair, once home to the Duke of Devonshire Three bedroom suites each with dressing rooms and bathrooms • Two further bedrooms • One further bathroom • Study • Reception room • Dining room with conservatory • Patio • Kitchen • Roof terrace • Approximately 3,802 sq ft / 353 sq m • Energy Rating: C

020 7495 9580

svetlana.shcholokova@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Guide Price: £8,950000 Freehold

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Albion Street, Hyde Park W2 A fifth floor flat with views over Hyde Park. Master bedroom • Three further bedrooms • Two dressing rooms • Three bathrooms • Reception room • Drawing room • Two balconies • Garage Staff flat • Approximately 3,449 sq ft / 320 sq m • Energy Rating: D

020 7495 9580

casper.tham@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Guide Price: £9,950,000 Leasehold

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King Street, St James’s SW1 Stylish flat in St James’s. Two bedroom suites both with dressing rooms and bathrooms • One further bedroom with en-suite bathroom • Reception room • Dining room • Kitchen Study • 24 hour concierge / security • Use of St James’s Square Gardens Approximately 3,475 sq ft / 322 sq m • Energy Rating: E

13:37

020 7495 9580

peter.bevan@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Price on Application Share of Freehold

mayfair@hamptons-int.com

Over 600 Offices in 46 Countries

sothebysrealty.co.uk

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020 7758 8440

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Property | The mayfair Magazine

LONDON CALLING Martin Bikhit, managing director at Kay & Co recognises that the market in prime central London remains a safe bet in 2013

egardless of the disparity in various predictions, demand in prime central London remains extremely high. In fact, many of the investors whose cash usually secured discounts for swift sales have lowered their expectations and are now simply intent on securing a purchase. Others have expanded the areas they will consider in the hope of finding good investments with strong yields or untapped potential. In our first week back from the festive break, a small flat in W2 with a number of issues that would normally render it difficult to sell attracted five offers – all of which were cash. This underlines the fact that what may be happening in the rest of the country, even the rest of London, is not indicative of what is happening in the local market. Instructions are thin on the ground. Prices may not be predicted to rise as fast as they did in the last three years, but buyers are less likely to risk making low offers. Rental price reports for 2012 were somewhat distorted by the Olympics with many properties un-let while landlords hoped for unrealistic windfalls, reducing supply and increasing the prices of available stock. A level of uncertainty in the City dampened the higher-end values, however the more affordable properties remained in huge demand. In 2013, we anticipate a reasonably steady increase in rents of around 5 per cent

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per annum, which we expect to continue over the coming few years. We would not be surprised if this predicted growth actually accelerates. There is little doubt that rents relative to property prices are too low and we foresee this growth as a period of adjustment. With the shortage of housing supply in London and the difficulty for many in obtaining funding to buy properties, it was perhaps inevitable that rents would grow faster than values. To an investor, yield and capital values taken together are the measure of a good

‘London remains a safe-haven in an uncertain economic world’ – Martin Bikhit investment and it is for this reason that prime London is so attractive to overseas investors, particularly those based in countries with less stable economies. London remains a safe haven in an uncertain economic world, a fact underlined by the number of overseas enquiries received already. Even the changes announced in the Finance Bill appear to have had less of an effect than many expected as the market seems to have swiftly and simply adapted. The key to gauging what is happening in the market is to talk to your local agent. They will know what is happening now, not report what happened a few months ago, which is what many of the conflicting indices report. These reports provide hugely significant data identifying trends, but they fail to inform a landlord or seller what buyers’ and tenants’ expectations are today. There is little doubt that property in prime areas of the capital will continue to be in demand and on that most commentators agree. 020 7262 2030 (www.kayandco.com)

Apartments: theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re anything but flat.

There has been a steady migration of owners from Knightsbridge, Kensington and Chelsea to London W1 and W2 in the last 12 months. Result: an average 17.2% increase in the value of prime apartments. Maximise your own with a call to Kay & Co.

Hyde Park & Bayswater 020 7262 2030 Marylebone & Regentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park 020 7486 6338

kayandco.com

Clarendon Place, Hyde Park

020 3394 0012 lettings.hydepark@kayandco.com

£3,500 Per Week Furnished/Unfurnished A stunning four bedroom, three bathroom period house on a charming street opposite Hyde Park. This ideal family home features a grand entrance hall with beautiful hardwood flooring, two reception rooms and a luxury bespoke kitchen. This house has been refurbished to an exacting standard whilst retaining its period charm, and benefits from a large roof terrace and private garage. Energy Rating: E

Dorset Street, Marylebone

020 3394 0012 lettings.marylebone@kayandco.com

£1,150 Per Week Furnished A stunning, recently refurbished two bedroom, two bathroom apartment on the first floor in St. Andrew’s Mansions, a sought-after building close to Marylebone High Street. Designed to very high specification throughout, the apartment features a spacious entrance hall and large reception room with adjoining bespoke kitchen, mood lighting, under-floor heating and Jacuzzi bath. Energy Rating: D

kayandco.com

W1 North Row, Mayfair ÂŁ6,500,000 Leasehold A spacious and rarely available three bedroom, three bathroom penthouse with wrap-around balcony overlooking Hyde Park. On the seventh floor, this bright and lateral property offers access to the gym, swimming pool and sauna facilities of the Marriott Hotel. Further benefits include lift access, 24-hour porterage and a secure car parking space. Energy Rating: D

020 3394 0012 sales.marylebone@kayandco.com

75 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

CurZon SQuare, Mayfair w1j

£2,950,000 long leasehold

A luxurious & very well presented 2 double bedroom Mayfair apartment situated within a Georgian period building of distinction with 24hr porter services, lift, secure parking & access to topiary communal gardens. EPC rating C

Mayfair & St James’s Sales 020 7629 4513 v sales.mayfair@chestertonhumberts.com

chestertonhumberts.com

Park Street, Mayfair w1k

Mount Street, Mayfair w1k

£1,950 per week

£1,250 per week

EPC rating D

EPC rating C

A spacious & well presented 2 bedroom apartment presented in good decorative order. Superbly located on Park Street the apartment consist of a spacious reception/dining room, large eat in kitchen, 2 double bedrooms & 2 bathrooms.

Recently refurbished & interior designed luxury apartment on one of London’s most premier street. Perfectly positioned on the 1st floor the apartment benefits from high ceilings & a contemporary style.

Mayfair & St James’s Lettings 020 7288 8301 v lettings.mayfair@chestertonhumberts.com

Down Street, Mayfair w1j

£900 per week

A beautiful newly refurbished 1 bedroom apartment that has been finished to the highest of standards. Superbly positioned within close proximity to Hyde Park, Green Park & transport links. EPC rating E

avery row, Mayfair w1k

£795 per week

A stunning west facing 2 bedroom apartment on the 1st floor of an Edwardian conversion with an open plan kitchen. The property is situated in a traffic free location just off Brook Street, close to Bond Street underground station & all the restaurants, bars & shops of Mayfair. EPC rating D

Mayfair & St James’s Lettings 020 7288 8301 v lettings.mayfair@chestertonhumberts.com

chestertonhumberts.com

Your reward for all the late nights in the office.

London London has has never never looked looked

3895 London 2012 MAyfair.indd 1

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struttandparker.com

better. better.

2012 was an extraordinary year for London. And for London property. Last year the world saw what a fantastic place London is and why it is the most desirable real estate capital in the world. Strutt & Parker sold and let more property than ever before and achieved 104% of our clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; combined asking prices whilst doing so. Despite fewer people coming to the market, it took us on average less than a month to agree terms for our clients. Furthermore, 97% of our clients said that they would use us again; a statistic we cherish most.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re confident this year will be equally as good for our clients. So, if you wish to get the most out of your property this year, whether you are considering selling or letting, contact us.

Knightsbridge, Belgravia & Mayfair 020 7235 9959

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The Lancasters, Hyde Park, W2 A stunning four bed apartment in this stucco-fronted building that benefits from a 24 hour concierge service, swimming pool and gym.The apartment comprises a master suite, second double bedroom, family bathroom, modern fitted kitchen with Gagganau appliances, vast double height living room with mezzanine floor leading to a further two double bedrooms both with en-suite bathroom.This new development offers 24 hour concierge, valet service, secure underground parking, gym and swimming pool.

Available, unfurnished. ÂŁ5,000pw 020 7409 9158 robin.bogh-henrikssen@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

The Bishops Avenue, Hampstead, N2 A substantial newly built house set in 1.2 acres of land in one of London’s most desirable addresses. Combining style and luxury, this mansion house has elegant full-width reception rooms, a Poggenpohl and Gaggenau fully-fitted kitchen, a double height atrium and sweeping staircase leading to the spacious master suite with fitted dressing rooms and his and her bathrooms. With seven further bedroom suites, indoor swimming pool, library, games room, gym and home cinema, this home exudes luxury and sophistication. State-of-the-art technology and security throughout provides comfort, whilst separate staff accommodation, professional catering kitchen and four saloon car garage make way for effortless living. Freehold Asking price £39,950,000 020 7409 9346 Jennifer.marwick@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

SALES

LETTINGS

MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT

Mayfair +44 20 7499 9904 mayfair@messilaresidential.com www.messilaresidential.com

LUXURIOUS LIVING FOR ALL SEASONS Park Street, Mayfair W1

ÂŁ1,750 Per Week

A top floor, elegant two double bedroom, two bathroom (both en-suite) apartment situated in a stunning, portered, period building in the heart of Mayfair. The property boasts air conditioning, aqua vision and private lift access. Located close to Hyde Park and Mount Street, the very best of Mayfair is all within walking distance.

MAYFAIR

KNIGHTSBRIDGE

MARYLEBONE

REGENTS PARK

51-53 South Audley Street

20 Montpelier Street

65 Weymouth Street

137 Park Road

www.messilaresidential.com

SALES

LETTINGS

MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT

Mayfair +44 20 7499 9904 mayfair@messilaresidential.com www.messilaresidential.com

ON THE DOORSTEP OF MOUNT STREET, MAYFAIR’S FASHION CAPITAL SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, MAYFAIR W1

£2,750,000 Leasehold Approx 108 years

A beautifully refurbished two double bedroom, two bathroom flat positioned just off Mount Street. Situated on the fourth floor of a purpose built block with very smart communal areas and lift access. The apartment benefits from a daytime Porter and lots of natural light, offering a perfect hassle free pied-à-terre in one of London’s most exclusive locations.

MAYFAIR

KNIGHTSBRIDGE

MARYLEBONE

REGENTS PARK

51-53 South Audley Street

20 Montpelier Street

65 Weymouth Street

137 Park Road

www.messilaresidential.com

Value added

Are government legislation and taxation now the major drivers of house prices?

his is the time of year for property forecasts. Many are based on complex models, with variables including; new housing starts, average ratios of household income to house prices, numbers of new households forming, interest rates, mortgage availability, currency exchange rates, the number of houses on the market, net immigration – and the list goes on. They are invariably wrong predictions because three of the main drivers of house prices in England today are global trends, local sentiment, and new, quite damaging, government legislation. These three are not easy to predict or model. If these variables could be modelled I am sure there would be far greater accuracy in house price predictions. Having seen first-hand the plummeting house prices in America and the Irish property markets, it was this global trend, combined with the May 2007 rise in interest rates to unsustainable levels, which led me to predict the fall in 2008 prices in England, as early as May 2007. It was a gut feeling that proved accurate in both timing and magnitude. This was an unpopular prediction at the time, and very much against the prevailing views of ‘experts’. I believe that Government legislation and particularly stamp duty, is presently the major driver of rising house prices in London and its hinterland within the luxury property market. Lack of bank lending, jobs and high income tax are major drivers of falling house prices in much of the rest of the country. Stamp duty has rapidly increased under successive governments from 1 per cent to 7 per cent for a £2.1 million property in central London – a sum that now only buys you a two to three-bedroom flat in

Kensington. It costs £147,000 in stamp duty to move to a new flat, in addition to the agents selling commissions and solicitors fees of approximately £46,000 or a total of £193,000 in capital to sell and buy. For a terrace house in central London worth £8 million, it now costs £560,000 in tax, plus £170,000 in costs, or a total of £730,000 to trade. Sellers used to upgrade to bigger properties when they needed extra bedrooms, sitting rooms or gardens because of a growing family. They would then sell this larger house when family members either moved away, or passed away. Households also typically needed to move for schools or a new job. However, £730,000 in capital now buys a very large extension, basement addition, or attic conversion to an existing house, or indeed a pied-à-terre in the place you need to move to for work. This is a huge incentive not to move to London at a time of one of Britain’s greatest ever needs for more housing. Guess what? As a result of stamp duty increases, in January 2013, very few are moving. The stock shortage in central London this month is now acute. Houses that were not sold last year are going under offer with multiple bids. As I talk to developers, I am concerned that Westminster is resisting the conversion of redundant commercial buildings to residential. New taxes are also being introduced for developers to make redevelopment more unaffordable. The latest is the destructive Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This comes at a time when Europeans are flooding into London to escape their own country’s highly destructive taxation legislation. In the case of France, a raft of property wealth taxes, capital gains tax and the planned, punitive 75 per cent personal tax rate on wealth creators. The Daily Mail recently reported that London’s population is expected to grow by more than a million people in less than 10 years, reaching more than 9 million by 2020 – an increase of 14 per cent in a decade – pushed

‘Perhaps it is time to bite the bullet and 146

The mayfair Magazine | Property

up by immigration and rising birthrates. What do you think will happen to house prices in London? In the north, by contrast, your £350,000 house, which is twice the size of the £2 million apartment in London, has a three per cent stamp duty, which in comparison only costs £10,500 stamp duty, plus £8,000 services costs to trade. This is not enough money to pay for an attic conversion, basement, or garage extension, or enough to buy a pied-à-terre in your new job area. So many houses are still coming to the market here. The banks don’t want to lend money to a housing market that is declining in price. They are, after all, being asked by the government to improve their balance sheets to reduce the risk of another banking collapse. Buyers cannot afford to borrow against the banks’ low-ball valuations when their incomes are under such pressure from years of tax increases across the board. Hence, the artificially reduced demand and the decline in house prices. Predicting future trends now becomes an art in predicting politically inspired, but often economically damaging policy. Higher taxation results in a further delay to the retail lead recovery, which will be required to bring England out of its longest recession. When houses don’t trade, many retail outlets suffer. The English don’t shop when their house prices are under downward pressure. Look at what happened in 2008. Therefore, a general economic recovery is most likely when we see a government that drives down expenditure to the extent that either personal taxation, or property taxation, in equal measure, can be reduced. Governments have usually done so in the past to generate recovery. But is such a government likely until the one after next, or six years away? With stamp duty discouraging people from moving, and planning regulations restricting supply, house prices should continue to rise in central London on very thin sales volumes. The economy should continue to stagnate as it did in

Japan’s lost decade, on the back of high taxation and a lack of lending preventing a property and a retail-lead recovery. New housing starts will remain low on the back of increasing taxation on development, lack of available funding and restrictive planning laws. Rents will remain high as the population of London grows by a predicted 1 million by 2020 and there are not enough houses to buy. Demand for housing away from the south, and the London hinterland, will remain low due to the lack of finance availability and a high supply in second-hand homes, as the recession and austerity continues. Prices will continue to stagnate on a thin trade. My advice is simple. Six years of your life is a long time to wait for things to change. So perhaps it is time to bite the bullet and focus on living rather than waiting to live. And if you just happen to have a house or apartment that might suit a fleeing Frenchman, please call me as we are over whelmed with requests for London pied-à-terres – especially apartments up to the £2 million stamp duty level. David Adams is the Managing Director of John Taylor UK, part of one of Europe’s largest Luxury Property Estate Agents. (020 3284 1888; 07876 545986)

focus on living rather than waiting to live’ 147

Property | The mayfair Magazine

Through the keyhole

How did Beauchamp Estates start? One Sunday, a friend Eric Pereira joined the family for tea. He had just bought a small lettings agency called Scott Gilroy in Beauchamp Place and offered me a 20 per cent share. I was preparing to do a PhD at the Royal Post Graduate School of Medicine but the lure of the property business changed the direction of my career. We agreed on a new name and Beauchamp Estates was born. Following Eric’s decision to return to Singapore, I ended up with 100 per cent ownership. Penelope Court joined me in 1979 and owns the company jointly with me.

What is your greatest professional achievement? Getting Beauchamp Estates ranked amongst the best residential agents in the UK and in London, and achieving – in terms of fee earners per capita – number one ranking in the Estates Gazette and Property Week lead estate agency listings.

What was your first job? I worked for my late father’s conglomerate, Robert Kitchen Taylor Plc, which had a textile division. I was the distributor of products for Westinghouse Scholtes and Thompson. They also had a retail portfolio of 500 shops.

What has been your best investment to date? One particularly lucrative deal was my investment in a spectacular site on the River Thames. We paid £48,000 – unseen. We sold it for several million pounds some 10 years later!

Have you invested in property? I’ve invested in residential property in Knightsbridge. I believe firmly in the strength of the top end of the London property market. Are you investing in property or a pension? Primarily property, of course. What would be your advice to anyone looking to invest in property now? I would always advise a property investor to remember that the art is in the buying. Always buy good quality residential property in prime locations and you will be ahead of the game. The best units to invest in should ideally have no less than two bedrooms as these will produce the best yield. Try to buy unmodernised property and refurbish it – you should benefit from the uplift.

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Gary Hersham is founding partner and managing director of Beauchamp Estates, London’s leading estate agency group, which was founded in 1977, focusing on the premium sector of the central London property market

What has been your biggest sale to date? The sale of a commercial investment known as Britannic House West in 1989 for £198 million; at that time a world record for a single building. I celebrated by taking my family on a truly memorable trip to the Caribbean.

If you could change one thing about the system, what would it be? Stamp duty. I would urge the government to adjust stamp duty thresholds. We currently have two anomalies – a leap from 1-3 per cent at £250,000 and another leap from 5-7 per cent at £2,000,000, which mainly affects the home market. In any event the top rate should not exceed 5 per cent which would further stimulate the market and provide much-needed revenue. With regards to money, what is the most important lesson you have learned in life? It is very hard to earn yet easily spent. However, life should be enjoyed so do not be too thrifty.

Property | The mayfair Magazine

a voice from the country

Season of giving

t’s the time of the year to look into the crystal ball and make wise pronouncements. Well, here’s the only prediction that I’m willing to make this time round: 2013 will bring yet more unpredictable behaviour in the property market. For every trend in 2012, there was a countertrend. Exceptions failed to prove or disprove rules. For advisors such as ourselves, the good thing that comes out of such a turbulent world economy is that our advice becomes even more important. There is no prevailing wind that is simple to spot and easy to follow, so expertise becomes more specific and every transaction has its own dynamic. So, rather than stray beyond the one undeniable fact – that this year will be as unpredictable as the last – we’re going to do the same with this column as we’ve done with a percentage of our profits this year, and hand it over to Middleton’s chosen charity for 2013, Camp Mohawk. Camp Mohawk is a multi-functional day centre for special needs children, set in five acres of beautiful Berkshire countryside. The centre provides activities, facilities and natural space to encourage children with a variety of special needs to play, socialise and learn in a secure and caring environment. The day centre has its roots in a Scout group

Tom Hudson of Middleton Advisors explores the importance of philanthropy in the year ahead and explains why their chosen charity, Camp Mohawk, is so vital

– which started, in 1973, to take disadvantaged children from the East End of London on trips away from the ‘concrete jungle’. In the woodland outside Wargrave, where Camp Mohawk now sits, they learn to cook, build and to care for the forest around them. Wonderful experiences for both the Scouts and the children evolved into a registered charity and the current camp, which provides holiday activities for special needs children and a venue for special needs support groups and schools in term-time. There is an outdoor swimming pool, playrooms, sensory rooms and garden, a camp fire circle, an adventure playground, art room and a wildlife area. If you would like to know more about Camp Mohawk and get involved in their activities, you can read about it online (www.campmohawk. org). With running costs of £200,000 per year and no direct government funding, despite providing special needs care across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, support from companies and individuals is always required. Tom Hudson (01235 436271) ‘A voice from the country’ is a series of articles by Middleton Advisors, who act on behalf of private clients looking to purchase country houses and estates in the UK.

‘They learn to cook, build and to care for the forest around them’ 150

BOURDON STREET, W1 Stunning, two bedroom apartment on the sixth floor of this prestigious block in the heart of Mayfair. 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Cloakroom, Reception Room, Kitchen, Lift, Communal Terrace.

£1750 PER WEEK

CONNAUGHT STREET, W2

HYDE PARK GARDENS MEWS, W2

Choice of two or three bedroom apartment in this lovely conversion behind a period facade, minutes from Marble Arch.

Lovely three bedroom house arranged over two floors in this pretty, cobbled mews close to Hyde Park.

2-3 Bedrooms, 1-2 bathrooms, 1-2 Reception Rooms, Kitchen, Lift.

3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Reception Room, Kitchen, Utility Room, Integral garage.

£575 & £1000 PER WEEK MARBLE ARCH: 0207 724 3100

£1200 PER WEEK

Property | The mayfair Magazine

Castles For the perfect South African homeaway-from-home, these award-winning castles in Noetzie beach are secluded and sophisticated

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hey say a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home is his castle, but for most of us this is more of a metaphor than an accurate description. However, for one fortunate investor, this could soon become a statement of fact with the opportunity to invest in Pezula Private Castle on Noetzie Beach, South Africa. The extraordinary estate was awarded ď&#x201A;°

“Winter blues... We’ve got it covered” Bespoke International holiday retreats brought to you by Property Divas

“Ocean’s Edge” Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia Awaken to the serene surroundings and breathtaking view of the endless Coral Sea; the ultimate in luxurious relaxation and exclusivity. This contemporary architect designed detached beachfront open plan home is perfect for holidaying with family and friends or a romantic escape with your loved one. This majestic tropical beach house provides accommodation for 2-6 people with 3 King Suites which can be split into singles depending on your needs. All living and dining areas feature endless views of the Coral Sea with large glass doors which when open enjoy cool ocean breezes. With the exclusivity of the location, “Ocean’s Edge” is ideal for holiday making. Enjoy the outdoors by relaxing on the designer sun lounges beside the large luxurious beachfront infinity edge saltwater swimming pool or from the comfortable corner daybed on the terrace whilst gazing out over the big blue sea. Or stroll along the tranquil sea and keep an eye out for dolphins as you walk along the beach!

Property Divas Limited, 34a Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead, NW3 1NH 020 7431 8000 info@propertydivas.com www.propertydivas.com

Property | The mayfair Magazine

‘An outdoor entertainment centre heated by a fire pit makes a perfect summer evening’ ‘Best Property in the World’ at the 2008 CNBC International Property Awards, and it’s really not hard to see why. A total area of 4,975m², the three castles (yes, three) have their spectacular surroundings all to themselves, providing the owner with complete privacy. The Main Castle has three classically furnished en-suite bedrooms while the Beach Castle and Cliff Castle have one each, ensuring that guests are provided with their own quarters while still enjoying the comforts of the castle. All three dwellings have their own private terraces, looking out onto the splendour of the African coastline. In addition to the South Atlantic Sea being minutes from your doorstep, heated swimming and plunge pools add to the luxury, and an outdoor entertainment centre heated by a fire pit makes a perfect summer evening. Residents also benefit from a gym as well as access to all resort facilities and amenities at Conrad Pezula Resort and Spa. The décor is

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evocative of the elegance and sophistication of the Edwardian era, creating an atmosphere that truly feels up to royal standards. Add that to the quite simply incomparable views, and this is a home that’s certainly fit for a king. Price on application, Quintessentially Estates, (0207 201 0700; www.quintessentiallyestates.com)

C U R Z O N S T R E E T M AY F A I R W 1 Studio apartment with private street entrance. Exceptionally spacious studio apartment totalling 614 sq ft / 57 sq m. Newly interior designed, eat-in kitchen, luxury shower room, solid wood flooring throughout, under-floor heating, wifi and Sky points, security alarm system, access to private gym. Price ÂŁ625 per week. Furnished

H E R T F O R D S T R E E T M AY F A I R W 1 Serviced Mayfair apartment. Private entrance & patio, two double bedrooms, state of the art kitchen with dining area, en-suite bathrooms, free wifi internet connection. 24 hour room service, gym and spa facilities, 5 day a week maid service. Price ÂŁ4,998 per week. Furnished

E. lettings@pastor-realestate.com

IWC Pilot. Engineered for aviators.

I can see you. Spitfire Chronograph. Ref. 3878: Back in the days of the dogfights, there was no technology to do the flying for you. A pilot who wanted to get the most out of his Spitfire needed to have an eye on every detail. The same goes today for an IWC Spitfire Chronograph, incidentally: the big central seconds hand together with the date display and the propeller-inspired hour and minute hands are all within the pilotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s field of vision. And that could hardly be more appealing. IWC. Engineered for men.

IWC Sc haf f hause n, Sw it ze r la nd. w w w.iwc.c om T he wor ldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s f ine st time pie c e s a re exclusi ve l y ava ila ble f rom se le cte d watc h s p e cia lists. For a n illustrate d c atalogue or list of nationw id e c onc e s siona ire s ple ase c ontact IWC UK . Te l. 0 845 337 186 8. E-ma il : info -uk @ iwc.c om

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