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Contents | The mayfair Magazine
Contents January 2015 Features 022 | The great escape Leo Bear reveals the ultimate escapes for 2015; from the spas of Bath to French Polynesia 064 | Putting on The Ritz As The Ritz unveils its Piccadilly Suites, we lead you through the hotel’s colourful history 068 | Contemporary classics JD Classics brings its vintage Jaguars, Ferraris and Aston Martins to its new Mount Row showroom
022
regulars 014 | Contributors
039
016 | Editor’s letter 019 | My life in Mayfair: Ulrik Garde Due, CEO of Temperley London 020 | Couture culture Our latest dispatch on the arts, film and theatre releases
Collection 029 | Salon style We find true horological heaven at Patek Philippe’s impressive new London salon on New Bond Street 030 | Jewellery news
111 | Remembering Mayfair: Henry Sotheran’s, Sackville Street
032 | Star struck Bring a touch of sparkle to your new year with these stunning star-inspired pieces for her 034 | Bright young things We meet the next generation of jewellers who are taking the industry by storm
064 10
020
039 | Watch news
PARIS / JANUARY 23-27, 2015 / SEPTEMBER 4-8, 2015 PARIS NORD VILLEPINTE
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Contents | The mayfair Magazine
Contents January 2015 Fashion 041 | Style spy 042 | Saving private white We step in to the wild world of Nick Ashley, creative director of Private White V.C. 044 | Tailor made Jason Basmajian talks us through the monumental redesign of the Gieves & Hawkes flagship
mayfair
Resident’s Journal
Our insiders’ guide to Mayfair in association with The Residents’ Society of Mayfair & St James’s (from page 106)
Interiors 063 | Interiors news
Travel
046 | Style update
094
102
Beauty
Food & Drink
091 | Beauty news 094 | The era of the emporium Angelina Villa-Clarke travels to Paris to rediscover the allure of a historic beauty brand
101 | Food & drink news
098 | Spa review: Geneu, New Bond Street
104 | Dining out: Quaglino’s
102 | A Tuscan renaissance The owners of the newly opened Ristorante Frescobaldi bring a taste of Tuscany to Mayfair
073 | Travel news 048 | Hazy shade of winter This month, our fashion shoot showcases beautiful, delicate knitwear to stay chic in cooler climes
074 | From Morocco with love Travel to North Africa, by way of Knightsbridge, at the new hammam at Urban Retreat at Harrods 078 | Treasure island Discover the natural beauty of Mauritius and the colonial charm of its St. Regis resort 082 | Come fly with me We meet CEO of Jetfly, Cedric Lescop, to discuss an innovative way to fly
042
Art 057 | Art news 058 | Exhibition focus: ‘Art Kane: Retrospective’ at Snap Galleries 060 | Prize lots 12
084 | City break: Oslo Experience a culturally rich getaway to Norway’s charming capital 086 | Flying in style We discover how Heathrow VIP is bringing back glamour to travel 088 | Suite dreams: The Wild Rabbit, Kingham
130
Property 130 | Property news The latest news in prime central London property from PrimeResi.com and Knight Frank
148 | Prime location Knight Frank’s Hyde Park sales team discuss the continued appeal of the W2 postcode
144 | London life We discuss the increasing demand for prime central London’s portered properties
152 | Hot property A spectacular property arrives on the market on Mayfair’s historical Hill Street
London’s InterIor desIgn specIaLIsts
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Contributors | The mayfair Magazine
JANUARY 2015 s issue 040
The
contributors
Acting Editor Kate Racovolis Contributing Editor Kari Colmans Art Editor Carol Cordrey Collection Editor Annabel Harrison Editorial Assistant Bethan Rees Editorial Intern Aimee McLaughlin Brand Consistency Laddawan Juhong Senior Designer Lisa Wade Production Hugo Wheatley Alex Powell Oscar Viney Amy Roberts Editorial Director Kate Harrison Client Relationship Director Kate Oxbrow General Manager Fiona Fenwick Executive Director Sophie Roberts Managing Director Eren Ellwood
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Amanda Stretton Angelina VillaFormula 1 and motoring Clarke expert Amanda Stretton takes an exclusive look at JD Classics’ new showroom, which has newly opened on Mount Row. Among the nearby luxury retailers, she finds classic Jaguars, Ferraris and Aston Martins, in what is a stunning new addition to the area.
Runwild Media Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Runwild Media Ltd. takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.
Angelina has been a travel and lifestyle journalist for over 20 years, and has lived in Venice and Barbados. This month, she travels to Paris to visit L’Officine Universelle Buly – a recently revived beauty brand that was originally established in 1803.
Phillip Waterman Phillip has been shooting in London for ten years and has shot for UK and international fashion magazines, including Grazia, Metro and The Telegraph. This month, he photographs our fashion shoot, styled by Jess Stebbings.
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. This month, she speaks with Ingrid Nilson, organiser of the annual Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair.
Also published by
DISTRIBUTION: The Mayfair Magazine is distributed in Mayfair, St James’s and Belgravia as well as selected parts of Knightsbridge, Chelsea and Marylebone.
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14
cover
On the
Fashion (1962), Astronaut, profile. photograph by Art Kane, Copyright Art Kane Estate, courtesy of snapgalleries.com
Lilou et Lo誰c L O N D O N
H E AV E N S C E N T. . .
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Editor’s Letter | The mayfair Magazine
editor‘J
From the
EDITOR’S PICKs
1 #1 Diorama bag, £2,200, Dior (doverstreetmarket.com)
2
#2 Soli e Lune Nero candle, £110, Fornasetti Profumi (selfridges.com)
3 #3 2015 diary, £45, Debretts (debretts.com)
16
ourneys are the midwives of thought,’ said Alain de Botton in his book, The Art of Travel. ‘Few places are more conducive to internal conversations than a moving plane, ship or train.’ It’s often during those mundane times of transit where great ideas come to be realised, your imagination can be indulged, and reflection on whatever it is you choose can be pondered. Time is the biggest luxury commodity; the time to just unwind and read the newspaper every day from cover to cover. That’s why, to start the new year, we’ve dedicated the January issue of The Mayfair Magazine to travel. Pack your Moncler to see the Northern Lights, or Linda Farrow aviators for a wine-tasting tour by helicopter in British Columbia, as Leo Bear brings us the ultimate destinations to visit in 2015 (page 22). If you need to know what to wear, take your sartorial cues from Nick Ashley (son of the first lady of interiors, Laura Ashley). As the creative director of Private White V.C., which has just debuted in north Mayfair, Ashley is the ultimate eccentric but ever-so-stylish designer, who we meet to talk about the beauty of its British-made pieces (page 42). For your travels nearer to home (say, a country escape, or around the city), this month Mayfair welcomes JD Classics to Mount Row, which has brought its beautifully preserved vintage Jaguars, Ferraris and Aston Martins to the area. We take an exclusive look at its new showroom, and discover why automotive aficionados will be making it their next pit stop (page 68). Whatever your adventures may be this year, may they be restful and memorable, and of course, stylish.
Kate Racovolis Acting Editor Follow us on Twitter @MayfairMagazine
above: The Venice Simplon-Orient Express, courtesy of Belmond Ltd, (see page 22)
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The mayfair Magazine | Regulars
My life in MAYFAIR U l r i k G a r d e Du e CEO, Temperley London
‘M ‘When I took this job one year ago, I said the best investment the company ever made was opening on Bruton Street because it fits so perfectly’ – Ulrik Garde Due
clockwise from top: ulrik garde due (photo by matilda temperley); fera at claridge’s (image courtesy of claridge’s); Glossy Crocodile Leather Ipad Case, £250, Millie Large Checked Jacket, £795 and passion candle, £25, all temperley london (temperleylondon.com); rose bakery at dover street market (image by Mark Blower); morton’s (image courtesy of morton’s)
ayfair is on such a good high again. It has a distinct identity, and such a good mix of retail, residential and office spaces. It’s an area that lives almost 24-7. Here, you have great night life that just seems to keep going, as well as a great cultural scene. There are so many new happenings; a good mix of entertainment and culture, such as Phillips opening and art fairs such as PAD London in Berkeley Square. I love Morton’s with its top class gastronomy and unique wine cellar. Very often I visit Little House, which is great within our industry; we meet so many people there – it’s very open, and there is something homely about the British club concept which is very different from when you walk into a public restaurant. And then of course there is Cipriani – which reminds me of New York. I enjoy Hakkasan just opposite the office – delicious food. And one of my favourite places was Automat. It is being renovated but had the best salad Niçoise, with a big freshly grilled tuna steak. And I go to the little Dover Street Market cafe Rose Bakery. I visit Brown’s for tea or for drinks, and of course the beautiful new Fera at Claridge’s. All these different palettes – what do we choose tonight, is it Italian, is it Japanese? This is what makes London and Mayfair so special. Within a few not even miles, you can walk to really unique places, and the people are different from one place to another. Do you want a cool, edgy crowd tonight, or a little more French-Mediterranean chic? The Connaught is a lovely hotel – the spa there is excellent. When I took this job one year ago, I said the best investment the company ever made was opening on Bruton Street because it fits so perfectly. You feel special when you stroll onto Bruton Street. We have a whole townhouse so when you walk into the world of Temperley, you feel the brand in its full depth. We are a privately owned company and next year we will be celebrating our 15th anniversary. I joined Temperley London a year ago, and we all agreed it was necessary to put a structure in place, not too corporate obviously as you don’t want to lose the entrepreneurial feel and the hands-on approach. Today, we have a clear idea of our strategy and how we want to evolve the fashion label Temperley London into a lifestyle brand. Our first strategic decision was to merge the Alice by Temperley line with the Temperley London line. Alice is a working mother, so a lot of women can relate and aspire to her lifestyle. She has a great balance of being part of the London scene, but also being a Somerset country girl. Alice is very much down to earth, sophisticated but with a British bohemian flair. Our storytelling illustrates Alice’s lifestyle in a true and authentic way. I asked her recently, “Seriously Alice, would you wear every single piece from your collection this season?” She said, “Absolutely.” And that is how it should be.’ 19
agenda
literary itinerary
Their finest hour
image © the science museum sspl
When we think of Winston Churchill, science isn’t the first thing to spring to mind; but a new exhibition reveals another side to the politician, as an inventor who championed science and breakthrough ideas. Marking the 50th anniversary of his death, the exhibition will illustrate some of the endeavours which aided Britain during World War II, such as Robert Watson-Watt’s radar. Churchill’s Scientists, from 23 January. The Science Museum (sciencemuseum.org.uk)
Couture culture The English National Ballet’s Swan Lake returns, and we bring you the ultimate accessories to travel in style, from cases for your Krug to cashmere eye masks
theatre
Swan Lake
T
he ultimate tale of love and tragedy comes to the London Coliseum this month, with Derek Deane’s production of Swan Lake for the English National Ballet. Based on the original fairytale, it tells the story of Prince Siegfried, who sees the beautiful Princess Odette at the lake while out hunting. He instantly falls in love with her, but Odette is under the spell of the evil sorcerer Rothbart, who has turned her into a swan, and is attempting to sabotage the lovers’ relationship with the help of his equally manipulative daughter Odile. In the final act, the two lovers make the ultimate sacrifice and, out of great tragedy, love rightly triumphs over evil. Alina Cojocaru, well known for her captivating performances with The Royal Ballet, plays the challenging dual role of the elegant and demure Odette and the dark, malevolent seductress Odile. Meanwhile Alejandro Virelles from Boston Ballet makes his debut with the
‘The two lovers make the ultimate sacrifice and out of great tragedy, love triumphs over evil’
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Photography by ASH
company in the role of Prince Siegfried. This perennially popular ballet will make you weep and gasp in equal measure, whether you are a first-time ballet goer or a dedicated fan. Swan Lake at the London Coliseum runs from 7-18 January 2015 (ballet.org.uk)
‘There’s something about an old car that evokes an emotional response from nearly everyone who sees it,’ says car expert Ken Gross in the introduction to the new coffee table book from publishers Assouline, which looks to celebrate the ever-enduring appeal of vintage automobiles. Despite endless developments of contemporary cars, with some mind-blowing supercar launches, we forever love to look back, and reflect on the splendour of a classic car. The compendium is beautifully illustrated through photographs from Laziz Hamani, who for the past 15 years has produced work for prestigious clients including Cartier and Dior. His images capture the timeless beauty of the vehicles through cinematic shots, and pick up the stunning details of the cars which make them so unique and collectable, from the Ferrari decals to the Bentley grills. A book presented so handsomely, it’s hard not to fall for the charm of the vintage machines. Vintage Cars. Introduction by Ken Gross, photographs by Laziz Hamani. £57, published by Assouline (assouline.com)
The mayfair Magazine | Regulars
5 top picks
image © Icon Film Distribution
Travel in style
Celebrate the art of travel this month, with these charming accessories for your comfort and style. May your voyage be an elegant one from start to finish
#1 Currency wallet, £200, Globe-Trotter (globetrotter1897.com)
film
A Most Violent Year
I
t’s the winter of 1981 in New York. This was statistically the most dangerous year in the City and director and writer JC Chandor revisits this turbulent period in his latest picture, A Most Violent Year. Following the life of Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac), who is attempting to capitalise on the American dream with his heating-oil business, with his gorgeous, sassy wife Anna (Jessica Chastain) who plays a ‘backroom, corner store gangster’s daughter’ turned caring mother. The film illustrates how rampant corruption threatens his future, as his oil trucks are being hijacked by anonymous gunmen. Upon first glance of the trailer, you could imagine Abel being a Tony Sopranoesque character, but in fact he’s a well-todo, self-made business man who’s trying to
make an honest living, all while the assistant district attorney is breathing down his neck, slowly building a case against him. The subtlety of the 1980s setting is admirable; not a legwarmer or Rubik’s Cube in sight, rather fine silk blouses and a timber wolf grey belted trench for her, and a charcoal double-breasted suit and camel overcoat for him. It has all the makings of a gangster movie: the Brooklyn back-drop, an intense car chase and briefcases full of money, but without the gangster. A neck-prickling, well-crafted thriller-drama, with the perfect, brooding leading man to carry the film. A Most Violent Year will be released on 23 January
Valentino and Cire Trudon create a sartorial candle scented with geranium and jasmine, leather, patchouli, amber and balsam fir
#2 Pen, £450, Dunhill (dunhill.com)
#3 Bespoke travel folio, from £650, Anya Hindmarch (anyahindmarch.com)
#4 Pillow and eye mask set, £180, Theory (net-a-porter.com)
#5 Champagne trunk, £8,400, Moynat (moynat.com)
Rouge absolute candle, £90, cire trudon x valentino (available from selected valentino stores)
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#1 Bliss out at The Brando
FRENCH POLYNESIA For unrivalled serenity in the South Seas, newcomer The Brando is the place to be. Occupying a palm-tree-strewn pinprick 30 miles north of Tahiti, it’s easy to see how the late Marlon Brando fell in love with the island while filming Mutiny on the Bounty. Following a multi-million dollar spruce-up, 35 rustic villas adhere to a strict carbonneutral, low-impact design philosophy. There’s a full-service lab that measures, records and releases all creatures great and small, and Guy Martin – a Parisian with Michelin stars to his name – rolls up his sleeves in the kitchen. Splendid in every way, it’s just a shame the big man himself isn’t around to see it. Take me there: Villas at the Brando (thebrando.com) start from €3,000 a night. It’s a 20-minute flight from Faa’a international airport (Tahiti) to The Brando with Air Tetiaroa.
1
the great
escape If your new year’s resolution is to explore more foreign climes, try one of these destinations: driving up ice flats in Iceland, sailing the high seas of Indonesia or tracking wild chimpanzees in Africa words: leo bear 22
The mayfair Magazine | Feature
3 Courtesy of Vamizi Island, Mozambique
#2 Take to the waters
#3 Call of the wild
Steeped in history, the genteel city of Bath offers Regency buildings and healing waters in abundance. Spa goddesses can bathe in the waters from the privacy of their own suites at the new Gainsborough hotel, where the mineral-rich H2O is piped up and flows from special taps in bathtubs. Occupying a trio of dashing Grade II-listed Georgian buildings, rooms are stylish and serene, but the spa is the star. Accessed via an underground tunnel, three large pools are spread across a light-filled Roman atrium – not so different from what Jane Austen might have enjoyed back in her day. Meander out of town and you’ve the rolling fields, and there are the dramatic valleys and pretty villages of Somerset to explore. All of which combine for a thoroughly delightful English getaway. Take me there: The Gainsborough is due to open spring 2015. Rooms from £289. (thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk)
Dreaming of Africa? Aardvark Safaris has introduced an epic air safari that takes in some of the country’s most handsome features. Journeying through the south east, you’ll amass plenty of stamps in your passport crossing borders into Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Namibia. With eye candy in the form of the Rift Valley, the Serengeti, the Skeleton Coast and the Kalahari Desert, you won’t ever want to put your camera down, and in between game drives, you’ll be sipping G&Ts in some of the country’s finest lodges including Kaya Mawa on Lake Malawi (one of our all-time favourites). What else? Tracking wild chimpanzees, meeting nomadic tribes and plunging to the depths of the Indian Ocean, that’s what. Taking up to 34 days to complete in full, this really is the ultimate African odyssey. Take me there: Bookable as a return trip or separate legs, the first leg is available from £13,870 per person with Aardvark (aardvarksafaris.co.uk) based on two sharing including international flights, transfers, accommodation and activities. Departing May 3, 2015.
Bath, UK
2
AFRICA
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#4 Geishas and gardens
#5 Driving on ice
Japan’s shinkansen (bullet train) welcomes a brand-new line in March 2015, which will dramatically reduce travelling time from the capital Tokyo to Kanazawa, one of Japan’s lesser-visited cities on the west coast. With a historic samurai district, the only Geisha community outside of Kyoto and the exquisite Kenrokuen gardens to admire, it’s definitely one to add to the wishlist. And if you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping in a century-old ryokan (Japanese inn) and sipping tea the traditional way, makes sure you reserve a room at Asadaya. Trains not really your thing? Don’t worry, Inside Japan can arrange helicopter transfers from Kyoto. Take me there: Inside Japan Tours has a 14-night self-guided trip visiting Kanazawa from £2,650 per person including accommodation, local transport and two days with a private guide. (insidejapantours.com)
Two travel heavyweights, Land Rover and Abercrombie & Kent, have clubbed together to deliver the ultimate Iceland adventure. Sign up and you’ll be skidding and bumping along challenging mountainous terrain in one of Land Rover’s brand new Discovery Sports –
JAPAN
ICELAND
‘Sign up and you’ll be skidding and bumping along challenging mountainous terrain’ unearthing glaciers, lava fields and geothermal springs along the way with the Northern Lights dancing in the rear-view mirror. Take me there: A&K has three-night itineraries in January and February 2015 from £3,995pp. (abercrombiekent.co.uk/landrover) Courtesy of A&K
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The mayfair Magazine | Feature
5
#6 Navigate the high seas
INDONESIA
The beguiling islands of Komodo, home to rare reptilian dragons, are also the gatekeepers of the most dazzling subterranean deep. Tim Simond, co-founder of Original Diving, calls it ‘the best diving destination on earth’, and with mile upon mile of pristine coral reefs exploding with marine life (everything from manta rays and whale sharks to rare little critters such as the pygmy seahorse), it is a must for divers. Bringing you that much closer to the action, this year Silolona, a breathtaking 150ft yacht, makes her maiden voyage. Combining traditional Indonesian shipbuilding with state-ofthe-art technology, she’s the ultimate private charter. Best of all, with five suites and 30 crew, there’s plenty of scope to bring a few shipmates along, so start dialling now! Take me there: Original Diving has tailor-made sailing and scuba-diving trips to Komodo National Park from £6,600 per person including six nights on-board Silolona plus international and domestic flights. (originaldiving.com)
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#7 Switch off in a thoroughly modern ashram
INDIA
Nestled in a forest of skinny Sal trees on the outskirts of one of northern India’s most colourful towns, Vana Retreat is a high-style haven like no other. New last year, it has all the hallmarks of a world-class design hotel yet is magically alternative. Leave your Jimmy Choos behind; guests wear linen ‘pyjamas’ for the duration of their stay, and instead of Champagne and chocolate, mini-bars are stocked with herb-infused water: this is living at its most pure. Throughout the resort, there’s a policy of ‘no handhelds’, ensuring you switch off, and holistic spa treatments including everything from ‘cupping’ to Ku Nye (a type of Tibetan healing) will ensure you’re physically and spiritually aligned. And if that all sounds a bit hippy, there’s a heavenly swimming pool with views of the Himalayas to enjoy. Take me there: Doubles from £300 per person full board at Vana Retreat including transfers and daily treatments. (vanaretreats.com) Virgin Atlantic flies to Delhi from £628 return. Jet Airways flies from Delhi to Dehradun from £100 return.
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The mayfair Magazine | Feature
ONES TO WATCH #8 Sky high
British Columbia, CANADA
Forget cruising round Napa Valley or the châteaux of France in a vintage motor. At Siwash Lake Ranch in the wilds of British Columbia, you can check out the local vineyards by chopper. New for 2015, its heli-winetasting tours take in the wineries of Fraser River Valley and the Fort Berens vineyard in Lillooet, among others. Back at the ranch, you can ride
‘You can ride horseback into Crater Lake or hike through sun-drenched meadows’ horseback into Crater Lake, hike through sun-drenched meadows or try your luck at catching a trout, before settling down at a table heaving under ranch-grown organic fare paired with British Columbian wines. It’s not ultra-luxury – think ‘refined rustic’ – but soft linens and a natural (alcohol-laced) high are guaranteed. Take me there: Ranch Rider (ranchrider.com) offers six nights full board at Siwash Lake Ranch (siwashlakeranch.com) from £6,087 per person including a heli-winetasting tour (minimum four people), car hire and return flights. Departing May through September.
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Courtesy of Siwash Lake Luxury Guest Ranch
LITTLE NELL Aspen’s sparkle just got a bit brighter thanks to Little Nell the legendary lodge adored by A-listers, adding nine luxury suites to its halls. Be one of the first to bed down in interior designer Holly Hunt’s cosy creations. (thelittlenell.com) D-HOTEL D-Hotel in southern Turkey reopens its doors in April for the summer season with James Duigan’s Bodyism team at the helm in the spa. Presiding over a pristine peninsula with five white-sand beaches for guests’ use only, it’s been nicknamed ‘Maldives on the Med’, although officially it’s the Aegean, but who’s checking? (dhotel.com.tr)
D-Hotel Maris
CAPE WELIGAMA Brand-new Cape Weligama on Sri Lanka’s south coast is one of the hottest hotel openings of the year. Vast villas, dramatic Indian Ocean views and a cliff-top infinity pool scream luxury and adventure in spades. (capeweligama.com) VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS Want to get in on the Scandi trend? From June (2015) Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is adding Stockholm and Copenhagen to its roster of classic routes. (belmond.com) andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge Following a multi-million pound facelift, andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge in Botswana is ready to welcome visitors. You won’t find a better safari lodge in the southern hemisphere. (andbeyond.com)
Courtesy of andbeyond.com
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ELIZABETH STREET ELIZABETH STREET SW1 SW1 Bespoke fine jewellery We invite you to visit our website www.devroomen.co.uk 59 Elizabeth Street, London, SW1W 9PP +44 (0)207 730 1901
The mayfair Magazine | Collection
salon style
W
e’re looking forward to visiting the newly reopened Patek Philippe Salon; the venerated watch company is now housed across both 15 and 16 New Bond Street and floor space totals a remarkable 420m². Patek Philippe’s London Salon (one of only three Patek Philippe fully owned retail showrooms, together with Geneva and Paris) now carries the largest and most extensive range of the brand’s watches that has ever been available in the UK. Visit to marvel at this beautiful Ladies First Chronograph (Ref. 7071G) and the impressive interior, designed by renowned French designer Reda Amalou; the materials used, which include leather, alabaster, sycamore and brass, perfectly complement the elegant and sophisticated aesthetic we’ve come to expect from the brand. Patek Philippe Salon, 16 New Bond Street (patek.com)
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Collection | The mayfair Magazine
Jewellery news Ring in the new year wearing statement pieces by the talented Lily Elia, Noudar Jewels and Shawish WORDS: OLIVIA SHARPE
Independent Woman Despite having only recently joined the company as head jewellery designer, Lucrezia Buccellati has already made quite an impact, launching a series of rebranding initiatives to make the family-owned, Italian heritage jeweller appeal to a younger generation. Along with a redesigned logo and a line of bejewelled iPad and iPhone covers, Buccellati is in the midst of releasing a series of short films, each featuring one of the brand’s female ‘muses’. The first includes fashion designer Marta Ferri, while the second stars president of Spanish fashion brand Delpozo, Indre Rockefeller. The third muse has not yet been unveiled but we’re sure that she will share with her contemporaries a love of Buccellati, a sense of timeless style and youthful ambition. The brand has also just launched a range of more affordable jewellery pieces, from £2,000. (buccellati.com)
CUTTING EDGE Noudar Jewels and its exclusive new collection recently arrived in Harrods’ Luxury Jewellery room. Comprising an assortment of ring sets and finger bracelets inspired by Islamic and Arabic cultures, the eclectic range remains signature to the brand. Designer Noor Al Fardan comments:
‘The second collection is an edgier and a more daring version of the previous one; holding onto Noudar’s unique essence, focusing mainly on rings and earrings, taking inspiration from Arabic heritage’ - Noor Al Fardan Noudar Jewels, available at Harrods Luxury Jewellery Room (harrods.com) 30
Collection IV Rising star Lily Elia has launched a new 10-piece collection for her eponymous brand, Lily Gabriella. Founded in 2011, the company has gone from strength to strength and Collection IV harkens back to Lily’s fond childhood memories of holidays in Brazil; the range of jewellery pieces marry the natural and the sculptural, featuring smooth, undulating lines and never-ending circles that conjure up images of rolling clouds and rippling waters. Full finger rings featuring blue sapphire pavé, on the other hand, possess an almost talismanic quality, shielding the wearer like protective armour. Collection IV, from £8,190 (lilygabriella.com) Scale the Heights Swiss jeweller Shawish Genève has landed in London. Inside, the contemporary design – featuring a spectacular glass tube chandelier centrepiece and a fish skin motif in the facade panels – is in keeping with the brand’s innovative and visionary aesthetic. Well-known for creating high jewellery pieces which combine traditional techniques with modern technology, arguably Shawish’s biggest claim to fame is designing the world’s first all-diamond ring, cut from a single diamond weighing 150 carats. From the enchanted Magic Mushroom collection to the whimsical Teddy Bear set, visiting the boutique is a magical experience. (shawish.ch)
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Collection | The mayfair Magazine
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The start of a new year sees jewellers looking to the stars for inspiration #14
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#1 Acte V green beryl Genesis ring, from a selection, Louis Vuitton (louisvuitton.com) #2 & #3 Nuit de diamonds necklace in white gold with diamonds and black spinel beads, from a selection, and Voie Lactée bracelet, £17,500, both from the Comete collection, Chanel (chanel.com) #4 Pompadour 18-karat white gold, sapphire and diamond ring, £4,300, Maison Martin Margiela (net-a-porter.com) #5 Silver-plated Swarovski crystal necklace, £1,025, Ben-Amun (net-a-porter.com) #6 Lady Stardust Crystal Haze ring set in 18-karat white gold with hematite and white diamonds, from a selection, Stephen Webster (stephenwebster.com) #7 Cristal de Lune watch, from a selection, Boucheron (boucheron.com) #8 Radiant gold-plated crystal necklace, £315, Lulu Frost (net-a-porter.com) #9 Morning star earrings, £7,200, Mikimoto (mikimoto.co.uk) #10 Pompadour 18-karat white gold, sapphire and diamond ring, £2,800, Maison Martin Margiela (net-a-porter.com) #11 18-karat white gold diamond ear cuff, £780, Anita Ko (net-a-porter.com) #12 Rock It! cage pendant, from £2,300, Ornella Iannuzzi (ornella-iannuzzi.com) #13 J12 Flying Tourbillon watch, from a selection, Chanel, as before #14 Pagoda earrings, £14,950, Robinson Pelham (robinsonpelham.com) #15 Acte V Australian black opal Genesis necklace, from a selection, Louis Vuitton, as before 32
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Bright young things As we ring in the New Year, Olivia Sharpe speaks to the rising female stars who are changing the face of the luxury jewellery industry
Lily Kamper Q. What are your biggest inspirations? A: My collections evolve from many different things: furniture, natural materials and architecture. The S/S15 collection I launched last Fashion Week was heavily influenced by an architect called Ricardo Bofill. He designs brightly coloured, geometric buildings. I was also heavily influenced by Art Deco cinema lobbies and old black-and-white films. Q. Biggest highlight of your career? A: Vogue coming to interview me in my studio. That was pretty insane. The Vogue Talents Corner was also amazing because I presented my work to Anna Wintour. She was very complimentary. Q. Last naughty purchase? A: I got married this summer and we each bought NIKEiD trainers; I wore white trainers with a black tick and he had black ones with a white tick. Both pairs had our initials on them. Q. What jewellery did you wear on the day? A: A friend of mine, Ryan Storer (a jewellery designer I met when we were both in Milan) sent me a couple of ear cuffs which were beautiful. Q. What’s something that’s not commonly known about you? A: I hate coriander. It’s my nemesis. When I go to a restaurant I have to pretend I’m allergic to it. Q. Favourite piece of jewellery you own? A: I have a really weird ring
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that my grandma gave me which is completely the opposite of my taste. It’s a garnet ring that’s half rose gold and half yellow gold. It’s very bizarre because I can’t understand why anyone would have repaired it using two different metals but I can’t help but love it. Q. What have you got in the pipeline for this year? A: I’m working on an exciting collaboration with GlobeTrotter which will be unveiled in February. (lilykamper.com) S/S15 Collection
The mayfair Magazine | Collection
Sabine Ghanem Sabine Ghanem’s career to date sounds almost too good to be true. After all, here is a woman who fell into the industry almost by chance; after studying at the prestigious Gemological Institute of America, she was unable to find a job so decided to give jewellery design a whirl and after just two years, she has already achieved unprecedented success. Her debut collection Relic, an assortment of medieval-inspired pieces, was snapped up by the likes of Browns in London and Bergdorf Goodman in New York. This was followed shortly after by Harlequin, a 35-piece collection based around the colourful Art Deco movement, which was highly sought-after. Speaking to Sabine, she is nothing if not humble: ‘I’ve just been very lucky. I designed the first collection without even a thought that it would turn into a job.’ It is because of this fateful series of events, perhaps, that she is so relaxed when it comes to her brand. Working from her Belgravia home, Sabine spends hours ‘overdosing on vintage imagery... my favourite part of my research is looking at old stuff; vintage films, books, even YouTube videos. I’ve just watched a film from 1936 called The Great Zeigfeld and just the costumes could inspire a whole collection.’ The designer is in the midst of creating her third collection, due to launch at the end of this month. While reluctant to give too much away, she does confide that, like the past two collections, she has referred back to a previous era; the Renaissance. A self-confessed hermit, Sabine jokes how one day she would like to open a store right at the entrance of her flat, ‘all in velvet and warm colours, like a beautiful jewellery box’. (sabineg.com)
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GEORGINA SKAN
below, From left: Cage emerald earrings; diamond ring from the Cocktail Hour collection; Cocktail Hour lace cuff; Tanzanite ring from the Cocktail Hour collection
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‘So how big is your team?’ I ask Georgina Skan as we sit down for coffee. ‘You’re looking at it,’ she smiles, pointing to herself and her sister. ‘I like to think of it as the blind leading the blind.’ In spite of her self-deprecating appraisal, it is evident from her jewellery pieces that Georgina is anything but blind; in fact, she is clearly visionary. However, despite having been head designer at Garrard and Asprey, she has remained relatively under the radar. After studying at Central Saint Martins, where she acquired a BA in jewellery design, Georgina then went on to work on the shop floor at Theo Fennell but it wasn’t long before he realised where her talents really lay: ‘After months of bugging Theo he took me on as his PA but then he realised how useless I was at it,’ she explains, laughing. ‘So I ended up working with him for four years as his head designer.’ Next came Garrard, where Georgina joined Jade Jagger who was creative director at the time. After Jagger left, she was able to make her own mark on the company, responsible for creating the iconic Wings collection. She was then headhunted by Asprey but after a spell as design director she found herself ‘itching to do her own work’ so decided to wing it alone. Last year, Georgina launched her first eponymous collection; The Cocktail Hour. Comprising 10 pieces, ranging from Art Deco cocktail rings incorporating one-of-a-kind gemstones to a
spectacular cuff inspired by French lace, it showcased her unique design talent and creativity. Because of her old-school training, Georgina scorns computers in favour of traditional crafting techniques, thus giving her pieces an authentic and timeless quality. ‘I think you can very easily develop a cookie-cutter approach when you’re designing collections,’ she comments. ‘I’ve been guilty of this at times but I know now this isn’t the best way to work.’ Having worked at some of Bond Street’s top jewellery houses, Georgina has a good relationship with some of the most respected stone dealers who emphasise the importance of ethical mining; this is a message that she, too, spreads. ‘I couldn’t work with a stone dealer unless I know for certain that they’ve gone straight to the source.’ Given the
‘I couldn’t work with a stone dealer unless I know for certain that they’ve gone straight to the source’ incredible response she received from The Cocktail Hour, this year sees the designer extend the collection based around themes she explored initially: Lace, Coulisses and Cage. This will include a beautiful lace wing collar with a matching cocktail ring, a diamond and emerald bracelet based on the original Cage earrings (inspired by the tiny ribcage of a hummingbird) and a pair of wing-like, ethereal earrings which again incorporate beautiful stones but have a greater focus on diamond work. These pieces will be released over the course of the year and the designer will also continue to work on bespoke commissions, this being at the heart of the brand. (georginaskan.com)
The mayfair Magazine | Collection
Tessa Packard Q. What are you currently working on? A: I’ve just created a collection inspired by English penny sweets. It started off with the idea of going to a gemstone boutique and it reminding me of being a kid in a sweet shop. I like the juxtaposition of something that originally cost a penny and something that looks like a million dollars. Pieces with a lower price point can be collected over time and layered up, while the more high-end pieces include gemstone-encrusted honey drop rings and earrings, and these watermelon tourmaline slices that look like Brighton rock. It’s really fun. Q. I understand you do bespoke commissions. What engagement ring trends are you noticing? A: I think there will always be a market for the Tiffany-esque single stone setting but I find people come to me because they want something that is classic but also different. I’ve recently finished a commission for a 90 year-old man who wanted a modern brooch for his wife for their diamond wedding anniversary. I love how even at that age they still want to give each other interesting, innovative presents. Q. What’s your most treasured possession? A: My photo albums full of collages and storyboards that I do religiously. I started when I was about 12 and I have so many now I can’t even count but if I had a fire, those would be what I’d save.
From left: Sting Me charm; Honeycomb ring; Cocktail Sting ring
Q. What do you love most about London? A: It’s ever-changing and never-changing, if that makes sense. There are consistently new
shops, new restaurants, new pop-ups. And yet, the Chelsea that I live in now is still the Chelsea that I grew up in; the feeling and the vibe hasn’t changed. Q. Best beauty secret? A: Lime juice mixed with granulated sugar as a face scrub. The acid in the lime eats into your skin so you come out looking glowing. I use it at the beginning of spring to give myself a bit of a revamp. Q. Preferred exercise regime? A: I do one hour of yoga a week for my back but otherwise nothing. I did ten years of intense running but then I gave up because it made me into a bad person [laughing]. Q. Favourite place to escape to? A: The middle of nowhere in Mozambique. My family and I stay in a camp where there’s nothing around so it’s heaven. Q. Worst guilty pleasure? A: Probably lunchtime drinking. You know you shouldn’t really do it when you’re working but it’s just so nice sometimes! Q. New Year’s resolutions? A: To learn how to relax as I’ve become a total workaholic. I think my husband would really appreciate it if I wasn’t on Instagram every single second. And maybe to make myself feel less guilty when I am on Instagram. (tessapackard.com)
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Swiss movement, English heart
C9 HARRISO N BIG D AY- D AT E A U TOM ATIC Made in Switzerland / Modified ETA 2836-2 automatic movement with Big Day-Date complication by Johannes Jahnke / 38 hour power reserve / 43mm, Hand-polished, 316L stainless steel case / Anti-reflective sapphire crystal / Exhibition case-back / Italian leather strap with Bader deployment
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The mayfair Magazine | Collection
Watch news Treasured timepieces, horological heirlooms and modern masterpieces WORDS: RICHARD BROWN
From space to sea When Felix Baumgartner became the first human to freefall at Mach 1.25, he did so with a Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Striking 10th strapped to his spacesuit. If, as Zenith hopes, record-breaking sailor Yann Guichard wins transatlantic sailing race La Route du Rhum, he’ll do so sporting an El Primero Stratos Spindrift. If you’re looking for a no-fear, sea-faring sports watch, what better option than a chrono that’s stood the test of one of sailing’s most treacherous contests? El Primero Stratos Spindrift, from £6,000 (zenith-watches.com)
Polished precision Bremont, the British watch brand that manufactures its mechanical timepieces in Henley-on-Thames, has introduced a polished steel version of its ALT1-C. The classic piece takes design cues from the company’s 2012 Victory, which remains arguably the brand’s best-looking creation to date. Whereas the Victory was limited (and sold out almost immediately), Bremont will make as many of the ALT1-C/PW as it thinks it can sell, which, owing to its good looks and the cult following the brand commands, will more than likely be an awful lot. ALT1-C/PW, £4,495 (bremont.com)
Raymond Weil remembered Few are the watch houses still in the hands of their founding families. One that remains so is Raymond Weil; after 18 years of his son-in-law being at the helm, the brand is now under the stewardship of grandson Elie Bernheim. One of his first acts as CEO, following the recent passing of Mr Weil, was to launch a rose-gold-fluted chronograph embossed with his grandfather’s signature on its dial. An automaticwinding mechanical heart sits inside the COSC-certified timepiece, which has to be one of the brand’s most ambitious pieces yet. A fitting tribute indeed. Maestro Raymond Weil Limited Edition £14,950 (raymond-weil.com) High performance Nestled between the watch world’s super-brands at November’s SalonQP was industry newcomer Breva. Yet to celebrate its fifth birthday, the Swiss firm graced the Saatchi Gallery to showcase its Génie O2 Air, a watch that in addition to telling the time will indicate both altitude and air pressure. Air pressure is measured using special non-magnetic ‘memory metal’ capsules (invented by Breva) and a mind-blowingly complex system of gears. Expect big things from the brand. Génie O2 Air, £82,000, Breva (breva-watch.com)
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100% natural cashmere WWW.CASHMIRINO.COM LONDON- BURLINGTON ARCADE, 31 - W 1 J OHH MILANO - VIA SAN PIETRO ALL’ORTO, 3 - 20121
The mayfair The mayfair Magazine Magazine | Food |& Fashion Drink
Start your engine From super sports cars to precious overcoats with mink-fur collars; Bugatti’s influence and elegance reaches far beyond the steering wheel, with the opening of its new fashion boutique on Brompton Road. The lifestyle collection, which launched last year in Milan, has hit the shores of the UK and Bugatti’s design DNA can be seen throughout, including the print of the iconic dancing elephant emblem in the satin linings of jackets. With clean sartorial lines and eccentric statement pieces, paint the town blue with Bugatti. Bugatti boutique, 24-26 Brompton Road, SW1X (020 7589 8765)
Style spy WORDS: bethan rees
The new icon
Creature comforts
Mayfair favourite Dunhill never lets a man down when it comes to feeling good; whether it’s a speedy beard design at its Bourdon House barber’s or a spritz of this new fragrance named ICON. This masculine scent is inspired by all four corners of the world with aromas of Italian bergamot, lavender de Provence and oud wood. It’s a must have for the urban gentleman. ICON Eau de Toilette, £55 for 50ml, Dunhill (dunhill.com)
Why should style stop at the front door? When you return home from a long day it’s tempting to throw on your oldest T-shirt, but when you see La Perla’s loungewear collection for men you’ll think again. The Italian heritage brand relaunched its menswear collection ahead of Pitti Uomo in June and to follow its new Bond Street boutique, has just opened in Burlington Arcade, showcasing its menswear and selected womens’ pieces. Expect to see raffia kimonos, jacquard silk robes and cashmere T-shirts, which are so versatile that they’re suitable to wear outdoors with a pair of jeans. Pyjama set, £269, La Perla. Available from the La Perla boutique at 56-57 Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, W1J (laperla.com)
Marvellous moustaches For those who are the envy of their male companions, also known as those who can grow the perfect beard or a dapper moustache, Murdock has the perfect grooming buddy. The contemporary Victorian-style barbershop is offering an elegant wooden, plush blue lined box full of manly delights including moustache wax, beard moisturiser, a moustache comb, a beard brush, a face cloth and scissors. It’s the perfect gift for the proud groomer, who wants a salon experience, even at home. The Marvellous Beard & Moustache Box, £80, Murdock (murdocklondon.com)
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Saving Private Fashion designer, dirt bike enthusiast and nature lover Nick Ashley discusses the importance of ‘Made in Britain’ as Private White V.C. opens its Duke Street store W o r ds : A i m e e M c l a u g h l i n
‘I
Below, third from left, Nick Ashley, image courtesy Private White VC archive. All other images courtesy Lily Ashley
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feel like I’m the guy who invented a light bulb that never actually breaks,’ says Nick Ashley. ‘It’s a fabulous bulb, everyone’s applauding but I’m going to be out of business pretty soon.’ But Private White V.C., the British brand of which Ashley is creative director, is certainly not going anywhere. To the contrary; the growing company has just opened its flagship on the newly gentrified streets of north Mayfair. This sense of entrepreneurial success that Ashley feels has come about because of the hardwearing, classic outerwear collections that Private White V.C. produces here in Britain – those pieces we all invest in because of their lasting power, which will be handed down from generation to generation. The son of renowned fashion and interior designer Laura Ashley, Nick has made his own distinctive mark on the fashion world over the past 30 years, having designed for the likes of Kenzo, Tod’s and Dunhill. When Ashley was asked to join Private White V.C. as creative director, he largely saw it as an opportunity to address the lack of British-made luxury brands in the UK. ‘Fashion can be a very selfish thing. What appealed to me about Private White was that it was an opportunity to make a greater contribution because it’s about the factory and the people.’ In 2008, after a career in investment banking
that had left him feeling deflated and dispassionate, James Eden – great grandson of the original owner of Cooper & Stollbrand – jumped at the chance to rescue the then ailing factory in Manchester. Private White V.C. is named after and inspired by the story of Eden’s grandfather; a Leeds-born 18-year-old army recruit who went on to be awarded a Victoria Cross for his bravery during the First World War. Every garment is manufactured in the factory using only locally sourced products where possible. ‘We make it from what we call “sheep to shop,” so literally we know the sheep on a
‘What appealed to me about Private White was that it was an opportunity to make a greater contribution’ first-name basis, we put the wool in our woollen mill, which we bought so that we can control the quality, then we make it in our own factory and then we’re selling it in our own shops.’ Ashley’s mother’s influence is subtly hinted at in his collections. While the beautifully crafted Harris tweed flight jackets and navy Melton pea coats give a nod to Private White’s military
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The mayfair Magazine | Fashion
White
heritage, the design has been updated to make it relevant for the 21st century in what Ashley has termed ‘techno retro’. ‘My mother taught me you’ve got to look behind before you can go forward. I was brought up by my mother, who took me to museums, archives and factories. So I really learned the importance of craftsmanship. You’re not trying to reinvent the wheel but you’re trying to refine it and evolve it a little bit.’ Ever responsive to the needs of the modern-day man, the functionality and attention to detail shown never fails to surprise or delight, whether it’s an interior pocket that will fit the latest iPhone model perfectly or militarygrade copper zips. The brand has succeeded in tapping into a shifting consumer mindset, one that wants to know the provenance of a product: who made it, where it was made and where it comes from. Ashley is challenging what the term luxury really ought to mean in relation to modernday life. ‘There’s a lot of luxury out there that’s like leather-trimmed cashmere, smelling of cologne kind of luxury, everyone does that. Luxury [should be] something that works for you, looks beautiful and is comfortable. And at the end of the day you can throw it in the washing machine at night and then step into it the next day’. The designer’s unique brand of utilitarian luxury is being lapped up by London’s wealth of international visitors, particularly the Japanese, who are the fifth-biggest spending nationality in London’s Luxury Quarter. Private White V.C.’s recent Mayfair debut on Duke Street is the perfect testament to its
cross-generational aesthetic. With its industrial fittings taken from the Manchester factory, exposed brickwork walls and rock music drifting lazily from the speakers, it joins the likes of E. Tautz and The Shop at Bluebird in helping to cement north Mayfair’s position as the playground for cool kids both young and old. You can’t help but wonder if the secret of its success lies in the fact that Ashley is essentially designing clothes for himself as the archetypal Private White V.C. customer. Undeniably an outdoors person, when he is not driving tractors or building walls with his sheep farmer wife in Wales on the weekends, he is dirt bike racing in Barcelona. ‘I’m making this stuff for myself and that’s why it works well and looks good on me, and if other people are going to like the product then they’re probably going to be an extended form of my friends and family.’ Private White V.C., 73 Duke Street, W1K (privatewhitevc.com)
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As Gieves & Hawkes unveils its impressive makeover, chief creative officer Jason Basmajian talks us through the inspiration, Savile Row and the modern gentleman WORDS:BETHAN REES
W
ith arguably the most prestigious address in the tailoring world, Gieves & Hawkes has resided at 1 Savile Row since 1912, in the elegant 18th century William Kent-designed townhouse. Jason Basmajian took over as chief creative officer at the royal tailor in 2013, having come from the house of Brioni, where he spearheaded the modernisation of the Italian brand. But Basmajian reveals that Savile Row has always been within his sights. ‘Italian tailors visited Savile Row and took inspiration from London, so for me moving to London was a sort of homecoming, and a return to the source,’ he says. As part of the ongoing evolution of Gieves & Hawkes, Basmajian, over the last 12 months, has overseen the renovation of its flagship store. Changing such a significant element of a brand that is so steeped in history requires delicate sensitivity and research, and Basmajian thinks some of Savile Row is a little stuck in the past. ‘Savile Row is a brand in itself and has great potential. It’s always a balance of keeping your DNA but becoming relevant, and aspirational, for a new customer,’ he says. So with this in mind, he and local interior designer Teresa Hastings started their in-depth revival of the architecture and design of the Savile Row store, while trying to figure out the right harmony of heritage and contemporary functionality. ‘We wanted to incorporate classical elements inspired by [William] Kent, but reinterpreted for today,’ says Basmajian on the thought process behind the redesign. With a palette of fumed oak, cast bronze and mohair velvets, the space is opulent, but the warm shades of grey and navy feel homely, and most importantly, inviting. ‘I wanted the idea of a
Tailor made
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The mayfair Magazine | Fashion
This image: The Gieves Room. photo by Bruno Ehrs Below, right: Jason Basmajian
part-private club, part-home, part-boardroom,’ comments Basmajian, and this certainly comes across; you could lose a whole afternoon at 1 Savile Row without even realising. As with
‘Savile Row is a brand in itself and has great potential’ tailoring, the beauty is in the detail, and there is plenty of this across the store; the commissioned contemporary art by Fredrikson Stallard, the bronze and brass door handles hand cast using the lost-wax technique, and a well-equipped bar, to make you feel that extra inch more at home. The global headquarters for the historical brand is modern, masculine and forwardthinking, while paying homage to its heritage, much like the clientele of Gieves & Hawkes. ‘I believe today that the modern gentleman has the same values as his grandfather and father, but that lifestyles are completely different. There are fewer rules and restrictions, and style has become more “acceptable and accessible” for men,’ Basmajian remarks. And it’s this freedom which allows Gieves & Hawkes to continue evolving alongside the modern gentleman. Gieves & Hawkes’ formidable presence is as commanding today as it has ever been, and with such a great creative mind at the helm of the tailor, it’s no surprise. Gieves & Hawkes, 1 Savile Row, W1S (020 7434 2001; gievesandhawkes.com)
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Fashion | The mayfair Magazine
Seasons of style In the wake of December’s inevitable festivity-induced coma, January is always a month of reflection and renewal. This month will see Dover Street Market reopen on 16 January with a host of new collections to feast your eyes upon, including Miu Miu and Thom Browne’s womenswear. One highlight is the new Dior space, featuring its 2015 Cruise Collection, White Flag. Combining a strong American influence and Raf Simons’ quintessentially European design aesthetic, the traditional silk scarf gets a pop iconography update, as the leitmotif ‘flag’ of the collection. Dover Street Market, 17-18 Dover Street, W1S (doverstreetmarket.com) (dior.com) Dior cruise 2015 and S/S15. Photo by Jason Schmidt
Style update WORDS: aimee mclaughlin
Pop-up palette A Valentino and Harrods collaboration was always going to be a thing of beauty and the Italian God of showstopping couture certainly delivers with its new pop-up in the iconic department store. Undeniably a collection full of statement pieces, the designer’s trademark studded shoes and shoulder bags come drenched in 1970s-esque multi-coloured hues of pink, red and turquoise, for a fresh take on its classics. Bag, £1,950, Valentino. Available at Harrods
À la Parisienne South Audley Street is set to receive a Parisian-style makeover with the opening of Balmain’s ‘second home’ in January. The store’s beige thalas and grey hainaut geometric stone floor nods to traditional English parquet flooring and is accented by carefully crafted pieces inspired by Pierre Balmain’s favourite mid-century French furniture designers, including André Arbus and Jean Royère. Designed by the brilliant Joseph Dirand, the store is a stunning hybrid of Parisian chic and Queen Anne revival decadence. Shoes, £1,190, 69 South Audley Street, W1K (balmain.com) 46
Horses for courses Hermès association with all things equestrian goes back to 1837, when Thierry Hermès established a harness workshop in the Grands Boulevards quarter of Paris. Now the king of silk twill has released a limitededition collection of 300 scarves in support of the World Horse Welfare charity, which aims to rescue hundreds of neglected and abused horses through its rehoming centres. The beautiful scarf comes in a striking blue hue and is adorned with some of the fashion house’s most iconic scarf prints from over the years, formed into the shape of a horse. A worthy fashion cause if there ever was one and a very stylish addition to your scarf collection. A cheval sur mon carré scarf, £310, 78 New Bond Street W1S (hermes.com)
www.my-perfect-t.com
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The mayfair Magazine | Fashion
Hazy shade of winter Brave the cold with sartorial flair in soft knitwear, structured jumpers and flowing knee-length skirts, and make an elegant statement through the darker months p h o t o g r a p h e r : p h i l l i p w at e r m a n s t y l i s t: j e s s s t e bb i n g s
Dress, £540, and jumper, £345, both Just Cavalli, available from Harrods (harrods.com). Box bag, £850, Jimmy Choo, £850 (jimmychoo.com). Baja ring, £120, skinny bar ring long, £90, diamond skinny bar ring short, £180, and diamond skinny bar ring long, £200, all Monica Vinader (monicavinader.com)
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Jumper, ÂŁ420, Raquel Allegra, available from Selfridges (selfridges.com). Baja ring, ÂŁ120, Monica Vinader (monicavinader.com) 50
The mayfair Magazine | Fashion
Jumper, £350, Pringle (pringlescotland.com) Skirt, £199, Hobbs (hobbs.co.uk) Rings, £125 and £210 both Carat* (caratlondon.com)
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Coat, £1,150, Stella McCartney (stellamccartney.com). Jumper, £99, Hobbs (hobbs.co.uk)
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The mayfair Magazine | Fashion
Dress, £645, Stella McCartney (stellamccartney.com). Shoes, £380, Hugo Boss (hugoboss.com). Skinny bar ring long, £90 Monica Vinader (monicavinader.com) 53
Jumper, £175, BLK DNM (net-a-porter.com) Jumper, £435, Laain (net-a-porter.com) Trousers, £148, J Crew (jcrew.com)
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The mayfair Magazine | Fashion
Jumper, £115, COS (cosstores.com) Leather trousers, £845 Maje, (maje.com). Scarf, £125 LK Bennett, (lkbennett.com). Heels, £375, Jimmy Choo, (jimmychoo.com) Assistant: Mike Phang All make-up by Katie Pettigrew using Chanel Christmas 2014 and Chanel Body Excellence. Hair by Katie Pettigrew using Kevin Murphy Model: Ida at Profile 55
The mayfair Magazine | Art
Q&A with…
Art news
The Royal Academy of Arts pays tribute to Old Master Peter Paul Rubens, while The Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair returns, showcasing exceptional collectables and art w or d s : c aro l c or d r e y
The Rubens legacy The start of any new year fills everyone with anticipation, but the Royal Academy of Arts’ decision to launch 2015 with a blockbuster exhibition about Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) ensures that spirits will be sky high this January. Its appeal is enhanced further by the fact that this will be the UK’s first major exhibition to focus on the Old Master’s influence on artists, spanning from his lifetime to the 20th century. More than 160 works, including paintings, drawings and prints created over three centuries, have been garnered from global collections to demonstrate Rubens’ influence in life and in death. Rubens and His Legacy: Van Dyck to Cézanne, 24 January – 10 April (royalacademy.org.uk)
Silent Paintings that speak volumes Serge Poliakoff (1906-69) gave new meaning to the term international artist, and this month, his thought-provoking works will go on show at Timothy Taylor Gallery. His works often appear as random, simply defined jigsaw pieces on plain yet dramatically coloured backgrounds. The limited information from the artist about his work stimulates introspection in us viewers, playing with our deepest thoughts as his works truly do speak volumes. Serge Poliakoff: Silent Paintings, 14 January – 21 February (timothytaylorgallery.com)
Q: Does the Marriott Hotel location attract a range of visitors or mainly tourists? A: The location is so central and in a prestigious part of London where many discerning people live and work. On the whole the visitors tend to be serious buyers, collectors and designers, some of whom fly in specially to visit the fair. Q: Will there be international dealers and what is your rationale for selecting them? A: This year, we have an international dealer from Stuttgart: Galerie Arabesque. All our exhibitors are either members of the British Antique Dealers’ Association or LAPADA, The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers or respected and renowned exhibitors from other highcalibre fairs. Q: Art Deco and 1950s items are currently in vogue; will these periods feature in the fair? A: Most definitely. We have two specific Art Deco dealers – Jeroen Markies Art Deco; and Gazelles of Lyndhurst which sells Art Deco furniture, lighting and objects, even pianos! In addition, there are Art Deco sculptures to be found on other stands. Visitors will find 1950s items too. The Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair, 8 – 11 January at The London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square W1K (mayfairfair.com)
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Tiger, Lion and Leopard Hunt, 1616 by Peter Paul Rubens, Oil on canvas, 256 x 324.5 cm Rennes, Musee des Beaux Arts Photo c. MBA, Rennes, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Adelaide Beaudoin; Blackpool Beach by Helen Bradley (1900-1979), oil on canvas, £245,000 from Haynes Fine Art of Broadway; Composition abstraite, 1968, by Serge Poliakoff, Oil on canvas, 24 2/8 x 51 1/8 in. / 61 71.1 x 129.5 45.7 cm © The Poliakoff Estate. Courtesy Timothy Taylor Gallery, London
Ingrid Nilson, organiser of The Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair
Exhibition Focus:
Art Kane: Retrospective Few images better summarise the pivotal era of 1960s and 1970s rock ‘n’ roll celebrity than those of Art Kane. As Snap Galleries host the first major retrospective of the renowned photographer’s work, we explore the artistic innovation behind some of the 20th century’s most striking stills
‘I
right: Fashion (1962) - Astronaut, profile
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Words: Amy Welch
f you want to shoot a performer, then grab them, own them, you have to own people, then twist them into what you want to say about them,’ said Art Kane, one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. With a distinct artistic eye as famous as the plethora of icons who sat for him, he was anything but conventional. Already the youngest art director on a major New York City magazine, Kane’s first foray into photography came in 1958, when he was commissioned by Esquire for its all-jazz issue. Assembling what legends of jazz music he could, in front of a humble brownstone Harlem tenement building, Kane shot what would become one of his most famous images, A Great Day in Harlem. Editorially, Kane went on to shoot some of the biggest mid-20th century advertising campaigns from Marlboro to Volkswagen, all of which read like a Mad Men Rolodex. Upon digesting the wide-angled close-ups of his dynamic orchestrations; a Freudian otherworldliness is abhorrently clear within each jaunted angle. The arresting quality of Kane’s celebrity portraiture in particular, conjures out of each young starlet a stark, yet light-hearted reality, rarely seen in portrait photography before. Kane veered away from the traditional and instead emphasised a voyeuristic opportunity for his audience. As Andy Warhol once said of Kane, ‘Art beams his eye straight at his subject, and what he sees, he pictures’. While his contemporaries focused on the
traditional black and white, Kane tapped into an era’s counter-cultures, pioneering a wideangle lens for up-close portraits and deeply saturated hues. Never constricted by one unifying style, a collection of his work could aptly be described as photo-illustration. Simply put, Kane’s artistic eye, fleeting from conformity as it was, altered portrait photography irreversibly. Coinciding with the launch of London’s Reel Art Press retrospective book Art Kane, Snap Galleries’ exhibition showcases a broad selection of his archive, including fashion, editorial and travel and celebrity portraiture. Art Kane: Retrospective is on until 31 August 2015, Snap Galleries, 12 Piccadilly Arcade, SW1 (snapgalleries.com)
opposite, clockwise from right: The Rolling Stones (1966); Sonny & Cher (1966); Bob Dylan, close up (1966); Brass reflection (1961); The Who (1968); All photographs by Art Kane, Copyright Art Kane Estate, courtesy of snapgalleries.com
The mayfair Magazine | Art
‘The arresting quality of Kane’s celebrity portraiture in particular, conjures out of each young starlet a stark, yet light-hearted reality, rarely seen in portrait photography before’
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#1 The Mussel Pickers by Benito Rebolledo Correa Explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau said: ‘The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.’ One artist who has been inspired by the allure of the sea is Benito Rebolledo Correa, and his oeuvre of work celebrates the ebbing and flowing of waves and the charm of the seaside. His impressionist-style work The Mussel Pickers depicts a dream-like scene, making its viewer want to rush to the nearest shores. Expected value £12,000 - £18,000, 19th Century European Art Sale at Christie’s South Kensington, 21 January (christies.com)
#2 Brass Telescope by Thomas Morton
#3 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC
A telescope is the ultimate collectable gadget and one as handsome as this deserves a place in any gentleman’s study. The imposing 7-inch brass Gregorian reflecting telescope, designed by Thomas Morton circa 1850, has been professionally restored, and is mounted on two tapering columns above a mahogany tripod with gorgeous detailing from the carved acanthus leaf decoration. Bring out your inner Galileo with this stunning piece. Expected value £12,000 - £18,000, Gentleman’s Library Sale at Bonhams Knightsbridge, 27 January (bonhams.com)
One of the major highlights of the global vintage automotive calendar, The Scottsdale Auction, returns with a particularly sensational lot: the collectable 1966 Ferarri 330 GTC in a rarely used nocciola colour, and beige scuro interior. Although no official estimated value has been released, public speculation believes it could bring in excess of $10 million. This could be the ultimate head-turning, weekend getaway drive. The Scottsdale Auction at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, 15 January (bonhams.com)
Prize lots
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The mayfair Magazine | Art
#4 Verbier by Martin Peikert From the snow-capped scenery, to the customary offerings and copious amounts of fondue and glühwein, there’s something so appealing about skiing, and in its 17th annual auction, Christie’s is celebrating the season. In the only auction of its kind in the world, comes this charmingly kitsch ski poster by Swiss designer and illustrator Martin Peikert. Known for his Art Deco inspired prints, this piece would make a perfect accessory to any home. Expected value £2,000 - £3,000, Ski Sale at Christie’s South Kensington, 22 January (christies.com)
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#5 A Chinese export porcelain orange Fitzhugh oval soup tureen
#6 Frozen River at Sunset by Aert van der Neer
Roy Nutt, American computer pioneer, and his wife Ruth were avid collectors of artefacts which celebrated American history; from furniture to Folk art, Chineseexport silver to masonic medals. From this Sotheby’s stateside sale comes this Chinese export; a porcelain soup tureen with a stand and cover, circa 1810-1829 – it’s both collectable and elegant. Expected value £8,000 - £12,000, The Collection of Roy and Ruth Nutt: Important Americana & Decorative Arts at Sotheby’s New York, 23 January (sothebys.com)
The Dutch Golden Age, encompassing most of the 17th century, was a significant era for art; the Dutch Old Masters began to prevail in the art world, depicting realistic portraits and life in the country, and still-life landscapes such as this by Aert van de Neer were particularly popular. Frozen River at Sunset leads the sale from a strong group of Dutch works; one for collectors to keep their eye on. Expected value $4 million - $6 million, Master Paintings: Part I at Sotheby’s New York, 29 January (sothebys.com)
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6 images: #1 CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2014; #2 COURTESY OF BONHAMS; #3 COURTESY OF BONHAMS; #4 CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2014; #5 COURTESY SOTHEBY’S; #6 COURTESY SOTHEBY’S
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THE LILLE ARMCHAIR
Tempering that ostentatious Louis-XV style with a rustic finish, the Lille armchair oozes timeless appeal. Swoon Editions has sourced the Lille direct from the maker for just £299. Edition limited to 118.
Limited Editions. Exceptional prices. From artisan workshops direct to your door, discover new designs every day without the inflated price tag at Swoon Editions.
THE SANFORD DINING TABLE
A beautifully-designed table injects class into any living space. Boasting a sturdy frame and intricate carving, the Sanford comfortably seats four. Swoon Editions has sourced the Sanford direct from the maker for just £399. Only 12 left.
THE EMILE CHEST OF DRAWERS
THE ELLA DESK
Give traditional settings a modern accent with the charcoal Emile; it marries chic, classical form with a moody kick. Swoon Editions has sourced the Emile direct from the maker for just £299. Edition limited to 36.
From its unfurling cabriole legs and six drawers down to its antiqued handles, the Ella desk makes a graceful addition to any living room, bedroom or library. Practically perfect. Swoon Editions has sourced the Ella direct from the maker for just £299. Edition limited to 27
THE CELINE BENCH
Whether used in a hallway or as a window seat, the intricately carved Celine is sure to evoke an air of refinement. Swoon Editions has sourced the Celine direct from the maker for just £199. Edition limited to 76.
SAVE £50 ON ORDERS OVER £500. Plus, save £50 on orders over £500. Go to swooneditions.com/themayfair2 and enter voucher code themayfair2 at checkout or call 020 3137 2464* quoting themayfair2. New designs launch every day and sell out fast. Sign up at swooneditions.com/themay2
Delivery £38 per item (the Celine £29 per item) to UK mainland. See individual items for details. Offer is restricted to one per customer, per household. Discount will be applied to fi rst transaction only. Offer ends at 23.59 on 14 hjm.01.14. Enter the voucher code at checkout or quote on the phone. Discount will be shown at checkout. Any refunds will take into account the discount. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Please check delivery terms & conditions online or call 020 3137 2464. *Calls from a BT landline are charged at standard network rate. Calls from mobiles and other providers may cost more. Products subject to availability. Standard Swoon Editions terms & conditions apply. Check swooneditions.com/terms-conditions for full details.
The mayfair The mayfair Magazine Magazine | Food|& Interiors Drink
The Duke of design Interior designer to the famous and fashionable, Nicky Haslam is a man of plethoric talents, having thrown opulent parties and transformed the homes of everyone from Prince Charles to rock royalty Mick Jagger with his trademark glamour-laden style. His new book A Designer’s Life is a scrapbook of memories from his four-decade career as an interior designer, artist, art editor and memoirist and is full of beautiful photographs, sketches and amusing anecdotes. A Designer’s Life: An Archive of Inspired Design and Décor by Nicky Haslam, Jacqui Small, £50 (quarto.com)
Interiors news
ABOVE: Andreas von Einsiedel/House & Garden © Conde Nast Publications Inc.
words: AIMEE MCLAUGHLIN
Antiquity in the morning Give your breakfast table a 19th century makeover with this enchanting antique silver-plated egg boiler from the emporium of tableware delights that is Thomas Goode. Whether you intend on doing eggs the old fashioned way or simply using it for decorative purposes, it is guaranteed to make a splash at your next Sunday brunch. Egg boiler, £365, Thomas Goode (thomasgoode.com)
Wall to wall
FINISHING TOUCH While Jeanne Lanvin was more famous for her glorious couture gown designs, Alber Elbaz has paid homage to her lesser-known talents as a doll maker with this delightful porcelain figurine – a mantelpiece must-have. Miss Lanvin 46 porcelain figurine, £390, Net-a-Porter (net-a-porter.com)
Colefax and Fowler are a go-to for staple homeware pieces and this Snow Tree wallpaper is no exception. Its shimmering silver hue exudes a subtle elegance and the ivory tinge of the beautiful blossoming flower detailing conjures up images of a country garden on a crisp winter’s morning. Snow Tree wallpaper, silver, £58 per roll, Colefax and Fowler, 020 8877 6400 (colefax.com)
Pattern play Bethan Gray’s take on monochrome is a thoroughly modern affair. The Welsh designer’s striking black and white marble three-tiered cake stand is sizeable enough to host a whole feast of sponge and pastry-based treats and makes for a stunning way to take afternoon tea. Why not complete your collection with the matching monochrome cheese board and shallow bowl to add a touch of drama to your kitchen. Bethan Gray three-tiered cake stand, £3,200, Bespoke Global (bespokeglobal.com)
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The mayfair Magazine | Feature
Putting on The Ritz To modernise, or not to modernise. That is the question. Or at least it is the question on my mind, as The Ritz London continues to uphold its traditional identity as one of the most famous hotels in the city. As it unveils its new Piccadilly Suites, we catch a glimpse of the hotel from the kitchen to the concierge W or d s : K at e R a c o v ol i s
U
pon arriving at The Ritz London, through its revolving doors, and into the grand foyer that is gently scented with the comforting aroma of brewing tea leaves, you many notice an involuntary deep breath. For whichever reason a guest may visit this iconic hotel; to stay, to dine in its famed restaurant, to indulge in afternoon tea, shop in Ritz Fine Jewellery, gaze at the revered decor of William Kent House or dabble in a game of cards in The Ritz Club, this pause upon arrival is made somewhat obligatory, as you enter this special place that is reminiscent of a more glamorous, decadent era. For this, of course, we have famed hotelier César Ritz to thank, who built the hotel in 1906, and his legacy that lives on in the form of this elegant establishment on Piccadilly and only two other hotels in the world that bear his name. ‘César Ritz was one of the foremost thinkers about how hotels should be,’ says Andrew Love,
chairman and deputy chairman at The Ritz Club and The Ritz London. ‘The man was a perfectionist,’ adds Stephen Boxall, managing director of The Ritz London. Ritz was the type of man who changed his shirts three times a day, once before lunch and after, and again before dinner, and whose surname has peppered pop culture, literature and films ever since. There is Scott F. Fitzgerald’s novella, A Diamond as Big as The Ritz, Irving Berlin wrote the song, Puttin’ on The Ritz, and the hotel was also the setting for part of the classic film,
‘Irving Berlin wrote the song, Puttin’ on The Ritz, and it was also the setting for part of the classic film, Notting Hill’ Notting Hill; forever associating the corridor in front of the hotel on Piccadilly in our minds as a place of romance (thanks also to Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant). Lest we forget the numerous celebrities who have frequented here: Aga Khan, Paul Getty, Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, Dwight Eisenhower and Charlie Chaplin to name but a few. There is an image that captures Chaplin standing on a balcony at the hotel, waving down to the crowd below, as a group of ladies smile and gawk on the floor above.
Opposite page: the William Kent Room. This page: César Ritz; The Ritz London luggage tag (date unknown)
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Above: New year’s eve menu, 1914. Below: The Music Room (left) and The Grand Hall (right)
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Margaret Thatcher, too, who lived at the hotel until she passed away in 2013, would visit as Prime Minister, and after her tenure would visit with Denis and sit at their regular table in the restaurant. They ate the same thing every time; dover sole, spinach and new potatoes. As the first steel-framed hotel of major significance in London, the hotel has managed to remain true to its original glory throughout its various owners, with its Louis XVI decoration and French château-style architecture, in a world that is constantly modernising and changing. This month, the hotel unveils two new suites, which offer a slightly more contemporary space in which to stay, but at the same time, do not look at all out of place within this historic institution. It’s part of the ongoing story of The Ritz which is constantly being updated and tweaked, but never overhauled or completely changed. Guests will still find bedspreads in their rooms, a brass key with which to unlock their door, and curtains that may only be drawn manually (rather than at the touch of a button). Part of its charm also lies within many of its long-standing members of staff, such as the charismatic Michael de Cozar, head concierge, who has served the Ritz’s guests for 42 years. For the de Cozar’s, working at the
hotel has been a family affair, with Michael’s brother brother becoming head of luggage 27 years ago, and their father too, worked at the hotel for 27 years in room service. ‘My earliest memory is my father would bring me in, and I would to help him in room service. I met the head concierge at the time, Victor Legg, who, when he retired had done 51 years of service. I was very impressed with the length of service from most of the staff. I think at the time when I started as a junior concierge on the desk, Victor Legg, Robert Acton and Sidney Staples had done 120 years’ service between the three of them.’
‘An image of the restaurant in 1906 is almost identical as it is today’ An image of the restaurant in 1906 is almost identical to how it is today, aside from the fact that one photograph is taken in black and white. ‘It hasn’t changed that much, but what has happened is there has been an incredible amount of investment in the property, and the property really did need it,’ says Boxall. ‘When the [Barclay] family took over the hotel in 1995, it was a very sad, grande dame of Piccadilly. She was very much in need of investment, and that is what the family did. They pushed every resource into the property to make it the hotel that it always deserved to be.’ And with nearly 110 years of history
The mayfair Magazine | Feature
Above: A Ritz London Bedroom 1906. Below: The Ritz London 1906 (left); The Ritz London (date unknown). All images copyright The Ritz London
attached to its name, certainly, the hotel has lasted through political peaks and troughs, economic crises, different ownership over the years and war. All of this character makes being at the hotel an historic experience, reminding you of another moment in time. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales said in his official letter from Clarence House when he granted the hotel a Royal Warrant for Banqueting and Catering Services: ‘It has resisted the temptation to “modernise” itself unnecessarily and its wonderful interior and exterior decor has remained a timeless reminder of a bygone age.’ And guardian of its kitchen is Chef John Williams MBE, who has been serving haute cuisine since he moved over from Claridge’s ten years ago. The kitchen over which he presides has only just been completely refurbished – another of the hotel’s recent tweaks to update and improve its service. Gas cooktops have been banished and replaced with induction stoves, and the layout has been opened up, allowing for an easier service. And while the cuisine served has evolved over the past century, the restaurant, however, remains a traditional jewel in the hotel. ‘It is a place of celebration, and while we respect the style of the restaurant, we make sure the food is relevant for modernday diners,’ says Williams. It’s all part of The Ritz’s constant quest for perfection – and the balance between staying true to César Ritz’s vision, and moving the hotel
forward as a business, and a destination for glamour and elegance. Andrew Love said in the centenary edition of the coffee-table book by Marcus Binney about this iconic hotel: ‘The Ritz conjures up various images and like every beautiful, elegant swan there lies a great power beneath the still waters it glides upon.’ Long may it continue. The Ritz London, 150 Piccadilly, W1J (020 7493 8181; theritzlondon.com)
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Contemporary
classicS As Mount Row welcomes JD Classics, we take an exclusive look at its showroom to discover why its collectable Jaguars, Ferraris and Aston Martins fit seamlessly within this luxury landscape w o rd s : A ma n da s t r e t t o n
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The mayfair Magazine | Motoring
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ayfair has long been associated with luxury, and the Mount Street area is the London home of some of the world’s most exclusive luxury goods brands. So it was really no surprise when JD Classics, one of the world’s leading restorers of important historic cars, announced the opening of a new showroom in Mount Row, just opposite The Connaught hotel.
produced is far better than the original builds. Because they undertake virtually every aspect of the restoration in-house, they are able to ensure the quality of their restorations are second to none. However, unlike a Moynat handbag or Goyard trunk, which you feasibly may just spot while passing and decide you cannot live without, you would think that if you are in the market to buy an important classic car, you are unlikely to make the purchase on impulse. But with the increasing popularity of this part of London as a shopping arcade for the world’s super wealthy, this may not remain the case for much longer. CEO Anthony Wenyon tells me that a large proportion of JD Classics’ customers are loyal, and are deep enthusiasts with an often extraordinary technical knowledge, and often with already significant car collections. This group would not think twice about travelling to Maldon. But there are a great many new
‘They have struck this balance just right. Every car is beautiful, a stun The classic car market has seen strong growth over the past decade, with the record for the most expensive car ever sold set in August this year at an eye-watering $38 million. And JD Classics is no stranger to these sums – customers selling cars after a JD Classics restoration are often the ones setting these records. What had started as one man’s passion for restoring cars is now one of the largest traditional-method craftsmanship operations in the world, with a 100,000 square foot purposebuilt headquarters and main workshop with around 60 craftsmen, technicians and engineers working at the base in Maldon, Essex. Derek Hood, the man behind it, has long been a believer in doing things as well as they can possibly be done – and in many cases the work
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buyers who feel more comfortable in the familiar retail environment. In some cases these are the people who enjoy buying luxury goods as part of the lifestyle. ‘Its all about being accessible,’ he explains. ‘We are trying to broaden the customer base to a slightly adjacent category of people, to those who really appreciate nice things.’ And so JD Classics specifically chose Mount Row because of the links in the area with other master craftsmen, such as the luggage firms, and because of the art galleries, jewellers and auction houses. After all, its customers are the same type of person who will appreciate the beauty of these cars as significant objects, in the same way a sculpture or an important piece of design is considered.
The mayfair Magazine | Motoring
Looking at the cars in the showroom now, they have struck this balance just right. Every car is beautiful, a stunning example of the headline classics, but also with broad appeal. At least five passersby stopped, had turned their heads and ventured in. The thing with the classic cars of the 1950s and 1960s, is that the people who can afford to buy them now are those who grew up lusting after them as new cars, who remember iconic images of celebrities, film and rock stars of the period enjoying them. To me, the mighty 1970s Ferrari Daytona looks more fantastic now than ever. And it seems that this lateral thinking has also caught the imagination of many of JD Classics’ new neighbours, who have welcomed JD to the area. A partnership is in place with The Connaught across the road and there are other similar partnerships with Cognac house Louis XIII and co-events with Christie’s. The local luggage-makers, Goyard on Mount Street,
whose famous trunks look back to the golden age of glamorous travel, too, are a perfect link. After all, if you are paying £10 million for cars like the unbelievably stylish Jaguar XKSS that was being unloaded from its transporter as I arrived, travelling with your well-used Samsonite will simply not do! Unlike many super-valuable things one can buy, we must remember that these cars were always built to be driven on the roads and in public. They don’t hang on walls behind closed doors, or get locked away in vaults. As such, those who buy them do tend to have a slightly different attitude to seeing them. And that to me is the very best thing about this new showroom; you do not need an appointment to go in, as it is open to everyone. ‘We just like to talk to people who love cars!’ Anthony smiles. JD Classics Mayfair, 26-28 Mount Row, W1K (020 7125 1400; jdclassics.co.uk)
opening spread: photo by Tim Andrew. this page, and left: photos by Adam Tait
a stunning example of the headline classics, but also with broad appeal’
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not just a hotel,
a way of life
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VISIT HRHI.COM
The mayfair Magazine | Travel
A new Aman Resort opens high above the hedonistic streets of Tokyo, while in Courchevel, Les Airelles Hotel offers the ultimate winter escape
Travel news
w o r d s : A i m e e M c L a u g hl i n
Short haul
Les Airelles Hotel, Courchevel No detail is too small for the team behind Les Airelles Hotel in Courchevel, from warming your ski boots for you, to its Hermès horse-drawn carriages or the Michelin-starred fare at Pierre Gagnaire’s restaurant. The private penthouse even has its own open-air spa, complete with an ice fountain and waterfall. This season guests also have the opportunity to invest in fabulous jewels, as the hotel partners with Christie’s. (airelles.fr)
Long haul
TRAVEL TIPS Don’t leave home without… As part of Charlotte Stockdale’s My Wanderlust collection for Jo Malone London, the heady scents of night jasmine and oregano are reminiscent of her childhood holidays on a beautiful Corfu hillside. Linen spray and travel bag, £42 (jomalone.co.uk)
There’s an app for that… living earth Simplicity is key in the design of the Living Earth weather app, allowing you to view live world weather maps of temperature, humidity, wind and forecasts in stunning 3D fashion. £1.99, iTunes App Store
Aman, Tokyo
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For the ultimate room with a view, opt for the urban sanctuary of Aman’s latest venture in the heart of Tokyo’s financial district. Occupying the top six floors of the newly built Otemachi Tower, it offers scenic views of the striking Imperial Palace Gardens and Mount Fuji, as well as a tranquil water feature and traditional rock gardens within the hotel itself. Relaxation is central to the Aman experience – every guest can enjoy a traditional Japanese deep soaking tub, also known as a furo, in the comfort of their own room. (amanresorts.com/amantokyo)
‘I think the most important thing is to be in a good mood and enjoy life, wherever you are’ – Diane von Furstenberg 73
From Morocco
with love Seek ultimate relaxation in an exotic Moroccan location, or stay closer to home with the opening of the new hammam in Urban Retreat at Harrods words: SARA LAWRENCE
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The mayfair Magazine | Travel
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opening spread: The Royal Mansour, Marrakech. this spread: second from left, the moroccan hammam at urban retreat at harrods. all other images: The Royal Mansour, Marrakech
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O
riginating from the days of the Roman Empire, when cleanliness was highly valued and citizens were required to pay weekly visits to the public bathhouse, hammams have played a significant part in Moroccan culture for centuries. A loose translation of hammam is ‘spreader of warmth’ and they are not only venues for deeply purifying the skin and body, and relaxing the mind in the process, but also for socialising. In early Muslim culture these steam baths had low fees and were open to all members of society, but high social appeal meant that even the very wealthy made regular visits. The popularity of hammams has grown throughout the centuries, resulting in a specific culture that includes traditional rituals on both religious and social levels, such as pre-wedding hen-style parties where candles are lit in dark rooms to symbolise the path to happiness. Over time hammams have become an integral part of the international luxury spa experience, and nowhere does them better than the exquisite spa at The Royal Mansour, the king of Morocco’s own palatial hotel in the centre of Marrakech. When you walk into this regal hammam, you are entering a beautiful place of extreme tranquillity, an oasis far from the hustle and bustle of frenetic city life where every object you encounter – from ceilings, floors and walls to latticed screens, taps and jugs – is stunningly hand-crafted by local artisans and every therapist is dedicated to your pleasure. Products
used are by marocMaroc, Morocco’s first luxury cosmetic brand, which is inspired by natural indigenous ingredients and ancestral beauty customs. Argan oil, rose and almond feature heavily and the products – free from silicone and mineral oils and clinically tested to minimise allergy risks – smell good enough to taste. Slippery bliss is what you should expect from a ritual-based body treatment at a Moroccan hammam. This is a thorough steaming, scrubbing
‘Over time hammams have become an integral part of the international luxury spa experience’ and massaging of the skin by quietly attentive therapists until it glistens and gleams, hopefully achieved in stunning marble surrounds. Best of all, this delicious process can and should be enjoyed alongside your favourite female companions. Round up the girls and prepare for the best skin of your life. No spa treatment I’ve experienced before left me so silky smooth, and I couldn’t stop stroking my bare legs and arms for days afterwards. No massage, exfoliation or moisturiser has made me so relaxed, either. And if the physical benefits aren’t enough, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends.
The mayfair Magazine | Travel
Your skin glows, sure, but you are also filled to the brim with gossip, giggles and confidences shared. After slipping into a soft bathrobe you enter a hot room, where heat is generated by steam to moisten the skin and facilitate the exfoliation of dead cells. Muscles relaxed and core temperature raised, you are then escorted to another room where you relax on the marble floor and your skin is cleansed with a black soap rich in vitamin E. Following this, dead skin and bacteria are sloughed off with an exfoliating Kessa glove, which also opens the pores and stimulates the circulatory system. You are then massaged and rinsed with bucket upon bucket of warm water, which is such a delicious experience you won’t be able to help falling into a dreamy reverie. Next up is a full body exfoliation using marocMaroc’s Miel d’Ambre, a sumptuous scrub which gently removes all impurities. Now your hair will be shampooed using Amande au Lait, designed to prevent dry and brittle hair, followed by a mesmerising scalp massage with almond milk and argan oil hair mask Amande en Crème. The ritual ends with a stretching massage using shower milk Infusion d’Orange, which is spread and massaged over the abdomen, arms, legs and back in an energetic manner that is supposed to relieve any remaining tension – although I find it hard to believe there would be any after all that has gone before. In a joint partnership with marocMaroc, Urban Retreat at Harrods is bring a corner of Marrakech to Knightsbridge, with the
introduction of The Moroccan Hammam in January 2015. The arrival of the new spa adds to an already extensive list of specialist services offered here, from Crème de la Mer facials to all manner of grooming requirements. Based on the hammam at The Royal Mansour, Urban Retreat’s version is a space where women can either enjoy the company of other women or shed the daily strains of life alone. Although mostly aimed at women, the hammam is also available to be hired privately by men for corporate or social entertaining. There is a concept store exclusively retailing marocMaroc beauty products alongside black soap, Kessa gloves and traditional Moroccan hammam bathrobes and slippers. If a stay at The Royal Mansour is impossible or impractical then my advice is to hot-foot it to Harrods and indulge in a heavenly hammam as soon as possible – you won’t regret it. The official launch of The Moroccan Hammam marocMaroc at Urban Retreat is January 2015. Prices start from £125 for a Traditional Hammam (urbanretreat.co.uk). For all booking or further enquiries please speak to a member of Urban Retreat’s Customer Service & Guest experience team in the salon or call 020 7893 8333
below: The Moroccan hammam at urban retreat at harrods
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TREASURE
Bethan Rees finds island paradise among the sugar canes and fresh coconuts at the St. Regis Mauritius
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ISLAND
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t was while gently gliding across the Indian Ocean in a private boat, with a vintage suitcase full of Champagne and delicately made canapés, admiring the lavender and magenta-bruised dusk sky, that I fully understood what Mark Twain meant when he wrote in Following The Equator: ‘Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and heaven was copied after Mauritius.’ From the plane, the resorts appear like tiny scattered marbles among the sugar canes and the volcanic landscapes. There is so much more to the island, as I discovered, than the legendary dodo, which isn’t easily forgotten with the conspicuous tokens at every glance; there are dodo-shaped teapots, plush toys and fridge magnets galore. Mauritius has a stunningly dramatic skyline with thanks to the looming mountains, including the natural spectacle of the UNESCO world heritage site Le Morne, which holds huge historical significance for the country; runaway slaves hid here in the 18th and 19th centuries. The striking mountain has become a symbol of their fight for freedom, as well as providing a rather imposing and handsome backdrop for the St. Regis Mauritius hotel, which is where I was to discover the charm of the island. Nestled on the south-west coast of the island on the white sands of La Morne beach, flanked by an aquamarine lagoon, the five-star resort is instantly impressive; you enter walking through a white wooden colonnade surrounded by waving palm trees and your eyes are drawn to the dancing fountains, mesmerisingly majestic in their movements. The hotel is arranged around the Manor House, which is modelled on a sugar baron’s residence with typical colonial charm. It is abundant with elegant touches, such as marble pillars, chic French-style white shutters and a view across the pool bordered by muslin-draped loungers, which are so comfortable, you could spend the whole week there. The rooms are arranged in two-storey pavilions along the beach, which gives a discreet
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and intimate impression; it feels as if you’re going back to your own apartment, rather than staying in a busy hotel. But you never feel alone; whether it’s the whisper of the waves in the silence of the night, or the morning greeting from the orange Mauritius fody birds on the balcony. The St. Regis name brings to mind finesse and elegance. Following the opening of the first hotel in New York in 1904 by John Jacob Astor IV, who later died aboard the Titanic, the name has become synonymous with its signature butler service, which puts a stay at St. Regis Hotels in a league of its own. A little sceptical of this concept at first, I thought it would feel out-dated. However, I was very quickly, and happily, proven wrong. Having checked in and slipped off to lunch at The Boathouse Bar & Grill, I returned to my room to find my suitcase had been unpacked,
‘The hotel is arranged around the Manor House; modelled on a sugar baron’s residence’ my clothes ironed, and a plate of petit fours left on my bedside table. The service was impeccable; any request, big or small, even in the depth of the night, the butler will happily assist – always with a smile. For the proverbial cherry on top of the scrumptious Mauritian massepain cake, visit the hotel’s Iridium Spa to be pampered to paradise and back. Sat next to the pavilions, the spa glistens with metallic accents and chandeliers and despite the 12 treatment rooms, the space feels so intimate and isolated, as if I was the only guest at the resort. My full-body massage started with the therapist gently holding two conch shells to my ears so I could hear the sea, fully immersing me in the island life experience. Following the beautifully firm treatment, I headed to the spa lounge; a terrace overlooking the tropical gardens. I’d recommend taking a
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trip here just before sunset, so you can watch the day fade to night in a dressing gown from your lounger, cardamom tea in hand; pure bliss. Mauritian cuisine is practically a synonym for the word ‘fusion’, which is bounded around often too freely on the London food scene; the fare truly is a union of the island’s heritage and hugely diverse population. Think Creole meets Chinese, French meets Indian; it’s a beautiful love story on a plate, and the restaurants onsite at the St. Regis Mauritius celebrate the epicurean delights born from such a rich history. With five eateries, and a couple of other exciting private-dining options, you’re hardly stuck for choice. Simply India is Mayfair’s Michelin-starred Benares’ tropical sister, from chef Atul Kochhar; make sure you try the lamb chops, which are delicately charred and tender, with a butter-like texture. However, for a real stand-out experience, the Chef’s Table invites guests to dine in the heart of the kitchen. It’s all about the theatre with executive chef Sébastian Le Gall, who cloaks the room with an eerily calm presence, for what in reality is a busy working kitchen not just cooking for us. From the red tuna and caviar served in an balloon-shaped ice sculpture, to the Mauritian sweet ring, a vibrant explosion of gourmet, handmade pick ‘n’ mix on the plate, the Chef’s Table is for the true foodies. The St. Regis Mauritius celebrates the traditional glamour and panache of the hotel’s roots, but does so in a beautifully suitable way for the island. They have a skill of transforming what could essentially be a stuffy, pretentious resort into a gracious, warm and welcoming place. Like Mark Twain, I think I’ve discovered heaven on earth at the St. Regis Mauritius. Seven nights at The St. Regis Mauritius Resort (stregismauritius.com) is priced from £3,695 per person in an Ocean View Deluxe Room on a halfboard basis, including daily breakfast and dinner. Price includes return flights with Air Mauritius (airmauritius.com) and private transfers to resort. To book visit turquoiseholidays.co.uk, 01494 678400
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Come fly with me Do you want to land in a private plane just five minutes from your chalet in Courchevel, or at the end of your garden, past the vineyards in Tuscany? Jetfly can take you closer to your end destination. We talk travel with CEO Cedric Lescop
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o travel is often one of life’s inevitabilities, but to travel in style can be a somewhat more complicated matter. For those who constantly find themselves jetting off, aviation operator Jetfly is bringing back the comfort and glamour of flying private with its unique price structure. This is based on the number of hours you fly each year, and Jetfly guarantees its customer a plane whenever they need one. Currently operating with the largest fleet in Europe of Pilatus PC-12 turboprop aircrafts, CEO Cedric Lescop plans to introduce the PC-24 in 2017, the world’s first and only Super Versatile Jet.
skiing in The Alps during winter and holidaying in the Mediterranean during the summer. If they need something, we are always there to find it for them: the bottle of wine they need, for example. The company is owned by my customers; it’s not my company and I want them to feel that. The clients prefer low-profile, discretion, and efficiency. Denham [Aerodrome] is 35 minutes from Notting Hill. You can be in the plane in five minutes and you are number one in line for take-off. We are talking about easy aviation; that’s why Jetfly has grown in the past 15 years.
Who is the Jetfly traveller?
CL: The PC-24 can land on very short runways, and is the only aircraft combining the versatility of a turboprop with the cabin size of a medium jet, and the performance of a light jet. It’s a plane that simply doesn’t fit into any of the existing business jet categories.
CL: Our clients are discerning European businessmen and their families who like the convenience of being able to access smaller airports that can get them closer to their business meetings, chalets or villas. They enjoy
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What is unique about the PC-24 jet?
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Are you looking to branch out any more internationally? CL: The market is huge in Europe. My strategy is to focus on the markets that are going well, which are the UK and Germany. We just opened an office last month in Frankfurt for the German market and we continue to invest in the UK market because we see great potential. That’s why we have this unique place we have at Denham, with a private lounge for our customers. We can land at Denham 24 hours a day, which is not the case for a lot of airports in the London area, and again it is 35 minutes from west London, where most of our customers live.
How would you describe your service? CL: My customer should feel at home, they should feel like they’re in their own aircraft, so my challenge is to do that. I have an indicator where you can quickly see if people feel at home. Ninety-five per cent of my customers are
still here after ten years. That’s because the pilots are close to them, the reservations centre is close to them, I am close to them. This is the key to success. You could have a very good idea, a very good business model, but if you are not close to your customer and if you don’t bring the service with a big S, you go nowhere. That’s how the company has been managed for 15 years. For further enquiries about Jetfly, email Jonathan Clough (jonathan.clough@jetfly.com) or visit jetfly.com
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very year since 1947, Norway’s capital has gifted London with an impressively large spruce tree as a token of gratitude for British support during World War II, and it stands proudly in Trafalgar Square adorned with sparkling lights. But a visit to this often overlooked city, Oslo is brimming with culture with its numerous galleries, museums and the Opera House, as well as Michelin-starred restaurants. Bursting at the seams with culture, the capital city is rich in art, both contemporary and old world. Head for the hills to Ekebergparken, which overlooks the fjord that inspired Norwegian artist Edvard Munch’s seminal work, The Scream. To capture the moment in a shamelessly tourist-fashion, there’s a simple frame which invites guests to stand behind and imitate the work, initially as part of Marina Abramović’s work. The 25-hectare park is open 24 hours a day, proudly showcasing pieces by Anish Kapoor, Antony Gormley and Lynn Chadwick. Visit the Astrup Fearnley Museum to revere in its own architecture, designed by Renzo Piano, the mind behind The Shard. But within the museum, become lost in the striking collection of art, which includes works by Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst and Cindy Sherman. Oslo is a city of two personalities; the art lover is taken care of, but also the outdoors type, who wants to escape for fresh air. There’s no better way to explore the breathtaking scenery around Oslo than by foot, and very few other capitals are lucky enough to have hiking trails on their doorstep. Visit the surrounding Oslomarka forest for a break from the city-life; you might even spot a lynx. It’s sweeping landscapes and beautiful views are truly memorable. Nearby there are also hiking trails, cycle routes and gorgeous backdrops for a spot of kayaking, but also an unexpected and mesmerising waterfall, which creates faint rainbows in its mist. From a weekend of high-culture, to a wild-wonders inspired getaways, you’ll never tire of Oslo.
[ city break]
oslo Discover the undeniable Scandi charm of Oslo; become lost in its cultural rapture, or find yourself island-hopping in the fjord WORDS: BETHAN REES
Grand Hotel
Grand Hotel
Grand Hotel oslo Grand Hotel
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oslo from the opera house
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Grand Hotel
Where to stay For a truly traditional experience, stay at the Grand Hotel, which opened in 1874 and is perfectly positioned in the centre of the town. Rooted in heritage, you can almost hear its history whispering through the walls. Do as playwright Henrik Ibsen did regularly, and take a seat in the Grand Café for a famous ‘open sandwich’ and a beer or schnapps. (grand.no)
Eating & drinking
Grand Hotel
Oslo has five Michelin stars, and two of them are held at Maaemo, the first restaurant ever in Scandinavia to win more than one. The seasonal menu takes you on a journey through Norway with its set menu-only offering, and it isn’t for the faint-hearted, with over 20 indulgent courses; it’s the ultimate foodie playground. (maaemo.no)
Mayfair recommends Seeing the Northern Lights is an experience like no other, and in Norway, there’s definitely a chance you’ll witness the celestial disco dance across the sky. You’re most likely to see the lights between the autumn and spring equinox (21 September to 21 March). Make sure you pack your cosy cashmere and thermals, and camp out for the evening; warm yourself up with a piping-hot glass of gløgg (Norwegian mulled wine).
clock tower with oslo fjord
Grand Hotel
SUITCASE E SS E N T I A LS
#1 Eye-mask and blanket set, £385, Elton John Aids Foundation (mrporter.com) #2 Travelling shaving set, £375, Cedes Milano (matchesfashion.com)
#3 Shearling shawl-collar coat, £5,950, Berluti (mrporter.com)
#4 Leather overnight bag, £1,295, Gieves & Hawkes (gievesandhawkes.com)
#5 Julian boots, £375, Harrys of London (harrysoflondon.com)
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Flying in style Annabel Harrison travels from London to Germany and back again as a guest of Heathrow VIP, bypassing the queues and the crowds in favour of a rather more luxurious experience
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onsider, for a moment, what you dislike most about travelling by plane. Not the actual time in the air; in particular, before the flight and after it. When I ask my colleagues, they single out the check-in procedure, the security palaver, the often lengthy distance to the gate and, most of all, other people and the waiting, with queues forming for everything and anything when an airport is at its busiest. I happen to agree most strongly with the last two bugbears; small children, when one doesn’t have one’s own, are, at best, under one’s feet as they joyously wheel about on their Trunkies and at worst, ear-splittingly loud and rambunctious at 7am. However, I have found the perfect way one can avoid both and this goes by the name of Heathrow VIP. It does, of course, come with a price tag, as everything in life does, but if you’d like to start (and end) your journey in the easiest, quietest, most stress-free and luxurious of fashions, this is the option for you. In the name of research, I am collected promptly at 6.30am from home by Pervaiz, the friendly chauffeur who will whisk me off to Heathrow VIP’s Windsor Suite in an exceptionally comfortable, brand new Mercedes-Benz S Class. I arrive 90 minutes before my flight is due to take off and am shown straight to my private lounge; VIP client services team member Uma explains that there are 19 lounges at the airport in total, many the same size as mine and a handful of larger ones, for family groups or, I suppose, those with an entourage. My lounge is immaculate, decorated in neutral tones. The sofa is long enough to sleep on, should you wish to, and there are two armchairs and luggage-inspired side
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tables flanking it, as well as plenty of papers and magazines to peruse, a huge TV, Wi-Fi and floor-to-ceiling curtains to ensure maximum privacy. Although absolutely no-one I know (not even my parents or fiancé) would be interested in what I’m doing at 7.30am, Heathrow VIP or not, if intrusion into your private life is a problem you’re used to, you’ll be happy to know that ‘paparazzi are not allowed in the secure area of our suites and photography of any kind is not allowed at
‘How will I be able to travel in the normal fashion now that I’ve seen how the VIPs do it?’ Heathrow without a permit’. I am sure this consideration regarding paparazzi is much appreciated by the high profile guests it is bound to attract. My luggage is taken away at once and my passport too; I don’t have to deal with one iota of the check-in process, something I’m unaccustomed to and delighted by. I’m mildly amused to discover that Heathrow VIP is happy ‘to process up to 10 items of hold luggage per person’ through its service; again, this must be for the most serious of shoppers and pop stars with a tour wardrobe in tow. I have never travelled with more than two. Uma offers me drinks and takes my order from the breakfast menu; it ranges from a healthy morning booster juice and Greek yoghurt with mango and granola to comforting eggs and Marmite soldiers and a hearty full English breakfast. If I were here for lunch I could tuck into a four-course set menu,
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or something a little lighter (a salad, perhaps, or a sandwich, pasta or a burger). If you want to fit in some shopping (something many deem a definite airport perk), a personal shopping service is available on request for departing guests. You’ll be escorted through security and into the terminal shopping area but note that this service is only available if time allows. A VAT Refund Service is available for non-UK/EU citizens too but you’ll need to request the service upon booking and allow half an hour extra for it. If you’re a control freak like me, you’ll need to chill out and trust the VIP Client Services team that remaining in your lounge until less than 20 minutes before your flight takes off is absolutely fine. They do know best! When the time comes, I am taken to the Windsor Suite’s own security lane (number of people in the queue: 0) and driven straight to my aircraft by private chauffeured vehicle. This is without question the most peaceful and relaxing pre-flight experience of my life and it only continues when I land after a weekend away. Even though it’s a wet, dark, depressing Sunday evening, Kathy from
Heathrow VIP meets me the moment I step off the plane and I couldn’t be happier to see her, especially as my alternative route home would have involved waiting in line for passport control, waiting at the luggage carousel and then spending 90 minutes on public transport to get home. I’m chauffeur-driven back to the Windsor Suite at Terminal 5 and reinstated in my private lounge where I breathe a sigh of relief. Kathy whisks my passport away so that it can be checked by an immigration officer and Uma greets me once again, smiling and offering me afternoon tea. I am ready to accept but am told that, with the efficiency to which I have become accustomed, my car is already waiting. Despite the promise of scones, I am desperate to go home. It’s just 20 minutes from getting off the plane that I’m whizzing out of the terminal by car and it is wonderful. I just don’t know how I’ll possibly be able to travel through Heathrow in the normal fashion now that I’ve seen how the VIPs do it.
More Information Heathrow VIP is available to book for those travelling on First or Business class flight tickets, with all airlines flying to/from Heathrow Airport. The service is not available to those flying Economy or Premium Economy class. Children may use the service but those under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult. For an additional charge, a chauffeur car can be organised to take you to any UK address (subject to availability). Alternatively, your independently arranged driver can enter the private forecourt 30 minutes prior to your scheduled flight time. Prices start at £2,000 + VAT for up to three people for an arriving or departing flight, as well as those on flights connecting within three hours. A maximum group size of 12 persons per booking. Contact the VIP team on 020 8757 2227 or enquiriesvip@heathrow.com; heathrowvip.com
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Suite
dreams
… at The Wild Rabbit, Kingham W o r d s : K AT E R A C O V O L I S
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o London’s city-dwellers, myself included, the allure of the British countryside certainly holds an inimitable charm. This is definitely true of the ever-fashionable cluster of hamlets in the Cotswolds, which has seen the likes of Kate Moss, Damien Hirst and Stella McCartney take up residence here. It may well be the absence of skyscrapers and hurried commuters, which are replaced with sprawling meadows and limestone cottages, that makes this area the elegant refuge from city life that it is known to be. The Wild Rabbit, a restaurant with rooms located in the quiet village of Kingham, made quite the impression when it opened its doors just over a year ago, as the newest member of
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the Bamford empire – a brand that was started some 30 years ago by Lady Carole Bamford, dedicated to organic produce and living in harmony with nature. Only last month, it was also named Pub of the Year in the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide. It calls itself a restaurant with rooms, similar to those you might find elsewhere in the countryside in the UK and France. Locals from the nearby village of Chipping Norton frequent its casual, rustic pub, to sip on lager and wine in front of the open fire, while city slickers come for dinner and stay a night or two (it’s easy to spot those from out of town; just look for the man still wearing his John Lobb monk-strap brogues, or the lady in her suede four-inch heels).
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If you are visiting from out of town, as I was, you will want to stay the night. The 12 rooms may be small in number, but the limited accommodation firstly makes it even more exciting if you can get a reservation, and secondly, allows for total peace during your sojourn for your treasured time away. Staying at here is smile-inducing from the moment you traverse its pebbled driveway, in all its quaint, Cotswolds glory. Here, you will be reminded that small can be so very beautiful indeed.
‘For lunch or dinner, you can’t miss the exceptional steaks from the charcoal Josper oven’ The rooms are stripped of superfluity, and are little cosy havens in which you’ll be glad to rest your head. Encased in traditional Cotswold stone, each room is cutely named after a woodland animal (hedgehogs and deers among them), and are decorated in earthy, natural colour palettes and wooden furnishings. In the bathrooms, you’ll find Bamford’s beauty products – all organic – which add an extra little touch of indulgence to your experience. The standard double rooms are small, so if you’d like a little bit of space to lounge around and relax, opt for a Luxury Double Bedroom or a Large Double Bedroom – you will appreciate this, as out here, there isn’t much to do in the immediate vicinity of the hotel (my London 24-7 attitude couldn’t entirely be left behind for this trip). The real treat, however, is the restaurant, which sources its produce locally, and provides a
most quintessentially British country-style place in which to dine. For lunch or dinner, you can’t miss the exceptional steaks from the charcoal Josper oven, which are perfectly cooked and hold a wonderfully smoky flavour. The accompanying hand-cut chips produce a distinct crunch upon first bite, to reveal their fluffy, potato centre. It’s easy to slip into a real sense that you are at one with nature here, particularly as when you step outside a resident peacock stalks the premises (with a rather regal disposition, I might add). Not a lot surrounds you save for a convenience store, a few residential buildings and a small green a few minutes’ walk away. Your stay here simply won’t be complete without a visit to the nearby Daylesford, also started by Lady Bamford, which is a foodie’s heaven, with a market that sells organic local fruit and vegetables, freshly prepared salads and deli-style food. There is also a restaurant, where you can also take a cooking class or two, an outdoor pizza bar, a dedicated Bamford shop sellings its beautifully soft cashmere and clothing, and a Bamford day spa. It’s purely indulgent from the inside out, and is a place where you could host a large family gathering or a trip for two. To top it off, Daylesford has its own dairy creamery and organic animals that roam the property’s pastures. The concept may be a simple one, but this glamorous part of the Cotswolds is certainly one I’ll be returning to when in need of a breath of fresh air and heartwarming fare. Prices start from £135 per night for a small double room for two people B&B. Starters in the restaurant begin from £7.50 and main courses from £13.50. The Wild Rabbit (01608 658389; thewildrabbit.co.uk)
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THE BEAUTY IS IN EVERY DETAIL We are delighted to announce from January 2015, the leading luxury British skincare and spa brand, ELEMIS is to become the sole skincare brand used in The Ritz Salon. Situated on the seventh floor of The Ritz London, the treatment rooms will offer a selection of ELEMIS face and body treatments as well as two exclusive ELEMIS signature treatments. The Ritz Salon offers a single and a double treatment room, a manicure and pedicure room, a hair salon and professional make up application. The salon design reflects the Louis XVI interiors of the hotel with stunning bespoke furniture and offers complete privacy to create the perfect destination for pampering and relaxation.
The Ritz Salon, 150 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9BR Email: salon@theritzlondon.com Tel: 020 7300 2435 www.theritzlondon.com
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Beauty news Treat your skin to the scents from Mayfair’s Miller Harris, Rahua and Aesop this January to give your body a well-deserved boost w o r d s : kate r ac o v o li s
Heaven scent One of Mayfair’s treasured boutiques has received a very Mayfair makeover indeed. British perfumer Miller Harris on Bruton Street has transformed its interiors to reflect the natural elements that make up its fragrances under the creative direction of interior designer Rebecca Körner. Here you will find its iconic scents, such as the sophisticated, slightly peppery fragrances of La Fumée Collection, placed on beautifully crafted wooden box-like shelves, while a stunning gold-leaf feature wall illuminates the shop to make for one seriously decadent setting in which to choose your perfume. Miller Harris, 21 Bruton Street, W1J (020 7629 7750; millerharris.com)
Truth and beauty ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful,’ said English designer William Morris. While this quip could apply to all of Aesop’s products, it describes the brand’s latest offering perfectly, with its new box sets. Each is inspired by the original artisan guilds from around the world from centuries past, and come in the form of materials such as copper, leather, timber and marble. Each set contains a selection of the brand’s hero products, such as the Aromatique Resurrection body balm and wash (below) and comes neatly packaged in a keep-forever tin. A Certain Radiance, £75, Aesop (Aesop.com)
Lift me up January is such a cosy month, after the merriment of Christmas has subsided, but the days remain chilly and sunlight scarce. Ushvani has come up with an indulgent way to combat the cold and give you a mid-winter lift, with its Nutmeg Flower Bath Oil – a heavenly blend of bergamot, ginger, nutmeg and some 30, relaxation-inducing essential oils. Just add a generous dash to a warm bath and let the stresses of the day melt away. Nutmeg Flower Bath Oil, £55, Ushvani (ushvani.com)
Natural selection For hundreds of years, the women of the QuechuaShuar tribe from the Amazon rainforest have used the Ungurahua nut, which is known for its ability to strengthen and nourish hair. The powers of this nut are what New York-based brand Rahua has harnessed in its renowned hair products, and has now launched three organic body products; a body lotion, oil and shower gel. Gently scented with notes of lavender, eucalyptus, vanilla bean and soothing Palo Santo aroma, the products will cleanse, tone and deeply moisturise your skin to make for one altogether delightful shower and post-shower experience. Shower Gel, £25, Body Lotion, £40, and Body Amazon Oil, £47, Rahua. Available at Urban Retreat at Harrods 91
Winter sport hip injuries Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr Giles Stafford discusses common ski injuries to the hip and how to reduce the risk of these incidents spoiling your time on the slopes
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The mayfair Magazine | Health Promotion
W
ith the festive season rapidly approaching, many people will be heading to the slopes to work off that turkey. Thankfully, most winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, are relatively ‘hip-friendly’ sports, but the post- Christmas rush to the slopes does trigger an influx in referrals to orthopaedic surgeons. The majority of ski and snowboarding injuries involve broken bones (particularly the wrists and ankles), with a proportion of knee ligament injuries occurring, too. However, the hip is not immune to injury, with high-speed crashes potentially causing traumatic injuries such as hip dislocations and fractures. But, this is not the only thing the snow enthusiast should be aware of. Muscle injuries Poor muscle balance will predispose you to muscle injuries, especially in the lower back, lateral hip and groin. If your muscles are not functioning correctly, they could be exposed to forces that they may not be able to handle; resulting in strains and tears. It is extremely important to train prior to exerting muscles to high intensity activity. There are many ‘ski-fit’ classes available, which use high-intensity activities to get your body to the optimum level of fitness, prior to hitting the piste. The elliptical cross trainer is one of the best exercise machines as it works your gluteal muscles and quads. Pilates is also excellent at working your core strength and muscle balance, which further reduces your risk of injury.
The most common hip injury is a labral tear. The labrum is a ring of tissue that is attached to the rim of the hip socket and circles the ball of the hip. It acts as a gasket for the lubricating fluid of the joint and has a nerve supply, which causes pain when injured. The mechanism of labral injury is either an acute injury where the leg is forced into an unnatural position, or an underlying subtle shape abnormality of the hip, which predisposes the labrum to injury. Either way, the labrum gets pinched between the ball and the socket, causing it to tear (impingement).
Groin injuries If you are unfortunate enough to pick up a groin strain, it is important that you take time to recover. The first line is rest and physiotherapy, coupled with anti-inflammatory painkillers to reduce any discomfort you may experience. But if all these efforts do not help, it may be that your injury is more than a groin strain.
Treatment The best way to diagnose a labral tear is through an MRI scan. Historically, the test would be performed with dye injected into the joint, which can often be painful. However, with 3 Tesla MRI scanners, this is often unnecessary.
Hip injuries Pain felt in the groin can often be caused by hip problems, and if you are not responding to conservative measures, you should make an appointment with your GP or specialist to investigate this further.
If you do have a labral tear which is not responding to physiotherapy, keyhole hip surgery can often be used to address it. This can be done by either repairing the labrum back to its base, or removing a portion if it is unsuitable for repair. This is done as a day-case operation and, after a period of physiotherapy, you should be fit to hit the slopes again next season!
For further information, or if you would like to arrange an appointment at The Wellington Hospital, please contact the hospital Enquiry Helpline on 020 7483 5004, or visit thewellingtonhospital.com
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A revival of an ancient French apothecary beauty label is causing quite a stir in Paris. Angelina Villa-Clarke meets the man behind the renaissance of L’Officine Universelle Buly, a heritage brand repackaged for the 21st century
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The mayfair Magazine | Beauty
S
tep inside the tiny, atmospheric shop that has just opened on Rue Bonaparte on Paris’ Left Bank and it’s like stepping back to a time long forgotten. Oak and walnut burl cabinets house coloured powders and jars of oils, marble counters display boxes of soaps and there are myriad medicine-style drawers hiding creams, hand-crafted hair combs and exotic clays. This is Buly 1803, the home of
‘I came across some of the original catalogues of products from the 19th century and I was enchanted’ the newly resurrected beauty brand brought to us by the French-Moroccan entrepreneurial powerhouse Ramdane Touhami and his wife Victoire de Taillac. The man behind the worldwide success and revival of historic candle makers Cire Trudon, Touhami came across the original archives of Bully (he’s since dropped the second ‘l’ for a fresh appeal) and was inspired to bring it back to life. Just like with Cire Trudon, the duo are tapping into the current love affair that consumers have with the authenticity behind old and established heritage brands. Joining the ranks of cult products from labels such as Italy’s Santa Maria Novella and the UK’s revered
Penhaligon’s, Touhami believes that L’Officine Universelle Buly has a timeless appeal that fits a gap in the beauty industry today. ‘Buly was once one of France’s leading beauty brands and only stopped trading around 10 years ago, but it had fallen out of fashion long before then,’ he says. ‘I came across some of the original catalogues of products from the 19th century and I was enchanted. I could see a certain kind of magic about it. It was like discovering a whole new world of beauty. A treasure trove. Nowadays when everything is so fast – fashion, food, media – there is something inherently satisfying about reviving a label that has a solid past and a sense of history.’ Originally founded by celebrated Parisian nose Jean-Vincent Bully in 1803, (himself the inspiration for a novel by Honoré de Balzac about a perfumer, César Birotteau, in the writer’s Comédie Humaine cycle), the revamped brand now offers a reinvented take on the original product line-up. New formulations are based on old recipes with a dedication to keeping the lines as natural as possible, with no parabens or silicone used in any of the products, and many items sourced from across the world. The range on offer is immense with around 400 products for sale. There’s skincare, such as the Pommade Virginale, a skin-softening ointment for the face, and Eau Rectifiée, a cleanser made with St John’s Wort extract. There are beautiful soaps, ingenious scented matches, candles (of course) and even scented dental opiates (rose, apple and mint tea). Most interestingly of all is the 100-plus collection of raw beauty ‘materials’ painstakingly sourced from across the globe and based on age-old beauty customs. For example, take the baobab seed oil from North Africa, – a lifesaver for very dry skin – or the pink clay from Sardinia, ideal for restoring radiance. For the more adventurous, there’s the Bukkake Powder, made from the droppings of the Japanese bush warbler from Japan, used as a face scrub and known for making the complexion smooth and soft.
all images: buly
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‘De Taillac has spent a lot of time researching what works for the modern customer’ images above and below: buly. opposite, page, bottom right: yardley, and top left, penhaligons ltd
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‘Buly for me is more like a lifestyle choice,’ says Touhami. ‘It’s a statement about how you want to live. We’ve rediscovered some amazing products and it’s like we are revealing old beauty secrets and rituals that have been forgotten. We’ve travelled all over, meeting people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. I think you can feel all of that intrigue and passion when you walk through the doors. ‘The Bukkake Powder, for instance, was once used by the traditional Geisha in Japan,’ he continues. ‘We’re one of the only places in the world that now stocks it and we have many Japanese ladies who come to us just for that. You can spend hours in the shop and spend just €2 on something that works for you – such as a gorgeous floral hydrolate. Or you can spend €150 on a rare hair comb. There’s something for everyone.’ Central to Buly are the eight newly invented Parfams a L’Eau, or water perfumes, with singular notes such as damask rose and English honey. They are made – radically for perfumes – without alcohol or ethanol, and are available in two intensities: Eau Double and Eau Triple. ‘These are undoubtedly our hero products,’ enthuses Touhami. ‘There’s nothing
like them anywhere else in the world. They are not aggressive, like many modern perfumes, and they are very pure. They linger, but never cling and they have a quality that seems to adapt to each wearer.’ Touhami designed the shop’s interiors himself, inspired by France’s old pharmacies and dispensaries. ‘I spent two summers travelling around on the back of a motorbike. I visited around 130 apothecaries, notebook in hand,’ he says wistfully. Labels are authentically old fashioned and the products are offered in an assortment of vessels – from metal tubes to exquisite watercolour-painted ceramic bottles. ‘The aesthetic appeal certainly has one foot in the past,’ Touhami reveals. ‘You’ll find no plastic here. But the contents of the products are very technical and state-ofthe-art. De Taillac has spent a lot of time researching what works for the modern customer, gathering lots of knowledge under one roof. ‘We want to be known as one of the best beauty brands in the world. That’s the aim.’ With plans to open in Tokyo in 2015, a second Paris store in the pipeline, and sights on setting up shop in London for 2016, that day could well be within reach. Officine Universelle Buly, 6 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris. (0033 (0) 1 43 29 02 50; buly1803.com)
The mayfair Magazine | Beauty
Timeless beauty We bring you the brands that have stood the test of time based on original recipes by Dominican friars from flowers and plants in their gardens. (smnovella.com)
E. Coudray, Paris, France
Penhaligon’s, London, UK Founded: 1872 First product: Hammam Bouquet. A daring oriental scent created by William Penhaligon, inspired by the Turkish baths on Jermyn Street. The heady fragrance uses notes of Turkish rose, jasmine, musk and powdery orris. Signature product: Blenheim Bouquet. An iconic citrus fragrance for men, launched in 1902, and still a bestseller. USP: Penhaligon’s is the archetypal English brand, renowned for its luxury fragrances, and inspired by world travels. Its Victorian-style glass-stoppered bottles are covetable the world over. (penhaligons.com)
Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy Founded: 1612 First product: Acqua di Santa Maria Novella. This scented water was made for Catherine de Medici using citrus and bergamot, and is said to be the world’s first Eau de Cologne. Signature product: Rose Water. Devotees make special trips to Italy to stock up on the multi-purpose water made from rose petals from the Florentine hills. It can be used as a toner, a bath soak and to scent linen. USP: A traditional range of healing products
Founded: 1822 First product: Jacinthe et Rose Eau de Toilette. A light floral fragrance that combines sharp spring hyacinths with sweet summer roses. Signature product: Ambre et Vanille. One of the first oriental fragrances, made from orange, bergamot, vanilla and cinnamon, which still feels thoroughly modern today. USP: Pretty boudoir bottles give the brand a romantic, decadent feel. The ultra-feminine fragrance collection is complemented with rich body creams, oils and body washes. (roullierwhite.com)
Yardley London, UK Founded: 1770 First product: Lavender Soap. The company was one of the first and only manufacturers of soap for the City of London. Signature product: English Lavender Eau de Toilette. In the 1930s Yardley London commissioned scientists to search the globe for the most sought after varieties of lavender, leading to the discovery of the unique species, Lavandula Angustifolia, which is still used today and sourced only from England. USP: The quintessentially English brand is known for its delicate floral ranges of toiletries, such as Lily of the Valley, English Rose and April Violets. (yardleylondon.co.uk)
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Beauty | The mayfair Magazine
Spa review Geneu, New Bond Street WORDS: BETHAN REES
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oday I saw a glimpse into the future, in the most unlikely of places: New Bond Street. Stepping inside number 65, I was transported from the world of fashion to what can only be described as a Star Wars space ship-type pod, and I’m half expecting R2-D2 to come scuttling around the corner. But I’m in the flagship store of the scientific skincare brand Geneu. Award-winning Professor Christofer Toumazou from Imperial College London developed the U+ Microchip, a technology that analyses your skin’s DNA to measure the levels of antioxidants and collagen degradation, all of which contribute to the ageing process. At the store, customers can make an appointment with a PHD qualified scientific advisor, who will analyse your skin’s data using the U+ Microchip and recommend personalised anti-ageing serums in order to promote healthy looking skin. Having filled in the customary forms while perched on the Zaha Hadiddesigned couch, I’m led to ‘the pod’, and greeted by the charming Dr Maria Karvela. After gently wiping a cotton bud on the inside of my cheeks, it’s mixed into a solution to break up the DNA to target the two specific genes; the antioxidants and collagen. After applying the DNA to the microchip, within around 30 minutes you will have your results, which the consultant will explain, and you leave with your scientific, signature serum to use twice daily. It comes beautifully displayed in a sleek black box that makes it almost too beautiful to use. It’s an eye-opening look into the science behind dermatology, which proves beauty is much more than skin-deep. Initial Experience Package, £600, Geneu, 65 New Bond Street, W1S (020 7499 7161; geneu.com)
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There are approximaTely
2 million sports injuries in the uK every year - 95% of which are soft tissue injuries.
early diagnosis, treatment and physiotherapy can reduce the risk of long term damage. our orthopaedic consultants work together with experienced sports medicine physicians and physiotherapists to manage a wide range of orthopaedic problems.
Call our team today
www.thewellingtonhospital.com
020 7483 5004
200 years crafting a cognac with the perfect blend of aromas, so you can enjoy this moment.
14013 Cake XO 297x210.indd 1
24/11/2014 12:46
The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink
Ivy league
January doesn’t have to mark the end of indulgence and merriment. This month, taste the world with the Berry Bros. & Rudd wine club, and test the newest innovation in mile-high drinking
The Ivy is as if it were a place of fiction, where legendary tales of revelry sneak out the backdoor and where the glitterati roam after hours. From a late night hotspot, to the perfect venue for a weekend brunch, Richard Caring’s Caprice Holdings restaurant group has opened The Ivy Market Grill; the slightly more sensible sister. Head to the new Covent Garden outpost for truffled eggs and a Bloody Mary with a Fino Sherry Float Negroni, or its take on the Ivy’s classic shepherd’s pie. The Ivy Market Grill, 1 Henrietta Street, WC2E (020 7845 7800; theivymarketgrill.com)
Food & drink news WORDS: BETHAN REES
Members only
Heaven’s kitchen Heddon Street is now home to the latest eatery in Gordon Ramsay’s foodie portfolio. Heddon Street Kitchen plays the role of the ideal post-shopping pit stop, perfect for a boozy ice-cream milkshake or after-work drinks on the terrace. With an edgy, industrial New York feel – exposed pipes, distressed wood and white tiles – the kitchen is spearheaded by Maria Tampakis, who earned her culinary stripes at Ramsay’s City outpost, Bread Street Kitchen. The menu reads for a modern European experience, with a few updates on classic dishes along the way, such as the king crab thermidor and pineapple carpaccio. Heddon Street Kitchen, 3-9 Heddon Street, W1B (020 7592 1212; gordonramsay.com)
As we welcome the New Year with the popping of corks, we also greet lists of resolutions; however, they need not necessarily be all diets and detoxes. For those who want to expand their knowledge of wine, Berry Bros. & Rudd has just the indulgent solution for you. The historical drinks merchant, which has been at 3 St James’s Street for over three centuries, will deliver the resolution to your door with its bi-monthly wine club. With four different options, ranging from the Bourne collection, with a good variety of everyday drinking wine, to the Wellington case, for the true enthusiast, there’s something for all tastes; cheers to that! Wine club membership, 6-month membership from £360, Berry Bros. & Rudd (0800 280 2440; bbr.com)
Cabin cocktails Why should glamour have to end on board a plane? PUNCH magazine and W&P Design have put the fun back into flying with the creation of the Carry On Cocktail Kit. Simply add a mini-bottle of bourbon, muddle in the cane sugar and small-batch bitters from your handy silver tin, and voila, you’ve got an Old Fashioned. If this was invented in the 1960s, Don Draper would’ve been a very happy man. Carry on Cocktail Kit, from a selection, Punch and W&P Design (carryoncocktailkit.com)
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A Tuscan renaissance Often famed for its tempting food, flowing wine and refined high culture; Ristorante Frescobaldi brings the Tuscan experience to Mayfair WORDS: BETHAN REES
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here’s something so comforting about Italian food; such as indulging in a bowl of delicately handmade ribbons of fresh pasta, and a punchy, rich drizzle of truffle sauce. If there’s any family that’s qualified to offer London a slither of Tuscan solace and finesse, it’s the Frescobaldi family. With 700 years of history behind them, the Frescobaldi’s are one of Italy’s oldest and most respected wine dynasties. The name still rings chiming bells to oenophiles and foodies alike, with the much-anticipated opening of their first ever standalone restaurant in the UK, Ristorante Frescobaldi in the heart of Mayfair. You may have heard the name in London before, as from 2009 to August 2014, they took up residency with a wine bar in Harrods. ‘Winemaking and olive oil has always been in the Tuscan roots, so our family from the 1300s have been producing [wine and olive oil],’ says the elegant Diana Frescobaldi in her charming accent, part of the 30th generation of the vine aficionados. She has a certain elegance that only Italian women seem to carry, with her immaculately groomed hair, and classic attire. But to get to the real heart of the restaurant, and to understand why it’s such a landmark opening, you have to look to its colourful heritage. The family name is emblazoned in the history of Florence; they were the protagonists of Tuscan life, commissioning impressive public and architectural works such as the Santa Trinità Bridge and Church of Santo Spirito. Their influence travelled across the waters, and they earned the title of ‘treasurers to the English Crown’ and were ‘sending wine to English crowns… Henry VIII,’ Diana explains. The Frescobaldi family and fine culture go hand-in-hand; Dino Frescobaldi was a friend of
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Italian poet Dante Alighieri. ‘So when Dante was sent in exile, he had to keep the beginning of the Divine Comedy,’ says Diana, which allowed Dante to continue his work. Further to this, Girolamo Frescobaldi was an early composer of Baroque music and the family also traded wine for art with the incredibly illustrious Michelangelo Buonarroti, or simply Michelangelo as he’s better known. Ristorante Frescobaldi sits on the discreet road of New Burlington Place, just off Savile Row. It’s the sort of place you wouldn’t just ‘happen’ to wander past, but there’s something about that which feels even more exclusive. The restaurant is the first joint venture between the Frescobaldis and the Good Food Society, founded by Levent Büyükuğur and Sanjay Nandi. The GFS, as Sanjay describes it, is ‘a
‘To get to the real heart of the restaurant, you have to look to its colourful heritage’ hospitality restaurant business. We are a restaurant operator, owner and manager of restaurants.’ But what brought the business to Mayfair? ‘Levent and I as part of the Good Food Society, we’ve been really exploring the London market for a long time… Mayfair is the place to be, has always been, and I think will remain to be so,’ Sanjay explains. In the kitchen, executive chef Roberto Reatini takes the helm. Previously at the not too far away Zafferano and Shoreditch House, his menu is inspired by Italy, obviously. Levent describes the cuisine: ‘We didn’t want to try the nouvelle kind of Italian, which is a new approach all around the world; we would rather
The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink
choose classic Italian dishes that people used to eat.’ Roberto also brings a contemporary, London feel to his dishes using local, seasonal produce. ‘There are some products you can find here that are not typically used in Tuscan cuisine… crab salad, linguine with lobster…you can find it fresh everyday here,’ says Diana. Some other surprises spring up on the menu, such as sharing dishes of quinoa with sweet potato and goat’s cheese, and farro salad with shrimp and rocket, alongside the carpaccio and tartar menu, which reads of silver slithers of sea bass and tender squares of langoustine with crunches of green apple. On every pristine white-clothed table of Ristorante Frescobaldi, there is a bottle of Laudemio olive oil, beautiful in its raw, dark yellow glow colour, which is also made by the Frescobaldi family. The olives are harvested and pressed on the same day to guarantee the utmost freshness. You can’t immerse yourself in the full Frescobaldi experience without trying the wine, and the choice is almost endless. With over 1,100 hectares of vineyards, ten estates, and 80 importer countries globally, to say the family knows a thing or two about wine, is a tremendous understatement. They serve almost every wine by the glass, or in a flight (three 125ml glasses of different wines), so it’s dangerously easy to discover the history and heritage of the family though every sip. Ristorante Frescobaldi has a charming balance of old-world Italian hospitality and a modern approach to dining; the space itself has the aura of a family restaurant, but the aesthetics of a fresh, thoroughly thought-out design, with its stunning oak walls and handpainted pillars using Italian characters such as Dante and Bacchus. The food and wine tells a story of a thousand years, but isn’t intimidating nor is it archaic. To be the stars in your field for this long, you have to be innovative and ready to adapt; the Frescobaldi family are definitely doing something right. Ristorante Frescobaldi, 15 New Burlington Place, W1S (020 3693 3435; frescobaldirestaurants.com)
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Food & Drink | The mayfair Magazine
DINING OUT Quaglino’s, Bury Street WORDS: BETHAN REES
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hen F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in The Great Gatsby, ‘I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties, there isn’t any privacy,’ he could have easily been referring to St James’s institution Quaglino’s rather than one of Mr Gatsby’s soirées. The restaurant, which recently re-opened following a full-scale, multi-million pound renovation, exudes vintage glamour; its vibe instantly transports its guests back to the golden era of the 1930s. I can imagine the gaggle of women wearing tailored Schiaparelli evening gowns, sipping on French 75s to the soundtrack of Louis Armstrong. Since the opening in 1929, by charming restauranteur Giovanni Quaglino, the dining destination has hosted some of the biggest names in culture and royalty. Author Barbara Cartland found a pearl in her oyster while dining here, Judy Garland celebrated her marriage here, and Queen
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Elizabeth II visited as the first ever reigning monarch to ever dine in a restaurant. On the mezzanine level sits the marbletopped bar, adorned with glass decanters full of home-made vermouth and a silver tray full of an impressive selection of bitters. But the most intriguing aspect sits just behind the bar: an enormous block of ice, which the barmen chip away at to create ice spheres for the whisky. Its iconic sweeping staircase is extraordinarily grand; from the top you can fully admire the full scale of the 240-cover restaurant, and walking down it, I feel as if I should glide down holding the bannister with white elbow-length gloves, wearing a sequined, sashaying dress. The kitchen is headed up by Mickael Weiss, who joined following an almost 14-year stretch at Coq d’Argent. His food screams of European classics with a retro nod to the resaurant’s heritage. My starter of Clarence Court 63° duck egg with a truffle crumb, salsify and trompette mushrooms oozed handsomely as my knife gently nudged it. The native lobster main was served with a lemon and herb butter, and presented in a perfectly intact shell, with all of the succulent meat displayed delicately in the tail. As impressive as my main was, it was my guest’s dessert that stole the show: the pink almond pavlova, with Chantilly cream, was something out of a little girl’s fairy-tale and its ideal crunchy-chewy balance was dreamlike. This SW1 hotspot is one big soirée; whispers of intimate gossip come from the tables of two, cheers of celebration from the tables of 10, while later, around 10.30pm, the eatery morphs seamlessly in to a mecca for dancing. Quaglino’s is the original merrymaker, and trust me, this is one party you definitely want to be invited to. Quaglino’s, 16 Bury Street, SW1Y (020 7930 6767; quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk)
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 Bignon’s acclaimed light touch with highly flavoured dishes brings a thrilling dimension to classic French cuisine. Make your reservation today at
The Greenhouse, 27a Hay’s Mews Mayfair, London, W1J 5NY 020 7499 3331 www.greenhouserestaurant.co.uk reservations@greenhouserestaurant.co.uk
mayfair
Resident’s Journal
The Notebook Local news from around the area
CULINARY ACCOMPLISHMENT The May Fair Kitchen recently reopened with a new look and menu. Its interior décor now creates a plush environment with two halves; a bar area and a dining space. To travel between the two, you now have to walk past two displays – a meat one and a fish one. Towering high with ice, fish and seafood, the aquatic display shows off fat lobsters and glistening oysters that diners can choose from. The new menu has been devised to be flexible, with a wide range of side dishes to accompany the varied main courses. With the option to have oysters and cocktails brought to the table while you browse the menu, the saying ‘something for everyone’ is particularly appropriate here. The May Fair Kitchen, Stratton Street, W1J, 020 7915 3892 (themayfairhotel.co.uk) IMAGE COURTESY OF MAY FAIR KITCHEN
DATE FOR THE DIARY The Residents of Mayfair & St James’s Summer Garden Party will be held on Tuesday 23 June at Mount Street Gardens, from 6pm to dusk. It will feature the usual attractions of Champagne, cocktails, canapés, live music and entertainment, a roulette table from Crockfords, plus a famous mystery guest. Members of the Residents’ Society and friends of Mayfair & St James’s are welcome to attend. Tickets will be on sale in the Mayfair Library and online at rsmsj.com in the New Year with prices at £25 for members and £30 for non-members.
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DRESS TO IMPRESS Stylist and personal shopper Milda Chillingsworth recently used her expertise to dress a lavish three-day wedding for a Mayfair-based family. The ceremony, which took place in Puglia, southern Italy, featured intricately decorated elephants, dancers in flowing saris and Bollywood-style extravagance. Milda works with both men and women, and she can bring collections to clients’ homes or a hotel in order to discuss what they might be looking for, whether that’s a simple suit for a social evening or a lavish gown. (stylingforyou.co.uk)
NEW OPENING Kitty Fisher’s restaurant, named after a prominent British courtesan who lived in the 18th century, opened in Shepherd Market last month. Led by Welshman Tomos Pary, the Young British Foodie Chef of the Year for 2014, the eatery seats 40 covers in two rooms. Dishes include lamb cutlets, grilled potatoes and salsa verde and ox cheek, potato, sprout tops and spinach, while desserts such as grilled clementine, panettone and cheesecake will satisfy any sweet tooth. Wash it all down with the restaurant’s own Bloody Marys and Bad Kitty Cocktails – the perfect way to see in the New Year in style. 10 Shepherd Market, W1J, 020 3302 1661 (kittyfishers.com)
FANTASTIC PHOTOGRAPHS Australian photographer Murray Fredericks has his latest photographs on display at Hamiltons gallery. Plainly titled Recent Works, the exhibition is an extension of his Salt series where he travels on a bicycle taking pictures of incredible scenes. Some of the photographs on display are the artistic results of the emotional and physical strain he endured when searching for the perfect shot. He has exhibited his work internationally and it is very popular. He has visited the Arctic ice caps, where he suffered from lack of sleep, the threat of a polar-bear attacks and physical exhaustion in order to get the most out of his experience. Free entry, until 30 January, 10am-6pm Monday-Friday, 11am-4pm Saturday, 13 Carlos Place, W1K, 020 7499 9493 (hamiltonsgallery.com)
Murray Fredericks, Salt 402, 140cm x 255cm, digital pigment print on cotton rag, edition of 7, 2014, courtesy Hamiltons Gallery, London and Arc 1 Gallery, Melbourne
from right: Cigarette case, Carl Faberge ©, 1903 Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2014; Lacquer and gilt bronze Japanese bowl, 18th century, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2014
AN IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY Throughout January, The Queen’s Gallery is hosting an exhibition entitled Gold that explores what it is that has elevated this precious metal to a superior status over the course of history. Often used to represent wealth and power, gold has always appeared in regal collections, and on display in this exhibition is the Rillaton gold cup, originating from the Bronze Age around 1700-1500 BC. There’s also a gold crown from Ecuador that predates the Inca invasion and an Indian gold tiger’s head. With works of gold gathered from across the world and course of history, this exhibition will make for an interesting and gilded afternoon. £9.75 adults, £8.95 concessions, until 22 February, 10am-5.30pm, The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace Road, SW1A, 020 7766 7300 (royalcollection.org.uk) 107
mayfair
Resident’s Journal
The Calendar Outstanding events for Mayfair residents keen to get out and about this month
Until 17 January HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS
24 January HIGHLAND FLING
Until 26 January let the music play
Ending this month at the Ronchini Gallery, Home is a collection of work by DutchMonégasque artist Adeline de Monseignat. The installation is a representation of a room inspired by a child’s bedroom, where imagination and creativity are allowed to run riot. The space is made partly from a red and white striped canvas, which was taken from the awnings of de Monseignat’s family home. It aims to immerse visitors in her work, with a chance to see some of the artist’s preparatory drawings that aid her artistic process. Free entry, Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 11am-5pm, Ronchini Gallery, 22 Dering Street, W1S, 020 7629 9188 (ronchinigallery.com)
Celebrate on the eve of Burns Night with a live band, ceilidh and haggis canapés at Christ Church Mayfair. Bring a bottle of bubbly to toast the Scottish poet and his lifetime of literary works. Many guests may have sung Burns’ Auld Lang Syne on New Year’s Eve, and this evening is the chance to celebrate the man who wrote the immortal words. The band will get into the swing of things towards the end of the night, so make sure you have your dancing shoes with you. Burns Night falls on 25 January this year, and this event is the perfect way to mark the poet and lyricist’s 256th birthday. £7.50, 7.30pm-10pm, Christ Church Mayfair, Down Street, W1J, 020 7629 5885 (christchurchmayfair.org)
This New Year head to St James’s Church for a musical lunch to remember. Argentinian pianist Alberto Portugheis will perform Bach/Busoni’s Chaconne in D Minor, Dinu Lipatti’s Nocturne in F Minor and Brahms’s Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel. His work includes masterpieces from a repertoire ranging from the Baroque to contemporary, so there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy, whatever your muscial taste. And for Mayfair residents who are interested in learning more, they can do so from Alberto Portugheis himself as he teaches intensive workshops at Steinway Hall in W1U. Free, 1.15pm, St James’s Church,197 Piccadilly, W1J, 020 7734 4511 (sjp.org.uk)
right: Home by Adeline de Monseignat, Image courtesy of Ronchini Gallery
let the music play
home is where the art is 108
mayfair
Resident’s Journal
Planning & Development Ground-level developments and societal structural changes in the area
Planning applications in the local area DATE RECEIVED: 8 October PROPOSAL: Installation of lead cladding to party wall, dormer windows, parapet wall and gable end return ADDRESS: Chesterfield Hill DATE RECEIVED: 16 October PROPOSAL: Installation of new shop front at groundfloor level, use of basement and ground floors as one retail unit ADDRESS: Dover Street DATE RECEIVED: 26 November PROPOSAL: Installation of replacement shop front ADDRESS: Duke Street DATE RECEIVED: 27 November PROPOSAL: Cleaning the exterior stone and removal of the exterior paintwork from the stone arch of the building. ADDRESS: New Bond Street
Renting is big business
Office space comes at a premium price in Mayfair
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W1 postcode provides a status that a lot of businesses strive for. To have a prime spot on Berkeley Square or Bond Street is a good way to establish a reputation as a serious contender in the market, but it comes at a high price. The market for renting office space in Mayfair is almost as competitive as that of residential property, and the price is heavily influenced by the location of the
‘The draw to the area for office space has a lot to do with its reputation’ building, rather than the quality of the office. Luckily, the standard of office spaces tends to be consistent across the board in Mayfair. The draw to the area for office space has a lot to do with its reputation. The influx of wealthy investors from India, Russia and the Arabian Peninsula means that a business in Mayfair is a world-class institution, thus attracting interest from foreign investors who recognise the area as a hub of financial dealings. The very name and reputation of W1 is tempting for businesses, as well as the area’s
green spaces, historical buildings and smart offices. With restaurants, shops and hundreds of years’ worth of history concentrated in this special postcode, too, it comes as no surprise that Mayfair is central London’s most expensive place to rent offices. As of November 2014, the average renting price in Mayfair is £90 per sq ft, per year, and this price significantly increases for offices situated around green gardens like Hanover Square, Cavendish Square and Grosvenor Square. As an alternative, Holborn and Fitzrovia offer lower prices for a similar or greater amount of space. However, for some businesses, a Mayfair postcode will be worth the extra cash, especially if it increases the likelihood of investment from outside parties. (findalondonoffice.co.uk)
Planned road works and closures in and around January STREET
PLANNED WORK
DATES WORKS OWNER
Carlos Place
Install poly duct in footway
5-7 January
British Telecommunications plc 0800 800 150
Curzon Street
Repair damaged service pipe in carriageway
20-22 January
Thames Water 0845 920 0800
Dover Street
Install telecom ducts
6-9 January
City of London Telecoms 0808 129 6000
Hill Street
Alter and relay domestic service from main in carriageway
8-14 January
National Grid Gas plc 0845 605 6677
109
Suppliers of quality bespoke doors and ironmongery to some of the UK’s finest homes. Showrooms: Esher, Surrey & Chelsea Harbour 01932 851 081 or 0207 376 7000 info@solidwoodendoors.com www.solidwoodendoors.com
The mayfair Magazine | Regulars
Remembering
MAYFAIR h e n r y s o t h e r a n ’ s sackville street
W
Images courtesy of Sotheran’s of Sackville Street
Somerset Maugham once said ‘to acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.’ If one day you find yourself by Piccadilly and Sackville Street, you may well stumble across Henry Sotheran’s bookstore, which provides a worthy literary sanctuary. Entering the impressive pillared shop front, which on close inspection still bares its shrapnel wounds from the Blitz, is like stepping into something out of a Dickensian novel. The store can officially lay claim to the impressive title of the oldest antiquarian bookshop in the world, having first been established in York back in 1761 by Mr and Mrs Sotheran, before the couple set their sights southwards and took over a premises in Little Tower Street in the City. The Sackville Street site was finally acquired in 1936 and it has remained its rightful home ever since. Sotheran’s collection is unsurprisingly vast. Its shelves have seen everything from first editions of 20th century classics such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Hound of the Baskervilles to collectible children’s books by Roald Dahl and even the Gutenberg Bible. Downstairs in what used to be a wine shop (Sotheran’s claims there has always
been a historic connection between antiquarian booksellers and alcohol) is now a shrine to all things printed, housing a vast amount of original engravings, lithographs and etchings. The dedicated team behind Sotheran’s is also very much a part of the fabric of the bookstore. The company motto is ‘you do not have to be mad to work here, but it helps’ and one of the longestserving members of staff James Sprague is the first to admit that the longer you work there, the more eccentric you inevitably become. In 1959, Sotherans bought the most expensive printed book in the world at the time – James Audubon’s The Birds of America – at auction for £13,000. In 1909 the bookstore commissioned the binding of an illustrated version of Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, which took two years to complete and was encrusted with 1,050 precious stones. Unfortunately, the book was fated not to survive when, bound for New York City, it boarded the Titanic with its American buyer. A true London literary landmark, Sotheran’s retains an elusive, whimsical quality that ensures it will continue to remain a sanctuary for weary passers-by and avid book lovers for centuries to come. Words: Aimee McLaughlin
Sotheran, Son, and Draper 2 Little Tower Street 1817 - 1834
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Property | The mayfair Magazine
Mayfair estate agents Paddington & Bayswater aston chase 69-71 Park Road Regent’s Park, NW1 6XU 020 7724 4724 (astonchase.com)
Beauchamp Estates 24 Curzon Street, W1J 7TF 020 7499 7722 (beauchamp.co.uk)
4C Praed Street, W2 1JX 020 7717 5473 (sales) 020 7717 5343 (lettings)
Pimlico & Westminster 50 Belgrave Road, SW1V 1RQ 020 7834 4771 (sales) (hamptons-int.com)
John taylor 48 Berkeley Square, W1J 5AX 020 3284 1888 (john-taylor.com)
Hanover residential
West End
49 Welbeck Street W1G 9XN 020 3540 5990
St John’s Wood 102 St John’s Wood Terrace NW8 6PL 020 7722 2223 (hanover-residential.co.uk) carter jonas 127 Mount Street, W1K 3NT 020 7493 0676 (carterjonas.co.uk)
KAY & CO
Hyde Park & Bayswater 24-25 Albion Street W2 2AX 020 7262 2030
Marylebone & Regents Park 20a Paddington Street W1U 5QP 020 7486 6338 (kayandco.com)
47 South Audley StreetW1K 2QA 020 7629 4513 (sales) 020 7288 8301 (lettings)
Knightsbridge
188 Brompton Road SW3 1HQ 020 7581 5234 (sales)
Mayfair 36 North Audley Street W1K 6ZJ 020 7578 5100 (sales & lettings)
139 Sloane Street SW1X 9AY 020 7730 0822 (savills.co.uk)
Knightsbridge Mayfair
Savills
Sloane Street
Harrods Estates
ChestertonS
Rokstone 5 Dorset Street W1U 6QJ 020 7580 2030 (rokstone.com)
82 Brompton Road SW3 1ER 020 7225 6506
Mayfair 61 Park Lane W1K 1QF 020 7409 9001 (harrodsestates.com)
Westminster & Pimlico
Knight Frank
Mayfair
120a Mount Street W1K 3NN 020 7499 1012 (sales & lettings) (knightfrank.co.uk)
Hyde Park
10 Gillingham Street,SW1V 1HJ 020 3411 8386 (sales) (chestertons.com)
1 Craven Terrace W2 3QD 020 7871 5060 (sales) 020 7871 5070 (lettings) Horne & Harvey 23a St James’s Street SW1A 1HA 020 7839 6006 (horneandharvey.co.uk)
Hamptons International
Marylebone 55 Baker Street W1U 8EW 020 3435 6440 (sales)
Chelsea
134 Fulham Road, SW10 9PY 020 7717 5433 (lettings)
Strutt & Parker
London Head Office 13 Hill Stree W1J 5LQ 020 7629 7282
Knightsbridge 66 Sloane Street SW1X 9SH 020 7235 9959 (struttandparker.com)
Knightsbridge 168 Brompton Road, SW3 1HW 020 7717 5463 (lettings)
Mayfair 32 Grosvenor Square, W1K 2HJ 020 7717 5465 (sales) 020 7717 5467 (lettings)
JACKSON STOPS & STAFF 17c Curzon Street W1J 5HU 020 7664 6644 (jackson-stops.co.uk)
Pastor Real Estate Ltd 48 Curzon Street W1J 7UL 020 3195 9595 (pastor-realestate.com)
For estate agent listings please contact Sophie Roberts at: s.roberts@runwildgroup.co.uk
Wetherell 102 Mount Street W1K 2TH 020 7493 6935 (wetherell.co.uk)
showcasing the
finest HOMES & PROPERTY from the best estate agents
London life
How Amazon Property and luxury property management company Rhodium are taking portered blocks to a new level
Hot property image: harrods estates harrodsestates.com
An historic property on Mayfair’s Hill Street arrives on the market
KnightFrank.co.uk
Charles Street, Mayfair W1J
A three bedroom apartment with porter and parking A stylish three bedroom lateral apartment situated on the third floor of a purpose built apartment block, benefiting from porterage and underground parking. 3 bedrooms ﴾1 en suite﴿, shower room, reception room, kitchen, lift access, porter, parking. EPC rating C. Approximately 114 sq m ﴾1,230 sq ft﴿
KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7482
Leasehold: approximately 984 years remaining Guide price: £3,650,000 ﴾WER140205﴿
7 Rosebery MM Jan PH
12/12/2014 14:15:48
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KnightFrank.co.uk
Culross Street, Mayfair W1K
A unique three bedroom townhouse with parking A charming three bedroom townhouse situated within one of Mayfair's most secure, gated streets. 3 reception rooms, 2 studies, snug, sun room, kitchen, 3 bedrooms, bathroom, shower room, guest WC, conservatory, terrace, garden, lift, parking. EPC rating E. Approximately 220 sq m ﴾2,370 sq ft﴿
KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7482
Freehold Guide price: £7,000,000 ﴾WER140142﴿
culross st MM Jan
10/12/2014 17:10:25
KnightFrank.co.uk
Green Street, Mayfair W1K
A stylish three bedroom duplex apartment A beautifully presented spacious apartment on popular Green Street. Spread over two floors, the property boasts three double bedrooms and a private patio garden. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, open plan kitchen/reception room, additional reception room, patio garden. EPC rating C. Approximately 164 sq m ﴾1,770 sq ft﴿ Leasehold: approximately 110 years remaining
KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7482 SothebysRealty.co.uk 020 7495 9580
Guide price: £4,650,000 ﴾WER120055﴿
1,26 Green MM Jan
10/12/2014 17:15:11
4153
11
MAYFAIR & ST JAMES’S* 2014
To keep up with the latest property news and events @KF_Mayfair follow us To request a complimentary market appraisal please visit KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair or call 020 7499 1012.
120a Mount Street, Mayfair London W1K 3NN +44 20 7499 1012
KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair
4153_Mayfair_No1_agent_advert_210x297mm_v03.indd 1
*market share for properties currently for sale in Mayfair & St James’s
05/11/2014 12:09
KnightFrank.co.uk
St James's Street, St James's SW1 A luxurious one bedroom apartment with porter
A stylish one bedroom apartment recently refurbished to a high specification, benefiting from 24 hour porterage and lift access. Bedroom, bathroom, reception room, kitchen, under floor heating, double glazing, integrated appliances, lift access, porter. EPC rating D. Approximately 59 sq m ﴾631 sq ft﴿ A new lease of 104 years will be granted on completion Guide price: £1,495,000
KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7482 HorneandHarvey.co.uk sales@horneandharvey.co.uk 020 7839 6006
﴾WER140164﴿
24, 73 St James's MM Jan
12/12/2014 08:47:21
Ma
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KnightFrank.co.uk
Radnor Place, Hyde Park W2 Immaculatey refurbished freehold house
A beautifully presented town house located close to Connaught Village and the open spaces of Hyde Park. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, dining room, fully integrated kitchen, cloakroom, terrace, storage vaults, air conditioning, under floor heating. EPC rating D. Approximately 271 sq m ﴾2,925 sq ft﴿ Freehold
KnightFrank.co.uk/hydepark hydepark@knightfrank.com 020 3544 6140
Guide price: £4,950,000 ﴾HPE130163﴿
Mayfair Mag Jan 2015 - 2 Radnor Place Hyde Park
12/12/2014 17:26:59
KnightFrank.co.uk
KnightFrank.co.uk Mount Street, Mayfair W1K
Elegant one bedroom apartment Situated on a hugely popular street in Mayfair with fantastic views over the Mount Street Gardens. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, reception room, kitchen. EPC rating D. Approximately 61 sq m ﴾656 sq ft﴿ Available furnished Guide price: £1,500 per week
Mayfair Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7647 6600 ﴾MAQ205981﴿
Gilbert Street, Mayfair W1K Well presented one bedroom apartment
A spacious, second floor apartment situated in a prestigious Georgian building. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, reception room, kitchen, lift. EPC rating D. Approximately 64 sq m ﴾686 sq ft﴿ Available furnished Guide price: £750 per week
Connaught Place, Hyde Park W2 An exceptional penthouse apartment
A lateral penthouse apartment in a Grade II listed building with far reaching views across Hyde Park. 5 bedrooms, 5 en suite bathrooms, reception room, dining room, Poggenpohl kitchen, media room, study, utility room, staff room, decked roof terrace, air conditioning, direct lift access. Approximately 500 sq m ﴾5,386 sq ft﴿
Mayfair Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7647 6600 KnightFrank.co.uk/hydepark hydepark@knightfrank.com ﴾MAQ208023﴿ 020 3544 6140
Leasehold: approximately 126 years remaining Guide price: £20,000,000 ﴾HPE140240﴿
All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit Knight
Mayfair Mag Jan 2015 - Connaught Place New
Letting Mayfair Mag Jan 2015 15/12/2014 1 11:06:03
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o.ukKnightFrank.co.uk
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KnightFrank.co.uk
Mount Street, Mayfair W1K
Mount Street, Mayfair W1K
Situated on a hugely popular street in Mayfair with fantastic views over the Mount Street Gardens. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, reception room, kitchen. EPC rating D. Approximately 61 sq m ﴾656 sq ft﴿
Situated on a hugely popular street in Mayfair with fantastic views over the Mount Street Gardens. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, reception room, kitchen. EPC rating D. Approximately 61 sq m ﴾656 sq ft﴿
Available furnished
Available furnished
Guide price: £1,500 per week
Guide price: £1,500 per week
Mayfair Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7647 6600
Mayfair Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7647 6600
﴾MAQ205981﴿
﴾MAQ205981﴿
Elegant one bedroom apartment
Elegant one bedroom apartment
Gilbert Street, Mayfair W1K
Gilbert Street, Mayfair W1K
A spacious, second floor apartment situated in a prestigious Georgian building. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, reception room, kitchen, lift. EPC rating D. Approximately 64 sq m ﴾686 sq ft﴿
A spacious, second floor apartment situated in a prestigious Georgian building. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, reception room, kitchen, lift. EPC rating D. Approximately 64 sq m ﴾686 sq ft﴿
Available furnished
Available furnished
Guide price: £750 per week
Guide price: £750 per week
Mayfair Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7647 6600
Mayfair Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7647 6600
﴾MAQ208023﴿
﴾MAQ208023﴿
Well presented one bedroom apartment
Well presented one bedroom apartment
ministration fee of All £276 potential will apply tenants whenshould rentingbea advised property. that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 will apply when renting a property. ly or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges
03
Letting Mayfair Mag Jan 2015 1
10/12/2014 15:24:50
All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit Knight
Letting Mayfair Mag Jan 2015 10/12/2014 1 15:24:50
KnightFrank.co.uk
KnightFrank.co.uk
Grosvenor Square, Mayfair W1K
Fosbury Mews, Bayswater W2
Finished to the highest specification and situated on Mayfair's most prestigious garden square. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, dining area, kitchen, lift, 24 hour porter. EPC rating D. Approximately 109 sq m ﴾1,178 sq ft﴿
A contemporary three bedroom house featuring high ceilings and well proportioned room sizes throughout. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen/dining room, parking. EPC rating C. Approximately 183 sq m ﴾1,976 sq ft﴿
Fantastic two bedroom apartment
Available furnished
An immaculately refurbished mews house
Available furnished
Guide price: £2,250 per week
Guide price: £1,600 per week
Mayair Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7647 6600
Hyde Park Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings hydeparklettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 7941 ﴾HPQ209681﴿
﴾MAQ208071﴿
Grosvenor House Apartments, Mayfair W1K Luxury two bedroom apartment
Combining the services of a five‐star hotel with the comfort and security of a private Mayfair residence. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, dining area, kitchen, lift, 24 hour concierge,valet parking. Approximately 100 sq m ﴾1,076 sq ft﴿ Available furnished
Mayfair Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7647 6600
The Regent, Marylebone W1 A magnificent Grade II listed apartment
A spectacular three bedroom apartment featuring floor to ceiling windows and a glass staircase. Master bedroom suite, 2 further bedrooms, bathroom, large reception with dining area, separate kitchen, terrace, lift, porter. Approximately 265 sq m ﴾2,855 sq ft﴿ Available furnished Guide price: £5,500 per week
Marylebone Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings marylebonelettings@ knightfrank.com 020 3641 5853 ﴾MRY195869﴿
All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges
Letting Mayfair Mag Jan 2015 1
All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFr
Mayfair Mag HP/MB Lettings January 10/12/2014 2015(2) 15:24:50
Ma
o.uk KnightFrank.co.uk
KnightFrank.co.uk
Fosbury Mews, Bayswater W2
Fosbury Mews, Bayswater W2
A contemporary three bedroom house featuring high ceilings and well proportioned room sizes throughout. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen/dining room, parking. EPC rating C. Approximately 183 sq m ﴾1,976 sq ft﴿ Available furnished
A contemporary three bedroom house featuring high ceilings and well proportioned room sizes throughout. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen/dining room, parking. EPC rating C. Approximately 183 sq m ﴾1,976 sq ft﴿ Available furnished
Guide price: £1,600 per week
Guide price: £1,600 per week
Hyde Park Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings hydeparklettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 7941
Hyde Park Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings hydeparklettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 7941
﴾HPQ209681﴿
﴾HPQ209681﴿
The Regent, Marylebone W1
The Regent, Marylebone W1
A spectacular three bedroom apartment featuring floor to ceiling windows and a glass staircase. Master bedroom suite, 2 further bedrooms, bathroom, large reception with dining area, separate kitchen, terrace, lift, porter. Approximately 265 sq m ﴾2,855 sq ft﴿ Available furnished
A spectacular three bedroom apartment featuring floor to ceiling windows and a glass staircase. Master bedroom suite, 2 further bedrooms, bathroom, large reception with dining area, separate kitchen, terrace, lift, porter. Approximately 265 sq m ﴾2,855 sq ft﴿ Available furnished
Guide price: £5,500 per week
Guide price: £5,500 per week
Marylebone Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings marylebonelettings@ knightfrank.com 020 3641 5853
Marylebone Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings marylebonelettings@ knightfrank.com 020 3641 5853
﴾MRY195869﴿
﴾MRY195869﴿
An immaculately refurbished mews house
An immaculately refurbished mews house
A magnificent Grade II listed apartment
A magnificent Grade II listed apartment
nistration fee of £276 All potential will applytenants when renting shouldabe property. advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 will apply when renting a property. or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges
50
Mayfair Mag HP/MB Lettings January 2015(2)
11/12/2014 11:19:27
All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFr
Mayfair Mag HP/MB Lettings January 11/12/2014 2015(2) 11:19:27
savills.co.uk
1 BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED FLAT IN AN ATTRACTIVE PERIOD BUILDING ryder street, sw1 Entrance hall ø 2 reception rooms ø kitchen ø study/bedroom 3 ø master bedroom with en suite bathroom ø further bedroom ø further bathroom ø recently refurbished common parts ø air conditioning ø lift ø resident caretaker ø 182 sq m (1,963 sq ft) ø EPC=E Guide £3.95 million Leasehold, approximately 90 years remaining
Savills Mayfair David Turner dturner@savills.com
020 7578 5100
savills.co.uk
LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY
1
NEWLY REFURBISHED TWO BEDROOM LATERAL APARTMENT hertford street, w1 2 double bedrooms ø reception room ø kitchen ø 2 bathrooms ø 96 sq m (1,033 sq ft) ø Council Tax=H ø EPC=B
Savills Mayfair Polly Hughes phughes@savills.com
020 7578 5100 Furnished £1,100 per week + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* *£36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor reference where required. Inventory check out fee – charged at the end of or early termination of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.
Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk
Clarges Mews, W1J A contemporary style apartment on the first floor of this modern building, quietly located in the heart of Mayfair. Clarges Mews is within 200 meters of Piccadilly and the closest underground station is Green Park. The apartment has been refurbished and benefits from a private balcony. EPC: F
Hamptons Mayfair Office Sales. 020 7717 5465 | Lettings. 020 7717 5467
£1,500,000 Leasehold • • • •
One bedroom Newly refurbished Private balcony New build
South Audley Street, W1K A beautifully presented one bedroom apartment situated on the second floor of this converted period building. The apartment is located in the heart of the prime Mayfair postcodes with wonderful high ceilings that offer plenty of natural light. The property comprises of a master bedroom, large open plan reception leading onto a fully fitted kitchen with all MIele appliances and a newly finished bathroom. This property further benefits from a high spec built in sound system throughout and Sky TV installation. EPC: F
Hamptons Mayfair Office Lettings. 020 7717 5467 | Sales. 020 7717 5465
£1,500 per week Furnished/Part/Unfurnished • • • •
One bedroom Second floor Period building Bright and airy
Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk
Eccleston Square Mews, SW1V Set just behind Eccleston Square, is this larger than usual corner position Mews House. This property has undergone an architecturally commissioned modernisation that has resulted in flowing open spaces complimented by natural materials and state of the art comforts. EPC: C
£2,800,000 Freehold • • • • • •
Hamptons Pimlico & Westminister Office Sales. 020 3281 7214 | Lettings. 020 7717 5345
Four bedrooms, One reception room Three bathrooms Roof terrace Mews house Private parking
Bryanston Court, W1 An impressive, refurbished three bedroom, three bathroom apartment in a popular portered block. Having undergone a comprehensive programme of high specification renovation and interior design by the London based company Base Interior, this apartment has blended luxury modern living with the character of the building. EPC: D
£3,750,000 Leasehold • • • • • •
Hamptons Hyde Park & Bayswater Office Sales. 020 7717 5473 | Lettings. 020 7717 5343
26’ reception room Fitted kitchen Three bedrooms Three bathrooms (two en-suite) Audio/ visual technology Under floor heating/air conditioning
Mayfair’s 107 per cent new-build premium drives £4.5bn luxury development surge Going super-luxury generates a price premium of 107 per cent compared to neighbouring ‘normal’ homes in Mayfair, claims Wetherell. This potential uplift is driving a £4.5bn wave of new super-prime development in the area, as developers and investors get involved in returning W1 from hedge fund row back into a high-stakes residential enclave. The 107 per cent figure is based on multi-unit new builds compared to existing homes in Mayfair, as worked out by Dataloft using stats from Lonres, EGi and Westminster Planning at the behest of Wetherell. British Land’s Clarges Mayfair epitomises the trend, smashing local price records in September with an average per square foot price of £4,750 – 107 per cent more than adjacent homes. Of course, all schemes are pretty unique at this level, but the trend is undeniable. Some examples include: 21 Davies Street, which came in at a 74 per cent premium with £1,331 psf in 2004; Park Lane Place, which delivered a 44 per cent uplift at £1,020 psf in 2002; and 1 Carlos Place, which managed just a 27 per cent premium with an average of £726 psf in 2000. Images, clockwise from top left: Mayfair, courtesy of the Clarges Estate / Wetherell; infographic by Beauchamp Estates; Bruton Street by Robert Lamb (CC by SA 2.0)
Property News PrimeResi brings us the latest news in prime central London property
Rising stamp George Osborne rounded off this year’s Autumn Statement with ‘a complete reform’ of the stamp duty system – which he called ‘one of our worst-designed and most damaging of all taxes’ – ditching the much-maligned slab structure in favour of a voter-friendly progressive regime that will mean significant increases for most Mayfair buyers. This is an overdue reform that has the moral high-ground, but it hits high-value home buyers, hard. While 98 per cent of buyers across Britain are better off, half of all homes in central London are now subject to a higher stamp duty charge than before, with some hefty increases kicking in as values rise. A £2m buyer is now £53,750 worse off, paying 54 per cent more tax than previously; a £5m home will see its stamp duty rise from £350,000 to £514,000; a £10m home is now subject to a £1,067,350 charge. There’s a ‘break-even’ point at £937,500 (plus a small ‘purple patch’ between £1m and £1.125m) below which buyers will pay less tax than before the reform; above that price, however, charges escalate quickly at a 12 per cent tax rate
on anything above £1.5m. A lot of Mayfair property agents and buyers were understandably upset by the changes, but the higher rate band is likely to take the wind out of Labour’s mansion tax sails, reducing the likelihood that a new annual levy will be imposed.
‘As buyers adjust to the Autumn Statement’s stamp duty reform; the effects
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The mayfair Magazine | Property
MARKET INSIGHT
Partner and head of Knight Frank Mayfair, Harvey Cyzer, imparts his knowledge of the local property market
Rental Health: Million-plus lettings surge as HNW buyers wait and see It looks like London’s super-rich are opting to wait and see for the next 12 months, as the very top end of the rentals market – with six and seven figure annual rents – booms. Super-prime specialist Beauchamp Estates has worked out that 21 per cent of the capital’s total rental income is being generated by just the top 5 per cent of the market. Delaying a property purchase by a year might cost upwards of £1m in rent, but, as Beauchamp’s MD Gary Hersham points out, that’s ‘less than a £25m to £100m outlay for an ultra-prime property.’ Hersham expects London’s £3-5m sales market to ‘almost come to a halt’ for the next six months or so, as buyers adjust to the Autumn Statement’s stamp duty reform; the effects will, he says, become less significant further up the super-prime scale. The million-pound rental market came into being back in 2010, when Beauchamp let two four-bed penthouses in Mayfair for over seven figures a year. Since then, those prices have spread beyond Mayfair and Knightsbridge to Chelsea, South Kensington, Notting Hill, Regent’s Park, St John’s Wood and Holland Park.
‘Heart of Mayfair’ development gets the nod Grafton Estates has bagged unanimous approval from planners for its variation on the mixed-use development in Mayfair. The Squire & Partnersdesigned scheme, across two sites on Grafton Street and Bruton Street will see existing buildings demolished and new ones built in their place. Similar plans were approved in 2008 and 2012; however, the contribution to affordable housing has shifted, as the 2012 application offered a £220,000 contribution; this revised one offers £2.26m.
The pick-up in sales activity has been notable over the last year, with the number of transactions across the UK rising by nearly a third in the year to August 2014 – an underlying component of a fully functioning property market. The rising appetite for property comes against the continuing shortage of best-in-class stock, putting strong upward pressure on prices in certain areas of the UK. This has been especially evident in Mayfair, where both the lack of supply of high-quality homes and an increase in applicant interest have combined to deliver greater annual price growth. Moreover, Mayfair’s high-quality new-build development pipeline means record prices are likely to be set over the next few years in what is already an established super-prime market. This is emphasised further by a number of recent record-breaking sales by Knight Frank, including that of a newly modernised townhouse on Chesterfield Hill, highlighting the resilience of international purchasers to political factors within the UK. With regards to the outcome of next May’s general election, the short-term or domestic risks should not obscure Mayfair’s wider appeal. Whatever happens in 2015, London will retain a competitive advantage versus New York, for example, where residents are taxed on their global income. Neither should buyers overlook the long-term potential for price performance of prime central London property, which has been exceptionally strong through past elections. Those looking to purchase in 2015 would be advised to transact as quickly as possible. The lack of best-in-class properties in and around Mayfair has ensured that the best properties are selling quickly.
will become less significant further up the super-prime scale’
primeresi.com
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struttandparker.com
West Eaton Place, Belgravia SW1
Arranged across two buildings on the third floor of a handsome, white stucco - fronted building, this is an exemplary light and bright flat.
ÂŁ3,950,000 Share of Freehold
1,319 sq ft (122.54 sq m) Entrance hall | Double reception room | kitchen | Two double bedroom suites | Roof terrace | Lift
Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 bertie.hare@struttandparker.com
Lowndes Square, Knightsbridge SW1X
A spacious triplex apartment over the top three floors of this period white stucco fronted building, with private lift access, high ceilings, roof terrace and planning permission to create approximately 3,900 sq ft of internal accommodation.
3,224 sq ft (299.52 sq m) Entrance Hall I Drawing room | Dining room I Kitchen I 6 bedrooms I 4 Bathrooms I Cloakroom I Roof terrace | Storage | Private lift | Access to Communal gardens
Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 james.forbes@struttandparker.com
ÂŁ7,800,000 Leasehold
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struttandparker.com
Lowndes Square, Knightsbridge SW1X
An immaculately presented three/ four bedroom lateral apartment on the second floor of this 24 hour ported purpose built block with views over the communal gardens.
2,260 sq ft (209.96 sq m) Entrance Hall | Reception room | Sitting room | Master bedroom | Bedroom two with en suite shower room | Bedroom three | Bathroom | Guest cloakroom
Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 James.forbes@struttandparker.com
ÂŁ9,750,000 Leasehold
A stunning duplex penthouse apartment (circa 3,765 sq ft) in the best building, at the centre of Warwick Square.
ÂŁ6,950,000 Share of Freehold
3,793 sq ft (352 sq m) Entrance hall | Dining room | Kitchen | Staff Kitchen | 4 Bedrooms with en suites | Laundry room | Bedroom 5 | Roof terrace | lift | Communal gardens | Porter
Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959
james.gilbert-green@struttandparker.com
Green Street, Mayfair W1 A beautiful three bedroom duplex apartment situated on the first and second floor of this well presented building. Comprising a stunning south facing reception room with high ceilings and balcony, a large kitchen/dining room, master bedroom with en suite bathroom, two further double bedrooms and a separate bathroom. The apartment has been refurbished to a high specification and offers excellent storage throughout. EPC rating C
Leasehold: approximately 120 years remaining ÂŁ4,500,000 +44 (0) 20 7409 9047 robert.cox@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 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: +44 (0) 20 7225 6700 HARRODSESTATES.COM
Berners Street, Fitzrovia W1 Three apartments and one penthouse in a boutique loft style development with a lift in the heart of Fitzrovia. All the apartments have been finished to a high specification with a contemporary ‘loft-style’ design and two of the apartments benefit from terraces. Features include oak flooring, open contemporary kitchens with Miele appliances and comfort cooling. The bedrooms have built in wardrobes and stylish en suite bathroom/shower rooms.
Leasehold: approximately 999 years remaining Prices from £1,975,000 to £4,500,000 +44 (0) 20 7409 9205 michael.davis@harrodsestates.com JSA: Savills Marylebone
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 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: +44 (0) 20 7225 6700 HARRODSESTATES.COM
Princess Court, Mayfair, W1H A rare and stunning apartment with a daytime porter, providing approximately 2,300 ft2 of lateral living space. The property comprises a spacious reception room, fully integrated kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, further double bedroom with en-suite and a guest cloakroom. Green Street is conveniently located in prime Mayfair within easy reach of all the shopping, entertainment and transport facilities. Available, unfurnished.
Price Per Week: £2,950 Property Fees: £180 Admin & £210 Checkout. References: £42 per person*
+44(0)20 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 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: +44 (0) 20 7225 6700 HARRODSESTATES.COM
Park House, MAYFAIR, W1 This duplex penthouse apartment is set over the sixth and seventh floors overlooking Mayfair to the south and east. The accommodation of approx. 2,213 ft2 comprises open plan kitchen/dining/reception room with access to large terrace with exceptional view over London. The bedroom benefit from a connecting balcony and comprise a master bedroom with dressing area and ensuite bathroom, second double bedroom withen-suite shower room, third double bedroom, shower room and guest cloakroom. Available, furnished.
Price Per Week: £4,690 Property Fees: £180 Admin & £312-450 Checkout. References: £42 per person*
+44(0)20 7409 9158 robin.boghhenrikssen@harrodsestates.com
KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: +44 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: +44 020 7409 9001 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: +44 (0) 20 7225 6700 HARRODSESTATES.COM
jackson-stops.co.uk
Buckingham Street, WC2 An exclusive development of eleven 1, 2, & 3 bedroom apartments designed by world renowned LINLEY Interior Design. Nineteen Buckingham Street is an imposing Grade II* listed Georgian property, positioned in a street within the Adelphi Conservation Area, nestled between The Strand and Victoria Embankment Gardens. PHASE ONE – ALL SOLD PHASE TWO – Three 2 bedroom apartments & one 3 bedroom apartment remaining.
Prices from £1,999,999 Leasehold
MM57191
People Property Places Local & National reach through a network of London & Regional offices
Mayfair
020 7664 6644 mayfair@jackson-stops.co.uk
The Hansom, SW1V Positioned just 50 metres from Victoria Station, in the heart of the area’s £4bn regeneration scheme, The Hansom embodies the essence of the new Victoria. A boutique collection of just 26 luxury one and two bedroom apartments, all of which enjoy the highest standards of contemporary interior design. The development also benefits from secure underground parking and a concierge desk with dedicated porter.
Prices from £795,000 Leasehold
MM59405
People Property Places Local & National reach through a network of London & Regional offices
Mayfair
020 7664 6644 mayfair@jackson-stops.co.uk
jackson-stops.co.uk
Bruton Street, W1J A split level 3rd floor apartment (with lift) in a period building located off Berkeley Square close to Green Park. Comprising double reception/dining room, separate fully fitted kitchen, master bedroom with en suite bathroom, further double bedroom and guest shower room. Furnished. EPC Rating F
ÂŁ1,295 per week (fees apply)
MM47055
North Row, W1K A high specification sixth floor (with lift) apartment in a 24 hr portered building forming part of a luxury hotel. Comprising reception room with views over Hyde Park, separate fully fitted kitchen, master bedroom with en suite bathroom, second bedroom with en suite, further bedroom and guest W/C. EPC Rating C
ÂŁ2,450 per week (fees apply)
MM51227
People Property Places Local & National reach through a network of London & Regional offices
Mayfair
020 7664 6644 mayfair@jackson-stops.co.uk
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As demand for properties in prime central London with exceptional management services rises, The Mayfair Magazine meets Dean Main, founder of luxury property management company Rhodium, and Chris Lanitis, partner at Amazon Property, to discuss the trend
‘E
xcellent service has become an expectation,’ says Dean Main, founder of London-based luxury property management company Rhodium. Main is referring to an increasingly prevalent trend in prime central London property, as discerning residents who are accustomed to an incredibly high calibre of service – from where they choose to dine, or hotels in which they stay – also seek the same if not better standard of service in their everyday lives, starting from the moment they set foot inside their buildings. Cue Chris Lanitis, partner at multidisciplinary investment and development group Amazon Property, which includes some 70 top-end residential schemes among its repertoire of developments, with another 15 currently in the pipeline from now until 2017. ‘The real activity started in 2009,’ Lanitis says. ‘We had a vision to get into the prime residential market, specifically office and residential conversions in Zone 1 [Westminster], and we’ve been buying buildings with character and beautiful interiors that can easily be transformed into fantastic residences.’ Main and Lanitis are a rather dynamic duo in the prime central property world, having met around eight years ago, before they decided to pair Amazon Property’s exceptional developments with Rhodium’s management
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services to create a completely unique offering to high net worth individuals who are looking to purchase a home. Both, in their own way, responded to a niche gap that they saw in the market: Amazon Property in prime central London’s booming development scene, and Rhodium in the way in which residents’ can enjoy the same convenience and service they would expect of a five-star hotel. Lanitis says: ‘If you look at the prime residential market and how it has evolved, there are more schemes now
‘Main and Lanitis are a rather dynamic duo in the prime central property world’ than ever and certainly a lot of larger schemes are putting a major emphasis on the add-ons, and that’s what attracts the buyer.’ While in other global cities, such as New York, where portered buildings are commonplace, London has previously lacked this service, particularly at the super high end of the market. And it’s not just about having a porter greet you at the entrance; living at a Rhodium managed property means that you will have access to what could only be described as your own personal concierge, reaching far beyond the day-to-day management of your property. Each
The mayfair Magazine | Property
resident has one point of contact to manage their property, ensuring a tailor-made service is provided from the start. ‘Ninety per cent of our clients are foreign, and they rely on us to have a contact who is based here, who understands London and how it works,’ says Main. Whether it’s acquiring a piece of art, as Rhodium did for one client with a Frank Auerbach painting, arranging waiting list-only restaurant reservations or personal trainers, no task is too large or small. Rhodium currently manages in excess of £2 billion worth of prime London real estate in areas such as Mayfair, Belgravia, Kensington and Chelsea. While this may seem vast – it is its specialised approach that has contributed to the company’s position as an exclusive service to those who are looking for a totally comprehensive package when it comes to their property. ‘A lot of our clients are international, and we reach out to those who appreciate anonymity,’
says Main. ‘They do not want the aura of a big block, they just want to be in an Amazon development because what it provides is a boutique scheme, and a low number of units.’ This and Amazon’s boutique developments across London – examples of which include a prestigious block on Pall Mall and Amazon’s flagship development The Park Crescent at Regents Park – has certainly been a successful combination in pairing these bespoke properties with quintessentially British façades with the service that Rhodium provides. ‘We want to offer people a home away from home,’ says Lanitis. ‘It’s all about the fact that arriving at home is the minute you walk into the block. Buyers are buying a part of London, we are selling a lifestyle.’ For further enquiries contact Rhodium Residence Management (020 7629 5990; rh-45.com) and Amazon Property (020 7298 8700; amazonproperty.com)
below: Left, Chris Lanitis, and right, Dean Main. All photos by Sarel Jansen
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Davies DaviesStreet Street MAYFAIR MAYFAIRW1 W1 Contemporary Contemporary two two bedroom bedroom apartment apartment in in iconic iconic building. building. 2424 Hour Hour Uniformed Uniformed Porter Porter Secure Secure Underground Underground Parking Parking ■ 1,384 1,384 SqSq Ft Ft ■ 140 140 Year Year Lease Lease
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
£5,950,000 £5,950,000JSA:JSA: Knight Knight Frank Frank
mount Street MAYFAIR W1 Second floor two bedroom apartment in classic terracotta building. ■ ■ ■ ■
Lift Views to The Connaught Hotel 1,055 Sq Ft 110 Year Lease
£4,000,000
no-one knows mayfair better than wetherell
Wetherell_DPS_LHP.indd 1
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We
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green Street MAYFAIR W1 South facing three bedroom penthouse overlooking Mayfair’s largest private gardens. ■ ■ ■ ■
Penthouse ■ Roof Terrace Direct Lift Access 2,265 Sq Ft 118 Year Lease
£7,500,000
avery row MAYFAIR W1 Smart one bedroom flat in buzzy ‘village high street’ location. ■ ■ ■
First Floor Near Bond Street Tube (Crossrail) 108 Year Lease
£999,950 JSA: Knight Frank
wetherell.co.uk
Wetherell_DPS_RHP.indd 2
102 Mount Street, London W1K 2TH T: 020 7529 5566 ■ E: sales@wetherell.co.uk
11/12/2014 16:04
Property | The mayfair Magazine
Prime location Booming with new developments, W2 is increasingly being sought after by residents from around the world. We meet the sales team at Knight Frank’s Hyde Park office to discuss
Above: left to right: Antonia Thorp, Fenella Freeland, Stephen Fairfax, Laura Dam Villena and Patricia Swires
P
icture a part of London where Hyde Park is your garden, Mayfair and Notting Hill are your neighbours and where village life is exceptionally charming. Bringing all of this together is W2, the prime central pocket of London that is currently enjoying much spotlight for its residential investment opportunities and the rare-to-find draw of living in a largely quiet and private, yet very convenient and well-connected place. Realising the full potential of this area five years ago, Knight Frank set up its dedicated office to cover the area, headed up by Fenella Freeland and the team; Antonia Thorp, Stephen Fairfax, Laura Dam Villena and their current graduate Patricia Swires. Half a decade later, the estate agent’s newly released W2 Report reveals the area’s strong potential for growth, while offering more value for money for future occupants; residential prices have grown by 27 per cent more than other neighbouring postcodes. While some properties have broken records for price per square foot, the report revealed that prices for newly built properties fall in the £2,000 to £2,500 per square foot region. ‘People are finding that this is a great area for investment, and to live in, and, of course, because its location is so convenient,
particularly with the arrival of Crossrail in 2018, which will mean that journey times into the City are going to be cut considerably,’ says Fenella. The north side of Hyde Park is attracting residents from all over the world, such as Europe, Asia and the Middle East, for this unique village feel of the area. Connaught Village, for example, is an elegant cluster of independent boutiques. Antonia says: ‘Traditionally, from a British perspective, this area might not have been regarded as highly as its surrounding areas. Times have changed and global residents look at the location: Hyde Park, and Mayfair and the nearby Oxford Street. It’s just so close to everything that is central.’ And although the office has sold some key properties at record-breaking prices for the area, it exchanges on a huge variety of properties, with the £1 million to £3 million market at its core. Laura adds: ‘The benefit that we have is that W2 still offers good value for money.’ Despite the short-term uncertainty that has come with the forthcoming election in 2015, and the recent stamp duty rises, there are new developments in the pipeline, and as Fenella aptly puts it, ‘There’s a lot more opportunity yet to come.’ Knight Frank Hyde Park, 1 Craven Terrace, W2 (020 7871 5060; knightfrank.co.uk)
‘ People are finding that this is a great area for investment’ 148
for all your property needs in 2015 speak to carter jonas. Please get in touch for a complimentary market appraisal: T: 020 7439 0676 E: mayfair@carterjonas.co.uk
carterjonas.co.uk Offices throughout the UK
FOR SALE CLARGES MEWS, MAYFAIR, LONDON W1
£1,500,000
Newly refurbished luxury apartment extending to 610 sq ft (56.67 sq m) in a Mayfair Mews moments from Berkeley Square and within easy walking distance of Green Park tube, Shepherd Market and the boutiques and luxury shops of Bond Street. Accommodation: entrance hall, reception room with balcony, fully fitted kitchen with all appliances, double bedroom, large fully tiled shower room, utility cupboard and entry phone system. Leasehold: Approx 99 years remaining plus share of Freehold.
FURTHER DETAILS:
FOR SALE RED LION YARD, MAYFAIR, LONDON W1
£1,800,000 Freehold
A rare opportunity to acquire a delightful one bedroom freehold Mayfair townhouse extending to 723 sq ft (66 sq m) in a small charming cobbled mews discreetly located just off Hill Street, close to the exclusive amenities of Mayfair and the surrounding area. Hyde Park is a few minutes walk away and the boutiques of Mount Street and Bond Street are also close by making this unique property an ideal pied a terre. Accommodation: entrance hall, study/home office, guest cloakroom, reception room with open plan kitchen, master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and bathroom.
FURTHER DETAILS:
Michael Harte T +44 (0)20 3195 9595 E sales@pastor-realestate.com
Michael Harte T +44 (0)20 3195 9595 E sales@pastor-realestate.com
PASTOR REAL ESTATE 48 CURZON STREET, LONDON, W1J 7UL • T +44 (0)20 3195 9595 F +44 (0)20 3195 9596
www.pastor-realestate.com
TO LET PARK LANE, MAYFAIR, LONDON W1
£6,000 per week
Stunning Mayfair penthouse apartment extending to 2370 sq ft (220 sq m) with direct lift access and a roof terrace overlooking Hyde Park. The property is set back from the road and occupies the top two floors of this portered period building with the additional feature of private off street parking on the driveway. Accommodation: spacious reception, luxury fully fitted kitchen, master suite with dressing room and bathroom, two further double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, guest cloak room, roof terrace, mood lighting, air conditioning and surround sound system.
FURTHER DETAILS: Spencer Taffurelli T +44 (0)20 3195 9595 E lettings@pastor-realestate.com
TO LET MAYFAIR, LONDON W1
£2,600 per week
Spectacular newly refurbished Mayfair apartment extending to 1910 sq ft (177.4 sq m) in this luxury portered block with fantastic 9th floor views flooded with natural light. A short walk from Green Park tube and the amenities of Mayfair, Piccadilly and St James’s. Accommodation: entrance hall, three double bedrooms, all with generous built-in storage, two luxury en-suite bathrooms and a shower room, huge triple aspect split level reception room with dining and study areas, fully integrated kitchen.
FURTHER DETAILS: Spencer Taffurelli T +44 (0)20 3195 9595 E lettings@pastor-realestate.com
HOT PROPERTY Hill Street, W1J
A
stone’s throw away from Berkeley Square is the quiet, residential road of Hill Street. Steeped in rich history, the street has been home to some of the most esteemed residents of its time. Elizabeth Montagu, a legendary critic and writer of the 18th century, chose her home in Hill Street as the perfect spot to rouse inspiring conversation to refine and impart knowledge on culture, the arts and history, in what was then known as a ‘salon’. She played hostess to some of the great minds and writers of the period, such as Edmund Burke, David Garrick and Horace Walpole. Lined with Grade I and II listed buildings, Hill Street is certainly a stunning place to draw inspiration from.
This month offers an exciting opportunity to purchase in the heritage abundant location, in a rather spectacular building; a three-bedroom apartment within a block of two adjoining period buildings, dating from 1760-1770. With your own front door leading to an original grand entrance hall, from when the building was just one house, the apartment feels worlds apart from any nearby neighbours. The ground floor is an impeccable spot for entertaining, choose from one of its four reception rooms and terrace; cosy up in the sitting room in front of a roaring fireplace, or host a summer soirée outside. One of the highlights of this property is the amount of outdoor space; there’s not just one, but three
For further enquiries contact: Knight Frank: Harvey Cyzer (020 7647 6615; harvey.cyzer@knightfrank.com) Shaun Crockett Property: (07710 130 100; info@shauncrockettproperty.com) 152
The mayfair Magazine | Property
terraces. With a plethora of parks and gardens on your doorstep, from nearby Mount Street Gardens, Grosvenor Square and Hyde Park, this area and residence offers a rare living element for central London; green space, and lots of it. Just through from the family room at the back of the house is the kitchen by German design aficionado, Bulthaup. As per the usual Bulthaup style, it’s uber-contemporary but pragmatically functional with all of the mod-cons you could need to make an epicurean feast, and the interiors are a welcome modern addition to the house; think speckled marble tops, a white banquette and a duck-egg blue, clouded glass table for all your friends and family to indulge around. For a more formal dining experience, lead your guests to the dining room with dark wooden floors, plum velvet chairs and glass doors to the terrace, which floods the room with natural light. On the first floor, there’s another reception room: the formal drawing room, which is an idyllic refuge to recline and read a book in. Pick one from the many bookshelves that encircle the stunning space. The master bedroom has direct access to a private roof terrace, which allows for late-night musings under the stars, or a nightcap in your dressing gown, but the real star of the bedroom is its adjoining dressing room, positioned between the bedroom and the en-suite. With the aesthetics of a humidor room, panelled and fitted with gorgeous glossy wood, the dressing room is not just a place of a woman’s fantasy, but also that of any gentleman. Getting ready in here would truly be a treat. The second bedroom located on the first floor also has an en-suite, which is marbled in cappuccino-coloured perfection, and is certainly large enough to throw a gathering in. This house would make a truly remarkable home, with contemporary necessities throughout, but it holds on to its heritage and homely history, which gives the Hill Street apartment its beauty and charm. Guide price, £18,000,000
‘The master bedroom has direct access to a private roof terrace’
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Albion Close, Hyde Park W2 A charming four bedroom freehold house situated in a gated private mews only moments away from the amenities of Connaught Village. Located in the only gated mews on the Hyde Park Estate, the property comprises of four bedrooms, three bathrooms and an impressive first floor open-plan bright reception room. The property also boasts high ceilings and allows an abundance of light throughout. The house also benefits from its own private parking space. This lovely home is one of only 12 houses in a private gated close, providing first-class security. The property is within 50m of the green open spaces of Hyde Park and also in close proximity to Hyde Park Square. Marble Arch and Lancaster Gate underground stations are situated nearby. The arrival of the cross rail will allow for easy access to the City.
£2,700,000 »»Freehold House »»Gated Private Mews »»4 Bedrooms »»3 Bathrooms »»Large Reception Room »»High Ceilings »»Private Parking Space GOLD
prestige estate agency
020 7580 2030 WWW.ROKSTONE.COM 5 Dorset Street, London, W1U 6QJ enquiries@rokstone.com
2013 W W W. r o k s t o n e . c o m
020 7580 2030 5 Dorset street, LonDon W1U 6QJ
oUr attention to DetaiL goes above anD beyonD oUr cLient’s expectations
West Halkin Street, SW1X This elegant and spacious 2 bedroom apartment is situated in one of the most sought after streets in the heart of Belgravia. Having recently undergone refurbishment of the highest quality throughout it not only offers an exceptional lateral layout over the 2nd floor, but is also flooded with natural light. The apartment has an amazing sized roof terrace, a resident caretaker and a long lease and is therefore ideal as either a home or as a long term investment. EPC Rating E John Taylor UK 48 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AX Tel: 020 3284 1888 Email: london@john-taylor.com
£4,500,000 Leasehold ABU DHABI MEGEVE •
• AIX-EN-PROVENCE • BARCELONA • CANNES • COURCHEVEL • COSTA BRAVA • GENEVA • GSTAAD • LONDON MERIBEL • MILAN • MONACO • PARIS • ST-JEAN-CAP-FERRAT • ST-PAUL-DE-VENCE • ST-TROPEZ • VALBONNE
www.john-taylor.com