The Mayfair Magazine June 2015

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Contents | The mayfair Magazine

Contents June 2015 Features

Fashion

022

022 | Cabinets of curiosities We discover the art to collecting antiques, art, wine and watches

041 | Style spy 042 | Style update 044 | Life in the fast lane We bring you the ultimate seasonal wardrobe for your social calendar this summer

052 | The evolution of an icon We bring you the story of one of the world’s most famous coats as Max Mara reopens in Mayfair 066 | Spot the difference We uncover the intriguing world of forged works of art and masterpieces

107

074 | A collector’s item Richard Yarrow on the joy of collecting classic cars, from Ferraris to Porsches 098 | A very good year Is wine from Bordeaux making a comeback? We find out whether it’s still the wise investment it was

066

regulars

Collection

Art

027 | Turning point Boodles and the Royal Opera House create a fine jewellery collection

056 | Art news

029 | Jewellery news

058 | Exhibition focus: Raymond Cauchetier’s New Wave at the James Hyman Gallery

031 | History in the making Patek Philippe celebrates its 175th anniversary with a new exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery

060 | Postcards from the past We bring you our highlights from the Sotheby’s London Annual Photographs Sale

036 | Falling from grace Carolina Herrera de Báez presents her first jewellery collection, Falling Jasmine

062 | Prize lots

014 | Contributors 039 | Watch news 016 | Editor’s letter 019 | My life in Mayfair: Zahra Kassim-Lakha, director, UK market and global strategy, JaegerLeCoultre 020 | Couture culture Our latest dispatch on the arts, film and theatre releases

098 10

107 | Remembering Mayfair: Grays Antiques

044

064 | Artistic endeavours The Royal Academy of Arts’ 247th Summer Exhibition arrives


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Contents | The mayfair Magazine

Contents June 2015 mayfair

Resident’s Journal

Our insiders’ guide to Mayfair in association with The Residents’ Society of Mayfair & St James’s (from page 103)

Interiors 071 | Interiors news 072 | All in a day’s work Ian Schrager’s illustrious career is celebrated in a new tome

104

Travel

138

078 | The perfect marriage The Mandarin Oriental and Jenny Packham collaborate to offer something special for brides to be 079 | Travel news

Property

080 | Hollywood story Leo Bear returns to Los Angeles, and remembers why the star-studded city still captures her heart

125 | An enviable address A newly developed set of four apartments arrive on the market, named The Pall Mall Collection

084 | City break: Marseille Revitalised by its turn as Capital of Culture, ancient Marseille has risen anew

126 | State of the market Head of office residential at Savills in Mayfair Charles Lloyd on the area’s lasting appeal for buyers

086 | Suite dreams: Whatley Manor

071

089

Beauty

138 | Property news The latest news in prime central London property from PrimeResi.com and Knight Frank

089 | Beauty news 090 | Rise and shine The ultimate grooming accessories for him 094 | Spa review: Soholistic Spa at Ham Yard Hotel

Food & Drink 096 | Food & drink news 102 | Dining out: Hélène Darroze at The Connaught 12

138 | Hot property A stunning house of grand proportions on York Terrace arrives on the market 152 | A home away from home Head of lettings at Knight Frank Mayfair, Rahim Najak on the future of lettings in the area 166 | Art house The Mellier on Albemarle Street presents a rare opportunity to own a historic piece of Mayfair


CELEBR ATING THE START OF THE SUMMER SEASON IN-STORE NOW

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Contributors | The mayfair Magazine

J U N E 2 0 1 5 s i s s ue 0 4 5

The

contributors

Editor Kate Racovolis Collection Editor Annabel Harrison Editorial Assistants Amy Welch Ellen Millard Brand Consistency Laddawan Juhong Senior Designer Lisa Wade Production Hugo Wheatley Alex Powell Oscar Viney Alice Ford Editorial Director Kate Harrison Client Relationship Director Kate Oxbrow General Manager Fiona Fenwick Executive Director Sophie Roberts Managing Director Eren Ellwood

Proudly published by

RUNWILD MEDIA GROUP

6th Floor, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AX 020 7987 4320 www.rwmg.co.uk

Zahra Kassim-Lakha

Phillip Waterman

Zahra Kassim-Lakha is the director of the UK market and global strategy at JaegerLeCoultre. Having worked in Mayfair over the past decade, she shares her life in the area, as Jaeger-LeCoultre opens its Old Bond Street flagship store.

Phillip has been living and working in London for over ten years shooting advertising campaigns and editorial fashion for clients including The Telegraph and Selfridges. This month he photographs our fashion shoot in the British countryside.

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.

Richard Yarrow

Carol Cordrey

Former associate editor of Auto Express, Richard is an accomplished motoring journalist. This month, he explores the concept of collecting classic cars, including what to look out for when it comes to brands and why the right vehicle can make for a savvy investment.

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 meets CEO of Masterpiece, Nazy Vassegh to talk about what we can expect at year’s 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.

Members of the Professional Publishers Association

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cover

On the

ES WIRD WIEDER GETANZT!, 1955; SPANIEN: IN DEN DÜNEN VON ALICANTE, 1965, by HANNES KILIAN 1909 - 1999. Two silver prints, printed later. Both signed, titled and dated in pencil by Gundel Kilian, with copyright and archive stamps on the reverse. estimate: £4,000-£6,000, at the sotheby’s London annual photographs sale. image courtesy of sotheby’s. Copyright The Hannes Kilian Estate (see page 60)


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Editor’s Letter | The mayfair Magazine

editorR

From the

EDITOR’S PICKs

1 2

#1 Watch, from a selection, Patek Philippe (patek.com)

#2 M Monochrome camera, £5,750, Leica (leica-camera.com)

#3 ‘Scarabée’ nail polish, £36, Christian Louboutin Beauté (christianlouboutin.com)

3

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egardless of what you might collect – whether antiques, art or jewellery – there is one common thread that connects all with this passion: that is the joy and inspiration that comes from the acquisition of objects, or even ideas. I am a self-confessed collector of the latter; cupboards full of newspaper clippings, fashion campaigns from decades past, and the works of great photographers and writers are evidence of this hobby-turned-obsession, which provide constant inspiration to me. This month, we’ve explored Mayfair’s auction houses, galleries, car showrooms and shops to bring you all the collecting advice you could need, whether you’re a seasoned professional or amateur. Anthony Armstrong speaks to some of the area’s leading experts in art and antiques to discover the art of collecting, and why for some people, it’s a lifelong passion (page 22). Meanwhile, The Royal Academy of Art’s annual Summer Exhibition returns for the 247th time, showcasing some of the finest contemporary art. Providing an opportunity to own works by emerging talent as well as established artists, it’s the perfect place to start your collection or build on an already extensive one (page 64). Richard Yarrow delves into the world of classic cars, from Ferraris to Porsches, and he brings you all you need to know about investing in these fine vehicles that are almost too beautiful to drive (page 74). Max Mara has also just reopened its Old Bond Street flagship – double the size of its former store. We meet Ian Griffiths, the sartorial genius behind its collections and global brand ambassador Nicola Maramotti to find out what it takes to grow a heritage brand and bring it into the present day, and the reason why its famous coats will forever be ‘borrowed’ by daughters from their mothers’ wardrobes – it’s a true collector’s item that has stood the test of time.

Kate Racovolis Editor Follow us on Twitter @MayfairMagazine

above: CHEETAH and CUBS, MAASAI MARA, 2003, NICK BRANDT B. 1966. from sotheby’s london annual photographs sale. image courtesy of sotheby’s (see page 60)


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The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

My life in MAYFAIR Zahra Kassim-Lakha Director, UK Market and Global Strategy, Jaeger-LeCoultre

‘M ‘It is the part of Mayfair that pays tribute to its quaint past, which treasures the new as much as the old’

clockwise from top: Zahra Kassim-Lakha; Jaeger-LeCoultre Boutique Concept – Also at the new London Flagship Boutique on 13 Old Bond Street; Grande Reverso Lady UltraThin Duetto duo (2 time zones – Back with gem-setting & Pink Marquetry of mother of Pearl -£17,300); Calibre 381 (Caliber of the Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire – Including the Dual Wing© concept) all images courtesy of jaeger le-coultre

y global strategy role at Jaeger-LeCoultre and within Richemont brought me to work in Mayfair over ten years ago, but since taking on the UK business for Jaeger-LeCoultre nearly five years ago, Mayfair has become my stomping ground. It is always just ten minutes from all our major accounts and partners – the hub in the centre of all my business movements! But it is Bond Street that truly captures my imagination. I relish the variety of encounters here that make the street so unique: from the behind-the-scenes ‘miracle workers’ – the florist setting up gorgeous bunches before my first dose of caffeine, admiring the work of the hardworking staff who polish the storefronts before clients populate the street -- to the rare baubles and masterpieces that glisten in the windows. Like in many leading cities around the world, the arrival of many international houses in the priciest postal codes has changed the mix and offer in the area. Many of the fine-art dealers have relocated to the streets off the main thoroughfares. This has revived some of the quieter streets, with new restaurants and private clubs. Organisations such as the Bond Street Association have done a marvellous job at maintaining the built environment to attract the most discerning clientele, businesses, investors, artists, patrons and services to the area. Our new flagship will open at 13 Old Bond Street. The site was once occupied by the miniaturist painter Ozias Humphry in 1796, and has a history intricately linked to the world of art, conveniently located near the intellectual and artistic centre of excellence that is the Royal Academy of Arts. It is the part of Mayfair that pays tribute to its quaint past, which treasures the new as much as the old and yet is leading the way with intense retail renewal. As a Maison that dates back more than 180 years, Jaeger-LeCoultre wanted a location with historic pedigree and yet is adapting with the times to the changing luxury shopping environment. Jaeger-LeCoultre, thanks to our partnership with Mappin & Webb, has been present on Bond Street since 1997 at 1A Old Bond Street. We were the first to have a watchmaker in residence, and our address on Bond Street has become the top destination for our British clients from around the country. From innumerable catch-ups at the old Chalet with my team, to media lunches at Cecconi’s, drinks with friends at the Royal Academy to special evenings at Thomas Goode on South Audley Street, to hours of inspired chatter at Little House, my entire weekday life seems to revolve around Mayfair. With purveyors of the finest objects, art and services in the world, Mayfair is and will continue to be one of the top, if not the top destination in the world.’ 19


agenda

literary itinerary

Hats off A simple stroll through London will provide you with a wealth of historic inspiration of the capital, but for those wanting to delve deeper, Lock & Co. Hatters has the solution. The oldest hat shop in the world, located on St James’s Street, has unveiled its Heritage Room, home to curated historical artefacts from the brand’s 339-year-old archive. In collaboration with conservation and restoration specialist Plowden & Smith, Lock & Co. will offer the chance to view never-before-seen items on display, and headwear worn by Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Admiral Nelson and Charlie Chaplin. Lock & Co. Hatters, 6 St James’s Street, SW1A (lockhatters.co.uk)

Couture culture

Kristin Scott Thomas takes centre stage as the Queen in The Audience, Lock & Co. Hatters’ millinery goes on show, and we bring you covetable collectors’ items

theatre

The Audience

The Queen (Kristin Scott Thomas) in The Audience. Photo by Johan Persson

T

aking to the stage after Helen Mirren has just treaded the boards is no easy task, but Kristin Scott Thomas undoubtedly makes the role of the Queen her own in Peter Morgan’s The Audience. Scott Thomas crisply delivers the Queen’s reportedly wicked humour and directness with aplomb as she navigates 60 years of private meetings with prime ministers throughout the Queen’s reign. Her pointed looks sharply warn John Major when he has overstepped the mark and her laughter puts Harold Wilson at ease while they have a friendly chat over a glass of whisky. We also see Scott Thomas’s dainty frame transform from a dark-haired nervous twentysomething year-old in conversation with Winston Churchill to a larger, slower, greying figure in fuchsia pink as she speaks to David Cameron. The play is interrupted by scenes of the Queen in discussion with her younger self, which highlights her vulnerability and reminds

‘The play is interrupted by scenes of the Queen in discussion with her younger self’

20

us that underneath it all the Queen is just a woman who has been lumbered with a lifetime of immense responsibility. As the curtain drops on the first half, a grand, ceremonious coronation takes place, reminding us that this wife, mother and grandmother has put her role as Queen above all else. The Audience is at the Apollo Theatre until 25 July (theaudienceplay.com)

The third volume of the ‘Collecting Fine Art’ series by LUMAS gallery presents a carefully curated collection of art by both established artists and emerging talent. The LUMAS gallery’s aim to make fine art broadly available and widely affordable is evident through each page, a kaleidoscope of contemporary and collectible art displayed through painting, illustration, architecture and photography. The works of photography in particular showcase a wide spectrum and reflect the niche design of LUMAS’s galleries, a concept known as ‘The Collector’s Home’. Subsequently, the collection of images have a feeling of belonging to a private residence in which we are privy to. Among essays and interviews by leading art theorists is a positive cornucopia of fine art and highlights from the extensive LUMAS portfolio include Robert Lebeck and Nino Malfatti. For the seasoned and aspiring collector alike, the pages of fine art offer a world of inspiration. Collecting Fine Art – The LUMAS Collection Vol. III, £35, published by teNeues (teneues.com)


The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

5 top picks

Image: Park Circus / Sony Pictures

Trinkets to treasure

From antiquities to the finest jewels, a collection should reflect one’s passions and tastes. This month, inspire the collector within with these beautiful treasures

#1 Fabergé Rococo High Jewellery Egg Pendant, price on application (faberge.com)

film

Only Angels Have Wings

S

et in a remote South American trading post high in the Peruvian Andes, Only Angels Have Wings stars Cary Grant as the stoic Geoff Carter, pilot and manager of the struggling Barranca Airways. Also starring Jean Arthur as the headstrong female lead and a devastatingly beautiful young Rita Hayworth, this classic picture directed by Howard Hawks (His Girl Friday, Bringing Up Baby) has been newly restored and returns to selected cinemas for the first time since its 1939 debut. Following a ragtag ensemble of aviators, we witness the pilots risk their lives flying mail through treacherous passes under the cool guidance of the hardened Carter (Grant). A code of ethics and loyalty binds

the men together as frequent close calls and fatalities included friends and colleagues. Death is dealt with in calm acceptance, a dark fatality underpinning the characters. When nightclub pianist Bonnie Lee (Jean Arthur) arrives at Barranca, the interactions between the strong-willed leading lady and Carter take centre stage. Arthur superbly executes the independently minded woman battling her emotions as she falls for the emotionally distant Grant. She also delivers the quintessential line of Hawks’ Hollywood heroine; ‘I’m tough to get – all you have to do is ask me’. Only Angels Have Wings is in selected cinemas now

#2 George Engleheart Portrait Minature, £8,500 (philipmould.com)

#3 First-edition Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh, £1,250 (peterharrington.co.uk)

WORDS: AMY WELCH

burberry limited-edition bruce chatwin book set, £495, available from burberry (burberry.com)

Burberry partners with Vintage to celebrate British novelist Bruce Chatwin’s work

#4 Scarf, £253 (hermes.com)

#5 Crocodile, whitegold and diamond bag, £82,000 (asprey.com)

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Cabinets of curiosities Whether antiques, fine wine or vintage cars are your passion, we discover why collecting can be a lifelong labour of love for both the culturally curious or simply for those who appreciate a work of art words: anthony armstrong right: DAVID HOCKNEY George, Blance, Celia, Albert and Percy, London, January, 1983 Estimate £10,000£15,000, image courtesy of phillips (phillips.com)

I

’m sitting in Bonhams’ showroom surrounded by a variety of brass things, a couple of antique globes and a handful of brown furniture – the bread and butter of traditional British collecting – when Michael Moorcroft, head of the silver department at Bonhams, exclaims, ‘I met a 21 year old collector of spoons yesterday.’ Oh yes? ‘He’s been collecting since he was eight years old, when he used to trawl car-boot sales with his mother,’ he relates. ‘He has an outstanding collection of teaspoons. He’s done a run, for example, where he chose a maker and got a teaspoon for every year. That is collecting.’ Michael here illustrates that sort of quasiVictorian desire to have ‘one of everything’, which continues to capture the old-guard genre of collectors. Even the super-rich are at it: ‘The very wealthy, who perhaps have made their billions early on in their lives and are now a bit bored, are still collecting in that old-fashioned way of having each version of a given antique,’ Michael tells me. But we aren’t talking humble tea spoons: try one-million-pound-a-time Roentgen desks, nestled in the libraries of multiple homes around the world. Now the preserve of the super-wealthy and the super-eccentric, these types of collections are falling out of favour. Tastes are changing. ‘Brown furniture is the biggest problem facing the antiques trade in Britain today,’ Michael laments. ‘When you read something like the Antiques Trade Gazette, every week there’s a letter saying “how can we re-brand this brown furniture?”’ This reminds me of a quip that an antique dealer once put to me, that the classic

‘The very wealthy are still collecting in that oldfashioned way of having each version of a given antique’

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The mayfair Magazine | Feature

car had taken the place of British furniture as the prime collectable. ‘I would say that instead of classic cars, it would be classic watches,’ Michael explains. ‘Someone who’s recently become a partner in a law firm, for example, will happily spend £20,000 or £30,000 on a watch, but to persuade him to spend £10,000 on a piece of furniture is very difficult,’ Michael continues. The whole attitude to furniture has changed. ‘I think there’s much more of an idea now that whatever you buy needs to be an investment,’ he adds. Sink money into pieces that the newly wealthy favour and you can’t go wrong. Thanks to new Russian tastes for 18th-century French furniture (which has ‘gone from strength to strength’) and Art Deco items (‘you’ll find the price for Ruhlmann pieces, for example, have just gone crazy’), continental furniture is increasing in popularity among collectors, leaving even the very best of British furniture collecting dust in the sale room. Enter British art. ‘We sold a [Lucian] Freud last night for a world record,’ Andre Zlattinger, head of Modern British art at Christie’s, tells me. The Freud painting in question, Fat Sue, fetched £35.6m, with a Francis Bacon nude making £28.3m on the same evening. The market for Modern British Art is buzzing, becoming global, though it hasn’t always been so. ‘In the old days, Modern British was quite a niche area; obviously it was very much British collectors, but I think probably in the last ten or 15 years the market has totally changed. We have collectors in the United States, in Asia, in Australasia, all across Europe, collectors in the Middle East – for contemporary and Impressionist as well,’ Andre explains. Collecting habits have evolved: the days of the collector buying in only one area are over. ‘I think people want to buy great things in different areas,’ Andre relates. ‘Great’ is the key criterion here, and British art has its fair share of greats: the sculptors Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, for example; painters such as Ben Nicholson, Stanley Spencer and 

left: BARRY FRYDLENDER Smoking, Sinai, 2004 Estimate £30,000£40,000. image courtesy of phillips (phillips.com). far left: LIGHTNESS OF BEING (2008) BY CHRIS LEVINE, PHOTOGRAPHS SALE, CHRISTIE’S, 22 MAY, IMAGE COURTESY OF CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD, 2015

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this page, from top to bottom: STILL LIFE OF FLOWERS IN A STONEWARE VASE BY JAN BRUEGHEL, IMAGE COURTESY OF RICHARD GREEN; THE GUARDIANS BY PEDRO PARICIO, IMAGE COURTESY OF HALCYON GALLERY

right: NUIT DE NOEL (1963) BY MALICK SIDIBE PHOTOGRAPHS SALE, CHRISTIE’S, 22 MAY, IMAGE COURTESY OF CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD, 2015

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Peter Blake are all a tiny handful of a sizeable group of British artists becoming ever more popular with the collector. ‘The change is quite dramatic,’ Robert Kennan, head of Modern and Contemporary Editions at Phillips, tells me. ‘When I started, the whole “antique market” was prevalent, but now that market – brown furniture, traditional English furniture – has slumped; 19th-century sporting paintings have gone almost completely out of fashion,’ Robert relates, his specialism now being in contemporary and modern prints. ‘It’s an exciting field to be involved in. I think other areas of the market have become less exciting, less changeable,’ Robert suggests. One doesn’t have to be ultra-wealthy to start collecting prints, either. ‘The price point is more accessible,’ Robert explains. ‘We range from £1,500 to £500,000. Most of the works we sell probably average out to the £10,000-£20,000 range, and that’s where we see people coming off the street, particularly here because of our location [Berkeley Square], who are quite happy to spend £50,000 on a print,’ Robert tells me. Prints can be large – very large – which allows the general collector to cover some serious wall space with the likes of Andy Warhol without bankrupting themselves. ‘In our forthcoming sale, we’ve got eight camouflage prints by Warhol. They probably occupy a space of perhaps five by three metres. The estimate for that set is £100,000, and that is for how many square metres of Warhol?’ argues Robert. It’s a convincing argument, and one which the market appears to favour. A painting or print, watch or car is a lovely thing, but they lack a certain sniffable, quaffable quality… Nip out and around the corner from Phillips and you’ll find Hedonism Wines, a 5,500-bottle strong emporium of the red, white and pink stuff. Sourced from all over the world, the wines range from £10 to over £200,000 and cater for collectors of all means. I ask aptly named Alistair Viner, head buyer at Hedonism Wines and former buyer at


The mayfair Magazine | Feature

Harrods for 16 years, whether any collectors actually imbibe hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of collectables. ‘Some people use the collecting and trading part of their wine-buying to fund the drinking side,’ Alistair explains. ‘There will always be people who want to collect and make money out of wine, but it is important to remember that everything was originally put in the bottle to drink. Fortunately many of our clients fall into this latter category.’ Fortunate indeed for the collector, whose rare wines become that bit rarer when a renegade uncorks and sups a £50,000 bottle of the same vintage as his!

this page, from top to bottom: DEBBIE HARRY (1980) BY ANDY WARHOL, PHOTOGRAPHS SALE, CHRISTIE’S, 22 MAY, IMAGE COURTESY OF CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD, 2015; VIK MUNIZ Bette Davis from Pictures of Diamonds, 2004 Estimate: £30,000£40,000. image courtesy of phillips (phillips.com).

‘Some people use the collecting and trading part of their wine-buying to fund the drinking side’ ‘[Tastes have] moved away from Bordeaux to Burgundy in a large way, but this makes it even more difficult for the collector, since the quantities available of each wine are so small and are therefore only available to a chosen few,’ Alistair reports. ‘Several Californian wines have also become, suddenly, very sought after, especially Sine Qua Non.’ But for the collector, perhaps more interestingly: ‘really good wines have been complemented by ever changing bottle shapes and labels that have made them even more highly sought after,’ Alistair tells me. Such new and novel elements are adding a certain vibrancy and depth to the market. ‘People are being far more open to trying new and exciting things as opposed to the tried and tested,’ Alistair says, highlighting an attitude that is evident, too, in the art and antiques market. It’s these new and exciting tastes that will forge the collectable of tomorrow and, for the collector, the excitement of today.

left: MAN RAY Rrose Sélavy (Marcel Duchamp), 1921 Estimate: £25,000 -£35,000. courtesy of phillips (phillips. com); far left: MOHAMMED ALI (1979) BY ANNIE LEIBOVITZ, PHOTOGRAPHS SALE, CHRISTIE’S, 22 MAY, IMAGE COURTESY OF CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD, 2015

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www.bachet.fr


The mayfair Magazine | Collection

TURNING POINT

I

n a unique collaboration between British jeweller Boodles and the Royal Opera House, the essence of dance has been translated into a fine jewellery collection. Head designer Rebecca Hawkins has been fascinated by ballet since childhood and has indulged her passion by exploring the physicality of this art form, working with The Royal Ballet’s associate director Jeanetta Laurence. The inclusion of kite-shaped diamonds, sourced by Boodles’ head of precious gemstones Jody Wainwright, evoke the geometric forms of dancers in a pas de deux, along with pairs of Ashoka diamonds which have been designed to balance on a single fine point (echoing the balletic movement). Photographer Charlie Dailey went behind the scenes at the Royal Opera House to capture the ballet dancers in action. Pas de deux: inspired by The Royal Ballet, available from June (boodles.com)

Photography: Charlie Dailey

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The mayfair Magazine | Collection

Jewellery news Update your summer day-to-night jewellery collection with these intricately designed and perfectly refined pieces W OR D S : OLI V IA S HAR P E

Live for the moment Fine jewellery should no longer be worn just for special occasions but should be part of your everyday uniform. This is the message being given by Buccellati in its new campaign shot by photographer Peter Lindbergh, who has used his renowned lens to capture the magic of everyday moments. The series of black-and-white images, starring actress Elisa Sednaoui, speak to the Italian jeweller’s rich heritage, having been shot where the maison was founded in Milan in 1919. Pictured here sporting pieces from the Hawaii collection – characterised by gold wheels, crafted by artisans who twist the gold thread into circular shapes by hand – the campaign also presents Macri and Iconi, as well as the brand’s coveted, one-of-a-kind cocktail rings. (buccellati.com)

CUTTING EDGE The iconic quilted pattern, also known as ‘matelassé’, on Chanel’s legendary handbags was first created in February 1955. Said to have been inspired by a number of different sources, from a jockey’s riding coat to cushions in Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment, it has this year resulted in the birth of a new fine jewellery range, Coco Crush, encompassing rings and a cuff-bracelet.

In its simplicity, the radical and resolutely contemporary spirit of the Coco Crush collection expresses all the values of modernity and refinement that have distinguished Chanel fine jewellery since its origins

Rose des Vents Having been consistently updating existing fine jewellery collections, Victoire de Castellane has now released her first complete range in almost three years. Wanting to ‘capture the history of the house’, it has been based around an iconic symbol of the brand; the Rose des Vents is an eight-branch star motif which Dior discovered in his childhood summer home in Granville. This has been reinterpreted into a series of bracelets and necklaces featuring a medallion-style pendant with a reverso concept; one side has a precious gemstone (choose from turquoise, mother of pearl, pink opal or lapis lazuli), while the other features the diamond star pattern. Rose des Vents collection, from £1,050 (dior.com) Round the Bend So used are we to seeing bright colours emanating from De Grisogono’s collections that we were quite taken aback when we saw its latest offering. The Geneva-based jeweller’s Vortice collection comprises rose gold jewellery pieces whereby the focus is solely on the intricate, intertwining design; each of the volutes making up the earrings and rings comprises spring-shaped coils that wrap around the wearer’s skin to create a free-flowing movement. But of course, it wouldn’t quite be De Grisogono without a smattering of diamonds to finish it off. Vortice collection, from £4,700 (non-set rose-gold ring) to £43,300 (full diamond-set earrings in white or rose gold) (degrisogono.com)

Coco Crush, from £1,400 (chanel.com) 29


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

History in the making As the globally venerated masterpiece-maker that is Patek Philippe celebrates its 175th anniversary, Annabel Harrison takes a closer look at the Watch Art Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition London, taking place from 27 May until 7 June at the Saatchi Gallery

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tIME TO EXPLore…

‘W

hen I held that watch, I felt its power reverberate through my entire soul… It was like holding a living heart… something organic, something that’s alive.’ Ahead of Sotheby’s sale of Patek Philippe’s Henry Graves Jr. Supercomplication pocket watch in Geneva, which took place in November 2014, Daryn Schnipper, Chairman of Sotheby’s International Watch Division, recalled her first encounter with this world-renowned watch and its sale at Sotheby’s in 1999. ‘We valued it at $3-$5 million. As we got closer to the sale, the excitement started to build... [On the day] there were six bidders up to $6 million and all of sudden there were two new bidders.’ It went for $11 million. ‘A “Supercomplication” is more than a horological work; it’s beyond a watch. It is a masterpiece.’ It was sold again just 15 years later, for a remarkable $24.4 million.

The Current Collection Room This gallery showcasing the current collection is designed to replicate the Patek Philippe Historical Salon on the Rue du Rhône in Geneva.

‘A Supercomplication is more than a horological work... It’s a masterpiece’ Schnipper’s passionate words encapsulate what many watch enthusiasts feel, that their precious timepiece is so much more than an inanimate object exchanged for equally inanimate cash; purchases are often far more subjective and emotional than horological philistines might imagine. This is what came into play at both the 1999 and 2014 auctions. Smart, informative catalogues showcased the wares on offer, in particular this renowned Supercomplication, and objective price estimates were given. Despite the most careful, calculated planning and thorough, expert research, there is always a chance of an estimate being thoroughly trumped because once emotion comes into it, everything can change. This Patek Philippe timepiece, on the day of the 2014 auction, aroused such emotions. In addition to being able to lay claim to having 

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1

Historical Film Theatre Room The Patek Philippe historical movie will be shown here.

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Napoleon Room Be transported to the magical Patek Philippe Salon on the Rue du Rhône in Geneva.


The mayfair Magazine | Collection

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Movement Room Showcasing the entire movement current collection from the Patek Philippe manufacture, this gallery will allow you to experience a 360째 view of some of the most intricate Patek watch movements ever created.

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Immersion Room This room has been created to inspire and immerse visitors in the world of Patek Philippe. A short introductory film will be shown on a 10-minute loop.

The Grand Complications Room This gallery is dedicated to the rarest and most complicated timepieces created. Minute repeaters, Sky Moon Tourbillons and Chronographs will be on display.

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The Museum Room Very much like the Museum in Geneva, this room will be divided into two sections. In the first there will be some of the greatest historical timepieces spanning the last five centuries, including the earliest watches ever made. In the second section, historical Patek Philippe timepieces dating back to the 1830s, including some of the earliest Patek Philippe watches, will be on display.

opening page: Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 5175 with Honorary President Mr Philippe Stern and President Mr Thierry Stern

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Collection | The mayfair Magazine

below, From left: Tableclock in the shape of a cage with five singing-birds and music, c.1830; The Duke of Regla Minute Repeating Pocket Watch; The first Swiss wristwatch, 1868; Antoine Norbet de Patek’s Pocket Watch, 1839-1842; Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 5175

created the world’s most expensive, and therefore valuable, timepiece, the company has one of the most emotive, and familiar, advertising straplines in the watch industry: ‘You never actually own a Patek. You merely look after it for the next generation.’ In black and white images of happy family units, the people take centre stage, and the watch plays

‘You never actually own a Patek. You merely look after it for the next generation’ second fiddle. Because it’s certainly not just a watch. It’s a family heirloom, made up of as many memories and feelings as parts and pieces. In purchasing one, you consider generations past, present and future. In fact, I find summing up neatly the worldwide appeal of, and reverence for, Patek Philippe almost as difficult as I would assembling the 900 parts of this Supercomplication from scratch. As Nick Foulkes, author of an authorised biography about the brand’s history, says, ‘Patek is almost a religion for some people and there are as many ideas of what Patek Philippe is really about as there are collectors of its watches’. This, it seems, is exactly what the brand aims to explore in its upcoming exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, which will metamorphose into an impressive, entirely bespoke Patek Philippe space in which to showcase more than 400 historical timepieces, both decades and centuries old, across more than a dozen themed areas. The Watch Art Grand Exhibition will bring to a close the expansive

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Patek Philippe 175th anniversary celebrations, which started on 1 May last year. As such it will incorporate the commemorative timepieces which were presented in October and ‘celebrate Patek Philippe’s tradition of high-precision watch manufacturing [by giving] an insight into the company’s 175-year history as well as its heritage in the domain of haute horlogerie’. Mark Hearn, the Managing Director for Patek Philippe UK, adds that ‘visitors will be able to learn about horology generally, the history of watchmaking and also find out interesting information about this fascinating industry, which is not only composed of watchmaking but also rare handcrafts techniques’. Visitors will be able to see for the first time in London iconic and historical timepieces such as the first Swiss wristwatch, made by Patek Philippe in 1868 (from yellow gold, enamel and diamonds) and sold to a Countess of Hungary. The exquisite Duc de Regla Grand Complication pocket watch from 1910 will also be on show; it has a Grande and a Petite Sonnerie that plays the Westminster melody as well as a minute repeater. Mark Hearn explains that the exhibition’s objective is to ‘inspire and help visitors to understand and appreciate watchmaking’; we suggest you visit and do so yourself. Watch Art Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition London 2015; 27 May – 7 June, Saatchi Gallery, SW3. The exhibition will be open to the public, free of charge, 9am-7pm (weekdays and Saturdays) and 10am-6pm (Sundays). No bookings or tickets are required. Guided tours will be available on a daily basis and in different languages.



Falling from

grace

Carolina Herrera de Báez presents her first jewellery collection, Falling Jasmine, a tribute to her mother – fashion designer Carolina Herrera WORDS: Olivia Sharpe

F

or most women, turning into one’s mother is something to be avoided at all costs. But when your mother is Carolina Herrera – the celebrated fashion designer and business mogul who has built her own retail empire – it is something to aspire to. Carolina Herrera de Báez is one of four daughters of the Venezuelan designer and, along with inheriting her name (not to mention her natural elegance and poise), the 45 year-old beauty has also followed in her footsteps when it comes to her career. She first began working with her mother in 1996, when she was asked to collaborate with her on a new perfume for the house (which would eventually become its signature fragrance, 212), whilst living in New

Photography: Leonardo de Vega

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York. Accepting the job, and believing it would only be a temporary position, 18 years later Carolina finds herself to be an indispensable member of the family business, currently creative director of Herrera’s House of Fragrances. Saying that, she has by no means stood in her mother’s shadow; she has been widely credited for bringing her own fresh take to the brand’s CH line (offering lifestyle sportswear for men, women and children), and this year, she has launched her first ever jewellery collection. Christened Falling Jasmine, it comprises ten pieces – ranging from earrings to a tiara – each of which captures the delicate flower through the use of white enamel. Speaking to Carolina, she explains how it was her upbringing which, in many ways, sowed the seeds for her latest collection, stemming from her childhood love of this flower. ‘It is my first olfactory memory. Growing up, the garden in my home in Caracas was full of jasmine and I remember my mother blending the oils of tuberose and jasmine to create her own perfumes when I was a girl.’ It is because of these childhood memories that jasmine has since become an essential ingredient in her fragrances. The perfumer has always ‘loved the mystery, allure


The mayfair Magazine | Collection

and romance of making perfumes’: ‘There are no formulas. I think what I most appreciate about them is that they appeal to a sensual and olfactory memory, and for each person, that can be different.’ While she cannot deny her love of fragrance, Carolina has always known that she would one day do something in jewellery. Like so many women, her earliest jewellery-related memory is wanting ‘to steal my grandmother’s and mother’s jewellery’ and to this day, she confesses, ‘I still “borrow” from my mother all the time’. She sentimentally picks out a pair of paste earrings that her father gave her when she graduated from college as well as the 1940s and 50s vintage bracelets her husband has been gifting her since they got married, as her favourite pieces of jewellery. The 20th century art nouveau jewellers, including the likes of Cartier and Verdura, have evidently had an effect on the modern jeweller, who has included more traditional pieces such as a brooch and a tiara in her line. Working on Falling Jasmine also enabled her to combine her passion for ‘art and design’. She partnered with renowned Argentine artist and close friend Grillo Demo to create the collection, and for those of you who are familiar with his work will know that jasmine has similarly been a profound influence upon him. ‘I love his vision’, remarks Carolina. ‘Grillo is an artist with a great amount of sensitivity and creativity. We talk about everything, we laugh a lot, we like the same things and the truth is that his “office” (his home in Ibiza) is full of jasmine. It’s a little piece of heaven there.’ Although Demo painted the sketches for each piece, Carolina was still heavily involved in every aspect of the design and creative direction. For their collection, the duo wanted to create ‘easy-to-wear pieces that can be worn day or night’, and the fruits of their labour have clearly paid off. The beautiful white enamel pieces perfectly capture the flower’s delicate grace and femininity, while setting them in gold plate gives them a modern edge. ‘The beauty of Falling

Jasmine is that any woman can wear the collection’, she comments. ‘It’s made up of separate pieces that can be mixed and matched according to each person’s tastes. The jasmine can also be combined with other jewellery. I’ve worn the ear cuff with an amazing 19th century pearl and diamond drop earring.’ By designing ten pieces, Carolina wanted to create the allusion that, if you were to wear all of them together, it would appear as though the flowers are falling from the head (the tiara) down to the hands (the ring).

‘It’s great because there is a relationship of mutual respect and confidence’ Ultimately, Falling Jasmine was a tribute to Carolina’s mother. A constant source of inspiration to her, she tells me they have the perfect working relationship (something which I could not imagine all of us could say if we worked with our mothers): ‘Working with her is the easiest thing in the world! It’s great because there is a relationship of mutual respect and confidence. I love her taste, values and opinions because I know she will always tell me what she’s thinking but she also gives me lots of freedom to work on new ideas.’ While evidently idolising her mother for her success and achievements, at the end of the day, she is also just her mum: ‘I was my mother’s daughter before she was a well-known fashion designer. Of course everyone asks if I will follow in her footsteps but if there is one thing she has taught all her girls it is to have their own lives.’ Wise words. Falling Jasmine collection, from £60 to £250. CH Carolina Herrera, 120 Mount Street, W1K (020 3441 0965; carolinaherrera.com)

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Auctioneers & Valuers Antiques | Jewellery | Watches

The Watch Sale 30th June at 11am 28th July at 11am 25th August at 11am Held on the last Tuesday of every month, visit www.fellows.co.uk to view the full catalogue. Jewellery Quarter Saleroom & Head Office | 0121 212 2131 19 Augusta Street, Birmingham B18 6JA Mayfair Office | 020 7127 4198 2nd Floor, 3 Queen Street, London W1J 5PA

fellowswatches


The mayfair Magazine | Collection

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

Fully charged Deviating from its customary square-cased creations, Bell & Ross presents this, the Vintage WW1 Edición Limitada. Handsome to the hilt, the timepiece is intended to honour the craft, colour and celebrity status of Cuban cigars. Thanks to a double-barrel power reserve, the 42mm watch will run for five days before it needs winding. It comes housed in a case of Makassar ebony and rare and precious kaya wood, which can be transformed into a humidor for 50 cigars, complete with humidifier and hygrometer. Vintage WW1 Edición Limitada, £15,000, Bell & Ross, Burlington Arcade, Mayfair

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

Rolex has introduced a new black and 18-karat Everose gold version of its nautical Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master. It comes with a Rolex-patented ‘Oysterflex’ bracelet, which marries the robustness of steel with the comfort of rubber. Its sporty aesthetic lends this Rolex classic a contemporary edge

Honouring Horology Harrods now stocks MeisterSinger, alongside Speake-Marin, for which it acts as exclusive UK stockist. The former is a German brand, and the only watch company to make exclusively singlehanded watches; the latter is the creation of English watchmaker Peter Speake-Marin. A special green dial version of MeisterSinger’s Salthora Meta has been made exclusive to Harrods; for £2,375, you’ll get an attractive jumping hour watch with an automatic movement and sapphire case back. The Edwardianinspired Speake-Marin collection comprises perpetual calendars, tourbillons and minute repeaters. (harrods.com) Boutique Bonanza In less than a year, horological heavyweights Blancpain, Bell & Ross, IWC, Richard Mille and Patek Philippe have turned Mayfair into even more of a mecca for watch aficionados. The latest Swiss export to stake their claim is Jaeger-LeCoultre, which opened a store on Old Bond Street last month. There, enthusiasts can learn about the company’s history, and watchmaking in general, through a close-up look at historical treasures rarely revealed to the public, including instruments invented by Antoine LeCoultre, historical pocket-watches and legendary Atmos clocks. Jaeger-LeCoultre 13 Old Bond Street, W1

Yacht-Master 40 Everose, £16,650, Rolex (rolex.com) 39


Š2015 TUMI, INC.

Tumi Stores Regent Street and Westfield Also available at Harrods, Selfridges and Heathrow Airport


The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

Winning spirit The end of this month will mark Ralph Lauren’s tenth year as the official outfitter of the Wimbledon Championships. To honour this momentous occasion, the brand has introduced a relaxed athletic collection. From the signature polo shirt to traditional blazers, the Wimbledon collection perfectly encapsulates all the sophisticated heritage that defines the most famed championship in tennis. Expect a mix of contemporary and classic sporting attire and lashings of the famous green and purple stripe. Ralph Lauren, 1 New Bond Street, W1S (020 7535 4600; ralphlauren.com) image: Arnaldo Anaya courtesy of Ralph Lauren

Style spy W ORDS : a m y w e l c h

Simplistic style

South-western charm The summer calls for a more relaxed option in footwear than the formal lace-up shoe. Think Rivera style with tanned woven leather, all the more fetching when stepping on board a grand yacht. The light Calabrian woven leather of Ludwig Reiter’s shoes are the speciality of the Viennese cobbler’s craft. The true gentleman of style will go for a bold barefoot approach in these soft calf-leather loafers, which are full of Mediterranean charm. Enter the most stylish embodiment of smart-casual you shall find on this side of Venice. Metternich woven leather shoes, £579, Ludwig Reiter (harrods.com)

The modern desire for convenience is most dapperly packaged in accessories brand Otis Batterbee’s latest collection. Inspired by a Grade II listed building in Hampstead, the collection is brimming with supple leather bags and minimalist design. Touches of Art Deco make the hexagonal patterned totes our favourite; it’s a new gentlemanly staple perfect to parade this summer. Isokon Tote Bag, £375, Otis Batterbee (harrods.com)

Best of British We love a British-made accessory, especially one with a rich story to tell. Crafted by one of the last working military armouries in the world, this geometric collection of cufflinks by British designer Alice Walsh is inspired by military symbols. What finer way to support British craftsmanship than with a beautiful design of military history on your sleeve? Cufflinks, from a selection, Alice Walsh (alicemadethis.com)

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Travel | The Fashion | Themayfair mayfairMagazine Magazine

Summer loving ‘Now is a time of evolution at Temperley London,’ said founder, Alice, when she unveiled the brand’s Summer 2015 collection. Mixing its signature evening attire with a new, youthful look, Temperley London’s latest line is a playful mix of structured suits, trainers and effortless silhouettes that capture the essence of femininity, channelling a bohemian aesthetic and carefree attitude. Inspired by Japanese shunga paintings, the line is a fusion of tailored separates in pastel colours, block stripes, delicate lace and long-line kimonos – perfect for swishing about in on a lazy summer afternoon. (temperleylondon.com)

Style update WORDS: ELLEN MILLARD

The bee’s knees It’s rare to find brands as committed to style and excellence as lingerie designer Myla and jeweller Chaumet, so you can imagine our excitement upon hearing that the two are offering an exciting promotion. By purchasing the Myla ‘Nicole’ lingerie set, customers will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three pieces from a Chaumet parure set, worth £80,000. Every three weeks for nine consecutive weeks a winner will be drawn; at the end of the promotion, the lucky three will be transported off to Paris, where they will visit the Chaumet Museum and receive their jewellery piece from the Chaumet ‘Bee my Love’ collection. It’s an offer as sweet as honey. The Myla ‘Nicole’ collection can be bought at Myla in Harrods and Selfridges (myla.com)

V is for Valentino It doesn’t take a sartorial aficionado to spot Louis Vuitton’s signature logo or Burberry’s iconic checked print, whether you know your fashion or not. These motifs are recognised worldwide, and we predict Valentino’s latest collection, Viva Valentino, will soon follow suit. For its summer line, the fashion house has adorned a number of its signature bags with a subtle ‘V’ print. Featured on a contemporary jacquard fabric, the three-dimensional design can be found on some of Valentino’s most famous totes, such as Rockstud, Lock and Va-Va-Voom, and is sure to become as iconic as the brand itself. Viva Valentino, indeed. Rockstud Double Medium Tote, £1,995, Valentino (valentino.com) 42

Hat trick Couture milliner Maison Michel is famed for its hats and hair accessories that have caught the eyes of Dior, Saint Laurent and Chanel. Its pre-A/W15 collection arrives this month at Burlington Arcade, and it lives up to the brand’s prestigious reputation. Classic fedoras, embellished trilbys and cashmere knits have us looking forward to autumn, but it’s the hair accessories that steal the show. Handcrafted hair slides in timeless floral designs make for ideal headwear during these warmer climes. Kris, £245, Maison Michel, 46 Burlington Arcade, W1J (020 7493 0749; michel-paris.com)


B E R LI N

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LONDON

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For retail enquiries call 020 7225 5203

55 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW3 1DP

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Life in the

fast lane Pack your velvet jacket or Burberry trench and head for the hills this summer, as we bring you the ultimate seasonal attire for all occasions – and all the better if you can arrive in a Rolls-Royce Wraith p h o t o g r a p h y: p h i l l i p w at e r m a n S t y l i n g : j e ss s t e bb i n g s

LEFT: Velvet jacket, shirt and bow tie, all price on application, all Dolce & Gabbana (dolcegabbana.com) RIGHT: Jacquard dress, price on application, Dolce & Gabbana, as before 44


The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

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Dress, £495, DKNY (dkny.com). Scarf, £310, Hermès (uk.hermes.com). Earrings, £5,600, Carla Amorim (carlaamorim.com.br). Gold and citrine bracelet, £8,580, Amrapali (amrapalijewels.com). Gold and diamond ring, £3,200, Pippa Small (pippasmall.com) 46


The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

Trench coat, £3,695, Burberry Prorsum (uk.burberry.com). Trousers, £375, and jumper, £250, both Pringle of Scotland (pringlescotland.com)

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Trench coat, £4,795, and dress, £1,795, both Burberry Prorsum (uk.burberry.com). Heels, £365, Jerome Dreyfuss, (jerome-dreyfuss.com). Clutch, £950, Jimmy Choo (jimmychoo.com). Diamond bracelet, £15,950, NOA Fine Jewellery (talismangallery.co.uk). Diamond earrings, £2,955, yellow gold and aquamarine ring, £2,225, and yellow gold, diamond and spinel ring, £6,600, all Amrapali, as before 48


The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

Shirt, £95, double-breasted jacket, £495, chinos, £115, all Polo Ralph Lauren (ralphlauren.co.uk). Bow tie, £49, Brooks Brothers (brooksbrothers.com). Watch, £4,800, Rolex (rolex.com) 49


Shawl-collar jacket (made to order), ÂŁ595, Chester Barrie, (chesterbarrie.co.uk). Shirt, ÂŁ165, Turnbull & Asser (turnbullandasser.co.uk). Tie, ÂŁ125, dunhill (dunhill.com). Watch, as before, Rolex, as before 50


The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

Coat, £550, Just Cavalli, available at Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road SW1X. Earrings, £5,595, Carla Amorim, Talisman Gallery (talismangallery.co.uk) Hair & Make-up: Lou Box at S Management using Kevyn Aucoin and Redken Models: Bo at Next models and Charlie at Established Photographer’s assistant: Kiti Swannell Location: with special thanks to Stansted Park in Hampshire (02392 412 265; stanstedpark.co.uk) Vehicle: Rolls-Royce Wraith (hrowen.co.uk) 51


The evolution of an icon

As Max Mara’s Old Bond Street store reopens after doubling in size, find out how one Italian family owned heritage brand took on the world, one coat at a time W o r d s : K a t e Ra c o v o l is

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The mayfair Magazine | Feature

S

ome things in fashion should never change. Take the Hermès Birkin bag, Chanel’s tweed suit or Cartier’s Tank watch, for example: each of these designs have made their mark in the sartorial hall of fame the world over since they were first created. And a man named Achille Maramotti, who founded Italian ready-to-wear brand Max Mara in 1951, had a vision to create what was often described as his signature item – a beautifully constructed camel coat – which also made its way into the canon of famed fashion. ‘For Max Mara, a coat is more than fashion,’ says the brand’s creative director, Ian Griffiths, who has worked with the family run company since the day he graduated from the Royal College of Art in London in 1987. ‘It has to be functional, provide protection – security even. Designing a coat is the closest thing to architecture – it’s like a house for a street. The Max Mara camel coat has proved itself over time to be paragon of good design – and it has acquired considerable status. People never throw Max Mara coats away, and we are seeing young women wearing camel coats they have “borrowed” from their mothers’ wardrobes. That shows their iconic value.’ Although all of these classic pieces, including Max Mara’s camel coat, have moved through decades of reincarnations, the continuity of their shape and function have allowed them to keep their prestigious title. The Max Mara of today is much the same as it was 65 years ago, still a family run business that looks to empower women through its collections, to offer ‘chic

modern luxury for successful women to get on with their lives’, as Griffiths puts it, and yet there are some key differences. It has evolved into a global brand, with many sister labels attached to it – Sportmax, Max Mara Weekend and Marina Rinaldi, to name just a few. This month marks the reopening of its Old Bond Street store, which has doubled in size, giving the brand a new and rather formidable presence on the street and in London in general. ‘My father in-law founded Max Mara and had the dream to give a coat to every woman,’ says global brand ambassador, Nicola Maramotti. ‘His sons and daughter made the company global, and still continue with great creativity and passion to dress women in more than 100 countries. I am lucky to be part of this creative process, and what excites me most is to dress all these women and to listen to their needs.’ And yet walking into a Max Mara store as I have done from New York to Milan – just a few of the many locations around the world – doesn’t have the same chain store feel you might expect. Because to own Max Mara is as if you were buying a little part of Italian fashion history; the new collections are inspired by the history of the brand and are just as effortlessly chic as they were decades ago. ‘For spring/summer, we looked at unconventional beauty, as personified by Anjelica Huston, who modelled for a Max Mara campaign in the 1970s,’ says Griffiths. ‘For pre-fall we based our collection on the downtown New York art scene in the 1970s to commemorate our relationship with the Whitney Museum of American Art and its relocation to the Meatpacking District.’ The A/W15 collection delved further into the past for inspiration, inspired by George Barris’ 

opposite page: silk dress, £720, max mara elegante. below, left: silk and tweed dress, max mara elegante. both images by Dewey Nicks. model: Lindsey Wixson. below, right: max mara’s old bond street store

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photographs of Marilyn Monroe, who posed on a beach in an oversized cardigan in 1962. ‘We explored Marilyn’s enormous intelligence – did you know she left a library of 400 titles, all heavyweights of literature? We wanted a collection that was chic, smart and sexy,’ says Griffiths. ‘But what I’m really excited about now is our resort 2016 collection, which we have just showed in London to celebrate our new flagship store in Old Bond Street,’ he says. ‘The collection is a tribute to London. For me it’s a kind of love letter to the city I call home. On the one hand, it is inspired by the elegant West End haunts of lounge lizards such as Cecil Beaton and Noël Coward. And on the other, the boxing clubs of east London. Anna Whitwham’s recent novel Boxer Handsome really fired my imagination. It’s like Romeo and Juliet set in Bow.’ However, history, being the rich source of inspiration that it is for fashion, presents a challenge for brands such as Max Mara, in keeping its designs fresh and relevant. ‘The first generation invented the company, the second generation has the challenging task to make it global,’ says Maramotti. ‘This is the moment when you have to find the right balance between heritage and

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innovation. Modernity has to be rethought every season, maintaining what the brand stands for. To be coherent is maybe the most difficult exercise in our business.’ This challenge is overcome, in Max Mara’s case, by an innate understanding of what women really want when it comes to the way they dress. ‘Without evolution there is no growth,’ says Maramotti. ‘Evolution is change; cultural and political changes have always influenced fashion. This is what makes fashion such an important contributor to history or vice versa. My mission has always been to finally understand what women really want and what we can do to make them feel good when they go to work, or bring their children to school or walk their dog out in the park.’ And like an answer to every time-starved woman’s prayers in the early hours of the morning before she gets dressed to start her day, Maramotti says: ‘I understand that every woman needs to feel comfortable and chic at the same time.’ An ethos that Griffiths designs each collection in mind with, is one of evolution. Certainly, Max Mara may not be edgy, or daring in its designs, but rather, leaves its wearer to be who she is, leaving her clothes to complement her identity, and not overpower it.

clockwise from left: georgette silk dress, £720. chiffon silk dress, £1,685. Chantilly lace dress, £920. chiffon silk top, £355 and silk polyester mix skirt, £520. all from max mara’s elegante collection. photography by Dewey Nicks. model: Lindsey Wixson


The mayfair Magazine | Feature

‘Classics have meaning – you have to handle them with respect’

‘Salman Rushdie wrote in Haroun and the Sea of Stories: “Nothing comes from nothing. No story comes from nowhere; new stories are born from old – it is the new combinations that make them new.” Max Mara is about reworking classics,’ he says. ‘Classics have meaning – you have to handle them with respect – but I think that small changes can make a difference. I like to put together a new story each season, exploring a different facet of the Max Mara woman’s personality, just as Rushdie suggests.’ Regardless of which part of the Max Mara empire best suits your style – whether it be the evening gowns of its Elegante collection or the relaxed, more casual collections of Max Mara Weekend – know that each piece has been created by people in a company that knows what it stands for and knows what you want from your wardrobe – and maybe even what you don’t know. ‘The company is my second family,’ says Griffiths. ‘I work with great people whom I have known for a long time – long enough so that we can have the occasional heated

discussion without the fear of consequences! There is tremendous energy in our company, and that can’t fail to inspire.’ Maramotti – the epitome of elegance herself – is a woman who genuinely wants other women to look their best every day. ‘Style for me is wearing an essential look, like a blazer that fits perfectly – like a man’s jacket, oversized trousers and a feminine blouse,’ she says. ‘I believe it is important that the feminine side that lies in each woman can shine through what she wears. Style is an attitude: it starts with how you move, even if you wear a simple pair of jeans with a turtleneck sweater, how you carry your handbag.’ And as for the future, Griffiths says: ‘I’m looking forward to building up a relationship with those young women who are raiding their mothers’ wardrobes for Max Mara coats.’ Max Mara, 19-21 Old Bond Street, W1S (020 7499 7902; maxmara.com)

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Art | The mayfair Magazine

Q&A with…

Old Masters and new masterpieces go on show words: carol cordrey

Heart of glass Glassblowing is an art that has been practiced and perfected for more than 2,000 years, and this month, Mayfair’s Mallett is championing the work of one of the greats in this field; the famous Venetian master glassblower, Lino Tagliapietra. Venice first took to glassmaking in the Middle Ages before its artists moved to the island of Murano, where Tagliapietra was born in 1934. From the age of 12 he worked as an apprentice until he earned the title of maestro while still in his early 20s. During the next 60 years, he pushed glassblowing to new limits and is now identified with distinctive, elegant forms and colour combinations of the greatest glass to be found anywhere in the world. Fortunately, we need to travel just the short distance to Mallett in Dover Street to see breathtaking examples of his work. Lino Tagliapietra: Glass Ambition, 26 May – 4 July (mallettantiques.com)

Artful indulgence London is the epicentre of the art world thanks, mainly, to the international galleries and auction houses of Mayfair and St. James’s. How appropriate, therefore, that three years ago London Art Week was established with the aim of shining the spotlight on the best art and expertise available across those conjoined areas. Now a magnet for curators and collectors around the globe, Among the event’s crowds will be some keen art sleuths who hope to revel in newly discovered treasures, such as Sir David Wilkie’s A Young Woman Kneeling at a Prayer Desk, 1813, that London’s Ben Elwes discovered and exhibited last year after 140 years of it being in the shadows. London dealers Agnew’s, Oliver Forge and Brendan Lynch will join this year’s many prestigious exhibitors, together with yet more overseas experts including Berlin’s Martin Hirschboeck, Monaco’s Maison d’Art and Bologna’s Fondantico di Tiziana Sassoli. London Art Week, 3-10 July (londonartweek.co.uk) 56

Will Masterpiece continue to present a wide range of disciplines? The ethos of cross-collecting and presenting the finest works of art, antiques and design, that span over 4,000 years of art history will always be central to what we do at Masterpiece London. We will continue to bring together leading dealers from around the world, and I am particularly excited by the breadth of British works that will be on sale this year – it demonstrates nicely that we are an international fair with a British accent. Can we look forward to new exhibitors this year and what forms of art will they exhibit? We have several significant exhibitors who will be new to the Fair this year, including London’s renowned fine art gallery Richard Green, who will be bringing a selection of works by Laurence Stephen Lowry, dated from 1958-1964, as well as some exceptional Impressionist works, and Parisian dealers Kraemer Gallery, who will exhibit museumquality 18th-century furniture and objet d’art, and will be exhibiting in London for the first time in their 140-year history. We also welcome specialists in 19th and 20th-century masters Jacques de la Béraudière and fine jewellers Van Cleef & Arpels and David Gill Galleries, Nilufar and 88-Gallery, who will exhibit modern and contemporary design works. What level of buyer does Masterpiece attract? Masterpiece attracts buyers across all levels as we have such a diversity of works for sale each year, some of which start in the low hundreds, making this an accessible art fair for everyone. Our appeal is broad, and every year we welcome curators from the world’s finest museums and institutions, private collectors, and enthusiasts. Masterpiece London, 25 June – 1 July (masterpiecefair.com)

clockwise from top left: Tatoosh, 2009, H 64cm x D 32cm; BORNEO, 2015, 19 ½“h x 10 ½“w x 10 ½“d, both by Lino Tagliapietra (images courtesy of Mallett Antiques); Memories of the Southern Spring Morning’, Lo Ch’ing, 2013. Offered by Michael Goedhuis; JOSEPH BARTHÉLÉMY VIEILLEVOYE (Verviers 1798 –1855 Liege) Saint Paul of Tarsus Monogrammed and “B.V. 1850” Oil on canvas, unlined 38 ¾ x 29 15 /16 in. (96.5 x 76 cm.) Credit: Colnaghi 2015

Art news

Nazy Vassegh, CEO of Masterpiece London


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Exhibition Focus:

RAYMOND CAUCHETIER’S NEW WAVE Innovative and poetic, New Wave cinema brought artistic meaning to mid-20thcentury French filmmaking. As the James Hyman Gallery celebrates the man whose photography captured the iconic genre, we uncover some of the era’s most avant-garde film stills WORDS: AMY WELCH ABOVE: HA LONG BAY, VIETNAM (C.1953). COPYRIGHT RAYMOND CAUCHETIER, COURTESY JAMES HYMAN GALLERY, LONDON

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‘P

hotography is truth,’ one of the most pioneering cinematographers of French New Wave cinema, Jean Luc Godard once said. Deeply romantic and equally turbulent, the genre of French New Wave film, or Nouvelle Vague, began as a self-conscious rejection of period literature in France, young filmmakers instead wanting to portray a commentary on the socio-political upheavals of 1950s and 1960s culture. Today, French New Wave films read like an enduring love letter to these infamous decades of the 20th century, and it is the bold black-and-white images of films such as Joules et Jim and À Bout de Souffle (Breathless) that we associate with an era of revolutionary motion pictures. The truth, as Godard eloquently put it, of documenting this cinematic history came from the eye of Raymond Cauchetier, possibly the greatest film-set photographer of his day. In celebration of Cauchetier’s renowned archive, and coinciding with the artist’s 95th

birthday, this month, the James Hyman Gallery will showcase the photographer’s observational eye and involvement in the experimental art form of New Wave cinema. The exhibition will delve into Cauchetier’s vast portfolio of work and display previously un-editioned landmark images from a number of the cult New Wave films he worked on. Of Cauchetier’s fly-on-thewall images, scenes from Godard’s debut feature À Bout de Souffle in 1960 are surely his biggest triumph. Also a testament to Godard’s directorial skill, the images depict Jean-Paul Belmondo (a cult actor associated with the New Wave genre) and Jean Seberg, all petite features and coquettish charm, walking down the Champs-Élysées – a superb commentary on their characters’ tumultuous but playful relationship. Regarded as one of the most well known scenes in French film, the composition is expertly captured by Cauchetier. From taking up photography by chance when he was serving in the French Air Force in Indochina,


The mayfair Magazine | Art

Cauchetier is largely self-taught: among the internationally acclaimed images within the exhibition sit the less-familiar landscape photography from his travels in Asia. Panoramic mountain views from Vietnam in particular instil a serene sense of place. Whether capturing Anna Karina’s aloof beauty in Une Femme est Une Femme or the picturesque coastlines of Asia, Cauchetier possesses a voyeuristic involvement with his subject matter, eloquently digesting each scene before him with a steady hand and artistic eye. Cauchetier’s unorthodox technique in approaching the film set as a photojournalist was a wild departure from the on-set film of the 1960s, wherein scenes were recorded purely for the picture’s release and publicity. Documenting the creative process in motion, Cauchetier’s work offers invaluable insight into cult masters of film, and how the likes of Jean-Luc Godard

and François Truffaut produced abstract narratives full of raw energy within the lowbudget confines of New Wave cinema. His expressive methods formed a kindred spirit with the avant-garde techniques of New Wave directors, namely improvised dialogue and shots that go beyond the common 180-degree axis – a renowned scene from À Bout de Souffle where Jean-Paul Belmondo runs towards the camera and straight past it remains one of the film’s most whimsically perplexing spectacles. Although it took many years for Cauchetier’s work to be justly recognised as a significant contribution to French New Wave cinema, the exhibition at the James Hyman Gallery further cements his now-legendary influence over French photography. Not least, Cauchetier’s images continue to resonate the beauty of a cinematic era and have helped the New Wave films enjoy a cultural renaissance, allowing them to be discovered by a new generation. Raymond Cauchetier: Nouvelle Vague, from 17 June until 14 August at the James Hyman Gallery, 16 Savile Row, W1S (020 7494 3857; jameshymangallery.com)

BELOW, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: À BOUT DE SOUFFLE (1960); ANNA KARINA in UNE FEMME EST UNE FEMME (1961); À BOUT DE SOUFFLE (1960); ALL COPYRIGHT RAYMOND CAUCHETIER, COURTESY JAMES HYMAN GALLERY, LONDON

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Estelle Lefebure, Karen Alexander, Rachel Williams, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz, Christy Turlington, Vogue U.S.A. Santa Monica, California’, 1988, by Peter Lindbergh, b. 1944. Estimate: £15,000 – 20,000

POSTCARDS

from the PAST

Collectable images from some of the masters of photography at Sotheby’s from its Annual London Photographs Sale W o r d s : K a t e Rac o v o l i s SWIMMER, 1972 by ERNST HAAS 1921 – 1986 ESTIMATE: £5,000-£7,000

Home Works #3, 2008 by Miles Aldridge b. 1964 Estimate: £7,000-£10,000

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ES WIRD WIEDER GETANZT!, 1955; SPANIEN: IN DEN DÜNEN VON ALICANTE, by HANNES KILIAN 1909 - 1999 1965 Two silver prints, printed later. Estimate: £4,000-£6,000


The mayfair Magazine | Art

Sharbat Gula, Afghan Girl, Pakistan, 1984 by Steve McCurry, Estimate: £12,000 – 18,000

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Cheetah & Cubs, Maasai Mara, 2003 by Nick Brandt b. 1966. Estimate: £20,000 – 25,000

n a world where we are surrounded by hundreds of different images every day – thanks to our iPhones and constant connection to the digital world – it’s worth pausing for a moment to remember the photographic greats that not only shaped the art industry, but also our culture and the way we view the world around us. At the Sotheby’s London Annual Photograph’s Sale this year, works by renowned names such as Helmut Newton, Horst P. Horst, Erwin Blumenfeld and Henri CartierBresson will appear as part of this year’s sale, showcasing some of the most iconic images from decades past – and some lesser known but equally impressive examples of art in this genre.

As well as some of the most famous pieces of fashion photography, avante-garde and Surrealist photographs by Man Ray and László Moholy-Nagy will also go under the hammer, as well as images from Africa, including Nick Brandt’s Cheetah and Cubs, Maasai Mara, contemporary pictures and images of historical London. Both collectable and covetable, the diverse range of genres makes the sale a remarkable one, and as Sotheby’s brings some of the world’s greatest photographers together in one place, prepare to be inspired by the way they saw the world through their lens. Sotheby’s London Annual Photographs Sale, 23 May (sothebys.com)

Palazzo Zenobio Venezia 2003 by Candida Höfer b. 1944 Estimate: £30,000-£40,000

all images courtesy of sotheby’s

SOLARISED HAT & PROFILE, NEW YORK, 1944, printed c. 1944. by ERWIN BLUMENFELD 1897 - 1969. ESTIMATE: £15,000-£20,000

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#1 Zodiac Mirror, circa 1990s, by Mark Brazier-Jones

#2 Buste d’homme, 1965, by Pablo Picasso

#3 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Convertible

Made from wrought-iron metal and small glass cabochons engraved with the 12 signs of the zodiac, this spherical mirror forms part of sculptor Mark Brazier-Jones’s Functional Art series. His avant-garde work contests the fine boundaries between art and design, as he believes that furniture should serve both a physical and decorative function, which this mirror certainly embodies. Estimated value £4,000-£6,000, Christie’s Interiors, Style & Spirit at Christie’s London, 2 June (christies.com)

Towards the end of his life, Pablo Picasso’s paintings became more colourful and expressive. This portrait, painted eight years before his death, depicts a bearded man with a subdued expression that mirrors the painter’s introspective mood of his final years. Wearing Picasso’s signature stripes, the man’s expression mirrors the sombre expression of his famous Self-portrait Facing Death. Estimated value €1,800,000-€2,500,000, Art Impressionniste et Moderne at Sotheby’s Paris, 3 June (sothebys.com)

First released in 1934, the Type 57C marked a new era for Bugatti. This one was one of Bugatti’s most successful models it ever produced. This particular vehicle is best known for its long ownership of car collector and Bugatti historian Miles Coverdale, who kept the automobile for more than four decades. This piece the ultimate collectable for motoring enthusiasts. Estimated value £600,000-£730,000, Greenwich Concours D’elegance Auction at Bonhams Conneticut, 31 May (bonhams.com)

Prize lots

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The mayfair Magazine | Art

#4 Self-portrait, 1931, by Amrita Sher-Gil

#5 Turquoise and diamond brooch, circa 1965, by Van Cleef and Arpels

#6 Flasche mit Apfel (Bottle with Apple), 2003 by Gerhard Richter

In her brief 28 years, Amrita Sher-Gil was a leading female figure in modern Indian art. This self-portrait depicts the artist at the age of 18, and is an extraordinarily rare lot: it is the first of her paintings ever to be auctioned in London. Her works are considered national art treasures by the Indian Government, and so rare that they are non-exportable if sourced in India. Estimated value £1,000,000-£1,800,000, South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art at Christie’s London and Mumbai, 10 June (christies.com)

Van Cleef and Arpels is renowned for its delicate jewellery and watch collections, and was a favourite among style icons such as the Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor. This bird-shaped brooch embodies the brand’s signature style. Perched on a branch, the bird is pavé-set with diamonds approximately 2.45 carats in total, while turquoise cabochon makes up its body and eye. Estimated value £10,000-£15,000, Fine Jewellery and Jadeite at Bonhams Hong Kong, 3 June (bonhams.com)

‘Art is the highest form of hope,’ said the German artist Gerhard Richter. One of the most prominent artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, Richter’s long career offered a diversity of techniques and ideas. A bold variation away from his infamous abstract paintings of layered colours, his Bottle with Apple confirms the artist’s observational roots and high technical skill. Estimated value £50,000-£70,000, Evening & Day Editions at Phillips London, 11 June (phillips.com)

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IMAGES: #1 IMAGE COURTESY OF © CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD, 2015 #2 IMAGE COURTESY OF SOTHEBY’S #3 IMAGE COURTESY OF BONHAMS #4 IMAGE COURTESY OF © CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD, 2015 #5 IMAGE COURTESY OF BONHAMS #6 IMAGE COUrTESY OF PHILLIPS

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Artistic endeavours As the Royal Academy of Arts presents its 247th annual Summer Exhibition this month, we discuss what the prestigious event has in store this year from head of the summer exhibition, Edith Devaney WORDS: AMY WELCH

BELOW: Love in a Time of War 1 by Yinka Shonibare MBE, © Yinka Shonibare, All rights reserved, DACS 2015, Image courtesy the artist; RIGHT: THE BLUE GROUND BY GARY HUME RA © GARY HUME ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, DACS 2015, PHOTO: STEVE WHITE.

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ach year the Royal Academy of Arts presents its esteemed Summer Exhibition, displaying to the public an overwhelming collection of art – the aspiring, the established and the utterly eccentric. It also happens to be the oldest open exhibition in history, with a staggering 12,000 applicants submitting work each year. ‘The fact that Michael Craig Martin was curating, managing and coordinating this year’s exhibition has encouraged a lot of people to send in work,’ says head of the Summer Exhibition, Edith Devaney. ‘It’s a brilliant opportunity for [artists] to be seen by such a diverse group of the public.’ For an event so steeped in history, what is perhaps most evident when glancing around the galleries, besides the wealth of talent displayed, is how successfully the academy has evolved with the times, retaining a sphere of influence and a close relationship with emerging artists and modern disciplines. ‘It has got to make sense for a contemporary audience – we don’t want it to be

something which is left behind,’ says Devaney. ‘We work very hard all year to visit smaller galleries, go to degree shows and try to encourage those strong younger artists to submit work so that we are continually replenishing and encouraging new talent to come through.’ Being a practising art school, first and foremost, emerging talent is undoubtedly of the utmost importance, although what further draws in visitors is the plethora of works by celebrated academicians also on show, nestled among a new generation of artists. ‘Richard Long has done a new print and we have also got works by Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor and Gary Hume,’ explains Devaney. ‘It is a kind of roll-call of some of our most celebrated British artists.’ Viewing mastered pieces by established artists and familiar names


The mayfair Magazine | Art

BELOW RIGHT: FICTIONS 3 (INVISIBLE CITIES) BY TIM HEAD © TIM HEAD 2015, COURTESY OF PARAFIN, LONDON; FAR RIGHT: ALL INSTALLATION VIEW OF ROYAL ACADEMY SUMMER EXHIBITION 2014, IMAGE BENEDICT JOHNSON

alongside recent graduates certainly instils a harmonious sense of artistic endeavour. Upon entering this year’s exhibition a colossal steel sculpture by Conrad Shawcross dominates the courtyard. Inside you will find a room dedicated to architecture, one encompassing only sculpture and two rooms set aside for print-based works, not to mention anything and everything in-between displayed throughout the remaining space. ‘[The exhibition] is evolving year to year,’ says Devaney. ‘This year we are taking over more of the building, it’s not just the galleries – it’s bigger and better.’

‘It is a kind of roll-call of some of our most celebrated British artists’ The Summer Exhibition will run from 8 June – 16 August at the Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J (020 7300 8000; royalacademy.org.uk)

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Spot the difference One of these paintings is a replica, but can you guess which one? As forgers leave art aficionados scratching their heads, Ellen Millard discovers the truth about authentication

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f you’re familiar with Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s Young Woman, you may have found this challenge quite easy. For those not in the know, the image on the left is the original, and its counterpart is a rather accurate

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replica sourced from an artists’ workshop in China. Although of striking resemblance, when placed side by side the two are clearly different, and it’s easy to see which is the most recent. But would you be able to spot it among 270 Old


The mayfair Magazine | Feature

reports of fake versions of Elmyr de Hory’s duplicates cropping up on the market. Similarly, Eric Hebborn duped art dealers and galleries with his imitations of Rubens, Van Dyck, Corot and Michelangelo. Some of his sketches were sold by Wiltshire auction house Webbs of Wilton last year along with his oil canvas of The Animals Entering the Ark by Jacopo and Francesco Bassano,

Left: Young Woman by Jean HonoréFragonard, and Replica from a workshop in China. Below, right: Oil Painting by Eric Hebborn

Master paintings? Earlier this year, the Dulwich Picture Gallery, in collaboration with artist Doug Fishbone switched the Fragonard original with its rather accurate replica, hid it among the gallery’s collection and asked the public to guess which one was the dupe. Of the 3,000 people who took part, 12.38 per cent claimed Young Woman to be the fake – the highest percentage overall, but by no means a landslide win. The aim of the exhibition, named Made in China, was for visitors to question their own judgement and explore the problems of identity, value and authorship – but, it touched on a wider issue, too. Forgery remains a huge issue in an industry where vast amounts of money can exchange hands for, what is believed to be, an original. ‘Forgery is a big problem. I think it’s a much bigger problem in the art industry than people realise,’ explains Jan Kindem, authenticator and co-founder of Kindem Art Consultants. ‘I think that quite a few people don’t realise how widespread this is.’ It’s easy to see why Mayfair’s many auction houses and galleries have dedicated departments that put such extensive measures in place to check the authenticity of any art that comes through their doors. In a strange turn of events, some forgers have been recognised for their artistic talent and have, surprisingly, found fame. Elmyr de Hory, who sold more than 1,000 forged paintings by Matisse, Picasso and Renoir, was featured in a documentary essay film by Orson Welles. Since his death, de Hory’s copies have sold for as much as $20,000, and there have even been

‘Forgery remains a huge issue in an industry where vast amounts of money can exchange hands’ which Hebborn completed after acquiring a fragment of the studio painting. A second auction will be held this month for the remaining Hebborn pictures that are in possession of his last agent. ‘Eric Hebborn was the most skilful and impressive of the pantheon forgers, I think’ says Noah Charney, author of The Art of Forgery. ‘The only [forger] who I would say was at the level of the Old Masters whose drawings he forged. He was also wonderfully cheeky. He published a jaunty memoir and a how-to manual that many a subsequent forger had in his studio.’ Arguably the man who’s had the most success after forgery is none other than Michelanglo, who found himself in trouble after dusting his sleeping cupid sculpture with acidic earth to create an antique effect. The buyer, Cardinal Riario of San Giorgio, demanded a refund when he discovered his expensive antique was in fact a contemporary piece. However, he was so impressed with Michelangelo’s skill that he 

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invited him to Rome, and it was here that the artist made a name for himself. So, how do we avoid buying a fake in the first place? ‘The first thing you should check is the information about the painting, like the literature and provenance,’ advises Jan. ‘We frequently find that the list of literature is not correct. You should go through the information you’re given and see that it’s all correct, and that all the exhibitions have taken place.’ Wolfgang Beltracci, a self-taught painter who passed off his work as newly discovered masterpieces by Max Ernst, Andre Derain, Max Pechstein and Georges Braque, staged his own exhibitions and sold his paintings for six and seven-figures. So good were his dupes that many were unknowingly hung in exhibitions at famous institutions, including a retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. He was caught after the buyer of his Heinrich Campendonk dupe sent it for scientific analysis, which revealed a contemporary titanium paint. Such analysis is one of the many methods available that can help determine the provenance of a piece. In some cases, x-rays are used to uncover earlier paintings hidden underneath another. Additionally, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) are techniques designed to detect inconsistencies in paintings and materials,

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much like in the Beltracchi instance, while fluorescence and infrared analysis can be used to reveal repairs made to the painting. One such case was uncovered at the Museum of Modern Art, where through x-Rays and ultraviolet examination, analysts were able to uncover inconsistent brush strokes on Jackson Pollock’s One: Number 31, 1950. The Department of Painting and Sculpting found layers of paint over the top of the original, which are believed to have been an attempt at restoration. However, the trouble with scientific analysis, Jan says, is that the process of detection is

‘The trouble with scientific analysis, is that the process of detection is lengthy and expensive’ lengthy and expensive, which means more often than not people are reluctant to send something for examination. ‘It’s a very difficult field, and you have to be very careful, both as a dealer and a collector,’ Jan explains. ‘If you’re going to do all these technical tests it can be very, very expensive, and it takes time, so it’s actually bad for the trade.’ Another issue is relying on the opinions of experts, who have


The mayfair Magazine | Feature

left and right: Interior of Dulwich Picture Gallery Permanent Collection, © Robert Sandserson

been known to clash in the past. ‘I think subjectivity is a problem in the higher end of the market, especially for modern art, because there are so many copies around,’ says Daniel Sinai of the Mayfair Gallery. ‘In a lot of cases, you have real paintings where it just happened that they weren’t included in some catalogue made ten years ago, and because of that, no one’s going to buy it even if it’s real, because there might not be a way to 100 per cent prove it.’ For those who are unsure, Jan has one piece of advice: do your research. ‘The art’s historical research is the most important thing. You have to look into the whole picture. If you’re suspicious, don’t buy it.’ ‘Whenever you buy something, first of all you should look for a reputable dealer or auction,’ says Daniel. ‘You can always get a second or third opinion, you can take photos and show auction houses or experts and dealers, there’s no harm in that.’ It certainly is a shame that these talented artists have taken to a life of forgery; it begs the question: what do the original artists think? Presumably, most are angry – and quite rightly so – but perhaps some are impressed, too? To imitate one’s work so accurately that the world believes it to be an original is undoubtedly an incredible achievement, albeit an immoral one. Indeed, Old Master painters would often encourage imitators and apprentices to replicate their work as a way of honing and perfecting their skill. At the Dulwich Picture Gallery, workshop paintings and copies by artists who have visited the collection can be found among authentic pieces, but the replica bodies are advertised as just that: replicas. ‘Forgers are ingenious

confidence tricksters who exhibit real skill and wile. But most of them were failed original artists. They tried unsuccessfully for a career as an artist and turn to forgery when their own art was rejected.’ Noah comments. ‘They may be mechanically skilful, but they lack the ingenious composition and they have not developed their own style, having to borrow others.’ As Jan says, the crime starts when art is claimed to be something it’s not – a disappointing outcome for talented artists whose own creations could have given them a different kind of fame. Perhaps imitation isn’t the sincerest form of flattery, after all.

The Art of Forgery by Noah Charney, £19.94, Phaidon 2015, (phaidon.com)

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The mayfair Magazine | Interiors

State of the art A passion for design, an enthusiasm for art and a playful edge are the ingredients needed for the perfect interior designer. At Studio Suss, founder Simone Suss embodies all these attributes. Working closely with her clients, Simone strives to achieve an elegant but functional space that mirrors the customer’s personal taste, incorporating contemporary furniture and bespoke pieces. Meanwhile, her exceptional team will source art that complements and inspires the interior scheme, making for one seriously standout home. (studiosuss.com)

Interiors news

w o r d s : E L L E N M I L L A RD

FINISHING TOUCH Lalique’s new Tourbillon Vase makes for a stunning addition to a consort table. It’s a striking statement piece in its own right, or can be the perfect accompaniment to a spring bouquet, and is a true collectable in its own right. Tourbillons Vase, £2,990, Lalique (lalique.com)

Wall to wall

Design intervention Jean Paul Gaultier’s travelling exhibition – a showcase of couture and ready-to-wear pieces – has made its tenth and final stop in Paris, and to celebrate, the iconic designer has launched a line of upholstery in collaboration with Roche Bobois. Made from imitation-suede, the cushions sport Gaultier’s illustrations of the Eiffel Tower, corsets and mannequins in a suitably French palette of red, white and blue. C’est bon! Fiere Cushion, £140; Raffine Cushion, £110, all Roche Bobois (roche-bobois.com)

The Gradate Collection showcases emerging British talent, fresh from UK universities and with a knack for design. New for S/S15 is Miki Rose, a wallpaper designer whose Natural World Collection features exquisite animal-themed prints inspired by a fascination with science and nature. The hand-painted and illustrated wallpapers include Jungle, a bohemian print with vibrant parrots, toucans and monkeys perched on green palm leaves. Jungle by Miki Rose, £120 per roll, The Graduate Collection (graduatecollection.co.uk)

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The mayfair Magazine | Interiors

Celebrating 40 years in business, renowned hotelier Ian Schrager looks back on his life’s work W O RDS : E L L EN MII L L A RD

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leading figure in luxury hospitality, it’s safe to say that Ian Schrager knows a thing or two about design. The club owner-turned-hotelier made a name for himself in the 1970s after joining Steve Rubell to co-found Studio 54, which became a firm favourite among famous faces such as Andy Warhol, Liza Minnelli and Mick Jagger. After success with the popular New York haunt and a second nightclub, Palladium, the two tried their hand at hospitality. Dedicating his life to the luxury market, Schrager was a pioneer of the boutique hotel movement, and is renowned for challenging luxury norms with his unique contemporary style. In a new book titled Ian Schrager Works, the entrepreneur celebrates 40 years in the industry with newly released anecdotes and photographs of his creations. From hotels including Morgans, the Mondrain and Gramercy Park Hotel in New York to residential properties such as 40 Bond Street, the celebratory tome is filled with more than 200 photographs and texts from some of the world’s leading designers. Phillip Starck and Jon Pawson, both of whom have worked with Schrager, lend their expertise on the subject, while Schrager himself offers comment on each of the properties he’s designed, producing a visually pleasing trip down memory lane. Ian Schrager Works by Ian Schrager, £50, Rizzoli New York

Clockwise from left: Dance floor with a view of the painted backdrop by Keith Haring, video installation by Bran Ferren, and illuminated architectural columns by Arata Isozaki (image by Timothy Hursley). Clift Lobby (Image: Nikolas Koenig). Entrance to Studio 54 (Image: Jaime Ardiles-Arce). All from Ian Schrager Works

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A collector’s item From one-of-a-kind Ferraris to covetable Porsches from decades past, discover the joy of collecting the rarest cars on the market – and why it might make for a savvy investment wo r d s : RIC H A RD Y A RR O W

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ew categories of collectables inspire such devotion and desire as classic cars. Perhaps equalled only by the strange behaviour displayed by lovers of vinyl – particularly in male music fans of a certain age – the passion associated with high-octane automobiles is, for many people, beyond a hobby. From limited-production Italian historics to the best of British from the ‘golden age’ of motoring, they are among the most sought-after objects in the world. Entire books have recently been released paying homage to the exquisite vehicles, such as Vintage Cars, published by Assouline. But there is much more to it than that; buy cleverly, love it for a while then sell it on, and a car also has the potential to be very profitable. So what makes someone spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on screwed-together

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metal, plastic and leather, and then to cherish it so much they have to buy another? Chris Routledge is lead auctioneer at Coys, which always has 35-40 classics on display at its West London showroom, either for sale or previewing for auction. He says that the idea of collecting them as a hobby can be traced back to one auction in Edinburgh in 1962. From then on, old cars were not selling as old cars, but as something else. He believes the primary influencing force is nostalgia. ‘In our experience, the progression of a collector is they start with something from their childhood, a car that means something to them. That’s the trigger. If they have a good experience, they carry on. They start as an enthusiast and then become a collector.’ As with all passions, participants paddle in the shallows for a while, but quickly wade in deeper. They attend events, see what other people are


The mayfair Magazine | Motoring

doing and it starts to fill their head with new ideas and new collecting patterns. After that, Routledge says, nostalgia takes a back seat. ‘Why do we sell a 1930s Bentley to a man aged 40? There’s no direct connection, but he might have started with a 1970s-era BMW, then bought an E-Type Jaguar and then decided he wants a pre-war car.’ There are, of course, different types of collector. Some want cars they can restore, others can’t abide the idea of getting their hands dirty and just want to own something immaculate. Some want to own just one, to drive it regularly on club events and become part of a social scene. Others need a garage-full and none ever turns a wheel in anger. Some soak up the status it attracts – while others couldn’t care less. ‘The unifying principle is that people have always loved cars, they create an emotion that is unique and enduring,’ explains Routledge. Chris Knowles from Oxfordshire is a former British Airways pilot and operations director.

Now retired, he’s a Porsche collector and currently has six. ‘They are very precise, lovely to drive, reliable, great fun and a wonderful thing. To collect them, I feel very lucky. You could call it an addiction, but once you get into it, it’s something that absorbs more and more of your time. It becomes an emotional engagement.’ If collecting vinyl is all about the right bands, with cars it’s the right brands. Desirability is determined by the badge on the bonnet, and it’s a closed club to which new members are rarely admitted. Along with Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Bentley and Rolls-Royce are the collectable core, as well as a host of marques that no longer exist. They include French fancies such as Delage, Delahaye and Talbot-Lago, plus the pioneering Americans Duesenberg, Cord and Auburn. Many collectors indulge their hobby not just for love, but to make money. It’s here that brand is critical. ‘Ferraris, 12-cylinder ones especially, but any “Enzo-era” cars [1947-1988], have always been the top performers as investments,’ says Paul Hardiman, senior auction analyst for Sports Car Market magazine. However, in the past 

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 couple of years, the model with most notable rise in value has been the Porsche 911 RS 2.7. Hardiman called its growth ‘stratospheric’, adding: ‘It’s gone from £150,000 less than five years ago to more like £600,000-£650,000 now.’ The 2.7 is the collectible Porsche. Built in 1973, only 1,580 were made, of which 200 were so-called ‘lightweights’ and therefore now command a premium. A curiosity of the market is that the 2.7’s rise has been felt by owners of other 911s, with a hike in resale prices for other ‘small-bumper’ and air-cooled examples. ‘In the same way, the massive rise in prices of the Aston Martin DB5 a few years ago has had a “coat-tails” effect on the less valuable DB6 and DBS, which are starting to become worth serious money,’ explains Hardiman. The downside is that one swallow does not make a summer: just because the auction hammer comes down on one DB5 for £700,000, it doesn’t mean they’re all worth that. ‘Classic cars have proven to be a good place to put your money,’ says Chris Routledge from Coys. ‘The term “investment” implies speculators, but we have seen significant

Image © Laziz Hamani, from Vintage Cars, published by Assouline (available at maison assouline, 196A Piccadilly, W1J; assouline.com)

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growth in value since 2008.’ For today’s classic buyer, provenance is key. The car’s history must be known and documented. That should include a record of all maintenance and restoration work, which must have been carried out by the right people. The importance of taking expert advice on these ‘essential credentials’ can’t be overstated for any potential customer. Hardiman explains: ‘Even now, cars are sometimes not what they seem. The difference between a real and rare Ferrari Daytona Spider and a car converted later – even if they look identical – can be a million pounds.’ Nostalgia is at the heart of collecting cars, but as time passes a new generation of vehicles becomes ‘old’ and a new generation of buyers are interested in them. It’s the reason why 1980s supercars such as Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari Testarossa are making good money today. They were ‘poster cars’ for a generation of enthusiasts who can now afford them. The trick is identifying today’s new cars that will be elevated to collectable status in the future.


The mayfair Magazine | Motoring

‘Even now, cars are sometimes not what they seem’

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The perfect

marriage

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here are few days more special than your wedding day. Whether you opt for a small affair or a vast celebration, it’s bound to be one to remember. Redefining the word ‘unforgettable’, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and designer Jenny Packham have joined together to create the ultimate wedding package. With an exclusive offer on Jenny Packham bridalwear and accessories, brides-to-be can choose their dream dress before wedding their future spouse in front of the striking backdrop of Hyde Park and Knightsbridge. Once betrothed, newlyweds have the opportunity to use the Royal Entrance with permission from the Crown Estate, before settling down to dine on award-winning cuisine surrounded by picture-perfect scenes of the leafy park – a true match made in heaven. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, SW1X (020 7235 2000, mandarinoriental.com) Image: George Apostolidis

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The mayfair Magazine | Travel

Travel news Cheval Blanc Randheli offers a glamorous experience of the Maldives, while the Marbella Club reminds us why it’s still a firm favourite among many WORDS: ELLEN MILLARD

Short haul Marbella, Spain

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Few hotels in the world hold such a prestigious reputation for opulence and luxury as the Marbella Club. With a former guest list that includes Laurence Olivier, Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, it’s easy to see why. Having celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, it has undergone extensive renovations and now offers a state-of-the-art kids’ club and a driving experience on Spain’s prestigious Ascari racetrack. The hotel has also unveiled Villa del Mar, a six-bedroom house complete with a spa, steam room, and your own personal chef and butler. (marbellaclub.com)

Long haul

Noonu Atoll, Maldives Located in the northwest of the Maldives, Cheval Blanc Randheli sits on the Noonu Atoll, surrounded by turquoise water, white sandbanks and unspoilt green lands – a pictureperfect sight forgiving to even the most inexperienced photographer. This season, the 45-villa resort offers guests an alternate way to view the scenery: a 30m Azimut 98 Leonardo yacht is on hand to steer guests through the pristine ocean, with the chance to experience an extended diving trip, explore the Maldivian islands or take a romantic sail to see the exquisite landscape in all its glory, mojito in hand. Or book the four-bedroom villa on its own private island for a perfectly remote and stylish getaway. (chevalblanc.com)

TRAVEL TIPS DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT… Shield your skin with Ligne St Barth Roucou Sunscreen, a soothing SPF30 lotion that protects you from harmful rays while you top up your tan. Ligne St Barth, £44, Heidi Klein (heidiklein.com) THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT… TRIPOSO Ditch the guidebook and opt for this handy app – an offline source of information, maps and tips for more than 30,000 destinations. Free, iTunes App Store

‘Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe’ – Anatole France 79


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Hollywood story

Los Angeles, in all its glamour and glitz, continues to capture travel journalist Leo Bear’s heart, as she revisits the city she fell in love with five years ago, and finds out the latest places to stay for a truly unique experience to remember

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The mayfair Magazine | Travel

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runching along a sandy path cutting a swirl in the rugged canyon in the Hollywood hills, I nod and smile at each of the passers-by because that’s the etiquette in California. My fellow hikers are mostly in pairs, chatting away, smiling. Some of the male hikers have six-packs on display, designer hoodies tied around their waists, and a few of them have fluffy handbag-sized dogs at their heels. It’s hard to keep your eyes on as the track the views are so impressive – and it’s not just the beautiful people. There’s the Hollywood sign to my left, and below, downtown Los Angeles stretches out all the way to the Atlantic Ocean – skyscrapers glinting, everything in miniature. I’m descending from the top of Runyon Canyon, a hiking trail frequented by starlets and studio bosses, and the mercury is rising. It’s approaching 28˚C – not bad for January. As the sun arcs into its highest position, I rest against a fence and watch as a yoga class commences. The genetically blessed teacher strides in, folds away a well-thumbed film script and unrolls her matt. What a cliché: the yoga teacher waiting for a callback. Los Angeles. The town where dreams are made or destroyed. Lucky for me, my dreams were made here. Several years ago, I spent 12 months working in Hollywood as a stringer for a newspaper. Unshackled from my desk job, days were filled with red-carpet interviews and movie screenings, and nights were wild and wonderful, spent dancing ’til dawn in mansions in the hills – many I later recognise as backdrops in films. It was on one of these martini-fuelled evenings that I met a dashing British TV producer who loved LA as much as I did, and knew how to make a decent cup of tea. Flash-forward five years, and he and I were returning to our beloved City of Angels as husband and wife. We called up our old acquaintances, booked tables in our favourite restaurants and rented an absurdly posey convertible car. But instead of lining up a hotel, I wanted to test-run the services of One Fine Stay, a

British company that arranges short stays in private homes – an upmarket Airbnb if you like. The promise of living like locals was deeply alluring, and pulling up outside our pictureperfect West Hollywood cottage was a real ‘coming home’ moment. A dove-grey twobedroom house in a leafy residential street walking distance from Runyon Canyon, it had all the appeal of a private home with none of the hassle. While I cooed over the pretty wooden porch and white picket fence, my other half headed into the garden to inspect the lemon and cumquat trees. We had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large kitchen and a light-filled living room hung with Andy Warhol prints, all

lead image: Montage (Double rooms from $695 per night (montagehotels. com); left: montage; far left: The London West Hollywood

‘We were handed an iPhone for the duration of our stay loaded with local restaurants, bars and things to do’ to ourselves – there was even a cinema room. Of course, some of the owner’s art and furniture wasn’t to our taste, but the attention to detail provided by One Fine Stay more than compensated. Bed corners were tucked as tightly as you’d find in any five-star establishment and bathrooms came kitted out with fresh-laundered towels and Kiehl’s products. After being given the grand tour by one of One Fine Stay’s smiling reps and given the keys, we were handed an iPhone for the duration of our stay loaded with local restaurants, bars and things to do – all chosen by the owners. For everything else, we were told to call the One Fine Stay ‘concierge’ available 24/7. Genius. The idea for One Fine Stay was conceived by former venture-capitalist Greg Marsh, who upon leaving his Mayfair office one evening happened to notice the lights were off in his street. ‘Every single one of the homes was empty,’ he recalls, ‘so the notion of providing a service that would let guests stay in these homes while their 

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right: One Fine Stay; all images far right: The London West Hollywood

owners were out of town was so compelling to me – both as a home-owner and as a traveller who dislikes generic hotel rooms – that I simply had to act on it.’ Six years on, and Marsh and his team have access to some of the most elegant and quirky properties in Los Angeles, London and Paris – each one handpicked and serviced by a legion of hotel-trained staff. The very best homes can be found in the company’s ‘prestige collection’. A quick glance at the LA section reveals a stylish mid-century house designed by architects Buff and Hensman that comes with an outdoor pool, 24-foot walnut counter and retractable walls for entertaining. Or there’s a property in the arty district of Venice Beach with a chemical-free lap pool, projector room and outdoor hot tub, owned by a well-known photographer and his wife. The price tag? Around $1,500 a night. Our digs were far less grand but no less wonderful. As soon as we’d settled in, we hosted a jubilant dinner party with the old gang, and spent the following days in a carefree state of Californian abandon cruising around town,

‘Marsh and his team have access to some of the most elegant and quirky properties in Los Angeles’ hiking in Runyon Canyon, shopping at the Hollywood farmers market and trying out the latest fitness crazes (Pure Barre and SoulCycle won joint best). We quickly fell into the owners’ lifestyles and even started to become quite envious of them. Truly, we found the benefits of a homestay to be limitless. Being able to entertain ‘at home’ is one thing but having several rooms to spread out in and our own off-road parking was priceless. Then, when it came to ‘checking out’, we just locked up quietly, left the keys in a safety deposit box and waved goodbye to the neighbours.

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With a few days remaining before our return to British soil, there was time to bed-test some of the city’s newest hotels for contrast. First we checked into The Montage Beverly Hills, a classic grand-dame hotel with a splendid spa, diamond-throwing distance from the best boutiques on Rodeo Drive. Location-wise, it’s hard to beat. Add in a smart rooftop restaurant and impeccable service – I’ve never known room service to be so quick – and it’s easy to see why Dylan Jones, editor of GQ magazine, never stays anywhere else. But fantastic as it is, The Montage is very, for want of a better word, ‘hotel-y’. A suite at The London West Hollywood, on the other hand, is about as close as you’ll get to apartment living without taking out a mortgage. Designed by the studio behind the late great David Collins (Claridges, The Wolseley, The Berkeley and the newly revamped The Ivy) it’s glitzy yet serene with a handsome palette of sage, brass and quartz. The British influence doesn’t end there. Guests can telephone friends back home in London for free, so long as it’s to a landline, and the hotel’s prestigious ‘Gate


The mayfair Magazine | Travel

suites’ are inspired by Hyde Park. Lounging by the pool, watching the occasional flutter-buzz of a helicopter across clear Californian skies, one feels a world away from the grit and glamour of the Sunset Strip a few storeys below, yet the hotel is conveniently placed equidistant between Chateau Marmont and Soho House Hollywood – two of the city’s hottest hangouts. Before heading to the airport, I was privy to a sneak preview of a brand-new penthouse under construction on the top floor of the hotel. When complete, it promises to be the largest crashpad in the city with a private rooftop pool, wraparound terrace and its own hi-tech gym. Anyone who can stump up the funds to make an advance booking is guaranteed one hell of a fine stay. But they won’t get their own white picket fence. Leo’s trip to Los Angeles was arranged by luxury online travel company Gadabouting (gadabouting. com) and she was a guest of One Fine Stay (onefinestay.com) and Montage (montagehotels.com). The London West Hollywood (thelondonwesthollywood.com)

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s recently as 20 years ago, Marseille was the city as seen in The French Connection: grimy, crime-ridden, not likely to shift the scowl from the face of Gene Hackman’s ‘Popeye’ Doyle. Today, however, France’s second-largest and oldest city is enjoying a renaissance, best signalled by its 2013 turn as European Capital of Culture. And what a relief it is, too, for this vibrant, hilly metropolis combines a sparkling Provençal coastline with bags of culture and an irresistible Mediterranean insouciance. Its buzzing heart is the Vieux Port, where mandolin-buskers and fishing boats off-load their wares. The city’s history is spectacular: from the rambling, star-shaped Fort Saint-Nicolas guarding the harbour mouth of what was the departure point for the Crusades, to the waterside Hôtel de Ville, rebuilt several times in the 17th century as the famously quarrelsome Marseillaise clashed with Louis XIV over its design. Just behind the vibrant Port is Le Panier, the oldest part of the city and now one of the trendiest. Wander its network of honeyed limestone alleyways, popping into quirky boutiques, or sip pastis aperitifs at hip Barjac on Place de Lenche. Try a squid ink vanilla ice cream from nearby Vanille Noire and, refreshed, stroll over to the artsy Cours Julien – a network of chic boutiques and hipster bars. Retail therapy is also available at nearby Gallerie Lafayette, and make time to head over to the Prefecture district for concept store Le Jardin Montgrande and trendy Marianne Kat. With 57 kilometres of coastline, a visit to Marseille is full of excursion-rich possibilities. Hire a rosé-stocked boat from Baroque Hugo and explore the stunning coves and inlets of Calanques National Park, cruising waters as green as a freshly sliced lime, or day trip to Aix-en-Provence for a sophisticated change of pace. But Marseille will draw you back, and with grand plans for further investment – including a casino on the waterfront – things continue to improve at this renewed destination. Oh, and 300 days of sunshine a year. Enough said.

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[city break]

Marseille


The mayfair Magazine | Travel

Revitalised by its turn as Capital of Culture, ancient Marseille has risen anew Word: Chris Allsop

Where to Stay The celebrity-favoured InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu, has elegant rooms with spacious, high-ceilinged balconies offering spectacular views of Notre-Dame de la Garde. The hotel offers various paths to wellbeing, including its Clarins Spa, famed bouillabaisse milkshake at its Les Fenêtres restaurant, and the delicious Champagne and pastis Daviel cocktail available on the terrace bar.

SUITCASE ESSE N T IALS

#1 Hat, £555, Maison Michel (michel-paris.com)

Eating and Drinking For your bouillabaisse fix, head to picturesque Vallon Des Auffes for the legendary Chez Fonfon. Meanwhile, threeMichelin-starred Gérald Passédat is the culinary kingpin of Marseille, and Le Petit Nice his seat of power.

Mayfair Recommends Your city break begins in St. Pancras International. Eurostar has opened up a new route that arrows straight into the heart of Marseille. Watch as France’s ashen church spires, crumbling farmsteads and distant hilltop villages scroll smoothly by while you open a second bottle of Champagne in time for the verdant limestone gorges of Provence. Updated trains (with WiFi) are launching in November, and if luxury is convenience, then surely the freedom to bring toiletries at whatever size you desire is the purest expression of this idea.

#2 The reparative face sun lotion SPF30, £85, Crème de la Mer (cremedelamer.co.uk)

#3 Dress, £298, Diane Von Furstenberg (dvf.com)

#4 Bag, £4,498, Burberry (burberry.com)

#5 Sandals, £365, Miu Miu (net-a-porter.com)

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Suite

dreams

‌ at Whatley Manor, Wiltshire Words: JAMES LAWRENCE

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ver the past 15 years a new breed of luxury British hotel has emerged, providing world-class food, amenities and accommodation without the stiff formality and pretension that once plagued upmarket venues. Whatley Manor is one such perfect example of this very welcome trend. Based in the gorgeous Wiltshire countryside, with the chocolate-box village of Malmesbury down the road, the property is easily accessible

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from London (almost two hours by car), but far enough away from civilisation to provide an unparalleled haven of rest and relaxation. Warmth and hospitality are obligatory at this hotel; snobbery is most definitely forbidden! Whatley Manor does, however, boast quite a regal history: it was originally a manor house built for entertaining the aristocracy in the 1920s and today functions as the south-west’s leading deluxe venue, complete with 23


The mayfair Magazine | Travel

bedrooms, two restaurants, and idyllic gardens – not to mention an expansive drawing room, perfect for sipping pre-dinner cocktails. The hotel’s suites are everything you’d expect from such a prestigious address: furnished to a superbly high standard, spacious and equipped with contemporary bathrooms complete with lovely whirlpool baths. But the crowning glory of this slick yet totally unpretentious hotel is the spa, where an extensive range of treatments are available and indeed, are often sold out far in advance. The facilities are astounding and thorough, with a thermal pool, outdoor pool with bubble beds, whirlpool bath, saunas, steam rooms, relaxations rooms and a lavishly equipped gym. Suffice to say, we had to drag ourselves away, even after four hours. Gastronomic duties are handled by Martin Burge, a Bristol-born chef who has maintained two Michelin stars at Whatley Manor’s muchlauded restaurant – an impressive achievement. We began with a few glasses of divine Bollinger rosé, which set

the standard for the feast that followed. Goat’s cheese ravioli and pan-fried fillet of John Dory were both exquisite, as was my friend’s royal squab pigeon, which was poached and roasted, then dressed with a foie gras cassonade. Enjoying Burge’s expertly crafted dishes made me realise just why visitors from across the UK make the pilgrimage to Whatley Manor – spa or no spa. But what of the wine at this bastion of great food? As you’d hope, a suitably grand and extensive list awaits, with admittedly walletassaulting prices. The best value on offer is to be found in the wine-paring option – the Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand with goat’s cheese ravioli was quite delicious. Breakfast is served in the more informal brasserie restaurant, Le Mazot – a quaint little spot with a faux-Stübli design that wouldn’t look far out of place in St. Moritz. The food was fine – what really stood out was the gracious service, a constant highlight at Whatley Manor. It gave me pause to reflect that while there are quite a few contestants for the prize of the UK’s most luxurious rural hotel, Whatley certainly deserves a place in the top five. Its staff are committed to cocooning guests in luxury and pampering them mercilessly – why can’t all country hotels be like this? From £315 for a standard room, including full breakfast. Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, Easton Grey, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 (whatleymanor.com; 01666 822888)

all images courtesy of Whately Manor

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THE WORLD’S FIRST IN-STORE DNA TEST FOR PERSONALISED SKINCARE GENEU use their award winning in-store DNA test to analyse your skin’s DNA and discover precisely what it needs. Experience GENEU and leave the flagship store with bespoke anti-ageing skincare, uniquely recommended to ensure your skin receives the suitable active ingredients and concentrations in order to promote healthy looking skin. Learn more on our YouTube channel: ‘GENEU Beauty’ 65 NEW BOND STREET, LONDON

020 7499 7161

GENEU.COM


The mayfair Magazine | Beauty

London Girl A true Jo Malone London woman is as warm and dynamic as the brand’s unfolding fragrances, full of elegance and sophistication. Poppy Delevigne, being the quintessential English rose, is the perfect choice for the infamous perfumer to appoint as the first Jo Malone London Girl – after all, her signature scent is the divine Red Roses. All zest for life and quirky charm, the collaboration will surely draw on Delevigne’s honed eye for style and scent. Jo Malone, 23 Brook Street, W1K (0370 192 5181; jomalone.co.uk) Image: Jo Malone London

Beauty news Christopher Kane injects some colour into our summer beauty palette and we take a beauty cue from Jo Malone’s new London Girl, Poppy Delevigne WORDS: AMY WELCH

Fresh-faced Besides possessing the sweetest scent, essential rose oils host a wealth of beautifying benefits for your complexion. A blessing for those with dry skin, the rich botanical ingredient is synonymous with keeping skin soft and supple. Sunday Riley’s new face oil harnesses all the power of these essential rose oils to renew and repair the skin at a cellular level. Deeply nourishing, the oil feels soothing on skin when applied before bedtime. Flora Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil, £98, Sunday Riley (spacenk.com)

Over the rainbow Brimming with a contemporary vision for colour and texture, Mayfair stalwart Christopher Kane is bringing his vivid design aesthetic to beauty brand Nars. The limited-edition Neoneutral collection reflects the designer’s belief that bold neon colours can be worn as elegantly as a neutral base. Each electric shade of pink, purple and tangerine holds a refreshing energy and is a surprisingly elegant pairing with neutral tones – the neon-pink blush exudes true femininity. Starscape Blush, £23, Christopher Kane for Nars Collection (narscosmetics.co.uk)

Treatment of the month ‘Innovative and energising’ are terms uttered all too frequently in the beauty industry. But Michaeljohn’s latest facial, a bespoke and non-invasive treatment in collaboration with facial cosmetic surgeon Dr Costas Papageorgiou, does appear to warrant both descriptions in a glamorous way. The Hybrid Medical Facial has an instant brightening effect on skin while initiating a long-term process of regeneration. With five indulgent and impressively scientific processes (the treatment’s LED energy rays were first developed by NASA), the deepest layers of skin are stimulated and antioxidants infused to reveal a firm and glowing complexion. Following a consultation to determine your tailor-made treatment programme, three treatments are recommended for optimal results: hydradermabrasion with Vitamin A, gentle radiofrequency waves, and a fruit peel effectively restore damaged and uneven skin. From reducing pigmentation to fine lines, you will be surprised at how many radiance-inducing procedures can be performed in an hour and a half. Hybrid Medical Facial treatments from £900, Michaeljohn, 25 Albemarle Street, W1S (020 7629 6969; michaeljohn.co.uk)

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Rise and shine #1 Bright eyes Tom Ford has a rather ingenious concoction for those days where you face an early morning meeting and sleep has eluded you. The Skin Revitalizing Concentrate serum feels lightweight on the skin and will have you feeling instantly refreshed. Skin Revitalizing Concentrate, £110, Tom Ford (tomford.com)

#2 Close cut For the closest shave each morning, a razor from Gentlemen’s Tonic cannot be beaten. We love the Savile Row shaving set to keep your bathroom cabinet sophisticatedly clean and clear. The Horn Savile Row Shaving Set, £175, Gentlemen’s Tonic, 31a Bruton Place, W1J (020 7297 4343; gentlemenstonic.com)

#3 Toned down The shiny complexion associated with summer sun is a curse we all must bear. Or is it? Filled with mattifying pumpkin-seed extract, The Refinery has created a product that both moisturises and reduces high shine. The softening essential oil of frankincense is deeply revitalising. Mattifying Moisturiser, £34, The Refinery, 60 Brook Street, W1K (020 7409 2001; the-refinery.com)

#4 Full throttle A woody and oriental scent with the spicy notes of nutmeg and grey musk makes for a bold daytime scent. Jaguar’s latest fragrance layers such fine natural ingredients and comes handsomely presented in a glass bottle designed with the soft curves of Jaguar motorcars in mind. Jaguar Signature of Excellence, £70, Jaguar (harrods.com)

#5 Summer sun For protecting oneself against the sun’s rays this summer, Aesop’s SPF 50 is enriched with Vitamin E and presents a lightweight alternative for serious UVA protection. We love the refreshing aroma, this is undoubtedly a suitcase essential for summer. Protective Body Lotion SPF 50, £27, Aesop (aesop.com) 90

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The mayfair Magazine | Beauty

Your morning routine has just become all the more decadent. We look at the best grooming products to cater for every aspect of a sophisticated grooming regime for the debonair gentleman who takes pride in his appearance W ORDS : A M Y W E L C H

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#6 Polished to perfection No gentleman’s grooming collection should be without a trusty exfoliating bar, and Ermenegildo Zegna’s latest grooming collection holds just the one. Infused with citrus peel and olive oil, this natural rectangular bar will polish and cleanse day after day. Essenze Exfoliating Body Bar, £26, Ermenegildo Zegna, 37-38 New Bond Street, W1S (020 7518 2700; zegna.com)

#7 Personal touch Parisian fragrance brand Ex Nihilo are revolutionising the perfume industry, one bespoke scent at a time. Reinterpreting the raw materials used in traditional scents, a personalised fragrance is made before your eyes in-store – oud would be our base of choice. Personalised Eau de Parfum, from £240, Ex Nihilo (harrods.com)

#8 Tender is the night Designed with an elegant cosmopolitan gentleman in mind, Acqua di Parma’s Colonia Ambra combines the fresh citrus notes of the classic Colonia with the deep and seductive notes of ambergris. Musky and intense, this fragrance is perfect for the evening. Colonia Ambra, £150 for 100ml and £195 for 180ml, Acqua di Parma (acquadiparma.com)

#9 Lather up Scented with notes of spicy nutmeg and sandalwood from Floris’ signature No. 89 fragrance, this shaving soap has all the theatricality of a traditional barber’s shave as you lather the fragrant cream in its wooden bowl. Shaving soap in bowl, from a selection, Floris, 89 Jermyn Street, SW1Y (020 7930 2885; florislondon.com)

#10 Soothe and protect To conclude your morning shave, a soothing balm with hints of menthol will both refresh the skin and seal the pores. Extracts of chamomile and calendula in Murdock’s balm expertly moisturises for nourished and supple skin. Post Shave Balm, £42, Murdock London (murdocklondon.com) 91


Beauty | The mayfair Magazine

Spa review Soholistic Spa at Ham Yard Hotel W ORDS : ellen m i lla r d

Images by Simon Brown

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iving in London, it’s easy to get swept up in the capital’s 24-hour lifestyle, and the respite from this, offered by the Soholistic Spa at the recently opened Ham Yard Hotel is certainly a welcome one. I arrive early and take full advantage of the Relaxation Room. On one wall is a stone elephant with water falling from its trunk; the gentle sound of the flowing liquid rolls around the room and brings back memories of seaside retreats, helped by the spa’s beach-like décor. Another wall is adorned with embellished mirrors and seashell frames; elsewhere, giant lamps light up the ivory chairs in the centre of the room, and a coral curtain hides wicker loungers that, although inviting, I choose not to try for fear of falling asleep. In the treatment room, my therapist Georgie assesses my skin type before beginning the Liz Earle Superskin Botanical Lift facial. Designed to help tone, lift and smooth the skin, the gentle massage stimulates blood flow in my face while easing the tension in my shoulders and neck. Georgie smoothes creams and serums over my cheeks and forehead, and it’s then that I discover my earlier attempts to avoid nodding off were futile, as I find myself falling asleep in the massage chair. My power nap is possibly one of the best I’ve had, and I awake surprised that I had been there 50 minutes, but pleased with my now baby-soft skin and revitalised complexion. After, I linger once more in the Relaxation Room, reluctant to leave. Outside, Piccadilly Circus is a sharp contrast to the tranquil space here, but as I sleepily dodge the bustling throng of tourists, I find comfort in the fact that just a street away is a place where time stands still. Liz Earle Superskin Botanical Lift Facial, £120, Soholistic Spa, Ham Yard Hotel, 1 Ham Yard, W1D (firmdalehotels.com)


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Food & Drink | The mayfair Magazine

Let them eat cake Deciding on where to have lunch on a Sunday afternoon can be a tricky decision, but Le Méridien Piccadilly’s latest culinary offering makes it rather easy. Set in the chandelier-adorned Oak Room, the hotel has launched a series of Patisserie Parties, inspired by the most lavish era of the French Renaissance. Sip Champagne, indulge in sweet and savoury dishes, and enjoy a calming cup of tea (no patisserie party would be complete without one). £39 per person, Le Méridien Piccadilly, 21 Piccadilly, W1J (020 7734 8000; lemeridienpiccadilly.co.uk)

Food and The beginning of summer in Mayfair signals long lunches with friends, sipping on cocktails and indulging in some sweet treats WORDS: AMY WELCH

Gourmet to go There is nothing quite as mouth-watering as a decadently cream-filled éclair. Melba at the Savoy’s new gourmet take-away counter is brimming with such pastry delights and classic sandwiches, and has given us good reason to pass by the Strand. Created by executive pastry chef Ludwig Hely, the Savoy’s new signature item is the Parisian-style éclair, and comes in a dilemma-inducing array of flavours – the gourmet counter’s namesake Melba flavour is utterly delicious. Melba at the Savoy, Strand, WC2R (fairmont.com/ savoy-london)

Cocktail o’clock This month presents the perfect opportunity to indulge in some of Mayfair’s finest new cocktails. This month Sketch has launched one such tipple in collaboration with Theo Fennell in the pretty rose-tinted Gallery. Fittingly in keeping with the bar’s colour scheme, the cocktail, titled Theo’s Pink Fizz, is inspired by the designer’s unique jewellery collections. A sweet and refreshing drink, the concoction brings Beefeater 24 gin together with rose liquor and light orange-blossom water, topped with rose Champagne. Sketch, 9 Conduit Street, W1S (sketch.london)

96

Sweet couture The Berkeley has transformed traditional afternoon tea this month with couture-inspired cakes and bikini biscuits. The iconic Pret-a-Portea afternoon tea is a light-hearted ode to fashion. Served on a colourful collection of bespoke fine-bone china designed by Wedgwood, the delicious treats have been crafted to resemble memorable fashion trends from recent years – the Anya Hindmarch Big Eyes handbag collection is our favourite, with blueberry Victoria sponge and candied cartoon eyes for decoration. £45 per person, The Berkeley, Wilton Place, SW1X (020 7235 6000; the-berkeley.co.uk)


More than just a name, Snow Lepoard vodka was created to help save this beautiful creature from extinction. 15% of profits from the brand are given directly to Snow Leopard conservation projects. Award winning Snow Leopard vodka is the first luxury vodka to be made from the Spelt grain, which provides a unique and distinct, nutty fresh taste. Available from Selfridges, Hedonism Drinks and Fortnum and Mason

www.snowleopardvodka.co.uk


A very good year Infamous for its prestigious Chateaux, Bordeaux wines have faced criticism in recent years for overpriced bottles and underwhelming releases. Yet with a promising new vintage reigniting interest in the region, we discover whether Bordeaux is still the wise investment it once was WORDS: AMY WELCH 98


The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

H

aving recently considered the leap from novel enthusiast to bona-fide collector myself, Bordeaux first appeared the obvious choice for investing in fine wine, having first piqued my interest during a balmy summer sojourn to the region. However, one brief glance at the value of my favourite few vintages on the wine-exchange market and any rose-tinted ideas of grand investment were swiftly clouded. The collection of wine may not be a new phenomenon, but it still retains serious cachet when it comes to investing in this beverage of the grape variety. Flourishing from an informal trade between merchants more than 200 years ago, today the investment of fine wine is thought to be a $10bn global market. Recent years have proved decidedly tough for Bordeaux wines, seeing a steady drop from the rest of the market after trading at a high premium in 2010 and 2011. Since the superb vintages of 2009 and 2010, trading has since been on a four-year downturn. It seems the bubble of Bordeaux has burst, at least according

to The Wealth Report 2014 from Knight Frank, wherein some of the biggest names in the region occupied the bottom of the Fine Wine index. Yet beyond the highs and lows of the market, a joyous upturn can be glimpsed on the horizon – good news for wine collectors who hold sentimental favour for the wines of Bordeaux. ‘2014 is the best vintage we’ve seen for three or four years,’ says Gary Owen, fine wine private account manager at Berry Bros & Rudd. ‘We have definitely seen people look away from Bordeaux through its less-than-stellar vintages but with 2014 being so much stronger than those three years before it, I would expect a natural flow back towards Bordeaux.’ Despite what most consider a wild overpricing of the last three vintages and fears of buyers’ lost confidence, Bordeaux remains a tempting choice for long-term investment. ‘Bordeaux is still without doubt the most important region for buyers globally, and the top Chateaux of 

images courtesty Berry Bros and Rudd

‘2014 is the best vintage we’ve seen for three or four years’

99


desire to buy. ‘[At Berry Bros] we have seen Mouton-Rothschild, one of the five Bordeaux first-growths, come out at a very good price, £1,170 for six bottles, and that has absolutely engaged the market,’ Owen explains. ‘We’ve sold hundreds of cases with ease and have had to go back to the market to look for second and third allocations.’ Promising as this sounds, experts

‘This vintage alone will not herald a mass-return to Bordeaux’

image courtesty Berry Bros and Rudd

100

such as Elswood remain cautious: ‘This vintage alone will not herald a mass return to Bordeaux.’ The disillusioned fate of the en primeur system has also taken its toll on Bordeaux. As each springtime rolls into bloom and the days become ever warmer and languorously longer, the season of en primeur descends upon the wine industry, creating a flurry of critiques and hopeful investments. In theory, the process is simple: the investment of fine wine at a fraction of the price before it is released on to the market, in return for the elevated risk of purchasing wines that may lose value over time. However, in recent years, the system has encountered harsh criticism. Bordeaux still represent the pinnacle of The year 2011 saw both a dear and wine for many consumers,’ says David underwhelming vintage in Bordeaux, Elswood, international director of while even the 2009, widely regarded Christie’s wine. ‘Stability [in the as one of the great vintages in recent market] will return when the price of Top 3 release matches up with the collectors’ wines for history, has since fallen in value from desire to buy.’ With fresh consumer collecting its high en primeur asking price. In a system that esteemed wine critic interest in the 2005 vintage now: Robert Parker has described as (unanimously considered to be of self-destructing, there are conflicting superb quality by critics) an – albeit 2005 Bordeaux views in the industry as to en primeur’s slight – turnaround can be seen in the benefit for investors and collectors. market. Enthusiastic collectors are 2002 vintage for ‘Where the informal rules of primarily returning to the renowned Champagne engagement are followed, it can left-bank Chateaux, namely Latour, (Bollinger or Dom benefit everybody involved – the Lafite, Margaux and MoutonPérignon) system works,’ says Owen, who has Rothschild, after price reductions recently returned from this year’s have indeed heightened collectors’ 2010 Barolo


The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

tastings in Europe. ‘It’s a very transparent global market now, and not every Chateau is producing their wines just to hit a good price point in Britain.’ When it comes to laying down a collection of fine wine for future enjoyment, one can indulge in the luxury of sentimentality and taste preference that purely profit-yielding investments lack. Such a collection should possess a vintage that will age and mature gracefully, and learned advice from Christie’s is to ‘think like a collector and be driven by passion and knowledge’. From the respectable vintage of 2014, collectors are presented with a number of fruitful options. ‘From this en primeur, some magnums of Chateau Barton or Pontet-Canet, wonderful St Julien or Pauillac wines would be excellent in 15 or 20 years’ time,’ says Owen. Not traditionally an investable item, Port is also becoming an increasingly popular choice to lay down for the future as

collectors have diversified away from Bordeaux. Owen explains: ‘The 2011 vintage is one of the great Port vintages – you only get a vintage of that quality once every 20 or 25 years.’ Be it Port, Bordeaux or one of many other spectacular regions, a collector of fine wine will have numerous options to expand this year, regardless of market indices. ‘For somebody who wants to [collect] to drink, it is about them and what they want, whereas you have to have a level of detachment for a sound financial decision,’ says Owen. Thus lies the significant difference between investors and collectors. Where one leads with the head, the other leads with the heart, and the tastebuds. As for Bordeaux, ‘things are looking up slowly,’ says Owen. ‘The quality step from 2013 to 2014 in Bordeaux vintage is bigger than the positive news in the market. Although, any good news is very good – [Bordeaux] is on the road to recovery.’

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Food & Drink | The mayfair Magazine

DINING OUT Hélène Darroze at The Connaught W O R D S : k at e r a c o v o l i s

Images courtesy Hélène Darroze at the Connaught

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‘P

utting yourself in question – as a chef but also as a person and as a boss – is one of the keys to success,’ said Hélène Darroze, cuisiniere of her eponymous restaurant at The Connaught in last month’s magazine on what it takes to be successful. But on my recent visit to her two-Michelin-starred restaurant, the dishes served conveyed a confidence that can come only from a chef who has perfected their passion over the course of decades – if not a lifetime. Darroze most certainly has achieved this. Following the numerous awards that she already holds, the French chef can now add the Veuve Clicquot World’s Best Female Chef Award 2015 to her list of accomplishments, and will be celebrated this month at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards, sponsored by S. Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.

From the moment you step inside her restaurant, perfectly arranged ingredients, such as fresh artichokes, bundles of rhubarb and lemons piled high, sit under glass cloches. Before you even reach your table it’s clear there’s a true respect for beautiful ingredients, and each dish allows their flavours to sing. I’m told that Darroze’s dishes reflect her generosity when it comes to food: no tiny morsels will be served here, except for the pre-dinner and dessert amuse bouche. She also makes the experience genuinely fun from the very beginning, when your waiter places the menu on your table – a circular wooden board, on which small white marbles are placed, labelled with different ingredients such as ‘caviar’, ‘foie gras’, ‘coco bean’ and ‘lamb’. Without even considering how these would be served, I happily left my dinner in the hands of Darroze, simply selecting the ingredients I liked best. The foie gras was the best I’ve had this side of the Channel – a rich, creamy disc of pâté, served at the perfect temperature (not too cold, but a little below room temperature) and decorated with little flowers. I will never forget the most exquisite scallop – that arrived solo on its plate like a jewel – with its melt-in-your-mouth texture, topped with a tandoori seasoning and a punch of flavour that left my eyes widening in amazement. For dessert, the star of the show is the Baba – an unusual take on the Rum Baba, where you can select from three different rums, all at different ages, to drench your brioche-like cake with. Finishing with an espresso in Hermès crockery, very little was left to question after such perfection on a plate. Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Carlos Place, W1K (the-connaught.co.uk)


mayfair

Resident’s Journal

In Association with The Residents’ Society of Mayfair & St James’s Committee Members (enquiries@rsmsj.com) Chairman Lois Peltz (Policy & Traffic)

Secretary Richard Cutt (Crossrail & Finance)

Planning Applications Ronald Cottee (Planning)

Membership Howard Evans (Events & Membership)

Traffic Lois Peltz

Police Marie-Louise Burrows

Licensing Derek Stratton


mayfair

Resident’s Journal

The Notebook Our latest dispatch of local news from around Mayfair

THE MAYFAIR TREASURE HUNT Any excuse to celebrate Mayfair and its most iconic institutions is worthy of great applause, and this month we turn our attention to the beloved Mayfair Library – a treasured asset to the local community. To raise money for the institution, the Steerage Committee is holding the first annual Mayfair Treasure Hunt, for which residents and businesses will come together to complete challenges around the area. Following this, the Porsche showroom on Berkeley Square will hold a dinner, during which the day’s winners will receive rewards for their efforts. There will be a chance to win an array of prizes in an auction featuring a Porsche driving experience, a Watches of Switzerland voucher, and a Champagne tea for four at the Marriott Park Lane, to name but a few. If you’ve missed on a ticket this year, at least you can watch out for the treasure hunters, dashing around Mayfair on the day. Local artist Jonathan Addis has also created a print, which can be won on the night. The Mayfair Treasure Hunt is on 4 June 104


image: david chipperfield

A NEW ERA FOR THE ROYAL ACADEMY Both a relic of the past and champion of emerging talent, the Royal Academy of Arts is further proving its ability to balance tradition with contemporary flair with a new redevelopment plan. Conceived by architect Sir David Chipperfield, the redevelopment will for the first time join together the two historic Mayfair sites via a contemporary interior bridge, creating a two-acre cultural expanse. The new site will coincide with the institution’s 250th anniversary in 2018, and will incorporate new learning spaces and galleries for previously unseen collection pieces to be displayed. ‘It’s a small amount of architecture for a profound result,’ says Chipperfield. (royalacademy.org.uk)

CREATURE OF MYTHOLOGY If you have passed by Marble Arch recently, you will surely have noticed a dominating mythological presence. The spectacular bronze creature in question is artist Dashi Namdakov’s latest creation, entitled She Guardian. Depicting a female creature protecting her young, the statue is a fitting addition to Marble Arch’s urban landscape, which was designed in 1825 to host a programme of sculpture during the Napoleonic Wars. Today, it will certainly prove challenging to pass by without pausing to admire the sculpture’s great wingspan and menacing snarl.

ALL ABOARD Once used as a protected headquarters by Sir Winston Churchill during the Second World War, Down Street Station has seen little action in recent years; thanks to its close proximity to Hyde Park Corner and Green Park, Down Street lacked the usage necessary to remain open, and closed in 1932. Now, TFL are hoping to revive the space by offering businesses the chance to develop part of the underground property. ‘The combination of space, history and location makes this a unique opportunity,’ says TFL’s director of commercial development, Graeme Craig. ‘We are looking for a partner with the imagination to see the potential here and the capability to deliver it.’ TFL plans to generate £3.4bn in non-fare revenue, which will be reinvested into the transport network. (tfl.gov.uk)

AN EVENING OF OPERA La Bohème holds all the makings of a classic opera, including love, heartbreak and timeless romance. This month, the Royal Opera House’s melodic rendition of Puccini’s tragic love story can be enjoyed at The May Fair Hotel with a live screening on 10 June. Set in the bohemian Paris of the 1800s, the Italian libretto follows the ill-fated relationship between Rodolfo, a penniless writer, and the seriously ill Mimi – all the more impactful on the big screen. Tickets are available from themayfairhotel.co.uk

THE SECRET GARDEN Nothing says summer like blossoming flowers and alfresco dining, so it’s fitting that Mr Fogg’s has unveiled its new outdoor space just in time for summer. The space pays homage to Phileas Fogg and the fictional character’s passion for gardening. Enjoy Hendrick’s Gin cocktails among the botanicals and artefacts reminiscent of those that Mr Fogg would have discovered on his travels. Mr Fogg’s Hendrick’s Botanical Garden, 15 Bruton Lane, W1J (020 7036 0608; mr-foggs.com)

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mayfair

Resident’s Journal

Planning & Development Ground-level developments and societal structural changes this month

Planning applications in the local area

Commercial Buildings locked away in Mayfair

DATE RECEIVED: 15 April PROPOSAL: Installation of new shopfront ADDRESS: 293 Oxford Street

New research by commercial real-estate adviser Bilfinger GVA has revealed that less than a third of Mayfair and St James’s commercial real estate is tradable on the open market

DATE RECEIVED: 2 April PROPOSAL: Installation of free-standing temporary architectural/sculptural structure ADDRESS: 6 Burlington Gardens

Bilfinger GVA has counted 251 properties within its analysis, which in total exceeds 20,000 square foot, and believes that up to 71 per cent of these properties will not see a sale of the freehold in the foreseeable future. Only 91 of the properties counted were seen to be potentially tradable investments. According to analysis, although landed estates still own 120 of these counted buildings, overseas investors are increasingly maintaining ownership of properties in Mayfair and St. James’s. However, landed estates still own 48 per cent of the core stock and buildings are likely to be locked away by owners, never to be sold again. ‘Due to the nature of ownership in this very unique market, the majority of freehold tenure is still under the control of the landed estates,’ says Justin James, senior director and head of West End Investment at Bilfinger GVA. ‘Our research reveals a major shift in ownership trends in Mayfair and image: © Kiev.Victor St James’s over the past decade.’

DATE RECEIVED: 15 April PROPOSAL: Installation of wall-mounted external heaters ADDRESS: 9 Heddon Street DATE RECEIVED: 14 April PROPOSAL: Use of the property for retail purposes including internal demolition works ADDRESS: 6 Mount Row

Planned roadworks and closures in June STREET

PLANNED WORK

DATES

WORKS OWNER

Bourdon Street

Laying of new gas mains

25 May until 8 June

National Grid Gas PLC 0845 605 6677

Hay Hill

Replacement of existing link box

12-25 June

UKPN East & Lon LTD (formerly EDF Energy Networks), 0800 028 4587

South Audley Street

Disconnection of gas service in carriageway

1-11 June

Fulcrum Pipelines Limited, 0845 6413010

Mount Street

Carriageway resurfacing

26-27 June

City Of Westminster 020 7641 2000

Hill Street

Carriageway resurfacing

15-19 June

City of Westminster 020 7641 2000

mayfair Resident’s Journal

If you have a view that you would like to share with the Residents’ Journal team, we would be delighted to hear from you. 020 7987 4320; mayfair@residentsjournal.co.uk


The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

Remembering

MAYFAIR G r ay s A n t i q u e s Davies Street

Top: Grays Mews on South Molton Lane, taken soon after opening in the late 1970s; Right: The Antiques Hypermarket on Kensington High Street in the late 1960s

I

f you’re in the market for antiques, there are few places better to look than Mayfair. With a wealth of auction houses and galleries, the area is home to some of the finest dealers and tradesmen in the country, many of whom operate from Grays Antiques. Located at 58 Davies Street in an Edwardian Grade II listed building, Grays has been a hub of antiquarian trade since it opened in 1976. Housing some of the largest and most diverse collections of jewellery and trinkets in Britain, the market was the fourth of its kind to be founded by Bennie Gray, who opened his first – the now-defunct Antique Supermarket on Barrett Street – when he was just 26. Prior to this, London lacked a permanent indoor space where dealers could trade all year round without having to dismantle their stock at the end of the day. Bennie Grays gentrification of the antique world was criticised by several traders, who shared their distaste for the novel venture in poison pen letters. In spite of this, the first of Grays markets was a huge success, garnering a star-studded clientele and a deluge of dedicated traders, many of whom moved to Grays Antiques

when the Supermarket was eventually sold. Today, the legacy lives on in Davies Street, where Grays is home to 200 dealers famed for their vast assortment of wares. Tucked behind the market are the building’s original workshops, now known as Grays Mews, a second site filled with fine art, collectables and, unusually, a water feature. When Gray took over the building, the basements were flooded with six feet of water; architects traced the source of the problem and discovered the underground stream Tyburn, a tributary of the Thames. The stream was channelled to create the feature, which was filled with exotic fish. The aquatic attraction is certainly a sight to see, but it’s the treasure trove of beautiful objects and the passionate dealers selling them that draw the crowds. Grays Antiques and the Mews are two of London’s largest permanent spaces for antiques, housing an encyclopedia of knowledge, a mini-museum of exquisite objects and the heart of the capital’s antique market. Words: Ellen Millard

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Property | The mayfair Magazine

Mayfair estate agents Knightsbridge 168 Brompton Road SW3 1HW 020 7717 5463 (lettings) Beauchamp Estates 24 Curzon Street, W1J 7TF 020 7499 7722 (beauchamp.co.uk)

Mayfair 32 Grosvenor Square W1K 2HJ 020 7717 5465 (sales) 020 7717 5467 (lettings)

Paddington & Bayswater carter jonas

4C Praed Street W2 1JX 020 7717 5473 (sales) 020 7717 5343 (lettings)

127 Mount Street W1K 3NT 020 7493 0676

Pimlico & Westminster

London, Mayfair & St James’s

London, Hyde Park & Bayswater 44 Connaught Street W2 2AA 020 7402 1552 (Sales) 020 7371 3377 (Lettings)

50 Belgrave Road SW1V 1RQ 020 7834 4771 (sales) (hamptons-int.com)

JACKSON STOPS & STAFF 17c Curzon Street W1J 5HU 020 7664 6644 (jackson-stops.co.uk)

Savills

Knightsbridge

John taylor 48 Berkeley Square W1J 5AX 020 3284 1888 (john-taylor.com)

London, Marylebone & Regents Park 37 New Cavendish Street W1G 9TL 020 7486 8866 (carterjonas.co.uk)

Mayfair

47 South Audley Street W1K 2QA 020 7629 4513 (sales) 020 7288 8301 (lettings)

Hanover residential

West End

49 Welbeck Street W1G 9XN 020 3540 5990

102 St John’s Wood Terrace NW8 6PL 020 7722 2223 (hanover-residential.co.uk)

Westminster & Pimlico 10 Gillingham Street SW1V 1HJ 020 3411 8386 (sales) (chestertons.com)

188 Brompton Road SW3 1HQ 020 7581 5234 (sales)

Mayfair 36 North Audley Street W1K 6ZJ 020 7578 5100 (sales & lettings)

Sloane Street

St John’s Wood ChestertonS

Rokstone 5 Dorset Street W1U 6QJ 020 7580 2030 (rokstone.com)

Knight Frank

Mayfair

139 Sloane Street SW1X 9AY 020 7730 0822 (savills.co.uk)

120a Mount Street W1K 3NN 020 7499 1012 (sales & lettings) (knightfrank.co.uk)

Hyde Park 1 Craven Terrace W2 3QD 020 7871 5060 (sales) 020 7871 5070 (lettings)

13 Hill Street W1J 5LQ 020 7629 7282

Marylebone

Knightsbridge

55 Baker Street W1U 8EW 020 3435 6440 (sales)

Strutt & Parker

London Head Office

66 Sloane Street SW1X 9SH 020 7235 9959 (struttandparker.com)

Harrods Estates

Knightsbridge

82 Brompton Road SW3 1ER 020 7225 6506

Mayfair Hamptons International

Chelsea

134 Fulham Road, SW10 9PY 020 7717 5433 (lettings)

61 Park Lane W1K 1QF 020 7409 9001 (harrodsestates.com)

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

Hot

finest HOMES & PROPERTY from the best estate agents

property Exclusive new developments in Mayfair and St James’s arrive on the market

Image: john taylor (john-taylor.co.uk)


THE PENTHOUSE GROSVENOR HILL COURT

KF_Mayfair Mag_DPS_LHP.indd 1

08/05/2015 10:12

KF_


AN EXCEPTIONAL TWO BEDROOM PENTHOUSE APARTMENT Offering panoramic views across the London skyline, with generous entertaining space, coveted 270 degree private terrace extending 66 ft and resident porter.

Situated on the eighth floor of a secure, recently refurbished, quiet residential block north of Berkeley Square, this lateral apartment is the perfect Mayfair penthouse. Finished with the highest specification technology and the finest materials and lighting, the property offers an outstanding contemporary living space, complete with an extensive wrap-around terrace boasting complete east to west views.

10:12

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GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ4,750,000

SOLE AGENT

LEASEHOLD

020 7499 1012 120a Mount Street London W1K 3NN mayfair@knightfrank.com KnightFrank.co.uk

08/05/2015 10:11


MM June Mount St


Mount Street, Mayfair W1K A stylish two bedroom apartment with lift access A luxurious, recently refurbished two bedroom lateral apartment situated on prestigious Mount Street, in the heart of the Mayfair village. Bedroom with en suite shower room, bedroom 2, bathroom, guest WC, entrance hall, reception room, dining room, kitchen, lift access. EPC: G. Approximately 133 sq m (1,425 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 110 years remaining

Guide price: £5,350,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7484 Chestertons.com beth.page@chestertons.com 020 7514 9107

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/WER140038

11/05/2015 16:19:35


1,3 carlos place MM June


Carlos Place, Mayfair W1K An outstanding three bedroom duplex apartment An exceptional three bedroom duplex apartment offering a well proportioned living space and impressive ceiling heights throughout. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, open plan kitchen/dining room, reception room, study, guest WC. EPC: D. Approximately 187 sq m (2,008 sq ft). A new long lease of 125 years, direct from Grosvenor, will be granted

Guide price: £6,500,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7484

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/WER140222

11/05/2015 16:25:30


Jermyn Street, St James's SW1 A one bedroom lateral apartment with porter A charming one bedroom apartment situated in the centre of London's oldest district. Set within a prestigious portered building, the property offers a high level of privacy and would make an ideal residence or investment property. Bedroom, bathroom, hallway, reception room, kitchen, 2 lifts, 2 entrances, porterage. EPC: B. Approximately 45 sq m (480 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 71 years remaining

Guide price: £1,150,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7484

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/WER140131

43 Bank chambers MM June

11/05/2015 16:23:55

14


55

Carrington Street, Mayfair W1J A bright one bedroom apartment with caretaker A smart one bedroom apartment situated within the popular Shepherd's Market area of Mayfair. Located on the first floor of a beautiful red brick building, the property benefits from a bright reception room and resident caretaker. Bedroom, bathroom, reception room, kitchen, caretaker. EPC: C. Approximately 40 sq m (429 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 143 years remaining

Guide price: £1,100,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7484

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/WER150040

14 Garrick House MM June

11/05/2015 16:21:43


Hyde Park Gardens, Hyde Park W2 Spacious apartment in one of London's most prestigious addresses An elegant south facing lateral apartment with generous proportions and access to beautiful award winning communal gardens located on the ground floor of a Grade II listed white stucco building opposite Hyde Park. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), reception room, dining room, kitchen, study, access to private communal gardens, porter, parking on a first come first served basis. Approximately 172 sq m (1,860 sq ft). Share of freehold

Guide price: £3,800,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/hydepark hydepark@knightfrank.com 020 3544 6140

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/HPE150033

2 25 Hyde Park Gardens - Mayfair Mag HP - June 2015

15/05/2015 10:15:35

17


35

Cleveland Square, Bayswater W2 Impressive south facing garden square apartment A luxurious first floor apartment located in a white stucco Grade II listed building benefiting from exceptional views across the gardens of Cleveland Square. 2 bedrooms, bathroom, shower room, reception room, dining room, open plan kitchen, mezzanine study area, guest cloakroom, lift, day porter, access to residents' private communal gardens. Approximately 156 sq m (1,680 sq ft). Share of freehold

Guide price: £2,750,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/hydepark hydepark@knightfrank.com 020 3544 6140

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/HPE150068

17E Cleveland Sq - Mayfair Mag HP - June 2015

15/05/2015 10:16:55


TEN

WELBECK STREET LONDON W1

A statuesque five bedroom town house with lift

Guide price: ÂŁ7,250,000 Leasehold: approximately 898 years remaining Joint Sole Agents

Sympathetically refurbished to combine original classical features with more modern contemporary design. 5 bedroom suites, 4 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, study, gymnasium, utility room, laundry room, plant room, 2 vaults, lift, air conditioning, AV touch screen sound and lighting system. EPC: C. Approximately 398.7 sq m (4,291 sq ft).

KF_Mayfair Mag_Single.indd 1

020 3435 6440

020 7724 4777

55 Baker Street London W1U 8EW marylebone@knightfrank.com KnightFrank.co.uk

7 New Quebec Street London W1H 7RH ns@jamestaylorproperty.com JamesTaylorProperty.com

05/05/2015 14:43

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EXCEPTIONAL PROPERTIES IN MAYFAIR To find out how we can help you or to request your no obligation market appraisal please contact us: KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7799

Guide price: £2,750 per week

Kean Street, Covent Garden WC2

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A contemporary penthouse apartment. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room, dining area, kitchen, large terrace with views over the iconic London skyline, WC, lift. EPC: C. Approximately 244 sq m (2,626 sq ft). Available furnished. mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 7799

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £4,250 per week

Farm Street, Mayfair W1J A spacious, newly redecorated four bedroom town house split over five floors. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, open plan kitchen/dining area, study, garden, terrace. EPC: D. Approximately 230 sq m (2,479 sq ft). Available furnished. mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 7799

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June issue - Mayfair Mag - Lettings 2

11/05/2015 16:32:30


EXCEPTIONAL PROPERTIES IN MAYFAIR To find out how we can help you or to request your no obligation market appraisal please contact us: KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7799

Guide price: £725 per week

Bull Inn Court, Covent Garden WC2

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A modern apartment to rent in Covent Garden. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, reception room, open plan kitchen/dining area, lift, day time porter. EPC: B. Approximately 62 sq m (667 sq ft). Available furnished. mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 7799

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £2,275 - £9,000 per week

One Denman Place, Soho W1D Unique one, two and three bedroom apartments with luxury hotel services including 24 hour concierge, access to the bar, restaurant, gym, spa, cinema, roof top gardens and bowling alley. EPC: C-D. Approximately 53 sq m (527 sq ft) - 110 sq m (1,584 sq ft). Available furnished. mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 7799

Lettings June Page Mayfair Mag 1

19/05/2015 14:51:07

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WHAT'S YOUR NEXT MOVE? To find out how we can help you or to arrange your complimentary market appraisal please contact us: KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings marylebonelettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5853 KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings hydeparklettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 7941

Guide price: £1,000 per week

Bryanston Mews East, Marylebone W1

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An immaculately presented two bedroom garden apartment in a charming building in the heart of Marylebone. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, spacious reception room, modern kitchen, private terrace, access to a storage vault. EPC: C. Approximately 114 sq m (1,230 sq ft). marylebonelettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 5853

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £1,750 per week

Cleveland Square, Bayswater W2 A wonderful Grade II listed apartment situated on a beautiful garden square. Master bedroom with en suite bathroom, 2 further bedrooms, shower room, large reception/dining room, kitchen, balcony, 22 ft south facing private terrace. Approximately 173 sq m (1,862 sq ft). hydeparklettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 7941

Mayfair Mag June 2015(3)

19/05/2015 09:30:15


Country Calling Are you thinking of moving to the country? On Thursday 4th June our Home Counties agents will be on hand in some of our London offices to answer any questions you have about moving to the country. Please visit us in Chiswick, Clapham, Fulham, Mayfair, Richmond, Wandsworth or Wimbledon between 4pm - 8pm to share a drink and our market leading knowledge.

If you would like to attend please email laura.feldman@knightfrank.com, call us on 020 7591 8600 or visit us on the day.

324568_MayfairMag_June15.indd 1

01/05/2015 12:31


The mayfair Magazine | Property

An enviable address Discover the four spectacular residences at a new development in one of St James’s most coveted streets: the Pall Mall Collection, which arrive on the market this month

E

mbodying style and elegance, the Pall Mall Collection apartments in St. James’s offers the pinnacle of sophisticated city living. This newly completed set of four residences are set to arrive on the market this month, developed by Amazon Property, and available for purchase through Knight Frank Mayfair. A beautifully crafted contemporary entrance hall sets the tone for the three lateral apartments, with one striking duplex penthouse above. Situated between St. James’s Park and Green Park, culture is all around, and the fine restaurants and boutiques of Mayfair and St. James’s form a calm and welcoming neighbourhood at the weekend. Partner and head of Knight Frank Mayfair Harvey Cyzer says: ‘When you marry a good

market with an excellent location such as this, a developer that is renowned for best-in-class properties, the arrival of this property on the market marks a very exciting moment.’ Incredibly private and secure, each apartment can be accessed directly by lift, and a concierge service will complete the bespoke residential offering, affording the full use of a personal management team to assist on matters such as housekeeping, maintenance and even event planning. Of the four individually designed apartments, laid with solid oak floors, exquisite Calacatta Michelangelo marble and underfloor heating, the architectural pièce de résistance has to be the four-bedroom penthouse accessed via private lift. Split over two floors, the penthouse is unquestionably contemporary, all moulded feature-panelled walls and breathtaking views across Pall Mall, making it an ideal location for entertaining. In the nucleus of London’s art scene, a groundfloor art gallery proves a superb addition to the building’s carefully restored façade and will surely be enjoyed by those who secure the sought-after abodes above. For further enquiries, contact Harvey Cyzer at Knight Frank Mayfair (020 7499 1012; knightfrank.co.uk) or Chris Lanitis at Amazon Property (020 7298 8700; amazonproperty.com)

‘The completion of this property marks an exciting moment’

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State of the market says Lloyd. ‘There has been a lot of development, regeneration and public realm improvements, including Mount Street, Duke Street, the redevelopment of

‘I call North Audley Street one of the gateways into Mayfair’

With renewed confidence in the prime central property market in the wake of the General Election, we meet with Charles Lloyd, head of office residential at Savills in Mayfair to discuss the area’s lasting appeal for buyers

‘L

ondon is a collection of villages,’ says Charles Lloyd, head of office residential at Savills in Mayfair. ‘A lot of buyers want to be in a particular area because either they know it or their children are going to school or university there, or it’s where their favourite restaurants are. For all these reasons people get quite focused on a particular neighbourhood.’ And in the village that is Mayfair, there have always been plenty of reasons for buyers and renters to live here, with its eclectic mix of commerce and culture, including art, fashion, fine dining, world-class hotels and some of the most exclusive properties in prime central London. ‘Mayfair has changed enormously over the last ten years and it is continually changing,’

126

20 Grosvenor Square and the opening of The Beaumont hotel.’ And of course, in the immediate surroundings of the Savills office on North Audley Street is the newly gentrified streets of North Mayfair, such as around Duke Street with the new boutiques and cafés that have arrived as part of the regeneration of the street. ‘I call North Audley Street one of the gateways into Mayfair, because if you live anywhere north of Mayfair, such as Marylebone, St John’s Wood, Regent’s Park and Hampstead and you’re driving into Mayfair, you come down from Baker Street, straight down North Audley Street and into Grosvenor Square. We carry quite a lot of footfall on the street, and if you live or work in Mayfair and you want to go to Selfridges or Marks and Spencer, you walk straight up North Audley Street, straight past our door.’ The market in Mayfair also finds itself in the midst of a particularly interesting time because of the renewed sense of confidence in the prime central property market following the General Election. ‘A lot of buyers put their search on hold in Mayfair before the election. Over the last couple


The mayfair Magazine | Property

of years, up to 70 per cent of our buyers have come from overseas,’ says Lloyd. ‘Most of them buy for long-term capital growth. London is considered a safe haven, and now I think it’s going to be tax-friendly again, and buyers are likely to invest here for wealth preservation and long-term capital growth. But now that all the uncertainty has gone away as a result of the election, a lot of these buyers will come back into the market.’ This renewed confidence comes with positive market predictions, such as some research that Savills released last year, forecasting the proposed growth in the market with and without the much-discussed Mansion Tax. Without it – which now appears likely given the result of the election – Savills predicted a 23 per cent growth in the market over the next

five years in prime central London; an attractive figure for those looking to buy now. ‘There is a lot of anticipation,’ says Lloyd. ‘I think there will be a lot of pent-up demand from buyers coming into the market. Also, we have clients who took their properties off the market last year and in the first quarter of this year pending the outcome of the election, who will bring their properties back to the market over the next couple of months. So while we will see an uplift in demand, I don’t think we’re going to see prices soaring away too quickly, because there will be quite a lot of property for sale. And there is always something going on in Mayfair, so there’s a never a dull moment, that’s for sure.’ For further enquiries, contact Charles Lloyd at Savills Mayfair (020 7578 5100; clloyd@savills.com)

photography by sarel jansen

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savills.co.uk

1 TWO BEDROOM FLAT WITH VIEWS OVER MOUNT STREET GARDENS mount street, w1 Entrance hall ø reception room ø kitchen/dining room ø master bedroom suite ø further bedroom ø shower room ø 94 sq m (1,017 sq ft) ø EPC=B

Savills Mayfair Lindsey Webb lwebb@savills.com

020 7578 5100 Guide £3.55 million Leasehold, approximately 125 years remaining


savills.co.uk

LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY

1

A FANTASTIC APARTMENT SET WITHIN THE HAM YARD HOTEL one denman place, w1 2 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø first floor ø room service ø on-site security ø gym, steam room and spa ø daily linen and housekeeping services ø 139 sq m (1,506 sq ft) ø EPC=C

Savills Mayfair Gilly Hayden ghayden@savills.com

020 7590 5073 Furnished £5,250 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.


It’s time to talk property. Whether buying, selling, renting or letting, call Charles Lloyd on 020 7578 5100 to find out how Savills can help.

Charles Lloyd Head of Savills Mayfair 020 7578 5100 clloyd@savills.com

savills.co.uk

SA82902 Mayfair Magazine Time to Talk WPB.indd 1

14/05/2015 16:30


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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Grosvenor Hill, W1K An elegant residence presented across two floors, that features a generous reception room and kitchen, and two bedrooms including a spacious master bedroom suite. With full Crestron system, under floor heating and concierge service, this apartment offers refined style with a superb specification. The high ceilings, full length windows and a free flowing layout create an abundance of light and space that is engineered for luxurious living. EPC: B

Hamptons Mayfair Office Sales. 020 7717 5465 | Lettings. 020 7717 5467

From £3,850,000 Leasehold • • • • •

Two bedrooms Two bathrooms New build Porter Approx. 1,302 sq ft


Wigmore Street, W1U Set within a beautiful late 19th century mansion building, this is a superb, well proportioned and appointed three bedroom, two bathroom (one en-suite) lateral apartment. Located on the second floor (with lift), the apartment offers fabulous and flexible living space. EPC: D

£1,500 per week (charges apply)* Furnished/Part/Unfurnished • • • • •

*Tenant Charges Tenants should note that as well as rent, an administration charge of £216 (Inc. VAT) per property and a referencing charge of £54 (Inc. VAT) per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit www.hamptons.co.uk/rent/tenant-charges

Hamptons Mayfair Office Lettings. 020 7717 5467 | Sales. 020 7717 5465

Three bedrooms Two Bathrooms Lateral apartment Second floor Lift


Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Sutherland Street A most impressive five bedroom Pimlico house offering approximately 2,750 sq. ft. of accommodation with an additional 364 sq. ft. of storage vaults. Situated on the corner of Sutherland Street and Clarendon Street this handsome freehold house is flooded with natural light. EPC: E

£2,950,000 Freehold • • • • • •

Hamptons Pimlico & Westminister Office Sales. 020 3281 7214 | Lettings. 020 7717 5345

Freehold house Five bedrooms, Three reception rooms, Two bathrooms Balcony Patio


Cleveland Square Spanning six windows a three bedroom lateral apartment located within a white stucco-fronted building. Boasting views of the square, generous accommodation, caretaker and access to an award winning residents square. EPC: C

£1,650,000 Leasehold • • • • • •

Hamptons Hyde Park & Bayswater Office Sales. 020 7717 5473 | Lettings. 020 7717 5343

Reception / dining room Separate kitchen Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom Two further bedrooms Shower room Private residents garden


Help to buy

First time buyers drive a 20 per cent surge in prime London demand

O

Property

News PrimeResi brings you the latest news in prime property and development in London

Day of the deals

Tory triumph triggers £200m sales surge in London

F

riday 8 May 2015 has gone down alongside the stamp duty stampede of 2014 as one of the most extraordinary days in prime residential history. In the hours following that most surprising of election results – an actual result – a whopping £100m worth of prime central London property is believed to have changed hands, while a further £100m was put forward in offers. Another ‘golden deals day’ saw many top agents working from the early hours as clients from all over the globe reacted to the rapidly diminishing prospect of both a Mansion Tax and the abolition of Non-Dom status here in the UK. Firms in the prime hotspots of Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Kensington and Chelsea ended

136

verall demand for prime London homes shot up by 20 per cent in Q1, says Marsh & Parsons, with first-time buyers and investors each accounting for nearly a third of sales. The escalation has caused mortgage-funded transactions to jump by 17 per cent in the past three months. As a result, one-bedroom properties have out performed most other unit sizes; one-bedroom values have risen by 5 per cent ( £75 a day in the past year) compared with 1.7 per cent annual growth across the market as a whole. Marsh & Parsons is now reporting that its ratio of registered buyers per property has risen from ten in December 2014 to 12 in March 2014. ‘First-time buyers have been riding a wave of fortuitous circumstances recently – with almost unheard of mortgage rates, reduced up-front stamp-duty costs, and support schemes such as the Help to Buy ISA inflating confidence,’ says Peter Rollings, CEO of Marsh & Parsons. ‘Combined with a more accessible pace of property price growth so far in 2015, many more have been able to take the plunge into the property market. However, there is, and has always been, some aspirational prime central areas that are out of grasp for new buyers, and will remain an investment stronghold.’

up burning the midnight oil as the instructions, price increases and offers continued to flood in. Russell Simpson completed four deals on Friday 8 May worth a combined total of £50m. All four deals were in Chelsea and each hinged on the election result, said director Jake Russell. Wetherell processed £29m-worth of offers made on Mayfair properties straight after the election, which included a £26.5m palatial home and a £2.5m flat. Gary Hersham of Beauchamp Estates described 8 May as ‘bedlam’, saying that his ‘mobile lit up like a Christmas tree from the early hours, vibrated and flashed all day, and didn’t stop until it ran out of juice late on Friday night.’ For Rokstone, meanwhile, Friday delivered the estate agency’s biggest set of deals since the rush on the day before Stamp Duty came in, with exchanges and offers on prime London property worth a cool £59.7m.


The mayfair Magazine | Property

MARKET INSIGHT

Student life

Students overtake financial sector as PCL’s biggest renters

N

ew research has claimed that students are now the biggest renters in prime central London, overtaking the financial sector in terms of numbers and shelling out an average of £28,866 a year in rent. The analysis by London Central Portfolio has found that students now represent the largest proportion of PCL tenancy start-ups, at 34 per cent, with the financial sector falling into second place at 31 per cent. Legal and accountancy professionals are next up, accounting for 11 per cent. It’s a very different picture to how things looked before the credit crunch: in 2006, tenants comprised just 12 per cent of LCP’s tenancies. The ‘student rush’ has also led to some interesting new trends, says the research team, including an increased seasonality in the market. Marylebone appears to be flavour of the month, with 23 per cent of student tenants in the firm’s managed portfolio opting for this part of town, which offers proximity to Regent’s Business School, the Royal Academy of Music and London Fashion School, among others. Other favourite areas have been Knightsbridge and Fitzrovia (10 per cent each), which are both just a short trot from UCL and Imperial College.

primeresi.com

Partner and head of Knight Frank Mayfair, Harvey Cyzer, imparts his knowledge of the local property market Following the Conservative Party’s General Election victory, several short-term outcomes are likely within the prime London residential market. First, a number of transactions that had been put on hold pending the outcome of the vote will proceed as the risk of further property taxation will pose less of an immediate threat. Others will progress simply because the election is over and a wider sense of political uncertainty has reduced. Moreover, the immediate removal of the threat of Mansion Tax should be a boost, with the £2m-£5m bracket in particular, which has experienced weak trading conditions since the beginning of the year. This ‘unblocking’ of the market is likely to be accompanied by a hardening of expectations on the part of the vendors in relation to asking prices. Political risk has faded, and some will expect prices to rise as a direct result. In the short term, however, the impact on pricing is likely to be less marked than some would expect. The first reason is the quantity of properties likely to come on to the market (many vendors have timed the sale of their property to coincide with the results), and secondly the increase in supply is likely to exceed any immediate uptick in demand. As a result, there is likely to be an ‘expectation gap’ between asking prices and prices that new and newly active buyers are prepared to pay. Expectations that prices will jump as direct result of the General Election may be unrealistic. The view is that generally, price growth will remain subdued in central London as stock volumes remain high through the year (however, Knight Frank’s long-term house central London price forecast sits at 22.1 per cent for 2015-2019). The most notable impact of the election will be felt on transaction volumes, which are likely to rise across all price brackets.

knightfrank.co.uk 137


[hot property]

York Terrace, NW1

photograph by sarel jansen

O

n the quiet and private street of York Terrace, just moments from Regents Park, stands a particularly special property. Its grand, Grade II listed façade plays host to the vast open space behind it, home to the largest property on the street measuring 6,111 square-feet. The house includes seven bedrooms, a garage and adjoining staff accommodation, as well as ample additional space, with a courtyard on the ground floor and a terrace on the first floor, as well as further space for numerous dining rooms and studies. Available to purchase as a freehold property from Jackson-Stops & Staff, this is a building of palatial proportions, and while the interiors are unmodernised at present, this perfectly positioned property presents a wonderful opportunity for a family home as it is, or to refurbish. Nicholas Austin, sales manager of Jackson

138

‘This property is a true rarity. I see this as being a wonderful family home’ Stops & Staff’s Mayfair office, knows an exceptional property when he sees one, and says: ‘This property is a true rarity. I see this as being a wonderful family home, to be lived in full time, and the person who purchases this property can come in and put their stamp on and update it. It has been a much loved family home for the same owner over the last 32 years and it would be fabulous to see that continue, with a new lease of life from a young family.’ The current owner originally purchased the property with an extensive art collection in mind – including some exceptionally rare and revered Old Masters – to adorn the walls. With plenty of natural light, it is the main reception room on the first floor that is the jewel in the crown of this property that begs for exquisite masterpieces to furnish it, with 5.5-metre ceiling


The mayfair Magazine | Property

heights; there is even a bar in the corner, which transforms the room effortlessly into a wonderful space to entertain. The property, which is owned by the Crown Estate, was built in the 1820s by Damascus Burton, who was the protégé to famed British architect John Nash. The mid-section of the street was bombed during the Second World War, and many of the properties are more contemporary reproductions of the original architecture, with the exception of a few, including this property. As such, some features are protected under its heritage listing, including the fireplace and some of the doors which originate from when it was built. On its doorstep, is, of course, Harley Street, home to some of the best doctors and medical practitioners in the world, as well as the recently gentrified Chiltern Street and renowned Marylebone High Street, with an abundance of

amenities that make up the ultimate village life, including foodie destinations such as La Fromagerie and Chiltern Firehouse, and some of London’s best shopping destinations. Despite such proximity to the bustle of the nearby streets, the position of this property on York Terrace is incredibly private – offering the purchaser a private haven in the heart of London. ‘This is in its own little world. To own a Damascus Burton house is a particular honour,’ says Austin. ‘This is British architecture and design at its best. There is a legacy here and the person who owns this special house will become its loving custodian. It’s been here since 1822, and it will be here for another 250 years, at least.’ Guide price £8,750,000. For further enquiries, contact Nicholas Austin at Jackson-Stops & Staff, Westland House, 17c Curzon Street, W1J (020 7664 6644; jackson-stops.co.uk)

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jackson-stops.co.uk

Reeves Mews, W1 “chryso mou” A rare opportunity in the heart of the Mayfair Village. A 3 bedroom flat providing lateral space, once owned by the Onassis family, built originally in circa 1720; 3 double bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 en suite), reception room, kitchen; balcony, 925 sq ft south facing terrace; resident caretaker. EPC=D

Guide Price: £5,995,000 Leasehold

People Property Places

MT61069

Mayfair 020 7664 6644 mayfair@jackson-stops.co.uk

Offices in London and across the country


Buckingham Street, WC2 A classically refurbished apartment within a Grade II* listed building with interiors by LINLEY. Two bedrooms, two en suite bathrooms, cloakroom, kitchen/breakfast room, reception, lift.

Guide Price: ÂŁ2,995,000 Leasehold

FF60493

Mayfair 020 7664 6644 mayfair@jackson-stops.co.uk

People Property Places

Joint agents: Hamptons 020 7758 8440 mayfair@hamptons.co.uk

Offices in London and across the country


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jackson-stops.co.uk

Chesterfield Gardens, W1J A first floor (with lift) one bedroom apartment in the prestigious portered Chesterfield House building. Comprising eatin kitchen, reception room, bedroom with built-in storage and bathroom. EPC=C

ÂŁ895 per week (fees apply)

FF60948

Derby Street, W1J A newly refurbished Georgian town house located on a street in the heart of Mayfair close to Green Park. Comprising kitchen/breakfast room, guest W/C, double reception room, separate study, master bedroom with en suite and dressing area, two further double bedrooms both with en suite. EPC=D

ÂŁ1,995 per week (fees apply)

People Property Places

FF60629

Mayfair 020 7664 6644 mayfair@jackson-stops.co.uk

Offices in London and across the country


Established 1897

Leinster Mews, Hyde Park W2 A beautifully finished, newly refurbished three bedroom house located in a picturesque mews moments from Hyde Park. This spacious property has been designed to maximise natural light throughout and offers a bright reception room, open plan modern kitchen with dining area and three ensuite bedrooms. This mews house also boasts a secluded patio with tranquil green wall and integral garage. EPC rating D. Freehold Guide price: ÂŁ3,500,000 020 7409 9047 robert.cox@harrodsestates.com

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: 020 7409 9001 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: 020 7225 6700 KENSINGTON OFFICE: 48-50 KENSINGTON CHURCH STREET W8 4DG T: 020 3650 4600

HARRODSESTATES.COM @harrodsestates


Established 1897

The Lancasters, Hyde Park W2 A magnificent apartment within this highly sought-after Hyde Park development. Accommodation comprises reception room with beautiful high ceilings, ornate cornices, dining area, lovely kitchen, two spacious bedrooms, two bathrooms (one ensuite) and with comfort cooling and lutron lighting throughout. The building itself exudes luxury and sophistication, from the grand portico entrance, secure valet parking, swimming pool, and spa. EPC rating E. Leasehold: approximately 995 years remaining Guide price: ÂŁ3,500,000 020 7409 9205 michael.davis@harrodsestates.com

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: 020 7409 9001 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: 020 7225 6700 KENSINGTON OFFICE: 48-50 KENSINGTON CHURCH STREET W8 4DG T: 020 3650 4600

HARRODSESTATES.COM @harrodsestates


Established 1897

Park Lane Place, Mayfair W1K A wonderful three bedroom duplex apartment, benefiting from two private terraces both of which boast views over one of London’s finest landmarks, Hyde Park. The apartment offers approximately 2,000 sq. ft. and comprises a spacious living room, fully integrated kitchen/breakfast room, master bedroom suite, two further double bedrooms, separate shower room, guest cloakroom and storage room. Other benefits to this apartment include a 24 hour porter, one secure underground parking space and air conditioning. Direct access into the London Marriott Hotel Park Lane allows the opportunity of arranging room service and access into the hotels gym and swimming pool for a separate fee. Available, furnished. EPC rating: C. Price per week: £3,300 Plus property fees: £180 Admin & £246 Checkout. References: £42 per person* *http://www.harrodsestates.com/tenants 020 7409 9158 robin.boghhenrikssen@harrodsestates.com

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: 020 7409 9001 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: 020 7225 6700 KENSINGTON OFFICE: 48-50 KENSINGTON CHURCH STREET W8 4DG T: 020 3650 4600

HARRODSESTATES.COM @harrodsestates


Established 1897

Princess Court, Marylebone W1H This newly refurbished two bedroom apartment is set on the second floor of Princess Court. The accommodation comprises a living room, additional reception room, two double bedrooms with built-in storage, bathroom and a modern fitted kitchen. The building benefits from a lift and a porter whilst being within walking distance of Marble Arch. Available, furnished. EPC rating D.

Price per week: £850 Plus property fees: £180 Admin & £189 Checkout. References: £42 per person* *http://www.harrodsestates.com/tenants 020 7409 9158 robin.boghhenrikssen@harrodsestates.com

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: 020 7409 9001 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: 020 7225 6700 KENSINGTON OFFICE: 48-50 KENSINGTON CHURCH STREET W8 4DG T: 020 3650 4600

HARRODSESTATES.COM @harrodsestates


FOR SALE REFURBISHED APARTMENT IN QUIET LOCATION

£1,425,000

CLARGES MEWS, MAYFAIR W1

FURTHER DETAILS:

Newly refurbished apartment in this small modern block quietly located in a Mayfair Mews moments from Berkeley Square and within easy walking distance of Green Park tube. The shops, restaurants and amenities of Shepherd Market are also close by, as are the boutiques and luxury brand shops of Bond Street.

Michael Harte T +44 (0)20 3195 9595 E sales@pastor-realestate.com

The property extends to 610 sq ft (56.67 sq m) and benefits from excellent storage and wood flooring throughout. The spacious accommodation comprises 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. Share of Freehold.

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 INTERIOR DESIGNED APARTMENT CLOSE TO GREEN PARK

ÂŁ1,365 per week

HERTFORD STREET, MAYFAIR W1

FURTHER DETAILS:

Newly refurbished interior designed apartment moments from Hyde Park and Green Park with its own private entrance, conveniently located to give easy access to the prestigious local shops and restaurants of the area and a short walk from Green Park Tube Station.

Spencer Taffurelli

With classic period features, high ceilings, feature fireplace and full length windows, the accommodation offers reception/dining room, double bedroom, en-suite bathroom with walkin shower and bathtub, fully fitted kitchen and guest cloakroom. Available for short let (minimum 90 days). Rent is inclusive of all utility bills, including council tax, gas, electricity, wi-fi access, twice weekly cleaning and satellite television - excluding telephone.

T +44 (0)20 3195 9595 E lettings@pastor-realestate.com


TO LET WOODS MEWS, MAYFAIR W1

£1,500 per week

Stunning, recently refurbished duplex apartment located in a cobbled Mayfair mews off Park Lane, a few minute’s walk from Oxford Street and the open spaces of Hyde Park. This spacious property is air conditioned and has solid wood flooring throughout. Access is via a smart hallway with a staircase down into a double height reception room through to a secluded patio garden. Large reception/dining area with fully fitted open plan kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite dressing area and shower room, access to patio, second double bedroom with en-suite bathroom.

FURTHER DETAILS:

TO LET ADAMS ROW, MAYFAIR W1

£1,200 per week

Exceptional recently refurbished two bedroom split level second floor apartment close to Grosvenor Square and the exclusive boutiques and restaurants of Mayfair. The property benefits from a wonderfully spacious reception with an open plan fully equipped kitchen, with brand new appliances. Accommodation includes a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, second double bedroom with en-suite shower room and unique study/loft space. The apartment has independent central heating and satellite/Sky TV and is available from mid July 2015.

FURTHER DETAILS:

Mollie Crowley T +44 (0)20 3195 9595 E lettings@pastor-realestate.com

Mollie Crowley T +44 (0)20 3195 9595 E lettings@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 MARYLEBONE W1

ÂŁ825 per week

Wonderfully bright two bedroom apartment on the 5th floor of this luxury development in Marylebone. Located a few minutes walk from Marylebone High Street with its village atmosphere and delightful boutiques and restaurants and also close to the shops of Oxford Street. Bond Street tube station is within a two minute walk. This beautifully presented apartment comprises entrance hall and reception room with wood flooring, two double bedrooms, two bathrooms (1 en-suite), fully fitted kitchen with granite worktops, balcony and air conditioning.

FURTHER DETAILS: Spencer Taffurelli T +44 (0)20 3195 9595 E lettings@pastor-realestate.com

TO LET PARK STREET, MAYFAIR W1

ÂŁ750 per week

Exceptional, one bedroom apartment set within a red brick period Mayfair building between Grosvenor Square and Park Lane conveniently located for easy access to shops and amenities of Oxford Street and Hyde Park. This elegant apartment is quietly situated on the fourth floor with a lift and has been furnished and fitted to the highest specification extending to 758 sq ft (70.42 sq m). The accommodation comprises spacious double aspect reception room, double bedroom, luxury bathroom, fabulous eat-in kitchen, excellent storage throughout and security system.

FURTHER DETAILS: Spencer Taffurelli T +44 (0)20 3195 9595 E lettings@pastor-realestate.com


Property | The mayfair Magazine

Home away from home The lettings market in Mayfair finds itself in the midst of an interesting time, with unique new opportunities to rent in exquisite properties. Head of lettings at Knight Frank’s Mayfair office, Rahim Najak, tells us why the best is yet to come

‘S

omething is definitely changing in Mayfair,’ says Rahim Najak, head of lettings at Knight Frank Mayfair. After a record year for lettings at this office on Mount Street, Najak and his team almost doubled their figures from last year – the result of a buoyant lettings market, an excellent range of properties under their instruction and a genuinely friendly and hardworking team. ‘We completed well over 100 transactions for lettings alone last year,’ he says. ‘In the super-prime market, we completed six deals at £5,000+ a week, and one for £13,500 on Park Street. And the reason for this is that people are buying into the address more to be in Mayfair.’ As you’d expect in Mayfair, the clientele that Najak sees are international, coming from Moscow, the Middle East, America and Europe. In the last year, Najak has seen an increase in the number of properties let to students, and as ever, businesspeople that are relocating to London for 12-24 months, who tend to visit just three or four properties and make their decision rather quickly. ‘That is what I love about Mayfair – it’s very fast-paced,’ says Najak. ‘Very rarely they will want a second viewing. And in most cases, you can just come in, unpack and live.’

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One such example has most recently come in the form of the residences One Denman Place – a new set of apartments that adjoins to the Ham Yard Hotel near Piccadilly Circus, and is designed by Kit Kemp. Uniquely, the apartments are also available for short lets at a minimum of 90 days. ‘The fantastic thing about One Denman Place is that it’s connected to the hotel – however, you’ve got your own entrance and total privacy. But if you wanted to use the hotel, you are welcome to do that.’ The property presents a rare opportunity to live in close proximity to Mayfair, but also with the buzz and excitement of the West End and Soho on your doorstep. Immaculately furnished with Kit Kemp’s signature colourful prints and contemporary interiors, each apartment offers a quiet retreat from the busy streets nearby. This property marks the first of a series of exceptional properties that are set to arrive on the market under Knight Frank Mayfair’s letting instruction, including on Grosvenor Square, Mount Street and Park Street, to name but a few. ‘There is always something happening, and always something launching in Mayfair,’ says Najak. ‘People are always on the lookout for something special, and we can help them find exactly what they are looking for.’ For further enquiries, contact Rahim Najak at Knight Frank Mayfair (020 7647 6604; rahim.najak@knightfrank.com)


BOUTIQUE LIVING O N CH ARLOT TE ST REET Elegant, light, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments designed by leading architects DSDHA. The first phase of unique, well-crafted spaces will be launching in June. Interiors curated by heals.co.uk

Register your interest at: cornerhousew1.com Hudsons Property 020 7323 2277 Hurford Salvi Carr 020 7250 4950

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THE TOP SELLING AGENT FOR

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LONDON PROPERTY •

Multi-award winning leading London estate agent

Rokstone operates across prime Central London

Herbert Crescent, SW1X £2,000,000

Since 2011, Rokstone has received over £2 billion worth of offers for client instructions

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Rokstone has one of the highest ratios of offers agreed to contracts exchanged

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Since 2011 Rokstone has sold half a billion pounds worth of property for clients

Rokstone has achieved record prices in Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Marylebone Managing Director Becky Fatemi, is one of London’s most high profile and respectful property experts Database of 9,000 clients and contacts seeking London property Unlike other estate agents, Rokstone specialises in both sales and acquisitions

Soho Square, W1U £5,950,000

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5 Dorset Street, London W1U 6QJ

020 7580 2030 www.rokstone.com

Winner of The Times/Sunday Times Prestige Estate Agency of the Year Award, Rokstone treats every client property as a luxury instruction, regardless of its size or price.

Chesham Place, SW1X £14,500,000


Call Rokstone on 020 7580 2030 or visit www.rokstone.com

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Eaton Terrace, SW1W £2,850,000

Portman Mansions, W1u £2,875,000

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King Street, WC2E £6,950,000

Wellington Court, sW1x £8,750,000

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Reeves Mews, W1 £24,000,000

Academy Gardens, W8 £26,000,000


Actual view over Hyde Park


EXCEPTIONAL LATERAL RESIDENCES DIRECTLY OVERLOOKING HYDE PARK Newly launched luxury two, three and four bedroom lateral and duplex Prime London residences up to 6,251 sq ft in size South facing eight window frontage overlooking Hyde Park New homes behind palatial Grade II listed Georgian faรงade Bespoke design & hand crafted interiors Show apartment by design house 1508 Home entertainment & sound system by Harris Grant 24 hr concierge & security by Harrods Estates Asset Management

Prices from ยฃ11,750,000 on a share of freehold basis To view contact joint sole agents

Martin Bikhit T +44 (0)203 302 0521 E m.bikhit@kayandco.com

Penelope Court T +44 (0)203 092 3868 E Penny@beauchamp.co.uk

Services provided by

A flagship development by

W W W. C O N N A U G H T P L A C E R E S I D E N C E S . C O M


Photos depict as previously furnished

Dunraven Street

Mayfair W1J

£2,500 per week long let

A bright, recently refurbished top floor apartment of approx. 1,765 sq ft in this smart block in Mayfair, close to Hyde Park. Located on the 4th floor, the property benefits from a private roof terrace, direct lift access, air conditioning, wood flooring & access to Green Street Gardens. Comprising reception/dining room, eat in kitchen, 3 double bedrooms, & 3 bathrooms. EPC rating D

Mayfair

020 7288 8301

lettings.mayfair@chestertons.com

chestertons.com

Additional charges apply. Administration: £222 References per tenant/guarantor: £42 Inventory check (approx. £95 - £200 plus VAT) chestertons.com/property-to-rent/applicable-fees


Green Street

£4,850,000 leasehold

An impeccably finished duplex apartment with private patio, 3 double bedrooms & 3 generous reception areas with an abundance of natural light throughout.

Mayfair

EPC rating B

sales.mayfair@chestertons.com

Mayfair W1K

020 7269 4513

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Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk


carterjonas.co.uk

WESTBOURNE TERRACE W2 London

A beautifully renovated apartment on Westbourne Terrace. Situated in a period stucco fronted building the apartment occupies the ground and first floors and also a terrace which is ideal for entertaining. Reception room • 3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms • Approximately 1,909 sq ft EPC rating C

Guide price £3,500,000

Hyde Park & Bayswater 0207 402 1552 leo.florees@hydepark.co.uk


GROSVENOR SQUARE Mayfair W1

A beautifully presented lateral apartment, ideally located on prestigious Grosvenor Square. This spacious apartment offers extensive accommodation with stylish finishes. 3 reception rooms • 4 bedrooms 4 bathrooms • Concierge/porter 3,404 sq ft • EPC rating D

Guide price £7,250,000

Mayfair & St James’s

020 7493 0676 james.gubbins@carterjonas.co.uk


The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

Drawing of St Dunstan-in-the-West by SPAB Scholar Ptolomy Dean

Founded by William Morris, the SPAB protects the historic environment from decay, damage and demolition. It responds to threats to old buildings, trains building professionals, craftspeople, homeowners and volunteers and gives advice about maintenance and repairs. Since 1877 countless buildings have been saved for future generations.

Information about maintaining your home is available through events, courses, lectures, publications and telephone advice. To support our work why not join the SPAB? Members receive a quarterly magazine, our list of historic properties for sale and access to our regional activities.

www.spab.org.uk 020 7377 1644 A charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales. Company no: 5743962 Charity no: 1113753 37 Spital Square, London E1 6DY


Orchard Court, Portman Square, W1H A substantial 6/7 bedroom lateral penthouse apartment situated on the 7th floor of a prestigious mansion block in the heart of Marylebone. The accommodation features an impressive drawing room with views towards Portman Square, dining room, kitchen, family breakfast room, master bedroom suite with views over Portman Square, 5 further bedrooms (3 en suites), staff bedroom and 3 shower rooms. There are a team of porters who operate 24 hours a day. Lift, well-kept communal areas, two elegant entrance halls and garage. EPC Rating E. John Taylor UK 48 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AX Tel: 020 3284 1888 Email: london@john-taylor.com

PRICE ON APPLICATION LEASEhold

AIX-EN-PROVENCE • BROOKLYN • CANNES • COURCHEVEL • DOHA • GENEVA • GSTAAD • LAKE COMO • LONDON • MADRID • MANHATTAN • MAURITIUS • MEGEVE MERIBEL • MIAMI • MILAN • MONACO • MOSCOW • PALM BEACH • PARIS • ST JEAN-CAP-FERRAT • ST PAUL DEVENCE • ST TROPEZ • THE HAMPTONS • VALBONNE

www.john-taylor.com


SHELL POINT

TRANQUIL ELEGANCE IN TUCKER’S TOWN A private promontory surrounded by a stunning turquoise reef and vistas across Castle Harbour to the Tucker’s Town peninsula, Shell Point enjoys a magical setting comprising 2 acres and 6500 square feet of accommodation between the elegant main house, the guest cottage and apartment. This is one of the most private estates in Tucker’s Town, yet it is within a walk or golf cart ride of the Mid-Ocean and Tucker’s Point golf clubs, their beaches and restaurants. A substantial dock, jetty, boat slip and mooring make this home especially well suited for boaters. Price Upon Request.

WHY SINCLAIR REALTY? As Bermuda’s exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, Sinclair Realty offers the finest cache of properties in Tucker’s Town and island-wide. We look forward to welcoming you to our island with the depth of expertise and ‘above-and-beyond’ service that is the Sinclair hallmark.

Tel +1 441 296 0278 | estates@logic.bm | www.sinclairrealty.com

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THE CHELSTON ESTATE

A WORLD-CLASS PRIVATE BEACHFRONT COMPOUND Overlooking the pink sands and turquoise waters of Grape Bay, the 14-acre Chelston Estate is a beachfront compound of rare magnitude. For 30 years it served as the official residence of the U.S. Consul General, hosting a distinguished list of guests including presidents and foreign dignitaries. Understated elegance defines the 10,000 square foot main house and its three guest houses. The outstanding grounds include a spectacular 75- by 40-foot saltwater pool and pool house, croquet lawn, walled gardens, a beach pavilion and staff accommodation. Offered at US$ 45 million.

Tel +1 441 296 0278 | estates@logic.bm | www.sinclairrealty.com

5/7/15 11:20 AM


art house

As a stunning new development with an intriguing history on Albemarle Street arrives on the market, The Mayfair Magazine takes a tour to discover five exceptional contemporary residences

U

pon stepping inside the Cire Trudon candle-scented entrance of 26 Albemarle Street – or The Mellier as the building is called – a rare sense of calm is immediately present. Greeted by a photograph of a formidable iceberg by Frank Thiel, it’s easy to be transported very quickly from Mayfair into a world of your own. The historical Beaux-Arts façade and this entrance aptly sets the tone for what hides behind it; five very private, quiet, newly built residences developed by property firm Glebe, which have recently arrived on the market under the instruction of Wetherell and Savills. Originally built in 1905, the property has existed under many guises, first as a standalone mansion for Francophile and furniture magnate Charles Mellier – from whom the building takes its name. It also was once a showroom for

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Lancia motorcars from 1908 and then for Buick and Cadillac from 1920, and during this time was visited by royals and high society: Edward, Prince of Wales purchased two automobiles from there. It was also a showroom for Volvo after the Second World War, after which it was transformed into office space. It is one of the latest example of the office-toresidential conversions that have been occurring in Mayfair over the last few years in particular; although its unique interior architecture and design sets it apart – built with careful consideration of layout and space, each apartment is set out laterally, spanning the width of the building, which has a 25-metre eightwindow frontage. With a dream combination of Eric Parry Architects, who designed the entrance foyer and interior layouts and remodelled the rear façade, and Sally Mackereth of Studio


The mayfair Magazine | Property

Mackereth, who carefully chose each piece of furniture and work of art, each residence within the property exudes a wonderful sense of sophistication – from the handcrafted oakparquet floors to the bespoke doors finished in white lacquer. The light colour of the oak floors, coupled with the abundance of natural light in each apartment, neutral-toned furnishings with pops of colour through to the thoughtfully chosen art and ornaments make these spaces retreats in the heart of London, which are a true pleasure to escape to. In place of televisions in the master bedrooms, you’ll be greeted with a crackled-lacquer feature wall – an artful way to truly create a home that is more of a sanctuary than a house. Most interestingly, it is unusual to find residences in Mayfair with such large dimensions, as the ceiling heights range from 2.7 metres to 3.5 metres in height, with floor-toceiling windows at the rear façade overlooking the headquarters of the neighbouring art galleries. ‘The lateral residences at The Mellier have the tallest ceilings and the largest room dimensions of any new London apartment scheme currently on the market,’ says development manager and chief executive of Glebe, David Phillips. ‘The sophisticated

contemporary ambience, the fine attention to every little detail and the unparalleled quality of the specification combine with the exceptional living spaces to deliver the most outstanding homes in London.’ The three-bedroom duplex penthouse is beautifully laid out across the top two floors, and features an exquisite reception room on the first floor, in which an art installation is currently placed, but could equally serve as the perfect place for parties, as it also can be completely separated from the bedrooms and rest of the residence (it even has its own adjoining staff kitchen). Upstairs, light floods in through the seven-metre atelier window, on to the kitchen and a 65 square-metre drawing room that leads on to a spacious terrace and garden. The Mellier presents a unique opportunity to invest in a property with a wonderful historical backstory, which has been given a new life as some of the most exclusive places in which to reside in the area. The single-level residences are priced at £18,000,000 and the duplex penthouse at £30,000,000 (999 year leases). To make an appointment to view, contact Glebe (020 7409 3740; glebe.com), Charles Lloyd at Savills (020 7578 5100; savills.co.uk) or Robert Windsor at Wetherell (020 7529 5599; wetherell.co.uk)

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CHARLES STREET MAYFAIR W1 Luxurious Four Bedroom Duplex with Courtyard Garden ÂŁ5,800 per week

102 Mount Street, London W1K 2TH T: 020 7529 5588 E: rentals@wetherell.co.uk

wetherell.co.uk

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MOUNT STREET MAYFAIR W1 Three Bedroom South Facing Lateral ÂŁ5,000,000

102 Mount Street, London W1K 2TH T: 020 7529 5566 E: sales@wetherell.co.uk

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GREEN STREET MAYFAIR W1 Three Bedroom South Facing Penthouse ÂŁ7,500,000

102 Mount Street, London W1K 2TH T: 020 7529 5566 E: sales@wetherell.co.uk

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O

T U

WHO LIVES IN

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W O

MAYFAIR? THE CHANGING FACE OF LONDON’S NUMBER ONE AREA

To get the full picture, download our latest report at wetherell.co.uk Mayfair remains as London’s number one area. In our new publication, we paint a detailed picture of the Mayfair of today, its exciting evolution and the challenges it faces moving forward. For your copy visit our office at 102 Mount Street, Mayfair W1 or call 020 7493 6935 and we will forward a complimentary copy to you.

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M ESUR E ET D ÉMESUR E *

TONDA METROGR APHE

Steel Automatic chronograph movement Hermès calf strap Made in Switzerland www.parmigiani.ch

ATELIER PARMIGIANI 97 MOUNT STREET, MAYFAIR, LONDON W1K 2TD, TEL. 020 7495 5172 EDINBURGH ROX DIAMONDS AND THRILLS | KENT RIZON JET UK LIMITED LONDON SELFRIDGES, THE WONDER ROOM | ARIJE | HARRODS, MONTREUX JAZZ CAFE WATCHES OF SWITZERLAND | FROST OF LONDON | BEAU GEMS, THE CITY WINDSOR ROBERT GATWARD JEWELLERS


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