The Mayfair Magazine November 2012 by Runwild Media Group

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Editor’s Letter | The mayfair Magazine

From the

Editor ‘L

est we forget’ is a sentiment not always given appropriate weight. The words are uttered quickly – and with the best of intensions – but not always with the gravitas or true consideration they deserve. This month, as we once again mark Remembrance Sunday, taking a moment to reflect upon all of those who have served their Country so well, we have dedicated our pages to celebrating the Household Cavalry and the bravery of those who remain in that service today. We meet Lieutenant Colonel Dan Hughes to discuss a seriously busy year – full of national grandeur and pride – and the heritage behind the uniform (page 13). We also look at a year in the life of the Household Cavalry in photos (page 18). This autumn also marks a full year since the world lost Steve Jobs. In celebration of his life and work, we pay tribute to the man himself and look at the legacy he left behind (page 26). And despite our distance from Silicon Valley, pushing boundaries is something that we here in Mayfair are lucky enough to benefit from on a continuous basis. London is now at the forefront of innovation in a variety of genres, from technology to motoring, fashion to food. This month, we celebrate all those committed to driving us forward: Kari Rosenberg meets Heston Blumenthal to discuss his latest gastronomical inventions (page 110) while Mike Peake investigates the most technical and luxurious way to store your beloved car (page 34). Meanwhile, I step into Burberry’s new retail emporium, firmly negotiating a space somewhere between the on- and off-line worlds (page 96). Merging extensive heritage with exciting innovation? How Mayfair.

Elle Blakeman Acting Editor

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082

026

Contents

110

November 2012

013 096

040

Features

Regulars

Interiors

013 | In good order To commemorate the upcoming Remembrance Day we meet Lieutenant Colonel Dan Hughes, Commanding Officer of the Household Cavalry 017 | Snapshot: sending in the cavalry We celebrate the work and life of the Household Cavalry with a images from all areas of the job 025 | Fashion with a cause We look back at this year’s glamorous Fashion for the Brave evening at the Dorchester 026 | Forbidden fruit Alice Tozer takes stock of Apple a year after the loss of Steve Jobs 032 | The technologist From an haute-couture phone to a transparent TV, we bring you the technology you need to have now 034 | A new dimension Find the ultimate place to park your car as Mike Peake discovers innovative spots in unlikely places 040 | Good as new Richard Yarrow finds out how to turn a vintage Aston Martin into a modern masterpiece 052 | In the genes Rebecca Wallersteiner meets the three generations of Frosts at The Beaux Arts London gallery in Mayfair

090 | Interiors news 092 | Dressed to the nines Luigi Esposito’s latest creation 096 | Walk-in website Shopping has entered the digital age with Burberry’s new store on Regent Street

Art 049 | Art news 050 | Exhibition focus Carol Cordrey explores 10x10 at Somerset House 055 | Prize lots

Collection 061 | A rare find: diamonds and pearls The first sale of the season at Christie’s New York 063 | Watch news 064 | Outdoor embrace Accessories for the great outdoors 066 | Romancing the stone We delve into the history of fine jewellery in film 071 | Jewellery news 073 | Dangerous liaisons Jewellery is all about black and gold this season

Fashion 076 | Night vision Chic eveningwear for A/W 082 | A very Valentino life Stephen Doig pays tribute to the man behind the dress 087 | Style spy/Style update

Food and Drink 103 | Food & drink news 104 | Tales of the cocktail Neil Ridley becomes a cocktail connoisseur 110 | Chip off the old block We meet Heston Blumenthal and his head chef Kevin Love – part chefs, part scientists 116 | Restaurant review: Apsleys

Beauty 125 | Beauty news 127 | Spa review: Hushh, Belgravia

Travel 131 | Travel news 132 | The sands of time We visit Le Saint Géran, the first five-star hotel in Mauritus 136 | City break: Bodrum Find out why this Turkish city is the new place to be

Property 161 | Property news 173 | An everyday necessity Simon Barnes explains how essential buying agents can be 174 | A voice from the country 176 | Under the Tuscan sun Our top pick of the international market

Contributors | The mayfair Magazine

The contributors NOVEMBER 2012 s issue 014

Editor Kate Harrison Acting Editor Elle Blakeman Acting Deputy Editor Kari Rosenberg Art Editor Carol Cordrey Food & Drink Editor Neil Ridley Collection Editor Annabel Harrison Editorial Assistant Kate Racovolis Head of Design Hiren Chandarana Senior Designer Lisa Wade Production Manager Fiona Fenwick Production Hugo Wheatley, Alex Powell Editor-at-Large Lesley Ellwood Client Relationship Director Kate Oxbrow

mike peake Mike has written extensively for The Sunday Times and Daily Telegraph. This month, he ventures below ground to discover a new trend in high-tech subterranean car parks. richard yarrow Richard is a freelance motoring journalist and a former associate editor of Auto Express. He writes for national newspapers, consumer publications and the automotive business press.

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

Stephen Doig Stephen is an award-winning fashion writer having worked for Harper’s Bazaar and Mr Porter. This month, he pays homage to Valentino, revisiting the man behind the style.

Alice tozer Alice is a freelance journalist and interpreter, specialising in health and lifestyle issues. She has written for the Financial Times and Thomson Reuters. This month she researches the legacy of Steve Jobs.

simon barnes Simon is a property consultant with over 20 years of experience, focusing on the prime residential market in Mayfair and Belgravia. This month, he shares his top tips for selling your property.

nEIL RIDLEY London-based food and drink expert Neil has written for The Evening Standard, Whisky Magazine and The Chap. This month he explores where to go for the best tipple in London.

kate racovolis An alumnus of Columbia University’s Journalism School, Kate is a writer who has lived in New York covering fashion.This month she visits a new home designed by Luigi Esposito.

Head of Finance Elton Hopkins Associate Publisher Sophie Roberts Managing Director Eren Ellwood

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October 2012

cover

On the

Image: models WEARING VALENTINO, 2007, Shot by Lorenzo Agius @ www.aandrphotographic.co.uk. See page 82

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IN GOOD ORDER Following a record year of patriotic pageantry, Kari Rosenberg talks to Lieutenant Colonel Dan Hughes, Commanding Officer of the Household Cavalry, about royal celebrations, returning to Afghanistan, and commemorating Remembrance Day with as little pomp as possible

ome may wonder why, in the 21st century, the Household Cavalry still carry out ceremonial duties dating back to 1660; the pomp and pageantry of which has become synonymous with national tradition, heritage and pride. The City of London ceremonial handbook answers succinctly: ‘Ceremonies are not idle forms or shows put on merely for entertainment; they ensure that things are done with dignity and in good order’. For Lieutenant Colonel Dan Hughes, 43, the Household Cavalry exists to contribute to the distinction of the State – this summer marking a pinnacle of national grandeur, pride and decorum, celebrated by the publication of Uniquely British, published recently by the Household Cavalry to raise funds for their soldiers, veterans and horses – and, in so doing, reinforces the link between the Armed Forces and the Sovereign. Commanding Officer of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, Hughes was the Field Officer in charge of the Sovereign’s Escort during both the Royal Wedding in 2011 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this year – an ‘immense privilege’ – and despite years in the forces, few could blame the Colonel for the nerves he felt waking up on 29 April. ‘I think we all felt a huge amount of responsibility to try and ensure the day went well. It doesn’t matter how much you practise,

you can never get it 100 per cent right, mainly because the horses are very unpredictable, particularly when mixed with a million people who are shouting and waving flags. ‘The Jubilee crowds were even louder. We were closer to the crowds on that day and the noise was just phenomenal. The other problem was the firing of a 61-gun salute on Horse Guard’s Parade; essentially a gun would go off every 15-20 seconds and it caused a lot of our horses to jump and panic. My horse took exception to the salute and seemed determined to try and overtake the carriage. We recorded it as the fastest escort in history.’ Joining the army at the age of 22, Hughes quickly decided cavalry life was for him and steadily climbed to the top. And while earning the Queen’s shilling this year has involved much regalia-clad splendour, Hughes is keen to reiterate that all those participating in ceremonial parades are fully-trained fighting troops – many of whom have recently returned or are soon to be leaving for combat. ‘Very little of my career has been spent doing ceremonial duties’ says Hughes. ‘The Cavalry’s main role is as a reconnaissance regiment. I have spent more than three quarters of my career in the operational role and have only performed the ceremonial role very occasionally, which is true of all Household Cavalry soldiers. I think it’s easy to forget our

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

main function when people see the parades going on in London; we are first and foremost combat soldiers. I’m finishing my command here in December and I’m going back to Afghanistan in January.’ Hughes has already been deployed twice to Afghanistan, the next stint marking his third run, and while his commitment to resuming operational duties is clear, the subtle but sombre change in his voice is unmistakable. ‘I’ve had two amazing years doing ceremonial duties, but you always want to play your part. I’m looking forward to going back.’

‘The success of the past year is all down to the hard work of the soldiers. Remembrance Day is a good time to remind us’ – Lieutenant Colonel Dan Hughes

And while the Royal Wedding was the highlight of Hughes’ career, his time in Afghanistan has proved to be the most interesting. ‘The ceremonial duties are always an amazing privilege to be a part of but the most testing times have all been on the front line. I went to Afghanistan early in 2004, right at the beginning of the current campaign. Camp Bastion, which now has a perimeter of 23 miles, only had perimeter of a mile.’ There’s no doubt the Colonel commands total respect and admiration from his troops; his approachable and down-to-earth manner makes him instantly likeable, telling of his leadership methods. Stating ‘fairness and consistency’ as those qualities most important for any leader, Hughes’ motto is one worth remembering: ‘What I say to people is “Do the basics well”. Do the basics well and make sure you look after

the people under your command. It lets people know where they stand, which I think is very important, as is the way you communicate. You know the soldiers who work for you and it’s such a privilege commanding them – they need to know that you’re going to do your best by them.’ Proud of the service he and his troops continue to provide and the incredible history behind those duties, Hughes sees the Cavalry as fundamental to the national identity. ‘The links to the sovereign are incredibly important to us – we all consider what we do to be a huge privilege and the tradition and history that surrounds it is an integral part of our national culture and heritage. Some say we are losing our national identity and people aren’t sure what it means to be British. We see ourselves very much as the embodiment of what it means; this is something we’ve been doing since 1660. The ceremonial duties we do are performed better than anywhere else in the world; no one quite does it to the extent and scale we do.’ However, as Remembrance Day approaches, Hughes says that the most important thing about 11 November is not the rituals and eye-catching livery, but simply remembering the soldiers who have given their lives for their country. ‘The success of the past year is all down to the hard work of the soldiers, which is very easy to forget. I think that Remembrance Day is a good time to remind us of that fact.’ At odds with such pageantry, Hughes tends to mark Remembrance Day in a small church in Lancashire; a moment of quiet reflection: ‘There’s a tiny church up there called Lathom Park Chapel that can fit about fifteen people in. I quite like going to support it – considering how small the village is, there are about 10 people who lost their lives in the World Wars, some of them from the same family. That’s where I like to go on Remembrance Sunday.’ (www.hcavfoundation.org)

images: taken from ‘Uniquely British: A year in the life of the household cavalry

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Snapshot:

SENDING IN THE

Cavalry The Household Cavalry has been serving this country since 1660, standing close to the Monarchy at all times. As an incredible year of royal pageanty and celebration comes to an end, we explore a snapshot of the remarkable life of its officers and soldiers

Image: Copyright C Allerton

‘Homeward bound.’ The Blues and the Royals return to Hyde Park Barracks after the Early Morning Rehearsal for the Royal Wedding.

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this image The red plume and the blue tunic of The Blues and Royals

OPPOSITE, FROM LEFT

this Image and opposite, top row: all Copyright JD Photography

The aiguillettes of the Silver Stick in waiting.

An enduring symbol of power. The Regimental Corporal Major’s whip carries the Garter Star, a reflection of the Regiment’s loyalty to the Monarch.

The shabraque of an Officer of The Life Guards displaying the names of the Regiment’s battle honours.

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below ‘Tinning in,’ the technique of using a tin lid for force layers of polish into the leather, thus creating a deeper shine. A horse’s kit can take up to six hours to complete properly.

above The Commanding Officer at the head of the Regiment on the Major General’s Inspection. This is the first parade of the Ceremonial Season and demonstrates that the Regiment is ready for all events to come. It is the culmination of weeks of horse inspections, kit inspections and drills which ensure we are up to standard after the long winter.

CENTRE LEFT ‘The beginning of a long day.’ Mucking out the horses in Two Troop, The Life Guards Mounted Squadron stables.

CENTRE RIGHT Image centre left: Copyright JD Photography

The axe carried on parade by the Regimental Farriers.

LEFT ‘Heading home.’ After a long and strenuous tour of Helmand Province, one of the Scimitar vehicles of ‘A’ Squadron HCR returns to Camp Bastion flying the Household Division colours and the Union Flag. 22

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RIGHT ‘More polish required!’ Squadron Corporal Major ‘Paddy’ Ireland inspects The Blues and Royals as part of the build-up to another busy State Ceremonial season. Each man has his uniform individually fitted to him by the Regiment’s Saddlers, Tailors and Armourer, seen here in tow. Neither the process nor the uniforms have changed for hundreds of years.

BELOW ‘Stillness in the Snow.’ The Old Guard wait to be relieved on Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall. The men remain rigid, but the horses take the opportunity to look around at their newly blanketed surroundings.

All images taken from ‘Uniquely British: A year in the life of The Household Cavalry’, £29.95, available now. All proceeds go to the Household Cavalry Foundation. For more information or to make a donation please visit www.hcavfoundation.org 23

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

Fashion with

a cause I

t was a suitably glamorous ending to London Fashion Week: Claudia Winkleman telling jokes, Jeffery Archer running an auction featuring everything from Boodles jewellery to an Aston Martin and a spectacular show featuring some of London’s brightest talent – both models and brands – to end it all. Held at the Dorchester (where else) in association with Vestra Wealth and the Wren Press, Fashion for the Brave managed to raise an incredible £250,000 for injured Household Cavalry men and the British Forces Foundation in their fundraising dinner. Serious fashion credentials were bestowed by the brands featured on the catwalk (Corrie Nielsen, Beulah, Johnstons of Elgin), while VIPs brought the paparazzi (Jade Parfitt, Lady Victoria Hervey, Harold Tillman) and handsome men in uniform reminded everyone of the great cause – a powerful combination indeed.

Models strike a pose on the catwalk From left: Captain Tom Long, Captain Ben Woolf, Captain Ed Mackay and WO1 Fry MC

Magician Drummond Money-Coutts with soldiers Below From left: Amal Fashanu and Miranda Chadwick

From left: Jasmine Guinness, Sheeva Moshiri and Jade Parfitt

From left: Jade Parfitt, Trooper Clifford O’Farrell, Jasmine Guinness and guest

Guests enjoying the party

‘Jeffery Archer ran an auction featuring everything from Boodles jewellery to an Aston’ PHOTOGRAPHY BY Zina Badran (www.zinabadran.com)

Forbidden

fruit

A year after the untimely death of former CEO and technological artiste Steve Jobs, Alice Tozer looks at his legacy and asks where the richest technology company in the world could possibly be headed next

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

‘Here’s to the

crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels,

the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes...

the ones who see things differently…

they’re not fond of rules... You can quote them,

disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because

they change things...

they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see because

genius,

the ones who are crazy

enough to think that they

can change the world,

are the ones who do.’ – Steve Jobs, 1955-2011

here was a time when it was supremely un-cool to have an Apple. Not only was it unfashionable, it was darn right inconvenient for the rest of the world to have to adapt to your ‘special’ software needs. Fifteen years shuffled on by and some now get their fill of five a day. The iPod, iPhone and iPad have joined up with relatives the iMac and the MacBook to bring us into their fold. This previously forbidden fruit – Apple, the ‘basket case’ of the IT world in the mid 1990s, as one commentator reminisced – could only have been juiced up by its creator. In 1997, Steve Jobs, who sadly died from pancreatic cancer aged 56 a year ago last month, returned to the

‘Jobs was integral to everything that has launched into the Applesphere to this day’ company he had founded alongside Steve Wozniak twenty-one years prior. A power struggle in 1985 had squeezed Jobs out, but within twelve months of his return he had overseen the launch of the iMac, which was a sleek, instant hit. The rest is common knowledge because we have all lived it. Jobs transformed Apple into a company which now banks almost $1 billion a week. The man, in turn, became worth a cool $8.3 billion. Apple products were an extension of Jobs’ very being. He was a perfectionist to the extreme and gave up on furniture because decisions thereabout caused too many problems. He had an appreciation of music and an aesthetic sensitivity which led him to design one of the most successful logos in history (which, incidentally, had nothing to do with computer scientist Alan Turing’s death by injecting cyanide into an apple as the urban myth goes: Jobs just liked apples). Jobs, who was adopted, was spiritual and once movingly said that perhaps he didn’t give Apple devices on-off switches because he liked to think life didn’t

have them either. Such factors render Jobs’ emotional input into his work clear. He married software to hardware, then created an almost infuriating brand dependency. Jobs was one of those college dropouts-become-genius. He liked his image to be that of technology leader, not computer engineer. But he knew a thing or two about wires. And so, Apple made it under Jobs and has oozed a cool confidence ever since. Yet the brand is suddenly under scrutiny: 5 October 2012 marked a year since Steve Jobs died, having passed the CEO baton two months before his death to Tim Cook, former COO. It’s an obvious time to ask how Apple has fared without its founding father these past twelve months, and that’s just what is happening. It’s also unsurprising that an even more critical eye is being cast given that we’ve just witnessed multiple births of the new iPhone 5, that device to which Apple’s fortunes are so tightly tethered. It took all of a week. Poor Cook bore the brunt of disgruntled reactions to the iPhone 5’s mapping system which unravelled in intrepid users’ hands. It’s easy, but facile, to say that it wouldn’t have happened had Jobs been around. After all, the iPhone 4S, which launched during Jobs’ lifetime, had its own teething problems in the form of low battery life. Always good at hitting back with a solution, Apple updated the software and the consumer forgave them (or forgot, caught up in WhatsApp conversation). It must have been tough for Cook to be forced to suggest that users adopt Google’s mapping system over Apple’s, the solution to ‘his’ blip. Speculation about Apple’s year without Jobs is only natural at such a landmark point in time (something has to drive share prices). However, let both good and bad commentary be taken with a pinch of salt until next year; Jobs was integral to everything that has launched into the Applesphere to this day, since he lost his battle with cancer in Palo Alto in autumn 2011. He was heavily involved in the development of both the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5. Last year’s results are therefore not a total 

LEFT: THE MACBOOK AIR; RIGHT: STEVE JOBS catwalker / Shutterstock.com

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ABOVE: stores in (LEFT TO RIGHT) paris; covent garden, upper west side and Shanghai (by Francesco Dazzi / Shutterstock.com) below: a selection of apple products

 indication of the functioning of Apple without Jobs. Through these products, Jobs lives on. They did, incidentally, cause healthy profit; the company’s share price has nearly doubled from $372.50 to $671.73. Cook is certainly no imposter, having been hired by Jobs himself and branded ‘the genius behind Steve’ by Adam Lashinsky in 2008. Also on the board of directors of Nike, Cook definitely has character enough to live up to Apple’s edginess. A fitness fanatic, he reportedly regularly begins sending emails at 4:30am and used to hold Sunday-night staff meetings by telephone to prepare for the next week. Steve Jobs himself used to interrupt family holidays with sudden work frenzies. Intuition, Cook has insisted, is a key part of his strategy. Likewise, Steve Jobs thought customers didn’t know what they wanted until it was placed in front of them (by someone who could smell the winds of the future, like him). We’d still all be asking for a quicker horse if we

‘We’d still all be asking for a quicker horse if we’d never been shown the car, said Jobs’

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had never been shown the car, said Jobs. Fools. Breaking ranks with Jobs, who was set against returning money to shareholders, Cook has launched a $10 billion share buy-back plan and sanctioned Apple’s first dividend since 1995. He is also gradually revealing a penchant for takeovers. Where he might direct Apple, product-wise, is as secretive as ever. There’s speculation Apple might change its skin, and opt for carbon fibre or liquid metal (which would make the phones lighter and less messy breakers). One thing’s for sure; the company will need to continue to fend off the inevitable competition that launching groundbreaking new concepts (the smartphone, say) entails. Recent reports say that Steve Ballmer is working on an Apple-style future for Microsoft, combining device manufacture and support. There’s talk of a Microsoft phone too… The legacy left by Jobs of the entire concept of Apple (beautiful, integrated, simple-on-thesurface technology) has the potential to outlive Cook and those who follow him. Jobs’ name is attached to over 300 different patents. His product legacy will only begin to slightly fade

when devices he did not conceive come to the fore, in 2013 and beyond. He remained the all-important face of Apple even as he underwent treatment, introducing new products for a global market in his trademark blue jeans even as he grew visibly unwell. His presence at product launches is missed by those computer savants who flock to see the goods unveiled firsthand. It is upon the enthusiasm of their reviews that the success of a product partially hangs. Jobs ‘the visionary’ leaves that void that he almost should. But there are hundreds of key individuals to continue to credit, such as Jeff Robbin who helped create the iPod and is now heavily involved in the development of an Apple TV. That, by the way, could be Apple’s next big thing (and, speculating here, branded the iTV – confusingly – or the iTablet). The iPad Mini is also creeping up on us, we are told. Launches are thought to be on the tips of tongues and we’re all ears. We might not think we need either item now but if we’re given one to play with for too long we surely will. That’s the unnerving Apple promise. And one which it will surely be in Cook’s interest to continue to grant.

The

T S I G O L O TECHN

apple iphone 5 Apple’s latest iPhone is a refined version of the previous model, but the upgrade is worth it. It’s lighter and smaller than the iPhone 4 and has an eight mega-pixel camera, faster wireless and a longer battery life. The new EarPods also give spectacularly clear sound. From £539, Apple (www.apple.com)

loewe in visio This television is the future of home entertainment. This transparant-when-off TV is a prototype from Loewe – the screen has an ambient lighting system, so that when switched off, you can still see whatever’s behind it allowing it to blend in discreetly with the rest of your home. Available to pre-order, Loewe (www.loewe.tv)

sony’s 3d projector This new projecter from Sony is a trip to the cinema without ever leaving home. Colour-rich, full HD images are delivered for the ultimate 3D, home-cinema experience (and without the 3D glasses). All that’s required is plenty of wall space and a great film. Around £2,575 Sony (www.sony.co.uk)

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or turns a phone nsparent television, Di tra a ils ve un e ew Lo h, e with a This mont non turns up the volum De d an ty au be e ur ut into a thing of co ge your life tech gadgets will chan hhig t es lat e th – r ke new spea ACOVOLIS W O R D S : K AT E R

Rêverie Dior This haute-couture phone from Dior is closer to a piece of jewellery than technology. The 18-karat white gold touchscreen phone is decorated in 1,539 diamonds and 46 pieces of natural mother-of-pearl marquetry, which is hand-assembled in France – naturellement. £78,000 from Harrods

Lenovo Ideapad Can’t decide whether you’re ready to convert to a tablet, or if you still need a notebook for work? The Lenovo Ideapad aims to be both. With its 360-degree flip-and-fold slim design, and eight hours’ battery life, it’s the perfect companion if you like to keep things simple. From £899, Lenovo (available at John Lewis)

denon cocoon home We love the sleek design of Denon’s latest speakers almost as much as its high-tech functions. The Cocoon works with Apple iOS, Android and Windows. With an excellent sound quality, you can also stream music from anywhere in the house using wireless AirPlay. £500 Denon (www.denon.co.uk)

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A NEW

DIM ENS ION 35

Finding a good parking space is a challenge that has existed almost as long as the car, but according to Mike Peake, all that’s needed is a little lateral thinking...

LEAD IMAGE, AND RIGHT: Autostadt Car Towers in Wolfsburg

ccording to a 1988 edition of the Weekly World News – a newspaper best known for such headlines as ‘I Died And Spent 20 Minutes In Hell’ and ‘Hillary Clinton Adopts Baby Alien’ – a 38-yearold Swedish man named Karl Logfren took his love of his precious Ferrari a little too far… and married it. It’s an extreme (and, indeed, questionable) example of man’s devotion to his wheels, but when you can easily spend an annual salary on a vehicle, you can see why some people get so attached. One of the hardest things to do if you really have fallen for your car, is to wrench yourself away from it and leave it to the perils of the street. Few W1 properties have private garages, which means that beloved Astons, Maseratis, even the family saloon are forever at the mercy of lurking ne’er-do-wells. Not that they number too highly around these parts, but still. Coming to the rescue of the nervous car owner are a growing number of solutions aimed at giving a vehicle somewhere to bed down for the night in complete tranquillity. The buzzwords are up and down. If you don’t want to leave your car on the street, think vertically. Tucked away from prying eyes in London’s ultra-luxurious Chelsea Square, for example, is a lift that discretely transports the owner’s car to an underground garage. Part of a luxurious refurbishment by international design and development firm Finchatton, it involves an automated Wöhr parking installation and CCTV monitoring system. Several similar projects are underway across the capital. In the Netherlands, meanwhile, a design firm called Hosper created a large, subterranean parking lot which was hidden from view underneath a beautiful landscaped water feature. It meant that residents not only had an uninterrupted view of their luxurious gardens,

they could also park – Bond style – in their very own underground ‘lair’. In Singapore they’re thinking differently, and an ultra-exclusive new development called Hamilton Scotts has been built which incorporates a state-of-the-art ‘en-suite sky porch’. The idea is for residents to drop off their car at ground level and then see it rise up to their apartment on a lift, from where – thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows – the parking spot (and car) become a part of the living space. It’s a bizarre concept – especially at 200ft in the air – but the apartments are designed with owners of extremely precious vehicles in mind. Those aren’t motheaten Mondeos in the press photos. Nor are these flying carpet-like garages the kind of place you’d pile up old cardboard boxes or abandoned rowing machines. Equally as arresting as Singapore’s solution are the Autostadt Car Towers in Wolfsburg, Germany; a car-themed visitor attraction linked to the VW factory next door. Rising up 20 storeys like a giant cylindrical wine rack, these ‘car silos’ hold a colossal 800 cars, which can be picked out by a robotic arm when a buyer is ready to collect. A little closer to home, fine historic automobile dealers Fiskens – which has been trading at Queens Gate Place Mews in Kensington for decades – has recently taken the decision to create a state-of-the-art showroom underneath its building. ‘Most of the other local car trades, like the trimmers, coach builders and so on, have moved out because of the value of properties and the cost of rent,’ says the company’s James Mitchell. ‘We’ve stuck with it, and are going to be making the best use of 

‘If you don’t want to leave your car on the street, think vertically’

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‘Cardok is perhaps the ultimate solution for the city-dweller with a ‘bijou’ front garden’ space by going down.’ The result will be a sunken showroom housing up to five vintage cars, as well as a library and seating area. ‘It will have the feeling of a cool club,’ says Mitchell, who explains that a lot of the brokering the firm does is ‘below the radar’, with cars not being publicly offered. The new space, he says, offers a place for interested parties to meet and talk cars. ‘It won’t be open to everyone’, Mitchell says, ‘but it will always be open to friends of the firm.’ Not all parking solutions come on such a grand scale. One of them, by Swiss company Cardok, is perhaps the ultimate solution for the city-dweller

TOP: CARDOK; RIGHT: Hamilton Scotts’ en-suite sky porch, singapore

with a ‘bijou’ front garden. The idea is basically to dig a hole, put in a hydraulic ramp and create something for your car to disappear into. The addition of a decorative roof will, once the device has sunk down to ground level, fox passers-by into thinking there’s no car there at all. Installation can take as little as three days and the company are quick to point out that a power cut won’t leave you stranded: every installation comes with a small back-up generator. ‘Once your car is underground, nobody will be able to break into it or vandalise it,’ says Cardok’s Patrick Martin. ‘It’s like a safe.’ But it’s not just for luxury cars, he insists. ‘If you don’t want to see a garage in your beautiful garden, this is the solution,’ Martin says. ‘Once it’s down, it’s invisible!’

Good as

new With Aston’s centenary year just a few months away and the demand for vintage models stronger than ever, Richard Yarrow visits Aston Martin Works to see how a 1965 DB5 can be made better than ever

oday Newport Pagnell is only Aston Martin’s spiritual home, but when I last visited the Buckinghamshire town it was the fully functioning hub of car assembly operations. That was 1998 and all I can remember of my factory tour was the traffic on busy Tickford Street – which bisected the site – stopping to let two green-overalled employees cross. They were pushing a chassis on a wheeled trolley from one department to another. It was a common occurrence. That was how Aston Martin used to make its cars. Things have changed radically. The current range is hand-built at a state-of-the-art factory at Gaydon in Warwickshire, but Tickford Street is doing far more than echoing to the ghosts of manufacturing past. This summer saw phase one completion of a multi-million pound redevelopment of the south side, with further work due to finish early next year.

The mayfair Magazine | Motoring

The jewel in the crown is a bright and airy new car showroom, stunning in glass and marble. It’s the first one that Aston Martin has opened without a dealer group partner since its famous Knightsbridge outlet. Initially in Sloane Street and then Cheval Place on the other side of Brompton Road, it closed in the early Nineties. The new Tickford Street retail facility is the visible frontispiece of a massive operation behind. The 3.6-acre south side was and still is home to Aston Martin Works (AMW), the company’s in-house service, repair and heritage division. More than 2,500 cars go through its doors every year, with 67 employees doing everything from MoTs to rebuilding crash-damaged body panels. AMW also has its place in motoring folklore because its designers and engineers created one-off cars for the world’s super-rich. It’s widely accepted that the Sultan of Brunei’s fascination with the brand, and his willingness to spend very large sums of money on bespoke models, kept the firm afloat in the last years of the 20th century. With Aston Martin now owned by Kuwaiti investors, those cash-strapped days are gone. Today AMW is the beating heart of the company’s restoration business and two cars currently in the workshop perfectly illustrate what it can do for enthusiastic owners. The first is a DB5 from 1965, which after a 14-month rebuild is looking immaculate. Carried out for a Japanese businessman, the dark blue coupé was on display at the recent Goodwood Revival festival and will be heading to the Far East very soon. If it represents the ‘after’ element of AMW’s expertise, the second car – a DB6 

‘It’s about the ownership experience and there’s a history attached to every model’ – Kingsley Riding-Felce, AMW

Motoring | The mayfair Magazine

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF ASTON MARTIN WORKS

 – is the ‘before’. Covered in rust, dust and grime, it’s a 1966 example with 33,000 miles on the clock. But it hasn’t turned a wheel in anger for 30 years and needs a complete overhaul. The bill will be close to £400,000. It was also on show at Goodwood and the promise from Kingsley Riding-Felce, AMW’s managing director, is that if a customer buys the car soon – and authorises the work – it will be back on display at next year’s event in pristine condition. ‘We’ve had several interested parties but no one has come forward yet,’ he says. Riding-Felce believes such ground-up restoration work is AMW at its best. ‘It’s taken us a lot of years to get to where we are and we’re constantly refining the process. It’s important to sit down with the customer right at the start and work out what they want; do they want the car returned to its original state, or do they want new elements like air-conditioning, sat-nav and uprated components? That’s a lesson we have learned over the years and we have those scars!’ Despite the global recession, business is booming. AMW is doing more restorations now than ever before and the workshop is littered with cars all from all over the world. ‘The financial situation has meant people are more inclined to invest money in an Aston Martin,’ says Riding-Felce. ‘Yes, it costs to look after a car but it does to have a portfolio, and it’s not just about the money, it’s about the ownership experience and there’s a history attached to every model. Restoring an Aston Martin is an

investment and once it’s done it’s a lovely car.’ Like many of the vehicles on the historic site, the south side is still a work-in-progress. The new model showroom and workshop are open for business and an all-new panel shop is nearing completion. The old one will be transformed into a 12-car heritage showroom, full of older pre-owned Aston Martins for sale. One example is already available, waiting patiently in a corner of the new car showroom for someone to love it. A V8 Virage Coupé from 1990, it has done just over 34,000 miles and could be yours for £27,950. Things are less settled on the north side of Tickford Street, where most of the Aston Martin factory was. The last car – a Vanquish – rolled out of the gates on 19 July 2007 ending almost 150 years of building vehicles – of one sort or another – on the site. The land was initially sold to a property developer but eventually ended up in the hands of Tesco. Sensing what was likely to follow, the local authority quickly arranged preservation orders on three of the original Aston Martin buildings. They include Sunnyside, the small house just a few metres back from the road which was Aston Martin’s world headquarters for many years. The result is a stalemate and the area is overgrown, its fate undecided. Across the carriageway at AMW, things are more settled. Riding-Felce, who has been part of the company for 36 years, said it’s the most exciting time of his involvement. ‘It’s wonderful to see the business going into a new era. For so many years people wondered what the next step would be. It’s great to be in this position because we can see the long-term future.’ With Aston Martin celebrating its muchawaited centenary next year, it’s fitting that its historic home in Newport Pagnell will be ready to play a key role.

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The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

My life in MAYFAIR H É L È N E D A R R O ZE Chef Cuisinière at THE CONNAUGHT

H ‘I live in Mayfair, the most beautiful area of London, and in St Germain, the most beautiful area of Paris.’ – Hélène Darroze

from top: HÉLÈNE DARROZE; the connaught; grey goose vodka COCKTAIL; PARIS; MOUNT STREET SIGN; THE GREY GOOSE BALL; the Large Single quilted leather shoulder bag by marc jacobs, £710 (www.NET-A-PORTER.com)

élène Darroze must be the hardest working woman in fine dining. Head chef – or Chef Cuisinière – at The Connaught, owner and head chef at her eponymous restaurant in Paris, two small children and this month, just as an aside, she will be providing the catering for 600 people at Elton John’s Grey Goose Winter Ball. ‘They asked me if I would like to design the menu for the gala dinner and of course I said yes straight away because I think that the charity is good – there was just no question.’ Darroze stepped into the shoes of Angela Hartnett, another rare woman in the male-dominated world. ‘I think we work with more instinct than the guys,’ she says. ‘It’s more sensitive and emotional.’ Her position technically puts her in competition with former tutor, Alain Ducasse. ‘Yes he is a competitor, but that’s not how I see him. He is more my mentor – I learned a lot from him,’ she says. A fourth-generation cook, Darroze also credits her talent to her family. ‘They gave me the culture, the education and the passion,’ she says. However, if anything she was discouraged to go into the family trade: ‘On the contrary, I think my parents were a little disappointed, my mother knew exactly how hard it is to work and have your family life.’ Darroze’s own family life is an incredible feat of planning – she and her two daughters – Charlotte, 5, and Quiterie, 3, spend every two weeks in Paris and the rest in Mayfair where Darroze has a place on Mount Street, a timetable that would test even the most organised of parents. Does she ever wonder what city she is in? ‘No, it works,’ she says simply. ‘I live in Mayfair, the most beautiful area of London, and in St Germain, the most beautiful area of Paris. I’m very lucky.’ The beauty of Mayfair prevents her from missing Paris. ‘It’s like a little village in London,’ she says. ‘What I really like about Mayfair is the confidentiality, it’s very quiet and discreet. ‘But sometimes there is this little twist from London, this little eccentricity, that you feel – especially in Mount Street.’ The influx of French labels also helps Darroze to feel at home. ‘To me, this street feels like a little France, because there are a lot of French designers and French boutiques. ‘I’m a fan of Marc Jacobs so they really know me and my girls very well – I always go in to say hello. And I love Lanvin also and Louboutin of course! ‘I had a connection with Roland Mouret straight away when I arrived and we usually go for coffee; he’s a very nice guy.’ And how did she feel about coming to an institution such as The Connaught – Mount Street’s proverbial centrepiece? ‘I arrived when it reopened after the refurbishment. We had to put the spirit in place,’ she says. Looking around at the busy, happy diners here, it seems she has succeeded. 45

The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

Couture

culture Wrap up warm and enjoy the best that winter has to offer – ice skating, new plays and enchanting art W O R D S : K AT E R A C O V O L I S

As our iPhones and Kindles often have us do away with printed books, Sleeping Beauty, an exhibition at The Gallery at Anthropologie this month reminds us of just how beautiful the printed page can be. Intricate paper sculptures by artist Su Blackwell transform traditional tomes into three-dimensional works of art. Blackwell has also co-written a new book, The Fairy Tale Princess, with author Wendy Jones, telling beautiful stories of princesses who live in idyllic paper kingdoms (£14.95, Thames & Hudson). If you feel like treating your inner princess, visit Bond Street jeweller Lucie Campbell to celebrate 50 years of fine jewellery with The Five Decades Collection, which includes vintage sautoir necklaces of the 1960s to the tennis bracelets of the 1980s. And as the cooler weather sets in for another winter, nourish your cultural craving and see Alan Bennett’s new play PEOPLE, led by a cast of leading ladies in British show business including Frances de la Tour, Selina Cadell and Linda Bassett (www. nationaltheatre.org.uk). In another tribute to Britain’s literati, Helena Bonham Carter stars in a new film adaptation of Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations. To start your holiday reading, revisit the classic novel with the vintage cloth-bound edition from Penguin (£14.99). If you’re in need of some outdoor revelry however, dash across town to Ice Rink Canary Wharf – an 800m2 ice rink featuring London’s first ever skate path (making it our favourite location to get involved in this fun winter sport). If you’re not a pro yet, book a skate lesson with one of their certified coaches (www.skatecanarywharf.co.uk).To complete your sensory journey, visit the new Floris boutique in Ebury Street, Belgravia. Have your own bespoke scent made at the nearly 300-year-old perfumery house, with rare essential oils and floral essences.

images (from top): French Platinum Diamond Deco Sautoir necklace, available from a selection at lucie campbell; a scene from alan bennett’s people at the national theatre, image by Katya de Grunwald; great expectations by charles dickens, penguin,£14.99; floris bespoke perfume from £195 (www.florislondon.com); Paper Sculptures © 2012 Su Blackwell Photographs by Tim Clinch (www.anthropologie.co.uk), the gallery, 139 King’s Road; left: tHE ICE RINK AT CANARY WHARF

The mayfair Magazine | Art

There is no question that we are a nation of dog lovers and artist Dede Gold exploits that view with her latest work. Her inspiration came from an unexpected source – the streets of Battersea – where she happened upon groups of appealing four-legged friends from Battersea Dogs Home being walked towards the park. She met others, too, within the park and what a great collection of characters she found to transform into paint! They range from pedigree dogs to mongrels, from the most elegant or fiercely confident types to the most unassuming and shy, and, of course, the little-and-large of the dog world. Like all good portrait painters, Dede Gold has conveyed not just their likenesses but their personalities too making for a thoroughly impressive show. Rogues Gallery, 21 – 22 November (www.dedegold.co.uk)

Art news

There is a thrilling variety in Mayfair’s art world this month, with Dutch sculptures, Qing porcelain and rich, vibrant paintings W o rds : C ar o l C o rdre y

Monumental body of work

right: middle world, 2011; far right: Connected Disconnected, 2009, both by Hanneke Beaumont

Dutch sculptor Hanneke Beaumont has spent 30 years creating monumental sculptures in terracotta, cast iron and bronze for public and private commissions, so it is cause for great excitement that she is now bringing her work to the Robert Bowman Modern gallery. A mixture of richly textured, abstract pieces and androgynous but commanding human figures will be installed; some will be gazing towards fellow sculpted figures whilst others will be gazing into space. The ambiguity of the age, sex and intent of each one and the relationships between the sculptures will leave viewers wondering who is looking at whom and why. Despite their silent, inanimate qualities, these sculptures have enormous power to stimulate debate about our own physical and emotional relationships, resulting in a truly captivating show of top-quality sculpture. Hanneke Beaumont, 8 November 2012 – 31 January 2013 (www.robertbowman.com)

Q&A with… The Eskenazi gallery about its exquisite Qing porcelain exhibition Q: What exactly is Qing porcelain? A: ‘Qing porcelain’ is a general term describing porcelain produced during China’s Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Those in the current exhibition were mostly produced between the mid-17th and late-18th centuries. All would have been made at the Imperial porcelain factory at Jingdezhen. Q: Can you tell us about the variety of pieces and whether they were designed to be practical? A: The versatility of the potters at the Imperial factory is seen in the exhibition’s wide variety of shapes, ranging from bowls and dishes to a teapot and a pair of ewers, also objects for a scholar’s desk. Many of the pieces were intended for dining and banquets in the Imperial household; some pieces were for display; a few might have had a ceremonial or ritual function. Q: Do you know of any Chinese Emperor connections to this porcelain? A: All the objects in the exhibition bear a specific reign mark. Each mark is the name of the emperor during whose reign the piece was produced. Many of the exhibition’s objects bear the mark of either the Yongzheng emperor (1723-1735) or that of his son, the Qianlong emperor (1736-1795), two of the great rulers of the last dynasty. Q: How rare are the exhibition’s pieces and were they specially commissioned? A: Most are extremely rare. For example, the chrysanthemum-shaped porcelain teapot and cover with a Yongzheng mark is extremely unusual and only two other examples with this glaze and mark are known; it would almost certainly have been specially commissioned by the Yongzheng emperor. Qing Porcelain from a Private Collection 1 – 23 November (www.eskenazi.co.uk)

Underglaze blue porcelain double gourd vase, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and of the period, 1736-1795; height: 29.5 cm; ESKENAZI LIMITED, Qing porcelain from a private collection, 1 to 23 November 2012

image: ‘Hamish’, it’s a dog’s life by dede gold

It’s a dog’s life

Exhibition Focus:

grid locked This November, Somerset House can boast the best view of London; 10x10 is a new exhibit which will display 100 snapshots of the West End by some of the UK’s leading artists, designers and architects w o rds : car o l c o rdre y

rchitects, designers and artists tend to occupy separate spheres, yet they unquestionably inspire each other’s work. How refreshing then, to see key figures from these groups cast aside their egos or barriers and grasp their pencils and paints to bring us a great-selling exhibition in support of a very worthwhile charity. Visiting this exhibition will bring you an

exceptional amount of pleasure so I cannot recommend it too highly. Firstly, it will let you get up-close-and-personal with 100 works by luminaries that include Jake and Dinos Chapman and Ben Johnson from the Fine Art side, Lord Foster and Dame Zaha Hadid (of recent London 2012 Aquatics Centre fame) from the architectural side, as well as Sir Paul Smith and Sir Terence Conran from the world of design. Secondly, no matter how tentative you feel about buying art, you can do so through the silent auction that will run throughout the exhibition or at the live auction conducted by Sotheby’s. Thirdly, just by attending this free exhibition or as a result of buying any of the artworks, you will display your support for the registered, international development and disaster relief charity, Article 25.

ABOVE: Ben Johnson’S CONTRIBUTION; LEFT: A Close up of Roger FitzGerald’s finished piece

The mayfair Magazine | Art

RIGHT: A PIECE BY Tim Ronalds; BELOW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Roger FitzGerald, Greg Penoyre, Narinder Sagoo, SIR TERENCE CONRAN

It takes its unusual name from the 25th Article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that adequate shelter and housing are fundamental to our human rights. It is run by a team of specialists, plus volunteers, who design and construct buildings, provide schools, homes, health facilities and childcare centres wherever there is a disaster, poverty or need. Since its inception six years ago, Article 25 has undertaken 50 projects in 23 countries to provide shelter and education to an estimated 15,000 people. Most importantly, the construction processes engage local labour and materials which, in turn, help to make donated funds go further and encourage self-help. The artworks you will see and be tempted to buy, have emerged from an innovative way of inspiring varied portraits of London. This year’s event has focused on the West End, so a grid of 10x10 format was laid over that area of the capital to produce 100 squares, one of which was allocated to each artist, architect or designer to draw or paint. All the resulting artworks will be displayed at Somerset House with 75 of them being offered for sale in the exhibition’s silent auction and the remaining 25 being auctioned by Sotheby’s the day after the exhibition. All the proceeds will go to Article 25. Internationally acclaimed architect David Adjaye has participated in the previous two exhibitions and he has heaped praise on its ambitions, ‘The 10x10 initiative has provided a fascinating and diverse lens through which to see London… it is a series of portraits of the city – secret views and private interpretations of the past, present

and future of our ever-changing capital. ‘As a project to raise funds for providing shelter for people affected by natural disasters, it also has a powerful global resonance that unites London with other capitals across the world’. It’s an exhibition that brings an opportunity to buy the best of art for all the best reasons. ‘10x10 Drawing the City London Exhibition’ runs from 1 – 13 November, Somerset House Auction: November 14 by Sotheby’s at Somerset House (www.10x10london.com)

In the genes Meet the Frosts – three generations of painters with three very different styles w o rds : R ebecca W allersteiner

ven if you have never met the Frosts, you can feel their warm personalities radiating from their paintings. Reg Singh and his wife, Patricia, who run The Beaux Arts London gallery in Mayfair represent Sir Terry Frost, his son, Anthony and grandson Luke – and will be launching new work by Anthony Frost at the beginning of next year. Though the pictures of all three Frosts glow with vitality and bright colour – their work is actually very different. Anthony Frost, immediately recognisable by his bushy eyebrows, rugged features and paint-stained fingers, towers over everyone with a friendly smile. ‘My father’s work was more influenced by nature and less abstract than my own work, or Luke’s,’ says Anthony. ‘Ever a romantic, Terry felt inspired by the beauty of the sun, the moon and the stars and these appear again and again in his work. I like to experiment with textures and create collages from different materials like fishing nets, wood and string bags,’ he says. Luke, however, rebelled.

‘Unsurprisingly, Luke reacted against both of us and his paintings are more minimalist. He plots his work carefully using masking tape, while I work more spontaneously, wildly splashing paint onto my canvas. It is great that Luke and I not only work in the same studio complex in Cornwall, but are also good friends and it helps that our personalities are so different. I am outgoing, like Dad, but Luke is quietly self-contained and this is reflected in his pictures – much cooler than my own. ‘Although we both often travel up to Mayfair to the gallery, our roots are firmly in Penzance, where we are part of a flourishing art community. My new paintings are inspired by my passion for music, which I like to listen to when painting. My next exhibition will be titled ‘Sun-Zoom-Spark’ – paying tribute to a musician friend of mine who sadly died recently. Although my new pictures have a landscape feel, they are abstract and my aim is to reproduce the visual equivalent of aural sensation,’ he says. The Singhs acted as Terry’s dealers for many years and now look after his Estate. ‘Everyone liked Terry as he was generous and exuded

ABOVE (from left) Terry, Anthony and luke fROST; LEFT: A PAINTING BY LUKE FROST

‘ Art comes from the eye, – T erry Frost 52

The mayfair Magazine | Art

above: paintings by (from left) anthony and SIR terry frost

joie de vivre – just like his paintings. His sheer exuberance was very infectious; Terry could be bowled over by a sunset, eclipse, the sky or reflections of the sea,’ says Singh. He enjoyed international acclaim from the 1980s, when his works were bought by The Tate Gallery, other museums and international private collectors. Terry had a fresh, childlike way of looking at things – as if he was seeing them for the first time. ‘Art comes from the eye, the heart and the spirit,’ he once explained. ‘Walk observing the colours and shapes of objects around you,’ he advised. In Cornwall he felt inspired by unusually shaped pebbles picked up on the beach, or watching waves breaking on the shore and sailing boats bobbing in the harbour. And all these reappear in abstract form in his paintings. But despite his irrepressible, sunny personality, life hadn’t always run smoothly for Terry, who spent four years as a prisoner-of-war during World War Two – in the notorious Stalag 383 camp in Bavaria. But he made the best of his misfortune. ‘During my four years in prison I drew portraits for fags and extra rations. This gave me a lot of practice and helped me to escape from the grim reality of the camp into my imagination. Deprivation heightened my sense of the importance of simple things in life – like

the colours of plants, the stars and sky.’ Although he had a no-nonsense, earthy approach, Terry was a romantic and feeling was important to his painting. Upon his release from prison Terry married Kathleen Clarke in 1945, and their long, happy marriage produced five sons and one daughter. Luke, the youngest artist in the Frost family to be represented by the Beaux Arts also likes intense colour and his paintings have a rather 1960s feel – that are reminiscent of Bridget Riley’s work – although she is known for stripes, rather than blocks of colour. ‘Luke Frost’s quiet personality is reflected in his pictures and they are unlike those of his extrovert father and grandfather. His paintings made up of blocks of cool colour, have taken simplicity to an extreme,’ says Singh. ‘Sir Terry Frost’s favourite motto was “Life is like a bowl of cherries”,’ he says. Well it wasn’t always that easy for him, but he overcame his problems with courage and imagination. And it is wonderful to think that currently another two generations of Frost artists are continuing his traditions – and exhibiting their paintings right here in Mayfair. The Beaux Arts London Gallery, 22 Cork Street, W1S 3NA (020 7437 5799; www.beauxartslondon.co.uk)

the heart an d the s pirit’ 53

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The mayfair Magazine | Art

BONHAMS | PRIZE LOT The Dolly Sisters Particulars: Expected Value (item): £150,000 - £200,000 Expected Value (auction): £600,000 – £800,000 Estimated Range: £700 - £200,000 No. of Lots: 120 Place: Bonhams, Knightsbridge Date: 14 November, 11.00am

he famed Romanian artist Demetre Chiparus who created this sculpture was heavily influenced by music throughout his career and that of the Dolly Sisters who were well-known music hall performers in the 1920s and 1930s. The girls would have worked at the Follies Bergere, the Moulin Rouge and the Alcazar, each hosting sumptuous Hollywood-style productions featuring flashy costumes and dancing which Chiparus loved to visit. The sisters’ story reads like a morality tale, fantastic fame and fortune, celebrity, gilded lovers and wild exoticism – and like so many moving stories - ended in sadness, tragedy and for one an early death. Born in Budapest and brought to America, aged 12, in 1905 by their immigrant parents the sisters, ‘Rosie’ Roszika and ‘Jenny’ Janszieka Schwartz, were already passionate about dance. Within two years, they were on the Vaudeville stage – where their looks as well as their dancing captivated wide-eyed audiences – before proceeding on to Broadway. They were beautiful women with dark skin, shoulder-length hair and dark gypsy eyes. And even though the ‘Dollies’ were iconic ladies of the stage, they kept an element of mystery about themselves throughout their life, keeping their romances private. But they broke hearts, and bank balances, too. Gordon Selfridge, the American-born founder of Oxford Street’s grand department store, at the age of 69, fell so hopelessly for the 33-year-old Jenny and is said to have squandered a large part of his fortune on her. Chiparus produced over 130 different bronze and ivory figurines but the Dolly Sisters is regarded as one of his most successful pieces in capturing the spirit of Art Deco in all its glamour and beauty. (www.bonhams.com) Image: Courtesy of Bonhams

Art | The mayfair Magazine

christie’s | PRIZE LOT Portrait of Mademoiselle Podbelskaya

icolai Fechin was a versatile Russian artist, but was first and foremost an outstanding master of portraiture. As a result of his forced emigration in 1923, Fechin’s legacy continues its lasting contribution to the art history of both Russia and later America, where he painted many significant works. Fechin’s ‘Russian period’, and in particular the ‘Kazan period’ (19101923) which followed the artist’s return to his native town to teach at the Kazan Art School, are rightfully considered to be the most significant of the artist’s career. The freedom and fluidity of his brushstrokes highlight the beauty and spontaneity of his portraits. Natalia Alexandrovna Podbelskaya (a student of the Kazan Art School, circa 1910-1916) was a sitter for four of Fechin’s paintings. The artist completed two plein-air studies of her, published in the collections of the Bashkir Art Museum named after M. V. Nesterov and the State Russian Museum in St Petersburg, and a 1912 portrait called Lady in Pink, widely considered a masterpiece at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle, Washington in the United States. Portrait of Mademoiselle Podbelskaya (measuring 80.7cm by 77.5cm) brilliantly exemplifies all the signature features of Fechin’s body of work which employed a wide range of techniques by combining smooth painting with rapid brush strokes and heavy impasto. Until recently, its existence was only known Particulars: from publications of the 1920-1930s and Expected Value (item): the artist’s own archive, rendering this £800,000 – £1,200,000 masterly museum-quality oil-on-canvas Expected Value (auction): portrait an exciting rediscovery. £10 million (www.christies.com) Estimated Range: £1,000 – £1,000,000 No. of Lots: 250+ Place: Christie’s, King Street Image: Christie’s Images Ltd

Date: 26 November 2012

New Zinc showroom now open 1 Chelsea Wharf, 15 Lots Road, London SW10 0QJ

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09/03/2012 16:51

The mayfair Magazine | Art

SOTHEBY’S | PRIZE LOT A small Joseph Knibb silver-mounted ebony Roman striking table clock

Particulars: Expected Value (item): £600,000 - £900,000 Expected Value (auction): £3.8 million - £5.8 million Estimated Range: £200 - £300 to £600,000 - £900,000 No. of Lots: 137 Place: Sotheby’s, New Bond Street Date: 6 November 2012

F Image: © Sotheby’s

rom very humble beginnings, George Daniels was fascinated by the movement of a broken pocket watch and resolved to learn how to fix it. He established himself in South London as a trade watch repairer, developing a system that enabled him to mend and return watches faster than others. By 1960 he had become renowned for the quality of his repair work and ability to work on watches of great complexity. He made his first and only marine chronometer which was to be followed, over the next forty years by approximately 30 hand-made watches. He was the only watchmaker ever to have received a CBE and MBE for his services to horology and was the inventor of the Daniels

revolutionary ‘Co-Axial’ escapement, developed during the 1970s, designed to run unaffected by the deterioration of its lubricant. This personal collection for sale comprises of clocks and watches that he made and retained for his own pleasure and fine and rare examples by some of the most famous makers of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Many of these special pieces have been unseen in public for many years. This intricate Roman striking table clock in silver-mounted ebony is a creation by the iconic English watchmaker Joseph Knibb from Daniels’ personal collection, dated 1677. All proceeds from the sale of the collection will go to help the George Daniels Educational Trust. (www.sothebys.com) 59

IMPERIALE COLLECTION IMPERIALE COLLECTION

2011/1261 - The Times Luxx - 132BU - 270 x 350 mm - UK 2011/1261 - The Times Luxx - 132BU - 270 x 350 mm - UK

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ith 369 lots presented on the day, an impressive 320 of these were sold at a grand total of $49,993,175 (£30,995,769). Collectors at Christie’s this 16 October witnessing the diamond and pearl sale marvelled at flawless gems, including the 68.35ct fancy oval-cut intense yellow diamond and the 50.52ct pear-shaped D-colour diamond pendant necklace. Although quality and rarity were given immense importance, Christie’s also collated jewellery pieces which reflected current trends as well as established names in contemporary design. Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewellery for Christie’s America and Switzerland, explains: ‘Our team of jewellery specialists has spent the summer months gathering the finest gems to match current collecting tastes, including top-quality diamonds, natural pearls, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, rare vintage jewels and highly coveted, contemporary creations from the best designers.’ The auctioned Van Cleef & Arpels ‘honeycomb’ motif ruby and diamond bracelet is innovative in design with hexagonal stones creating a brilliant contrast with the bracelet’s curve. The display of natural pearls was as equally dazzling at the auction, with the sale of the natural pearl necklace, comprising two strands of 61 and 59 natural pearls with a 3ct D-colour diamond clasp signed by Cartier. Estimated at $3.5 million, it eventually sold for $3,666,500 (£2,273,230). (www.christies.com)

A rare find:

Diamonds and pearls The first sale of the season at Christie’s New York certainly didn’t disappoint, as the auction house put together an assortment of diamonds and pearls which were arguably among the best to come up for sale in the last five years Image courtesy of christie’s

W O R D S : o livia sharpe 61

THE ART OF SWISS WATCH MAKING MAJOR SWISS WATCH BRANDS THAT ARE NEW BUT NO LONGER IN CURRENT COLLECTIONS SOLD WITH AN INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEE

ALAIN SILBERSTEIN AUDEMARS PIGUET BLANCPAIN CARLO FERRARA DE GRISOGONO FRANCK MULLER HUBLOT PIERRE KUNZ PIERRE DE ROCHE

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Watch news For treasured timepieces, horological heirlooms and modern masterpieces, watch this space... WORDS: RICHARD BROWN

Exquisite artisanship Three years ago, A. Lange & Söhne presented the Lange Zeitwerk, the first mechanical watch to feature a constant-force escapement. Inspired by the success of the timepiece, which has been the winner of multiple industry awards, the company last month unveiled a special edition Handwerkskunst Lange Zeitwerk. Featuring a lever and escape wheel made of hardened 18-karat gold, and decorated with elaborate tremblage engraving, the 30 limited edition watches cast a traditional glance at A. Lange & Söhne’s most advanced creation. (www.alange-soehne.com)

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

‘While possessing the characteristic Luminor features, this aged-looking watch has a new, rounded case and cusp-shaped caseband: as apt in the bar as it is in the boardroom’ 372, £6,300 (RRP), Panerai Available at Harrods, Selfridges and Watches of Switzerland

Going Global Anyone sceptical of the flourishing state of the mechanical watch industry need only look to IWC for proof of the industry’s recession-proof nature. Within the last three months alone, the company has opened boutiques everywhere from Paris to New York and from Miami to the Middle East. Of the IWC watches released this year, the Portofino Chronograph Edition Laureus Sport for Good Foundation remains our favourite. (www.iwc.com)

Montblanc Online The company may have 450 boutiques around the world but you no longer have to visit one to purchase one of its products. Having recently launched its UK online shop, Montblanc’s historic chronographs and iconic writing instruments are just a click away – dangerous perhaps for lovers of the company’s Meisterstück pens and Rieussec timepieces. The online ‘shop’ comes complete with bespoke services, complimentary engraving, gift wrapping and a last minute shopping section. (www.montblanc.com/shop) 63

Collection | The mayfair Magazine

For him

Outdoor embrace

Pit yourself against nature’s elements with high-performance precision accessories

#9 #10

#11

#1 Swarovski CL Companion binoculars 10 x 30, £830, Swarovski Optik (www.swarovskioptik.com) #2 GW4000-1A, £215, Casio G-Shock (www.gshock.com) #3 Ribbed cashmere-blend socks, £65, J. Crew (www.mrporter.com) #4 C11 Makaira Pro 500, £499, Christopher Ward (www.christopherward.co.uk) #5 Steamer trolley case, £545, Paul Smith (www.paulsmith.co.uk) #6 Movember leather bracelet, £65, Links of London (www.linksoflondon.com) #7 Movember cufflinks, £125, Links of London (as before) #8 X-Mach Chronograph, from a selection, Hamilton (www.hamiltonwatch.com) #9 Nubuck Leather Backpack, £1,095, Pierre Hardy (www.mrporter.com) #10 Murdoch square-frame acetate sunglasses, £175, Illesteva (www.mrporter.com) #11 Cotton-canvas belt, £65, Jean Shop (www.mrporter.com) 64

Swiss movement, English heart

Swiss made / ETA 2671-2 self winding automatic / 38 hour power reserve / 36 x 25.4mm / Hand-finished 316L stainless steel case / 36 Top Wesselton VVS1 diamonds / Crown with blue cabouchon stone / Transparent case back / Galvanic guillochĂŠ sun-ray dial / Alligator deployment strap

ChristopherWard_Mayfair.indd 1

02/10/2012 15:58

Romancing

the stone

As Hollywood prepares for the most highly-anticipated film of 2013, Baz Luhrmannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Great Gatsby featuring Tiffany & Co., Olivia Sharpe examines the role of fine jewellery in cinema history

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left: Keira Knightley wearing Chanel Fine Jewellery in Anna Karenina (2012) © Focus Features © 2012 Universal Pictures International All Rights Reserved; right: Cartier’s marquiscut engagement ‘Daisy’ ring, as worn by Mia Farrow in The Great Gatsby

hroughout film history, costume has always been considered a vital component in character building and storytelling. Following the arrival of Hollywood, production companies started to create visionary masterpieces through their actors’ apparel, igniting worldwide fashion trends and influencing global culture – so much so that the Victoria & Albert Museum recently gathered together some of the most iconic costumes from more than 100 years of cinematic history in a groundbreaking exhibition. But what of jewellery? Although playing a small role in the grand scheme of costume design, jewellery has always performed a substantial part in character development and ‘setting the scene’, as well as being pivotal in the creation of lasting icons. In 1938, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, director George Cukor contacted jewellery designer to the stars Paul Flato to ask him to design the jewels for his upcoming movie Holiday. Starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, the romantic comedy tells the story of a man who has risen from lowly beginnings, only to be torn between his free-thinking lifestyle and the conventions of his fiancé’s family. The character of Linda (Hepburn) is loosely based on American socialite Gertrude Sanford Legendre who, during her lifetime, doubled up as a WWII spy, explorer, big-game hunter and environmentalist. It was necessary to portray the character’s inward independence and individuality but also her outward persona as a member of an elite American family. This was illustrated not just through the storyline but through the use of jewellery; the Flato diamond necklace and matching brooch worn by Hepburn in the scene where she sings Camptown Races portrays the character’s wealth but at the same time underlines her free-spirited nature through its flamboyant design. During the years 1939-1942, Flato’s pieces would be credited in no less than six Hollywood films until the last movie featuring his jewellery in 1942, The Lady Is Willing with Marlene Dietrich. Flato’s name was subsequently

in more movie credits than any other jeweller of his time. Another of Flato’s contemporaries to be making a dramatic impact on the cinematic scene was Harry Winston. The American jeweller and watchmaker first opened his doors in 1932 and began a rapid process of transformation, revolutionising modern jewellery design and nurturing the most famous jewels in the world. It is therefore unsurprising that, for more than six decades, Winston diamonds have been an integral part of Hollywood’s glamorous history. Renowned for being the first jeweller to loan diamonds to a

‘Cartier’s first recorded appearance was in The Son of the Sheik: the Tank watch shines on the wrist of Rudolph Valentino’ celebrity on the red carpet (to 1944 Academy Award winner, Jennifer Jones), he was (and remains) the jeweller of choice when it comes to the silver screen. In the classic picture Gentleman Prefer Blondes, Winston was immortalised on the silver screen by starlet Marilyn Monroe as she whispered the words, ‘Talk to me, Harry Winston, tell me all about it’, in the song Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. His cinematic jewels have since also starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious (1946) and Mike Nichol’s The Graduate (1967). In the 2002 romantic comedy Maid in Manhattan, the Harry Winston signature wreath design adorns the neck of Jennifer Lopez. Although only a brief cameo appearance, the necklace symbolises one of the film’s main themes: appearance versus reality. Marisa’s (Lopez) outward façade as a rich, successful woman is juxtaposed with her true persona as a maid and it eventually takes her counterpart, Caroline Lane (Natasha Richardson) to

above: Love Knot pierced earrings £165, available from swarovski.com; below: aquamarine, sapphire & diamond starburst brooch by Verdura Lucas rarities

expose her true identity after recognising the wreath’s origin. In How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), the character Andie wears a similar diamond wreath necklace, this time with an attached 84-carat yellow diamond pendant (the ‘Isadora’) and a pair of 5-carat radiant-cut yellow diamond stud earrings. The matching dress was designed around the yellow diamond pendant and we see how jewellery once again plays a significant part in the plot as it is the necklace that leads to the exposure of the wearer’s true identity. This, and the estimated $14,200,000 worth of jewels reportedly lent to the film, indicates the importance that had been placed on jewellery, and not costume design, by the film production company. Matching Winston in both prestige and notoriety, legendary French jeweller Cartier was no stranger to the big screen (its name likewise hummed by Monroe in Gentleman Prefer Blondes). Cartier’s first recorded appearance was in the 1926 silent film The Son of the Sheik in which the Tank watch shines on the wrist of Rudolph Valentino. As the timepiece mismatched the Bedouin costumes in both style and era, it can only be presumed that it was owned by the actor himself. Fortunately, silent films at the time paid no heed to historical accuracy and it is thus indicative of Cartier’s public persona and influence that the watch was given such distinction; the jeweller provided a guarantee as well as artistic support. This was shown notably during the filming of Jack Clayton’s The Great Gatsby, when the newspapers had somehow got hold of the fantastic sums the producers had spent on Cartier jewellery for the film: ‘The 58 gems worn by Mia Farrow and Lois Chiles aren’t fakes but absolutely genuine. And signed Cartier, no less! They are rumoured to have cost the trifling sum of five million francs (in old money, of course)’. Like his competitors, Cartier understood Hollywood’s

influence over the public consciousness. For Clayton’s latest feature, it was essential to bring across the excess, wealth and superficiality characteristic of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s American Dream classic. The marquis-cut engagement ring created by Cartier and worn by Daisy (Mia Farrow) reproduces the glamour and freespirited 1920s. It also serves as a constant reminder that Daisy is no longer the single woman Gatsby once knew and loved, and he is therefore tragically holding on to a false ideal. Following the film’s release, the ring became as iconic as the actors themselves, inspiring many women thenceforth to walk into Cartier and exclaim, ‘I want the Daisy ring’. As well as on-screen, actresses off-screen provided jewellery brands with a powerful source of publicity, caught on camera at red carpet events wearing their preferred designers. For Cartier, one of these actresses was Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who famously attended the Scorpio Ball in Monte Carlo wearing a Cartier necklace featuring a diamond which has henceforth gone down in history under the name of the Burton-Taylor diamond. Similarly, Bulgari would find the same influential endorsement in the Hollywood actress following the release of the motion picture, Cleopatra. It was during filming in 1962 that the actress first discovered Bulgari; she is quoted in her book, My Love Affair with Jewellery: ‘Undeniably, one of the biggest advantages to working on Cleopatra in Rome was Bulgari’s... shop.’ From then on, the actress was pictured on numerous occasions sporting Bulgari jewels; for example the emerald parure necklace which she wore to meet HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1965. Following her death, the necklace sold for an impressive $6,130,500. Contemporary Hollywood continues to use notable jewellery designers and brands for its costume design and character development as well as for its promotion. In the latest film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel, Anna Karenina, directed by Joe Wright, it stars British actors Keira Knightley and Jude Law as

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well as Chanel Fine Jewellery, used to convey the extravagance, luxuriousness and wealth of 19th century Russian society. Close up camera shots of Knightley staring at herself in mirrors wearing the sensational three-strand diamond Camelia Poudre necklace, or the opulent Pearl Sautoir necklace with matching earrings, also serves to depict the vanity and superficiality of the heroine. Although the jewellery used is not historically accurate, the anachronism was purposefully done by the director in order to ‘set the character (Anna Karenina) apart from her entourage’, making her the audience’s focal point. This was by no means the French Joaillerie’s first film debut, having been well-received in Gosford Park, Vanity Fair and Atonement. This October sees the release of the latest James Bond instalment, Skyfall, and it was no doubt more than coincidental that an established British jeweller, Stephen Webster, was chosen to design the pieces for the latest 007 spy epic in collaboration with Swarovski. The designer states: ‘Without question, collaborating with Swarovski on the jewellery for Skyfall has been exciting from the word go. The themes in the film seem to fit perfectly with the design aesthetic of the Stephen jewellery I create and the many creative meetings at Pinewood Studios between Swarovski, ourselves and the Bond team have only added to our enthusiasm for the project. We can’t wait to see the jewels, shaken not stirred within the movie.’ On screen, it fell to French actress, Berenice Marlohe, who plays the character of Severine, to create the all-important link to the fascinating and mysterious world of Bond as interpreted by the designer in his charismatic and edgy designs. In 2013, the releases of Baz Luhrmann’s remake of The Great Gatsby (jewellery by Tiffany & Co.) and Oliver Hirschbiegel’s Diana (jewels courtesy of Chopard) are sure to set Hollywood ablaze.

Thus in film, jewellery has always played its own role. We may consider Vivien Leigh’s opening dress in Gone With the Wind as one of the film’s most memorable images or Keira Knightley’s provocative emerald green dress in Atonement truly iconic, but, in the same vein, we cannot think of Breakfast at Tiffany’s without remembering Audrey Hepburn’s diamond tiara and stunning string of pearls, offsetting her fabulous Givenchy black dress. It is the jewellery that balances the costume and, without it, something essential would be missing (in some cases, the plot). In this way, the film industry has looked to the likes of Tiffany & Co. and other gifted jewellery

‘Collaborating with Swarovski on the jewellery for Skyfall has been exciting from the word go’ – Webster, jewellery designer

right from top: Rome, 1962. Elizabeth Taylor on the set of Cleopatra at Cinecittà Studio, wearing a Bulgari ‘snake’ bracelet-watch in gold with diamonds and two emeralds. Circa 1961 Image courtesy of La Presse; Naomi Watts in Diana, wearing Chopard

designers to inspire them and their audiences throughout Hollywood history. ‘What I’ve found does the most good,’ said Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, ‘is just to get into a taxi and go to Tiffany’s. It calms me down right away, the quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there.’

Floris is delighted to announce the opening of a new Bespoke Perfumery Boutique at 147 Ebury Street, Belgravia, 282 years since Mr and Mrs Floris opened the doors to their first Perfumery at 89 Jermyn Street.

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Jewellery news Jewels, gems, pearls and diamonds; the essential components of any lady’s jewellery collection WORDS: OLIVIA SHARPE

Mighty Aphrodite Susan Caplan was responsible for providing an added wow factor at Issa London’s S/S 13 London Fashion Week show with her well-chosen selection of timeless and luxurious vintage jewellery. Daniella Helayel’s exotic prints, hot colours and billowing fabrics were complemented by Grecian-inspired, chunky, gold embellishments and touches of turquoise. Caplan commented: ‘Issa approached me to help its looks come to life. The designs this season had a beautifully glamorous ‘goddess’ feel so we looked to Elizabeth Taylor holidaying in the early 70s for inspiration. It was soon easy to find the right pieces and once we did, they really completed the look. Issa designs are timeless and worn by all types of women. These values are ones that I also try to uphold at Susan Caplan Vintage Collection so it felt like a great fit.’ ‘We (www.susancaplan.co.uk)

CUTTING EDGE

looked to Elizabeth Taylor holidaying in the early 70s for inspiration’

Man of the moment Stephen Webster has struck (white) gold once again with his latest fine jewellery collection, quirkily entitled Forget Me Knot

‘Forget Me Knot embodies the spirit of dangerous beauty that is ubiquitous with Stephen Webster designs. It has been created with the alluring perception of danger in mind, punctuated by ﬁne barbed diamonds and reﬁned cascades of diamond razor ribbons’

out of africa Its unusual name, a reworking of the French word bijou, typifies the one-of-a-kind pieces which Joubi creates; from gold lacquer cat-ear rings to red carpet classics, the collection caters for all. Joubi’s first collection was inspired by Creative Director Joanna Bourne’s travels to Africa and Asia, where she was drawn to the vibrant colour, form and geometric patterns of the exotic plants and animals. Joanna comments: ‘There is no end to the variations you can derive from animals: from their fabulous colourings and markings to the way that they move and take different forms.’ (www.joubi.co.uk)

Around the World Cartier certainly caused breaths to be drawn at this year’s Biennale des Antiquaires with its newly-launched Dépaysement collection. The 150 awe-inspiring jewels making up the globe-spanning collection have been interpreted into different landscapes: Temporal, Luxiariant, Solar, Boreal and Urban. Although slightly more diverse than previous years, it was still unmistakably Cartier, with the muchloved panther showing its face in the form of a stunning sapphire and diamond ring and a striking colour palette of emeralds, sapphires and briolette aquamarines. (www.cartier.com)

Large bow ring set in 18-carat white gold with white diamonds and blue sapphires, £9,300; Bow beaded bracelet set in 18-carat white gold with white and black diamonds and black pearls, £14,750

Both from the Forget Me Knot Collection by Stephen Webster (www.stephenwebster.com) 71

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Silver vaults the London

the home of silver shopping

Seasonal Sparkle Buy Use Collect Treasure

Christmas gift ideas From October through December Fine silver tableware & collectorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; items Vintage jewellery & watches www.thesilvervaults.com

www.thesilvervaults.com

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For her

Dangerous #8

Opulent, romantic and ornate, accessorise the A/W 12 Baroque trend with tiara-style headbands, chokers, pendants and chandelier earrings featuring gold, pearls, diamanté and crystals #1 Splashout painted Swarovski crystal earrings, £290, Tom Binns (www.net-a-porter.com) #2 Floral choker, £479, Salvatore Ferragamo (www.ferragamo.com) #3 Demeter braided 18-karat gold-plated ring, £110, Aurélie Bidermann (www.aureliebidermann.com) #4 Secrecy faux pearl and crystal ring, £315, Yves Saint Laurent (www.ysl.co.uk) #5 Swarovski crystal and faux pearl-embellished hair slide, £465, Dolce & Gabbana (www.net-a-porter.com) #6 Gold-plated glass pearl necklace, £1,410, Dolce & Gabbana (www.dolcegabbana.com) #7 Black jade and galuchat bracelet, from a selection, Bina Goenka (www.binagoenka.com) #8 Filigree gold-plated earrings with Swarovski crystals, resin and glass pearls, £805, Dolce & Gabbana (as before) 73

Destination

L u

For the Best of British Shopping this Christmas The Burlington Arcade has been a true luxury landmark in London since 1819. Housing more than 40 specialist shops, shoppers will find rare gemstones, vintage watches and the finest leather and cashmere accessories. Discreetly located between Bond Street and Piccadilly, the Arcade has long been favoured by royalty, celebrities and the cream of British society. For a gift that will be remembered, there is no better place to go this year.

The suave

englishgentleman

Penfriend

Men with everything can be hard to buy for, but with a range of unique and bespoke items, there is bound to be something special here for everyone, from the finest Cashmere scarfs to hand-covered Pickett flasks. The Penfriend Burlington pen makes a statement, while other great stores for inspiration include The Vintage Watch Company, David Duggan, Harrys of London, Church’s, Daniel Bexfield Antiques, and Somlo Antiques (OMEGA), offering presents with a past.

Pickett

Put his best foot forward with Harrys of London, Crockett & Jones, Church’s and Jimmy Choo - some of London’s finest shoemakers for uncompromising quality and fit. This vast array of luxury and bespoke styles makes it the largest selection of men’s footwear in central London Heming David Duggan

Berk

womenwithstyle

FOR

Nothing says you love her more than a diamond necklace or a pair of show-stopping vintage earrings. Peruse the cabinets of Hancocks, Susannah Lovis, Johnson Walker, Nourbel & Le Cavelier, Richard Ogden for jewellery with a story to tell, and for dazzling contemporary pieces that will start stories of their own visit Theo Fennell, Heming, Hirsh, Tessier, Wright & Teague, Matthew Foster, Michael Rose and Milleperle. A

Did you know…? The white rose of York and red rose of Lancaster were united in 1485 by Henry VII into the Tudor Rose. This enduring English symbol can be seen on the gates and arches of the Burlington Arcade and on these eyecatching Richard Ogden cufflinks. Richard Ogden

smart handbag from Pickett, eye-catching pink Thomas Lyte iPad cover, classic vanity case from Globe Trotter or

Sermoneta

the softest cashmere from N.Peal, Berk and House of

Hirsh

Theo &Fennell Wright Teague

Cashmere could make the perfect accompaniment.

Globe-Trotter

Pickett

Thomas Lyte

ing StoCk

N.Peal

filler

Set for ChriStmaS

Ladurée

Festive fancies

For a glamorous start to Christmas Day, look no further than the unusual gifts housed in the Burlington Arcade. The quirky and witty designs of Lulu Guinness are sure to make

Crockett and Jones

it a stocking to impress, while Luponde Tea and Ladurée provide the ingredients for a delicious, festive high tea. Vilebrequin

Thomas Lyte cookie cutters will be a hit with children, and for tree decorations try LINLEY. For a cashmere scarf or knitwear the arcade has an exquisite range that would complement a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes or Sermoneta Gloves – perfect for winter weather.

LINLEY Lulu Guiness Luponde Tea Theo Fennell

Thomas Lyte

Penhaligon’s

For more information and to find out our extended Christmas opening hours visit www.burlington-arcade.co.uk

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

Alpaca coat, £814, stretch gabardine dress, £305, both Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti (www.albertaferretti.com). Pearl earrings, £177, Coleman Douglas (020 7373 3369). Sandals, from a selection, Aigner (www.aignermunich.com)

Night

vision

As winter takes hold, seize the chance to enjoy the long nights with chic tailoring and Mayfair’s finest new nightclub, 2&8 at Morton’s – decadence and glamour await S T Y L I S T: elaine deed P H O T OG R A P H S : darren pa u l

Fashion | The mayfair Magazine

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

ABOVE Embroidered leather jacket, £5,990, shirt, £985; tartan trousers; £1,290; shoes, £950, all Ralph Lauren Collection (www.ralphlauren.com)

LEFT Jacket, £129; skirt, £139; leather boots, £150, all Ted Baker (www.tedbaker.com). Angora trilby, £55, James Lakeland (www.jameslakeland.net)

ABOVE Wool coat, £2,995; tunic, £385, tights, £130, Issey Miyake (www.isseymiyake.com). Earrings, £490, Erickson Beamon for Maria Grachvogel (020 7259 0202)

right Metallic dress, £4,610 Hervé Léger (www.herveleger.com). Ring, £2,950, Joubi (www.joubi.co.uk). Shoes, £100, Ted Baker (as before)

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

advert

Hair: Ivana Juric at Orao Hair Studio Make-up: Rosie Kor using Chanel A/W 2012 and Rouge Allure 2012 Model: Caroline Ranicar at Bookings Models Location: Shot on location at Morton's in Mayfair, in the newly opened 2&8 Club, a decadent and intimate late night venue. The Art Deco-inspired space is open Tuesday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday from 10pm and boasts a series of stunning iconic and original photographs by Norman Parkinson. Morton's, 28 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6EN 020 7499 0363 (www.mortonsclub.com)

A very

Valentino

life

After almost five decades of dressing the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elite, from Jackie Kennedy to Elizabeth Taylor, Valentinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life is as glamorous as his iconic red dresses. This month, as Somerset House hosts a retrospective exhibition of his work, Stephen Doig pays tribute to the man himself

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

t is 1960 and the Via Veneto in Rome is the centre of the world. It’s here, on this winding street filled with cafés with tables spilling onto the pavements, vespas whipping past and bougainvillea overhead, that the city’s elite congregate to watch and be watched, men in pristine suits sipping espressos and women in wasp-waisted gowns. Although Fellini’s iconic love letter to the period, La Dolce Vita, is yet to be made, it’s clear where he would draw his inspiration from. Hollywood has beaten a path to the city, drawn by the studio Cinecitta and chance sightings of Audrey Hepburn, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor are an everyday possibility. It’s against this impossibly stylish backdrop that the designer Valentino Garavani, set to be the subject of a major exhibition at Somerset House this month, began his fashion ascent. It was here, at the sartorial cauldron that was Café de Paris, that the young designer, fresh from stints in Paris studying the art of haute couture, met Giancarlo Giametti, the business partner who would go on to act as the flip side of the coin to Valentino’s creative flair, overseeing the nuts and bolts of the Valentino empire and leaving the designer free to indulge his love; the almost antique ideal of making a woman as beautiful as she could be. ‘I do not care for things that don’t make a woman beautiful’, the designer says. ‘I want to enhance women, make her feel special’. It’s something the designer did for almost 50 years before his retirement in 2008, dressing some of the 20th and 21st centuries most iconic style legends; Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Marisa Berenson, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Margaret, Princess Diana. The gowns that the exhibition will celebrate are in this vein; ones that would have graced the wardrobes of these women and picked up the flashbulbs of the paparazzi that followed them; his finest couture creations. ‘In dressing women 

LEFT: 1992/1993 Fall/ Winter HC Black velvet evening dress white ribbons © Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum; FAR LEFT: Valentino Garavani and Natalia Vodianova, 2012 © Cathleen Naundorf

‘So many designers now, I think, do not care for the women they dress. In fact, some detest them’ – Valentino Garavani

 like that, I have been lucky enough to get close to the essence of femininity’, he says. Contemporary starlets and fashion A-listers to don the label include Daphne Guinness, Julia Roberts and Sienna Miller. Part of the appeal of the label has undoubtedly been his adherence to a sense of classicism and refinement in his designs; not for Valentino the shock and awe tactics of contemporary fashion. His most iconic design has been the scarlet red column dress; a hallmark of precise cut, feminine shape and unerring glamour (his final show – his couture farewell kiss in January 2008 – ended with a series of scarlet gowns and his exhibition later that year opened with a bank of them greeting visitors). At a time when Paris haute couture was in flux (the houses of Dior and Chanel were slumbering, Yves Saint Laurent would soon go on to start the concept of ready-to-wear), Valentino took his couture training honed under Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche and gave it a thoroughly Roman setting; he brought haute couture to Italy. ‘Couture is at the very heart of what I do’, said the designer in 2007. ‘It is the start to every Valentino collection, it is the finest, highest point that fashion can reach’. Although in his eighties and retired, Valentino – unmistakable with his nutmeg tan and impeccable suits – has refused to slink into the wings. A perennial red-carpet favourite, he last year hosted a charity gala with Natalia Vodianova and this year created costumes for the New York City Ballet. He found a new kind of fame beyond the red carpet and the front row in 2009 when a fly-on-the-wall documentary about his life

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

aired; what it touchingly depicted was the kind of fashion royalty lifestyle that rarely exists anymore; Valentino as monarch in his court of private jets, castles and chateaus across the world, swamping entourages, black-clad security details, high theatrics (light-hearted spats between Giancarlo and himself were commonplace) and daintily dressed pugs with individual minders (and seats on the jets, naturally). There was a reason it was called The Last Emperor. ‘My starting point is women. It sounds simple but so many designers now, I think, do not care for the women they dress. In fact, some detest them’, he has said. Valentino’s mantra has been to exalt women; mid-century glamour always held an allure for him. He quietly watched from the sidelines the rise of punk, street style, grunge, fetishism in fashion, bling and a thousand designers rise and fall, all the while

never straying from his singular aesthetic. ‘So much today is vulgar’, he once said, backstage at a couture show in 2007, wrinkling his nose as if affronted by a pungent odour. ‘So much in fashion is vulgar, I never deal with vulgarity’. It was later that very same week that he received the prestigious Legion of Honour from the French president; Anna Wintour, Carine Roitfeld and Daphne Guinness flocked to see him pay homage not just to Giametti, but the couture seamstresses on his team. They lined the walls, quietly and unassumingly, with tears in their eyes. ‘They make the dreams reality’, he said, choking back emotion. And dreams, in all their fairy-fine lace, crystal embroidery and opulent explosions of feathers, these couture dresses undoubtedly are. ‘Valentino, Master of Couture’ runs from 29 November – 3 March 2013 at Somerset House

LEFT: 2002 2003 Fall Winter HC romantic Valentino Red taffeta evening gown © Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum. RIGHT: Valentino with models, 2007 ©Lorenzo Agius, www. aandrphotographic.co.uk

Style: Malton

U.K. 92 Jermyn Street, London SW1 69 Jermyn Street, London SW1 25 Royal Exchange, London EC3 20-21 Burlington Arcade, London W1 New Shop: 155 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW3 25 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 U.S.A. 7 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019 www.crockettandjones.com

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Made to fit Tailor Chester Barrie is bringing a touch of its Savile Row style to Selfridges, launching the Gold Label shirt collection and accessories exclusively to the store. Inspired by the the 1930s, the range celebrates classic British style and the English shirt-making tradition with a twist. Fine cottons and contrast collars add a touch of individuality, as do brightly coloured pocket-squares and houndstooth check ties. Available from Selfridges and Chester Barrie on Savile Row (www.chesterbarrie.co.uk) image: Chester Barrie S/S 13 Collection

style spy rac o v o lis E N D O I G & kate WORDS: STEPH

Members Only For the man who’s obsessed with Savile Row finesse, here comes the last piece of the daily dressing puzzle: tailored underwear. Hamilton & Hare is a new brand aimed at giving the baggy shape of the humble boxer short a swift nip and tuck. Specifically designed to fit with slim-fit suit trousers, they come in softest cotton but maintain structure through the cut, so that they don’t ride up or make themselves known against narrow trousers. From £48 (www.hamiltonandhare.com)

Lyte on the luggage When Thomas Lyte opened its first flagship store in November 2007, the Burlington Arcade couldn’t have been a more suitable place to showcase its British flair. The arcade, dedicated to the lasting style and quality of British craftsmanship, now sees Thomas Lyte celebrate its fifth birthday. We love the Kenley Day bags, one of the classic Thomas Lyte accessories, in black, cognac, mustard and whiskey coloured grained-leather – perfect for your in-flight essentials or as an overnight carryall. Bags, £595, Thomas Lyte, Burlington Arcade (www.thomaslyte.com)

Grooming guru As the Mayfair gentleman will occasionally stop to have his brogues polished, so too should he pause to rejuvenate his skin. The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental has a rather elegant excuse to indulge, with a new treatment by one of the leaders in men’s grooming, the Refinery. The Essential Facial uses the simple but deeply cleansing products from Aromatherapy Associates to cleanse, tone and extract (if required). The facial is finished with a mask and a pressure point facial massage, focusing on the eye area to reduce puffiness – the ultimate relaxation session that will leave you with a fresh, luminous complexion. £125, The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental (www.mandarinoriental.com) 87

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Parisian chic on Mount Street The fashion crowd are flocking to Mount Street this month, as Paule Ka has opened a new boutique between Christian Louboutin and Scott’s. The store brings president and artistic director Serge Cajfinger’s original vision to the heart of Mayfair, drawing on inspiration from the piece that will always have a special place in our wardrobes – the little black dress – from when he founded his label in Paris in 1988. (www.pauleka.com) image: Paule Ka A/W 12

te a pd u e l y st WORDS:

kate rac o v o lis

The future of fashion

If the shoe fits Roland Mouret knows what women want. Mouret is now designing for the haute French shoe house of Robert Clergerie; creating beautiful, classic, subtly Victorian-era inspired shoes. ‘This is a chance for me to work with a master on the art and craft of shoe design and to be part of the special relationship that women have with their shoes,’ says Mouret. He has also recently launched a body serum with luxury beauty brand Aromatherapy Associates, so now you can add a bit of Mouret in to any part of your style from head to toe. Shoes, £530, Selfridges (www.selfridges.com) 88

Heavenly Hermès The Birkin and Kelly bags from Hermès are two of the most iconic bags of our time, named after Jane Birkin and Grace Kelly. An auction at Bonhams this month will showcase 18 of them, including a red crocodile Birkin bag, a mini Kelly bag in miel crocodile, a blue ostrich ‘Bolide’ bag, and several ‘Constance’ bags, as well as a rare special order Birkin. 28 November, Bonhams Knightsbridge, SW7 (www.bonhams.com)

Images Courtesy of Bonhams

Alexander McQueen is one of our national treasures. The fashion house helmed by Sarah Burton is known for elegantly transforming couture into coveted works of art. The first McQ store in the world has chosen Dover Street as the location. The debut flagship has been designed with high-tech interiors – including interactive touch screens to peruse the latest collection – and of course a stunning A/W 12 line brimming with chic, eccentric prints and full silhouettes. (www.alexandermcqueen. com/mcq)

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Interiors With a new luxury interiors website and a beautiful new collection from Wedgwood, this month is all about modern decoration

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Illustration by Yoco Nagamiya

W o rds : K ate R ac o v o lis

Interiors, en route Online shopping just got more stylish. If you’ve ever found yourself trying to track down that ceramic-based table you saw during your stay at The Connaught or perhaps that stunning ring-back chair from JK Place in Capri, then new online interior shopping mecca Discover and Deliver is going to be your next online obsession. The site sources a selection of the exact interior furnishings that you see decorating some of the best hotels, restaurants and cafés from around the world, allowing you to order them at the click of a button for your own home. (www.discover-deliver.com)

FINISHING TOUCH These chandeliers from London-based interior design house Keir Townsend are pushing the boundaries of lighting. In hand-blown glass and hand-cast metal with a nickel finish, these innovative pieces are beautifully modern interpretations of classic chandeliers. Chandelier, Keir Townsend, from £7,824 (www.keirtownsend.com)

Wall to wall We’re inspired by ‘The Pompeian’ wallpaper from Cole & Son this month, with its subtle tone but bold, contemporary pattern. Adorn just one wall or many throughout your home, the playful, three-dimensional effect will add a bright lift to any room. From £67 per 10m roll, Cole & Son, (www.cole-and-son.com)

Collectable crockery We love an excuse to have a tea party, especially with the new Wedgwood & Bentley collection. The range harks back to the partnership which started in 1762, between Wedgwood’s founder, Josiah Wedgwood, and Thomas Bentley, a well-educated and well-connected businessman. These new pieces look like they have travelled straight out of a treasure trove from Aladdin into our modern lives – with a touch of Art Deco style – perfect for an afternoon with a pain au chocolat and warming winter drinks. (www.wedgwood.com)

WIN!

Competition In an exciting new initiative, we have teamed up with original designer furniture specialist, Sketch Living, to offer one of our lucky readers the chance to win a set of 4 Vitra iconic chairs

he fortunate winner of this competition will receive from Sketch Living four of each of either the Vitra Eames Side Chair or the Vitra Panton Chair. With its sleek chrome wire base and stylish but practical plastic shell base, which comes in a range of colours, the Vitra Eames chair is the perfect accompaniment to a contemporary household. Or, for those of you who are looking for something bold and eye-catching, you cannot go wrong with the Vitra Panton chair with its quirky, unique shape. Sketch Living supplies its valued customers with high end, top quality furniture. Since 2007, the company has delivered more than a staggering ÂŁ27 million worth

of orders to its clients. Devoted to providing iconic furniture for the residential market, Sketch Living has always made sure that its products are carefully selected in order to provide an exclusive range of designer furniture and accessories at competitive prices. For this reason, we are very proud to be in partnership with Sketch Living for this fantastic, one-off opportunity. To enter the competition, simply email sketchliving@ runwildgroup.co.uk and tell us which of the two chair styles you would choose if you won, including your name and contact details, by midnight on 15 November 2012. Sister company Sketch Studios also provides office furniture. (www.sketchliving.co.uk)

Terms and Conditions: win a set of four iconic chairs. The competition prize is either the Vitra Eames Side Chair or the Vitra Panton Chair from Sketch Living. This prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered. The competition is open to UK residents aged 18 or over, and closes at midnight on 15 November 2012. Entries received thereafter will be discarded. The promoter reserves the right to withdraw or amend this promotion. Employees and directors of Runwild Media Group, Sketch Living and their subsidiaries and affiliates, agents, dealers and their immediate family or household members are not eligible to enter.

Dressed to the nines Award-winning architect and interior designer Luigi Esposito is one of Mayfair’s latest creative sensations. He explores the relationship between fashion and décor W O R D S : K AT E R A C O V O L I S

uigi Esposito’s latest project is like a tribute to fashion week, all in one room. But his catwalk-equivalent interior design is unsurprising given his previous life as a visual merchandiser for Prada and Donna Karan and a design consultant for Ralph Lauren. Esposito drew on his fashion roots to produce a dream-like home in Old Park Lane, working with luxury Mayfair-based property development company Fenton Whelan. Now at the helm of design firm Oro Bianco which he co-founded in 2011, Esposito designs from the heart and is inspired by all that surrounds him, past and present. ‘Working in the fashion industry allowed me to appreciate how various combinations of textiles, textures and patterns can work together to create a harmonious result,’ says Esposito. ‘Soft furnishings play a huge part in my design – luxurious curtain fabrics, throws and upholstery all add to the overall look and style of a property.’ Concentrating on the fine details for this project, from cutlery and tableware to bed-linen, Esposito sourced pieces from some of the most luxurious interior designers in London including Ralph Lauren, J. Robert Scott, Soane and David Linley. He designed the space with a muted palette of colours to provide a subtle background for the owner’s collection of modern art, giving bursts of vibrant colour in contrast to the soft tones of the furniture throughout the apartment. But while Esposito is every bit the fashionista, his style in dressing up apartments has become more about finding a trend in interior design that will last much longer than a handbag or coat. ‘We try not to be guided by what the fashion and design industry offers to us at any one moment. I like to think I design individual projects for individual clients, where each projects’ essentials are based on my clients’ needs and lifestyles, rather than on seasons or trends. Our aim is to create a timeless space that is built to last and to design furniture that will be passed down through the generations – unlike fashion garments that are revised every season.’ (www.orobiancointeriordesign.com)

The mayfair Magazine | Interiors

‘Working in the fashion industry allowed me to appreciate how various combinations of textiles, textures and patterns can work together to create a harmonious result’ – Luigi Esposito

The mayfair Magazine | Interiors

opening shot: master bedroom; this page, clockwise from left: bedroom 3; dining room; bedroom 2; corridor; library; entrance hall

all Images: Barry Murphy Photography

n i k l Wa w e b site

As Burberryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new global flagship store opens in Regent Street, merging a host of technology with fashion and entertainment, we investigate the beginning of a new era for shops WORDS: ELLE BLAKEMAN

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

all images courtesy of burberry

have a major thing for Burberry. Any brand who manages to make the drizzling grey of British weather something to be enjoyed and not just endured is something I feel that we, as a nation, have a duty to embrace. Visiting the brand’s new global flagship on Regent Street, it’s hard not to feel small; stepping through the vast brass doors alone will do that. The huge dome ceiling that echoes the ambience of New York’s Grand Central Station helps, as does the world’s tallest indoor retail screen – an incredible 38-square-metre showcase for the brand’s latest runway collection or make-up advert. Behold: the gattaca of shopping. Part museum, part backstage fashion show, part Hogwarts – and completely British – the four-floored, 44,000 square-foot store aims to take shopping into a new era, merging the convenient nature of online retail with the staging and the thrill of physical shopping. ‘Seamlessly blurring physical and digital worlds’ is how Burberry’s exquisitely clad wordsmiths have put it. ‘Walking through the doors is just like walking into our website. It is Burberry World Live,’ says Angela Ahrendts, Burberry’s CEO. Indeed it is a little like falling into your MacBook: models stalk about from screen to gleaming screen showing off the latest line while magical mirrors are waiting to transform into a

runway video as soon as something is held up to them (the tags have a radio-frequency microchip alerting the mirrors to show the relevant product swishing down the catwalk). These mirrors are the fashion equivalent of the M&S food adverts, creating a similar level of pure and immediate desire to have whatever is being shown so deliciously; I have a visceral – and alarmingly powerful – shot of want for the bag I am holding. I am then shown a video of how it is made – the views of hand-stitching and craftsmanship entirely cements this feeling. Beautiful shop assistants walk around holding leather-covered iPads, ready to search out your ideal purchase if it is not to hand (oh joy that the days of sullen Saturday staff boredly reeling off that line that ‘If it’s not out on the shop floor then we haven’t got it in’ are over. Lies! We all know you have a stock room full of our size!). Meanwhile, the offspring of the Mayfair elite can quietly colour in while mummy shops. 

‘If you stay long enough will be treated to a ‘digital rain shower’

Cracked Crayolas being trodden into those lush cream carpets – or God forbid the clothes?! No; they will be using the dedicated iPads in the supervised children’s section, naturally. Of course, many people are here to make that almost inevitable lifetime investment in one of their classic trenches. If you are, you can either select one of the current collection or head over to the Burberry Bespoke section to choose one of eight million combinations and create your perfect trench: trim with studs or shearling, change the arms to leather or personalise with your embroidered initials – the opportunity to be demanding is phenomenal. If you stay long enough you will be treated to a ‘digital rain shower’ where almost 500 audio speakers and 100 digital displays combine to create a dramatic downpour, ‘showering’ the customers with a prolonged moment of sensory deprivation. And pretend rain. ‘We’ve tried to choreograph it so that you have content specific to certain areas, but then all of a sudden the whole store turns into one rain cloud and makes you stop and smile,’ says Christopher Bailey, Burberry Chief Creative Officer. ‘It’s not just about shopping. The important thing for me is that when you go in, you feel entertained.’ It’s fun, but also a reminder of the heritage of Burberry: the trenches that have become such an iconic product around the world and synonymous with the check-lined brand. The store are even keen to show off London’s actual rain, deliberately keeping the original features which allow the natural light and the sound of the rain outside to be experienced instore, in a bid to remind customers of the brand’s unrivalled ability to protect them from the elements. (FYI the digital rain shower happens about three times a day, so if you hear it more than once you have probably spent too much.) Bailey’s desire to entertain beyond 

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

Feature | The mayfair Magazine

fashion has led to the store becoming a stage for regular music gigs – showcasing upcoming acts, as well as museum-like exhibits, parties and other caldendar-worthy dates. It is fitting use of a building that once housed one of London’s first-ever cinemas. Live-streaming of events both into and out of the store will allow the flagship to take a global stage, inviting the world in, which is suitably inclusive for the brand who were the first label to stream its runway shows live and the first ones to preview an entire show on Twitter before the show itself. It would be wrong to say that the store has catapulted the brand – who have traditionally traded on their heritage – into the modern world (that actually happened about 10 years ago when Bailey transformed Burberry with youthful, glossy campaigns featuring famous, dewy-faced stars such as Eddie Redmayne and Emma Watson); however, the store does have a

feeling of revolution about it. It’s pushing the shopping experience forward and essentially brings the best of the online and ‘real’ world together. ‘Online moves very fast and we wanted to make sure that in retail, every month, we were going at a similar pace,’ says Bailey. ‘Every month, when we change the landing page on the website we also change the windows; we change all the touch points throughout the store to make sure that it’s all consistent.’ The store is said to be a ‘test hub and template’ for future Burberry stores, with a new flagship in Chicago due to open this month. And with McQ’s new store hot on its heels, with a giant tablet projecting catwalk images onto the walls and ‘gesture control’ mirrors allowing you to email a picture of yourself to anyone, it seems like this really is the start of a new era of shopping. Boldly go and shop.

‘It’s pushing the shopping experience forward and essentially brings the best of the online and ‘real’ world together’

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The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

Glamour on the rocks The Grey Goose Winter Ball has once again arrived, this year with an idyllic 1950s Côte d’Azur summer theme. Two-Michelin-star chef, Hélène Darroze will be serving delicious French cuisine inspired by the area, while award-winning artists Labrinth and Emeli Sande will be performing on the night. All proceeds will go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, hosted by Sir Elton and David Furnish – the perfect excuse to dress up and party like it’s 1950. The Grey Goose Winter Ball is on 10 November at Battersea Power Station. For tickets, visit www.ejaf.com

Food & orous Grey Goose sts and the super-glam kfa ea br r we po , ats tre Sweet in Mayfair citing month for foodies Winter Ball – it’s an ex

Chocolate connoisseur Chocolat Lovers has shown us that no food group is exempt from entering the digital age. The newly launched website gathers fine chocolates from across the country and delivers them to your doorstep. You will find the finest treats from Artisan du Chocolat and Damian Allsop, among many other new and innovative chocolatiers – for those who are intrepid with their taste in chocolate. Monogram Gift Box from £27.50 (www.chocolatlovers.co.uk)

ac o v o lis W o rds : K ate R

The chestnut on top Alain Ducasse grew up in the South of France, indulging in the sweetest chestnuts from the Ardeche region. This month, the pastry chef at his restaurant at The Dorchester, Angelo Ercolano, has created a delectable and delicate candy, reminiscent of Ducasse’s childhood memories. The sweet chestnuts glazed in syrup – Marrons Glacés – are presented in a beautiful glass jar perfect for winter nights. £50, available from 27 November – 24 December from the restaurant and The Shop at the Dorchester

Bowmore’s Twelve Aged for 54 years, just 12 bottles of Bowmore Islay Single Malt Whisky exist. The whisky is complex in flavour; an elixir of blueberries and wild figs with mellow almonds, tropical fruit and rich, oaky overtones. The bottle is made from hand-blown glass and is sculpted by two of the world’s foremost glass artists, Brodie Nairn and Nichola Burns. Eight of the remaining bottles are available for your own collection that you will want to savour – and sip slowly. £100,000 from the Bowmore Distillery on Islay, Scotland

Power-breakfast Fortnum & Mason is now serving breakfast from 7am in The Fountain Restaurant, serving fresh British produce on their classic menu. Start your day with a hearty traditional hot breakfast of Manx or Craster Kippers, Eggs Royale, Omelette Arnold Bennett or Fortnum’s very own piquant Highland Scramble. All of the usual suspects are still to be found on the menu, from fluffy egg-white omelettes to porridge and muesli. It’s the perfect place for your next business breakfast. Served from 7am to 11am at The Fountain, Ground Floor (www.fortnumandmason.com) 103

Tales of the London is brimming with a vibrant cocktail culture, writes Neil Ridley. From a classic Martini in one the capitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s timeless hotel bars to a covert cocktail in a speakeasy-themed drinking joint, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never been a better time to shake things up

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The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

f you were asked to name the ultimate locations to order a perfectly balanced Martini, Manhattan or Ramos Gin Fizz, the mind would conjurer up enumerable exotic locations, glamorous roof-top piano bars and waiters wafting around with all the elegance of a Jane Austen novel. But would London really feature that highly on one’s ultimate cocktail list? Well if it doesn’t, it jolly well should, as London can legitimately be called the cocktail capital of the world right now, with many of London’s best bars winning widespread acclaim for their exceptional take on the classics, alongside a world leading pioneering spirit into developing incredible new drinks. But don’t just take my word for it. Head into an autumnal Mayfair at 6pm and there is a distinct buzz about sipping back a classic cocktail in any number of the now legendary bars in the area, for a rediscovery of some of the world’s most well-known drinks, which have in the past few years seen a huge renaissance. Thanks to the likes of hit TV show, Mad Men, heading to the bar to order a Manhattan, Martini, Whisky Sour or Gimlet is no longer a dubious request met by a blank expression from the barman - fortunately, the bartending fraternity is just as excited about these timeless drinks too. Dukes Hotel of St James’s Place may not be the first place one would expect to discover a miracle of mixology, but this tiny boutique hotel, which has stood proudly in its secluded mews location since 1908 is lucky enough to have the charismatic Alessandro Palazzi firmly in charge of the hotel’s drinks cabinet. The spiritual home to Ian Fleming’s legendary Vesper Martini, Dukes has become famed for its supremely crafted cocktails, with Palazzi creating arguably the world’s best Martini in front of his guests from his antique drinks trolley, laden with frozen gins, vodkas, an assortment of vermouths in decanters and the finest Amalfi lemons to garnish your cocktail. A word of caution though – as sublime as these drinks taste, they pack a considerable punch

and only the sternest of constitutions can manage a second helping. Head over to Brown’s Hotel on Albemarle Street, and the Donovan Bar is undoubtedly one of the best places to experience a masterclass of young bartenders paying homage to the classics, but with a distinct modern twist. Here Adam Lahhman and Martin Siska have created a menu of seasonally-influenced cocktails, as well as employing some new trends in the bartending world, including a process known as barrel aging. On the back bar lies a small wooden cask, in which a classic Martinez cocktail (the original precursor to the Martini, made using gin, sweet vermouth, orange bitters and a dash of maraschino cherry liqueur) has been residing for several months. The drink’s oaky enclosure has helped to bring an additional harmony to its balance and is the perfect way to enjoy a taste of the past, with one foot firmly in the present. With a cocktail-induced spring in my step my next destination is the Rib Room bar, part of 

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Cocktail hour in

Mayfair With a firm footing in the classics, Mayfair is home to some of the best cocktail bars in the world. Here’s our pick on the best and what to order: The Coburg Bar The Connaught Hotel, Carlos Place The bar that time forgot, or to be more precise, the bar that transports you back in time to the glamour, chic and high jinks of the 1920s. Settle back with subtle mood lighting, oversized leather chairs and a soundtrack which changes throughout the day and transport yourself to a vaguely pre-prohibition era. Best Drink: Ramos Gin Fizz – a wonderfully frothy citrus-infused gin experience, which dates back to the 1880s.

The Donovan Bar Brown’s Hotel, Albemarle Street A vibrant, buzzing place after dark, so try to get yourselves a good seat and watch barmen Martin and Adam create some of London’s most distinctive drinks. Best Drink: The Year Of The Lady – a Cognacbased cocktail named in homage to 1914 and the beginning of the First World War, where women replaced men in the vineyards of France, distilling the eaux-de-vies, which includes cinnamon syrup, pear eau-de-vie and fresh lemon juice.

The Athenaeum Hotel 116 Piccadilly For anyone with a particular enthusiasm for whisky, the Athenaeum bar has an outstanding collection of sensational bottlings from around the world. Drink to try: Classic Whisky Sour – whether it’s made using an American bourbon, rye whiskey, Japanese or Scotch single malt or blended, this drink is effortless, for its balance of citrus notes, alongside spicy bitters and rich, complex whisky.

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The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

‘You can expect smoke, dry ice, fireworks and some seriously intense but flavoursome cocktails’ the Jumeirah Hotel in Knightsbridge and recently recipient of three AA rosettes. Here, London’s gin heritage is very much at the forefront of its cocktail list with additional menus dedicated to Charles Dickens and, for those drinkers not drinking, a wonderfully themed menu dating back to the temperance movement of the 1830s. But for sheer entertainment value, as well as a lesson in how the cocktail movement has truly moved forward from the dark days of hollowed out pineapples, umbrellas and lurid colours, a taxi ride over to Shoreditch is in order. Here, a thriving collective of speakeasy-themed and micro bars has recently developed, from the subterranean gin palace of Worship Street’s The Whistling Shop (which has an actual working Edwardian’esque drinks laboratory set behind a glass panelled wall) to the homely-but-lively

Casita – big enough to seat about 30 people, but hands down, the most friendly, unpretentious cocktail bar in London. When the only limitations on creativity are in the minds of the mixologists, you can expect smoke, dry ice, fireworks and some seriously intense but flavoursome cocktails and menus that read more like a series of experiments than a traditional cocktail list. Science never tasted so good.

left: Coburg Bar at the Connaught; top: the rib room bar, jumeirah hotel; above: manager Alessandro Palazzi at dukes bar

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INSIDE TRACK The Street Westfield Stratford City E20 1EJ 0208 534 3446 info@insidetrackshop.com @InsideTrackShop

MCLAREN & ASTON MARTIN COLLECTIONS AT WESTFIELD STRATFORD VIP SHOPPING EVENINGS

The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

Art of glass

Does the secret to a great wine lay outside the bottle? Berry Bros. & Rudd explain just how big a difference excellent glassware can make

ll wine-lovers recognise that the quality of glass used can hugely influence the enjoyment of the wine served in it. Much as tea tastes better drunk from a fine bone-china cup rather than an earthenware mug, so a wine’s flavour and bouquet is enhanced if drunk from a fine piece of delicate stemware. And so Berry Bros. & Rudd, Britain’s oldest Wine Merchants believe. Shortly after the current Chairman’s grandfather retired from the business in 1931, work began on producing a range of glasses, to his design, which Berry Bros & Co would sell to their customers. Two years later the designs were approved and the glasses appeared in Berrys’ price list for the first time. Francis Berry was known as a connoisseur of glass as much as of wine. After his death in 1936, his extensive and unique collection of glassware dating from Ancient Greece to the 19th Century ended up in the British Museum, forming the basis of the collection of the Vintners’ Company. His obituary was written by his great friend André Simon, who spoke of Berry’s ‘passion for collecting beautiful and rare glass’. But glass was never just a beautiful object to sit on a shelf and be admired: it needed to be used, and its prime purpose was to enhance the enjoyment of wine. As André Simon also pointed out, Francis Berry was ‘the most admirable host imaginable, giving his guests the finest wines… in the finest possible glasses.’ His oft-quoted belief was ‘twenty percent of the enjoyment of wine comes from the glass it is drunk from.’ Almost eighty years on from Berry’s original designs, the Chairman Simon Berry has re-interpreted the range for the modern table. It is customary to use larger glasses nowadays, and we’re more aware that different designs of bowl accentuate the flavours of different styles of wine.

Simon has kept the cornerstone of his range – his ‘Large Wine Glass’, my ‘Port & Sauternes Glass’, and from its perfect proportions designed a range which includes two red wine glasses, two white wine glasses, a Champagne Glass and a Whisky & Water Glass. Berrys’ five Masters of Wine have helped to ensure that each glass is fit for purpose. Contrary to other manufacturers, who would have you believe that you need a different glass for every style of wine, this range of seven glasses will be enough for any wine and any occasion. All are hand-made, and have also been designed with balance in mind. They are not top-heavy when half-filled with wine, and the stems sit easily in the hand to enable the glass to be swirled to release the wines’ essential aromas. The rim is exceptionally fine and the stems have been drawn from the bowl, not added on separately, thus creating balance, stability and durability. Recent advances in technology also ensure that the range, which is totally lead-free, has exceptional clarity whilst retaining excellent durability. The glassware partner John Jenkins & Sons Ltd. is a family business with a longestablished reputation for working very closely with the wine trade. They already supply an impressive number of top restaurants around the world with bespoke glassware, enjoying the reputation of being one of the finest manufacturers of hand-made glassware. Berry believed that it was possible to enhance the pleasure of wine by using better glassware instead of buying more expensive bottles. This range proves his point to perfection.

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The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

block

Chip off the old

When it comes to culinary creativity, few smash gastronomic boundaries quite like Heston Blumenthal. Kari Rosenberg takes a trip to The Hinds Head, Bray to find out what drives the world-renowned chef, and why head of the kitchen Kevin Love deserved his newly acquired Michelin star

ondon hums of thick petrol fumes. The sweet scent of candy floss wafts along Brighton Pier. Cornwall is veiled in a briny, seaweed-like veil. Bray – a pretty, secluded village, five minutes from Maidenhead station and home to three of Heston Blumenthal’s world renowned eateries – smells like chips. Triple-cooked chips, to be precise. The first ‘significant’ development in Heston’s groundbreaking culinary career, it was a cooking method he created in the early Nineties before he even owned the Fat Duck. And so it comes as no surprise that from The Fat Duck to The Crown pub and round to The Hinds Head, where I would be trying the most famous tatties in the business, there’s a distinct, mouth-watering aroma; the root of which is a simple, unassuming spud. But that’s Heston down to a tee; he has the ability to take age-old, simple ingredients and turn them into something spectacular. Only satisfied when breaking the mould, he shunned the conventional cooking school path for a self-taught, in-at-the-deep-end approach, a route he ‘certainly wouldn’t recommend to anyone’ (despite it turning out pretty well in the end). Gaining his first culinary close-up at a young age, his efforts were anything but edible, but there’s no doubt, he says, that his first taste of the kitchen left him wanting more:

‘The first time I remember cooking was when I was around 12 years old. I had just tasted dolmades for the first time and found a recipe. So I took the vine-like leaf from the side of my mum and dad’s house and made them from scratch. I’m not too sure how edible they were, but my parents said they liked them (I think my mum was just being polite really). And no one died, so I guess they were alright’. While Heston’s innovative snail porridges and ‘meat fruits’ beckon foodies from all over the world, it hasn’t always been plain sailing from stove to service: ‘I almost blew myself up [once]. I think that might have been one of my finer moments. It was the early days at The Duck when it was really just me and a pot-wash guy. I had an old stove – you had to switch the gas on and leave it for a couple of seconds before lighting. I switched it on and then the phone rang. I was always super-excited when the phone rang in the hope that it was someone wanting a reservation and not someone wanting a delivery (I used to get calls in the early days from locals thinking – because of the name – that The Duck was a Chinese takeaway). So after a nice chat and taking the booking, thinking I was only gone a second, I bent down and lit the stove. ‘The next thing I remember, I was sitting on a counter on the opposite side of the kitchen 

HESTON BLUMENTHAL, PHOTO BY NEAL HAYNES

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 and all I could smell was burnt hair and skin. I turned round and my kitchen porter’s face was white and his jaw was on the floor. The crazy thing was that I then had to do service because it was just me and him. So I strapped a packet of frozen peas to my head and directed him from the other side of the pass as I couldn’t go into the hot kitchen... It was the service from hell but we got through it.’ As Heston’s star continues to rise, so too does Hinds Head master chef Kevin Love’s, not so much a protégé of Heston’s but a leading gastronomic breath of fresh air in his own right. Awarded a Michelin star last month for his outstanding menu (I’m still dreaming of the oozing Scotch egg), Love is down-to earth, unassuming and just an all-round nice guy, overwhelmed by the pub’s success, which although boasts the Heston name, is really his baby. ‘It’s still sinking in. [It was] a little bit unexpected, but the guys deserve it. We worked hard enough and it’s been a long time coming.’ When the Michelin announcement was leaked early, some confusion set in, and Love was loathe to count his chickens before the news was confirmed. ‘I first received a text from a chef friend congratulating me and I asked what he was talking about, as I had no idea. It was a long time before we knew whether it was true. All I wanted to do was tell the guys because we’ve worked so hard, but I didn’t want to tell them and have to un-tell them later, so as soon as I got the nod, the first thing was to announce it to the team.’ While Love’s first Michelin-star experience was met with Champagne celebrations, Heston’s story is a little different. Yet, he insists, he never even considered throwing in the dishcloth:

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‘I almost didn’t have the option [of throwing in the towel] a few times; I came very close to financial ruin. It was January 2004. I got the call that I had a third star for The Fat Duck and the funny thing at that time, was that I was returning home [from Spain] to re-mortgage my home to pay the wages. But the phones started ringing and the restaurant filled up and that was that really. We were always busy to bursting at weekends, but until the third star, we were never full the rest of the week and that’s where restaurants fail.’ But despite such a close-shave with going bankrupt, Heston admits that commercial viability always comes second to experimentation. ‘I would love to say I am very level headed but too many people in my team who know me will read this. I will get a bit consumed by the latest bit of kit, no matter what the expense and when I’m in the development stages I don’t really think about cost as much as I suppose I should … ‘Sometimes it’s more about exploring a technique rather than creating a dish from beginning to end. For example, take sound: I was working on the effects of sound for many years before ‘sound of the sea’ was on the menu. It intrigued me, but the transition to the menu wasn’t instantaneous. I might be working on something that brings added value to a current dish or lots of different lessons which accumulate and turn into a brand new dish in its entirety. It’s an ongoing process.’ With his famous laboratory located, you guessed it, in Bray, chefs from Heston’s multiple establishments are at liberty to experiment to their hearts content. He says: ‘One of the best bits of advice I got was from Derek Brown who used to be the head of Michelin, just after I 

The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

‘I can’t just knock up a spag bol or chuck a roast in the oven. People expect to be able to eat the plate I serve it on’ – Heston Blumenthal

opposite, from left: triple cooked chips; Veal Chop; lancashire hotpot above: red cabbage gazpacho (from the book, heston blumenthal at home)

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‘There are some signatures that have been on there forever. But everything is my way or my version’ – Kevin Love, The Hinds Head  got the third star. I thought I should look at a new site and considered moving to a bigger and better location. He advised me to leave well alone and not to change the magic. He was right. I think The Fat Duck is probably still the only three stars in the guide with only two Fork and Spoon awards (which are awarded for facilities) but I am glad I never changed it. I spend more than 70 per cent of my time in Bray when I am not filming so therefore it makes sense to have all the other places there. Apart from Dinner in Mayfair, of course.’ Love adds: ‘I’m over there [at the lab] every now and then. Most of the development we do for the pub, I like to do here.’ Boasting a mixture of Love’s own creations and Heston’s

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signature dishes, Love has the freedom to put his own spin on the classics – he’s only protective over the methods – or the meals that date back 500 years, (like the surprisingly delicious wine and chocolate slush accompanied by the millionaire’s shortbread), to when the pub itself was first on the map. ‘There are some signatures that have been on there forever. But everything is my way or my version.’ How do they achieve (so outstandingly well) the balance between Heston’s trademark eccentricity and the genuinely cosy pub feel at The Hinds Head? ‘It’s a tough one’ says Love. ‘People come here and they walk through that door with that expectation of Heston so you have to kind of deliver on that. However, we are a pub, and we are a good pub, and that balance is right. Heston wants us to stay like that as well and he wants the dishes to be historic as well British in their origin.’ Now serving concoctions from Heston At Home

ABOVE: THE HINDS HEAD INTERIOR; RIGHT: HEAD CHEF KEVIN LOVE

The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

too, the dishes are cooked straight from the book, but are changed about regularly according to availability. Heston, who is ‘very accessible and hands on’ is fully trusting of his head chef to run the operation to standard. Starting out as a potato peeler, Love has worked under Gordon Ramsay, among other top industry names, though says it’s the less well-known colleagues that have helped him get to where he is today; ‘It’s usually the guy who stands next to you who you learn the most from. It could be the pot washer that’s in 20 hours a day.’ Keen to stick to his small-town roots, Love keeps service informal and the décor true to its original heritage, as well as adding some of his own innovative and historically true additions. ‘To work here you have to be [obsessed with history], whether you naturally are or not, because that’s what Heston likes. Heston’s obsessed with it. ‘I started a dish called wassailing which stems from a historic chanting. People go into the orchards down in Devon’s South Coast and wave torches and pour cider on and tie toast to trees. It’s been going on for hundreds and hundreds of years, from around the 16th century. I took all the elements from that story; apple cider, the buttered toast, and created a dish. ‘In 1963 the Queen came here. She sat upstairs, so we redid that room this year for the Diamond Jubilee. We recreated the menu that she had then: lobster medallions, stuffed saddle of lamb with new potatoes and green beans and treacle tart with vanilla ice cream.’ The pub is all about celebrating the best of British fare: ‘You’ll never see any liquid nitrogen in here’ says Love. Heston adds: ‘We have both a celebration of British dishes, like oxtail and kidney pudding with rich, suet pastry and scotch eggs with a difference as the yolk remains runny: as well as historic dishes like quaking pudding. It’s a mixture and depends on seasonality and availability. Kevin has really got the balance just right there.’ Although most expect top chefs – especially those with Michelin credentials – to come up

with the goods when cooking for friends and family, both Heston and Love yearn for someone else to do the honours when they’re not at work. Heston says: ‘I love going to friends’ houses for dinner. There is nothing nicer than being cooked for. But people always say it’s so stressful cooking for me. ‘I can absolutely say it’s a lot worse for me. When you come over to my house for dinner, I can’t just knock up a spag bol or chuck a roast in the oven. People expect to be able to eat the plate I serve it on.’ Love adds: ‘When someone’s cooking for me they’re nervous. But nobody ever cooks for me so you cook me beans on toast and I’ll be your best friend as long as I don’t have to do it.’ To any chef out there wanting to follow in Heston’s footsteps, quite frankly, they can’t, because that’s the beauty of what he does. A genuine innovator, unencumbered by sense or practicality, he stipulates the importance of ‘learning the foundations first’. ‘It’s fine if you create a dish that jumps off the plate, sings a song and lands back upside down, but if it doesn’t taste good then what’s the point? Learn the basics of the craft first and then develop your own style.’ And what does the future hold for Love? No points for guessing there. He’s a natural chip off the old block. The Hinds Head, High Street, Bray, SL6 2AB (01628 626151, www.hindsheadbray.com)

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Food & Drink | The mayfair Magazine

DINING OUT

Apsleys at the Lanesborough Hotel, a Heinz Beck restaurant WORDS: Elle blakeman

Above: the restaurant; right: heinz beck

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einz Beck has the air of an easily excited man who struggles to sit still. His tasting menu at The Lanesborough Hotel confirms this; multiple morsels of exquisitely prepared and presented foods arrive at the table en masse as if he couldn’t decide on only one per course: a single scallop rests on a diminutive bed of pesto, a marinated oyster incongruously occupies a martini glass and a perfect cube of tomato and mozzarella sits like a miniature art exhibit. Apsleys at The Lanesborough Hotel is Beck’s first restaurant outside of Italy. Known as the ‘Master of Gastronomy’ he landed in London with considerable pressure (he holds three Michelin stars at La Pergola in Rome); he has certainly lived up to it here, gaining yet another Michelin star. The food is delicate but interesting, lightly grilled fish or fresh pasta is balanced with rich, glamorous Italian flavours. Beck is demonstrably excited to be here, claiming that he would ‘move to London immediately’ if he were a younger man. Though despite his self-proclaimed ageing, he is far from slowing down, and this month launches another new restaurant in Portugal. Beck is known for hand-picking his staff and the ones here are attentive beyond anything I have experienced before (the waiter in charge of bread was launching a one-man guerrilla warfare on Atkins, so often did he visit our table), while the sommelier refused to let us see anywhere near the bottom of our glasses. As his only London base, the hotel is very well placed to house him; his joyfully artistic presentation is complemented by the striking and colourful fivemetre oil-on-canvas by Simon Casson and the surrounding Art Deco architecture. Decadent but not overstated and thoroughly enjoyable – masterful indeed. Apsleys at The Lanesborough Hotel, a Heinz Beck restaurant, Hyde Park Corner, SW1 (0207 333 7254; apsleys@lanesborough.com)

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The mayfair The mayfair Magazine Magazine | Food| Regulars & Drink

Suite dreams … at Jumeirah Carlton Tower W o r d s : k at e r a c o v o l i s

ondon has Bond fever. In a tribute to the latest instalment of espionage (which Daniel Craig makes look so effortlessly glamorous), the Jumeirah Carlton Tower has introduced two decadent experiences for spy aficionados. I tried the ‘Stirred’ package – the perfect taste of the Bond life for an evening. Begin with a martini of your choice at the stunning GILT Cocktail Lounge (above). A scene straight from Quantum of Solace, it houses sleek golden floors and leather interiors. Try a classic martini with a twist of lemon or orange, or if you prefer a sweet drink try the Chocolate Martini with hazelnut syrup, honey and a dash of salt (accompanied by macaroons – just to finish you off). Staying in one of the newly refurbished Executive Suites is a treat; an immaculate, ultra-modern pied-à-terre where you will wake up with a view facing east, overlooking the City and Westminster. Naturally the experience wouldn’t be complete without gadgets and this suite goes the extra mile with a Geneva sound system and Loewe televisions in both the living room and

bedroom. To finish, dine in the iconic Rib Room Bar and Restaurant for a hearty traditional full English breakfast. If you are up for the full Bond treatment, there is also the ‘Shaken’ package, which begins at the airport as you arrive in London, where you will be greeted with an Aston Martin to take you to the hotel. Your own personal bartender awaits with the hotel’s signature martini in The Royal Suite where you will stay. Suit up for an evening at the Rib Room to enjoy a three-course dinner of modern British cuisine, followed by a (second) martini at the GILT Cocktail Lounge. If you are feeling a little bleary-eyed from the revelry of the night, you can be instantly refreshed the next morning by your one-hour massage in The Peak Health Club and Spa and the view of Knightsbridge. Return to the Rib Room for breakfast, and afterwards slide as smoothly as James Bond himself back into the Aston Martin where the driver will take you to the airport. The ‘Shaken’ package starts from £8,616; the ‘Stirred’ package starts from £320 per night. (www.jumeirahcarltontower.com)

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Your Health

in Your Hands When you lead a busy life, health matters can be pushed to the bottom of your priority list. In support of Movember, we are urging busy men with unresolved health issues to visit their GP. The Wellington Hospital has an international reputation for excellence across the medical spectrum, including a private GP service.

020 7483 5004 www.thewellingtonhospital.com

The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

Remembering

MAYFAIR T h e G U I N E A G R I L L , BRUTON PLACE

from top: the Guinea Grill in earlier years. below: the interior today

n the 1450s, it was serving ale to agricultural workers; in the 1950s, it was bringing enormous steaks to actor Richard Burton. Part pub, part grill and every inch a slice of Mayfair history, the Guinea in Bruton Place has been pulling in customers for an astonishing 589 years. ‘There’s a record of an inn here in 1423,’ says general manager Carl Smith, who has been at the Guinea since the late 1980s. ‘It would have been a very simple set up back then, and it was called The Pound, as in a pound for animals.’ Mayfair in the 15th and 16th centuries was little more than fields and farmlands on the edge of London; it was given a new lease of life after the Great Plague and Great Fire in the 1660s when developers began to move in to start building the fine houses and squares that Mayfair enjoys today. The Pound was knocked down and rebuilt in 1675 and renamed The Guinea, which Smith thinks was in reference to the then newly-introduced unit of currency. ‘I think it would still have been a fairly simple operation,’ says Smith, ‘but instead of farm workers the customers would have been the stable lads and servants from the new houses.’ Young’s breweries, which has been in existence since the 1830s, acquired The Guinea in 1888 – the year of Jack The Ripper’s grim reign – and has held on to it ever since. And had an enterprising Scot named Alistair Greig not come up with an inspired idea in 1952, The Guinea might have continued as a

regular pub to this day. ‘Greig hit upon the idea of The Guinea Grill,’ says Smith, ‘and we went from attracting people on moderate incomes to large numbers of wealthy people, Americans especially.’ Greig was hoping to tap into the post-war travel boom that visitors from the States came to exemplify, and he was aided in his endeavours by great steaks – and a close friend who was a Hollywood agent. ‘It was a real success story,’ Smith says, ‘because the agent would bring his clients in, people like Frank Sinatra and Ursula Andress. There were no menus or prices – we only sold steak and smoked salmon – and to order you simply took a knife and stuck it into the beef at the thickness you wanted it.’ Admirably, the Guinea Grill has never stopped serving pints and the original pub part of the business continues in tandem with the restaurant to this day. Things have changed a little since the Fifties, though, when wide-eyed drinkers would have to walk through the restaurant to get to the toilets, passing that week’s cover stars en route. Today, the Guinea is something of a foodie secret, tucked away, off the beaten track and still selling some of the best steaks in London. ‘I guess the restaurant has always attracted quite wealthy customers in the 20 odd years I’ve been here,’ says Smith. ‘Less Americans, but international business travellers and well known people too. I think the magic of the place is that we’re pretty unique. There have been many steak restaurants opened up, but they’re often based on a bit of a New York theme. What we’ve got is a really intimate London restaurant tucked into the back of an English pub.’

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Winter’s

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@yourcanarywharf

SHOPPING Jubilee Beaded Box Clutch, £225, L.K. Bennett, Jubilee Place Effervescence Cuff, £220, Links of London, Jubilee Place

Metallic Sequin Dress, £265, Karen Millen, Jubilee Place Corin Mixed Stud Court, £100, French Connection, Jubilee Place

Spiegal Sequins, Tunic Dress, £275, French Connection, Jubilee Place

Scalloped Lace Dress, £199, Jaeger London Womenswear, Cabot Place

WINTER’S MOST WANTED

Karina Flower Leather Cuff Grey, £39, Reiss Womenswear, Cabot Place

With discounts of up to 20%* available in many of Canary Wharf’s stores, Winter’s Most Wanted is the perfect opportunity to pick up your Christmas gifts. Fashion shows on 29 november in Canada Place and Jubilee Place will provide style inspiration for the festivities ahead

Bell Flower Woven Tie, £65, Thomas Pink, Cabot Place

Abanga, Cable knit scarf, £55, Ted Baker, Canada Place

The Canary Wharf Goodie Bag will be distributed on a first come, first served basis in Jubilee Place from 5pm to those who produce a receipt for a minimum spend of £10 in a participating store on the day*. *Terms and conditions apply. See website for details.

Knowling Classic Single Breasted Overcoat Blue, £249, Reiss, Jubilee Place

Oblong Onyx Cufflinks, £69.95, Charles Tyrwhitt, Canada Place

Lambswool V Neck Jumper, £100, Hackett, Cabot Place

TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Gents Watch, £3,695, Tag Heuer, Charles Fish, Cabot Place

Connor, £195, Kurt Geiger, Cabot Place

Mayfair Saffiano Business Foli, £460, Hackett, Cabot Place

www.canarywharf.com

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Put this at the top of your To Do list 1 in 8 women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Many cases show no symptoms and have no family history of the disease. With The Wellington Hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digital mammogram technology, abnormalities can be highlighted earlier, allowing for a greater chance of a full recovery. Now it is even easier to get peace of mind. The Wellington Hospital is offering a 30% discount off the cost of a screening mammogram, until the 31st December 2012.

020 7483 5004

* UNT O C www.thewellingtonbreastcareunit.com S I RY D O T C U SPECIAL INTROD *Terms and Conditions apply, please see the website or scan the QR code for details

The mayfair Magazine | Beauty

Beauty news High-tech meets high-glamour in the beauty world this month as we look for key results-driven treatments and products WORDS: ELLE BLAKEMAN

Treatment of the month Givenchy’s new Contes de Noël range If you can’t wait for Christmas morning (or want to ensure you look amazing on it) then take a look at Givenchy’s new Contes de Noël range launching this month. The sugar-sweet tones suit every colouring while the pearl finish will leave you with a soft glow. We especially love the Embellishing Luminous Powder – dab over face and décolletage for a stunning, youthful finish. The Christmas collection will be available nationwide from November. Above from top: Starry Loose Powder Scintillating Body, £43.50; Embellishing Luminous Powder, Face & Blush, £42, both Givenchy, available at Harrods (www.harrods.co.uk)

Katherine Jackson is on speed dial for many a Mayfairian. Taking high-tech to a new level (she was ten years ahead of the laser obsession) Jackson uses the very latest in medical equipment: sound waves to push in vitamins and cold lasers rather than hot ones (pain-free and with better regenerating results). She finishes by mixing products from her apothecary of ingredients (skin-identical hormones and hydraulic acid among them), sending you on your way with a personalised serum for your skin along with Jane Iredale’s fantastic mineral make-up. Your skin will thank you. Facial, from £90 (www.katherinejackson.co.uk)

The word on the (Mayfair) street To celebrate an impressive 25 years of their cult-classic Skin Caviar (adored by high-profile fans including Christina Hendricks, Angelina Jolie and Victoria Beckham), La Prairie have released a limited-edition version, complete with Swarovski crystals – promising to illuminate both your skin and your bathroom. Caviar Cristal, £670, La Prairie (available from Harrods)

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

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

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

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The mayfair Magazine | Beauty

Spa review Hushh, Pimlico Road W O R D S : kate rac o v o lis

ushh’s name suggests a hidden gem on a silent street, however the Belgravia spa fits seamlessly into Pimlico Road – the busy hub of luxury interior design boutiques and café culture. At the entrance, immaculate manicure stations are at the ready for you to treat your hands to a polish with every colour imaginable. But a few steps down to the lower-ground floor are the treatment rooms: warm, peaceful enclaves made for pure relaxation. Whichever treatment you choose – the La Prairie Caviar Firming Facial, a customised Dermalogica one or Bioeffect body treatment – you can switch off your busy mind, take some deep breaths and escape to another, very quiet world for an hour or two. I decided to indulge in the Bioeffect Exceptional Body Treatment which began with an exfoliating scrub made from ground apricot stones and organic oats to remove dry skin. Once polished, you are ready for the full body massage with chamomile scented oil – which feels like melted butter gliding over your skin. To finish, Bioeffect’s Body Intensive serum – full of anti-aging and deeply nourishing hydrating properties – is applied to your newly rejuvenated skin, leaving your body feeling soft and nourished for days. After your hour of bliss, you’ll see how Hushh strikes a fine balance between an escapist spa retreat and a boutique atmosphere – all without ever venturing out of Belgravia. Bioeffect Exceptional Body Treatment, £95 for one hour. Hushh Spa, 44 Pimlico Road, SW1W (020 7730 9977; www.hushhspas.com)

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Meet the Specialist Mr Luke Cascarini BDS, MBBCh, FDSRCS, FRCS(OMFS) is a consultant oral and maxillofacial, with a special interest in mouth cancer, and is lead clinician for the multidisciplinary head and neck cancer group for North West London. He provides a rapid diagnostic service for mouth, jaw and facial diseases at The Wellington Hospital, and works alongside dedicated head and neck surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and pathologists; using surgical techniques including Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery and microvascular oral and facial reconstruction.

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The mayfair Magazine | Health Promotion

Tip of the Tongue Unlike breast and skin cancers, month cancer is sorely underrepresented in the media. Throughout November, Mouth Cancer Awareness Month aims to bring this illness to wider attention.

ost cases of mouth cancers originate from the lining of the mouth; the most common sites are the lips, tongue, cheeks and floor of the mouth. If you are found to have an early stage mouth cancer survival rates are very promising; for example early lip cancer can have over 90% five year survival. However, mouth cancer can develop quickly, and advanced mouth cancers have much poorer outlooks. Despite major improvements in cancer treatments, sadly, even today, many patients do not seek help until the cancer has spread to the neck, a feature which halves the chance of survival. One of the largest hurdles is educating people and raising awareness of mouth cancers. Just as there exists a significant consciousness of breast cancer and its signs and symptoms, the same needs to be true for mouth cancer; particularly with the recent rise of this disease in younger adults. Although about half of mouth cancer patients are over the age of 60, it is becoming more common in younger people. This increase in younger patients and non-smokers contracting the disease is thought to be associated with the human papilloma virus (HPV). As with many cancers smoking is noted as a primary concern, but none more so than with mouth cancer. Those who smoke are six times more likely to develop a head and neck cancer, and 75% of all throat and month cancers occur in smokers. To boot, if you regularly consume alcohol, your chances of developing a mouth cancer increase, with every three in four people diagnosed with a mouth cancer being smokers and regular drinkers. In its very early stages, mouth cancers can be almost invisible, making it hard to detect. Keep an eye out for: 1. Mouth ulcers, especially a solitary ulcer that does not heal in two weeks 2. Red; or red and white, patches on the lining of your mouth or tongue 3. A swelling in your mouth that lasts for more than three weeks 4. Neck lumps 5. Unexplained loosening of your teeth 6. Unexplained earache

You can reduce your risk of mouth cancers by not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption and eating a healthier low-meat, low-fat diet, rich in vegetables and fruit, cereals or beans. For more information, please visit www.thewellingtonhospital.com, or alternatively www.mouthcancerfoundation.org | www.mouthcancer.org

Early detection Mr Luke Cascarini, consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon at The Wellington Hospital, takes a look at the symptoms of mouth cancers. Mouth cancer is one of the few cancers in the UK which is rising in incidence, with around five people each day dying from the disease. Without a doubt, the single most important determinant of survival is the stage of the disease at presentation. This means the earlier the disease is diagnosed and treated the better the outcome. By the time a mouth cancer has spread to the neck and caused a lump it has become quite advanced. This means people who don’t visit their dentist regularly are more likely to present late, with worse outcomes. What is more, many people who present with mouth cancer have been aware for some time that something ‘wasn’t right’ in the mouth. Usually an ulcer or growing lump and they weren’t aware that it could be dangerous. Mouth cancer just isn’t well known to the public, and this can have disastrous consequences. If you are aware of a mouth ulcer that persists for more than a fortnight, a lump or bump or red or white patches in your mouth, an unexplained earache or loosening of a tooth for no obvious reason, or a lump in your neck, even if you are young and don’t smoke or drink excessively, you must seek an urgent opinion from your doctor or dentist. They can send you to a dedicated mouth cancer expert for diagnosis and, if required specialist treatment. To arrange an appointment with a specialist, call the Enquiry Helpline on 020 7483 5004.

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sloping off ?

CLUB THE

slh.com/mayfair

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Over 520 hotels in more than 70 countries Whether you are an accomplished skier seeking out the most challenging of slopes, or more of an ‘armchair skier’ lured by the appeal of the après-ski, be sure to experience one of our luxurious ski retreats this winter. - from Verbier to Jackson Hole, we’ve got it covered!

MAyfair Magazine Runwild FPNovember.indd 1

15/10/2012 10:03:15

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

Long haul

These hotels push the boundaries of technology, and we have the top tips to look sharp and travel in style

The Peninsula, Hong Kong If you find it difficult to pry your smartphone from your hands whilst on holiday, The Peninsula is the place for you. At this hotel, almost every whim can be attended to at the touch of a screen. The rooms have been newly fitted with technology designed by their in-house electronic services department, who are pioneers in the development of innovative guest-room gadgets. In your room, you will find a customised interactive digital bedside, desk and wall tablets pre-set in five languages, as well as en-suite marble bathrooms with LED touch-screen panels for terrestrial internet TV and radio. And if you travel in the hotel’s Rolls-Royce fleet, the high-speed internet will accompany you so you’re always connected. (www.peninsula.com)

Short haul

W o rds : K ate R ac o v o lis

s w e n l e v a Tr

TRAVEL TIPS

Radisson Royal Hotel, Moscow

There’s an App for that Vocre Translate This app allows you to select a language, press record and start a real-time conversation translated into the language of your choice – a timely way to help find the right words when you are lost in translation. £1.99 from the iTunes App Store

There is something romantic about visiting Moscow in November, before the thick of winter sets in. The Radisson Royal Hotel (right) in the centre of the city is palacial – one of Stalin’s ‘Seven Sisters’ (a group of elaborate skyscrapers built during the late 1940s). Housing a painting collection of some 1,200 original master works by Russian artists from the first half of last century, this beautiful hotel is an art lover’s paradise and is decadent in its design, reminiscent of imperial Russia. But behind the classic interior, the rooms are contemporary. After an afternoon of pampering at the spa, retire to your room and let the sound from the Bang & Olufsen multi-media sound system envelop your senses in the Grand two-bedroom suite. (www.radissonblu.co.uk)

Don’t leave home without… A leather case for your tablet from Griffin. The technology accessories brand has collaborated with luxury leather goods designer Col. Littleton, creating handstitched cases from soft, steerhide leather. iPad case £244.99, Griffin (www.griffintechnology.com)

‘Don’t miss the plane. I’ve never missed a plane in my life. If I have any fault I’m always too early’ - Sir Roger Moore

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The sands of

time

Proudly standing since 1975, the One&Only Le Saint GĂŠran is something of a trailblazer in Mauritius. Today the hotel blends modern luxury with the retro glamour it once inspired. W o r d s : E lle B l a k em a n

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The mayfair Magazine | Travel

he year of 1975 was an impressive one. ‘Micro-soft’ became a registered trademark, Bruce Springsteen released Born To Run and Muhammad Ali beat Joe Fraser in the ‘Thriller in Manilla’ match. It was also the year that Mauritius saw it’s first-ever, five-star resort, Le Saint Géran. Back then, to afford a holiday abroad, not to mention long-haul travel, marked you out as someone important; to stay at the Le Saint Géran however, marked you out as someone who had made it. While the world has moved on, it is my belief that this fact hasn’t changed. Le Saint Géran has maintained a level of old Hollywood glamour, with attractive, healthy-looking guests dressing for dinner and elegantly lounging on the beach in Ossie Clarke and Halston. As the first international five-star resort in Mauritius, the hotel has had the luxury of picking the best spot on the island, which, much like picking first in sports, always guarantees an edge over the competition. Le Saint Géran has made its choice well: tucked among the pristine white sands of its very own peninsula, surrounded by coconut trees and perfect gardens drawing a host of wildlife to the area. Each spacious, marble-filled suite at the hotel looks out onto the white-sanded beach just a few steps away. The General Manager explained that all had to satisfy his ‘balcony test’, where he considers whether the extra few feet of outside space really adds to the room, or is merely something that needs to be included to say you have one. To take this test for yourself, grab a coffee or glass of champagne, a paper and take some time out to really enjoy your surroundings. If you suddenly look at your watch and realise an hour has gone by – then it passes the balcony test. The location, boasting a sheltered, private lagoon, also provides the perfect backdrop for water sports, another one of the hotel’s trump cards. Incredibly all water sports at the hotel are complimentary; try your hand at waterskiing, paddle boarding or wake boarding. The fact that this is at no hourly rental or rate, means

you can pick up a new skill that you may not have done otherwise, or leave the children in the capable hands of the trainers for the day while you relax, guilt-free, on the beach. Although a novice water skiier myself, I never turn down an opportunity to try something new and potentially embarrassing, feeling ludicrously out of place in a ikat-print bikini, I gave it a shot. The staff were helpful and fun and, despite the fact that the captain must have suffered whiplash in spinning the boat round so often to rescue me, unshakably patient. Other sports include golfing on the nine-holed, perfectly manicured golf lawn, tennis, and yoga on a dedicated hut on the edge of the island, overlooking nothing but the sea. For a family holiday, it really doesn’t get better than Le Saint Géran. While the older ones can indulge in sports and games for as long as they wish, the younger ones can play in the beautifully designed treehouse-style kid’s club, complete with Apple Macs, cookery stations and a tiny swimming pool surrounded by miniature sun loungers. The club is open from 10am to 10pm, allowing parents to have a peaceful dinner date if they wish. The rest of the resort is very child friendly – as there is an adult-only pool in the spa, children can play in the main pool to their heart’s content, splashing around the bar where parents can keep an eye on their children with a glass of wine in hand. The kind, warm nature of the staff also adds to this child-friendly feel of the place and unlike the seen-and-not-heard reception your little ones will often receive elsewhere, children are made to feel as welcome as their parents. Indeed upon chatting to guests, most of whom had been here several times before, every one of them cited the staff as a key reason for their return. Genuinely lovely people, from the barman who encouraged us to try each of his five homemade rums (and excitedly explained how he made them) to the sweet-tempered children supervisor, the staff were a level above even the most obliging of hotel staff. An incredible fifth of them have been with 

133

the hotel since it opened and several of the hotel’s many awards are focused on the staff – nothing was too much trouble and they were keen to see to our needs before we’d even realised we needed anything. The award-winning spa also follows these principles, tailoring each treatment perfectly to the individual. Set between the tropical pond and the quiet, adult-only pool overlooking the sea, this huge, pebble-toned spa is somewhere you could easily while away a peaceful

afternoon. Unnaturally comfortable daybeds are dotted around both inside and out encouraging you to extend your experience past your treatment. Upstairs, the fabulously named Pedi:Mani:Cure studio headed up by the world-renowned Bastien Gonzalez will leave your feet looking perfectly in place in a white-sand paradise, which is handy really. If you can get in, try and book the villa; with gated entrance and a private beach and pool it is secluded, but only slightly away from the main

If you can get in, try and book the villa; with 134

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

hotel which prevents you becoming isolated. (You can also get a private helicopter from the main airport straight to this villa – a seamless affair if ever I’ve seen one). However, booking will be tough, as Nicholas Sarkozy, Sharon Stone and Chris de Burgh are regular visitors – and are known to book in advance. The food here is an event, with two-michelin starred chef Vineet Bhatia serving exquisite Indian fare and Karim Hassene, taking over after Alain Ducasse’s 11-year reign as executive chef, keen to show off his flair for international cooking. Rasoi by Vineet is built over the lagoon on the edge of the island; a sublimely tranquil setting for a romantic meal (and convienently next to the Kid’s Club). The food is Indian, but not as you know it; spices are light and complex, rather than the more overpowering variety that often passes for Indian food over here, and is served in a sharing form, making for an easy, intimate dining experience. PRIME, however, is an altogether more forceful experience, with bold burnt-orange décor and rich contemporary grill dishes including Angus Wagyu beef and pan-roasted rock lobster. Both restaurants drew several of the island’s natives for an evening out – always a very good sign. At some point, you must order lunch on the beach, if only to see the world’s most decadent lunchbox. Stick your red ‘Service’ flag (seriously) in the sand and await the appearance of a waiter, who can bring you a huge hamperlike box filled with something from the PRIME menu, along with plenty of fruit and salad. Later in the day, a man will come around with crudités while you sunbathe; like a dinner party that’s been relocated to the beach. I am a firm One&Only convert, having seen first-hand the impressive level of luxury that this brand offers, so when I found out that the owner’s daughter chose to get married here, as opposed to say the Maldives or Dubai, it spoke volumes for both Le Saint Géran and Mauritius. The island itself is beautifully unspoiled. Hot, dusty streets are filled with primary-coloured shop fronts and bustling, happy people.

Mauritius is a place filled with culture and, unlike other honeymoon destinations such as the Seychelles or the Maldives (although both are absolutely stunning), you get a little more depth here. The combination of Dutch, then French, then English influences over the past four centuries has provided a rich mixture of different cultures. November is the ideal time to visit; it’s spring time, so the weather is glorious without being too hot to move from the beach/air-con. To see a slice of Mauritian life from a bygone era, visit the Tea Route that starts at the Domaine des Aubineaux in Curepipe, an old plantation from 1872 with a house still filled with antiques and pictures from an era of great dynasties and houses. After this, you can head to Bois Chéri tea factory and museum to acres and acres of lush green land and perfect still lakes. Ultimately though, tea routes, lagoons, and water sports aside, I think her decision to marry here can only have been about the resort, which truly does have something very special about it. Perhaps it will take a return visit to decide just what this is…

THE ESSENTIALS the package Prices from £1,785 per person, including return flights from London Heathrow with Air Mauritius and private transfers, with Carrier (0161 492 1358; www.carrier.co.uk). sleep & stay Stay seven nights, pay for four and receive reduced rates and complimentary half-board. A junior suite in November starts at £719 per night. All feature a private terrace or balcony facing either the ocean or cove. (www.oneandonlyresorts.com) fly away Air Mauritius offers up to four weekly non-stop direct flights from London Heathrow Airport to Mauritius. (020 7434 4375; ukinfo@airmauritius.com) see & do The Tea Route was organised by MTPA, for more information please contact the MTPA (www.tourism-mauritius.mu) treat yourself For a truly decadent trip, book into the Yu Lounge, the private lounge at Mauritius airport. (www.yulounge.com)

gated entrance and a private beach and pool 135

uilt on a peninsula between two Where to stay harbours, the Turkish port city of One of Bodrum’s most iconic Bodrum is famous for its castle, its five-star hotels, the Kempinski world-renowned yachts and shipyards Barbaros Bay is the ideal base and the dazzling white buildings lining the from which to explore the azure shores of the Aegean. As well as being peninsula. Staff-driven golf carts hugely popular with British tourists, the Turkish convey guests down the steep Riviera – described as ‘the land of eternal path to Barbarossa, a brilliant blue’ by Homer – is increasingly becoming the seafood restaurant on the private holiday destination of choice for the Middle beach. Service is impeccable, the Eastern, Russian and CIS super-rich. rooms everything you would Flavio Briatore opened his fifth Billionaire expect and the views across the Club in Bodrum at the Palmarina in Yalikavak Aegean to the Greek island of Kos last summer and both the Four Seasons and incredible. The spa underneath the Mandarin Oriental are opening this year. vast infinity pool is the biggest in According to Forbes, Istanbul ranks fourth Europe and a visit to the authentic in the world behind New York, Moscow and Turkish hammam is a must. London for its number of billionaire (www.kempinski.com) residents who regularly weekend in Bodrum, taking VIP tables at Halikarnas, the open-air Eating & drinking nightclub that has hosted everyone from Dinner at Kocadon at the top Princess Margaret to Michael Caine and of a winding street in the old town the Rothschilds. is extravagant and delicious, with No sojourn to Bodrum would be modern locally sourced Turkish complete without a visit to the tiny fishing food and a comprehensive local village of Turkbuku on the Northern side wine list. Candles highlight the of the peninsula, where the jet-set hang out palm trees and banana plants at beach clubs which feel like very small, against the white walls of the exclusive nightclubs on the ocean. They courtyard, whilst the stone mosaic tuck into incredible seafood lunches on floor and classical jazz music add the deck at Maca Kizi, a modernist to the romance of the occasion, boutique hotel on the side of the cliff, making it easy to while away an beloved by the A-list. entire evening here. The climate with a summer average (www.kocadon.com) of 34 degrees and a mostly sunny winter of 15 degrees means that this new St Tropez Mayfair recommends is a winning location year round. Spend a night at Halikarnas for Head to Gumusluk fishing village and the glamorous people watching, take a walk along the romantic beach stunning view across the harbour, surrounded by lanterns strung in the music and cocktails. The new trees and the vintage-style wooden tables ambassador Jade Jagger designed set up in the shallows. For a cultural the club’s Secret Garden side-order to food, drink and sun, the restaurant which opened last year, area’s greatest claim to fame has to be the and new for next year is a super Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the yacht jetty right outside. Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. (www.halikarnas.com.tr)

BODRUM CASTLE

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bodrum street scene (photo: tom horton) bodrum harbour (photo: tom horton)

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

[city break]

bodrum

SUITCASE E S S E N TIA L S

#1 Sunglasses, £347, Linda Farrow Luxe (www.lindafarrow.co.uk)

#2 Dress, £715, Issa (www.issalondon.com)

#3 Ginger Flight Therapy, £21, Aesop (www.aesop.com)

The destination for the A-list and luxury yachts, Bodrum has naturally become Turkey’s place to see and be seen

#4 Cuff, £1,185, Mallarino (www.net-a-porter.com)

WORDS: SARA LAWRENCE BODRUM HONEY WITH PISTACHIO (PHOTO: TOM HORTON)

CAMELS ON A BEACH NEAR BODRUM

PALMARINA, BODRUM

Swimsuit, £598, Melissa Odabash (www.odabash.com)

BODRUM MEZE (PHOTO: TOM HORTON)

PALMARINA, BODRUM

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

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Property | The mayfair Magazine

Mayfair estate agents Paddington & Bayswater Sales & Lettings Beauchamp Estates 24 Curzon Street, W1J 7TF 020 7499 7722 www.beauchamp.co.uk

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

Pimlico & Westminster Sales

John D Wood

Proprium

48 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9PA 020 7824 7900 www.johndwood.co.uk

149 Sloane Street, SW1X 9BZ 020 7589 6298 www.proprium.co.uk

Belgravia

Sloane Street

50 Belgrave Road, SW1V 1RQ 020 7834 4771 www.hamptons-int.com

Kaye & Carey

Chesterton Humberts

Mayfair

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

Harrods Estates

Knightsbridge

Westminster & Pimlico

82 Brompton Road, SW3 1ER 020 7225 6506

10 Gillingham Street, SW1V 1HJ 020 3040 8201 (SALES) www.chestertonhumberts.com

61 Park Lane, W1K 1QF 020 7409 9001 www.harrodsestates.com

Knightsbridge

Savills

4 Yeoman’s Row, SW3 2AH 020 7590 0066 www.kayeandcarey.co.uk

188 Brompton Road, SW3 1HQ 020 7581 5234

Knightsbridge Sales Mayfair Sales & Lettings 36 North Audley St., W1K 6ZJ 020 7578 5100

Mayfair

Sloane Street Sales & Lettings Knight Frank

Hyde Park Sales

139 Sloane Street, SW1X 9AY 020 7730 0822 www.savills.co.uk

55 Baker Street, W1U 8AN 020 7871 5060

Marylebone Sales Fine & Country

Mayfair

119 Park Lane, W1K 7AG 020 7079 1523 www.fineandcountry.com

Hamptons International

Chelsea Lettings 134 Fulham Road, SW10 9PY 020 7717 5433

Home House Estates 21 Woodstock Street, W1C 2AP 020 7493 1911 www.homehouseestates.co.uk

Horne & Harvey 23A St James’s Street, SW1A 1HA 020 7839 6006 www.horneandharvey.co.uk

55 Baker Street, W1U 8EW 020 3435 6440

Mayfair Sales & Lettings 120a Mount Street, W1K 3NN 020 7499 1012 www.knightfrank.co.uk

Pastor Real Estate Ltd 48 Curzon Street, W1J 7UL 020 3195 9595 www.pastor-realestate.com

London Sotheby’s International Realty 26A Conduit Street,W1S 2XY 020 7495 9580 www.sothebysrealty.com

Strutt & Parker

London Head Office 13 Hill Street, W1J 5LQ 020 7629 7282

Knightsbridge

66 Sloane Street, SW1X 9SH 020 7235 9959 www.struttandparker.com

Knightsbridge Lettings 168 Brompton Road, SW3 1HW 020 7717 5463

138

Mayfair Sales & Lettings

Jackson Stops

Plaza Estates

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

17C Curzon Street, W1J 5HU 020 7664 6644 www.jackson-stops.co.uk

29-31 Edgware Road, W2 2JE 020 7724 3100 www.plazaestates.co.uk

Mayfair Sales

Marble Arch

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

W.A. Ellis 174 Brompton Road, SW3 1HP 020 7306 1600 www.waellis.co.uk

showcasing the

finest HOMES & PROPERTY from the best estate agents

Exclusive PROPERTIES Home and abroad

HAMPTONS WWW.HAMPTONS.CO.UK

Knight Frank

Connaught Square, Hyde Park, W2 Elegant Georgian town house

A magnificent family house presented to an exceptional standard with beautiful views across the communal gardens. Master en suite bedroom, 5 further bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, gymnasium, study, cloakroom, terrace, patio, 2 storage vaults, access to communal gardens. Approximately 331 sq m (3,585 sq ft) Freehold ÂŁ5,500,000 (HPE110174)

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

Knight Frank

Mansfield Street, Marylebone W1

Two bedroom lateral apartment in prestigious block A superbly presented two bedroom apartment in one of Maryleboneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most architecturally important buildings. Occupying an enviable corner position, the property benefits from lift access and 24 hour porterage. Comprising 2 bedroom suites, reception room, dining room, kitchen, guest cloakroom. Approximately 158 sq m (1,705 sq ft) Leasehold 137 years approximately Guide price: ÂŁ3,300,000

(MRY120147)

KnightFrank.co.uk/Marylebone marylebone@knightfrank.com 020 3641 7938

Knight Frank Porchester Terrace, Bayswater W2 Expansive family home

A stunning, contemporary house located in the heart of Bayswater. 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, shower room, reception room, kitchen/dining room, playroom, study, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, staff accommodation, garden, parking. Approximately 612 sq m (6,591 sq ft) Unfurnished

Guide price: ÂŁ7,500 per week

Hyde Park Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings hydeparklettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 7941 (HPQ114415)

Chagford Street, Marylebone NW1 Luxurious living

A beautifully presented town house close to Marylebone Village. 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, shower room, reception room, kitchen/family room, cinema room, garage, air conditioning, pre-wired Linn multiroom audio system. Approximately 244 sq m (2,626 sq ft) Furnished or unfurnished

Guide price: ÂŁ3,000 per week

Marylebone Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings marylebonelettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5853 (MRQ137894)

Knight Frank Dering Street, Mayfair W1S

High specification space A brand new and exceptionally spacious loft-style studio apartment finished to the highest standard. Open-plan studio room with oak flooring, Italian kitchen, separate bathroom with Aquavision, Crestron Control lighting, secure entry, concierge and lift. Approximately 55 sq m (592 sq ft) Available furnished

Guide price: ÂŁ750 per week

Mayfair Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7647 6600 (MAQ169643)

Park Lane, Mayfair W1K

Contemporary elegance A beautifully presented lateral apartment with balcony, situated in a prime location facing Hyde Park. 3 bedrooms, 3 en suite bathrooms, reception room, contemporary kitchen, study, balconies, porter and lift. Approximately 169 sq m (1,815 sq ft) Available furnished

Guide price: ÂŁ3,500 per week

Mayfair Lettings KnightFrank.co.uk/Lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7499 1012 (MAQ165659)

this month’s

Mayfair Home to buy

r at i n g c e l e b2012

Curzon Square w1j

£3,250,000 long lease

A luxurious Mayfair apartment situated within a Georgian period building of distinction, close to Park Lane. Benefiting from a spacious reception room, eat-in kitchen, 2 double bedrooms (1 en-suite), shower room, 24hr porterage, topiary communal garden, lift & secure parking.

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

chestertonhumberts.com

Park Street w1k

£3,995,000 long lease

A spacious Mayfair apartment close to Park Lane, featuring a reception/ dining room, luxury kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite shower & dressing room & 2 further double bedrooms.

CHeSterfield GardenS w1j

£3,950,000 share of freehold

An impressive 3 bedroom (2 en-suites) apartment situated within a highly regarded purpose built Mayfair building, comprising a reception room/ dining room, high specification kitchen, cloakroom, lift & uniformed porter.

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

Hay’S MewS w1j

£3,200,000 share of freehold

A prime 3 double bedroom Mayfair mews house situated close to Charles Street. Comprising a reception/dining room, study, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, garage with storage & 24hr security.

Mount Street w1k

£1,995,000 long lease

A very well appointed 3rd floor prime Mayfair apartment comprising a reception room, dining room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms with en-suites & dressing area. & a lift.

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

chestertonhumberts.com

this month’s

Mayfair home to rent

r at i n g c e l e b2012

Shepherd Street w1

£2,500 per week

A large mews house finished to the highest of standards in the heart Mayfair. Comprising a large reception room, open plan kitchen, master bedroom with dressing area & en-suite, 2 double bedrooms with en-suites, study/single bedroom, balcony, garage, cinema room & gym with steam room.

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

chestertonhumberts.com

Upper Brook Street w1

£2,500 per week

A beautiful, 3 double bedroom duplex apartment on the ground & lower ground floor of this period building close to Grosvenor Square & within easy reach of all the amenities of the West End.

Upper Brook Street w1

£2,200 per week

A spacious & bright newly refurbished 3 bedroom top floor apartment superbly located just off Grosvenor Square.

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

park Street w1

£1,600 per week

A brand new & interior designed 2 bedroom apartment with dark wood flooring throughout in a sought-after block benefiting from uniformed porterage & a lift.

harley Street w1

£850 per week

A well presented 3 bedroom apartment superbly located on Harley Street close to Regent’s Park, Marylebone High Street & Oxford Street.

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

chestertonhumberts.com

Over Over600 600Offices Officesinin4646Countries Countries DPS1 LHP_279801_Sothebys_Mayfair Mag_Nov12.indd 1

03/10/2012 17:29

17:29

Mount Street, Mayfair W1 The ultimate pied-à-terre situated in one of the finest Grade II listed buildings in Mayfair. Reception room • Kitchen and dining room • Master bedroom suite • Dressing room (or bedroom two) • Cloakroom • Integrated AV (Bang & Olufsen) • Approximately 1,087 sq ft / 101 sq m

Price upon application Leasehold with approximately 115 years remaining

020 7808 8540

patrick.lister@sothebysrealty.co.uk

sothebysrealty.co.uk DPS1 RHP_279801_Sothebys_Mayfair Mag_Nov12.indd 2

03/10/2012 17:30

Eaton Square, Belgravia SW1 Grand living in one of London’s most prestigious addresses. Reception room • Dining room • Two bedrooms • Two bathrooms • Balcony 24 hour porterage and security • Approximately 1,763 sq ft / 163 sq m

020 7495 9580

casper.tham@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Guide Price: £1,450,000 Leasehold with approximately seven years remaining

belgravia@knightfrank.com

Over 600 Offices in 46 Countries

sothebysrealty.co.uk

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020 7881 7722

03/10/2012 17:33

17:33

King Street, St James’s SW1 A decadent duplex apartment. Two reception rooms • Dining room • Kitchen • Study • Cloakroom Two bedrooms, each with dressing rooms and en-suite bathrooms Further bedroom with en-suite bathroom • 24 hour concierge/security Use of St James’s Square gardens

020 7495 9580

peter.bevan@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Guide Price: £6,650,000 Share of Freehold

mayfair@hamptons-int.com

Over 600 Offices in 46 Countries

sothebysrealty.co.uk

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020 7758 8440

03/10/2012 17:33

Hamptons Mayfair

020 7717 5465 mayfair@hamptons-int.com

Bryanston Court, W1 On the second floor of one of Maryleboneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sought after blocks, this stunning four bedroom, three bathroom apartment has recently undergone an exceptional refurbishment programme combining modern amenities with period charm. With excellent uniformed porterage, super communal areas, lifts and superb location. Hamptons Mayfair 020 7717 5465 mayfair@hamptons-int.com

ÂŁ3,500,000 Leasehold (Share of Freehold) Reception room Kitchen breakfast room Four bedrooms Three bathrooms (Two En suite) Lift Porter

Hamptons Paddington

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

Hyde Park Gardens, W2 A magnificent five bedroom apartment occupying the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors of this highly desirable block located adjacent to Hyde Park. With stunning views across private gardens and measuring in excess of 3500 sq ft this property comprises a grand reception room with high ceilings and views of the gardens. Hamptons Paddington 020 7717 5473 paddington@hamptons-int.co.uk

ÂŁ4,650,000 Leasehold Grade II Listed Building South Facing Apartment Five Bedrooms Terrace Residents Lift Porter

Hamptons Pimlico & Westminster

0203 281 7214 pimwest@hamptons-int.com

Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W A unique 9th and 10th floor Penthouse duplex with far reaching views across central London. Consort Rise House is a luxurious purpose built development with 24 hour concierge, 4 parking spaces and a resident gymnasium.

Hamptons Pimlico & Westminster 0203 281 7214 pimwest@hamptons-int.com

ÂŁ2,500,000 Leasehold Superb views across Central London 3 Bedrooms, 3 bathrooms ( All En Suite) Walk-in Wardrobe Portered Building Private Parking for up to 4 cars 2255 Approx Sq ft

Hamptons Paddington

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

Westbourne Terrace, W2 A beautiful two bedroom flat on the ground and lower ground floor with a lovely patio garden and two roof terraces. The flat has wood floors throughout and is fully furnished.

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

ÂŁ750 per week Furnished 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Dishwasher Fridge/Freezer Washer\Dryer Patio

A short stroll from Bond Street and the vibrancy of Oxford Street lies one of central London’s hidden gems. A village of boutiques, independent traders, beautiful squares and an eclectic mix of cafés and restaurants. Welcome to Fitzrovia. Now something new is coming to Fitzrovia that’s as unique as the area itself. Fitzroy Place, a collection of prestigious homes gathered around a stunning landscaped square. Apartments from: £750,000 to over £12,500,000* For further information or to register your interest please contact: Fitzroy Place Marketing Suite 19/21 Mortimer Street London W1T 3JE T +44 (0)20 7323 1077 E enquiries@fitzroyplace.com fitzroyplace.com

A development by

Sales representation by

*Prices correct at time of going to press

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

The MAYFAIR INSIDER simon barnes

Property news Plans for a new Mayfair development unfold, meanwhile we bring you expert tips for selling your home this winter

Clarges House

Balfour Place On the same block as some of Mayfair’s most iconic shops including, James Purdey & Sons, and running south from Mount Street, this newly refurbished duplex apartment at Balfour Place is a beautiful contemporary home in a stunning period building. The remodelled apartment has been designed using the finest carpentry and craftsmanship with state-of-theart technology. It is beautifully set out on the ground and lower ground floor, and has an entrance hall, reception room, kitchen and breakfast area, master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom – and a private patio garden, perfect for entertaining guests come rain or shine. Flat L, 3-4 Balfour Place, W1K 2AT. Leasehold 116 years remaining. For further enquiries contact Charles Lloyd, 020 7578 5111, clloyd@savills.com

Property investment company British Land has acquired Clarges House at 6/12 Clarges Street and 82/84 Piccadilly in Mayfair, which overlooks Green Park nearby The Ritz and Bond Street. British Land intends to redevelop the entire site to create a landmark mixeduse scheme, designed by Squire & Partners, which includes 63,000 square feet of new luxury private residential units fronting Piccadilly with 7,900 square feet of retail below, 91,000 square feet of high quality offices in a separate block and a new Kennel Club building. As the acquisition is said to be completed this month, the design and planning work is already underway to improve the existing site. (www.britishland.com)

o you’ve spent the back end of the summer sprucing up your house and you’re trying to sell; it’s been on the market for about a month. I suspect for sellers out there, this is what’s been happening… Several ‘viewings’ have been and gone. If you’ve been there when people have been looking round, it probably felt like they all ‘loved it’ and even gushed about ‘how nice it all was.’ Don’t take this at face value, do quiz the agent after each viewing for a de-brief, gather the feedback and act on it. If feedback is that it’s ‘too dark’, try to lighten, ‘too cluttered’, then tidy and store away. Realistically, there are some minuses you can’t fix or improve, so this may need to be reflected in the price. Endeavour to arm yourself with comparable information on similar properties and values. If you become market savvy, you will know what potential buyers are looking at and how your property compares. The next few weeks may seem disheartening with numerous viewings yet no offers. Most buyers want to see everything available before making a decision. Even if they have seen the ideal home, they will probably want to keep looking ‘just in case’ something better turns up… For buyers, depending if you’re represented by a buying agent, or if you are doing the work yourself, you will probably have viewed numerous unsuitable properties and now have a clearer idea of whether your perfect property exists. Do be prepared to redefine your ‘wish list’ and compromise. By mid October most properties will now be on the market so there’s no point in waiting for something better to come along. Equipped with a handle on property values, when you find the right property, you must pounce! And at this point, it is worth having professional advice. (020 7499 3434; www.simonbarnes.com) 161

Where all the best properties in London resideâ&#x20AC;Ś

primelocation.com/apps

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04/09/2012 13:40

Prim

…but not for long.

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020 7402 9494 16 Park Road, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4SH Facsimile: 020 7724 7055 Email: enquiries@bargets.co.uk

An immaculate designed home St John’s Wood NW8 A very well presented end of terrace house providing bright and spacious accommodation, featuring a beautiful principle bedroom suite and separate living and dining areas. Abbey Gardens is a peaceful tree lined street benefiting from the amenity of Violet Hill Park and is approached from both Abbey Road & Abercorn Place thus within easy walking distance of The American School London and the extensive facilities of St John’s Wood including St John’s Wood Underground Station. Principal Bedroom With En-Suite Bathroom • 2 Further Double Bedrooms • Family Bathroom • Reception Room • Dining Room • Fully Fitted Kitchen • Guest Cloakroom • Terrace • Off Street Parking

Freehold

www.bargets.co.uk

£2,600,000

A unique stucco gothic detached house St John’s Wood NW8 This beautifully refurbished and well-proportioned detached period house is situated in a quiet cul-de-sac on Clifton Hill with private garden, garage and one off street parking space. Further benefits include a multi level secluded rear garden, with access from both the kitchen/ breakfast room and main reception room. The house offers excellent family accommodation with the majority of the principal entertaining rooms at raised ground floor level. Master bedroom with en suite dressing area and bathroom • Five further bedrooms (two with en suite facilities) • Bathroom • Shower room • Double reception room • Breakfast room/kitchen • Cinema/leisure room • Play room• Study area • Utility room • Guest WC • Plant room • Two patios • Terrace • Front and rear gardens • Garage and off street parking for one car

Freehold

020 7402 9494

Joint Agent

Price on Application

Chelsea Fulham & Parsons Green Kensington & Holland Park Knightsbridge, Belgravia & Mayfair Notting Hill & Bayswater West Chelsea & South Kensington

Sales 020 7225 3866 Sales 020 7731 7100 Sales 020 7938 3666 Sales 020 7235 9959 Sales 020 7221 1111 Sales 020 7373 1010

Lettings 020 7589 9966 Lettings 020 7731 7100 Lettings 020 7938 3866 Lettings 020 7235 9959 Lettings 020 7221 1111 Lettings 020 7373 1010

City Office Professional Valuations UK Commercial & Residential Residential Investment Property Management

struttandparker.com

Wilton Place | Knightsbridge | SW1 3,233 sq ft (300.35 sq m)

Knightsbridge Lettings 020 7225 3866

Dover Street | Mayfair | W1 725 sq ft (67 sq m)

Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959

020 7600 3456 020 7318 5039 020 7629 7282 020 7318 5196 020 7052 9417

Eaton Place | Knightsbridge | SW1 1,569 sq ft (145 sq m)

This is a very well-presented penthouse apartment with a private lift, impressive open plan entertaining space and the unusual benefit of two private terraces. Reception room | Kitchen | Master bedroom with dressing room and en suite bathroom | Bedroom two with en suite bathroom | Bedroom three/study | Shower room | Two roof terraces | Private lift Asking price ÂŁ4,350,000 Leasehold

Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959

Wilton Row | Belgravia | SW1 2,305 sq ft

(214.1 sq m)

Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959

Hyde Park Gardens, London W2 Situated in a stunning location overlooking both Hyde Park Gardens and the Award-Winning communal gardens of this imposing white stucco-fronted building, this spacious apartment has wonderful high ceilings and majestic proportions. Accommodation consists of a beautiful reception room, separate dining room, study, five bedrooms (three with en-suite bathrooms and dressing rooms), family bathroom and guest toilet. Leasehold ÂŁ4,650,000 020 7409 9047 Robert.cox@harrodsestates.com

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

HARRODSESTATES.COM

Park Lane, Mayfair, W1 A superb three bedroom apartment situated on the fourth floor of this most sought after of residences on Park Lane. The accommodation comprises an entrance hall, reception/ dining room, kitchen, master bedroom with en suite bathroom, two further double bedrooms and guest bathroom. Available, furnished ÂŁ3,000pw 020 7409 9158 Robin.boghhenrikssen@harrodsestates.com

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

HARRODSESTATES.COM

quality

not quantity

Operating independently from his Mayfair base â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and never actively acting for more than four or five clients at one time â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Simon Barnes is able to provide a personal level of service far beyond the average buying agent or property consultant. His service will be committed, impartial and utterly discreet

work smarter, not harder. T: 020 7499 3434 M: 078 3146 5414 E: simon@simonbarnes.com

www.simonbarnes.com

BATHURST MEWS, W2 Beautiful and bright mews house in one of the best mews on the Hyde Park Estate. Fabulous entertaining space and good size bedrooms. The house has been furnished with high quality furniture and it has wood floor throughout the living space. Bathurst Mews is ideally located for the local amenities of Paddington Station and Connaught Village. 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Large Reception Room, Kitchen.

ÂŁ800 PER WEEK OFFICES AT KNIGHTSBRIDGE & MARBLE ARCH

The mayfair Magazine | Property

An everyday necessity Simon Barnes explains why buying agents have become essential aides when purchasing a property in central London

imes have changed; over the past 15 years, buying agents have gone from being a luxury for the cash-rich, time-poor buyer to a regular (dare I say, everyday?) necessity in order to secure your desired property in central London. Such is the scarcity of supply and the uptake in demand that the cut and thrust involved in doing the deal requires a full-time advisor and negotiator, experienced in uncovering the right property and navigating through the choppy waters of negotiation, requiring nerves of steel and an element of emotional detachment. However, with this emerging trend, every week seems to see a new firm of buying agents setting up. It’s important, with so much choice, to choose your buying agent carefully and how one does this is key. A buying agent does as the name suggests, acting for the buyer, so it is not so much quantity as quality you should be looking for. Ask yourself whether an agent with too many clients is going to be able to dedicate enough time to help you? The answer is no, if all their clients are looking for the same thing; for example, a good family house in Notting Hill, or a lateral flat in Knightsbridge. Register with any estate agent in London and they are likely to tell you: ‘We have hundreds of buyers looking for the same thing’. A buying agent with a few serious clients can give you the time needed to understand your requirements in detail and advise you properly. From the outset, the agent will steer you in the right direction, understanding your wants and needs. Their knowledge of London property will tell you if what you are looking for is

realistic, and assuming it is, they will know where to find it. It will be their job to do the running around, looking at everything for you and chasing the agents on a regular basis to ensure they hear about the right property first. Drawing on their established contacts, experienced buying agents will often approach private owners directly to investigate ‘offmarket’ property opportunities. If you’re not available when the estate agent calls to offer you a new property, they will call their next buyer. If an agent can sell a property making one phone call, they won’t always bother making two calls. It’s not always about shaving money off the price by skilful negotiations; your buying agent will be able to quote comparable sales and give an idea of the value of the property once identified. On the flip side, should you lose that property, they will also be in a position to give you an idea of how easy it is to find it again. So often it is not just a matter of negotiation; you may have to pay the asking price, or more if there is other interest and supply is short. Your buying agent will advise you on every step and ensure you are the preferred bidder if there are other buyers. There is no point trying to be clever and save a few pounds, if at the end it costs you the property. Dealing directly with an estate agent may save you the commission you are paying a buying agent, but is it worth the cost of missing your perfect home? A good buying agent should save you time and money in the long term and certainly alleviate some of the problems encountered when buying property; but as with everything, do your homework before choosing your agent. (020 7499 3434; www.simonbarnes.com)

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a voice from the country

What are you planning? Middleton Advisors offer their expert comment on the recently announced proposal to relax planning regulations

he recently announced proposal to relax planning regulations is – according to the Government – expected to ‘help tens of thousands of families and businsesses, making it easier for them to build extensions’. Initial reactions have focused on the proposal to allow 26-feet long extensions without planning permission and suggest little belief that this will impact on the Government’s highest aspiration – to kick-start the economy. It is ‘one of the more bizarre and pathetic policy ideas of modern times’ according to The Observer’s Rowan Moore. A Tory councillor described it as, ‘totally misguided’, while the Lib Dems have now officially called on their coalition partners to withdraw the proposals. A cursory read-through of the original statement suggests that even David Cameron’s most mundane aim – ‘to cut through the bureaucracy that holds us back’ – could prove optimistic. While accepting that getting planning permission for alterations to houses is far too difficult, it’s also clear that the new initiative is still laden with caveats, means of appeal and (as ever with planning policy) subjective interpretations. People have extended their houses before and they will do so again. The system is clumsy, but not insurmountable. And the chances of it significantly changing in any

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perceptible or material way in the next two or three years are very slight indeed. What should not be ignored about the policy statement is that it is much more than the ‘conservatory rebellion’ it has been dubbed by critics. Supporting locally-led major residential developments, getting empty offices into use, making it possible for infrastructure schemes to be determined at a national level and completed quicker – these are the elements of the Government’s plans that sound much more likely to have an impact on the economy as a whole, and that, of course, is to be welcomed. Mark Crampton (01483 230 311) ‘A voice from the country’ is a series of articles by Middleton Advisors, who act on behalf of private clients looking to purchase country houses and estates in the UK

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

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

Under the

Tuscan sun Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a natural city-dweller or prefer the quiet countryside, these classically decorated luxurious properties in Lucca and Florence, Tuscany, will transport you back to the Italian Renaissance

FROM LEFT: GARDEN VIEW, COURTYARD AND THE GARDEN AT VILLA MOMMI

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The mayfair Magazine | Property

ust outside the city of Florence is the Villa Orsetti Estate in Lucca; a beautiful private property surrounded by the natural beauty of Tuscany. The location of the estate is close enough to the busy, city life of Florence (just a short distance from the capital), but is also an escape to a serene, rural lifestyle. The estate is comprised of two villas amongst the Tuscan wildlife, flora and fauna, covering 120 acres. One villa dates back to the late 15th century and the other to the early 18th century. The entire 55-hectare estate, which includes the Villa Orsetti, Villa Mommi, La Fattoria and outbuildings, is being placed on the market for the first time. The 1,200-square-metre Villa Orsetti was built in the early 1700s and was home to many generations of Count Orsettis. The frescoed villa is inside a walled park, together with a luxury farmhouse, a winery ideal for potential restoration, a conservatory and the family ď&#x201A;°

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Property | The mayfair Magazine

 chapel of the Orsettis which was recently refurbished by the same artisans who maintain the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. Villa Mommi was built in the 1490s and includes a 750 square-metre villa, a farmhouse, a garage and maid’s apartment and a handful of other houses in the woods near the olive groves, which contain about 1,800 trees. Higher up the hill, the Villa Mommi features a 53-foot swimming pool, summer kitchens and massage pavilions, plus a breathtaking view of the Lucca landscape that stretches 20 kilometres across the valley. La Fattoria, part of the Villa Orsetti compound, is the Estate Manager’s 480 squaremetre home with six bedrooms, five baths, a private swimming pool and gardens and a conservatory that faces the camellia trees and the original 18th century gates of the estate. Located in the village of Pieve di Compito, the estate brings together a rare glimpse at Renaissance Tuscany, with a state-of-the-art intelligent home in move-in condition, a villa awaiting restoration, and comfortable restored structures with ten bedrooms. Price on application. For further enquiries contact Lynne Davie, Beauchamp Estates, Italy +(39) 05 52 65 40 89, (www.beauchamp.it)

Apartment Bartolommei Available to rent, this modern five-bedroom apartment contrasts the antiquity of Florence’s architecture and is designed by the internationallyacclaimed interior designer Ilaria Miani. Just a few steps from Piazza della Signoria, the iconic Uffizi Gallery and historic bridge, the Ponte Vecchio, the apartment echoes the rustic style of the city. Following the entrance and the grand neoclassical hall with original columns and statues, a vaulted staircase leads to the stylish upper floors – or take the newly installed lift! Approximately £6,060 per week

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Borgo Albizi Now up for sale, this 220 square-metre apartment is located in the heart of the historical centre of the city and has been beautifully restored, complete with a large entrance, courtyards and private parking for two cars. The third-floor apartment has a spacious living room with a fireplace, dining room, contemporary kitchen, three bedrooms and bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes and a roof-top terrace with panoramic views of the city. Approximately £2,200,000

TOP: SWIMMING POOL AT VILLA MOMMI; ABOVE: BORGO ALBIZI; LEFT: APARTMENT BARTOLOMMEI

NEW BOND STREET W1

MOUNT STREET W1

Spacious one bed 2nd floor Mayfair apartment moments from Bond Street station. Reception with open plan kitchen, double bedroom and a large shower room. Price: £495 per week – Furnished

Luxury refurbished one bed Mayfair apartment in this sought after location. Reception room, double bedroom, fully tiled shower room. Price: £690 per week – Furnished

MARYLEBONE LANE W1

CURZON STREET W1

Interior designed 6th floor 790 sq ft apartment in central West End location. Reception room, 2 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen, A/C. Price: £725 per week – Furnished

Stunning refurbished Mayfair apartment. Reception room, master en-suite bed/dressing room, 2nd double bedroom, shower room, eat-in kitchen, access to private gym. Price: £1350 per week – Furnished

E. lettings@pastor-realestate.com