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Contents | The mayfair Magazine

Contents August 2015 022

044

Fashion 040 | Made in Britain A new chapter for William & Son begins, as it relocates to Bruton Street 041 | Style spy 042 | Style update 044 | Gone with the wind Relaxed prints and light cashmere take centre stage for the great outdoors

Features

107

022 | To the country We bring you our guide to quintessentially British outdoor attire this shooting season 060 | In conversation with Valérie Belin As a landmark exhibition of Valérie Belin’s photography begins in Paris, we meet the world-renowned artist 072 | The heritage of the hunt We explore Britain’s rich shooting heritage since the 18th century, charting its rise in popularity 096 | At your service Discover how the professional butler’s role in the household has evolved over the years 10

Collection 027 | Pure shores Piaget releases its new high jewellery collection, Mediterranean Garden

regulars 014 | Contributors 016 | Editor’s letter 019 | My life in Mayfair: Jessica McCormack, founder of Jessica McCormack Diamonds

Art

029 | Jewellery news 054 | Art news 031 | Wild thing The history of Cartier’s most iconic and luxurious symbol, the panther

056 | Exhibition focus: Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal at the Bowes Museum

032 | Luck be a lady Jewellery designer Carolina Bucci celebrates the 130th anniversary of her family business

interiors

037 | Watch news

065 | Interiors news

038 | Out of Africa Ralph Lauren launches two new models of its classic RL67 Safari 000Chronometer timepieces

066 | Modern maestro Carlos Mota’s renowned interiors are captured in a new book published by Assouline

020 | Couture culture Our latest dispatch of the arts, film and theatre releases 107 | Remembering Mayfair: The Arts Club, Dover Street

052 | Green with envy Céline releases a limited bag collection, available at its Mount Street store

058 | Prize lots

MADE WITH LOVE_FULL PAGE COLOUR A4 AD

HARRODS CELEBRATING THE HEART AND SOUL OF CRAFTSMANSHIP Visit us in-store from Saturday 1st to Saturday 29th August www.harrods.com/made-with-love Follow us: @Harrods #madewithlove

Contents | The mayfair Magazine

Contents August 2015 084

mayfair

102

134

Resident’s Journal

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

105

106

Travel

Beauty

077 | Travel news

089 | Beauty news

078 | New horizons Combining safari sights and ultimate relaxation is a unique escape in Kenya and the Seychelles

092 | Spa review Agua Spa at Sanderson

084 | City break: Madrid Indulge in the Michelinstarred cuisine, fine art and culture of the Spanish capital

094 | Food & drink news

086 | Suite dreams: London Marriott Park Lane

078

120

Food & Drink 100 | A sparkling success We explore the evolution of the sparkling wine market 102 | Dining out: Chutney Mary

Property 119 | Market insight Harvey Cyzer, partner and head of Knight Frank Mayfair, reports on the local property market 120 | Property news We bring you the latest news in prime central London property from PrimeResi.com 134 | A room with a view Redrow London launches the residences of Five and Six Connaught Place, with views of Hyde Park 138 | Hot property A stunning penthouse on Carlton Gardens arrives on the market 144 | A regal residence Introducing an extravagant residence in Knightsbridge, with an illustrious history

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Contributors | The mayfair Magazine

A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 s i ssu e 0 4 7

Editor Kate Racovolis

The

contributors

Collection Editor Annabel Harrison Editorial Assistants Amy Welch Ellen Millard Hugh Francis Anderson Brand Consistency Laddawan Juhong Senior Designer Lisa Wade Production Oscar Viney Hugo Wheatley Jamie Steele Alice Ford Editorial Director Kate Harrison Client Relationship Director Kate Oxbrow General Manager Fiona Fenwick Executive Director Sophie Roberts

Matilda Temperley

Jessica McCormack

Managing Director Eren Ellwood

Matilda is known for her stylised portraiture of marginalised societies. She divides her time between commissions and her personal work and this month has photographed our bohemian-chic fashion story, set in the British countryside.

Jewellery designer and tastemaker in her own right, Jessicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eponymous fine jewellery brand has risen to great success since it opened on Carlos Place two years ago. This month she shares her fashionable life in Mayfair with us.

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Richard Yarrow

Carol Cordrey

Former associate editor of Auto Express, Richard is an accomplished motoring journalist. This month, he charts the rise of luxury SUVs, as both Bentley and Lamborghini are set to launch their own, super-charged vehicles that are already making waves in the industry.

Carol is an art critic and editor. She organises the annual London Ice Sculpting Festival and is permanently on the art scene bringing us the latest happenings. This month, she brings you her top selection of summer exhibitions at Beaux Arts gallery and Chris Beetles.

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DISTRIBUTION: The Mayfair Magazine is distributed in Mayfair, St Jamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Belgravia as well as selected parts of Knightsbridge, Chelsea and Marylebone.

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cover

On the

courtesy Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelry Company (SEE PAGE 38)

Editor’s Letter | The mayfair Magazine

editor

From the

EDITOR’S PICKs

#1 Hat, £289, Penmayne of London (penmayne.com)

2 #2 Venetian Bergamot 50ml EDP, £145, Tom Ford (0870 034 2566)

ven if you don’t take part in the Glorious Twelfth, marking the arrival of the hunting and shooting season in Britain, it’s a time of year that doesn’t pass by unnoticed in Mayfair. Game begins to appear on the Michelin-starred menus of many restaurants, and those in the know will flock to the area’s gun and rifle-makers and purveyors of fine tweeds to arrange their kit for the season ahead. We may still be in the humid throes of summer, but on the ground in Mayfair, the seasons are beginning to shift. And with this in mind, we have dedicated the August edition of The Mayfair Magazine to all manner of outdoor pursuits: where to go, how to get there, and how to dress for the occasion. For those who are planning to take to the open road, we look ahead to the upcoming launches of SUVs from the likes of Bentley and Lamborghini, which are planning to release their own powerful dream machines over the coming years (page 68). And in Mayfair, William & Son have relocated from Mount Street to their new flagship on Bruton Street, marking a new chapter for the luxury goods brand. Its founder William Asprey shares his top pieces from the store for the shooting season ahead (page 40). We also discover a rising trend in fashion, where the same tweeds you might wear on a driven shoot can be just as easily adapted to wear in the city. Mayfair is abundant in elegant options, and we bring you a snapshot into the trend (page 22). And in a complete contrast, Matilda Temperley ventures into the British countryside, namely the Temperley cider farm in Somerset, to photograph this month’s fashion story, where urban style meets bohemian-chic (page 44). We wish you a stylish Glorious Twelfth, and season beyond.

#3 Tiffany T ring, from a selection, Tiffany & Co. (Available at Selfridges)

Kate Racovolis Editor Follow us on Twitter @MayfairMagazine

above: image courtesy of james purdey & sons

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29/01/2015 14:38

The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

My life in MAYFAIR jessica mccormack founder of jessica mccormack diamonds

‘M ‘It was love at first sight: I knew instantly that this was the home for my jewellery’ – Jessica McCormack

clockwise from top: jessica mccormack, diamond party jacket rings, from a selection, all jessica mccormack; heels, from a selection, gianvito rossi (gianvitorossi. com); jessica mccormack’s house on carlos place (7 carlos place, W1K; 020 7491 9999; JESSICAMCCORMACK.COM)

y father owned an auction house in New Zealand and I grew up surrounded by antiques, art and jewellery with a love for the unusual and unique. However, it wasn’t until I moved to London to do an internship at Sotheby’s in the jewellery department that my love affair truly began. There, I was exposed to the most incredible jewels – 1920s Cartier, Russian Crown Jewels – and I realised that being a jeweller was what I wanted to do. I love the history and beauty of Mayfair, and Mount Street in particular. When I saw the property on Carlos Place it was love at first sight: I knew instantly that this was the home for my jewellery. I had searched all over Mayfair but Carlos Place, with its sweeping curve and incredible townhouses, was the one. While I was refurbishing the boutique we kept uncovering little secrets as we stripped back the house to its former glory. Particular highlights were the mosaic flooring, and the beautiful oak used throughout the staircase, doors and windowsills. I hope that is how my clients feel when they visit, and that every time they visit, they notice something new that catches their eye and inspires them. I feel that I create what could be called a London look for my jewels because my jewellery is inspired by antique styles, but always with a fresh modern feel. Having everything handmade in our on-site workshop also helps with the continuity and strength of this style. Diamonds are at the heart and soul of everything I do because each one has an individual character and personality, with a mesmerising fire that glows from within. I have been making bespoke Diamond Party Jackets for my private clients for a number of years. Many of them would come to me with tales of old diamond rings sitting unworn but not unloved in the safe, so I set out to breathe new life into them by creating a new ring to surround the existing one, altering the look but not the fabric or essence of the original piece. There is nothing more inspiring and relaxing than spending time in the amazing galleries in Mayfair. I particularly love the Timothy Taylor gallery across the road from the house and also Victoria Miro’s Mayfair outpost. I also love Gianvito Rossi’s shoes and his store is dangerously close to mine. Elsewhere, I try to pick something up for supper at Allen’s the butcher. Heywood Hill books in Curzon Street – where Nancy Mitford once worked – helped me to curate the books in my library and they are a great place for picking up thoughtful gifts for friends. Scott’s is a little decadent for a local, but it’s a 40-second walk from work, even in heels, and has the best Dover sole in town. Mayfair is so unique because it retains the character of a village in the heart of London. For me it’s so important that this is the only place in the whole world you can buy a piece of Jessica McCormack jewellery.’ 19

agenda

literary itinerary

Art house The work of German artist Rotraut is hugely inspired by nature and has become known for its fluid forms and free-standing sculptures. Linking her love with the great outdoors and the energy it possesses, Rotraut’s works are bold and colourful. As 45 Park Lane hosts the artist’s work this month, including paintings and sculptures, you can also revel in the large-scale works on display outside the hotel and The Dorchester. 45 Park Lane, W1K (020 7493 4545; dorchestercollection.com)

Couture culture A new film documents the life of New York fashion icon, Iris Apfel, 45 Park Lane hosts a new art exhibition, and we bring you the hunting season’s finest accessories

theatre

Photography: Dan Tsantilis

The 39 Steps

or the past nine years, The 39 Steps has graced the West End, with almost one million performances to date. Sadly, August will be the last month of the production at its Criterion Theatre home. The hilarious, multi-award winning, tongue-in-cheek production is based on John Buchan’s 1914 spy

‘The hilarious, multi-award winning, tongue-in-cheek production is based on John Buchan’s 1914 spy thriller’ thriller, which was subsequently adapted for the screen in 1935 by Alfred Hitchcock. Over 100 minutes, four actors perform more than 130 characters in a game of cat and mouse, taking the audience from London to Scotland through meticulously timed slapstick humour. Richard Hannay, a wealthy bachelor living in postSecond World War Mayfair becomes entangled in a secret spy ring. When Annabella Schmidt is murdered in his apartment, he escapes to Scotland to discover the truth while being 20

wrongfully chased by the police. Here hardship befalls him, as he is double-crossed, but eventually things turn around in his favour. With true British humour and a touch of sass, The 39 Steps is sure to become iconic. (criterion-theatre.co.uk)

Luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent have pioneered in the field of adventures in far-flung locations around the world since 1982 when it was first founded by Geoffrey Kent and his parents. A true adventurer at heart, we can now see the world through Kent’s lens, as he recounts his many travels around the world in a new memoir. From growing up on the family farm in Kenya while his parents were on safari, armchair travellers and thrill-seekers alike will surely admire Kent’s incredible adventures – he was, after all, the first individual to motorbike between Kenya and Cape Town. He also climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in his teens and spent time ushering at the North Pole, to name but a few of the experiences that can be counted on his list of accomplishments, as documented in this thrilling story. Safari: A Memoir of a Worldwide Travel Pioneer, £20, published by Harper Collins (harpercollins.co.uk)

The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

5 top picks

The huntsman

We bring you the ultimate hunting and shooting accessories to treasure, and begin the Glorious Twelfth in style #1 Mara game book, £250, Smythson (smythson.com)

film

Iris

ris Apfel, the 93-year-old New York fashion icon, has surged to the forefront of contemporary style, with numerous shows curated using her extensive private collection of costume jewellery and vintage clothing. Iris was directed and filmed by Albert Maysles, who was a pioneer in nonfiction feature films, before his death a few months ago. It follows the daily life of Apfel, from curating the sell-out show Iris Apfel, Rare Bird of Fahion, to modelling for esteemed photographer Bruce Weber and magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Dazed and Confused. Along with her husband Carl, who at points can be seen confidently

Ghurka’s fly fishing case makes for an elegant companion to your country pursuits

double rod fly fishing case, from a selection, ghurka (ghurka.com)

wearing paisley trousers and gold-studded baseball caps at 100 years of age, Apfel divulges her history, in her outlandish, quirky and ever-humorous way. Together, Carl and Iris took the design world by storm, from their fabric manufacturing business Old World Weavers to interior design for the White House, they have dozens of fantastic stories to tell. Not only is Apfel an awe-inspiring individual, but the production is suitably hilarious, leaving one optimistic about the future, and the joy that can be found around every corner. Iris, in selected cinemas from 31 July (irismovie.co.uk)

#2 Green gundog tie, £25, Westley Richards & Co (westleyrichards.com)

#3 Gloves, £175, James Purdey & Sons (purdey.com)

#4 Oval hip flask, £1,750, William & Son (williamandson.com)

#5 Hemsley cartridge bag, £138, Croots England (crootsengland.co.uk) 21

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

To the country Mayfair is a destination for specialised attire for a vast array of activities in the great outdoors. We discover how these expertly crafted pieces make for an enviable urban outfit words: anthony armstrong

‘T

hat’s called my pension!’ William Skinner, managing director of Dege & Skinner, calls to me, as he darts down to fetch some cloth samples from the front of shop at Number 10 Savile Row. William here overhears a conversation I’m having about the event of the day before – ‘son’s day’– in which clients take their sons to be fitted for their first shooting suit or lounge suit or evening suit, or all three, in fact. It’s a sort of coming-of-age thing. A father’s tailor becomes his son’s tailor, and so it goes from generation to generation. William, himself the fifth generation of his family to join the bespoke tailoring trade, is busy fitting a customer. A fine lilac-trimmed shooting jacket and waistcoat in the corner of the shop catches my eye. It’s part of the Dege & Skinner’s unique ‘Phitwell’ range. ‘My grandfather designed the Phitwell® back in the 1930s,’ says William. ‘[It] was designed as a shooting coat with a laced sprung back and side vents that give it both function and form.’ Tweed need not be solely for sporting. A jacket and waistcoat cut from Britain’s finest may now be worn as much in the city as in the country. Jump into a darker trouser, slip on a black half-brogue and the country gentleman transforms himself into leisured man-abouttown. How fortunate for him that Mayfair and her hinterland provide top-class outfitters for the purpose. Tweeds on Savile Row, country shoes in the Royal Arcade, riding hats on Connaught Street – all are within a clay pigeon’s distance from the centre of Mayfair. Of course, tweeds from the likes of James Purdey & Sons, 

Image courtesy of Patey Hats

Another heritage brand that caters to both the adventurous when it comes to the great outdoors and city dwellers since circa 1695 is Patey Hats. ‘Riding hats as we make them today date back to about the 1850s, and before that people would have worn things like top hats,’ says Trevor Campan, sales manager, in Patey’s shop on Connaught Street. ‘Nowadays the hats you see around the

above: Image courtesy of Bladen; Below: Russian leather trunk, image courtesy of George Cleverley

Holland & Holland and William & Son are known for their quality too, that a structured blazer could easily be worn for day in town. At Dege & Skinner, in the cutting room, at the back of the shop, senior bespoke cutter Nicholas De’Ath shows me a kennel coat he made for a private hunt in Miami. Country pursuits are still huge in America, too. He unzips a jacket bag and inside is a long, white coat. Popping the collar reveals the initials of the hunt stitched into the underside. The American huntsman who commissioned it will use it solely to survey his hounds. Most wear a white medical-type coat or one of those ducttape brown removal men coats. To have a personalised kennel coat made is extravagant and very unusual, but with bespoke one can be as extravagant as one likes. William and his forefathers have been achieving such quality for 150 years, and to mark this anniversary the company has launched a limited-edition ‘Anniversary Collection’ tweed. Subtle yet distinguished, the range contains cloths woven in Yorkshire and Scotland, each inspired by the Skinner family’s long history in bespoke tailoring and the British countryside.

‘To have a personalised kennel coat made is very unusual’ pony club or on the television came in probably around the mid-1980s, when a proper safety standard was brought in,’ Trevor explains. To conform to the new regulations, Patey developed the ‘PROtector’, a riding hat modelled on the timeless hunting cap design of the traditional Patey, but which offers competition-level protection. It’s a marriage between style and utility. ‘We are quite unique in that all our hats are handmade bespoke, and ours are handmade in our factory in south-east London,’ Trevor tells me. Such is the superlative fit of a Patey hat that, to test it, Trevor jokes he has the customer ‘stand upside down’ and shake his head. At least, I think he was joking… Elaborate and archaic hats, like the top hat, are now the preserve of ceremonial events and ‘heritage’ occupations. ‘We make the Lord Mayor of London’s hat,’ says Trevor. ‘If you look at the State Opening of Parliament, the Queen’s coachmen are all wearing Patey hats… We also make all the Chelsea Hospital hats,’ Trevor continues. ‘When you’re staying in the Dorchester or Grosvenor House Hotel [for example], all their doormen are wearing our

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

right: Phitwell blazer with vest, image courtesy of Dege & Skinner; far right: Kendal tweed cashmere hat, courtesy of Patey Hats

top hats… You go to the Tower of London and see the Beefeater hats – they’re ours.’ Just a stone’s throw away is bespoke shoemaker George Cleverley in the Royal Aracade on Bond Street. ‘We haven’t changed the formula of how we make [shoes] for 100 years,’ says George Glasgow, chairman and owner of George Cleverley. Buying into the British bespoke – true, handmade British bespoke – is buying into hundreds of years of tradition and craftsmanship. Above George Cleverley’s shopfront is a rare sight in Mayfair today; where there are shoemakers and artisans stitching shoes by hand. ‘We fly the British flag: Made in England. I don’t know how many people can say that now, in every industry.’ Glasgow says. I ask him about trends in country footwear and suggest the oxblood full brogue as the quintessential British country shoe. ‘Nowadays, I don’t know if people would still want to be as serious as wearing a brogue with laces; I think probably for that, and [country trips] being on the weekend, they’d like to feel more at home. [A trip to the country] would be considered more as leisure time,’ Glasgow says. ‘They’d probably wear a nice brown or dark brown slip-on shoe that they could wear very casually walking down to lunch or walking down to the pub.’ It’s not all hunting and shooting out in the country. ‘Pubbing,’ we might suggest, is an equally valid country pursuit.

We head up the narrow and winding staircase to the second and top floor. Glasgow opens the door at the far end to reveal the ‘graveyard of feet’, a small room containing around 3,000 wooden lasts, each etched with the respective customers’ name. Tom Hanks and David Beckham catch my eye, Roger Moore and Michael Caine, too. I ask about shooting footwear and assume that a reinforced brogue is advisable for the field. ‘[It’s] heavier and more durable in every respect,’ Glasgow explains. ‘The upper leather we use is more of a grainy leather, which is heavier and stronger. It’s probably advisable to have some [sort of] rubber sole, which is virtually waterproof,’ Glasgow continues. I then discover that even rubber soles come in multiple varieties. The options are seemingly endless. Bespoke therefore offers choice, but uninformed choice is risky. It’s the guidance and advice offered by British tailors and craftsmen that make British bespoke so valuable. It’s the guidance and advice – coupled with superlative craftsmanship and skill – on the often thorny and curious sartorial traditions of the British countryside that make British bespoke essential to both the budding and the experienced countryman.

below, left to right: Image courtesy of Cad and the Dandy. Shop interior, image courtesy of George Cleverley

M ESUR E ET D ÉMESUR E *

TONDA METROGR APHE

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

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

The mayfair Magazine | Collection

Pure shores

nveiled just a few weeks ago at Cap Estel on the French Riviera, Piaget’s new high jewellery collection, Mediterranean Garden, takes us down a nostalgic path that recalls a stellar period of the maison’s history: the free-spirited 1960s and 1970s, when international jetsetters and celebrities would attend Yves Piaget’s glamorous parties on the Riviera. The pieces bring to life the luscious floral gardens of the resort, not to mention the iconic Piaget Rose. Two jewellery techniques characterise the collection – twisted goldsmithing and marquise-cut stones – the former of which has been illustrated in a spectacular gold cuff featuring a magnificent 14.82-carat oval-cut black opal at its centre (perfectly capturing the French Riviera’s shimmering, deep blue waters), as well as emeralds, tourmalines and diamonds. Radiant Azur cuff bracelet, POA (piaget.com)

The mayfair Magazine | Collection

Jewellery news From Bulgari comes the romantic, floral Love’s Paradise collection, while Tiffany T is simple modernity at its best WORDS: OLIVIA SHARPE

Fink again With so many now on the scene, there aren’t many rising jewellery designers who really excite us; however Nana Fink is one of the few who does. The Basel-based jeweller successfully launched her debut collection in 2011 and her name has quickly spread across the Channel, her pieces landing in London at Paul Smith’s Mayfair flagship boutique not long after. Her third collection, available this summer, is named Adorée and, true to Fink’s individual style, brings together both vintage and contemporary elements to create timeless pieces, on this occasion drawing on designs from the 1880s through to the 1930s. The collection, encompassing bangles, earrings and rings, utilises a mixture of metals, in particular gold and silver variations, with prices ranging from approximately £1,200 to £1,700. Adorée collection, available at Paul Smith, 9 Albemarle Street, W1S (nanafink.com)

CUTTING EDGE Last year saw Tiffany & Co. enter into an exciting new age of design with the launch of its contemporary Tiffany T collection, created by newly-appointed design director Francesca Amfitheatrof. A year later and the distinctive, graphic symbol has evolved further into two new pieces, exclusive to Tiffany’s new boutique in Selfridges.

Tiffany T is an icon of a new era, a vision of simplicity and sculptural modernity. The latest combination of sterling silver and black ceramic in the wide contoured cutout cuff and ring exude power and confidence. Tiffany T cutout cuff and ring in sterling silver and black ceramic, POA, exclusive to Selfridges (selfridges.com)

Garden State In a dazzling display of craftsmanship and exquisite precious gemstones, Bulgari’s latest high jewellery collection, Giardini Italiani, sees the romantic gardens of the Rinascimento (Italian Renaissance) immortalised in a series of 100 one-of-akind pieces. The gardens’ geometric hedges and vibrant flowerbeds have been evoked through the floral jewel motifs and colourful stones, while the collection’s standout piece, Love’s Paradise (as worn by Carla Bruni at the launch in Florence last month), featuring a magnificent 125.35-carat sapphire at its heart, conveys the true romance of an era in which artists would attempt to explore new concepts of nature and art through their work. Giardini Italiani collection, POA Available at all Bulgari UK boutiques

String to Her Bow Having worked for De Beers and the Sotheby’s jewellery department, where she oversaw some of its most memorable sales (including the Graff Pink), it’s fair to say that Vania Leles is an authority on fine jewellery. Leles went on to found her own brand in 2010, Vanleles Diamonds, which as has opened its first boutique in Mayfair. It currently houses the five core collections, including Lyla’s Bow and Enchanted Garden, along with a bridal range and bespoke pieces, all of which combine the finest quality, ethically-mined diamonds and gemstones, with innovative design. Vanleles Diamonds. By appointment only 174 New Bond Street, W1S (vanleles.com)

www.urvashilondon.com

The mayfair Magazine | Collection

clockwise from top left; ® Cartier Panthere de Cartier perfume flacon, 1987; ® Harald Gottschalk Panther of white gold, diamonds, emeralds, and onyx on a diamond and rock crystal medallion, 2014; ® Harald Gottschalk

Wild thing

ore than a creature of the wild, the panther has become a timeless icon of elegance and power, and an enduring source of inspiration for Cartier. Delving into the French jeweller’s relationship with the magnificent feline, a new book by Assouline chronicles 100 years of Cartier’s sublime panther jewels. A symbol of power and seduction, the majestic panther has drawn associations with luxury and style for over a century. Cartier’s love for the elegant creature lies most notably at the heart of its iconography as the panther proudly leads the brand’s menagerie of precious animals, undeniably becoming Cartier’s most iconic motif for some of the 20th century’s most stylish women. Charting the elegant and predatory feline through its connections to art, history, popular culture and style, the book traces the evolution of Cartier’s panther jewels and discusses why so many have been fascinated with the striking animal as a symbol of power since ancient times. The collectable Cartier Panthère tome offers a fascinating look back at 100 years of Cartier’s iconic design. Cartier Panthère, £120, published by Assouline, available at Maison Assouline, 196A Piccadilly, W1J, and Assouline at Claridge’s, Brook Street, W1K (assouline.com) 31

Luck be a lady Born into a family of goldsmiths, Carolina Bucci was always destined for career greatness. Olivia Sharpe speaks to the jewellery designer as she celebrates her family business’s 130th anniversary with a new collection, Superstellar

In many ways, Superstellar pays tribute to arolina Bucci is a fortunate lady Carolina’s heritage. Several of the pieces have indeed. Born into a family of Italian been made using the family’s vintage silk thread goldsmiths, it was serendipitous, and the jeweller has also created a new Lucky perhaps, that she didn’t consider bracelet (an iconic design of the Carolina Bucci doing anything but jewellery design: ‘I always knew it was something I wanted to do. It wasn’t house that is reinterpreted every year) to feature a miniature balloon charm. imposed on me by any means but it never even However, the jeweller has ensured that her occurred to me to do anything else.’ Now a own DNA has not been eclipsed. She has always successful jeweller, she has by no means Born into a family of forgotten her roots. The Bucci family business goldsmiths, Bucci was was founded in Florence Carolina in 1885 and this year always destined for career is its 130th anniversary; to celebrate, Carolina greatness. has created a collectionOlivia entitledSharpe Superstellar. Having launched her company in 2007, speaks to Superstellar’s theme seems apt the celestial jewellery designer asgiven she Carolina’s meteoric rise to success. And yet, the celebrates her family business’s wanted to ‘push the limits’ in order to create idea was actually conceived after she witnessed 130thannual anniversary with a shower new collection, Superstellar something new and exciting; as she puts it, ‘if the astonishing Perseid meteor last August (the collection therefore, unusually, everyone were to make the safe version, it would be pretty boring’. Many of the has its own birthday: 10 August 2014). As Superstellar pieces therefore possess though she was being sent signs from above, unconventional qualities, in particular the Carolina began seeing stars everywhere, from pearl necklaces. The jeweller last included Mario Schifano ‘60s artwork to Jasper Johns’ flag paintings. The star-studded range perfectly pearls in the Nana collection eight years ago and she was initially reluctant to revisit them, captures this natural phenomena through the finding them to be a challenging material: explosion of dazzling gemstones on the ‘They have a preconception of being very random array of pieces, ranging from shield proper and traditional,’ she explains. ‘So it was ‘pinky’ rings, chokers and ‘Life’ pendants. hard trying to capture a world where pearls are It was these pendants, based on diamond cool, fun and not traditional, while still not gauges, that Carolina designed first and disrupting their form.’ Carolina purposely include holes that have deliberately been left used freshwater pearls because of their empty so that clients can customise them with irregularities and imperfections, mixing the  their chosen stones.

‘She has always wanted to “push the limits” in order to create something new and exciting’

The mayfair Magazine | Collection

features chokers too, which arrive in two different sizes and are reversible. Finally, the range’s diamond studs are being sold separately, to be worn as single pieces or combined with others to encourage a mix-and-match approach. This passion for trying new things relates back to Carolina’s childhood when she would experiment in her family workshop. ‘I was always fascinated by the process of making jewellery,’ she muses. ‘As early as my teens whenever I was given a gift by my parents I would say, “I love it” but in turn think to myself, “how can I change it?” That has

‘Ultimately, it’s about creating nice jewellery. That’s the first thing that needs to attract people’

grey and white hues in a ‘non-symmetrical way’ and punctuating them with multi-coloured pavé stars. The versatile pieces can be worn in a number of different fashions, either long, short or, in the case of the pearl scarf, tied around the neck with a knot. While her family wouldn’t think twice about incorporating a traditional clasp into the design, Carolina was adamant about the matter: ‘I hate clasps,’ she states, vehemently. ‘My family has always made traditional 18-karat jewellery so what I have created is quite foreign to them.’ For the first time in years, the collection

been my nature from the very beginning.’ Carolina has always stood firm in creating jewellery that she wants to wear, something that is ‘fun but fine’. Having never been allowed to wear costume jewellery growing up, her jewellery is in some ways a rebellion against this but at the same time retains its timelessness. ‘Wearing jewellery isn’t about being seasonal. It’s something that constantly evolves and expands as part of your personal collection.’ Sitting opposite Carolina, I cannot fail to notice her eye-catching gold necklace, consisting of her favourite pieces from all her collections to date, including the Scarab charm, an owl from the Lucky collection and the newest addition, the Superstellar Drop pendant. Since launching her iconic Lucky bracelets 13 years ago, Carolina has often been struck by talismanic symbols but she assures me that she is by no means spiritual. ‘Ultimately, it’s about creating nice jewellery. That’s the first thing that needs to attract people.’ While fortunate in her upbringing, she insists her career was

The mayfair Magazine | Collection

never handed to her on a plate. ‘I was lucky to be born into a family of jewellers, yes. But we were three kids and we were never pushed into being involved in the business. From an early age, my father would make me work for it and have me do sketches for him.’ At 21, Carolina went off to New York to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology and having already done the preliminary groundwork, she was resolutely set on the path that she wanted to take and so would avoid taking certain classes, such as learning how to use CAD design, believing that it would be of no use to her in the long run. ‘I knew it wasn’t something that interested me. I was very focused and good at bargaining so my tutor would let me skip certain classes. I think there are some amazing techniques out there but they’re just not for me.’ Her refusal to use modern techniques when designing extends to her personal life; despite having an iPhone, Carolina admits to favouring her paper diary. When it comes to the future of Carolina Bucci, the possibilities seem infinite. The jeweller is currently focused on growing her presence globally with more retail outlets but when it comes to London, Motcomb Street will remain the sole flagship. She is also working on a new project which, while keeping specific details close to her chest, hints will be under a separate umbrella from the Carolina Bucci brand with a ‘different attitude and price point’ but will still possess ‘the same spirit’. Carolina’s determination to create her own signature aesthetic when it came to her eponymous jewellery brand has evidently paid off. She tells me how one of her favourite moments recently was when she was at a friend’s house and a lady there spotted one of her necklaces and, not knowing who she was, exclaimed how it was ‘very Carolina Bucci’.

‘When it comes to the future of Carolina Bucci, the possibilities seem infinite’ ‘It goes back to how I think designers should be,’ she comments. ‘You should always make something that screams “you” – that is recognisable, like an artist. When that happens I feel like I have done my job.’ Superstellar collection, available from August Carolina Bucci, 4 Motcomb Street, SW1X 020 7838 9977 (carolinabucci.com)

The mayfair Magazine | Collection

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

Parmigiani’s pièce de résistance Haute horology specialist Parmigiani Fleurier has produced a £500k wrist watch. How does the brand justify this price tag? By incorporating four of the most revered complications in timekeeping into an 18-karat white gold watch that has been hand engraved and enamelled in microscopic detail. The Tecnica Les Carpes de Sandoz is a tribute to sculptor Edouard Marcel Sandoz, founder of the not-for-profit Sandoz Family Foundation, parent company of Parmigiani Fleurier. Behind a hinged, double caseback, a 586-component calibre powers a minute repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar and chronograph. Not only does the watch chime the hours, quarter-hours and minutes of the day, it also only requires one adjustment each century. Tecnica Les Carpes de Sandoz, £554,135 Parmigiani Fleurier, 97 Mount Street, W1K (parmigiani.ch)

Lange’s legacy The development of the small town of Glashütte into Germany’s primary centre of watch-making can be attributed almost solely to one man. Not only did A. Lange & Söhne’s founding father, Ferdinand Adolph Lange, set up the world’s first production pocket-watch workshop in 1845, he was also responsible for introducing the metric system to the process of watch-making. To salute what would have been his 200th birthday, A. Lange & Söhne has released the 1815 200th Anniversary F.A. Lange. Displaying hours and minutes only, with a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, the watch is reminiscent of the brand’s historic pocket watches – a beautiful tribute to a man dedicated to ‘the perfection of each and every watch’. 1815 200th Anniversary F.A. Lange, £24,100 (alange-soehne.com)

String Theory Music provides the inspiration for many of Raymond Weil’s creations, accounting for relationships with the Royal Albert Hall and, since 2008, the Brit Awards – each winner receives a Raymond Weil watch as a prize. In exciting news, the company recently unveiled its first tourbillon, the Nabucco Cello. The timepiece pays homage to the instrument via hands that are formed in the shape of a bow, a bezel grooved with the five lines of the musical stave, and four tiny strings that are stretched across its dial. Skeletonised and measuring 46mm in diametre, we consider it the family-owned brand’s most serious, and certainly most striking, watch to date. Nabucco Cello Tourbillon, £27,500 (raymond-weil.com) Recalling an Icon When we saw George Clooney sporting a vintage Omega Constellation in his latest sci-fi blockbuster, Tomorrowland, The Mayfair Magazine was reminded of another Omega classic re-imagined earlier this year. Loyal to its original incarnation, the new Speedmaster ’57 has to be one of 2015’s best-looking chronographs, especially when paired with a brown leather strap. The watch’s self-winding mechanism can be viewed through its scratch-resistant, sapphirecrystal caseback. It’s available now. Speedmaster ‘57, £5,620 (omegawatches.com)

Out of Africa Your next adventure is set to be a stylish one as Ralph Lauren expands its RL67 Safari Chronometer timepiece collection. We discover the designer’s enduring love for the great outdoors

below: RL67 Safari Chronometer with Khaki dial (available 39mm, £2,320 and 45mm, £2,490). opposite page: RL67 Safari Chronometer with black dial, 45mm, £2,320 (also available in 39mm, £2,150)

‘T

he romance of safari is a dream that I have returned to many times,’ says Ralph Lauren, whose life-long love affair with the great outdoors has continually influenced his eponymous fashion house’s collections for 20 years. Today, Lauren’s signature style boasts a fusion of a bohemian sense of adventure and timeless elegance. From the cinched-in waistlines of Lauren’s safari jackets to rugged leather goods, the designer’s fascination with the practical and the glamorous aspects of travel are evident. ‘When I started out as a designer, I dreamed of going to Africa, to safari,’ says Lauren. And perhaps most naturally aligned with this sentiment are the new models of the RL67 Safari Chronometer timepiece range – a nostalgic return to Lauren’s first 1984 Safari collection, when he first fused vintage design with a contemporary and utilitarian look. Made with a deliberately aged steel casing, each hand-decorated movement of the new wristwatches express a modest but beautifully crafted tool intended for daily use. The pieces indicate Lauren’s own feelings towards the spirit of travel: ‘It is an

adventure, a world of refinement set against a rugged and powerful landscape.’ Each detail of the watches have been carefully chosen by Lauren, from the Swissmade mechanisms to the dark green alligator or faded olive canvas straps, each of which pay tribute to a traditional explorer’s attire.

‘The pieces indicate Lauren’s own feelings towards the spirit of travel’ It’s clear that Lauren has beautifully taken his personal passions, and translated them into watch form – as the chronometers present a relaxed elegance befitting of his genuine interest in adventure, travel and the great outdoors. ‘Safari is about living the life you want and pushing yourself beyond your limitations,’ says Lauren. ‘It’s the dream of experiencing the wild and seeing the farthest reaches of the world.’ RL67 Safari Chronometers, from a selection, Ralph Lauren (ralphlaurenwatches.com)

The mayfair Magazine | Collection

1 5

2 Made in

Britain

or those who know William & Son, they’ll know that the British brand, founded by William Asprey in 1991, holds serious style credentials when it comes to luxury goods. Its Mount Street stores had become firm favourites among its discerning customers the world over. But this season marks an exciting new chapter for the brand, as it has relocated to Bruton Street, housing all of its unique, elegant jewellery designs, hand-crafted shotguns, leather goods, and world-class watch collections (to name but a few) under one, glamorous roof. To celebrate the momentous occasion, founder and chairman William Asprey shares his essentials for the perfect way to make a stylish start to the shooting season. William & Son, 34 – 36 Bruton Street, W1J (020 7493 8385; williamandson.com)

#1 Sloe gin, £24.25, Sipsmith, available at sipsmith.com; #2 Mugs, £15; #3 Shirt, £95; #4 12 Bore side-by-side shotgun, £64,500; #5 Field coat, £660 (all william & son)

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

Drive on Salvatore Ferragamo celebrates the summer season with the new release of its iconic men’s driving shoe. Its first made-to-order range will give you unparalleled freedom to create a driving shoe that is indicative of your own personality, with over 100 permutations of upper body, unique sole construct, and hallmark Gancio metal hardware. Using a host of materials, including crocodile, ostrich and suede mink, Ferragamo adheres to its stylish design, with the omnipresent ideal of a refined, cultured and confident man. MTO Driver, from a selection, Salvatore Ferragamo, 24 Old Bond Street, W1S (020 7629 5007; ferragamo.com)

Style spy W O R D S : h u gh f rancis and e rson

Made with love

Hole in one MR PORTER has revolutionised the men’s online retail market since its launch in 2011. Going from strength to strength, it has recently broadened its range to include a sporting section, dedicated to exclusive activewear for a wide range of sports, including cycling, golf, tennis, sailing, swimming, and general fitness, among others, and it is already making waves. With over 25 new brands introduced, and more to come, it’s a must for the sporty gentleman. Polo shirt, £80, Peter Millar, and watch, £375, Suunto, both from MR PORTER (mrporter.com)

Craftsmanship is a fundamental element to a well-made shoe, and the new Harrods Made with Love collection, running throughout August, demonstrates the pinnacle of exceptional design. Featuring a wide array of designers, from Balenciaga to Etro, each pair has been exclusively crafted for the Harrods collection. For all country forays, the limitededition Santoni boots, made in a beautifully durable Velatura leather, add a touch of class to your outdoor pursuits. Boots, £2,600, Santoni. Harrods Made with Love, runs throughout August, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X (020 7730 1234; harrods.com)

Purdey amazing Since 1814, James Purdey & Sons has been making some of the finest shotguns and rifles in the world. In more recent years, Purdey has turned its expertise to the world of shooting apparel and, unsurprisingly, it is of superior quality. Along with the new A/W 15 range, which sees the continued production of traditional British shooting garments, Purdey has also officially opened a new gun workshop at Felgate House, investing heavily in its ever-growing future. Waterproof tweed field coat, £975, James Purdey & Sons, Audley House, W1K (020 7499 1801; purdey.com) 41

Fashion | The mayfair Magazine

This side of paradise Graceful kaftans, colourful two pieces and timeless swimsuits modelled on beautifully bronzed silhouettes have made Heidi Klein our first port of call for resort style season upon season. The blissful 2015 resort collection is no exception. For sporty chic at its most stylish we love the clean-cut white lines of the Fisher Island Rash Vest. With a contrasting navy trim and delicate gold zip detail, transitioning from beach to bar becomes effortlessly chic with the addition of a wide-leg trouser and Jackie O style shades. Rash vest, £140, Heidi Klein (heidiklein.com)

Style update W O R D S : amy w e lch

Line design Discreet elegance is the name of the game at Hermès. With designer Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski at the helm of Hermès ready-to-wear, and the first female in two decades at that, there is already much excitement over the French brand’s new collections. True to Vanhee-Cybulski’s background in minimalism, this Cavalière bag is keeping things simple with its boxy shape and contrasting graphic stitching and is the perfect size for around town or a weekend away. Plume Perspective Cavalière bag, £6,213, Hermès, 1 Bruton Street, W1J (020 7499 8856; uk.hermes.com)

Blade runner As sky-high as heels come, the architectural steel heel of Casadei’s blade pumps distinguish the Italian cordwainer from other designers. To set your blade heels apart from the rest, Casadei has launched a bespoke box exclusive to Harrods. Inside the fine leather box a selection of blade heel heights, materials and embellishments ensure you can create a shoe for any occasion. From supple suede and Napa leathers to crystal embroideries, each personalised shoe is carved with the finishing touch of your initials on the sole. Casadei blade bespoke heels, from a selection, Casadei (harrods.com)

Sleep chic Lingerie atelier Gilda & Pearl specialise in fine British-made nightwear, crafted from the finest materials. Make sure you visit its elegant new Conduit Street store this month to discover its latest collection. We adore the fine gold lace and champagne silk sash of this kimono, inspired by the golden age of Hollywood and its femme fatales. Harlow Allover Lace Kimono, £585, Gilda & Pearl, 21 Conduit Street, W1S (020 7499 7060; gildapearl.co.uk)

LOVE YOUR FACE & BODY WITH DR RITA RAKUS New body TREAT-ments at Dr Rita Rakus, get yourself ready for the best physique that will make you feel like a winner. THE BIGGEST COOLSCUL PTING CLINIC IN THE UK AND EUROPE

THE TEAM Dr Rita Rakus

First UK collaboration with world famous Capri Palace Leg School. Rakus has Thermage, Ulthera, advanced laser treatments and also she is an expert in dermal fillers and lip enhancement.

Recently attended CoolSculpt University in San Francisco

Juat back from the USA with very latest Cellulaze technique. Mr Kambiz Golchin

Dr Galyna Selezneva

To book, visit drritarakus.com or call 02074607324. Dr Rakus is based at 34 Hans Road, Knightsbridge, London SW3 1RW (opposite Harrods).

Gone with the wind For a quintessentially British look this summer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; come rain or shine â&#x20AC;&#x201C; pull on your Hunters, reach for boldly printed pieces, and head for the countryside p hotogra p hy : matilda t e m p e rl e y styling : A nat D ychtwald

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

Cashmere jumper, £58, Rokit (rokit.co.uk). Kilt, £280, Child of the Jago (achildofthejago.com) Boots, £79, Hunter (hunterboots.com)

Fashion | The mayfair Magazine

ABOVE Dress, from a selection, DSquared2 (dsquared2.com). Sandals, from a selection, Nicholas Kirkwood (nicholaskirkwood.com)

RIGHT Dress, ÂŁ1,995, Temperley London (temperleylondon.com)

Dress, ÂŁ1,800, Michael van der Ham (michaelvanderham.com) Bag, ÂŁ380, Kate Spade New York (katespade.co.uk) 48

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

ABOVE Shirt, £695, Stella McCartney (stellamccartney.com)

LEFT Trousers, £995, Roksanda (9 Mount Street, W1K; 020 7613 6499) Top, £450, Just Cavalli (justcavalli.com) Above: Gilet, from a selection, Marni (marni.com)

credits Hair: Ranelle Chapman using Leonor Greyl Make-up: Aly Hazlewood Main model: Anastasia at Premier Model Management Second model: Rochana at Premier Model Management With thanks to the Temperley cider farm (ciderbrandy.co.uk) 51

Fashion | The mayfair Magazine

ince Céline opened its flagship London boutique on Mount Street just over a year ago, it has become something of a fixture on the chic street, where the fashionforward have flocked from far and wide to get their hands on its minimalist collections, designed by creative director Phoebe Philo. The design of the store alone is enough to make our sartorial selves go weak at the knees, with its intricate marble and semi-precious stoned floor, which is dotted with specially commissioned minimalist furnishings from Danish artist FOS. But, of course, it’s the innovative, and ever-elegant collections that are housed here that truly make it worth a visit, one of which is launching this month – four limitededition bags in natural calfskin hide in tan, taupe, khaki and burgundy, as well as a series

Green

with envy MINI BELT BAG IN MINT GRAINED CALFSKIN £1,450, Céline

of new styles for the upcoming season. We love this emerald green bag – perfect for a mid-season injection of colour into your wardrobe. To own a Céline bag is to be the wearer of a piece of exquisite craftsmanship, and an example of quintessentially Parisian design that is understated, but impossibly stylish all at once. The exceptional quality of the leather used to craft these pieces is specially chosen and will age beautifully, becoming softer and glossier with each wear. The pieces can be worn day in and out, and will become a future classic in your wardrobe. The Céline woman is much like the new bag collection: modern and refined. And each handbag will no doubt continue to be coveted the world over, and remain timeless. Céline, 103 Mount Street, W1K (020 7491 8200; celine.com)

paris / sepTeMBer 4-8, 2015 / january 22-26, 2016 paris nord ViLLepinTe

Born and raised WiTH Maison&oBjeT peTiTe friTure, aT M&o sinCe 2010

Maison&oBjeT is an inTernaTionaL inTerior design and HoMe deCoraTion fair gaTHering professionaLs WorLdWide four TiMes a year in paris, singapore and MiaMi BeaCH

WWW.Maison-oBjeT.CoM

info@safisaLons.fr safi organisaTion, a suBsidiary of aTeLiers d’arT de franCe and reed exposiTions franCe / Trade onLy / design © Be-poLes - iMage © françois CoQuereL

Travel Art | The | The mayfair mayfair Magazine Magazine

Q&A with…

Art news

The summer season is in full swing and its momentum is supported this month by Mayfair’s vibrant art scene with new exhibitions at Beaux Arts and Chris Beetles galleries Words: Carol Cordrey

The sixth sense Every year, the Chris Beetles gallery provides one of the most amazingly varied and largest exhibitions in London, the popularity of which has established it firmly in the summer calendar. It is a feast for the senses so ensure you devote enough time to enjoy each of the 300 paintings, drawings and sculptures by acclaimed British artists. Among them will be marine scenes from the legendary William Wylie, vibrant paintings by Scottish colourist Donald Hamilton Fraser RA, elegant sculptures by Sydney Harpley RA and gloriously emotive ones by James Butler MBE, RA. Summer Show, 10 June - 31 August (chrisbeetles.com)

Abstract thoughts Beaux Arts is displaying a riot of colour this month with a series of striking paintings and sculptures by the gallery’s established and developing artists. Among them are John Hoyland RA’s dynamic abstract paintings, Ray Richardson’s evocative, figurative ones and richly textured sculptures of the human form by Anna Gillespie, alongside powerful, geometric ones by Paul Mount. There is sure to be something for every taste and interest. Summer exhibition 1 July – 26 August (beauxartslondon.co.uk) 54

Q: Which artists have you selected for this summer exhibition? A: We will be exhibiting a selection of the artists that we represent, including established Royal Academicians such as Elizabeth Blackadder and Anthony Eyton, and younger emerging artists. Q: Have those artists been represented by you for some time and where do they mostly come from? A: Some of the artists we will be showing have been with the gallery since it was established back in 1977, while others have been with us from as recently as last year. All are British-trained and work in the same figurative tradition that has always been the focus of the gallery. Q: Do you consider work by these artists to be ‘collectable’? A: Absolutely, the artists in the exhibition represent an important vein of British contemporary art. There will be works to suit the more established collector and those just starting out. Prices start at approximately £500. Gallery Artists, 20 July – 3 September (browseanddarby.co.uk)

clockwise from top left: NORTH SEA OOSTENDE by PETER COKER, RA (1926-2004), CHRIS BEETLES SUMMER SHOW 2015’, NO 86; Victoria Crowe, Inflorescence, Gladioli; Conjunction Small Tortoise Shell, Zanca by Joe Tilson; PATISSERIE VENOT, ARGENTON SUR CREUSE BEFORE 1962 – A MEMORY, by ANTHONY GREEN (Born 1939) EXHIBITED: ‘CHRIS BEETLES SUMMER SHOW 2015’, NO 115

Charles Bradstock of Browse & Darby about the work of its Gallery Artists

WOSENE WORKE KOSROF WORDPLAY: FUTURE TENSE

WordPlay XV

11TH JUNE – 8TH AUGUST 2015

GALLERY OF AFRICAN ART

45 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4JL T: 0207 287 7400 E: info@gafraart.com Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm / Sat 11am – 5pm

www.gafraart.com

Exhibition Focus:

Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal To celebrate the visionary couturier Yves Saint Laurent, escaping to the countryside this month may be well worth your while as the Bowes Museum hosts the UK’s first-ever exhibition of the famed designer’s archive WORDS: AMY WELCH above: Marina Schiano wearing the short evening dress, Haute couture collection FallWinter 1970, © The Estate of Jeanloup Sieff

ves Saint Laurent’s approach to style has transcended short-lived fashion trends decade upon decade. Today, his lasting legacy of effortless style still informs contemporary fashion, and his designs will never be forgotten. For the visionary couturier, it was the elegance of women that he

looked to celebrate, and built his iconic fashion brand on the sentiment, ‘fashion fades, style is eternal’. This summer, the Bowes Museum, together with the Foundation Pierre Bergé, holds the UK’s first retrospective of Saint Laurent, including garments that redefined the way society viewed womenswear.

‘Saint Laurent possessed an eclectic array of artistic influences’ 56

The mayfair Magazine | Art

right: portrait of Yves Saint Laurent, 1964, © Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent / Maurice Hogenboom

below, from left: Wedding dress. Tribute to William Shakespeare, Haute couture collection Fall-Winter 1980, © Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent / Alexandre Guirkinger; Short evening ensemble. Tribute to Vincent van Gogh, Haute couture collection, Fall-Winter 1988, © Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent / Alexandre Guirkinger

Born in French Algeria, a young Saint Laurent was introduced to the world of haute couture in Paris, under the tutelage of Christian Dior – he would later head the eponymous fashion house. There Saint Laurent gained much acclaim for his forward-thinking designs and constantly pushed the boundaries of what was considered both feminine and elegant, a talent which only intensified upon launching his own house with then partner Pierre Bergé, the maison Yves Saint Laurent. Sending the first tuxedo, pantsuit and jumpsuit down his runways in the mid-1960s Saint Laurent resonated with a society yearning for change and spoke to a new and awakened generation of women, seeking empowerment and independence. By translating masculine dress codes into seductively feminine shapes, a new frontier of style was born. A true testament to Saint Laurent’s farreaching sartorial prowess, he was the first living designer to be honoured with a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1983. And now, our fascination with the design extraordinaire has been renewed. Last year the biography Yves Saint Laurent, documenting the bashful young designer’s propulsion to fame, personal demons and fashion legacy was a runaway box office hit. On browsing the impressive collection of garments

on display at the Bowes Museum it’s easy to see why. From fitted blazer to sequin evening gown, one unifying factor cannot escape my mind; whether residing in Saint Laurent’s very first collection or his last, each design presents familiar shapes or small details still evident in today’s fashions. What we consider staples of timeless style, the black jumpsuit, the minimalist Pea-coat were all introduced by Yves Saint Laurent. In fact, glancing at one jet-black tuxedo ensemble, there is little of the modern woman’s quintessential wardrobe which has not been influenced in some way by the late great designer. Although the androgynous lines of the female tuxedo are marked in my mind as his defining aesthetic, in truth Saint Laurent possessed an eclectic array of artistic influences. From paying homage to the pop-art movement with the art-inspired Mondrian dress to designing costumes for theatre and ballet, Saint Laurent continually sourced his inspiration from culture and the world around him. Decades on and the tale of the young man from French Algeria who took the fashion world by storm and turned it on its head is still celebrated around the world. With the Bowes Museum presenting a unique narrative on one of the fashion world’s leading figures, it is the personality behind the label, the style behind the fashion, as Saint Laurent so adamantly believed, which will remain eternal. Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal, 11 July - 25 October at the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, Newgate, County Durham DL12 (01833 690606; thebowesmuseum.org.uk)

below: Short cocktail dress. Tribute to Piet Mondrian, Haute couture collection, Fall-Winter 1965, © Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent / Alexandre Guirkinger

#1 The bay, the bar, the sea (at Morro) by William Wendt

#2 An Art Deco diamond bracelet, circa 1935

William Wendt was one of the most prominent landscape artists in America during the early 20th century, known as the dean of Southern Californian landscape painters. Today his work, and this 1925 painting of Morro Bay in California, documents the unspoiled natural beauty of the West Coast state, highlighting Wendt’s deep consideration for the dimensions of nature. Estimated value $100,000 - $150,000, California & Western Paintings & Sculpture at Bonhams Los Angeles, 4 August (bonhams.com)

Art Deco remains one of the most popular eras for antique jewellery and this dazzling diamond-encrusted bracelet from the mid-1930s is a typical example of the flamboyance of that era. The era held no room for discretion and was a notable departure from the previous delicacies of Art Nouveau, instead showcasing large pieces with bold geometric shapes, often inspired by modern engineering. Estimated value £10,000 - £15,000, Jewellery sale at Bonhams London, 12 August (bonhams.com)

#3 A French cut-glass ‘Brick’ vase This exquisite vase is a playful take on the game of Jenga, with bright rectangular pieces of wood and marble supporting a traditional glass vase shape. Forming part of the Baccarat Vase-O-Rama collection, the piece was designed by masters students from École cantonale d’art de Lausanne in collaboration with Baccarat, a project which continues the relationship between the luxury French brand and the educational institution. Estimated value £1,500 - £2,000, Out of the Ordinary at Christie’s, 10 September (christies.com)

Prize lots

1 2

#1 IMAGE COURTESY OF BONHAMS #2 IMAGE COURTESY OF BONHAMS #3 IMAGE COURTESY OF CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2015 #4 IMAGE COURTESY OF CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2015 #5 IMAGE COURTESY OF SOTHEBY’S #6 IMAGE DARIN SCHNABEL © 2015 COURTESY OF RM SOTHEBY’S

The mayfair Magazine | Art

#4 A portrait of Maggy Sarrange by René Gruau The work of fashion illustrator René Gruau has had a lasting effect on the fashion industry since the 1940s and 1950s. He drove a creative burst in fashion advertising in the 20th century; magazines were full of Gruau’s work, and he also illustrated for designers such as Pierre Balmain and Christian Dior. This portrait of French singer Maggy Sarrange highlights the artist’s signature style and fluid lines. Estimated value £8,000 - £12,000, Christie’s Interiors at Christie’s, 18-19 August (christies.com)

#5 Ali Underwater by Flip Schulke One of America’s most renowned photojournalists, Flip Schulke spent a lifetime chronicling the highs and lows of American society. In addition to the famous faces he captured, Schulke was also a pioneer in underwater photography. Perhaps one of his most iconic images depicts an atmospheric composition of the powerful Muhammad Ali sparring beneath the surface of a swimming pool. Estimated value $7,000 - $10,000, Contemporary Living – Photographs, Prints and Design at Sotheby’s New York, 22 July (sothebys.com)

4 5

#6 1968 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder prototype At RM Sotheby’s flagship Monterey sale there is a rare opportunity to procure a piece of Maserati history this month in the form of the first Ghibli Spyder automobile. As a prototype this V8 Spyder possesses a number of unique details not seen in later production models, including external fuel filler doors, enhancing the lines of the car – it is indeed an iconic vehicle. Estimated value $1,200,000 - $1,800,000, Monterey sale presented by RM Sotheby’s, 13 August (sothebys.com)

In conversation with

Valérie Belin As Valérie Belin’s critically acclaimed photographs go on show in Paris, James Lawrence meets the French artist to discover her unique approach to art and interpretation of beauty

‘M

y ambition is not to say or find the truth – I think photography, by definition, is an illusion of reality,’ explains French artist Valérie Belin. Since the beginning of her career, Belin has striven to debunk the perception that photography can be trusted to capture ‘the

truth’ of the physical world; her work increasingly blurring the lines between animate and inanimate, natural and artificial. Her latest exhibition at the Pompidou Centre in Paris seeks to bring such ideas to their logical conclusion, showcasing mannequins that are for all intents and purposes ‘alive’.

The mayfair Magazine | Art

What inspired you to enter the photography and art worlds? I started to do my first photographs around 1984. The initial attraction was perhaps because of photography’s capacity to engage directly with the real through experiment, and the possibility of immediately getting a visible result. In those days I was interested in ‘things’ and the way they manifest themselves through this process of objectification that is photography. It seemed to me that there was a kind of symbiosis between the purely luminous being of the objects I photographed and the nature of photography as a medium.

What did you set out to achieve with the body of work Super Models at the Pompidou Centre in Paris? This new exhibition revives the theme of the mannequin, which is central in my work, in relation to previous works from public and private collections. Super Models comprises six works whose names – Ananké, Aura, Electra, Ishtar, Junita and Saffron – are those of both mythological goddesses and television characters. They are represented by six photographs of fibreglass shop mannequins chosen from the catalogue of the producer Adel Rootstein, a set of collections whose titles – Allure, Attitude, Super Models, Glamorous and Gorgeous, High Life and Life Style, Calendar Girls, and Nomads – are also eloquent. The works were made using my customary technique of sublimation, and in this particular instance by superimposing a geometrical pattern made using vectorial components over the image of the mannequin.

Another great piece of work – Black Eyed Susan – and the nude giant woman with images superimposed were fascinating. How do you reflect on this body of work? The Black Eyed Susan series (2010) is an extension of my investigations into the hybrid nature of photography. I have produced two distinct images to constitute a third that

evokes a particularly sophisticated form of superimposition. Faces of women are visible, blending intimately with bouquets of flowers. In the Brides series (2012), I pursue my work on ceremony and rituals already tackled through the photographs of Moroccan Brides (2000), Bodybuilders (1999), and where I focused on portraying the metamorphosis of the body, when it fluctuates from one state to another. This series extends my use of superimposition that has developed a ‘surreal’ style through the profusion of detail in my work.

‘This series extends my use of superimposition that has developed a “surreal” style’ Do women inherently interest you more than men? Yes, but in general I’m more interested in the fragility of objects and human beings. This is best represented by my series of portraits of the bodybuilders who are paradoxically fragile and by my series of portraits of transsexuals or young ‘mixed’ women who are beings between two states.

Do you always intend to discover the reality behind superficial appearances in your photographs? Not exactly. When looking at my photographs, it is often hard to say whether what you see is alive or inanimate, real or virtual, natural or artificial: they produce a sense of ‘uncanny’. This idea of the uncanny that operates in my work is very present in 19th-century German Romantic literature; it also became a Freudian concept. It’s the irrational feeling prompted, for example, by doubt as to whether an apparently living being really is animate and, conversely, doubt as to whether a lifeless object may not in fact be animate. It’s this paradox I put to work. Unease arises in that moment of doubt when you 

above: Crowned Head 2 2009, courtesy of Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris/ Brussels. right and top right: super models, 2015

ď&#x201A;°think you see someone who is not yourself in your reflection in a mirror or window. Photography can be this mirror in which you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t recognise yourself.

Which other artists do you admire? Andy Warhol is one of the artists I really admire. I especially like his early drawings; for example the drawings of shoes he made as a commercial illustrator.

So was Andy Warhol an important influence on your early work? American minimalism was one of my early influences; I often compared my approach to that of artists such as Robert Morris or Robert Ryman.

What was your first breakthrough work; a piece that caught the attention of the international art community and media? I would say that it was the Black Women portraits series that I unveiled in 2001; this series was a great success in the US.

Would you say that overall you are typically modern in your approach to your photography?

The mayfair Magazine | Art

‘The only thing that interests me is constant progress. My motivation is to experience’ In an interview last year, you spoke about ‘the virtuality of life and the power of destruction of the globalisation of the world’. Is your work often politically motivated? Strictly speaking, my work is not intended to make a political statement, but I do feel concerned by some social issues, like questions of identity, or the effects of globalisation.

Yes, I think that my approach to photography is modern, in a similar vein to photographers such as Eugène Atget or Walker Evans, for example.

What piece of work are you the most proud of?

below: Mannequins (Untitled) 2003 Gelatin silver print, courtesy of Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris/Brussels. all images: Valérie Belin courtesy Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris and Grimaldi Gavin Gallery, London

If you could change one thing about the world, what would that be? Maybe it would be to live as we are. Super Models is on at the Pompidou Centre in Paris until 14 September (centrepompidou.fr; valeriebelin.com)

I don’t feel particularly proud of any of my pieces. The only thing that interests me is constant progress. My motivation is to experience. Once a piece of work has been done, it’s behind me, and I have no more control over it.

Do you always have to work with large prints? No, it depends on the series. Most of them are printed in large format, sometimes in a very large format, but some are designed to be printed in a very small one. I also use different techniques, like silver printing, pigments printing, and even silkscreen printing.

Would you describe your work as timeless, or linked to the context and history of the period? My hope is that my work is capable of being both, but I think ultimately my work is rather rooted in the present.

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The mayfair Magazine | Interiors

Wall to wall Reflecting upon long summer days spent in the countryside, decorating your abode with the colours and sensibilities of the great outdoors is one way to realign with nature. Linwood’s character-filled series of Sporting Life wallcoverings holds a nostalgic reference to some of the most quintessentially British pastimes and harks back to a time when your free time might have rarely been spent indoors, but instead filled with the pursuits of adventure and activity. Creating a warm atmosphere with soft colours, this sepia-hued wallpaper design will inspire a country cottage charm throughout the home and features a quaint image of red-coated gentlemen on horseback during a hunt across a rustic terrain. All that you need to add is a bouquet of wild flowers to complete the scene. Sporting Life wallpaper in biscuit, from a selection, Linwood (linwoodfabric.com)

Interiors news words: amy welch

FINISHING TOUCH

Out of the past Those who adore 18th-century design will know that exquisitely carved antiques will add depth and character to any room. We love this multitasking table from noted collector Percival D. Griffiths, which folds out to reveal a green velvet playing surface. And what finer piece to hang above it than a golden cartouche-shaped Rococo mirror – a decadent focal point indeed. Percival D. Griffiths card table and a George III Giltwood Mirror, both Ronald Phillips Antiques, 26 Bruton Street, W1J (020 7493 2341; ronaldphillipsantiques.com)

Drinks all around This stained buffalo leather case is the ultimate travelling mini bar, ideal for intimate soirées on outdoor retreats. The case appears beautifully antiqued and holds within it all the essential items for an impromptu cocktail hour, with space for up to four glasses, an ice bucket and leather-clad corkscrew. Leather drinks case, £495, Life of Riley (lifeofrileyonline.co.uk)

With a hand-cast pewter mouse poised on a chunk of cheese crafted from oak, allow Linley to add a touch of fun to your home with the delightful Mr Mouse doorstop. The playful new creation is also available in walnut, and will surely induce a smile to all who see it. Mr Mouse doorstop, £65, Linley, 41 Burlington Arcade, W1J (020 7495 3655; davidlinley.com)

modern maestro

The mayfair Magazine | Interiors

Celebrate the work of world-renowned interior designer Carlos Mota as a new book by Assouline is released charting his illustrious career W ORDS : H U G H F RA N C I S A N DERSO N LEFT: IMAGE COURTESY OF DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

s a mastermind of interiors, Carlos Mota has taken photographs for some of the largest design magazines in the world. The former editor at large for Elle Décor, and current style editor at Architectural Digest, it’s little wonder Mota is causing a storm in the industry. Starting his career as a set designer in Caracas, it was the theatre that sparked his desire and passion for creating beautiful spaces, with both a meticulous attention to detail, and an eccentric attitude to the interior and exterior space. A Touch of Style celebrates Mota’s work, his artistic eye in making a room come alive, and his signature flamboyancy. Featuring 200 individually shot spaces, including the homes of Patrick Dempsy and Oscar de la Renta, this book is packed with the vibrancy of his eclectic

body of work. Taking the viewer across continents, from town to country and from bedroom to garden, A Touch of Style offers a vivid snapshot of Mota’s career. Working closely with the team from Assouline, whose notoriety as a leader in luxury coffee table books is world renowned, Mota shows us how his signature style will continue to be celebrated for decades to come. A Touch of Style by Carlos Mota, £50, Assouline, 196A Piccadilly, W1J (020 3327 9370; assouline.com)

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: IMAGE COURTESY OF MATTHIEU SALVAING; IMAGE COURTESY OF NGOC MINH NGO; IMAGE COURTESY OF MATTHIEU SALVAING

‘A Touch of Style celebrates Mota’s work, his artistic eye in making a room come alive’

Dream

machines

The luxury SUV market has transformed over the past decade, and the bar has been firmly raised as Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini launch their own top-tier interpretations w o r d s : R I CHARD YARRO W

The mayfair Magazine | Motoring

Bentley Bentayga, The New Pinnacle SUV

he perfect car for the countryside is obviously the 4x4, or Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) as it’s more commonly known today. All-wheel drive and chunky tyres for improved grip, raised ride height for better ground clearance and a spacious cabin that’s as much about functionality as form – it’s the ideal solution for rural hobbies such as shooting or fishing. The issue for discerning drivers has always been a lack of luxury and performance options in the sector. For decades, brands such as Mitsubishi, Land Rover and Jeep have provided plenty of practicality, but precious little in the way of fine design, bespoke appointments and elegant sophistication. The Range Rover, the premium model from Land Rover, was for many years the only option, and continues to exploit the opportunity today with increasingly upmarket versions. More recent arrivals such as the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 have eroded its domination, but there has never really been a super-luxury SUV. Until now, that is. And like London buses, you can wait ages for one and then several turn up together. Bentley and Rolls-Royce are working on their own interpretations of the genre, but the latest brand to get involved is Lamborghini. The new car will go on sale in 2018, based on the Urus concept, which was unveiled in 2012. It may even keep the same name. A statement from the Italian company says it will target customers in the US, China, the Middle East, Russia, Germany and the UK. But why does an outfit best known for its outrageous V10 two-seaters want to build an SUV at all? Ian Fletcher, principal analyst at IHS Automotive, explained: ‘It could bring in new customers, particularly those who find the dramatic styling of Lamborghini products appealing, but find its typical sports cars restrictive.’ He added that SUVs seem to have universal desirability if they’re done in a way that’s 

You might not know it, but Lamborghini does have SUV heritage, though the LM002 was a world away from what the new model will look like. On sale from 1986-93, it had more in common with the butch styling of a Hummer and was once dubbed the ‘Rambo Lambo’.

‘The company thinks it can sell around 3,000 cars a year, which is exactly the same as what Bentley is predicting’

top: Aston Martin DBX unveiling; below: Lamborghini Urus concept

sympathetic to the characteristics of the brand, as the pioneering Cayenne proved. They also spark interest from the super-wealthy in emerging markets – such as Brazil and India – where 4x4 powertrains have always been popular to counter the traditionally lower-quality roads. ‘The upper end of the luxury segment is relatively untouched, with the exception of the Mercedes G-Class and some special-edition Range Rovers,’ says Fletcher. ‘Nevertheless, there appears to be great demand in this area, given the market for additional and costly modifications which some customers put into SUVs.’

The company thinks it can sell around 3,000 cars a year, which is exactly the same as what Bentley is predicting for its forthcoming SUV, the Bentayga. The unusual name comes from the Roque Bentayga, a peak in the Canary Islands. The car is described by the company as ‘introducing the brand’s renowned modern British luxury to limitless destinations, with an impressive combination of on and off-road performance’. As Bentley is part of the Volkswagen empire, the car will share a platform with the Cayenne and Q7, though the Crewe company’s reputation for luxury means the interior will bear no relation to its sibling. Only teaser images have been shown so far, though first pictures are expected in the next few weeks. Not to be outdone, earlier this year Rolls-Royce confirmed it will launch an SUV. The company has promised a high-bodied car with an all-new aluminium architecture. The promotional line that comes with it is ‘Effortless... Everywhere’, with the idea that it is as much about the adventurous spirit of Charles Rolls as it is about

The mayfair Magazine | Motoring

Sir Henry Royce’s dedication to engineering and innovation. The project, as yet unseen, is being developed under the codename Cullinan – after the world’s largest uncut diamond – though it’s unlikely that will be the badge on the boot. A showroom debut in 2018 has been pencilled in. Chassis development vehicles have been spotted on desert tests, with pictures of them powering up and down sand dunes – not typical Rolls-Royce behaviour. The car is based on a shortened version of the Phantom’s platform, a fact that hints at the vast size of the finished vehicle. It will feature a new all-wheel drive suspension system, aimed at delivering the brand’s signature ride quality both on and off the tarmac. With Lamborghini, Bentley and Roll-Royce all joining the SUV party in expectation of finding new customers, the rest of the supercar segment will likely follow suit. Aston Martin, with its history of motorsport success and association with James Bond, is about as far away from offroading as you can get. But even it is getting in on the act, pulling the covers off the DBX Concept at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. It’s a car which, according to the company, ‘reaches out to a more diverse global audience than ever before’. CEO Dr Andy Palmer says: ‘I asked my team to expand their thinking beyond conventions, to explore what the future of luxury GT what

ahead, and the DBX Concept is the result.’ He conceded it wasn’t a production-ready vehicle, but was ‘more than a thought-starter’ for the company and its customers. Crucially, he added, ‘We will, in due course, be entering a car into the DBX space.’ And if you thought Land Rover would be left behind as its rivals muscle in on its territory, think again. It has announced that the nextgeneration Discovery – traditionally the more functional off-roader in its range – will be given an upmarket makeover by the in-house Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) department. The standard-spec Discovery 5 will be launched next year, with the SVO car appearing 12-18 months later. Which just leaves Ferrari. Will it happen? ‘We have always confirmed we will never do an SUV, despite everyone keeping asking,’ said a spokesman. That seems fairly definite, then…

below: Bentley; bottom: Aston Martin DBX Concept

motoring would look like in years

From the inception of game hunting to the evolution of exceptionally crafted guns, Hugh Francis Anderson explores Britain’s rich shooting heritage

ritain’s long association with firearms is well documented. From our colonial empire to our military prowess, Britain’s historic dominance was heavily propagated through the use of arms. However, our affiliation is not merely one of Imperial power. Britain has been at the forefront of global game shooting since the 18th century, and with the development of the doublebarrelled shotgun in the mid-19th century, the sport, as we know it today, has dramatically grown in popularity, no longer seen as the autumnal pastime of the landed gentry and aristocracy of old. Today, the evolution of gun technology, coupled with carefully managed

‘Over the years, the growth in game shooting for sport has seen a marked increase’ shooting estates and dedicated enthusiasts, has solidified game shooting as a part of our cultural heritage. Although the inception of modern game shooting can be traced back to Henry VIII, it wasn’t until 1637, when a Royal Charter was granted by King Charles I for the creation of a livery company to cater for gun making, that shooting truly began to develop. As the first establishment to legally enforce gun specifications and set industry standards, the British arms trade boomed. Richard Purdey, James Purdey’s great-great grandson, former chairman and a current director of James Purdey & Sons says, ‘It was these new standards which effectively laid the foundations of Britain’s future success as gun and rifle makers to the world,’ and why, ‘shooting sports in the UK in the 21st century are flourishing’. However, the beginnings of the sport we know and love didn’t materialise until the 1830s, with

the development of a fully functional hinged breech and cartridges containing primer, propellant and projectile. British gun makers Anson & Deeley formulated the boxlock action in 1875, which gave birth to reliable doublebarrelled shotguns, whose design has remained almost unchanged to this day. From here, the prominence of the British arms industry propelled British-made guns to the precipice of the shooting world, with Mayfair’s own James Purdey & Sons and Holland & Holland forming the basis of the luxury shotgun market since the very beginning. It’s unsurprising, then, that their level of skill, attention to detail and prestige are well documented, with both holding Royal Warrants. However, the days of a a market filled with heritage-only gun makers have changed, with more contemporary bespoke gun-makers, William & Son, which is now 16 years old, counted as one of the finest makers on the market. Over the years, the growth in game shooting for sport has seen a marked increase. Formerly the preserve for wealthy landowners and royalty, the modern sport has been adopted more widely. So how has the sport developed in Britain? ‘The aristocracy and landed gentry led the way: as landowners they had the game and could afford to improve their stocks by employing gamekeepers to manage the game habitats, and safeguard their charges by controlling predators and apprehending poachers,’ says Purdey, ‘In the wake of Britain’s industrial revolution, newly wealthy industrialists were able to emulate the landed gentry by acquiring country estates, now more easily accessible via the newly built railways, and become ardent participants in hunting, shooting and fishing.’ The traditional ‘walked-up’ shoots, where the gunman’s dog would flush birds as they walked throughout an estate, gave way to ‘driven’ shoots, which were first introduced by Prince 

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

The heritage of

THE HUNT image: Holland & Holland

‘Shooting is clearly thriving, and as technology becomes more advanced, so do the guns’ above: image courtesy of Over and Under Sporting Photography (overand undersporting. co.uk)

Albert, where beaters were employed to beat the ground and undergrowth to drive birds towards a line of gunmen. Furthered by the business boom of the 1980s, prosperous business owners took up shooting as a pastime that not only demonstrated healthy personal capital, but elevated social status too. The influx of money led to vast amounts being invested into shooting estates for the growth, prosperity and conservation of birds, habitat and heritage. Recent studies show that nowadays, almost half a million people shoot in Britain each year, with £2.5bn spent on services,

management and equipment, and 97 per cent of game meat put back into the food chain. Shooting is clearly thriving, and as technology becomes more advanced, so do the guns. Purdey, for example, take great pride in the flawless combination of heritage and state-ofthe-art technology. ‘It is a testament to the soundness of the design that Purdey’s side-byside guns have hardly changed at all over 135 years, though CNC machining technology is now widely used in manufacturing the parts, which highly skilled gun makers then fit and finish by hand,’ says Purdey. It is the core value and craftsmanship that sees gun-making develop in a slower, more refined way, knowing that the original designs were so advanced, and so exquisite, that the need to revolutionise the

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

below: images courtesy of John Alexander Game-shooting Photography (jeaphotography. co.uk)

traditional process is somewhat redundant. And where does this glory radiate from? Mayfair, of course. As Purdey says, ‘Mayfair and neighbouring St James’s accommodated many of London’s top and longest established gun makers, because in the 19th century a very large percentage of their customers had their London homes in these exclusive residential districts. Thus the gun makers were most conveniently situated for supplying new guns to their customers, servicing and storing their existing guns, cartridges and shooting clothing and accessories.’ As time has progressed, Mayfair has remained the centre point for exclusivity and panache, and appears to be the last vestige of old British values and traditions. As a rightful proprietor of British cultural significance, game shooting floats between the realms of contemporary and traditional. It is, at an elementary level, an ecosystem of noble magnitude, a propagation, if you will, of archetypal British etiquette, tradition and sovereignty, and something we should hold on to dearly.

Top game shooting estates Alnwick Castle Best for pheasant (alnwickcastle.com)

Bolton Abbey Estate Best for grouse (boltonabbey.com)

Holkham Hall Best for partridge (holkham.co.uk)

Rolls Royce Phantom ⁄ Rolls Royce Ghost Bentley Flying Spur ⁄ Bentley Bentayga ⁄ Range Rover Vogue ⁄ Range Rover Sport Mercedes S Class ⁄ Mercedes Viano ⁄ Mercedes E Class ⁄ Jaguar XF

For More Information Call 0208 507 1951 or visit www.seasonchauffeurhire.co.uk

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

Long haul

Benguerra Island, Mozambique Many dream of having their own desert island, that floats peacefully in the balmy climes of the Indian Ocean – and now it can be yours. AndBeyond has recently refurbished and redesigned 13 cabanas on the island of Benguerra, off the coast of Mozambique, and its presence is one of utter glory. Reflecting both the African and Portuguese lineage of the island, the resort features an array of exclusive facilities, with a host of activities, including scuba diving, helicopter sightseeing and island tours for adventuring, massage suites and golden beaches for relaxing. It’s the perfect desert island retreat – you may never want to leave. (andbeyond.com)

Travel news

Short haul

Mayfair’s Westbury Hotel’s Polo Bar takes up a residency at Barcelona’s OneOcean Club, while Mozambique’s Benguerra Island offers the opportunity to explore its natural beauty WORDS: HUGH FRANCIS ANDERSON

TRAVEL TIPS DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT… On any journey, long or short, being able to carry a manicure kit is vital to keeping nails healthy. This air-safe travel set from Czech & Speake is the ultimate travel companion, so you’ll never have worry about unkempt hands. Travel Manicure Set, £198, Czech & Speake (mrporter.com)

Polo Bar & OneOcean Club, Spain

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT… Ultraviolet When visiting sunny locations, it’s important to protect against the sun’s UV rays. Ultraviolet is the most sophisticated UV level-reading app, telling you which sun cream to use, so you can worry less about getting sunburn, and simply sit back, relax and enjoy your sojourn. Free, from the iTunes App Store

This month, a piece of Mayfair has made its way over to warmer climes, as the awardwinning Polo Bar at the Westbury Hotel in Mayfair, has teamed up with super-yacht owners’ club, OneOcean, and its BlueWave Cocktail Bar, to provide a breathtaking pop-up bar in the heart of Barcelona. For one week from 26 August, the Polo Bar will be serving up our favourite summer tipple, the Gin & Tonic. Perched on the waters’ edge, surrounded by super-yachts and fine weather, there is no better place to indulge in the perfect Gin & Tonic. (oneoceanclub.es; westburymayfair.com)

‘For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.’ - Robert Louis Stevenson 77

new horizons Olivia Sharpe experiences the best of both worlds when she visits Kenya and the Seychelles for the ultimate ‘bush and beach’ holiday experience

ith the opportunity of having two completely different but equally unforgettable holidays in one fell swoop, it’s no wonder the ‘bush and beach’ experience has recently become so sought-after among holidaymakers. Luxury hotel group Fairmont’s latest package, Safari and Sand… From Kenya to the Seychelles, encompasses an eight-day trip, starting off in Kenya where guests will experience twice daily game drives at the Fairmont Mara Safari Club, before hopping across the Indian Ocean for the ultimate pampering experience at Raffles Hotel in Praslin.

Since the first A-listers donned their khaki chinos, leather hunting boots and designer headscarves, safaris have been considered extremely glamorous affairs, and no one understands this better than Fairmont. Its celebrated Mara Safari Club was once run by film star William Holden who turned it into one of the most exclusive resorts in the world by inviting only his closest friends, which just so happened to include the likes of Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Steve McQueen. This exclusive legacy is something Fairmont continues to this day, with a bevy of celebrities and royalty having visited the resort since it took over ownership

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

several years ago. Before re-opening in 2009, the Fairmont Mara Safari Club underwent an extensive renovation programme and it has now become the epitome of tented luxury. The Mara Safari Club is set by the Mara River at the foot of the Aitong Hills in the Ol-Choro Oiroua Conservation Area that borders the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Not readily accessible by car, Fairmont will arrange your flight transfer from Nairobi airport to Ngerende Airstrip. The camp is then only ten minutes away via jeep but this didn’t stop our driver giving me and my guest a flavour of the wildlife to expect, pointing out baboons, impalas and crocodiles, which watched us indifferently as we passed by (no doubt far less impressed by us than we were by them). Entering the club via an imposing set of iron gates, the wild terrain is quickly replaced by the manicured grounds leading up to the main Masai Mara lodge. Featuring sleek wooden floors, mahogany furniture and animal hides covering the walls of the lobby, adjoining bar and restaurant, it is in many ways reminiscent of a North American lodge (which is hardly

surprising when you consider Fairmont’s heritage). And yet, with its wicker-designed tables, craggy wooden beams and beaded lamps, it retains an authentic feel. This is the only area of the camp that has internet access but seeing as the majority of guests are out for most of the day on game drives, you hardly notice its

‘The wild terrain is quickly replaced by the manicured grounds leading up to the main Masai Mara lodge’ absence from your tent. After checking in, my guest and I were escorted out of the lodge and into the main grounds, comprising immaculate gardens and a large swimming pool. The camp has 51 luxury tents in total, all of which have their own private deck so guests can look out on the Masa River with its resident bloat of hippos and bask of crocodiles. A four-poster, pillow-topped bed with white 

mosquito netting greeted us as we walked into our capacious tent, immediately setting the scene. Well-furnished, it also featured a vintage leather cabinet, an Aztec-patterned carpet and tribal knick-knacks. The inviting bedroom led into a three-piece bathroom with solar-heated hot and cold running water. The hot water was on the temperamental side throughout our stay, which meant that I would invariably be deprived of a piping shower (somewhat of an essential when you’re on safari) but this was the only fault I found. Late risers will not welcome the unsociable wake-up call but this is unavoidable on safari, with early mornings and late afternoons being

the best times to catch sight of the animals. Fortunately, the camp accommodates for this by delivering a much-welcomed cup of tea or coffee to your tent at 6am (which you can order the night before). There are up to two game drives organised daily, giving guests every possible opportunity to see the ‘Big Five’ (lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and white/black rhinoceros). Each group is given an experienced guide in an open four-wheel drive purpose-built for better viewing. The reserve is also home to giraffes, cheetahs, zebras and elephants, to name a few, so for those of you who miss out on seeing the famous five (leopards are notoriously the most difficult

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

‘There are two game drives daily, giving guests every possible opportunity to see the “Big Five”’ to spot), there are plenty of other incredible sights to be seen. The Masai Mara is named after the local Masai people who christened it as such to describe what the area looked like from afar (‘masai’ meaning ‘people’ and ‘mara’ meaning ‘spotted’ in Masai language). Guests are given the opportunity to discover more about the tribe by visiting the local village to witness traditional tribal songs and the ‘Adumu’ dance. Alternatively, the camp will organise romantic dinners whereby you can dine out under the stars with an authentic bush fire while the tribes’ people come and surprise you with a special performance if you should request it. You don’t go to Kenya for the food so don’t

expect Michelin-starred fine dining but saying that, the standard at the Fairmont was on the whole very good, particularly when it came to the daily breakfast and lunch buffets, offering everything from fresh juices and pastries to cooked breakfasts. Dinner is served in the Boma restaurant and includes a mixture of European, African and Asian dishes, along with fresh Kenyan produce. After the four, action-packed days were over, it was time to leave the Fairmont Safari Camp and head over to the Seychelles, following a one night stop-over at the Fairmont’s sister hotel in Nairobi, The Norfolk. Raffles Hotel is located on Praslin, which is a short plane ride away from Mahé and incidentally the second largest island in the archipelago. Its biggest claim to fame, however, is that General Gordon of Khartoum – a famous 19th century British army officer – 

believed it to be the real site of the Garden of Eden and once you’ve seen it for yourself, you can fully understand why. With its flawless, white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, it is truly paradisiacal. The vast hotel covers an impressive 30 acres of land with 86 villas and villa suites, boasting varying views of the ocean but all with their own private plunge pool, balcony, outdoor pavilion, round-theclock butler service and a buggy to take you to and from your villa. While this may seem a little self-indulgent, I found that after attempting the walk to the main reception area, once was

‘The island of Praslin was once believed to be the real site of the Garden of Eden’ definitely enough. All the villas have been designed to give you the utmost privacy during your stay which, considering the hotel mainly attracts couples and young families, is essential. My guest and I immediately felt at home; the contemporary design had white-washed walls, sleek wooden floors and all the essential mod cons, such as flat screen television, airconditioning and bedside lighting control. While modern, the natural colour palette of creams, whites and corals blended in seamlessly with the natural surroundings. The bathroom was the real pièce de résistance, with the bathtub perfectly positioned next to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the breathtaking view of the ocean. Each villa also comes with a walk-in shower room and adjoining outdoor rain shower, designed for those of you who fancy bathing under the stars. Breakfast can be ordered to your room where you can enjoy it on your private outdoor pavilion or in the hotel’s Losean restaurant. Meaning ‘ocean’ in Creole, it is an apt name to

describe the mammoth buffet breakfast which is laid out for guests each morning, ranging from continental and cooked to Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines. Losean is also open for dinner and offers contemporary Mediterranean cuisine courtesy of chef de cuisine, Patric Gigele. There are two other restaurants on site: Curieuse, which brings Pan Asian cuisine to the heart of the Seychelles and has its own dedicated sushi bar; and the Pool restaurant, offering a more relaxed and informal dining experience while still guaranteeing exceptional food. The low-lit Danzil lounge is ideal for pre-dinner drinks and is where my guest and I partook in a rum tasting experience but if this is not your tipple of choice, the expert mixologist can concoct whatever your heart desires. Along with its two swimming pools and unrivalled beach facilities, Raffles Hotel also possesses one of the best spas in the whole of the Indian Ocean. Accessed via a flight of wide steps with water cascading down black marble and gigantic Buddha heads on either side, it has been designed as a haven of tranquillity built upon the philosophy of ‘transformation’. Like the rest of the hotel, every little detail has been carefully thought through in order to ensure that guests want for nothing, even having a spare pair of reading glasses in the waiting room in case you’ve forgotten your own. For your treatment, I would highly recommend opting for one of the outdoor cabanas as opposed to the indoor rooms so you can listen to the sound of the ocean throughout. There are a number of packages to choose from for individuals as well as couples, including the hotel’s speciality which it recently created to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Raffles; the Praslin Escape. There are also a range of fitness classes available and your villa comes complete with your very own yoga mat in the walk-in wardrobe (so there’s no excuse not to go the sunrise yoga class at 8am).

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

With so many facilities on offer, you could very easily spend your entire stay in Praslin without venturing out of the hotel but this would be a great shame when you consider the other delights on offer. I strongly suggest paying a visit to La Digue Island; a short boat ride away from Praslin, it is home to the prehistoric Aldabra giant tortoises as well as the famed Anse Source Argent beach, long regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. While the endless stretch of glorious white sand and swaying palm trees are beautiful in themselves, it is the magnificent, prehistoric-looking boulders resembling something out of Jurassic Park which truly take your breath away. And of course, you cannot go to Praslin without seeing the legendary Coco de Mer plant. With this and so much more to offer, the ‘bush and beach’ combo is undoubtedly a once in a lifetime holiday experience. fairmont.com/masai-mara-safari fairmont.com/norfolk-hotel-nairobi raffles.com/praslin

MORE INFORMATION Somak Holidays offers an eight night trip to Kenya and the Seychelles from £3,200 per person. Price based on two sharing: two nights at Fairmont Mara Safari Club on a full board basis with twice-daily game drives, one night at Fairmont The Norfolk, Nairobi on a B&B basis, and three nights at Raffles Praslin Seychelles, B&B. Also includes two international overnight flights from London to the Seychelles via Nairobi with Kenya Airways, domestic flights in Kenya with Safari Link, domestic flights in the Seychelles with AirSeychelles, and transfers. Somak Holidays (020 8423 3000; somak.co.uk) Safari Link flies from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Ngerende Airstrip from $354 pp return safarilink.com

When Ernest Hemingway called Madrid ‘the most Spanish of all cities’ he was describing a capital city defined by its rich traditions, clinging tightly to its heritage. Post-Franco, however, a new Spanish identity emerged in Madrid, one that rejected the oppression of the Franco regime and which soon became characterised by freedom of expression – a counterculture that gripped the city and paved the way for what would become a key movement in Madrid’s history. La Movida Madrileña exploded on to the scene, giving rise to hedonism and pushing the limits of sexual, social and cultural expression. Madrid today is all the richer for it and is a cosmopolitan city, alive with artistic, social and cultural diversity, a thriving nightlife, and an abundance of spectacular examples of modern and historic architecture. Though it remains home to some of the most famous museums in the world – Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen – that house among the finest art collections in existence, Madrid is also known for its contemporary galleries, tucked away in historic neighbourhoods and dotted along boulevards. Its open-air markets, cobble-stone streets lined with tapas bars, and some of the finest Michelinstar restaurants in the country offer an array of dining experiences – a bite on-the-fly, a cerveza and snack al fresco, or a three-course meal that lingers long into the night. Madrid is also nearby some of the most breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage sites in Spain: El Escorial, for example, a former monastery and royal palace located about 45 kilometres northwest of Madrid; and the Aqueduct of Segovia, one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in existence and just an easy train ride away. Madrileños are equally blessed with the beautiful and muscular Sierra de Guadarrama mountains, both picturesque and perfect for an escape from urbanity. So, for everything from art, architecture, historic sightseeing, a vibrant nightlife and Spanish dining, Madrid really is a city with its own unique identity.

[city break]

madrid Luke Darracott explains why Spain’s capital city offers the perfect balance between contemporary and historic culture

all hotel images courtesy of Starwood Hotel & Resorts

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

Where to stay For one of Madrid’s most classic and elegant of experiences, stay at the Westin Palace, built in 1912 at the behest of King Alfonso XIII. A palatial building that looks out over art galleries, squares and fountains, the hotel is a place to revel in luxury of a bygone era. The most popular part is the simplest: having breakfast or dinner under a glass dome and surrounded by arcades of columns in the hotel’s Rotonda restaurant. (westinpalacemadrid.com)

SUITCASE E S S E N T IA L S #1 Sunglasses, £550, Linda Farrow, (lindafarrow.com)

#2 18ct yellow gold bangle, £4,950, Theo Fennell (theofennell.com)

Eating and drinking Spain is currently the centre of Europe’s food scene, where genius chefs such as Ferran Adrià are based. But, straying away from the Basque Country and Catalunya, Madrid has its fair share of stars. For a real gastronomic piece of theatre head to see David Muñoz at DiverXo, a Michelin-star eatery that playfully fuses Iberian and Asian cuisines. (diverxo.com)

#3 Top, £225, Rebecca Taylor, (matchesfashion.com)

Mayfair recommends Spend and afternoon at Hotel Oscar’s rooftop terrace, which boasts beautiful views of the city. For a more contemporary experience, head to the Santa Ana square and ascend to The Roof in the ME Hotel. Here, you can sit back and relax on leather-clad lounges, with a cocktail in hand, and see Madrid at its most picturesque.

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#5 Sandals, £375, Jimmy Choo, (jimmychoo.com)

Suite dreams … at London Marriott Hotel Park Lane WORDS: HUGH FRANCIS ANDERSON all images courtesy of London Marriot Hotel Park Lane

very time you experience a new hotel, your first impression creates a lasting memory of your stay, so creating the right ambience is no mean feat. Luckily, the Marriott Park Lane has got it right, creating a powerful first impression and one that entices you instantly. Upon entering, the cooling glow of the marble foyer, combined with the sweet scent of roses, ignites my senses as I walk to the reception. Greeted warmly by Park Lane’s guest relations managers, Ivan and Mathew, I’m offered a sweet amuse bouche while I’m checked in, before being shown to my suite for the evening. The building itself, an exquisite example of Francis Verity’s architecture, with intricate Beaux Arts and Greek motifs, all carved in Portland stone, makes it one of north Mayfair’s most pre-eminent buildings. Built during the World War One, it now hosts an impressive 152 rooms, yet maintains a personal, intimate and spacious feeling within. The recent RPW design remodel has not gone unnoticed, with the rooms decorated in a contemporary, nouveau-

riche style – balancing tonal shades with splashes of colour and featuring an array of modern art and signature pieces. In the bathroom, bookmatched marble consumes its entirety, and meticulously positioned lighting exudes a calming mood. In my room, the Berkeley Suite, I have panoramic views over Marble Arch and Hyde Park, and even during the bustle of London’s nightlife, no sound

‘The Marriott continues to prosper as a company that pursues nothing but excellence’ penetrates the suite. As the Marriott Park Lane’s premier suite of 57sqm, it has a separate living space, complete with an assortment of drinks and cheeses to savour at your leisure. And in the bathroom, the quintessentially British Floris products add a special touch,

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

‘Lanes of London offers a whole host of delicious cocktails, along with both hearty and healthy foods’ engaging with the hotel’s historic locale – I feel pampered by simply standing in the suite. Perhaps where the Marriott Park Lane makes the most striking impact is by offering a wide variety of options and services for your stay. The Jaunty Flâneur – an on-site, professional shoe-shine service, a fitness centre and pool, a luxuriously remodelled and relaxing Executive Lounge, and an attached restaurant, Lanes of London, all help create an experience, rather than simply a place to stay. Lanes of London offers a whole host of delicious cocktails, along with both hearty and healthy foods to suit all palates – the filet steak is particularly good. An informal, laidback interior that helps you truly wind down; it is also where you enjoy your morning coffee over an a la carte breakfast menu. For such a regal hotel, its welcoming and

relaxing atmosphere takes hold quickly, and eases you into a truly enjoyable stay you won’t soon forget. London Marriott Hotel Park Lane, 140 Park Lane, W1K (020 7493 7000; marriott.co.uk)

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“ When I n e e d e d to get in sh a p e f o r a f ilm, h e t o o k me s a f e ly d o wn f ro m a s i z e 1 2 to size 8 in just six weeks.. . Da v id ’s p ro g ra mme h a s ma d e me a ma z in g l y f i t a n d mu c h s ma lle r. ” Rach e l We isz, Actre ss

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T he be st t r ai n i ng i n t h e wo r l d - a n d i t ’ s o n yo u r do o r st e p

b e s p o k e p e r s o n a l t r a i n i n g • p i l at e s • n u t rit io n c lin ic • h o lis t ic t h e rap ie s • inj ury r e h a b i l i tat i o n • p ow e r p l at e • s mall gro u p t rain in g • c o rp o rat e f it n e s s p rogra mmes

The mayfair Magazine | Beauty

Pink velvet We have long been fans of Guerlain’s lightweight and nourishing lipsticks and the French brand’s new Bloom of Rose collection only reaffirms our infatuation. From delicately shimmering blushes to six refreshing shades of the KissKiss Roselip lipstick, Bloom of Rose harks back to Guerlain’s first tentative explorations of the floral rose, introducing the first solid lip colour in a jar in 1918, the Roselip. Almost a century on and Guerlian’s new tinted balms enriched in rose essential oil will bring a light and feminine complexion to last all day. KissKiss Roselip lipstick in Pink Me Up, £26, Guerlain (guerlain.com)

Beauty news

This month we find that great minds really do think alike with glamorous collaborations between Crème de la Mer and Aspinal of London, and Carita and Courrèges W O R D S : A MY W E L C H & K A T E R A C O V O L I S

The perfect pair This month, we have found the perfect excuse to treat ourselves as French brands Carita and haute couture label Courrèges have collaborated on a limited-edition of Carita’s iconic Fluide de Beauté 14. The deeply nourishing face and hair oil comes in a Courrèges-designed bottle, in its signature white and bright pink, and an illustration of the two Carita sisters – how chic. Carita Loves Courrèges Fluide de Beauté 14, Couture edition, £45.50 (carita.co.uk)

Tools of the trade Crème de la Mer and Aspinal of London both hold a passion for craftsmanship, so when the two paired up to create the ultimate beauty toolbox exclusive to Selfridges, there was little doubt it would contain anything but the finest leather and beauty icons. Beautiful and functional, it’s ideal for your travels. Beauty toolbox by Aspinal of London, £725, Crème de la Mer, (selfridges.com)

Sunny afternoon During late summer we long for skin that maintains its sun-kissed glow while revealing a warmer complexion to transition seamlessly into the autumn months. Bobbi Brown’s latest Telluride collection of palettes for the eyes, lips and cheeks is helping us achieve just this. Subtly luminous, the tawny shades of rose and bronze are inspired by the glow the late afternoon sun in Telluride, Colorado casts on the skin. Pot Rouge, £19.50, available from Fenwick, 63 New Bond Street, W1A (020 7629 9161; fenwick.co.uk) 89

A gut feeling Consultant Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgeon, Mr Romi Navaratnam, discusses the effects of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and how you can manage them

The mayfair Magazine | Health Promotion

large number of the adult working population are affected by a common condition – irritable bowel syndrome(IBS). While not usually debilitating, it can be an uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing condition to live with. It is estimated that somewhere between ten and twenty percent of the population may be living with IBS, and this figure could be much higher as often people do not seek treatment for it. The report also found that IBS is more prevalent in women than men, with around seventy per cent of admissions in the same time frame being female. Figures from NHS HSCIC’s Hospital Episode Statistics showed that IBS accounted for more than five thousand hospital admissions between January and December in 2011. Some of the most common symptoms include: abdominal pain, abdominal bloating and a change in bowel habit, either diarrhoea or constipation. IBS is classified into three main sub-types based on the prevalence of the symptoms, which are constipation predominant IBS, diarrhoea predominant IBS, or mixed IBS. The exact causes of IBS are unknown, but it is believed that there could be an association with an earlier episode of severe gastroenteritis, or that it could be brought on by stress. It is widely established that an abnormal signal pathway between the brain and the bowel exists. If you have noticed you have the symptoms of IBS persisting over time, or you have blood in your stools, it is important to make an appointment to speak to your GP. They may refer you for a colonoscopy, which is a telescope test of the back passage, to exclude alternative causes of the symptoms. Investigations for IBS are undertaken on an outpatient basis. Your doctor may suggest basic blood tests to test your thyroid function and a coeliac screen. You may also have a ‘faecal calprotectin’ test. This tests your stool and it is useful to rule out your symptoms being the result of other benign conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Management of a condition like IBS often involves making changes to your lifestyle and diet. The low FODMAPs diet has gained increasing acceptance for improving symptom control. FODMAPs are a type of short strain carbohydrate, and limiting your intake of foods which contain them has been shown to lead to significant improvements of the symptoms of IBS for many patients. The management of refractory IBS can often be managed with good symptomatic outcomes through avoidance of precipitating factors, various relaxation and bowel retraining techniques. The acknowledgement of a non-sinister condition, is very important in the overall successful management of this common condition.

meet the specialist Mr Romi Navaratnam is a Consultant Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgeon working at The Wellington Hospital. He trained in Nottingham, Cambridge, London and Sri Lanka, prior to being appointed Consultant Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgeon at the North Middlesex University Hospital and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Royal Free Medical School in 2002. He was one of the founding consultants of the GI units at The Wellington Hospital in 2006. It is widely recognised as a national and international centre of excellence. His research interests incorporate improving outcomes in laparoscopic (minimally invasive, keyhole) surgery and surgical education. His specialist interests include the investigation and management of gastrointestinal problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome and common anal conditions.

For further information or if you would like to arrange an appointment at The Wellington Hospital, please contact the Enquiry Helpline on 020 7483 5004 or visit thewellingtonhospital.com 91

Beauty | The mayfair Magazine

Spa review Agua Spa at Sanderson W ords : E l l en Mi l l ard

‘Y

ou can get lost in here,’ my therapist, Julia, whispers, leading me through the maze that is Sanderson’s Agua Spa. Floor-toceiling ivory curtains map out corridors through which treatment rooms, relaxation areas and steam rooms hide. ‘My last client couldn’t find his way out,’ she laughs as my feet are treated to a pre-treatment cleanse. I begin to wonder if

this will be my fate too as I attempt to mentally map the way out, but after my 50-minute facial I decide that being lost in the Agua Spa would only be a good thing. I’m here to try the new offerings from the cult French beauty brand NUXE, which are the first of their kind in the UK. Opting for the

‘Post-facial my skin is brighter and softer, and my problem areas have visibly improved’ Radiance Facial Treatment, I am bathed in what I imagine is an incredibly unflattering bright light while Julia examines my skin, points out my problem areas and questions me about my daily routine. After a gentle telling off for my lack of exfoliation, she advices me on the best products to use before massaging my skin with a NUXE scrub. Post-facial my skin is brighter and softer, and my problem areas have visibly improved. The anti-dark spot perfecting mask has worked its magic, and the moisturising body lotion has left my hands and feet feeling silky smooth. Wary of losing another client to the curtain maze, Julia takes me back to the relaxation room, armed with a list of products to try out and what’s left of the anti-dark spot mask (‘you can use it at least two more times!’). Revelling in the ‘no mobile phone’ policy, I kick back on a chaise longue, jasmine tea in hand, and finally lose myself in Agua Spa. NUXE Radiance Treatment, £80, Agua Spa at Sanderson, 50 Berners Street, W1T (020 7300 1400; morganshotelgroup.com)

There are approximaTely

12.5 million neurological cases currently in england.

We offer investigation, treatment and continuous care in a clear and comprehensive way. With experienced neurologists and neurosurgeons, our highly skilled, multi-disciplinary team will support you at every stage of your journey.

Call our team today www.thewellingtonhospital.com

020 7483 5004

Food & Drink | The mayfair Magazine

Café culture Burberry has recently expanded its Regent Street flagship store with the addition of an area dedicated to gifting and an all-day café, Thomas’s, that offers an entirely British menu. Thomas’s will promote the heritage of the Burberry brand while offering customers an exclusive area to enjoy the finer detail of retail therapy. From afternoon tea to lobster with chips, it will be open seven days a week and offer the finest seasonal produce from small British farmers and suppliers. Thomas’s, Burberry, 5 Vigo Street, W1B (020 3159 1410; burberry.com)

Food & drink news This summer is filled with foodie delights with Paxton & Whitfield’s hampers and afternoon tea from the Mount Street Deli, while Burberry opens a fashionable new café w o r ds : h u g h f r a n c i s a n d e r s o n

A very Paxton picnic For over 200 years, Paxton & Whitfield has been Britain’s leading cheesemonger – forever exploring and discovering the newest, most delicious cheeses, while expertly pairing them with a wide array of fine foods and trimmings. From tasty single and cut cheese collections, to real English ale, Paxton & Whitfield has everything covered. By combining these elements into delightful picnic hampers, your al fresco dining is sure to be a real treat. Paxton & Whitfield, 93 Jermyn Street, SW1Y (020 7930 0259; paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk)

Summer days Mayfair’s resident artisan foodies, the Mount Street Deli, has unveiled an enticing selection of hampers and picnic treats to meet all manner of summer needs. Offering a bespoke service, including Champagne, strawberries and cream, afternoon tea and a selection of mouth-watering picnic lunches, the Mount Street Deli has everything you could possibly want when it comes to culinary treats. From £25, Mount Street Deli, 100 Mount Street, W1K (020 7499 6843; themountstreetdeli.co.uk)

The Glorious season The Punchbowl, Mayfair’s home-grown, fine-dining pub, has been a local favourite since 1729. And as a quintessentially British institution, it should come as no surprise that it is celebrating the start of the hunting and shooting season with some exciting new additions to its menu. Under the culinary instruction of The Punchbowl’s recently appointed head chef, Matt Laville, the menu features roasted partridge and venison carpaccio, to name but a few. It’s the perfect excuse to indulge in this seasonal British menu in the heart of Mayfair. The Punchbowl, 41 Farm Street, W1J (020 7493 6841; punchbowllondon.com)

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Demand for professional butlers is growing within affluent households and establishments around the world. Rowena Marella-Daw finds out how their role has evolved to meet the exacting requirements of 21st-century employers

At your service

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

Image: Moviestore Collection Ltd

echnology has dramatically changed the way people interact, and with the proliferation of smartphones, text messaging has now replaced email as the favourite mode of communication. But while the speed of advancement has created an appetite for newer, better gadgets among all aspects of society, there is one role that has withstood the influence of technological advancements and remains highly prized for its long-standing respectability and traditions – and that is the role of the quintessentially English butler, quite possibly the last bastion of civility and refinement as we know it. The stereotypical butler we’ve all become familiar with in films and television, most recently in the series Downton Abbey, is much admired and emulated around the globe. But unlike his predecessors, the only thing starchy about the modern butler is his shirt collar. Yes, he still maintains the same deportment – impeccable manners and immaculate attire – but his demeanor is more convivial and welcoming. Even today, he is expected to tie the perfect bow tie; balance the silver salver on one hand with ease; and fold, iron and polish to perfection. He also comes armed with a winning personality, and a wide range of skills and experience that are perfectly suited to managing his employer’s modern lifestyle. ‘The majority of butlers today are often more of a “lifestyle manager”, usually equipped with 

The Savoy entrance

a tablet computer,’ explains Neil Anthony Richmond, managing director of Morpho Luxury Asset Management. ‘They are fully IT conversant, multilingual, and frequently travel worldwide for their employers to ensure that everything – from the superyacht in the Caribbean to the private estate in the South of France – is running smoothly.’ It’s no surprise then that butlers are in great demand within the growing circle of high net-worth individuals across the globe. ‘In some regions such as Asia, particularly in Hong Kong and China, employing the services of a traditional British butler is gaining popularity, and recognised as a sign of utmost prestige and sophistication,’ Neil affirms. A hotel classified as five or six star can be proven worthy of its rating by the quality of service it provides. And what could be a better yardstick than the calibre of its butlers? The Savoy hotel in London, a favourite haunt of the rich and famous since it opened its doors in 1889, continues to not only make royals feel at home but also all its guests. ‘Sadly, it’s very hard to find people who are trained in the profession,’ says Sean Davoren, head butler at The Savoy. ‘The high calibre of guests that come here know exactly what they want, and the butler needs to be able to deliver.’ For this very reason, The Savoy Butler Academy was established three years ago as part of the City & Guilds accredited Professional Butlers

Diploma programme designed and developed by Buckingham Palace and The University of West London. Sean works closely with Patricia Paskins, course lecturer at the university’s London School of Hospitality and Tourism, to combine theory and practical experience on subjects ranging from customer care for VIP guests, advising on formal clothing and international etiquette, to wine tasting and organising travel arrangements. Alongside his specialised skills and experience, what distinguishes a butler is his attitude. Sean strives to instil the mindset that, ‘I’m not a servant,

‘Suffice it to say, it’s the “boot camp” of the hospitality industry’ but I choose to serve you. It changes their whole persona, and they behave differently,’ reveals Sean, who heads a team of 15 butlers, four of whom are female. Generally, trainees will have had experience working in the hospitality sector, but that doesn’t get them off the hook. ‘They go through a very rigorous training programme,’ Sean reiterates. Suffice it to say, it’s the ‘boot camp’ of the hospitality industry. And woe betide the applicant who shows up for an interview with dirty fingernails and holes in his socks! Such is the reputation of The Savoy’s worldclass butler service, it was chosen to put 13 of

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

Etihad Airways’ senior cabin crew through the mill during an intensive three-week training in preparation for the launch of its A380’s ‘The Residence’ three-room cabins. Training the cabin crew was a refreshing experience for Sean: ‘Demonstrating our expertise on how to deliver services with style and professionalism took our role to new heights. It is the client’s own home in the sky, and seeing these services adapted to air travel was very exciting.’ So what does it take to please discerning clients? Luxury hotels such as The Savoy are frequented by royalty from around the world, pop stars, billionaires, families and local guests. They can come from very diverse backgrounds, so butlers need to be clued up on cultural differences and expectations. ‘Chinese clients take their shoes off as soon as they enter the suite, so you have to have slippers by the door. I always have green tea ready for them. I also have a theory that if you look after the children, then the wife, the husband will be happy.’ Even the pets get spoiled here – a range of beds and special dog menu are on offer, and the butler will happily walk your pooch while you go shopping or get pampered at the spa. Trust is a rare commodity, especially in our social media-obsessed society, and the phrase ‘what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’ also applies in the butlering profession. Confidentiality and discretion are paramount in this business, and the butler has to earn the trust of his client or employer. As Neil puts it: ‘There is an unwritten code of honour all professional butlers must adhere to – always, and forever – beyond their term of employment, in retirement, and even after the passing of a previous employer,’ although butlers are more often than not required to sign confidentiality agreements. There’s never a shortage of out-of-theordinary requests to keep butlers on their toes. At short notice he could be jetting off to the Atlantic or the Mediterranean to purchase a particular dish of food, brand of cigar, or special jewellery. There’s the supermodel who bathes

only in goat’s milk, arranged by the butler to be delivered all the way from Wales. However demanding the role may be, it has its rewards. In Beeton’s Book of Household Management, first published in 1861, the recommended annual salary for butlers was £55 to £90. Today a butler can command anywhere from £30,000 to £100,000. While the butlering profession is 85 per cent male, according to Patricia, ‘there is certainly a growing demand for female butlers. It depends on the client. Some prefer a female and these tend to be Middle Eastern households, some female celebrities or single ladies, and sometimes families with children.’ The role of the butler has historically been one of a household servant, and generally restricted to gentry, but the modern-day butler has evolved away from the notion of servitude, adopting a modern take on a centuries old tradition. (fairmont.com/savoy; morphomanagement.com)

The Beaufort Bar at The Savoy Credit: Photos courtesy of The Savoy

James Lawrence charts the evolution of Champagne and growing popularity of the sparkling variety of fine wine

A sparkling success above: all images courtesy of Assouline

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or decades, Champagne has been predominantly marketed as a superior choice for celebrations, rather than a regular weekend tipple, or even an occasional indulgence. Of course, a small percentage of wine lovers have always purchased fizz on a frequent basis, but the phenomenon of opening a bottle of sparkling wine for anything other than the obligatory new year clink was alien to most consumers. But times have changed. Over the past ten years, sparkling wine has grown into a massive – and everyday – category in its own right: more than 110 million bottles of bubbly were consumed in 2013 for example; retail sales rocketed by 20 per cent in the second quarter of 2014; and sparkling wine sales now command a value in excess of £500 million (according to a recent Nielsen report). Just take a quick glance across London and you’ll see a growing number

of specialist, bubbly-centric wine bars, with Mayfair’s Cartizze Bar adding to this growing trend. It continues to draw a discerning clientele – they are seduced by Cartizze’s glamorous setting and wide selection of Prosecco-based cocktails and Champagnes by the glass. It is the massive popularity of the eponymous Italian bubbly that has helped to raise the category far beyond the confines of an occasional celebratory drink. Today, Prosecco needs little introduction and is commonly enjoyed on a regular basis. The reasons for its success? It comes with an attractive price tag, a name that rolls off the tongue, and is incredibly trendy: offering a light, quaffable appeal and lower acidity that suits today’s wine drinkers perfectly. But most remarkably, it has managed to be both accessible and prestigious, providing a fun alternative to Champagne, rather than

The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

being relegated to a second-rate bubbly. ‘Prosecco has never had a negative connotation; it’s a positive choice in its own right, not a fallback option from Champagne,’ says Texture restaurant’s head sommelier, Xavier Rousset. ‘Sales are going strong in both categories. We don’t encourage a move to Prosecco from Champagne we just offer the choice,’ says Cartizze managing director James Robson. Both, it seems, clearly have a welcome place in the UK’s sparkling repertoire. The other important catalyst for the sparkling wine market’s growth has been the promotion of fizz, and above all Champagne, as the ideal accompaniment to a diverse range of cuisines. No longer relegated to the role of pre-dinner aperitif, Champagne is ideally poised to match whatever creations your chef can come up with. ‘Champagne comes in all guises – rosé, dry, sweet, light and full-bodied – and so is far from a homogenous category,’ says Krug CEO and president Margareth Henriquez. ‘When we invite guests to dinner in London, we pair different Krug brands with all the dishes and it works remarkably well,’ she adds. And it seems that London’s dynamic restaurant trade would agree. Tirage is just one achingly trendy restaurant and Champagne bar that specialises in pairing premium sparkling wines with tapas-style dishes. ‘Food pairing is a potent way of driving sparkling wine sales,’ says Tirage sommelier Roberto Della Pietra. ‘Our customers, although initially perhaps unconvinced, have now embraced the idea of enjoying fizz throughout their entire meal.’ However, it’s not just Champagne that is benefiting from this emerging concept of drinking sparkling wine throughout a meal. An increasing number of restaurateurs are also thinking outside the traditional paradigm of fizz. Since opening his Copa de Cava restaurant in 2013, savvy entrepreneur Richard Bigg has successfully

promoted the virtues of top-flight Cava as far more than a cheap, supermarket Champagne alternative. Key to his success, he explains, was ensuring that customers could match the Spanish bubbly with food dishes. ‘Growth has been encouraging,’ says Bigg. ‘Using food-matching and by-the-glass options are essential in moving customers out of their comfort zones.’

‘Champagne will continue to have and deserves its rightful place in the UK as the market leader’ Ultimately, we must recognise that Champagne will continue to have and deserves its rightful place in the UK as the market leader and luxury choice, bar none. But, the growth of other styles like Prosecco has helped, rather than detracted from Champagne’s success; broadening the category and ensuring that Champagne can increasingly be enjoyed, guilt-free, throughout an entire meal, or as a regular, everyday indulgence. Or, as Lily Bollinger, former matriarch of the Bollinger Champagne House, so aptly said: ‘I only drink Champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not in a hurry and drink it when I am, otherwise I never touch the stuff unless I am thirsty.’

below: Cartizze Bar Hummingbird Room

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Food & Drink | The mayfair Magazine

DINING OUT Chutney Mary, St James’s Street W O R D S : h u g h f r a n c i s a n d e rso n

eorge Bernard Shaw once said, ‘There is no sincerer love than the love of food’, and the opening of the new Chutney Mary location in St James’s epitomises this sentiment wholeheartedly. After 25 illustrious years on Kings Road, Chelsea, it has taken the step to move closer to the centre of London, to cater to those who not only enjoy fine dining but want an adventurous restaurant experience. Chutney Mary not only soared as a restaurant and set the benchmark for fine Indian cuisine, but also modernised traditional Indian dishes, bringing with it a new wave of culinary sensations. Now in its new location, Chutney Mary is redefining itself yet again. Directors Ranjit Mathrani, Namita Panjabi and Camellia Panjabi have created a welcoming space – a spacious

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110-seat dining area, two private dining rooms and the 50-seat Pukka Bar. Inspired by traditional Indian culture, but given an eccentric twist, the interior space offers a culturally impressive experience, with many historical artefacts, photographs and artworks, along with low lighting, creating its atmosphere. Chutney Mary specialises in making Indian cuisine accessible and, above all, delicious. The same can be said of its spectacular cocktail list – the sweetly scented, refreshing, gin-based India Flower Iced Tea and heady Amrut whiskey-heavy Chai Smoke are both choices you won’t be disappointed with. Putting my dining experience in the hands of Lukasz, my incredibly knowledgeable and supremely professional waiter for the evening, I delve into a wide array of gourmet dishes, each one complementing the next. The Tokri Chaat, a wonderfully crunchy potato, vegetable and spice filled starter followed by succulent chargrilled lamb. Continuing with melt-in-yourmouth venison chops and an array of delicately presented side dishes such as spiced rice and crunchy garlic naan, the finishing touch is the Gajjar Halwa Soufflé, a traditionally savoury dish, sweetened with pistachio ice-cream and only available at Chutney Mary. All this firmly solidifies the eating sensation as spectacular, and one that seemingly knows no bounds. And if dinner isn’t enough, you can return for breakfast and lunch, so you’ll never be without your Indian fix. Whether relaxing in the Pukka Bar with one of their delicious cocktails and some light bites, making use of the 16 or 30-seat private dining rooms, or simply enjoying the warm ambience of the restaurant, Chutney Mary is sure to become a mainstay for all who visit. Chutney Mary, 73 St James’s Street, SW1A (chutneymary.com)

mayfair

Resident’s Journal

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

Secretary Richard Cutt (Crossrail & Finance)

Planning Applications Ronald Cottee (Planning)

Membership Howard Evans (Events & Membership)

Traffic Lois Peltz

Police Marie-Louise Burrows

Licensing Derek Stratton

mayfair

Resident’s Journal

The Notebook Our latest dispatch of local news from around Mayfair

Unexpected Hill When passing the Royal Academy of Art’s Burlington Gardens entrance you may notice a surreal angular structure. The contemporary ceramic construction, which is attracting the attention of passersby and visitors to the Royal Academy, is a winning design by Istanbul studio, SO? Architecture and Ideas, intended as a public gesture for the surrounding neighbourhood of Mayfair. Under the brief of ‘transformation’ the RA invited emerging artists and architects to embrace a unique opportunity to complement the Grade II-listed building and create something to physically and conceptually transform its perceptions. The design explores how 2D ceramics can create a 3D space for public use. It will be there for all to enjoy until 20 September. Unexpected Hill at the Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, W1J (020 7300 8000; royalacademy.org.uk)

Portrait of a man George Frideric Handel’s connection to Mayfair is well documented, as the German-born Baroque composer made his home here in 1712. Building on the formal portrait we have of Handel, the exhibition Handel: A Life with Friends focuses on private artefacts such as music manuscripts and letters, offering new insights into Handel’s life through his friends and neighbours who lived in Mayfair. Curated by Handel scholar Dr Ellen T. Harris and based on her book of the same name as the exhibition, it allows a fascinating story of Handel’s personal relationships to come to life. Handel: A Life with Friends is on now on show at Handel House Museum, 25 Brook Street, W1K (020 7495 1685; handelhouse.org) 104

Summer Wellness The holistic wellbeing sanctuary, COMO Shambhala Urban Escape (located at Metropolitan by COMO) is helping us to make a positive start to our Saturdays this month with an array of new summer wellness events held at Hyde Park. With a focus on fitness and health and psychological wellbeing, highlights include talks by health industry experts and yoga sessions in partnership with Lululemon athletica. (comohotels.com/ metropolitanlondon)

Challenging the familiar In a new exhibition at The Gallery on Shepherd Market, British potter Steve Harrison is challenging our perceptions of familiar household objects. By investigating the concept of the cupboard, Harrison has returned to the origins of the term to explore the relationship between object and space, in this instance between the cup and the board on which it sits. The series of Cup Boards and hand-thrown cups not only challenge our understanding of everyday terms but highlight offer a commentary on society’s consumerist nature. Cup Board, 11-22 August at The Gallery, 54 Shepherd Market, W1J (07792 977363; 54thegallery.co.uk)

A Symphony World-renowned violinist, Erzhan Kulibaev, will be joined by pianist, Eduardo Frias, to perform a lunchtime recital as part of St James’s Church free concert event, running every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the summer. This particular performance will see some of the greatest classical compositions performed in the heart of London, including Beethoven, Janáček, Sibelius and Ysaÿe. Lasting approximately 50 minutes, there’s no better way to spend a balmy August lunchtime. 28 August at 1:10pm, St James’s Church, 197 Piccadilly, W1J (020 7734 4511; sjp.org.uk)

celebrating mayfair The residents of Mayfair and St James’s gathered last month to celebrate and socialise for the annual Residents’ Society of Mayfair and St James’s Summer Garden Party. The neighbourhood’s much cherished tradition saw the picturesque Mount Street Gardens transformed with a live swingtime jazz band, delicious buffets (the sushi bar from the Colony Club and the Allens of Mayfair barbecue went down particularly well) and cocktails from Shaken ‘n’ Stirred bar. Opening with welcome speeches by chairwoman of the Residents’ Society, Lois Peltz, and the Lord Mayor of Westminster, the Lady Flight, joviality carried on late into the evening as guests enjoyed a number of pop-up events, including a roulette table and evening raffle prize draw. (rsmsj.com) 105

mayfair

Resident’s Journal

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

Art Deco Office Space In Mayfair

Planning applications in the local area DATE RECEIVED: 27 May PROPOSAL: Retention of seven external air-conditioning units attached to the rear elevation at first floor level ADDRESS: 46 Clarges Street DATE RECEIVED: 29 May PROPOSAL: Alterations to the shopfronts on Oxford Street and Davies Street ADDRESS: Unit G1 to 2 West One Shopping Centre 381 Oxford Street DATE RECEIVED: 11 June PROPOSAL: Replacement of existing entrance canopy with new projecting portico ADDRESS: 40 South Street

As the London office market continues to experience high levels of demand, Office Space in Town, specialising in prime London professional accommodation, is offering a spectacular Art Decoinspired office in the heart of Mayfair. The two-storey building at 10 Brick Street is currently undergoing extensive refurbishment and is being converted into a high-end 1920s-style space, open to tenants from early September. Being in close proximity to Mayfair’s corporations, top restaurants and leafy squares, the office is an ideal location for companies that require a boutique London base. Inside the serviced space, designed by Sam Kopsch Studio, an interior of rich greens, gold, black and white runs throughout. Designed for businesses with between five and 15 staff, the pièce de résistance is the stylish roof terrace – perfect for entertaining clients. (theoffice-uk.co.uk)

DATE RECEIVED: 15 June PROPOSAL: Use of basement, ground and first floor as a private members club ADDRESS: 1A Chesterfield Street

Planned roadworks and closures in August STREET

PLANNED WORK

DATES

WORKS OWNER

Clifford Street

Road surface improvements

10 August

City of Westminster 020 7641 2000

Clarges Street

Reed House public realm improvements

8 June – 8 August

City of Westminster 020 7641 2000

Grosvenor Street

Footway repairing

27 July – 24 August

City of Westminster 020 7641 2000

Brewer Street

Laying mains to premises

3-11 August

National Grid Gas Plc, 0845 605 6677

mayfair Resident’s Journal

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

The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

Remembering

MAYFAIR t h e a r t s c l u b dover street Photos by Ed Reeve

ayfair has always been the centre for distinguished gentleman’s clubs, offering a refined space to enjoy a little luxury away from the bustle of London – surrounded by good company, like-minded individuals and great conversation. One such establishment is The Arts Club, which was founded in 1863 as a refuge for men of vision, whose professional or amateur interests were in literature, arts or science. It has remained at its current site in an 18th-century townhouse on Dover Street since 1890, and has withstood both world wars, including a direct hit during the Blitz in 1940. Names such a Dickens, Whistler and Liszt were all patrons and inject The Arts Club with an immediate authority and heritage. Today, it remains a renowned creative hub, attracting established names from many industries – from TV personalities to architects, writers and artists. In 2011, the club re-launched after a complete renovation, seeing designer David D’Almada come together with property mogul Gary Landesberg and restaurateurs Arjun and Jai Waney to invigorate the space with a modern touch that still pays homage to its early days.

It now houses numerous, individually curated spaces, including a brasserie, an oyster bar and a library. Award-winning food is served in the restaurant, while numerous art and live music events fill the interior space. There is also a publicly available exhibition space, intended to engage the best emerging and established artists with the larger Mayfair community. As an establishment so steeped in Mayfair’s history, The Arts Club has successfully transitioned into a contemporary institution – progressing with the times and firmly solidifying its foothold in Mayfair for many years to come. Words: Hugh Francis Anderson

‘It has remained at its current site on Dover Street since 1890’ 107

Property | The mayfair Magazine

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

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

Paddington & Bayswater carter jonas

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

127 Mount Street W1K 3NT 020 7493 0676

Pimlico & Westminster

London, Mayfair & St James’s

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

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

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

Savills

Knightsbridge

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

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

Mayfair

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

Hanover residential

West End

49 Welbeck Street W1G 9XN 020 3540 5990

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

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

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

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

Sloane Street

St John’s Wood ChestertonS

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

Knight Frank

Mayfair

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

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

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

13 Hill Street W1J 5LQ 020 7629 7282

Marylebone

Knightsbridge

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

Strutt & Parker

London Head Office

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

Harrods Estates

Knightsbridge

82 Brompton Road SW3 1ER 020 7225 6506

Mayfair Hamptons International

Chelsea

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

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

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

For estate agent listings please contact Sophie Roberts at: s.roberts@runwildgroup.co.uk

Wetherell 102 Mount Street W1K 2TH 020 7493 6935 (wetherell.co.uk)

showcasing the

finest HOMES & PROPERTY from the best estate agents

Postcode

power We bring you the latest news in the prime property market

Image: rokstone (www.rokstone.com)

1 0 B A L F OU R M E W S AND 8 REX PLACE MAYFAIR W 1 An elegant and low built freehold town house of 7,132 square feet with eight bedrooms, a pretty west facing courtyard garden and adjoining mews house with garaged parking for two cars.

ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES Entrance hall, dining room, drawing room, master bedroom with en suite, 7 further bedrooms, 4 family sized bathrooms, media room, 2 staff kitchens, utility room, cloakroom, garden, garage. Approximately 663 sq m (7,132 sq ft). EPC: E.

KF_DPS_LHP.indd 1

14/07/2015 15:12

KF_

TENURE: FREEHOLD

JOINT SOLE AGENTS

Mayfair

15:12

KF_DPS_RHP.indd 2

020 7499 1012

102 Mount Street, London W1K 2TH

KnightFrank.co.uk

wetherell.co.uk

020 7529 5566

14/07/2015 15:12

Maddox Street, Mayfair W1S A smart two bedroom lateral apartment A beautifully presented two bedroom lateral apartment, situated on the second floor of a smart residential block on popular Maddox Street. The property features a dual aspect reception room and impressive entrance hallway. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen, hallway. EPC: C. Approximately 119 sq m (1,277 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 116 years remaining

Guide price: £2,500,000

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/WER150075

Mayfair Mag Ausgust - 2,22 Maddox

13/07/2015 14:56:49

Wimpole Street, Marylebone W1 A four bedroom masionette with roof terrace and lift An outstanding maisonette in a Grade II listed building, exquisitely interior designed to exacting standards. Spanning 3,992 sq ft over four floors with grand ceiling heights in excess of four metres, the property provides generous family living and entertaining space. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, kitchen, sunroom, laundry room, guest cloakroom, roof terrace, private lift. Approximately 370.9 sq m (3,992 sq ft). Share of freehold

Guide price: £10,950,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/marylebone marylebone@knightfrank.com 020 3435 6440 Savills.co.uk/marylebone ahross@savills.com 020 3527 0400

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/MRY140009

Mayfair Mag August 3, 36 Wimpole

14/07/2015 11:09:28

Connaught Place, Hyde Park W2 Exceptional penthouse apartment with uninterrupted views across Hyde Park A magnificent interior designed penthouse of grand proportions located in a prestigious Grade II listed building with far reaching views across Hyde Park. 5 bedrooms (all en suite), reception room, dining room, media room, study, kitchen, utility room, staff area, roof terrace, direct lift access, comfort cooling, Mercury lighting system, full audio/visual system. Approximately 500 sq m (5,386 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 125 years remaining

Guide price: £20,000,000

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/HPE140240

Mayfair Mag August 2015 Connaught Place

14/07/2015 14:46:53

Connaught Square, Hyde Park W2 Imposing double fronted period town house An elegant Grade II listed house overlooking one of London's finest private garden squares and situated within walking distance of the green open spaces of Hyde Park. 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms (2 en suite), dressing room, 5 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, further kitchen, terrace, lift, 2 external storage vaults, access to private communal gardens. Approximately 448 sq m (4,829 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 94 years remaining

Guide price: £7,950,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/hydepark antonia.thorp@knightfrank.com 020 3544 6140 Savills.co.uk/mayfair clloyd@savills.com 020 7578 5100

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/HPE140101

Mayfair Mag August 2015 Connaught Sq

13/07/2015 12:10:08

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

Guide price: £2,200 per week

Wardour Street, Soho W1D

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A duplex penthouse located in the W London Hotel. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, open plan kitchen/reception room, balcony. It also benefits from a discount on the lifestyle services of the W London Hotel. EPC: C. Approximately 130 sq m (1,396 sq ft). Available furnished. mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 7799

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £2,500 per week

Adams Row, Mayfair W1K A wonderful opportunity to live in a passivhaus maisonette in Mayfair. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room, open plan kitchen. EPC: B. Approximately 168 sq m (1,817 sq ft). Available furnished. mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 7799

MayfairLettings July 2015 3

02/07/2015 11:52:31

St James's Place, St James's SW1A An outstanding penthouse apartment Set over the top three floors of a beautifully restored building. The apartment has been interior designed throughout and is finished to the highest standard. This penthouse offers master bedroom with 2 separate bathrooms, 2 further bedrooms, 2 further bathrooms, reception room, dining room, separate kitchen, observatory, roof terrace with fantastic views over St James's, direct lift access, luton lighting, underfloor heating and Gaggenau kitchen appliances. EPC: D. Approximately 214 sq m (2,307 sq ft). Available furnished Guide price: £3,750 per week KnightFrank.co.uk/MAQ192496

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7799

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Mayfair Mag - Lettings May 5

02/07/2015 12:05:09

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

Guide price: £2,300 per week

Thayer Street, Marylebone W1

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Spacious two bedroom lateral apartment moments from Marylebone shopping facilities and transport links. Comprising 2 bathrooms, large reception room, fully fitted kitchen, decked balcony, study area, wooden floors, concierge and lift. EPC: C. Approximately 145 sq m (1,565 sq ft).

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

marylebonelettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 5853

Guide price: £3,750 per week

Cleveland Square, Hyde Park W2 A one of a kind Grade II listed apartment with its own private indoor swimming pool. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, swimming pool and communal gardens. Approximately 357 sq m (3,844 sq ft). hydeparklettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 7941

Mayfair Mag August 2015

15/07/2015 10:58:51

The mayfair Magazine | Property

market

insight Partner and head of Knight Frank Mayfair, Harvey Cyzer, discusses the local property market this month and the effects of the Conservative summer Budget on housing

he Chancellor announced a number of measures that impact the housing market in July’s Budget, including restricting tax relief for buy-to-let landlords, reforming the current rules around non-domicile status and raising the threshold

‘The Chancellor has also announced plans to increase the tax-free allowance for inheritance tax’ for inheritance tax on primary residences. At present, individual landlords can deduct certain costs, including mortgage interest, from their income before they pay tax. The Chancellor announced that it will restrict the relief on mortgage interest costs that landlords who are higher-rate taxpayers can claim. From 2017 to 2020, the rate of relief will gradually be reduced from 45 per cent or 40 per cent to 20 per cent. This is a significant change in tax status for those with a rental property, and those planning to purchase a buy-to-let property will have to factor these new rules into their calculations. The Chancellor has also announced plans to increase the tax-free allowance for inheritance tax to £1m for couples who pass on their home to their children. To achieve

this, the government plans to introduce a new nil-rate band from April 2017. Importantly, the new nil-rate band will also be protected if a person chooses to downsize their home. Property trends over the past few decades have led to an amassing of housing wealth among older people. Increasing the inheritance tax allowance will mean that more of this wealth flows back down the generations rather than into the Treasury coffers. It also means those living in large houses do not have to continue to do so in order to benefit from the IHT changes. This, in time, could help release more large homes back into the market. Finally, the government will legislate so that from April 2017 anybody who has been resident in the UK for more than 15 of the past 20 tax years will be deemed to be domiciled in the UK for tax purposes. In addition, individuals who are born in the UK to parents who are domiciled here will no longer be able to claim non-domicile status while they are resident in the UK. On their own, the changes to the non-domicile tax rules will not have a profound impact on the prime London market as demand is driven by a number of factors, and nondomiciles form only a part of demand. These reforms follow a series of changes in recent years that make it increasingly difficult to argue prime residential property is under-taxed. For further enquiries contact Knight Frank Mayfair, 120a Mount Street, W1K (020 7499 1012; knightfrank.co.uk)

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

Eastern influence

Progress report

Grosvenor plans a major new Hyde Park Corner scheme lans have gone in for a new development on Hyde Park Corner, which could deliver up to 28 new apartments and a 190-room hotel. Joint venture partners Grosvenor Britain & Ireland and The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels Limited are proposing ‘a new landmark’ at 1-5 Grosvenor Place in Belgravia. If approved, the new building – designed by Hopkins Architects – will replace the existing 1960s office block and promises to provide ‘a new focal point and vibrancy to Hyde Park Corner’. The hotel is to be The Penninsula London, and will have a grand pedestrian entrance on Grosvenor Place, with an internal Palazzo-style courtyard. The plan is for the hotel to house 190 guestrooms and a spa, along with shops, bars, restaurants and a ballroom. The proposals also include 24-28 private apartments with a separate leisure and spa facility, reception and entrance on Halkin Street. Further details have not been released as of yet, but if Grosvenor’s recent projects are anything to go by, we can expect something pretty special indeed, and could transform the Hyde Park area.

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Single, official UK house price index to launch early next year

he Office for National Statistics is gearing up to launch its ‘single, official house price index’ in the first half of 2016. In a progress report, the UK’s largest independent producer of official numbers and the recognised national statistical institute of the UK said work had been ‘focused on securing the necessary approval for implementation’ following 2014’s consultation. Lots of legal work has been going on behind the scenes to get access to the data, but things now appear to be moving along. Each of the departments involved now has approval for implementation, and everyone’s decided it should be published via the Land Registry pages of GOV.UK, to provide a ‘single and central access point’ for users. The update explained that securing access to property data has been ‘slower than anticipated’, which has in turn delayed the analysis required to finalise the methodology. Over the next few months, this methodology will be tested and implementation will begin.

The mayfair Magazine | Property

Image courtesy of Grosvenor

image: The Crown Estate

Wild West End

London’s great estates team up for world’s first eco initiative

ive of London’s biggest property owners have formed ‘a unique collaboration’ to promote green infrastructure in the capital. The combined project by The Crown Estate, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland, Shaftesbury Plc, the Howard de Walden Estate and The Portland Estate is called Wild West End, and is the first time that a city centre ecology scheme has been conceived and driven forward by such an industry partnership. The Mayor of London and the London Wildlife Trust have both pledged support, while engineering consultancy Arup is on board to provide technical advice. The first phase of Wild West End will see The Crown Estate create a ‘green corridor’ across its eight million square feet of holdings in Regent Street and St James’s, linking Regent’s Park and St James’s Park. The plans will see the creation

of over a hectare of new green space in central London, ranging from street-level and rooftop gardens to the installation of bird and bat boxes, beehives and green walls. Other Wild West End partners have individual eco-masterplans for their patches of prime central London; together, they should create ’an extensive network of green stepping stones which form connections between the large areas of parkland that are already key natural features of the overall environment in the West End’. Not only will all these extra green bits help to boost the city’s wildlife diversity (it’s been worked out that urban land supports just eight per cent of the native bird species and 25 per cent of the plant species of comparable undeveloped land), but the scheme should have a positive impact on localised air quality. In Chicago, introducing green roofs across 10 per cent of the city’s buildings removes 17,400mg of nitrogen dioxide each year – which is estimated to save somewhere between £17m and £65m in public health costs annually.

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savills.co.uk

1 GRAND DUPLEX WITH TERRACE LEADING ONTO COMMUNAL GARDEN hyde park gardens, w2 Entrance hall ø reception room ø study ø media room ø kitchen/breakfast room ø master bedroom suite with dressing room ø 3 further bedroom suites ø terrace ø balcony ø 361 sq m (3,885 sq ft) ø EPC=G Guide £10.5 million Leasehold, approximately 119 years remaining

Savills Mayfair Charles Lloyd clloyd@savills.com

020 7578 5100

savills.co.uk

LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY

A BEAUTIFULLY REFURBISHED TWO BEDROOM LATERAL FLAT upper brook street, w1k 2 double bedrooms ø open plan reception room/dining room ø kitchen ø 2 bathrooms ø porter ø air conditioning ø 102 sq m (1,098 sq ft) ø Council Tax=H ø EPC=D

Savills Mayfair Diana Tran dtran@savills.com

020 7578 5100 Furnished £2,250 per week + £276 inc VAT tenancy paperwork fee and other charges may apply* *£36inc incVAT VATfor foreach each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor whereInventory required. Inventory out fee end – charged at termination the end of or early termination *£36 additional tenant/occupant/guarantor referencereference where required. check out fee -check charged at the of or early of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees. of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details including example inventory fee, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Spring Gardens, SW1A A beautiful top floor duplex apartment providing fantastic views of Trafalgar Square. The apartment benefits from a large reception room, separate kitchen, 2 spacious double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Less than 0.3 miles from Charring Cross, Leicester Square and Embankment underground stations. EPC: G

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

£2,500 per week (Short Let) Furnished • • • •

Three bedrooms Two bathrooms Duplex apartment Views of trafalgar square

Belgravia, SW1W Upper Cheyne Row, London SW3

A Grade IIFirst Listed property hidden away in the heart of ‘Old Chelsea’. Stunning Floor Apartment on Eaton Square

This is situated within square with Fourimpressive bedrooms duplex • Threeapartment reception rooms • Front andthis rearprestigious gardens • Substantial beautiful of•the private gardens. Refurbished to the highest standards, first floor views terrace Garden studio flat (used as staff accommodation with the apartment still maintains many of its impressive period private entrance) • Approximately 2,845 sq ft / 264 sq mfeatures. The property is centrally located and near Kings Road, Sloane Square and Knightbridge.

74950879 9580 0200207293 mayfair@sothebysrealty.co.uk alex.salkeld@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Guide Price: £7,000,000 Price: £11,000,000 Freehold

OverOffices 670 Offices in 49 Countries 760 in 60 Countries

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020 7221 1117 A Victorian Italianate villa set back from the road in its own wrap around garden, sheltered from prying eyes and London life. www.crayson.com Reception room, family room, dining room, kitchen, master bedroom suite, four further bedrooms, three further bathrooms, utility room, cloakroom, study/bedroom5 Wine cellar and media room Front and back gardens with access to communal gardens with a tennis court 5,144 sq ft/477.9 sq m City of Westminster EPC rating band E

Warwick Avenue, Little Venice W9 Guide Price ÂŁ11 million Sole Agent

020 7221 1117 www.crayson.com

10 Lambton Place, London, W11 2SH

Established 1897

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

HARRODSESTATES.COM @harrodsestates

Established 1897

The Chilterns, Marylebone W1 A selection of stunning two bedroom, two bathroom apartments available in this brand new and exclusive development in the heart of London. The Chilterns offers a standard of living that is second to none and has been designed and furnished to the highest specification. Each resident has access to a private sauna, spa, gym, cinema and for the wine connoisseur, there is the opportunity to own a temperature controlled cellar. The apartments each come with one parking space in the underground car park. Available in late September, viewings can be conducted in the show room. Photographs are for indicative purposes only.

Prices range from £2,200pw – £2,350 per week Plus property fees: £180 Admin & £300 Checkout References: £42 per person* *http://www.harrodsestates.com/tenants 020 7409 9158 robin.boghhenrikssen@harrodsestates.com

HARRODSESTATES.COM @harrodsestates

Established 1897

Hyde Park Gardens, Hyde Park W2 A large four bedroom lateral apartment (approximately 2,453 sq ft) on the third floor (with lift) of this Grade II Listed, stucco-fronted building with stunning southerly views overlooking award-winning communal gardens and Hyde Park. The property comprises a reception room, dining room, kitchen/ breakfast room, master bedroom, ensuite bathroom, two further bedrooms, bathroom, family room/ fourth bedroom and a guest WC. In addition it also has the benefit of a studio room situated on the top floor (approximately 492 sq ft) which could be used as a staff room or guest accommodation and roof terrace. Hyde Park Gardens is situated to the north of Hyde Park and is ideally situated for the local amenities of Connaught Village and the boutique shops and restaurants of the West End.There are excellent transport links with access to the motorway network via the A40, the underground station at Lancaster Gate and Paddington station and Heathrow Express nearby. EPC rating D. Leasehold: approximately 85 years remaining Guide price: ÂŁ7,950,000 020 7409 9205 michael.davis@harrodsestates.com

HARRODSESTATES.COM @harrodsestates

Established 1897

Marathon House, Marylebone NW1 A luxurious, newly renovated duplex penthouse apartment, boasting magnificent views across London’s skyline. This immaculately presented apartment features approximately 4,079 sq ft of bright and spacious openplan living space, a modern kitchen, four bedrooms, four bathrooms, guest WC, and utility room, with underfloor heating, air-conditioning and fully automated AV and Lutron lighting systems throughout. Further benefits include 24-hour porterage and underground parking with room for up to five cars. EPC rating D.

Leasehold: approximately 981 years remaining Guide price: £10,000,000 020 7409 9047 robert.cox@harrodsestates.com

HARRODSESTATES.COM @harrodsestates

room

with a view We discover the residences of Five and Six Connaught Place, seven newly developed and elegantly appointed properties, where you can enjoy breathtaking views over Hyde Park from a private, prime vantage point

n Connaught Place, a few streets from Marble Arch, a remarkable development has recently been completed, comprising of seven contemporary residences, developed by Redrow London, and available for purchase through Beauchamp Estates and Kay & Co. Connaught Place has attracted residents from the upper echelons of society since the early 1800s, when 13 grand mansions were built on the street by renowned architect Graham Taylor. The street, which is part of the Hyde Park Estate, was originally developed as a private road, home to royals, members of the aristocracy and the Churchill family, and while today part of the street is occupied by offices, it retains a peaceful and private charm. Having being converted to office spaces after the Second World War, new life has been breathed into the super prime address, with residences that are reminiscent of its regal past, yet reflect all the elegance and opulence weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come to expect of properties of this calibre. But from the moment you step inside the Doric entrance portico, prepare to have your expectations quickly surpassed as you are greeted by the Harrods concierge, who mans the building 24 hours a day. The Grade II-listed staircase anchors the building, and a sparkling chandelier hangs overhead. However, you will most likely take the lift to reach your home, which has the added benefit of giving access only to your residence, making the properties

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The mayfair Magazine | Property

incredibly secure (the 6,251 sq ft duplex, however it has its own separate entrance). Each apartment is its own oasis of calm and is shielded from the noise of the busy streets nearby. The neutral tones of the Italian marble, stone and wood finishes give the properties a homely feel, but are sleek, with customised joinery and coffered ceilings. Six of the residences are up to 3,839 sq ft in size, and are beautifully laid out, some of which have up to

‘Connaught Place has always attracted residents from the upper echelons of society’ 14-ft ceilings. Each has a generously sized reception room, perfect for entertaining guests, as well as a study, a master bedroom that can be accessed by its own private entrance foyer and walk-in dressing room. The kitchens make for an opulent setting in which to take your morning coffee, fitted with Gaggenau appliances, a rough-cut fumed oak central island bench and Marrion Cohiba granite worktops designed by Robert Timmons. Contemporary, yet classic, all of the residences at Five and Six Connaught Place make for truly unique properties – and residences that will no doubt continue to attract those who are searching for an ultra-elegant abode. Prices start from £9,950,000 for a three bedroom residence on a share of freehold basis. For further enquiries contact Penelope Court at Beauchamp Estates (020 7499 7722) or Martin Bikhit at Kay & Co (020 3441 5941), or visit connaughtplaceresidences.com

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FOR SALE ONE BEDROOM DUPLEX APARTMENT

£775,000 Leasehold

SHEPHERD MARKET, MAYFAIR, LONDON W1

FURTHER DETAILS:

A rare opportunity to purchase a modernised one bedroom duplex apartment in the heart of Shepherd Market, one of Mayfair’s most vibrant areas with pedestrianised streets and alleyways creating a village atmosphere, with numerous restaurants, speciality shops and boutiques. The property is a few minute’s walk to Green Park tube station (Jubilee, Victoria & Piccadilly lines).

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

Extending to approximately 460 sq ft (43 sq m), the property is accessed via a private entrance on the ground floor. Accommodation: entrance hall with stairway to first floor reception room with fully equipped open plan kitchen and stairs rising to the second floor double bedroom with bi-fold windows, fitted cupboards and fully tiled en-suite shower room. Features include surround sound, wood flooring throughout, entry phone and air conditioning. EPC Rating D.

PASTOR REAL ESTATE 48 CURZON STREET, LONDON, W1J 7UL • T +44 (0)20 3195 9595 F +44 (0)20 3195 9596

www.pastor-realestate.com

TO LET DERBY STREET, MAYFAIR W1

ÂŁ3,000 per week

Mayfair townhouse in a charming cobbled street, moments from Park Lane, with a private roof terrace offering flexible family size accommodation and within walking distance of Green Park tube station (Jubilee, Piccadilly & Victoria Lines). The property extends to 2,700 sq ft (251 sq m) providing: entrance hall, dining/reception room, drawing room, study, master bedroom suite with dressing room, three further bedrooms and two bathrooms. The lower ground floor comprises a family room with utility room and bathroom.

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

TO LET SACKVILLE STREET, MAYFAIR W1

ÂŁ1,200 per week

Superb three bedroom apartment in Mayfair development close to Old Bond Street and Piccadilly Circus. Extending to approx 1,238 sq ft. The high specification accommodation comprises entrance hall, large reception/dining room with fully fitted open plan kitchen, master bedroom with dressing area and en-suite bathroom, two further double bedrooms, shower room and utility cupboard. Hardwood flooring to entrance hall and reception room, air conditioning and large basement storage room.

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

[hot property]

5 Carlton Gardens, SW1Y

ir James Stirling, one of Britain’s most celebrated 20th-century architects, holds a long list of spectacular historic designs to his name, including the History Faculty Library of Cambridge University, the Neue Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart, and the extension of Glyndebourne Opera House. But perhaps his most famous work, and one which exudes his post-modern flair, is 5 Carlton Gardens – a ‘rebellion against conformity’ with juxtaposed curves and straight lines, located in

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the heart of St James’s. The Penthouse, which spans the sixth and seventh floors, is an exquisite example of elegance and style. Designed by Mayfair’s own development and interior design firm Nuhu+, the carefully considered layout and furnishings exude an international style with a British influence. Entering through the dedicated residents entrance and lift, you are met by the grand living area, a tranquil space with natural wood paneling, a state-of-the-art hidden television and

The mayfair Magazine | Property

fireplace and a partitioned dining space, which comfortably seats eight. This leads onto the property’s pièce de résistance – a 589 sq ft roof terrace, with sensational panoramic views over St James’s and an exclusive outdoor dining area, fully equipped with a BBQ and television system. The kitchen, a polished eucalyptus wood and marble space, offers views onto the terrace, along with the highest standard of contemporary appliances. Travelling down the internal staircase, you arrive on the sixth floor, where you’ll find three en-suite bedrooms. The master bedroom features a bespoke bed and a Fior de Bossco marble-covered bathroom with matching gold finishes. The further two en-suites feature delicate furnishings with matched marble shower rooms and fittings. The penthouse also benefits from a secure underground parking area, along with 167 sq ft of storage space. The excellence of this property is not only in its meticulous design, but in the very fabric of the building too. Nuhu+’s ethos of ‘build to keep’ ensures that even behind the beauty, revolutionary technology is future-proofing the internals. With a home automation system, fully integrated speakers, remote accessing and bespoke cabling, the penthouse not only looks the part, but has all of the technology and gadgets to make for a contemporary living space. ‘Our focus has evolved from a deepseated philosophy of “build to keep” meaning that everything we have developed, and will develop going forward, is continuously guided by an overriding principle that we firstly do it for ourselves, to a standard of quality and style that will transcend time and change,’ says managing director of Nuhu+, Stephen Hughes. ‘We create highly desirable properties that one could easily live in for a lifetime, proudly and comfortably, knowing that the property’s underlying value will reliably increase over time.’ For further enquiries contact Alastair Nicholson at Knight Frank Mayfair, 120a Mount Street, W1K (020 7647 6612; knightfrank.co.uk)

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carterjonas.co.uk

HYDE PARK GARDENS Hyde Park W2

A first floor apartment located in the gated Hyde Park Gardens. With two good sized bedrooms and two bathrooms there is also a separate kitchen and a study which could be used a bedroom. The apartment also benefits from parking and an onsite porter. 2 reception rooms • 2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms • Kitchen • Study/bedroom 3 EPC rating C

Apartments from £2,100,000

Hyde Park & Bayswater 020 7402 1552 leo.florees@hydepark.co.uk

HERTFORD STREET Mayfair W1

A delightful and bright flat on the first floor of this refurbished period conversion in the heart of Mayfair. The apartment is offered in excellent condition and has a 3 floor to ceiling French doors in the reception room which open onto an ornamental balcony. Reception room • Bedroom 2 bathrooms • Lift • EPC rating F

Guide price £1,950,000

Mayfair & St James’s

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

Wellington Court, Knightsbridge SW1 An exceptional refurbished lateral apartment on the second floor of a sought-after portered building opposite Hyde Park. Rare to the market, this is an extraordinary apartment offering substantial lateral living with a magnificent generous reception and dining room, three double bedroom suites, a fully equipped state of the art kitchen, utility and staff room and balcony. With immaculate finishes, ornament ceiling from XIX century, silk handed embroidered wallpapers, underfloor heating and air conditioning throughout, no expense has been spared to create the ultimate in luxurious living.

020 7580 2030 WWW.ROKSTONE.COM 5 Dorset Street, London, W1U 6QJ enquiries@rokstone.com

Price: £8,750,000 »»Lateral apartment »»Views across Knightsbridge »»Immaculate finish »»Four bedrooms »»2,326 sq ft

Green Street, Mayfair, W1K Located on one of Mayfair’s premier streets behind a beautiful period red brick fronted façade. This superbly appointed and rare six floor townhouse has access to the coveted communal Green Street gardens. The property is fully modernised with some outstanding architectural features and offers a wonderful light and voluminous space with lift to all floors. The accommodation consists of 4 reception rooms, Italian fitted kitchen, 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms and a roof terrace which is accessed by an automatic rain sensor. EPC Rating D. JSA Knight Frank, Mayfair. John Taylor UK 48 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AX Tel: 020 3284 1888 Email: london@john-taylor.com

Price: £14,950,000 FREEhold

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

www.john-taylor.com

Property | The mayfair Magazine

A regal residence

We bring you every opulent detail of the penthouse at Wellington Court – an extravagant Knightsbridge residence formerly owned by celebrities including Rhianna and Tom Cruise, which is available for purchase

ating back to the early 19th century, Wellington Court has always been a hub for extravagance and beauty. Originally commissioned by the Second Duke of Wellington as a riding school, it is positioned directly opposite Hyde Park, not only providing wonderful views, but an ultraprime location too. The penthouse, at 10,000 sq ft covers the entire top floor, and has recently been remodelled by Paul Davies London to harmonise the historic nobility of the building with contemporary luxury living. Harking back to the Art Deco movement, the interior has a style reminiscent of The Great Gatsby, that transports you back to the golden age, while its six separate terraces, one of which is the largest rooftop terrace of any penthouse in Knightsbridge, not only pays homage to the beauty of Hyde park, but to the skyline of Mayfair and Knightsbridge too. Entering through a security-controlled lift, you step in the music room, an incredibly sophisticated space with a baby grand piano, Swarovski crystal-lined bar and ample seating

area, making it the perfect space to both relax and greet guests. This leads into a study, a ten-seat dining area, 1,000 square foot lounge terrace, private cinema room and kitchen – all of which radiate the ambience of Wellington Court’s rich heritage. The southwest wing houses the grand master bedroom, with an exclusive terrace, panoramic views and a Jacuzzi room, while the west wing houses four further en-suite bedrooms, three of which have private balconies. In the south east wing there is an enormous gymnasium, with full-height mirrors and a treatment suite, and in the East Wing you’ll find the sixth en-suite bedroom and private terrace. ‘This is arguably the most luxurious penthouse currently on the market in Knightsbridge, providing 10,000 sq ft of living space and rare aspect views over Hyde Park,’ says chief executive of Wetherell, Peter Wetherell. ‘Located in what would have been the benchmark for ultra prime developments of its day, Wellington Court appeals to ultra-high net worth individuals who prefer traditional built exteriors, combined with the finest modern interiors and finishes.’ Guide price, £35 million. For further enquiries contact Wetherell, 102 Mount Street, W1K (020 7493 6935; wetherell.co.uk)

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MOUNT STREET MAYFAIR W1 A Rare Unmodernised First Floor Three Bedroom Lateral Apartment in Prime Mayfair ÂŁ5,000,000

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

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AP O AR ST U TM RE N EN E T T T £4 .2 5M H

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Summer sizzlers

This August, talk to the Wetherell sales team about finding your new home in Mayfair. With over 100 years collective knowledge of the property market, no-one knows Mayfair better.

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