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CONTENTS 14

Outdoor Encore

Natural Collection

Every summer the gardens of Holland Park provide a lush setting for an operatic festival with a difference. Nikki Mohan previews the new season and speaks to its rising stars

Camilla Apcar scouts out the interior design and accessories specialists bringing outside influences into the home

18 The Great and the Green A new flurry of “green” scents are honing in on the very essence of the great outdoors. Camilla Apcar breathes deep

22 Out on a Lim As the fashion designer celebrates his brand’s tenth anniversary, Olivia Sharpe speaks to the talented Phillip Lim

56 Happy Feet Ellen Millard talks British fashion and the power of social media with the founder of shoe designer Aquazzura

84 Hong Kong Delights Transported to the realms of 1920s glamour and elegance, Jenny Barrett wonders whether The Peninsula is the best hotel in Hong Kong’s buzzing cityscape

The Notting Hill & Holland Park Magazine is distributed in W8, W11, W14 and parts of W2, W9 and W10

On the Cover... Spring has sprung. This striking installation was created by botanical artist Azuma Makoto for Iced Flowers, an exhibition held last year near Tokyo, where the artist is based. Makoto’s floral masterpieces were submerged in tanks that acted as giant ice cube trays (each about a metre tall), freezing each creation in time – only to melt away over the course of the exhibition. Taken by Shiinoki Shunsuke, one of Makoto’s studio team, this shot features in Flowers: Art & Bouquets, a stunning collection of photographs from Assouline exploring the realms of floristry and floral art. Read more about the new book of nature’s finest blooms on page 41.

Notting hill & Holland Park M ay 2 0 1 6 s i s s u e 0 4 0 Acting Editor Olivia Sharpe Deputy Editor Camilla Apcar Contributing Editor Richard Brown Editorial Assistant Ellen Millard Senior Designer Grace Linn Brand Consistency Laddawan Juhong

Cover image: artwork by Azuma Makoto. Photography: ©Shiinoki/AMKK

46 The Warwick Castle

62 Fashion Shoot

88 Douro Valley

Production Hugo Wheatley Danny Lesar Alice Ford Jamie Steele Client Relationship Director Friday Dalrymple Executive Director Sophie Roberts General Manager Fiona Fenwick Managing Director Eren Ellwood Proudly published & printed in the UK by

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luxurylondon.co.uk A website. A mindset. A lifestyle.

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From the EDITOR “Begin at the beginning,” the King said, very gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” (Chapter XII, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland). I believe that some of the most thought-provoking statements are often those that point out the blindingly obvious. Indeed, I think we could all benefit from thinking of life as a series of beginnings, middles and ends. Once one chapter finishes, another starts. After all, the show must go on. And one show that has been delighting Royal Borough residents since it was first established in 1996 is Opera Holland Park. Now in its 21st season, the stage has been set with a host of dramatic new performances this June, including esteemed conductor Matthew Waldren’s much-anticipated performances of La bohème and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Nikki Mohan forecasts what we can expect in the gardens of Holland Park this summer on page 14. Another important event you should all have scheduled in your calendars is of course the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, commencing on 24 May. Camilla Apcar gets us into the green-fingered spirit of things, exploring how interior designers have brought the beauty of the natural world into our homes with their fauna-and-flora-inspired furnishings and accessories collections (p.26). Meanwhile, I speak to New York-based designer Phillip Lim, whose tenth anniversary campaign calls us all to ‘Stop and Smell the Flowers’ (p.22). Speaking of floral trends, every spring season sees a fresh burst of “green” fragrances grace the beauty counters. We sniff out the most evocative scents in the olfactory business (p.18). Elsewhere, we make time to check out the highlights at this year’s Baselworld from the pinnacle of luxury watch and jewellery brands. See pages 31 to 38 for our dedicated feature. So with much excitement in the air, you can rest assured that jam will not be yesterday or tomorrow this summer. It’s jam every day.

Acting Editor

Olivia Sharpe

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Outdoor

Encore

Every summer the gardens of Holland Park provide a lush setting for an operatic festival with a difference. NIKKI MOHAN previews the new season and speaks to its rising stars

n 7 June the new Opera Holland Park (OHP) season kicks off with little known piece by Mascagni, Iris. It’s a touchstone performance for OHP, a company that specialises in Italian opera and regularly stages neglected rarities that combine a certain lunacy with beautiful music. Five new productions will feature in OHP’s 21st season, including Iris, Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades, Puccini’s La bohème and a co-production of La Cenerentola with the Danish National Opera. Among the audience there’ll be young and old, people in jeans and people in evening dress, picnickers and fine diners; among the performers there’ll be operatic grandees and gifted young singers eager to make their mark on the London stage. In the pit, as usual, will be the City of London Sinfonia – and beside them, as the summer darkness settles, the park peacocks will provide a raucous counterpoint. In the audience and mingling with opera goers during the intervals will be OHP’s general director Michael Volpe and opera director James Clutton, who attend every night of the season. “It matters to artists to know management are watching and paying attention – it

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Fresh from a sold-out run at the Royal Opera House, OHPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specially-commissioned family production Aliceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Adventures in Wonderland will return for its fourth year. Photography: Alex Brenner for Opera Holland Park

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feeds into their commitment and the energy they bring to the stage,” says Volpe. “With a small company like ours it’s a short distance between the coalface and the top of the tree. Decisions can be made quickly, and ideas flow in both directions. We aim to do what we do very well, which is to consistently produce good operas, both popular and rare, and to provide opportunities for young singers and musicians.” Young singers – those who win parts in the main operas and those who join OHP’s Young Artists scheme – queue up to work for the company. The programme offers a good rehearsal period, an intense burst of performances and the chance to work with talented directors, conductors and designers. For many musicians, OHP is an important step in an international career. The highly acclaimed Stuart Stratford, who is conducting Iris this season, began his OHP career with Eugene Onegin in 2005 and has returned every year since. “Opera Holland Park thrives on neglected pieces – it’s our USP in fact – we are keen to prove they are just as good as Bohème or Butterfly,” says Stratford. “Iris is a neglected masterpiece, bleak and beautiful – the music is vibrant, translucent, so alluring. I’ve been dying to do it.” Volpe is keen to bust the myth that opera is the preserve of the rich and the musically educated: OHP’s Inspire project sees the company performing in care homes and hospitals, as well as providing 1,500 free tickets to the operas for the over 60s and under 30s, with plenty of tickets available this season for £17 a pop. Young people are encouraged to come for work experience, selling programmes and working at the front of house. Opera is for everyone, says Volpe, and “all that nonsense about opera is just that – nonsense. It’s very human and intensely visceral.” £17-£75, 7 June-13 August, operahollandpark.com

Matthew Waldren, conductor: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & La bohème Matthew Waldren is one of the company’s success stories. Trained as a singer, in 2002 he joined OHP’s chorus for Pearl Fishers. “In 2009 I became chorus master, progressing to assistant conductor; in 2012 I was the first conductor of a Young Artists performance and in 2013 I completed the circle by conducting Pearl Fishers. Everyone wants to come back year after year. James [Clutton] provides young people especially with lots of opportunities – on the back of it I’m off to the English National Opera for a couple of seasons. It’s great to work in such a family atmosphere and as we know each other so well maybe we push each other that bit harder.” Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is close to Waldren’s heart. “Everyone involved guards it jealously. It’s a fantastic

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show and it’s rare for a new opera to be such a big hit, going from OHP to the Royal Opera House in just two years. The libretto and score are so clever that, rather like The Simpsons, it’s a show that adults and kids equally love. This is my third season conducting it.” On the other hand, Waldren is conducting La bohème for the first time: “It’s a piece that’s notoriously difficult to conduct, and I’m looking forward to it very much.” There will also be a special performance by the Young Artists, who will have spent six weeks with OHP working on their own version, while understudying the principals in the main production. “It’s terribly exciting and all the young artists want to be part of it – and there’s a real live paying audience at the end.”

La bohème’s Mimi & Rodolfo: Anna Patalong & Shaun Dixon

Shaun “The Kiwi Tenor” Dixon, who is singing Rodolfo in OHP’s most popular opera this season, has a broad accent and a ready laugh. He already has a high reputation as a fine tenor with excellent acting skills. Dixon has just become a British citizen and is thrilled to be singing his first role for OHP, which he hopes will provide a springboard for wider UK recognition. Dixon loves OHP’s family feel and has felt welcome since his first audition. He knows the part well, so feels he can concentrate on fitting into a new company and opera house – rather than just being nervous about the singing. And, he says laughing, “I may just pick up a few interesting new nuances or insights into the character from the Young Artist understudy... you should never rest on your laurels!” Dixon’s co-star is Anna Patalong, already in her third season with OHP. “One of the obvious signs that you are graduating from your early career is when you return to a company or role for a second time. It feels very much like coming home. OHP gave me early opportunities and now I’m taking on Mimi here. It’s a dream role for any soprano and exciting to be exploring her from a fresh perspective and in a new environment.”

Die Fledermaus’ straying couple: Ben Johnson & Susanna Hurrell

Die Fledermaus (The Bat) by Johann Strauss II is one of the world’s most popular operettas. Packed with jokes, deceptions and catchy tunes, it’s a dream vehicle for young singers Ben Johnson and Susanna Hurrell, a real life married pair who will be starring as the von Eisensteins, a couple with secrets to keep from one another. Not only are Johnson and Hurrell new to OHP, they have never performed in an opera together – or even, with their busy careers, spent a whole summer together working on a joint project. “The work done at OHP is just excellent, and James [Clutton] and Michael [Volpe] should be praised for what’s been and is being achieved,” says Johnson. “It also feels like a real ‘company’. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?” They feel their off-stage relationship can bring much to their roles. “Hopefully we’ll bring a sense of fun and playfulness,” says Hurrell. “We should have a natural camaraderie as an on-stage couple... and we can sort out any difficulties at home! I love my exuberant character, Rosalinde. I like being able to show off with a few high notes and the typical tantrums in this kind of role come easily to me – it’s really fun having a strop!” “Playing comedy is a great joy. I was always a bit of a clown when I was young, so it does feel somewhat natural,” Johnson adds. “I love doing comedy as one always leaves the theatre on a high,” chimes Hurrell.

Opposite page: A stunning setting among the ruins for OHP’s modern dress Aida; inset: Waldren conducting The Barber of Seville at OHP. Photography: Fritz Curzon. This page, bottom right: last year’s performance of Suor Angelica, against the dramatic backdrop of Holland House. Photography: Robert Workman for Opera Holland Park; headshot photography: Eloise Campbell; Chris Gloag

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FEATURE

The Great

and theGreen Pared back yet complex to create, a new flurry of “green” scents are honing in on the very essence of the great outdoors. Camilla Apcar breathes deep

ach season a torrent of new rose perfumes vie to become modern classics, but the last 12 months have seen a small yet refined edit of “green” scents that evoke nature’s finest airs and graces, from treetop to forest floor. Cedar wood, oakmoss, galbanum and grassy vetiver run through their roots, breaking away from floral confines with fresh and feminine appeal. “Floral perfumes are more sophisticated, but what I like in green fragrances is their ability to be a bit rough around the edges and unpredictable, as nature can be,” explains David Frossard, Liquides Imaginaires’ founder and creative director. In decades past, favourite houses with vast olfactory libraries have permitted a green or two to creep in. Diptyque’s 2006 From left: Eau de Eau de Lierre Lierre, Diptyque; No. 19, Chanel (from £60 for

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50ml EDP) brings ivy leaves, cyclamen and rosewood in a herbal accord; Chanel’s No. 19 by masterful nose Henri Robert was launched in 1970 and reinterpreted by Jacques Polge in 1988. Its sharp green is structured around iris pallida extracted from the bulb or rhizome, and takes six years to cultivate. “There is an ethereal but edgy quality to greens that’s quite compelling,” describes Kelly Kovack, Odin New York’s co-founder and creative director. “These fragrances are for the woman that is laidback and has a minimalist approach to beauty, but takes it very seriously. They are fresh, clean and crisp with just a bit of an edge.” Green molecules are complex and difficult to balance, but some of the most exciting contemporary launches are from dynamic, younger olfactory players that can afford to take unexpected twists. Liquides Imaginaires – the French creator of limited but exceedingly distinctive bottlings – introduced its third trilogy last year, which pays tribute to nature. “Green scents are beautiful, although not always the most appealing to consumers. It must not to be too ‘nature-like’ and needs to remain creative,” says Frossard. “My ideal green is fresh and powerful but still warm on the skin.” Succus (£150 for 100ml EDP) offers a deep lungful of the freshest laurel, cedars and orchid, soaring through treetops towards endless green landscapes and open skies. The adventure of camping in the great outdoors – the kind where stunning log cabins are filled with antique furniture; where knitwear and whisky at four o’clock is matter of course – comes alive in Byredo’s Super Cedar (from £90 for 50ml EDP). Launched in March, its almost masculine Virginian cedar wood scent sits atop a soft musky base, lifted by rose petals. From Brooklyn husband and wife team D.S. & Durga comes a new collection of nine perfumes including Boston Ivy (£98 for 50ml EDP), perhaps among the headiest of the greens. Its hops flower and oakmoss blend is not for the faint of heart, but fades to yield an unbridled vision of country estates, hay and horseback. The first of this year’s seasonal editions from Marylebone’s Perfumer H bespoke scent creator Lyn Harris is Moss (£190 for 100ml

“There is an ethereal but edgy quality to greens that’s quite compelling”

EDP), whirling pine needle, mosses, papyrus and vetiver in its hand-blown bottle. For lighter fragrances reminiscent of morning dew and April showers comes Profumi del Forte’s Prima Rugiada (£148 for 100ml EDP at Fenwick Bond Street). Spearmint gives way to spicy cumin, cardamom, black pepper and oregano, and white freesia and rose jasmine absolute lie at its heart. Skirting a floral edge, Rue Saint-Honoré perfumer Ex Nihilo’s Cologne 352 (from £150 for 50ml EDP) is a light, spring-like stroll over crushed leaves and juniper berries, lent a freshness by lily of the valley, orange blossom and rose. Tiptoeing around pastures green is Guerlain’s lily of the valley Muguet. Although floral on top, it has a grassy spring-like base, and its delicate limited edition tenth anniversary bottling (£370 for 100ml EDT) launches in May at Harrods and Selfridges – both elegant and attention-grabbing.

FEATURE

Unisex perfumer Odin New York explores modern femininity in its White Line trio, deconstructing florals from stem to blossom. Minimalist and airy, the collection marked a departure from Odin’s urban Black Line. Vert Reseda (£140 for 100ml EDP) takes on leaves and pure raw mountain galbanum, wild peony and watery gardenia in the lightest of dewy greens – beautifully boxed with a three-dimensional

Above from left: Ninfeo Mio, Annick Goutal; Boston Ivy, D.S. & Durga; Vert Reseda, Odin New York; below: Muguet, Guerlain. Opposite page, clockwise from top: Prima Rugiada, Profumi del Forte; The Essence of Central Park, Carthusia; Super Cedar, Byredo; Weekend à Fontainebleu, IDEO Parfumeurs

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laser-cut front by paper artist Matthew Shlian. “Floral notes are often used because they play nicely and take the edge off of the raw ingredients that are the staples in green fragrances,” explains Kovack. “Our choice not to develop into florals for Vert Reseda was deliberate. We embraced the vegetal earthy qualities of green by supporting these with woods, moss, incense and amber.” Taking a more direct form of inspiration, turn to Liberty to find The Essence of Central Park (£90 for 50ml EDP), a collaboration between Italian perfumers Carthusia and botanists from the Central Park Conservancy that encapsulates the “green island” at the heart of Manhattan. “We have brought together two distant worlds by combining natural and innovative accords including a water accord that conjures both the Hudson and the Mediterranean,” says Silvio Ruocco, Carthusia’s CEO. “We have mixed green elements suggested by Central Park’s botanists like artemisia, geranium and clover, together with Mediterranean flavours such as bergamot, tangerine and lemon.” Flirting between warm earthy breezes and citrus airs, it honours all 843 acres of the United States’ first public park, from Strawberry Fields up to The Ramble. Liberty is also playing host to the fresh arrival of Beirutbased husband-and-wife team Ludmila and Antoine Bitar. IDEO Parfumeurs’ new collection of four scents intended for the home include Weekend à Fontainebleu (£145 for 100ml EDP), a tale of 15th-century seduction between Diane de Poitiers and King Henry II at the Parisian royal palace, rich with orange neroli over a green bed and chypre at its base. The absolute essences of petitgrain and bitter orange coupled with fig leaves in Annick Goutal’s Ninfeo Mio were similarly inspired by the gardens of Ninfa that lie south of Rome towards the coast, where a river and medieval ruins are surrounded by a forest of pines and verdant foliage. Ninfeo Mio’s new limited edition Dolce Vita box (£87 for 100ml EDT) launched in April. Perhaps the most literal of all, Green Pearl (£95 for 50ml EDP) will reveal itself at Selfridges in May. The eighth and latest unisex offering from Thameen’s Treasure collection takes its name from Yemengzhu: the huge, luminous globes of green fluorite discovered in China in the 1980s that are thought to bring good luck when touched. “Green scents connect us to the natural world and make us feel happier,” says Thameen’s founder Basel Binjabr. “I wanted this fragrance to be a modern green, very much about contemporary lifestyles.” A sharp apple top note is joined by citrus accords, and a down-to-business heart of bittervert artemisia, leaves and green tea. Utterly unpredictable, greens offer a beguiling olfactory alternative. annickgoutal.com, byredo.com, chanel.co.uk, diptyqueparis. co.uk, dsanddurga.com, ex-nihilo-paris.com, fenwick.co.uk, harrods.com, liberty.co.uk, liquidesimaginaires.com, odinedt.com, perfumerh.com, selfridges.com

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Out on a

Lim

Phillip Lim is watching his fashion house thrive after ten years of hard work. Olivia Sharpe speaks to the talented New York-based designer who brought simplicity and accessibility back into the industry

Image courtesy of: 3.1 Phillip Lim

INTERVIEW 3.1 Phillip Lim S/S16 backstage shot, photography: But Sou Lai

“I want to be remembered as someone who tried his best every day,” says Phillip Lim. When you consider what the New Yorker has achieved in the past ten years, he must be one of the hardest-working fashion designers out there. Starting out with his debut womenswear collection in 2005, he has since branched out into multiple product categories, including menswear, childrenswear, accessories and lingerie (with more on the horizon). His talent has won him a number of accolades, such as the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Swarovski Award for Womenswear in 2007 and for Menswear in 2012. At 42, Lim is pausing for a moment of reflection as his eponymous brand celebrates its tenth anniversary with a special campaign, Stop and Smell the Flowers. Paying tribute to 3.1 Phillip Lim’s professional triumphs through a visual blog, it includes backstage photos taken at the S/S16 presentation in New York and

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the A/W16 men’s preview in Paris, along with recent images of a stunning floral installation in the London store. In line with the campaign, the S/S16 show presented a renewed vigour and lease of life with its strong floral theme. Against the backdrop of a soil installation by artist and environmentalist Maya Lin (the earth was repurposed back into Manhattan’s community gardens following the show), models sported pieces adorned with creeping vines and romantic ruffles, honouring the beauty of the everyday and natural world. While perhaps more feminine than previous lines, the collection was finished off with a simple and minimalistic flourish that we have come to expect from the designer. “The last decade has been a whirlwind,” confesses Phillip with a slightly exhausted, but satisfied, sigh. “So the ten year anniversary is really the first moment that I have been able to

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3.1 Phillip Lim S/S16 backstage shot, Photography: But Sou Lai

slow down and take it all in. I am grateful to be here as a designer doing what I love and so I wanted to say ‘thank you’ to all of those that have been supporters, friends and customers since day one.” Phillip’s biggest achievement has not simply been creating clothing that women want to wear (the natural ambition of any fashion designer), but clothes that they can afford, having pioneered a more competitive price point within the luxury industry. And while you might think that this would have an effect on profits, think again. Even back in 2011, the brand was estimated to have reached sales of approximately £42.5 million. “In terms of the collection, I’ve always had a simple approach, and that’s to create desire,” he explains. “My intention is to make the customer feel beautiful, confident, and to move forward. That was the goal ten years ago and that is still the goal today.” The designer and his co-founder Wen Zhou have been able to stay true to their vision by remaining independent business owners, something they are both extremely proud of because it has allowed them creative freedom. “We came into the market with a fighting spirit and we plan to continue that way,” Phillip says. “We never take no for an answer.” Phillip and Wen’s shared conviction has very much been translated into their business; 3.1 Phillip Lim is renowned for its strong brand identity and persona. And yet, Phillip has been described by his business partner as an elusive figure, due to his frequent absence from the spotlight. Does he consider himself aloof? “I think that I am actually just shy,” he answers. “I am more of an introvert and tend to speak when I have

Pelham Street store, image courtesy of: 3.1 Phillip Lim

something to say so maybe that’s perceived as being elusive, but it’s not really the case. If I had to use three words to describe myself they would be optimistic, loyal and passionate.” Of Chinese descent, Phillip’s diligence, tenacity and nerve (the three words I would choose to describe him) are inherent family traits. His father was a professional poker player and his mother was a seamstress. While Phillip’s mother was initially against her son’s choice of vocation (she thought it would mean him having to spend all of his time working in a factory), today she is one of his “proudest and biggest supporters”. One of the designer’s most emotive moments was when she arrived at his dramatic S/S11 fashion show in Beijing, which marked the company’s fifth anniversary. Phillip was born in Thailand, but his family emigrated

INTERVIEW 3.1 Phillip Lim S/S16 backstage shot, Photography: But Sou Lai

to Orange Country, California when he was just one year old. Unlike many of his peers who were born with a pair of scissors in their hands, Phillip “did not even know the career existed”, despite having “always been interested in aesthetics”. He claims he “fell into it” while studying home economics at the University of California, Long Beach. Working part-time on the weekends at Barneys New York, Phillip came across fellow Californian designer Katayone Adeli and found himself immediately drawn to her contemporary and understated aesthetic, and subsequently joined her team as an assistant. Phillip then set out on his own and cofounded the LA-based label Development, where he worked for four years, before a dispute with his backer resulted in his resignation in 2005. It was then that he met Wen Zhou, with whom he instantly bonded due to their shared values and

“I wanted the Chelsea store to feel like an extension of my creative studio” similar upbringing. Originally from China, Zhou had emigrated to New York when she was 14. Both aged 31 when they met (hence the company name), Wen already had her own business. She set up a textiles manufacturing company when she was 21 and it was she who came up with the idea for her and Phillip to start a line. Phillip fondly describes their working relationship as “a dance that ebbs and flows.” He continues: “We both agree that business affords creativity, but creativity creates business. It shouldn’t just be reserved for the design studio.” While Phillip is the face of the brand, Wen works furiously behind the scenes as CEO, coupling her extensive knowledge of fabrics and production management along with entrepreneurial acumen, to keep 3.1 Phillip Lim thriving. With 14 stores worldwide, it is the boutique on Pelham Street, which opened in 2013, that holds a special place in Phillip’s heart. “London is a laboratory for creativity and boundaries are constantly being pushed. I wanted the Chelsea store to feel like an extension of my creative studio. I want people

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to come and enjoy themselves. Shopping should be fun.” Phillip’s relaxed mentality springs from his Californian upbringing, but don’t be fooled. Speaking to Phillip, it is clear that he has always been competitive, having been the first player to make the varsity team as a freshman at university. The born perfectionist tells me how he loves cooking (his signature dish is ginger chicken tanola, a soup originating from the Philippines) and has a keen eye for interior design. This is illustrated in his New York loft, which is filled with an eclectic collection of artwork. His most prized possession is an ancient stone that was given to him by the Queen of Bhutan. Despite his forward-thinking approach to fashion, Phillip believes his clothes will continue to stand the test of time. “I always say that I am an evolutionary designer, rather than a revolutionary designer. My approach is to create classics with a sense of madness. Clothes are like your friends – you should be able to rely on them. And of course, in fashion, rule number one is ‘never say never’.” 91 Pelham Street, SW7, 31philliplim.com

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Natural

Collection From British woodland to tropical palms, Camilla Apcar scouts out the interior design and accessories specialists bringing outside influences into the home When Vitra launched Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec’s Algue – the colourful webs of plastic that link to form curtains, room dividers or decorative wall hangings – in 2004, it may have seemed the French brothers had created the epitome of “outside in” design. Yet the natural world is an evergreen source of inspiration for interior designers, who continue to bring the outdoors in with new accessories, furnishings and finishes influenced not just by flora but (like the Bouroullecs), increasingly by fauna, foliage and the beau idéal of chic garden lifestyle. “Man has always tried to bring nature to interiors, perhaps dating back to having lived in and amongst nature in his first home,” describes Alberto Pezzato, head of Rubelli’s design studio. “One can find frescoes that covered the Villa di Livia dating back to 1st century BC where a garden with plants and fruits moved by the wind are represented across four walls.” Commissioning custom indoor treillage to frame windows and line open walls is a statement that rivals Algue for bold all-encompassing design. Treillage expert Accents of France is based in Los Angeles and the company has worked on projects the world over, including with Timothy Corrigan on a private residence in Qatar. “Our treillage gives an architectural dimension to any space,” says owner and designer Philippe Le Manach. Made in a variety of woods from pine to iroko, the effect is inspired by French examples from the 18th century, considered

Clockwise from center: Algue by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra, photographer Paul Tahon, ©Vitra; Olive Tree chandelier, Man Ray mirror and Forest Canopy table, Cox London; Cabot chair, Nicholas Haslam

FEATURE

the “golden age” of treillage. It was once used to enrich designs based on Versailles’ Jardin à la française with trompe-l’œil panels, and Moorish and oriental influences. Drawing on woodlands and dense forests, Cox London’s sculptural Forest Canopy table (£56,889) tops upturned roots with a sheet of glass – peering down through the trunks reveals a layer of leaves that cover its bronze forest floor – while the Olive Tree chandelier (from £6,880) inspires an upward gaze into its ten wrought iron branches blooming with glass buds. Run by Christopher and Nicola Cox, the London studio works to bespoke commissions and employs specialist makers to forge iron, cast bronze and blow and cut glass. “Art and nature have been and will remain inseparable partners,” says Christopher. One of my

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favourite expressions is ‘ars simia naturae’ – art is the ape of nature, or art mimics nature.” Hours of painstaking work go into each creation. The Forest Canopy table was sculpted by the pair over several months, working in wax on alternate weeks before casting in bronze and dramatising the table’s roots with a dark patina and its trees in gold. For the Man Ray mirror (£8,600), around 1,500 glass leaves are individually hand-pulled in Venice (where artisans create about 5,000 each month), then laid onto frames by Cox Studio to form ivory, silver or autumnal oak surrounds. Among the antiques and new creations from Paolo Moschino at Chelsea’s Nicholas Haslam, a forest of tree-like furniture can be found. Standouts include a bronze gilded driftwood desk lamp (£740), a bamboo drum ceiling light (£1,600, using a material that has always been a staple in the firm’s collections), and a cushioned chair (£2,240) enveloped by an antique gold frame that wends its way across the back like a perfectly preserved branch. The new Tree to Table collection (from £2,450) at Heal’s brings a modern update to classic wooden furniture with its made-to-order sycamore, ash or limed beech dining tables. Sourced from sustainable woodlands across the UK, Sebastian Cox (the young talent whose eco-friendly craftsmanship will have been on discerning radars for the last couple of years) will then mount the timbers – knots, grains and all – within ash frames and

Clockwise from top: Accents of France treillage; Cascade wallpaper, Osborne & Little; Beetle chair, GamFratesi; Fifi table lamp (£2,950 each), Francis Sultana, photography by Billal Taright

FEATURE

Above from left: Windsor bench, Max Rollitt; Pop Chair by Kartell upholstered in Rubelli Orion jacquard; Verdigris finish, Tom Faulkner; below: Gilded Driftwood lamp, Nicholas Haslam

onto black iron legs. Meanwhile Hampshire interior designer, antiques dealer and bespoke furniture maker Max Rollitt brings the outside in with his Windsor bench (£4,860), an ash and elm creation with a double height back, inspired by a favourite antique chair. For those who pine after stretches of the purest white sand, Danish-Italian design duo GamFratesi’s 2013 Beetle chair – a shell-like structure supported by spindly brass legs – upholstered in dense green foliage (£1,715 from Gubi) offers something a little more exotic and was first shown last year. Francis Sultana’s Lulu collection also takes inspiration from the natural world by way of palm trees. Stools and banquets (from £3,950), low tables (from £9,500) and lamps (from £2,950) use stepped and textured bronze to resemble tropical bark. They are finished with handwoven upholstery, fused cast glass surfaces or silk shades. “Contemporary indoor and outdoor pieces can be used without boundaries, working well in either environment,” describes Sultana. “As architects have blurred the inside and outside of our homes, so this has inspired interior design.” The King Street furniture designer and interior decorator launched the collection at the end of last year. “The palm motif is ideal for either a city environment or a vacation home,” he says. “The bark of the tree has great textural qualities. Palms have always been part of interiors, whether literally or inspired by their leaves.” Look to Haslam’s pineapple wall light (£615) to provide a thoroughly whimsical finishing touch; consider Matthew Williamson’s Tropicana (£55 per metre; £59 per roll) palm print at Osborne & Little for only the boldest of interiors; or take to wild landscapes with Donghia’s embroidered Desert Bloom (£320 per metre) or hand-stitched Prickly Pear (£232 per metre) fabrics from its new collection of sandy corals and cactus greens available at Rubelli. Statement fabrics and wall coverings plastered with burgeoning blooms are to be found in nearly every spring collection, but those with a greener, more naturalistic feel make lasting impressions this season. At Venetian textile house Rubelli, nature and art collide in the new and especially textural In Wonderland collection. “Flowers and vegetal shapes are

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particularly effective for interiors,” says Pezzato. “They lead to a conscious reflection about the beauty of the outdoors.” Florals give way to botanical watercolours on the printed chenille Monet (from £163 per metre); the Queen Anne (from £206 per metre) lampas turns an 18th-century leaf into a delicate metallic motif that comes in nine colours; jacquards are inspired by the vegetation depicted in the work of postImpressionist painter Henri Rousseau; green Friedy tartan (from £121 per metre) takes its cue from Bach’s The Art of the Fugue. Osborne & Little, where past collections have been filled with florals (many by Nina Campbell), has tackled geometric patterns in its spring/summer fabrics and wallpapers. The lichen-like Cascade (£64 per roll) is as subtle as the verdigris finish on Tom Faulkner’s tables (from £1,825), a popular turquoise edging that is hand painted on metal to look like oxidised copper. Be it wooden benches, cushioned garden chairs or wiry patio sets, outdoor seating often falls into the jaws of homogeneous design. Yet appropriated for indoor use as with Rollitt’s bench, creators take a playful stance. Vitra’s organic Vegetal chair (£355) was designed by the Bouroullecs in 2008 as a follow-up to Algue. Best recognised in bright grassy green but also available in black, red or a stoney lilac, its recyclable plastic structure appears to sprout from the ground. Upholstered in Rubelli’s iridescent Orion jacquard (from £121 per metre), Kartell’s Pop Chair is reminiscent of early 20th-century armchairs made from bushes that grew restricted until they resembled a seat, a style particularly popular in the United States. At Gotham, the Notting Hill shop that stocks impeccable French design, a minimalist cushioned bench by Avenue Montaigne creator Bruno Moinard (£5,610) fuses the romance of outdoor lounging with the formality of afternoon tea. Moinard’s set of overlapping, interconnected glass/brass Tari consoles (£9,630) also lend a Parisian conservatory feel, and both would be well worth the 12-week wait while they are made in France. coxlondon.com, francissultana.com, gothamnottinghill.com, gubi.dk, heals.com, maxrollitt.com, osborneandlittle.com, rubelli.com, tomfaulkner.co.uk, vitra.com

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BASELWORLD 2016

LEGENDS of the

HALL It’s the watch and jewellery world’s equivalent to the Geneva Motor Show – only more important. Each spring, Baselworld places some of the largest luxury brands under one almighty roof, offering a fascinating insight into the state of an intriguing industry

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and continues to be powered by Rolex’s Caliber 4130. It’s the bezel, made from Rolex-modified ceramic, which will excite Daytona devotees, harking back, as it does, to the black plexiglassbezel of the original 1965 model. Cerachrom is corrosion resistant, virtually scratch-proof and impervious to UV rays, meaning that it will keep its colour however long you leave it in the sun. In a trade fair noticeably bereft of headline-grabbing stunners, this piece shimmered in the limelight. £8,250, rolex.com

l Speedway ationa tern

Rolex, the world’s most accurate mechanical watch mass-producer, is now more accurate than ever. As of 2016, the brand has announced that its Superlative Chronometer Certification will apply to its entire production line, guaranteeing that every single timepiece that leaves Rolex HQ will lose or gain no more than two seconds per day. No other watchmaker can make such a promise. Watches are status symbols and nothing says ‘boss’ quite like a Rolex Daytona. Stainless steel models currently command waiting lists that stretch to up to five years and the latest Cerachrom bezel model looks set to do the same. So, what’s new? Materials, mainly. The watch remains 40mm in diameter

In na yto Da

Cosmograph Daytona with Cerachrom bezel, Rolex

TIMEPIE Classic styling and modest case sizes were back in vogue as smart-watch chit-chat fell mostly silent. By Richard Brown

Aero GT, Bell & Ross Supercar-super-watch tie-ins are nothing new. See Hublot’s LaFerrari and Parmigiani Fleurier’s Bugatti Super Sport. But Bell & Ross has gone one better. The FrenchSwiss watch brand famous for its square-faced timepieces has designed a supercar. Upholding its aeronautic roots – the brand’s wristwear is inspired by instruments found in cockpits – the Aero GT takes its

design cues from a fighter jet. Thanks to a 4.2-litre, V8 engine, the company says the car will do 0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and top out at 314 km/h. Unfortunately it remains a concept. Thankfully, the brand also remembered to launch some watches. The BR 0394 Aero GT chronograph and time-only BR 03-92 Aero GT are both square, skeletonised affairs. Sporty sidekicks to a supercar to salivate over. BR 03-94 Aero GT, £6,300, BR 03-92 Aero, £3,950, bellross.com

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Big Bang MECA-10, Hublot Hidden among the customary sports star ambassadors wheeled out by Hublot – Alan Shearer included, bemusingly – was a watch almost lost amid timepieces the brand was more eager to shout about. Strange, given that the Big Bang MECA-10 presents something we’ve never seen before – a power reserve indicator in the form of a rack-slide at 12 o’clock. The skeletonised Meca-10 was designed to look as if it’s been part-assembled from Meccano. A brand new movement offers a 10-day power reserve that can be tracked via a jumping indicator at six o’clock, in addition to the sliding saw-like component at 12. Like it or loathe it, the watch deserved more airtime than a weird and over-choreographed Q&A with a former Newcastle United striker. £15,000 titanium, £16,600 ‘all black’ version, hublot.com

CES Superocean Héritage Chronoworks, Breitling Mercedes has AMG; Breitling has Chronoworks. Just like the German car manufacturer’s engine-tuning division, the Swiss watchmakers’ new department was established to improve performance. Chronoworks’ initial project was the Breitling Caliber 01, the brand’s first in-house-produced movement. By employing lighter materials (silicon), reducing friction (through ceramic) and equipping the movement with a slimmer and longer spring, Breitling has increased the calibre’s power reserve from 70 to 100 hours: a gain of 45 per cent. The first model to house the new Breitling 01 Chronoworks movement is an appropriately souped-up, all-black version of the Superocean Héritage, which sports a matt ceramic case, a transparent caseback and a superb new woven rubber strap. Only 100 will be made. We want one, badly. £30,410, breitling.com

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Best of the Rest Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe, Blancpain Launched in the late 1950s, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe has come to define the archetypal diver’s watch. For the first time the three-hand version appears in a plasma gray ceramic case. The rest of the design remains unchanged. Well, if it ain’t broke... £8,930, blancpain.com

Heritage Railroad, Longines Brands across the board were looking towards their archives for modern-day inspiration. Nowhere was a vintage timepiece more gracefully reimagined than at Longines, which presented the rebirth of its Railroad watch. The 2016 version remains resolutely faithful to its 1960s predecessor, save for the introduction of an updated movement. £1,170, longines.com

Phanero, MeisterSinger In addition to more restrained styling, Baselworld 2016 was awash with smaller sized cases. One of the most miniature came from single-hand specialists MeisterSinger, whose new Phanero range is just 35mm in diameter. Once on the wrist, the tiny timepiece makes a statement belying its puny proportions. £1,295, meistersinger.net

The Carl Brashear Limited Edition, Oris In commemoration of Carl Brashear, the US Navy’s first African-American diver, Oris has presented its first bronze watch. Based on last year’s hugely popular Divers Sixty-Five, the 42mm automatic timepiece is a thing of real retro beauty, likely to only get better as it patinates with time. £1,900, oris.ch

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Presage 60th Anniversary, Seiko Seiko practically owns the quartz watch scene. So much so that it’s easy to forget that the Japanese giant’s electronic empire was built on deep-rooted mechanical foundations. Seiko made its first mechanical watch in 1913. In 1968, it created Japan’s first ‘hi-beat’ timepiece and became the first brand to put a vertical clutch and column wheel system into an automatic chronograph. In 2014, Seiko’s Hi-Beat 36000 GMT was named the best watch under £6,000 at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève – an awards ceremony more colloquially known as the Oscars of the watch world. This year, Seiko announced the global roll out of the Presage 60th Anniversary Automatic Limited Edition Chronograph (previously only available in Japan). The extremely stylish timepiece is 42mm in diameter and water-resistant to 10 bar. Two editions are available: 1,000 pieces with a black lacquer dial; 1,000 pieces with a white enamel dial. We fell for the black. £1,950, seikowatches.com

Type XXI 3817, Breguet Paying homage to its aviation history – three generations after Abraham-Louis Breguet invented the tourbillion, his great-greatgrandson, Louis Charles Breguet was inventing some of the earliest aircrafts – Breguet launches the Type XXI 3817 chronograph. A retro-style slate dial is framed by a fluted 42mm steel case, which is water-resistant to 100 metres. A flyback function is provided by a mechanical self-winding movement that can be viewed through a sapphire crystal caseback – a first in the history of the Type XX collection. £9,900, breguet.com

Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater, Bulgari Watchmaking can sometimes become a battle of superlatives, with each brand looking to outdo the next by delivering the smallest, largest, loudest or lightest piece of kit possible. Top trump at Baselworld 2016 was Bulgari, which presented the Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater – the world’s thinnest striking watch. Incredibly, Bulgari’s in-house developed BVL Calibre 362 measures just 3.12mm thick, meaning that with an overall case depth of 6.85mm, the Finissimo Minute Repeater is slimmer than an iPhone 6. A titanium case and cut-out hour markers amplify resonance to ensure the purest of chimes. £123,000, bulgari.com

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Best of the Rest 5170R, Patek Philippe King of the elegant dress watch, Patek Philippe presents the 5170 chronograph in rose gold. Classic looks are complemented by a manuallywound movement and a squarescale black alligator leather strap. It’s water resistant to 30 metres, though this is a watch clearly more suited to a black tie event than the beach. £53,320, patek.com

The Canfield Chrono, Shinola Everything that five-year-old Shinola manufactures – from pet toys to bicycles – is geared around quality. The Cranfield is the company’s first chronograph and might just be the best-looking Shinola watch yet. All-American design on the outside hides a Swiss-quality quartz movement within. £855, shinola.co.uk

I.N.O.X. Professional Diver, Victorinox Designed with the company’s Swiss Army knives in mind, Victorinox’s I.N.O.X. timepieces are tool-watches intended to last. Factory tests include running over watches with a 64-tonne truck. The latest Professional Diver version has been updated with a unidirectional rotating bezel. Watches don’t come more hard-wearing than this. £449, victorinox.com

El Primero 36’000 VpH Classic Cars, Zenith Zenith’s El Primero 36’000 VpH now comes with a new tri-colour grey dial, complete with ‘brushed engine’ pattern. Just as attention-grabbing is the Classic Cars’ super stylish perforated brown calfskin leather strap. Now we just need a car cool enough to match. £5,100, zenith-watches.com

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MBII

A PI LOT ’S WATCH SH O U L D EN DU R E E VERY T H I N G T H E PI LOT DO E S . The Bremont MB range is built in collaboration with British firm Martin-Baker, the pioneers of the ejection seat. At their test centre, the watches are strapped to the wrist of a crash-test dummy and shot out of the cockpit. Enduring forces of between 12G and 30G in the process. But this doesn’t mean the MB is built for endurance at the expense of performance. It’s a beautifully-engineered mechanical chronometer certified 99.998% accurate by COSC.

City of London Boutique 12 The Courtyard, Royal Exchange, London, EC3V 3LQ Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 7134

BASELWORLD 2016

JEWELLERY The brightest jewels that shone through the halls of Baselworld. By Olivia Sharpe

Imperiale Joaillerie watch, Chopard

High Time

Season’s Greetings The use of floral motifs in the world of fine jewellery is historic. From Chanel to Dior, the flower has become a signature symbol for many jewellery houses. Spanish jeweller Carrera y Carrera looked to the legendary story of the garden of the four seasons to create its latest collection, El Retiro. Divided into four sections, spring is represented in blossoming floral pieces in warm pastel shades, comprising pink sapphires, chrysolites and orange sapphires. In stark contrast, the iciness of winter is conveyed in the geometric Iceberg ring, featuring a dramatic blue topaz offset with diamonds. Also looking to the past was Greek designer Nikos Koulis whose collection Eden recalls the Art Deco jewellery designs of the 1920s, as well as referencing the Garden of Eden. With time being a natural preoccupation at Baselworld, it is unsurprising that watchmakers are similarly influenced by the changing seasons when it comes to their designs. Folli Follie paid tribute to its recognisable floral motif through this year’s twist on the brand’s staple Santorini Flower watch collection. The versatile new design enables you to change up your watch strap to another colour or a ceramic bracelet. Graff also unveiled its Snowfall timepiece. The ordered scattering of 278 diamonds in an intricate lattice design reflects the falling of snowflakes.

Joy de Lumière Ricochet timepiece, Boucheron

Baselworld demonstrates that watchmaking and jewellery design do not have to be considered two separate disciplines. Graff captured our attention once again with the release of The Princess Butterfly timepiece. The delicate, winged creature has been sculpted in blue sapphire pavé with tapered baguette-cut sapphires on the edges, along with brilliant-round diamonds to mark the centre. Despite being unapologetically ostentatious, there is more to this piece than meets the eye. Capturing the insect’s metamorphic nature, the high jewellery bracelet transforms into a timepiece through a mechanism that, when pressed, causes the wings to fly apart, revealing a hidden watch. This year, Chanel allowed women access to the rarefied and exclusive world of high watchmaking complications with the launch of its first Première Flying Tourbillon for ladies. Alternatively, true watch enthusiasts will prefer the skeleton version, limited to just 12 pieces. The timepieces are the result of a masterful collaboration between Chanel and Swiss watch mechanism-maker, Renaud & Papi. For those who still prefer all-out decadence, the house unveiled three new high jewellery secret watches, the most impressive of which was the Signature Grenat featuring a 39.9-carat cushion-cut garnet. Finally, American jeweller Harry Winston got our vote with its My Precious Time – an apt name to convey the Art Deco white gold diamond brooch-cumtimepiece, based on the historic gentleman’s pocket watch.

Signature Grenat secret watch, Chanel My Precious Time, Harry Winston Top, l-r: Chalcedony pendant, Venyx World; Margarita ring, Carrera y Carrera Bottom, l-r: Margarita mini earrings with olivines and diamonds, Carrera y Carrera; Eden bracelet, Nikos Koulis; Hoja maxi ring, Carrera y Carrera

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Fashion for Jewels

Jack-in-the-Box pendant, Sybarite

Circles, l-r: Lunaria ring, Marco Bicego; Boule earrings with Icy diamonds, De Grisogono; Ballerina ring, Sybarite

Lunaria bracelet, Marco Bicego Merry-Go-Round ring. Sybarite

Shine Bright Diamonds continued to reign supreme at Baselworld. In just ten years, Messika Joaillerie has become synonymous with modern and cuttingedge diamond jewellery. The brand’s new cosmic-inspired high jewellery range comprises six suites named after mythological goddesses. One couldn’t help but be enticed by the Calypso open choker comprising 264 graduating pear-cut diamonds, or be drawn to the radiating power of the Solena Maya necklace. Encompassing 185 emerald, triangular and pearcut diamonds that have been aligned into the shape of a pyramid, it is a fitting tribute to the Sun God.

The interplay between jewellery, art and fashion has increased dramatically over the last century. For instance, this year’s Basel saw the exciting collaboration between Georg Jensen and the now late Zaha Hadid. Located in Hall Two, the impressive installation designed by the architect for the show housed the eight-piece capsule collection. Each piece masterfully reflects Hadid’s groundbreaking designs, fusing her signature sculptural forms and fluid outlines with Jensen’s minimalist aesthetic. Flying the flag for Greece, Michael Pelamidis similarly looks to the world of architecture, as well as organic forms, for inspiration. The dramatic Transgenic ring explores the duality of nature, featuring a rare bi-colour quartz stone, while the Manta cuff is made from real shagreen, immortalising the stingray in jewellery form. Hermès partnered with a number of artists this year to create its timepieces. For the Slim d’Hermès Koma Kurabe, the traditional Japanese art of Aka-e painting was combined with the French porcelain industry for the first time in watchmaking history. The

Hermès partnered with a number of artists this year to create its timepieces exquisite dial, which honours the ancient Japanese horse race, was the work of Buzan Fukushima. Highlighting the relationship between jewellery and fashion, Dior unveiled new versions of its Dior VIII Grande Bal in colours to match the most recent fashion show. Over at Harry Winston, the house took this one step further with its New York Companion. Based on the bejewelled evening bags of the 1930s, the clutch has a hidden timepiece in the clasp so busy women never miss a New York minute. Meanwhile, both Mikimoto and Yoko London demonstrated the relevance of pearls in contemporary jewellery with their trend-led designs. Iceberg ring, Carrera y Carrera

Graff similarly reached for the stars with its new Celestial timepiece, incorporating a galaxy’s worth of sparkling fancy-shaped diamonds Graff similarly reached for the stars with its new Celestial timepiece, incorporating a galaxy’s worth of sparkling fancy-shaped diamonds, with individual stones illuminated by a pavé diamond halo. Forty years on from when Chopard first released its Happy Diamonds collection and the Swiss jeweller is still delighting us to this day, bringing out new versions of this classic model every year. Proving that size does sometimes matter, the romantic Happy Dreams collection includes larger stones for the first time. Sybarite proved it deserved its place in the Basel hall of fame (this is the British jeweller’s first year presenting) with its masterful jewels on display in Hall Two. Among the whimsical pieces on display, our personal favourites were the enchanting Jack-in-the-Box pendant and the true-tolife, spinning Merry-Go-Round ring.

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Double ring, Zaha Hadid collection for Georg Jensen

Pearl and diamond earrings & bracelet, Novus collection, both Yoko London Pearl ring, Yoko London

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BASELWORLD 2016 Cerastes bracelet, Jacob & Co.

Animal Kingdom Pond ring,

True Colours

The trend for coloured gemstones sees no sign of slowing down, as illustrated at Baselworld. Green continues to be popular, whether in the traditional vivid emerald hue as demonstrated at Amrapali, Jacob & Co, and Graff, or a light spring green hue (which has been selected as one of this year’s Pantone colours) reflected in Paraiba tourmalines, peridots and opals. Rubies are clearly having a moment too. Indian jeweller Amrapali released its new Manak designs set with white diamonds and Mozambique rubies that have been entirely untreated, hence their captivating pink-red shade. Speaking to head designer Tarang Arora, he remarked how the rapid depletion in untreated rubies has meant that the market for them has skyrocketed. Fabergé has a long history of using the world’s finest coloured gemstones as well as enamelling to create its works of art. The new mosaic pendant illustrates this perfectly. The house’s invisible gem-setting technique first pioneered in the early 20th century uses single-faceted gemstones that are perfectly calibrated to ensure the overall design is flawless. Both Amrapali and Chanel also highlighted the industry’s renewed interest in garnets. Finally, ‘king of colour’ Fawaz Gruosi, founder of Swiss jewellery house De Grisogono, lit up his Basel stand with a medley of shades, including the new Boule pieces in rose gold and pink sapphires, or in pink sapphires and amber resin dropped in hot and cold water to achieve its hazy effect.

Top, l-r: Mosaic multi-coloured pendant, Fabergé; Manak ruby ring 18-carat rose gold with diamonds, Amrapali; Pearl & diamond necklace with opals, Yoko London Circles, l-r: Boule earrings with pink sapphires in rose gold, De Grisogono; Charmeuse ruby ring, Fabergé; Ruby earrings, Etho Maria

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The animal motif has preyed Maria Kovadi upon the minds of fine jewellers for centuries. This year marks the Chinese year of the monkey and jewellers therefore let their imaginations run wild with their simian-themed jewels at Baselworld. Well-known for his playful creations, Italian jeweller Roberto Coin delighted us with his ‘cheeky’ take on the Chinese zodiac sign, presenting it in precious form in 18-carat rose gold and diamonds. The serpent has charmed its way into high jewellery collections for years, but the brand that is truly defined by this enigmatic reptile is Bulgari. The house’s timeless symbol was reincarnated in a new high jewellery timepiece collection, Serpenti Incantati. The snake coils itself around the case of a round watch for the first time, conveying the creature’s supple grace, and arrives in two versions: a rubellite-set with a pink gold case or a white gold diamond-set (either with a satin strap or a matching bracelet). Another jeweller famed for its reptilian heritage is Boucheron, which unleashed a new rose gold version of its classic Serpent Bohème collection, along with adding other creations to its existing ark-worthy menagerie. These include the enchanting Nuri Cockatoo pendant earrings featuring an array of coloured gemstones and the Pégase high jewellery timepiece. Over at Jacob & Co., which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, the serpent reared its head once again in the Cerastes bracelet. The bejewelled interpretation in lightweight aluminium and snakeskin seductively wraps itself around the wearer’s arm, empowering her with its flashing Marquise-cut ruby eyes. The underwater world was also not forgotten about; Greek jeweller Eugenie Niarchos, who presented her brand Venyx World for the first time at the show, added new pieces to her Oseanyx range. Meanwhile, slightly less exotic Serpenti Incantati but nonetheless magical, Maria Kovadi proved she high jewellery timepiece, Bulgari was a big fish with her fairy-tale-inspired Pond pieces.

Circles, l-r: Gecko earrings, Carrera y Carrera; Nuri, the Cockatoo pendant earrings, Boucheron; Lizard ring, Roberto Coin

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EXCLUSIVE UK DEALERS FOR ROBERTO CAVALLI HOME INTERIORS

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spotlight

SUPER NATURAL Vivid, romantic and ephemeral – Assouline’s new tome Flowers: Art & Bouquets captures beauty in bloom while charting the history of floral design. From Van Gogh’s sunflowers to the ingenious recreation of Arcimboldo’s 1573 painting Spring by postContemporary artist Klaus Enrique and creations by florists and fashion photographers, its 272 pages are filled with bold bouquets and stunning floorto-ceiling installations. This print by Texas-based visual artist Ysabel LeMay, whose other-worldly digital hypercollages are inspired by nature while in defiance of its forces, is the stuff of Snow White and Cinderella’s wildest dreams. £55, assouline.com

Ysabel LeMay, Air, 2012 ©Ysabel LeMay

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Illustration: Mai Osawa

Image: Chalice Fire Table Below: Iris Torus

LOCAL LIFE

Steel the Show If you’re heading to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, be sure to keep an eye out for sculptor David Harber, who will launch two new designs at the event. His impressive stainless steel sculpture Iris Torus will be hard to miss thanks to its reflective laser-cut surface, while those feeling the chill can keep warm around the Chalice Fire Table, a bowl that brings fire and water together to create a striking illusion. Both can be found in Harber’s Nic Howard-designed garden, inspired by the English countryside. davidharber.co.uk

Blooming Marvellous Chelsea’s greenfingered residents will decorate the area with bodacious blooms in a week-long May event to coincide with the Flower Show. The 11th Chelsea in Bloom festival will be carnival-themed in honour of the Rio Olympics, and local retailers will be entered into a competition to win an award for the best display. Free rickshaw rides and guided tours are available to tour the shop fronts’ floral glory; pop-up events will be held throughout the week. 23-28 May, chelseainbloom.co.uk

Images courtesy of: Cadogan

Flower Power To mark the return of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Park Tower Knightsbridge will once again offer its floral afternoon tea with garden-themed sandwiches, cakes and a selection of aromatic teas. What’s more, hotel guests can take part in a special package that includes a picnic in Hyde Park complete with delicious treats and champagne, a complimentary workshop with master florist Neill Strain and a chance to nab tickets to the show itself. Afternoon tea £45, from 27 April, 101 Knightsbridge, SW1X, theparktowerknightsbridge.com

spotlight on the royal borough of Kensington & Chelsea: news, events, reviews & local interest stories

Image courtesy of: The Roof Garden

Raise the Roof Classical music reaches new heights this May as The Roof Gardens launches its third Proms on the Roof season, in partnership with the English National Opera and Musicians Inc. Enjoy performances from rising soloists Soraya Mafi and David Webb while wandering through the Spanish garden, Tudor garden and English woodland – 100 feet above Kensington High Street. Further performances will be held throughout August, featuring music by Cuban guitarist Ahmed Dickinson and the String Fever quartet. £29.50, 11 May, 6th Floor, The Roof Gardens, 99 Kensington High Street, W8, designmynight.com

From left: Wastwater, 2016; Northern Beach, 2016

The Miniaturists Art in the Open Scottish artist Shona Barr’s technicolour landscapes and nature-inspired paintings are to take centre stage at Chelsea’s Flying Colours Gallery, where her tenth solo exhibition will be held in May. Discover panoramic British coastlines, rolling hills and garden flowers in vibrant watercolours and oils, each painted in open air – just how the great Impressionists Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro once created their 19th-century masterpieces. 11-31 May, Flying Colours Gallery, 6 Burnsall Street, SW3, flyingcoloursgallery.com

Chapter and Verse Fans of Samuel Beckett won’t want to miss Beckett in London, a three-week festival of theatre, music and art inspired by the writer’s prose. Notting Hill’s Print Room at the Coronet will host five performances of the renowned poems First Love, The End, Molloy, Malone Dies and The Unnamable, delivered by actor Conor Lovett. Music by Beckett and English composer Paul Clark will be staged by international musicians and singers, and an art installation by Irish artist Brian O’Doherty will run alongside. From £22, 17 May-5 June, 103 Notting Hill Gate, W11, the-print-room.org Photography: Ros Kavanagh

If Jessie Burton’s debut novel had you wishing for a cabinet of curiosities to call your own, then the Kensington Dollshouse Festival might just be the answer. Over 170 artisans from across the globe will congregate in Kensington Town Hall in May to celebrate the unique craftsmanship of miniature design. As well as a chance for collectors and enthusiasts to discover new makers and their creations, the festival will host the Perfection in Miniature Awards for the second year running. Magnifying glasses at the ready... From £7, 13-14 May, Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, W8, dollshousefestival.com

From top: Montheron; Janet Reyburn; Teeny Weeny Teddies. Courtesy of Kensington Dollshouse festival

covering kensington, chelsea, knightsbridge, holland park & notting hill

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Images: ©Hugo Rittson Thomas

A Royal Subject In honour of Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday, Assouline is to publish a new title in its Ultimate Collection series. With royal approval and originally taken by photographer Hugo Rittson Thomas to mark the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo, 42 portraits of Her Majesty and important members of her court will be published in The Queen’s People. Discover life in the palace through photographs of ceremonial court dress, a foreword by the Earl Marshal, His Grace the Duke of Norfolk, and an historical essay by the Garter Principal King of Arms. £550, assouline.com

Like a Rolling Stone Famous for capturing the Swinging Sixties, photographer Terry O’Neill might list The Beatles, Elton John and the late David Bowie as his subjects, but it’s his unique portraits of the Rolling Stones in their formative years that are pulling focus at Proud Chelsea. A new exhibition of rare images, Breaking Stones 1963-1965: A Band on the Brink of Stardom, provides a sneak peek into the prolific band’s early career with on-stage and behind-the-scenes shots. ACC Editions will publish a book of the same name. Until 5 June, Proud Chelsea, 161 King’s Road, SW3, proudonline.co.uk From left: The Rolling Stones line up outside the Tin Pan Alley Club in London, 1963; The Rolling Stones pose for a group portrait in Soho, London, 1964. Courtesy of ©Iconic Images/Terry O’Neill

spotlight on the royal borough of Kensington & Chelsea: news, events, reviews & local interest stories

Roll Play In an age of digital cameras, selfie sticks and Instagram, photographer Anja Niemi has broken the mould and chosen to work with a 1970s Polaroid camera instead. After premiering at Somerset House’s Photo London exhibition, Short Stories will move to The Little Black Gallery and present 140 sheets of peel-apart Polaroids taken over the last 12 months. Divided into eight short stories, the photographs depict a series of fictional characters – such as Darlene the beauty counsellor and Mona the glamorous thief – played by Niemi herself. 26 May-16 June, The Little Black Gallery, 13A Park Walk, SW10, thelittleblackgallery.com

From left: Darlene, 2015; Mona, 2015 ©Anja Niemi

Anarchy in the UK London embraces its inner punk rocker this year, marking four decades of subversive culture in the capital. In 1976 the Ramones first played the Roundhouse, The Clash formed, and the Sex Pistols’ Anarchy Tour rocked Britain to its core. To mark the occasion Richard Young Gallery has opened up its archive of punk rock photography, offering the chance to view never-before-seen images from its portfolio. Anarchy in the UK: #PunkLondon will unveil photographs of the Pistols signing their A&M Records contract outside Buckingham Palace, as well as snaps of The Jam, Blondie and Billy Idol. Until 31 May, Richard Young Gallery, 4 Holland Street, W8, richardyounggallery.co.uk

Richard Young, Sex Pistols Studio Shoot, Notting Hill, London, 1976

Meet Your Maker Last year’s inaugural London Craft Week gave a rare glimpse into workshops across the capital. This year the festival honours craftsmanship on a global scale, with more than 130 events showcasing the skills of international makers. Highlights in the Royal Borough include a peek inside Linley’s showroom, a celebration of British silversmithing at the Victoria and Albert Museum, traditional leatherwork by SABEL Saddlery at Bentleys and the art of Taiwanese rush weaving at Native & Co. 3-7 May, londoncraftweek.com

Image: traditional and Modern Craft at Linley; inset: The Art of Rush Weaving at Native & Co, courtesy of Taiwan Yuan-Li Handiwork Association

covering kensington, chelsea, knightsbridge, holland park & notting hill

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Toast

of the Town The Warwick Castle was once a hotbed of artists, rockers and rollers. Rebecca Wallersteiner pays homage to a Portobello Road institution

n ordinary mid-Victorian pub when viewed from the outside, during the late 1980s and early 1990s The Warwick Castle on Portobello Road attracted a diverse mix of characters from fashion designers and actors to rock idols and local Irish builders. One never knew who might drop by for a drink. The heady days of this Notting Hill watering hole – an eccentric, energetic social institution since it opened in 1853 – have been captured in 3000 Hangovers Later: Photos of The Warwick Castle and Portobello in the 1980s, an eye-opening

book of photographs by Ray Jones, a one-time regular who carried a camera on nights out. “I loved the diversity of the place,” says Jones. “That’s why I tried to capture it on my old Kodak.” His collection of images depicts the era’s thriving alternative art and music scenes, where high fashion trailblazers might rub shoulders with actor Harry Dean Stanton or former Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten (then John Lydon). But what drew so many disparate individuals to this place? “For some it was the combative opportunities the pub had to offer,” recalls Jones, a local to the area since 1979.

SPOTLIGHT

From left: Leon Talley, Karl Lagerfeld, Ines de la Fressange; Neneh Cherry; 3,000 Hangovers Later: Photos of The Warwick Castle and Portobello in the 1980s; Barry Barrow. Photography: Ray Roughler Jones.

“It boasted pool, quiz, darts, football and cricket teams, and on more than one occasion a tug of war team. “For others of a less competitive streak it was the shabby-chic decor, complete with Christmas decorations hanging from the ceiling in July,” he writes. Peppered with extraordinary characters you wouldn’t expect to find there, worlds collided in the Castle; high-life mingled with low. One photograph portrays the enigmatic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld with his beautiful muse Ines de la Fressange, who modelled Lagerfeld’s designs as the face of Chanel during the 1980s. In his trademark dark glasses, the suave German designer would have contrasted with the functional work clothes of Portobello market traders and builders who flocked to the pub for an evening drink (or two). Everyone would have been cosily enveloped by what George Orwell described as the “warm fog of smoke and beer”, until at least, the smoking ban put an end to it. Local artists loved the pub’s stimulating company after a day’s work. Jones’ book contains two wonderful pictures of Sophie de Stempel, then in her twenties and rather charmingly smudged with paint. In the 1980s she was a sitter for Lucian Freud, whose studio was nearby in Holland Park and whose portrait of de Stempel, Standing by the Rags, was bought by the Tate Gallery. She now teaches at the Royal Drawing School and has exhibited her own work in several solo shows. Music lovers will recognise the young Neneh Cherry, snapped DJing at the Warwick before becoming a star. Other musicians photographed by Jones include Elvis Costello, a post-Clash Joe Strummer and music journalist Jon Savage, huddled in a smoky corner making notes. Staff from the

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alternative record shop Rough Trade, a few streets away, would also drop in for a pint of Guinness. Always lively, classless and even anarchic, the pub drew many thespians. Actor Keith Allen and his first wife Alison Owen would take along their baby daughter Lily. “The Warwick was the centre of the universe for so many people, most of whom Ray thankfully photographed,” comments Keith. Other vibrant images include a photograph of Evie Doggart, who, together with Jones, Allen and actress Anna Chancellor thought up the Portobello Pantomime, perhaps over a few drinks at the Warwick. The show has been performed every Christmas in Notting Hill since 1990. The process of gentrification has seen many pubs close but thankfully The Warwick Castle, now called The Castle, has survived. While many of the faces from the 1980s have moved on, a new generation of hipsters still visit the pub when hunting for vintage clothes and vinyl records. Tourists stop off to sample the kitchen’s seasonal fare and to look at the blue door opposite that featured in the 1999 film Notting Hill. The Christmas decorations hanging from the ceiling in high summer, sadly, have long gone. The spirit of Portobello has remained largely unchanged since the times documented in Jones’ book. Stallholders, hawkers and street musicians still line the street. “If you were there, this will be a joyous stroll down memory lane,” writes Jones. “If you weren’t, well you can see how much fun we had. The diversity of the place fired the imagination.” 3000 Hangovers Later: Photos of The Warwick Castle and Portobello in the 1980s, by Ray Jones (Tangent Books, £12.99), tangentbooks.co.uk. The Castle, 225 Portobello Road, 020-7221 7103, castleportobello.co.uk

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Estate of Mind Notting Hillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ladbroke Estate introduced bucolic living to the nineteenthcentury London landscape. Penelope Sacorafou explores its history

SPOTLIGHT

odged in the collective memory is the image of Anna Scott and William Thacker breaking into a Notting Hill garden in the film named after the area. Anna – an American starlet not accustomed to London’s architectural quirks – asks Will to explain its designs, and so they trespass to find out what lies behind the tall gates. Director Richard Curtis was not the first person to depict an image of London that holds a garden at its core; socio-cultural sage Peter Ackroyd has also suggested that the image of gardens haunts the imaginations of Londoners. The first documented image of a London garden was created by Jacob Knyff between 1676 and 1680. When the Dutch artist painted the small, tranquil garden in Chiswick from the River, London was on the road to recovery in the wake of a civil war and the destruction caused by the Great Fire of 1666. In Knyff’s painting, building materials are busily transported along the river and the garden lies in the background. Could the contrast be a reference to rising tensions between countryside life and the ever-expanding capital city? This strain paved the way for London’s fascination with gardens, which continued with the Georgian obsession over botany and country living. The capital has enjoyed a reputation as a garden city ever since. The co-existence of the bucolic and urban was also a source of inspiration for Ladbroke Estate designers Thomas Allason – the English architect and landscaper also known for his work on Connaught Square – and later James Thomson, the mind behind Rosmead Garden, where Notting Hill’s young love unfolds. Striving to cater to the aristocrats who had started to take up permanent residency as London grew westwards towards Notting Hill, Allason included the kind of open green spaces they had been so accustomed to before moving to London. The architect’s blueprint included “a huge circus over 500 meters across… each half of the circle featured a large open garden with houses all around it. The gardens entirely enclosed by the houses, they would be private to the residents.” The early stages of construction were slowed down by the financial crisis of 1825. Twenty years later the project was taken up by Thomson, whose designs we have inherited today: stucco-fronted houses backing on to 16 of the Borough’s most

beautiful gardens and squares, including the Grade II-listed Rosmead Garden that Anna and Will broke into. Retaining most of its mid-19th century paths and original railings with cast-iron coping along Rosmead Road, the garden is a prime example of early Victorian landscaping. Shrubberies back three large oval-shaped lawns with dense evergreens at the east and west ends. Relaxed and natural, this form contrasted the forces of urbanisation and industrialisation that helped define the Victorian era. However, it was late Georgian architects like Allason and Thomson, initially reacting to the growth of the city and the demise of countryside living, who paved the way. As London grew rapidly, future city planners reflected on developments like Ladbroke Estate, and incorporated gardens and green squares into their designs. In London: The Biography, Ackroyd writes: “Perhaps a Londoner needs a garden in order to maintain a sense of belonging. In a city where speed and uniformity, noise and bustle, are characteristic, and where many houses are produced to a standard design, a garden may afford the only prospect of variety. It is also a place for recreation, contemplation and satisfaction.” And, in a case of life imitating art, a London garden might also provide an inspirational setting for the perfect love affair.

From top: Rosmead Garden from an Elgin Crescent roof, both taken by John Neville; Ladbroke Square, courtesy of photoBECKET. Opposite page: a communal garden in flower, courtesy of Ladbroke Association

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ART ANTIQUES BY Rebecca Wallersteiner

Alexander Voitsekhovsky, Workers at the botanical gardens slide on the parquet, 2009 ©Alexander Voitsekhovsky. Inset: Alexander Voitsekhovsky, A difficult choice, 2008 ©Alexander Voitsekhovsky

Animal Crackers

From top: Hugo Guinness, Marcel Proust, handcoloured block print, 2016; Claudia Rankin, Caddy with Tiger Rug and Cherry Bowl, 2016; Caddy with Lioness and Crab, 2016. Courtesy of Claudia Rankin

With their penchant for the whimsical, ceramicist Claudia Rankin and artist Hugo Guinness’ work complements each other’s perfectly – as Wilson, Stephens and Jones on Westbourne Park Road will highlight in May. Rankin finds inspiration in Staffordshire pottery figurines; her brightly coloured ceramics painted with eccentric animal characters are simultaneously innocent and knowing. They are functional yet decorative, and one can see traces of the spirits of Picasso and Miró. Meanwhile Guinness (who co-wrote the Oscar-nominated The Grand Budapest Hotel with Wes Anderson), will show an array of tongue-in-cheek linocuts hung in vintage frames, characterised by his sharp wit and everyday subjects. 3-28 May, Wilson, Stephens and Jones, 71 Westbourne Park Road, W2, wilsonstephensandjones.com

Romance of Russia Born in Moscow in 1964, the grandson of a polar explorer who died in the Siege of Leningrad, Alexander “Petrovich” Voitsekhovsky spent a decade as a doctor in Russia’s emergency services before turning to painting. As a medical student he had started to draw – at lectures, on the train, in shop queues – and gave sketches to friends, who collected them for an exhibition. This proved so successful that six years later Voitsekhovsky decided to quit medicine to travel the world. “I realised my choice was very risky, but my explorer genes prevailed and there was no going back,” he describes. His works are deeply imaginative and exhibit playful fantasy, but are immediately familiar. In May The Tabernacle in Powis Square will present recent paintings by the self-taught artist and illustrator, who lives in Saint Petersburg and has had an impressive 25 solo shows in Russia, the United States and Japan. A Whale off the Coast of Norway and Other Encounters, 2-8 May, The Tabernacle, 35 Powis Square, W11, tabernaclew11.com

Artist of the

month

Jessie Makinson, Fake French, oil and pigment on canvas, 2016

Sasha Bowles

A post-graduate student of the Wimbledon College of Art, Sasha Bowles lives and works in London. Her quirky creations manipulate well-known paintings by giving them new and surreal guises (“mischievously re-contextualised”, as she explains), and are held in the University of the Arts London collection and by private collectors across Europe and America. From 10 May, Gallery 286, run by dealer Jonathan Ross from his home in Earl’s Court, will present Doo-plis-i-tee, an exhibition showcasing the artist’s haunting paintings of fantastical imaginary figures. Against the plush crimson walls in the gallery’s Victorian living room, Bowles will hang works inspired by painters such as Goya, Gainsborough, Frans Hals and Velázquez. Downstairs in the white gallery, she plans to construct a “shadow room” using old stretcher frames that, when lit, will create a visual effect referencing 19th-century Royal Academy “salon hangs” where paintings were hung floor to ceiling to display as many artworks as possible. 10-29 May, Gallery 286, 286 Earl’s Court Road, SW5, gallery286.com; sashabowles.co.uk From top: Carnivalesque; Serene. Courtesy of Sasha Bowles

Contemporary Palettes Soon to arrive at The Dot Project gallery is Painting Made Me Do It, a group show of four young artists who use brilliant colour and gesture to create the sheer energy and tension in their work. On display will be fresh and exciting paintings by emerging contemporary artists Jessie Makinson, an Edinburgh College of Art graduate, Hannah Bays, Asger Harbou Gjerdevik and George Little, who has been exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery and Miami’s Untitled Art Fair. “We’re dedicated to providing a platform and test bed for practitioners to develop their work,” says India Whalley, the gallery’s founder. Don’t miss it. 12 May-30 June, The Dot Project, 94 Fulham Road, SW3, thedotproject.com

Fit for an Emperor In May, Christie’s South Kensington will offer treasures from prestigious private Chinese collections including this stunning 18th-century soapstone carving of the Daoist immortal Shoulao, the God of Longevity, carrying a peach of immortality and an elixir-filled gourd hung from his staff. “This wonderful carving is an unusually large size and showcases great skill through the naturalistic working of the jagged rocks in contrast with the fluid drapery of the robes,” comments Kate Hunt, Christie’s head of sales for Chinese works of art. It is just one of more than 600 lots spanning over 3,000 years of Chinese art, with estimates from £1,000 to £50,000. Chinese Ceramics, Works of Art and Textiles sale, 11 and 13 May, Christie’s South Kensington, 85 Old Brompton Road, SW7, christies.com

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Green jade brushpot, 19th century (estimate £3000-5000) ©Christie’s Images Ltd 2016

18th-century soapstone carving of the Daoist immortal Shoulao (estimate £8,000-12,000) ©Christie’s Images Ltd 2016

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ART

ANTIQUES

From top: vernacular chair; W. Williams, Portrait of a Bay Hunter, 1803; fairground shooting target. Images courtesy of Robert Young Antiques

Bold and Bright Terry Frost, Bridget Riley and Howard Hodgkin reacted against the drabness and social insularity of the post-war period with exuberant palettes and freer styles of expression that paved the way for artists in the swinging 1960s. This summer, family-run Piano Nobile gallery pays tribute with a group exhibition tracing the development of post-war British abstract art. The brilliance of Frost’s colours draw parallels with Matisse’s cut-outs; while Hodgkin, William Scott and John Hoyland’s bold work inspires a sense of truly childlike joy. Aspects of Abstraction, 17 May-23 June, Piano Nobile Gallery, 129 Portland Road, W11, piano-nobile.com

Clockwise from top: John Hoyland, 15.3.76, 1976; Terry Frost, Ochre Dusk, Pink to Black, 1990; Anthony Caro, Table Piece CLXIX, 1973-4; John Golding, D (E.S.) VII, 1975. Images courtesy of Piano Nobile, Robert Travers (Works of Art) Ltd

The Magic of Folk

Dublin through the Lens From 12 May Michael Hoppen Gallery will present End, a solo exhibition of street photography by Irish photographer Eamonn Doyle. Powerful portraits will chronicle his native Dublin, from its working-class to its elderly residents. “I began to be drawn towards a number of solitary ‘Beckettian’ figures I saw on the streets of Dublin,” says the artist, “people I had seen passing me every day, treading the same ground, day in, day out.” Doyle shoots from above using dramatic angles, as if looming over his subjects as they go about their daily business. Although the artist admits to being influenced by the Irish playwright, these lone figures lost in thought as they roam the city bring to mind James Joyce’s stories. 12 May-15 July, Michael Hoppen Gallery, 3 Jubilee Place, SW3, michaelhoppengallery.com

Visit Robert Young’s annual folk art exhibition at his Battersea gallery for unusual rustic chairs and tables as well as engaging naïve paintings. Young’s passion for primitive art and vernacular furniture began in his teens when he bought a charming dugout chair, and his life-long love affair shows no sign of ending. “When we opened our gallery in 1978 there was little demand for rustic art, and other dealers felt it wasn’t refined enough for the major antique fairs. Folk art now commands high prices and attracts serious interest at major art and antique fairs like Masterpiece London, where we’ll exhibit in June,” says Young. “We spend our time searching for exciting and unique pieces that capture our imagination – it is often imperfections and texture that make something sexy.” 5-14 May, Robert Young Antiques, 68 Battersea Bridge Road, SW11, robertyoungantiques.com

END., 2016 ©Eamonn Doyle. Courtesy of Michael Hoppen Gallery

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Original, limited-edition Art Deco posters by leading artists

Limited to editions of 280, our newly-commissioned Art Deco posters feature glamorous holiday destinations around the world, ski resorts in the Austrian, French and Swiss Alps, and the world’s greatest historic automobiles. Over 100 designs to choose from, all printed on 100% cotton fine art paper, measuring 97 x 65 cms.

Priced at £395 each.

Private commissions are also welcome.

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fashion

Palm Springs Drink from the fountain of youth with Jimmy Choo’s carefree and upbeat S/S16 collection. This season the brand captures the laidback spirit of California, with classic handbag styles such as the Lockett and Candy treated to radiant hues of coral pink, gold and spring green, and printed with palm leaves. To mark Jimmy Choo’s fresh new approach and in celebration of its 20th anniversary, the luxury accessories label has also branched out with its footwear collection. Block heels, suede lace-ups and horn heel sandals make up the range. Get temperatures rising in the new Trix 100 sandals, paired with a shimmering metallic jumpsuit for heightened glamour. From £550, jimmychoo.com

Photography: Cass Bird

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Happy Feet In just five years, Aquazzura has taken the world by storm, collaborating with fashion’s elite and setting trends with its unique designs. Now, with a new Harrods pop-up this month celebrating the label’s signature Christy flats, founder and creative director Edgardo Osorio sits down with Ellen Millard to talk British fashion, the power of social media and the Aquazzura woman Edgardo Osorio portrait

f there was ever any evidence that fashion is a young man’s game, Edgardo Osorio is it. In 2011, at the ripe old age of 25, he founded the now internationallyrenowned shoe label Aquazzura. His designs have achieved worldwide status, gracing the feet of Julianne Moore, Jennifer Lawrence, Gwyneth Paltrow and Charlize Theron, to name but a few. Collaborative collections have come thick and fast, most notably with Salvatore Ferragamo, Poppy Delevingne and Olivia

Palermo, and the brand has become available in 48 countries worldwide. But his achievements haven’t come without hard work. It might seem unlikely (even verging on impossible), but Edgardo’s career was burgeoning more than a decade before Aquazzura had even begun. “I started working when I was 14 years old, doing internships,” he tells me. “I’ve always wanted to be in fashion, ever since I was a little boy. I wanted to create beautiful things and make women feel beautiful.” After getting off to a head start as a teenager, Colombianborn Edgardo moved to London, where he enrolled on a few courses at Central Saint Martins before starting a degree at the London College of Fashion. It was here that he discovered his love for shoes, realising that he would “always start from the feet up” when designing. He moved to Italy where he worked for Salvatore Ferragamo, Roberto Cavalli and Sigerson Morrison until finally setting up his own label in Florence. “Being able to make what you draw into a reality just felt like a dream,” he gushes as he puts pen to paper and starts illustrating a stiletto in front of me. “It’s so amazing to be able to create something physical from an idea that you have in your head, and to make somebody feel great. It’s the most wonderful thing you can do.” Part of Aquazzura’s success stems from the attention that is given to comfort as well as design. The label’s 3.5in high Sexy Thing stilettos are so comfortable that they have become known as the “12-hour shoes“ among fashion editors. What’s the secret? While Manolo Blahnik famously tries his heels on for size, Edgardo is partial to an occasional Instagram stalk. “We get so many ideas from following our clients and seeing what they’re doing, where they are going and what other shoes they are using,” he explains. “My biggest inspiration is women. If they’re going skiing or dancing or picking up their kids

FASHION Aquazzura S/S16 campaign, Photography: Greg Lotus

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FASHION

S/S16 Street Style, Photography: Tommy Ton

Harrods Aquazzura pop-up, Photography: Tim Griffiths

from school, what are they wearing? What does the modern woman need? That’s always a big part of the formula; we are a brand that makes shoes which are comfortable and sexy.” As such, his designs have been worn by everyone, from European royalty and Hollywood stars to the average woman on the Tube, and it’s because of this that he struggles to describe who the typical Aquazzura customer is. “I never like to define the Aquazzura woman as one woman. I think she’s a very active person who enjoys life and wants to have fun, but I think that’s the most that I can say,” he shrugs. “Look at my Instagram and you will see her. She is of all ages and all nationalities. We are not just one woman; we are so many women.” Indeed, at the launch of Aquazzura’s pop-up store in Harrods, people from all walks of life line up to have a chat with Edgardo, picking up his shoes and taking photographs of the new rainbow display of Christy flats that sits proudly in the centre of Shoe Heaven. These are without a doubt his most recognisable shoes. Copycats have cropped up in what seems like nearly every high street store over the past year and social media is awash with photographs featuring Edgardo’s signature pumps. It’s little surprise that the luxury department store has selected these as the star of its latest pop-up, where it has the

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global exclusive on watermelon green and leopard-print styles. “Harrods is one of the most iconic department stores in the world,” Edgardo says, proudly. “It has the best of everything.” Home for the designer is Florence but, born in Colombia, raised in Miami and educated in England, he is a mix of cultures and this comes across in his designs. “I think as a designer the world is your sponge,” he agrees. “I go on trips and I absorb everything. I go to restaurants and I observe what women are wearing. I go to museums and exhibitions and galleries.” But for all his travels, he admits that he has a soft spot for London. “What’s incredible and amazing about being here is that it is a creative force. The way they teach people and the way that people work is all about creativity and that’s something that you really need in fashion. Being here is so inspiring and it’s so multicultural. It’s the capital of the world really.” He argues that “being worldwide and seeing the brand explode” has been the highlight of his career so far, but it looks as though becoming internationally famous is just the beginning for Aquazzura. The designer hints that there’s a kids collection in the pipeline and that he’s working on a few more collaborative collections, but he’s remaining tight-lipped for now. “I love collaborating with people because new things come out of it that you would never usually do,” he smiles. “We are working with artists and other people right now, and it’s very exciting, but it’s a surprise.” And when all that’s over, will he be taking time off to celebrate Aquazzura’s fifth anniversary? “Well, we’re opening eight stores,” he laughs. “For me it’s about celebrating the client and celebrating amazing products. In ten years’ time we want to have stores in the most important capitals in the world. We will not only do shoes, but handbags, accessories, perfume, jewellery and even men’s fashion, too.” Ambitious as ever, it sounds like Edgardo is paving the way for global domination and my guess is he will succeed, one Christy flat at a time. Aquazzura’s Christy flats are available at Harrods Shoe Heaven, from £415, aquazzura.com

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Kross Over If there was ever an incentive to get into shape for beach season, it would be to wear Agent Provocateur’s latest S/S16 swimwear range. The brand has got us primed for summer with a host of new pieces. While not the most practical of swimwear for those seeking a tan, the cutout swimsuit or “slashkini” was nevertheless one of the most popular styles to have hit the market in 2015 and it is set to do so again this year. The Lexxi, part of AP’s Kriss Kross collection, comes as a swimsuit or bikini in bright coral, while the flattering Aziza and Anja styles in black are perfect for those of you less content with baring all. Anja swimsuit in black, £225, agentprovocateur.com/gb

HER STYLE By olivia sharpe

Tie the Knot

The Midas Touch

Finding the dream pair of shoes for your wedding day is no easy feat, which is why Casadei has made it easy with its beautiful S/S16 bridal collection. The latest range includes the exclusive new white nappa leather lace-up sandal which, with its timeless and elegant design, is certain to complement your dress, whatever the style. £695, exclusive to uk.casadei.com

Simone Rocha is ruling the fashion industry both on and off the catwalk. The British fashion designer recently opened her permanent installation space in Dover Street Market. To mark the occasion, she created a capsule collection of celebratory cloqué gold pieces, all encased within the perspex-designed room. This material has been translated into a pair of metallic flat brogues, which cannot fail to stand out when worn with a pair of cropped denim jeans for a sporty, urban look this summer. Perspex gold brogues, £695, available at Dover Street Market, doverstreetmarket.com

Walks of Life Let your footwear take the lead for your summer wardrobe this year with one of the season’s stars, Stuart Weitzman. It’s that time of year when your choice of shoes should be as light and comfortable as possible, and the designer has come up trumps for S/S16 without compromising on style. From elevated sneakers and Roman sandals to the easy-to-wear flatform (a design that provides all of the height with none of the discomfort), you’ll be able to enjoy all of your summer outdoor pursuits with ease. Romanesque suede sandals, £490, eu.stuartweitzman.com Photography: Mario Testino

Walker on Sunshine Chip off the Old Block Italy arrives in the capital this spring in the form of Valentino’s new London flagship store. The 409 sq m boutique has been inspired by a traditional palazzo, designed with materials such as grey Venetian terrazzo with Carrara chippings, timber and marble evoking an atmosphere of antiquity and intimacy. With the new S/S16 womenswear collection, the house

departs from its Italian roots and instead journeys to Africa. Keep your eye out for the Animali Fantastici and Garden Couture printed handbags, the latter being the perfect accompaniment to this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. Single handle bag in calfskin, from £1,605, 39 Old Bond Street, W1S valentino.com

British couture house Catherine Walker has kicked off the social season with its new S/S16 collection, with 25 made-to-order pieces by the dedicated team in Chelsea. The Cloud dress, featuring a hazy colour palette of blue and pink, is perfect for carrying you through lavish summer picnics, while the Bella Garden design, with its delightful riot of floral patterns, is certain to put a spring in your step. In further news, this year sees the house launch its exclusive e-couture service, allowing customers from abroad to commission pieces online to the Chelsea atelier for the first time. Visit the website for more details. From £2,000, catherinewalker.com

Bag it Up Prada’s Saffiano bag might be its most recognisable tote to date, but the label’s newest accessory, the Pionniere bag, has broken the mould with its original design. First shown at the A/W16 show in Milan, it was made instantly available in stores and comes in white and caramel, calling on traditional hunting bags and army uniforms for inspiration, with soft leather, gold hardware and an oversized shoulder strap. From £1,300, 43-45 Sloane Street, SW1X, prada.com

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The Good

Life

Think Tom and Barbara Good from the BBC sitcom, The Good Life when trying to channel this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take on the enduring 70s trend. Aysemmetric tunics, floaty dresses paired with wellies and of course, suede dungarees are a must Photographer: Phillip Waterman

Stylist: Chat Sutatsanee

Dress, ÂŁ1,980, Marni, net-a-porter.com; Trousers, ÂŁ320, Vivienne Westwood Red Label, viviennewestwood.com

Above / Shirt, £395, Trousers, £350, both Holly Fulton, hollyfulton.com; Scarf, £125, Diane von Furstenburg, 83 Ledbury Road, W11; Purple boots, £140, Hunter Original, hunterboots.com Right / Dress, £2,490, Erdem, erdem.com; Bag, £325; Necklace, £75, both Kate Spade New York, 2 Symons Street, SW3

Suede dungarees, £665, DSquared2, dsquared2.com/gb; Dress, £730, Mary Katrantzou, marykatrantzou.com; Boots, £125, Dr. Martens, drmartens.com; Bag, £268, Kate Spade New York, as before

Above / Dress, £4,995, Christopher Kane, christopherkane.com; Blouse, £248, Diane von Furstenberg, as before; Wellington boots, £105, Hunter Original, as before Right / Dress, £1,005; Corset, £1,060, both Red Valentino, redvalentino.com; Heels, £330, Sophia Webster, net-a-porter.com

Model: Astin Sanders @ IMG Models Make-up: Freya Danson-Hatcher @ S Management using Sara Hill make-up Hair: Takanori Yamaguchi using Bumble and bumble PHOTOGRAPHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assistant: Joanna Wolak Stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assistant: Inga Leg & Neil Eakapong

Winston, made in England using the ямБnest quality full grain European calf MADE IN ENGLAND

LONDON

JERMYN STREET BURLINGTON ARCADE KNIGHTSBRIDGE ROYAL EXCHANGE CANARY WHARF

BIRMINGHAM

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NEW YORK 7 WEST 56TH STREET

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BRUSSELS RUE DE NAMUR

PARIS

CHAUVEAU LAGARDE BOULEVARD RASPAIL

Photography: Adam Whitehead

Graphic Content Those that know their Mondrian from their Monet and their Rothko from their Turner will recognise the inspiration behind Daks’ latest campaign. Brighton-based painter Lee Needham called on the work of great modern artists for inspiration, creating graphic shapes and hallucinogenic backdrops for the label’s S/S16 collection. Each canvas features blue, red, black and beige designs that complement Daks’ latest line of pastel blazers, trench coats and checked prints. From £115, daks.com

HIS STYLE Coast to Coast By Ellen Millard

London Calling You can’t get more English than Burberry so it comes as no surprise that the label looked to the nation’s capital for inspiration when formulating its latest cologne. Created by renowned perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, Mr Burberry captures London’s traditional yet unique style with earthy notes of sandalwood, vetiver and guaiac wood infused with zesty grapefruit, cardamom and tarragon. Grooming and ready-towear lines will shortly be launched to coincide with the new fragrance. From £40, uk.burberry.com

If you’re in need of beach-appropriate attire then look no further: Vilebrequin has launched its second collaborative collection with Italian photographer Massimo Vitali. For 2016, Vitali has temporarily swapped his signature coastal landscapes for the rocky swimming pool of Provençal Hotel in the Giens peninsula, taking Vilebrequin back to its French Riviera roots. Snap up the striking image in the form of the label’s beach tote and Moorea and Merise swimsuits. From £110, 56 Fulham Road, SW3, uk.vilebrequin.com

A Class Act Even classics need an upgrade now and again, which is why Christian Louboutin has introduced four new styles to its Louboutin Homme range. Cousin Charles, Cousin Dand, Cousin Greg and Cousin Tass make up the latest line of dapper brogues and loafers, all made from calf leather and available in black, brown, navy and red. In honour of the launch, the label has joined forces with photographer and filmmaker René Habermacher and The Stimuleye crew to create a series of colourful campaign images that celebrate expression and style. From £695, eu.christianlouboutin.com

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Photography: René Habermacher

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DISCOVER A VERY SPECIAL COLLECTION OF HOME FRAGRANCE AND BATH & BODY PRODUCTS INSPIRED BY TEA

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lifestyle

In Bloom If the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has put you in the mood to bring the natural world indoors, then look to Liberty London’s new collection for homeware with a floral twist. Inspired by the cabinet display cases that were popular among the wealthy during the 1800s, the department store’s signature floral prints have been reimagined in bright yellow, blue and red blooms and abstract designs. Created in-house using Liberty’s extensive archive, the fabric collection is available as a range of cushions and throws, or to buy by the metre. Regent Street, W1B, liberty.co.uk

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& GARDEN

HOME

BY ELLEN MILLARD

Prints Charming William Morris’ nature-inspired prints have once again been reimagined by House of Hackney for its S/S16 collection. The lifestyle label has rethought three of Morris’s signature designs – Acanthus, Chrysanthemum and Trellis – in a moody palette of navy blues, light pinks and lilacs. The collection is completed with two of House of Hackney’s own prints, Orsman Stripe and Artemis, which have been designed by the brand in homage to the designer and his sublime view of the natural world. Pick up the prints on wallpaper and fabric for an interiors makeover or make a statement with the brand’s playful fashion collection. From £25, houseofhackney.com

Hay Fever Fans of Scandinavian design will be pleased to hear about fashion label COS and homeware store HAY’s latest partnership. The pair has joined forces to create a collection of minimalist objects for the spring season. Streamlined side tables, simple stationery and geometric decorative objects make up the range, which comes in pastel shades of green, blue and pink, as well as natural cork and wood finishes. From a selection, 124-126 Kensington High Street, W8, cosstores.com/gb

Natural Instincts Rustic charm meets safari chic in Ralph Lauren Home’s latest collection, Black Palms, where natural textures and animal prints are the order of the day. Take your pick from geometric-patterned linen, zebra-printed crockery and basket-woven chests. Those after something a little more urban should look to the label’s Elizabeth Street Collection, where oak furnishings, ticking stripes and industrial lighting conjure up images of a downtown New York loft. 105-109 Fulham Road, SW3, ralphlaurenhome.com

Between the Lines For storage solutions with a difference, head to Jean-Marie Massaud at Poltrona Frau. The designer has just launched a new series of bookcases and shelving units that can be easily altered to suit your needs. The wooden structures feature rectangular grids that provide a glimpse of the objects behind each one, designed in Massaud’s trademark industrial style. The best part? Each of the grids can be moved around to create a different pattern or to provide more space. From a selection, poltronafrau.com

Mind Your Manners

Shape Shifter

American news reporter-cum-designer Jennifer Manners was inspired to launch her bespoke rug brand after travelling the world for her job. Now based in Chelsea, Manners and her small team of creatives design unique floor fillers inspired by the images and objects she collected on her journey. Each rug is handmade by artisans in Nepal and India, and can be handwoven, Tibetan hand-knotted or hand-tufted. From £250 per m sq for a handwoven rug, jennifermanners.co.uk Photography: Jake Fitzjones

Garden Party With the onset of spring and the imminent arrival of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, it seems that residents of the Royal Borough are embracing their inner horticulturalist. Among them is the Victoria and Albert Museum, which has collaborated with Wild & Wolf to create a range of gardening tools decorated with three archive prints. William Morris’ 19th-century Bower wallpaper and two floral prints – based on William Kilburn’s 18thcentury textile designs – feature in the collection, which comprises pruners, plant pots, trowels and potting gloves. From £9.95, wildandwolf.com

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Japanese designer Issey Miyake isn’t one to shy away from geometric design so it’s little surprise that shape is at the helm of his new collection with Finnish homeware brand Iittala. The range nods to the Japanese art of origami, with pleated napkins that mimic the shape of Mount Fuji when folded, hexagonal tableware and cushions with unusual, chevron-style folds that show off Miyake’s signature pleating process. The 30-strong collection is designed in a pastel palette inspired by springtime. From £20, amara.com

Heaven Scent For its latest candle, Cire Trudon has looked back to early 20th-century high society, conjuring up images of Villa Cyrnos on the French Riviera where Queens, poets and artists wandered around an aromatic garden. Named after the sun, the citrusy wick offers the perfect summer scent thanks to a head of lemon, thyme and myrtle, a heart of black fig, lavender, pine and cedar wood, and a base of musk, patchouli and cashmere wood. £70, available at Harrods

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HEALTH BEAUTY BY Olivia sharpe

Grasse Roots

Celebrations are in full swing at L’Occitane en Provence’s HQ this year, where the brand is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Despite the jubilations, the label has still found the time to add to its ever growing La Collection de Grasse, a selection of fragrances inspired by the French perfume capital. New to the range is the Néroli and Orchidée scent in body oil and bath milk form. The fresh fragrance comprises Madagascan white orchid and neroli from southern France, which are blended with a base of musk and iris to create the perfect summer scent. From £18, 67 King’s Road, SW3 uk.loccitane.com

Spring to Life Spring finally arriving shouldn’t mean that you forget about hydration. As the weather warms up, breathe new life into your skincare routine with Valmont’s latest hydrating range. The Swiss brand’s new Moisturising Serumulsion drenches skin with its unique formula that combines the richness of a cream with the lightness of a serum. As we move into summer, the Moisturising with a Mask product is the perfect rescue treatment after intense sun exposure, flooding dehydrated skin with a newfound glow. The Valmont Hydrating Facial is also available at the White Room on Walton Street. £77-120, boutiquevalmont.com

Turn a Hair

Having first introduced the Catwalk Ponytail in the early 70s, the House of Balmain has since taken this now ubiquitous hair trend to new heights, as illustrated by its Paris Hair Couture S/ S16 campaign. The high, slick-backed variation turns the classic ponytail into a modern and powerful beauty statement, and is ideal for keeping you cool during the hot summer months. Although the likes of Chanel and Miu Miu decided to go all out and opt for the ponytail duo, Balmain knows that less is sometimes more. To learn how to get the look, visit the Balmain hair website for top tips. balmainhair.com

Olympic Games

Following on from her successful collaboration with Agent Provocateur on a lingerie collection, Charlotte Olympia has now injected her glamorous style into a range of sportswear, in partnership with Bodyism. The accessories designer’s signature playful motifs, such as the Kitty lace, leopard print, red lip and spiderweb, have been incorporated into a range of gym essentials, including trainers, sweatshirts, sports bras and leggings. Perfect for carrying you from the gym to lunch with friends, you are certain to be the envy of your yoga class. From £79.95, exclusive to Harrods

The Rites of Spring From sun-kissed bronzers to floral-inspired colour palettes, make-up artists brought a new lease of life to their S/S16 cosmetic collections. Spring clean your make-up bags and freshen up your scent with these latest beauty releases Lid Pop eyeshadow in Aqua Pop, £15, Clinique, clinique.co.uk

Image courtesy of: Dolce & Gabbana Summer In Italy collection

Perfect Mono Cream Eye Colour in Lemon 116, £25, Dolce & Gabbana, exclusive to harrods.com

Crayon Intense in Blue 8, £19.50, Dolce & Gabbana, exclusive to harrods.com

Dior Addict Milky Tint in Pink, £26.50, dior.com Tahiti Bronze Monoï Body Glow, £44, NARS Cosmetics, narscosmetics.co.uk La Laque Couture in Peace Green, £19, YSL Beauté, yslbeauty.co.uk

Bronze Goddess

If you cannot escape to Italy this summer then take comfort in Dolce & Gabbana’s latest make-up collection which captures the vibrant colours of the Mediterranean and Sicily’s citrus fruits. Get an instant tan with the exclusive Sicilian Bronzer in Sunshine, which provides all-over radiance with a simple sweep of one’s brush. Alternatively, opt for the Blush in Orange shade to achieve a bold contouring effect and lightly sun-kissed cheeks. The bronzer is exclusive to the Summer in Italy 2016 collection and comes in a case beautifully-adorned with the patterns of a traditional Sicilian carretto – a hand-crafted, horse-drawn cart. Sicilian Bronzer in Sunshine 30, £36, exclusive to Harrods from 1 May, harrods.com

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Nashi Blossom Cologne, £85 for 100ml, Jo Malone London, jomalone.co.uk

Jolie Fragrance collection, £84 for 100ml, Tory Burch, toryburch.co.uk

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Kids KINGDOM BY Ellen Millard

House Party Just when we thought La Coqueta’s childrenswear designs couldn’t get any cuter, the label has teamed up with House of Hackney to create an 11-piece collection. The debut range for children aged between 12 months and six years comprises dresses, shirts and shorts in the label’s Palmeral and Wild Card designs, as well as prints by architect and designer Charles Voysey (taken from the Victoria and Albert Museum’s archive) and William Morris. Keep an eye out for the upcoming interiors range too, which will feature fabrics, wallpaper, lighting and bed linen. Little House of Hackney x La Coqueta, from a selection, houseofhackney.com

Images courtesy of: Little House of Hackney x La Coqueta Kids

Little Monsters

New Kid on the Block Fans of Spanish childrenswear label Pepa & Co. will be pleased to hear about its newly-launched private showroom just around the corner from the King’s Road. Founder Pepa Gonzalez was inspired by her large Spanish family to bring her country’s native designs to London. Book an appointment at the new showroom to get a firsthand look at her pick of classic and contemporary children’s clothes and accessories, all of which are handmade in Spain. 2 Michael Road, Cooper House, Unit 2T, SW6, pepaandcompany.com

After countless requests from mini fans, Kurt Geiger’s creative director Rebecca Farrar-Hockley decided to launch a children’s collection for the label’s young admirers. Classic Mary Janes are mixed in with monster-themed trainers and rainbow sandals in this cute collection that has partly been designed by children themselves. The range is suitable for kids aged four to 12 and is available in the UK in sizes nine to four. From £22, 33D King’s Road, SW3, kurtgeiger.com

The Bee’s Knees There’s a buzz surrounding J. Crew this month; the brand is launching its third bee-themed collection in an effort to save the endangered insect. The campaign launched in 2014 amid growing concern about the declining bee population and has since produced annual collections in aid of the cause. This year it is calling on the work of London-based illustrator Marcel George, who has designed three T-shirts for boys, girls and women featuring hand-painted watercolour illustrations. Fifty per cent of proceeds will go to the conservation charity, Buglife. From £24.50, jcrew.com

Bag It Up

Ivy League Cashmirino is looking back for inspiration this season, taking cues from the 1950s for its S/S16 collection. The latest line comprises preppy two-piece suits, blazers and Bermuda shorts for boys, and A-line skirts, pedal pushers and pastelcoloured dresses for girls. The label has continued its partnership with Liberty London and the department store’s signature florals are peppered throughout the collection. What’s more, this season sees the introduction of the Layette line, a range of essentials for newborns that have been hand-embroidered by Peruvian artisans. From £89, cashmirino.com

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Dream team Eileen Vincett and Danica Shepetys brought together their combined 20 years’ knowledge of the fashion industry to create Land of Ed – a baby bag business with an aim to make a difference. Inspired by their own experiences working in international schools, the duo decided they wanted to help provide educational initiatives around the world. Enter The Patrick, an affordable and stylish tote with five exterior and three interior pockets, a wipeclean changing mat and a detachable shoulder strap, all proceeds of which will go towards building a school in Burma. £100, landofed.com

Little Ray of Sunshine With summer just around the corner, daydreams of a two-week break by the sea are soon to become a reality. Those that already have a summer holiday booked should look to Platypus Australia for children’s swimwear with a twist. The label offers stylish clothes for girls and boys that not only provide comfort, but UV protection as well. The line of mix-and-match swimwear blocks out 97.5 per cent of harmful UV radiation so kids can enjoy their holiday while staying protected at the same time. From £14, platypusaustralia.com

Spot On Natasha Zinko’s playful, rainbow-coloured designs have been reimagined in miniature form for young fashionistas. The new children’s range, available exclusively at Harrods, comprises embroidered dresses, tops and sweatshirts in Zinko’s signature quirky style. Pop into Harrods’ Mini Superbrands section to pick up the designer’s primarycoloured pom-pom dresses, polka-dot prints and Russian doll-inspired designs. From £54.95, exclusive to Harrods

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high life

Masters in training At the St Pancras Renaissance, international travellers can now enjoy contemporary local culture as well as historic chamber suites and a spa within the Grade I-listed station. Earlier this year the hotel embarked on a series of complimentary weekly masterclasses led by north London experts at its recently-launched terrace restaurant, MI + ME (named after the Victorian railway carriages that were once used to shuttle milk and meat into the capital). Over two hours, guests will have the chance to discover hidden talents: March saw local couturier Atelier Tammam teach life drawing and fashion illustration, but each month the programme will change â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in May comes gin tasting in partnership with Fever-Tree and local distilleries. stpancraslondon.com

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Travel

THE WORLD By Camilla Apcar

Island Life Anantara Kihavah Maldives has launched a 1,050sq m three-bedroom beach pool residence at its beautifully isolated Baa Atoll resort. Intended as a secluded getaway for families and groups of up to nine adults, a villa host; courtyard bathrooms; and two-person bathtubs inspire total relaxation, while a sunken dining cabana, spa sala and 55-inch home theatre system offer ultimate privacy. Each of Anantara’s 79 accommodations here have private pools – but its infinity view and direct access to glorious white sands set this residence a cut above. From £8,530, anantara.com

Dawkins’ Galápagos

Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins may be 75 years old, but shows no signs of slowing down. This autumn he will lead 30 curious explorers on a one-time-only tour of the Galápagos islands, sailing by private charter around seven shores. Dawkins will lecture on Darwin’s theories and budding naturalists will have the chance to spot iguanas, penguins, giant tortoises and swim with sealions. From £4,995, 13-23 October, steppestravel.com

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Bathe in Beauty Aman embraces traditional Japanese hospitality at its newly-opened hot spring resort in Ise Shima National Park. Every suite at Amanemu – the group’s rural counterpart to its established Tokyo hotel – is equipped with an onsen (thermal hot spring), and a similar emphasis is placed on wellness at its suitably idyllic spa. Designed by Kerry Hill Architects, ryokan-style tiled roofs and cedar walls sit amid the park’s verdant hills, the splendours of which can be enjoyed courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows. About 300km southwest of the capital city and an hour away from the sprawling sacred Jingū Shinto shrine complex, a serene retreat awaits. From £685, aman.com

Walking on Water Italy’s charming Lake Iseo will be reimagined this summer by contemporary installation artist Christo (whose sitespecific works have included The Gates in Central Park), with a three-kilometre walkway of shimmering yellow fabric “floating” across its waters from Sulzano to Monte Isola. During the 16-day installation, Relais & Chateaux’s L’Albereta hotel deep in Franciacorta countryside will take guests on a day trip to admire Christo’s creation over a lunch of fresh fish at Locanda Al Lago on Monte Isola, followed by a guided tasting at Contadi Castaldi winery and a threecourse dinner back in the hotel’s 19th-century villa bistro. Let’s Walk on Water, from €1,100, 18 June-3 July, albereta.it

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WELLNESS

as an Art

Oasis gives you a moment to stop and take a breath. Feel the freedom and relaxation in your body and mind. Let your senses be inspired in a private paradise. It is all waiting for you. The art of wellbeing.

The Oasis by Don Carlos Resort · Boutique Hotel Experience · Marbella T (+34) 933 271 455 · dcreservas@expogrupo.com · www.doncarlosresort.expohotels.com/en/the-oasis · www.expohotels.com

Hong Kong Delights Transported to the realms of 1920s glamour and elegance, Jenny Barrett wonders whether The Peninsula is the best hotel in Hong Kongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s buzzing cityscape

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The Rolls-Royce fleet on Tsing Ma Bridge

t might be a cliché to say so, but there really is nowhere quite like Hong Kong. This bustling metropolis straddles east and west, the dazzling lights of a hyper global city by no means overshadowing its Cantonese heritage. I had stayed on Hong Kong Island before but was after something different this time, so spent a few nights at the Peninsula group’s flagship – the grandest hotel in the city. I am collected from the airport in one of the Peninsula’s signature green Rolls-Royces and, after a near 12-hour flight, it is an odd feeling to find myself not wanting the journey to end. The instant I enter the foyer, I can see that the Peninsula is all about tradition and glamour. Built in 1928, this “grande dame” of the Far East exudes elegance. The beautiful lobby is the grand and gilded location for high tea (like The Ritz in London, this is something of an institution in Hong Kong); as the in-house live band, The Lobby Strings, starts to play in the background, and I am transported back to the 1920s. On the 23rd floor the dramatic view supports the idea that this may well be the city’s best hotel. Unlike its competitors nestled within the heights of Hong Kong Island, the Peninsula stands proud on the Kowloon Bay waterfront, overlooking the brilliant high-rise skyline. My room comes equipped with a telescope, and I am so fixated with the flashing lights and rainbow laser displays that I am almost late to meet my sister. A pre-dinner drink must be had at Felix, the bar and restaurant perched at the very top of the building on the 28th floor. The seats are quirky and unique, each featuring a portrait of the Peninsula’s longest-serving staff. Our attention is drawn to a portrait of Johnny Chung, a bartender here for more than 50 years, and we are treated to an entertaining anecdote dating back to the 1950s involving a screwdriver highball and Clark Gable. There are plenty of legendary tales surrounding the Peninsula, and no other hotel in the city possesses such star-studded history. We are whisked from the modern heights of Felix for dinner at Spring Moon, a stunning 1920s Shanghainese dining room. We opt for a tasting menu – and it’s lucky that we are feeling adventurous. Spring Moon offers the real deal:

Salon de Ning

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authentic Cantonese fare such as conch and goji berry; crab legs with winter melon; sea cucumber and goose web; and crispy rice served with lobster. We are celebrating my sister’s 30th birthday, and with true attention to detail, we are presented with an enormous chocolate cake to share for dessert. To cap off our sensory adventure, we journey underground to Salon de Ning for a digestif. This fun, chic speakeasy is based on the fictional character of Madame Ning, a 1930s Parisian socialite. Each cubbyhole represents a different aspect of her glamorous jet-setting lifestyle and we eventually find ourselves drinking champagne in a ski chalet – a rather unpredictable, subterranean end to an unforgettable night. After a busy morning of sightseeing, there is nothing like an afternoon spent relaxing. Hong Kong can be intense (especially the morning after copious glasses of champagne), but the Peninsula spa offers a full pampering package – even a “sleep ceremony” to alleviate tension and stress. I swim and sunbathe on the decking, then opt for a massage. Highly personalised treatments are based on an in-depth questionnaire, and I really feel the benefits, particularly following an hour

sipping ginger tea in the heavenly relaxation room. I snuggle into a supremely comfy bed and gaze out over the bay. Feeling refreshed, I head back out for an evening at one of the city’s top restaurants, Duddell’s. Hong Kong is not short of Michelin stars: it has no less than 60, making it the fourth most starred city in the world. There are a number of excellent French and Japanese restaurants (two of which, Gaddi’s and Imasa, are in the Peninsula itself), but last year Duddell’s acquired a second star for its Cantonese cuisine. Popular with a young Hong Kong set, it is also a great spot for dim sum brunch at weekends. We opt for the signature salted chicken and suckling pig, but our feast is not quite enough to stop me making the most of breakfast the next morning. With so much on offer at the Peninsula’s Verandah buffet, it is difficult not to have three helpings. The Peninsula mirrors Hong Kong; steeped in history and with a mixture of culture and cuisines that blend the old and the new. I feel so well looked after – and well-fed – that I am reluctant to leave. But at least I get one more ride in the Rolls. HK$3,880 per night, Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR, +852-2920 2888, peninsula.com

built as the last trans-Siberian railway stop, this hotel exudes elegance

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Sense&

Tranquility

For a spot of wine and sun-drenched serenity, Tom Hagues hits Six Sensesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first European outpost in Portugalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Douro Valley

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Nestled among vineyards in the depths of Portugal’s Douro Valley is a lush, green part of the world where a 900km river carves a winding path through the landscape. The Douro, which runs from Spain into Portugal at its northern end, once transported explorers, royals and hardened travellers to the wider world through Porto and across the Atlantic ocean. Thanks to the arrival of the Romans, the river’s banks soon became home to vast stretches of vines, quite literally sowing the seeds for the port and wine industries the valley is now famous for.

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Wealthy families began commercialising the Douro for its wine in the 17th century; its port quaffed in the houses and clubs of England’s elite. This history has given Portugal – and the Douro region – a world-renowned reputation as a cultural hotspot with a climate as reliable as its vintages. Within this peaceful UNESCO World Heritage site lies a 19th-century manor house hotel, where Six Senses has made its much-welcomed European debut. The latest addition to the group’s international portfolio of resorts – renowned for their impeccable spas, sumptuous lodgings

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From top: Six Senses Douro Valley’s reception room; wine library; master suite living room

and picture-perfect locations – is a convenient hour and a half’s drive from Porto, and as I bump down the long driveway, it is every bit as gorgeous as its far-flung cousins in the Maldives, Seychelles and Oman. I step into the hotel’s reception and notice the endless view across the valley for the first (but not last) time. I pick my bottom jaw up off the floor on the way to my bedroom, beautifully decorated in a white and sedate grey theme that does not distract from a double-height window overlooking the lazily winding river – and the bed in prime position to admire endless, brilliant blue skies. It is one of 41 bedrooms, nine suites and seven villas that underwent a multi-million euro renovation before the resort opened, with distinctively stylish Six Senses interiors that contrast with the hotel’s architectural romance. Some hotels are adorned with little design flourishes from which you can take inspiration home, be it an unusual sofa/cushion combination or a set of interesting vases. At Six Senses Douro Valley, I found myself wanting to install my own wine library. Looking out onto the terrace and over a sweeping canyon of vineyards rich with Bastardo and Tinta Barroca black grapes, wine tastings are held in the library throughout the week; its rotation offers a fantastic way to become acquainted with each of the valley’s terroirs. Keeping pace with Portugal’s burgeoning wine tourism industry, wine directors Francisca van Zeller and Sandra Tavares da Silva have curated a list to suit novices and connoisseurs alike. I am introduced to the Passa Douro

TRAVEL

White 2014 and the 2013 Van Zellers Douro red, along with a ruby and tawny port. All become fast friends and I make a note to stay in touch. Guests can learn about the age-old process of pruning, grafting, tying and harvesting on select weekends throughout the year, and what’s more, at any time of day or night, temperature-controlled machines can pour a glass of the region’s most popular wines. I move to the courtyard outside the restaurant, which sits under a tower that needs nothing more than a woman letting down her extraordinarily long hair to complete its fairytale feel. I enjoy a lazy lunch of tomato gazpacho with basil ice cream – cooling relief in 25°C heat – followed by octopus spaghetti and a fig tart. It is at this point that I feel at peace with the world. About 30 minutes’ drive away I board the hotel’s refurbished 1950s river boat from the small town of Pinhão, and chug off upstream. There are quintas lining each side, pleasure boats dotted along the surface, locals leaping off into the water and high up on the banks, the railroad runs parallel with the river. After an hour the boat turns around, and a great wind is funnelled up the river. I enjoy the hot breeze for a while – until it causes me to resemble a whinnying horse, at least – and retreat to the calm behind the wheelhouse as the temperature begins to cool for the evening. Those looking to venture to Porto for a day trip will need to journey west for an hour and a half to discover its medieval coastal delights. But head south for just 20 minutes and you will come upon Lamego: a city with cathedrals, churches and parks that offer up afternoons in beautiful dappled shade. Or drive east along the river and make a stop at DOC restaurant in Folgosa. Headed by chef Rui Paula, whose scallops and John Dory topped with a refreshing tomato and cucumber salsa – so fresh it may as well have leapt straight out of the water and onto my plate – are fine

examples of modern Portuguese cuisine, served on a deck over the Douro. Back at Six Senses, I know I am in safe hands at the holistic spa, so I let the atmosphere overwhelm me. My massage provides a thorough tenderising, beginning with a “singing bowl” treatment. For a moment, I really believe I will have to sing into a bowl, and wonder what good this could possibly do me; but when the bowl is rubbed in a certain way, it emits a long, low hum that soothes me into a state of unadulterated bliss. I am practically unaware there is anyone else in the room, and all but float to the indoor pool for a sauna, swim and further enhance my new-found well-being. At the chef’s counter of the Open Kitchen in the hotel’s Dining Room restaurant, head chef Paulo Matos deftly creates around seven courses (I admit to having lost count after a while), each dish prepared with the freshest local produce. Classic Portuguese ingredients are artfully molded into innovative, contemporary dishes such as veal bresaola with melon soup; and halfway through my steak I wonder whether I will ever find such contentment again. I conclude I probably won’t, and savour the moment. Enormous garlic and lemon langoustines are grilled in front of diners – and presented with much flourish – while a traditional Portuguese cake, normally served at Easter, has a soft, vanilla sweetness offset by tangy plums and figs. This Douro Valley gem marries Six Senses’ expertise with the sophistication and history of this part of Portugal’s luscious landscape. I would say that it’s a match made in heaven but really, this is probably the place where perfect matches are made. From €285 per night including taxes and breakfast for two. Quinta de Vale Abraão, Samodães, 5100-758 Lamego, Portugal, +351-254 660 600, sixsenses.com

Above right: the spa’s indoor swimming pool

Six Senses’ wine library offers a fantastic way to become acquainted with each of the valley’s terroirs

s l u x u ry l o n d o n . c o. u k s

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Kentisbury Grange, Kentisbury, Barnstaple, North Devon EX31 4NL weddings@kentisburygrange.co.uk | 01271 882 295 www.kentisburygrange.co.uk

& DINING

DRINKING

BY CAMILLA APCAR

Photography: Jean Cazals

Launceston Place

Get into the Spirit The Spirit Room at the Bulgari hotel celebrates the wonders of rum with four limited edition cocktails created by bar director Robert Gaggl. Embark on an adventure with a Chocolate Rum Fashion: Bacardi eight-year old, mandarin, chocolate and orange bitters, or go neat over ice to savour a spiced rum infused with vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and anise. Bacardi Carta Oro can be found coupled with dehydrated orange or vanilla, passion fruit purée and green tea; behind the dramatic hammered-metal bar, Bulgari’s expert mixologists have all bases covered. Until 31 May, 171 Knightsbridge, SW7, bulgarihotels.com

Image courtesy of: Bulgari Hotel

s l u x u ry l o n d o n . c o. u k s

There are few greetings that offer true comfort from having been caught in a spring downpour. A large wine or whisky, a box set queued to play or my favourite – an enthusiastic canine welcome. But at Launceston Place, before having even laid sight on the menu, it’s a shot of hot chocolate and half-melted marshmallow that extends a warm invitation to settle in for the evening. Tucked away from Gloucester Road and its surrounding mews, this Michelin-starred restaurant serves seasonal British produce. In March chef patron Raphael Francois joined by way of Hélène Darroze in Paris and at The Connaught, where he was executive chef when the restaurant gained its second Michelin star. With him the Belgian-born chef brings a new “market” dinner menu: mains of venison and squab join tried-and-tested cod and guinea fowl. Inside the 1839 townhouse a warren of informal if not-quite-cosy spaces serve business and pleasure in perfect, but suitably separated, harmony. To start, there’s egg with bacon, foie gras or a simple plate of goat’s cheese with beetroot and granola (the only dish to eschew size for artistic presentation). But give in to intrigue. Resting somewhere between sushi and cocktail, prawns in cardamom and apple broth should not be glossed over by apprehensive eyes. The new blue crab Simplissime is failsafe as well as filling – a few scoops beneath the supremely smooth and creamy top layer of potato reveals an intense centre of pressed meat.

Once the first course is cleared vegetarians will be hard pressed, while carnivorous diners face tricky decisions. Food envy will certainly come courtesy of Francois’ generous pork cut. Smoked with hay, slowcooked and pan-fried, then kept under a bell for just a few minutes, by the time it is uncovered at the table its smoky aroma is head-turning. Head sommelier Piotr Pietras has been selected to compete in the 2016 Sommelier of the World competition, and is ready to rescue those in despair of Launceston’s 26-page wine list. He selects an Oregon Pinot Noir – controversial but complimentary – for bass, which arrives with tangy seaweed and tempura fries. Desserts are limited. Poached apple and pecan parfait, crema catalana or a wicked dark chocolate confection with blackberries and rocket (for which room and time must be spared) form the trinity, although there are offmenu plates of the season’s freshest fruits too. Coupled with smart service, never overbearing or rushed, Francois’ expanded main menu is both welcome and – so I found – welcoming. 1a Launceston Place, W8, launcestonplace-restaurant.co.uk

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& DINING

DRINKING

Egg’s Benediction

Photography: Melvyn Vincent

Should the desire for eggs on toast, scrambled with smoked salmon or with poached with avocado on sourdough strike between the hours of 8am and 10pm, Eggbreak’s “any time” menu is fit to serve. The restaurant-cum-cafe opened its doors on Uxbridge Street at the beginning of March, a joint venture between Soho House group and Ennismore, whose supremely cool Hoxton hotels can be found in Shoreditch, Holborn and Amsterdam. The new menu offers breakfast, brunch – opt for the Mexican omelette or French toast – and a concise selection of burgers, steaks and salads at dinnertime. 30 Uxbridge Street, W8, eggbreak.com

Raising the Bar At the new private members’ bar set above The World’s End Market restaurant, wooden crates line the walls, a floor-to-ceiling library stands proud by the fireplace and a projector is poised for select screenings. The Grade-II listed King’s Road pub underwent a transformation earlier this year, emerging as a market-style all-day brasserie. For the new bar menu, The World’s End mixologists have experimented with their own infusions using herbs, spices and fruits: try a lavender syrup mojito or a pisco sour with hibiscus gin and pine syrup. Other classics with a twist include a chocolate and juniper take on the prohibition-era gin and green chartreuse Last Word, and an ambitious Mai Tai with a dash of plum bitters. Old Fashioned Bar, 459 King’s Road, SW10, theworldsendmarket.com

Twist and Shout Harvey Nichols has partnered with Grey Goose for the re-design of its fifth-floor bar, where a new menu using the vodka specialists’ original and fruity flavoured varieties can now be found. The Le Fizz Twist cocktails work their way through the seasons, from the Orchard’s vanilla syrup, pear vodka and soda water to the Autumnal’s citron vodka, lime and mint blend. Perfectly distilled refreshment, all year round. 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X, harveynichols.com

Photography: We The Food Snobs

Photography: Alejandra Carles-Tolra

A Little Italy At the top of Harvey Nichols you can find delectable afternoon teas, flawless seafood and Japanese cuisine – and now, a taste of Venice at Polpo, London’s go-to for small Italian plates and Venetian wines. Like its other branches in Chelsea, Notting Hill, Soho and Covent Garden, Polpo’s latest outpost is modelled on the bàcaro, a humble restaurant serving simple, tasty food. With unpretentious wooden furnishings, classic black and white tiling and white linens hanging quaintly over ceiling lamps, it transports diners to an unassuming Italian eatery. Yet a more robust attitude is to be found on the menu. My selection of the already well-loved dishes included grilled foccacia and a deceptively light but creamy potato parmesan crocchette; rich lamb ossobuco with saffron risotto; and fresh (and not too spicy) crab and chilli linguine. All were satisfyingly indulgent, and a pistachio and almond cake with mascarpone gave me the sense of tasting a homemade recipe. Whether looking for a casual, intimate dinner or to re-fuel on a shopping trip, Polpo delivers, fuss-free. Natasha Levy 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X, polpo.co.uk

Fawn over Flora

Frosting on the Cake Portobello Road has welcomed gluten-free bakery Pearl & Groove, where sweet temptation is baked daily on site. Try dulche de leche and sea salt, banana and peanut butter or Earl Grey tea cake. Made from natural, seasonal ingredients and using ground almonds as a preservative, these flavoursome delights (some are dairy-free and sugar-free) have a seven to ten-day shelf life. Sit in for a matcha latte, cold-press juice or workshop coffee or take away boxes of up to 12 sweet treats. And if that’s not enough, home and office deliveries are available to order too. From £3.95, 341 Portobello Road, W10, pearlandgroove.com Photography: David Griffin

s l u x u ry l o n d o n . c o. u k s

Tom’s Kitchen Chelsea will take its cue from the Royal Horticultural Society in May. Local florist Lavender Green Flowers will drape the townhouse restaurant’s pillars with hops and edible herb centerpieces planted at each table, while chef Tom Aikens has devised a series of additions to his à la carte menus including marinated Loch Duart salmon with grapefruit and nasturtium, a poached chicken risotto sprinkled with lemon, basil and marigolds, and ricotta served with elderflower and rose-poached rhubarb. Follow with a Hendricks, elderflower, cucumber and apple Chelsea Garden cocktail to welcome spring with open arms. 23-29 May, 27 Cale Street, SW3, tomskitchen.co.uk

095

Ivy League

Octavia Gray & India Whalley

Sarah Ann Macklin

Sabine Roemer & Hermione Underwood

Georgia Byng & Martha Fiennes

What: The Ivy Kensington Brasserie’s terrace launch When: 10 March Where: The Ivy Kensington Brasserie, 96 Kensington High Street, W8 Who: Amber Le Bon, Martha Fiennes, Sarah Ann Macklin, India Whalley and Georgia Byng What: The Ivy has opened a string of restaurants over the past year, but it’s the Kensington branch that has captured attention this spring thanks to its newlyopened terrace. Guests tucked into duck croquettes and truffle arancini followed by flutes of champagne on the venue’s opening night, which was was held in honour of International Women’s Day.

Take a Seat M.A. Malone & Beatrice Santell

Claire Blackshaw & Olivia Buckingham

Amanda Eliasch

Amber Le Bon

Madeleine Howell & Emily Jephcott

Frederica Fanari & Karolina Hicks

Olivia Buckingham, Claire Blackshaw & Amanda Eliasch

Photography: Alan Chapman ©Getty

Giles Deacon & Lulu Kennedy

What: Duresta for Matthew Williamson cocktail evening When: 10 March Where: Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X Who: Matthew Williamson, Kelly Hoppen, Lindsay Lohan, Alice Naylor-Leyland and Lady Alice Manners What: The fashion and interiors worlds collided to celebrate the launch of the Duresta for Matthew Williamson collection at Harrods’ interiors department. Guests danced around the designer’s new range of jewel-toned sofas, side tables and armchairs while drinking Harrods Premier Cru champagne and martinis with Chambord, and snacking on smoked salmon and Ragstone goat’s cheese canapés.

Eau So Lovely What: OdeJo fragrance launch When: 17 March Where: Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X Who: Jo Levin, Giles Deacon, Tom Ford, Raf Simons, Christopher Bailey and Lulu Kennedy What: Harvey Nichol’s fifth-floor bar was taken over by fashion’s elite to celebrate the launch of Jo Levin, Tim Blanks and Jeff Lounds’ debut fragrance, OdeJo. Kurobuta’s Japanese Izakaya-inspired canapés from were served, including BBQ pork belly steamed buns, sushi and green tea doughnuts. Bespoke Grey Goose cocktails were the drink of choice, referencing key notes from the perfume.

Jo Levin & Alexandra Shulman

Best Foot Forward

David Furnish, Jo Levin, Jeff Lounds, Dean Caten, Dan Caten, Gerry DeVeaux & Tim Blanks

David Furnish, Jo Levin, Dean Caten & Dan Caten

Katie Grand

Tim Blanks, Giles Deacon & Christopher Bailey

Raf Simons

Tom Ford

What: British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2016 When: 22 March Where: Bulgari Hotel, 171 Knightsbridge, SW7 Who: Alexandra Shulman, Sophia Webster, Elle Macpherson, Daisy Lowe, David Downton and Peter Pilotto What: A cocktail reception was held for the British Fashion Council and Vogue’s annual Designer Fashion Fund, an award that gives one budding designer a £200,000 grant and access to a 12-month mentoring programme. Guests raised a glass of Perrier-Jouët to winner Sophia Webster, who beat Emilia Wickstead, Mother of Pearl, Osman and Prism for the top prize. Previous winners have included Mary Katrantzou, Nicholas Kirkwood, Christopher Kane and Erdem.

LONDON LIVING Photography: ©Getty Images – David M. Benett

Matthew Williamson

Alice Naylor-Leyland

Lee Broom

Fiona Leahy & Lee Broom

Rosanna Falconer & Martine Lervik

Martine Lervik, Clive KenyonBrown & Rosanna Falconer

Venetia Falconer, Niomi Smart & Kelly Eastwood

Annalise Fard & Matthew Williamson

Matthew Williamson & Kelly Hoppen

Matthew Williamson & Lindsay Lohan

Kim Hersov & Joseph Velosa

Photography: Darren Gerrish, British Fashion Council

Daisy Lowe & Elle Macpherson

Caroline Rush, Sophia Webster & Alexandra Shulman

s l u x u ry london . c o. u k s

David Downton & Sophia Webster

Lauren Milligan & Scarlett Conlon

Osman Yousefzada & Mary Homer

Susanne Tide-Frater & Sarah Mower

Adam Shapiro & Anna Laub

Anna Laub, Amy Powney & Osman Yousefzada

Elle Macpherson & Alexandra Shulman

Mary Alice Malone & Roy Luwolt

Bobby Stockley & Sophia Webster

Sarah Penny

097

The Concierge What is it you require, sir? How may I help, madam? The Concierge is here to help with every need, whim or wish, however great or small Apparel

For the Home

Richard Ward

Smile Style Dental Care

Repairs & Cleaning

FurniturE, SOFT furnishings

82 Duke of York Square, SW3 4LY 020 7730 1222 richardward.com

146 Holland Park Avenue W11 4UE 020 7727 5810 smilestyledental.co.uk

& APPLICANCES

Jeeves of Belgravia 123 Fulham Road, SW3 6RT 020 7589 9229 jeevesofbelgravia.co.uk

Hutch Interiors 61 Golborne Road, W10 5NR 020 3659 4320 hutchinteriors.com

Sloane Tailors & Dry Cleaners 69-71 Lower Sloane Street SW1W 8DA 020 7824 8644

Precious Pieces

Katharine Pooley 160 Walton Street, SW3 2JL 020 7584 3223 katharinepooley.co.uk

Jewellery Valuation & repair

Ligne Roset

Hawkes and Son

23/25 Mortimer Street, W1T 3JE 020 7323 1248 ligne-roset.co.uk

50-52 Walton Street, SW3 1RB 020 7589 2523 hawkesandson.com Watch Repair

April Russell Design 89 Larkhall Rise, SW4 6HR 020 7720 0046 aprilrussell.com

Cartier 143-144 Sloane Street SW1X 9BL 020 7312 6930 cartier.co.uk

Sub-Zero & Wolf 251 Brompton Rd, SW3 2EP 0845 250 0010 subzero-wolf.co.uk

Beauty Salons & Spas

42 The Dental Practice The Chelsea Day Spa 69a King’s Road, SW3 4NX 020 7351 0911 thechelseadayspa.co.uk

42 Pembridge Road W11 3HN 020 7229 5542 42thedentalpractice.com

Hydrohealing Spa

The Portobello Clinic

216a Kensington Park Rd, W11 1NR 020 7727 2570 hydrohealing.com

12 Raddington Road W10 5TG 020 8962 0635 portobelloclinic.com

Strip Wax Bar 112 Talbot Road, W11 1JR 020 7727 2754 stripwaxbar.com

Haute Cuisine

Urban Retreat at Harrods

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park 66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA 020 7201 3899 barboulud.com

Bar Boulud 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL 020 7893 8333 urbanretreat.co.uk Medical & Dental Services

Bibendum 81 Fulham Road, SW3 6RD 020 7581 5817 bibendum.co.uk

The Watch Gallery

Nina’s House

Cadogan Street Dental Office

129 Fulham Road SW3 6RT 020 7952 2730 thewatchgallery.co.uk

281 King’s Road, SW3 5EW 020 7751 5827 ninashouse.com

47 Cadogan Street, SW3 2QJ 020 7581 0811

Vintage Watch Sellers

Pampering & Wellbeing

The Cow Chelsea Consulting Rooms

Hairdressers

2 Lower Sloane Street, SW1W 8BJ 020 7763 9100 chelseaconsultingrooms.com

Hari’s

Medicare Français

305 Brompton Road, SW3 2DY 020 7581 5211 harissalon.com

3 Harrington Gardens, SW7 4JJ 020 7370 4999 medicare-francais.co.uk

Watches of Knightsbridge 64 Knightsbridge SW1X 7JF 020 7590 3034 watchesofknightsbridge.com

Dining

89 Westbourne Park Road, W2 5QH 020 7221 0021 thecowlondon.co.uk

Electric House

WANT TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS LISTED HERE? If you are interested in promoting a service on these useful pages, please contact Sophie Roberts for more information s.roberts@runwildgroup.co.uk 020 7987 4320

191 Portobello Road W11 2ED 020 7908 9696 electrichouse.com

CONCIERGE

Gaucho

William Curley

Childcare

dog training

89 Sloane Avenue, SW3 3DX 020 7584 9901 gauchorestaurants.co.uk

198 Ebury Street, SW1W 8UN 020 7730 5522 williamcurley.co.uk

Kensington Nannies

M.A. Dog Training and Services

The Ledbury Restaurant

Drinking

3 Hornton Place, Kensington High Street W8 4LZ 020 7937 2333 kensington-nannies.co.uk

07547 716076 madogtraining@gmail.com madogtrainingandservices.co.uk

127 Ledbury Road, W11 2AQ 020 7792 9090 theledbury.com

The Mitre 40 Holland Park Avenue, W11 3QY 020 7727 6332 themitrew11.co.uk

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay 68 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HP 020 7352 4441 gordonramsay.com

The Botanist 7 Sloane Square, SW1W 8EE 020 7730 0077 thebotanistlondon.com

Hillside Clothes Care Boujis 43 Thurloe Street, SW7 2LQ 020 7584 2000 boujis.com Membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Clubs

Chelsea Arts Club Scalini

cleaners

1-3 Walton Street, SW3 2JD 020 7225 2301 scalinilondon.co.uk

143 Old Church Street SW3 6EB 020 7376 3311 chelseaartsclub.com

Umami

The Sloane Club

100 Cromwell Road SW7 4ER 020 7341 2320 umamilondon.co.uk

Lower Sloane Street, SW1W 8BS 020 7730 9131 sloaneclub.co.uk

Delicatessens

computer & technology help

Business Affairs

118 Kensington Park Road W11 2PW 020 7243 6900 hillsidedryclean.co.uk

Infusion Haberdashery and Dry Cleaners 3 Chepstow Road W2 5BL 020 7243 8735 infusion-haberdashery.co.uk

95 Notting Hill Gate W11 3JZ 020 7985 0903 purplebone.com

Little Luxuries Flowers

Nikki Tibbles Wild at Heart

Ottolenghi Delicatessen

Couriers

63 Ledbury Road, W11 2AD 020 7727 1121 ottolenghi.co.uk

Selena Courier Service

lifestyle services london lifestyle service

Melt Chocolates

White Circle Collection

59 Ledbury Road, W11 2AA 020 7727 5030 meltchocolates.com

71 Walton Street, SW3 2HT 020 7989 9890 whitecirclecollection.com

222 Westbourne Grove W11 2RH 020 7727 3095 wildatheart.com

specialist services BUILDERS AND DECORATORS

Lethbridge London Ltd Building & Decorating Specialist 020 3609 1918 lethbridgelondon.co.uk

William Gaze Ltd

s l u x u ry l ondon . co. u k s

psychotherapist

07770 378791 suzannethomas@suzannethomas.co.uk suzannethomas.co.uk

Richard Darsa

Chocolatiers

Frame Set & Match 111 Old Brompton RoadSW7 3LE 020 7589 7635 framesetandmatch.com

Purple Bone

78 Cadogan Place, SW1X 9RP 07768 200 551 richard@darsa.net

2-5 Duke of York Square, SW3 4LY 020 7730 7102 partridges.co.uk

PICTURE FRAMER

Suzanne Thomas

La Bottega

Partridges

Abels Moving Services UK Residential, European and International Removals & Storage 01842 816600 info@abels.co.uk, abels.co.uk

Pets

65 Lower Sloane Street, SW1W 8DH 020 7730 8844 labottega.co.uk

Suite 86, 235 Earls Court Road SW5 9FE 020 3643 5410 selenacourier.co.uk

moving services

Basement, Loft & Extension Specialist 020 7078 8874 williamgazeltd.com

security services

Westminster Security Ltd 34 Buckingham Palace Road SW1W 0RH 020 7123 4544 / 0755 4000 300 westminstersecurity.co.uk SHORT-LET RENTAL MANAGEMENT

Easy Rental Services aurelie@easy-rental-services.com 020 3567 0604 easy-rental-services.com EMOTIONAL WELLBEING THROUGH WRITINg

Ease your emotional baggage through writing. Sit with a writer and, using a specially developed format, write out your traumatic event or problem to release it. To book 60 or 90 minute appointments email info@lilybass.com or call 07733 112333, lilybass.com

099

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Resident’s Journal

Written for the residents of

sW6

APRIL 2016 • Issue 42

w w w. R e s I d e n t s J o u R n A L . c o . u k 020 7987 4320

To subscribe, please visit rwmg.co.uk/subscribe now

HOMES showcasing the

finest HOMES & PROPERTY from the best estate agents

Power Players An insight into how politics plays a crucial role in the global property market

Image courtesy of

Open new doors Move with Savills

CHELSEA

Guide £1.3 million

CHELTENHAM TERRACE SW3 619 sq ft 1 1 1 EPC=C

6525|01 K&C Sales DPS One ART.indd 1

NOTTING HILL

Guide £995,000

WESTBOURNE GARDENS W2 2 1 2

850 sq ft EPC=C

CHELSEA

Guide £1.45 million

IFIELD ROAD SW10 3 1 3

1,109 sq ft EPC=D

01/04/2016 13:12

6525

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EARL’S COURT

Guide £2.395 million

CHELSEA

Guide £4.25 million

COLEHERNE COURT SW5 4 1 2

1,660 sq ft EPC=E

WILBRAHAM PLACE SW1 4 2 2

1,676 sq ft EPC=D

Guide £0.00 million

13:12

SOUTH KENSINGTON

Guide £1.895 million

EARL’S COURT

Guide £2.25 million

ONSLOW GARDENS SW7 2 1 2

890 sq ft EPC=C

BOLTON GARDENS SW5 3 1 2

1,223 sq ft EPC=D

6525|01 K&C Sales DPS One ART.indd 2

01/04/2016 13:11

SPECTACULAR VICTORIAN WAREHOUSE CONVERSION

ST MICHAELS STREET W2 4 2 4

6525|02 Prime Sales DPS Advert ART.indd 1

3,464 sq ft EPC=D

Guide ÂŁ4.95 million

Studio space | 2 reception rooms | 4 bedrooms (1 en suite) further bathroom | 2 shower rooms | patio garden

01/04/2016 13:30

6525

STUNNINGLY REFURBISHED HOUSE ON ONE OF NOTTING HILL’S COMMUNAL GARDEN STREETS

KENSINGTON PARK GDNS W11 3,842 sq ft 6 3 4 Grade II listed

13:30

6525|02 Prime Sales DPS Advert ART.indd 2

Guide £12.5 million

3 reception rooms | 6 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms direct access to communal garden and indirect access to Ladbroke Square

31/03/2016 11:11

CHARMING LOW BUILT HOUSE IN DESIRABLE NOTTING HILL LOCATION

LADBROKE ROAD W11 6 4 3

6525|03 KEN Prime Sales DPS Advert ART.indd 1

4,732 sq ft EPC=F

Guide ÂŁ9.995 million

06/04/2016 10:16

6525

ELEGANT HOUSE BENEFITTING FROM FRONT AND REAR GARDENS

HOLLAND PARK AVENUE W11 2,453 sq ft 4 3 2 EPC=F

10:16

6525|03 KEN Prime Sales DPS Advert ART.indd 2

Guide ÂŁ3.25 million

06/04/2016 10:18

NOTTING HILL

Guide £6.95 million

BAYSWATER

Guide £2.2 million

WELLINGTON CLOSE W11 4 1 4

3,831 sq ft EPC=C

PRINCES MEWS W2 2 1 2

1,200 sq ft EPC=D

BELGRAVIA

Guide £3.7 million

SOUTH KENSINGTON

Guide £3.65 million

KINNERTON STREET SW1 3 2 3

1,604 sq ft EPC=E

REECE MEWS SW7 3 2 2

1,955 sq ft EPC=C

6525|04 K&C Mews Sales DPS ART.indd 1

31/03/2016 16:18

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IMMACULATELY REFURBISHED MEWS HOUSE

ENNISMORE MEWS SW7 4 2 5

16:18

6525|04 K&C Mews Sales DPS ART.indd 2

2,900 sq ft EPC=D

31/03/2016 16:21

Call us 7 days a week on 020 7877 4640 savills.co.uk

KENSINGTON

£1,500 pw + fees apply*

CHELSEA

£650 pw + fees apply*

VICARAGE GATE W8 1 1 2

1,368 sq ft EPC=C

GILSTON ROAD SW10 1 1 1

754 sq ft EPC=B

NOTTING HILL

£465 pw + fees apply*

KENSINGTON

£650 pw + fees apply*

WEST ROW W10 1 1 1

561 sq ft EPC=B

MELBURY ROAD W14 1 1 1

903 sq ft EPC=E

* Fees to include drawing up the tenancy agreements and reference change for one tenant – £282 inc VAT one-off fee. £36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor reference where required. Inventory check out fee – charged at the end of or early termination of the tenancy and the amount is dependant on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details visit savills.co.uk/fees

6525|05 K&C Lettings DPS ART.indd 1

01/04/2016 15:33

6525

BEAUTIFULLY REFURBISHED TOWNHOUSE

WILTON PLACE SW1X 5 3 4

4,403 sq ft EPC=F

CONTEMPORARY BRIGHT PENTHOUSE

EGERTON GARDENS SW3 3 2 3

15:33

6525|05 K&C Lettings DPS ART.indd 2

1,585 sq ft EPC=D

01/04/2016 15:34

Campden Hill Square, Kensington W8 Five bedroom house with access to garden square A beautiful family house situated in this highly regarded and sought after location. The house faces directly on to the garden square with a west facing garden to the rear. 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, double reception room, kitchen, dining room, conservatory, utility room, terrace, rear garden, paved front garden. EPC: D. Approximately 278 sq m (2,981 sq ft). Freehold

Guide price: £7,450,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/kensington kens@knightfrank.com 020 3551 5156

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/KEN140225

Kensington & Chelsea Mag - new

06/04/2016 17:35:31

Paultons Square, Chelsea SW3 Immaculate family house on a beautiful garden square With fabulous views over one of Chelsea's best kept garden squares, this is a beautifully presented and particularly well laid out house with a garden and terrace. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, study/conservatory, garden, roof terrace. EPC: E. Approximately 226 sq m (2,433 sq ft). Freehold

Guide price: £5,250,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/chelsea chelsea@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5903

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/CHL140330

Paultons, 28 K&C

07/04/2016 16:06:08

Trevor Place, Knightsbridge SW7 A stunning and generously proportioned five bedroom period town house This exceptional property has recently been meticulously refurbished and extended to provide a luxury family home in the heart of Knightsbridge. 4 double bedroom suites, separate staff accommodation, 2 reception rooms, kitchen/dining room, media room, secondary kitchen, utility room, guest cloakroom, laundry room, private patio. EPC: D. Approximately 297 sq m (3,204 sq ft). Freehold

Guide price: £8,500,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/knightsbridge knightsbridge@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5913 waellis.com sales@waellis.com 020 7306 1620

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/SLA150043

Kensington and Chelsea May (JSA) Trevor Place 4

07/04/2016 12:01:44

Lonsdale Road, Notting Hill W11 Beautifully presented two bedroom flat A rare opportunity to acquire a contemporary flat with private off street parking and garden patio. Master bedroom with en suite shower room, 1 further bedroom, bathroom, open plan kitchen/reception room, dining room, patio, off street parking. EPC: C. Approximately 107 sq m (1,153 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 85 years remaining

Guide price: £1,850,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/nottinghill nottinghill@knightfrank.com 020 8166 5449

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/NGH160031

2A Lonsdale Road K&C May 2016

07/04/2016 09:20:11

EXCEPTIONAL LOCATIONS We pride ourselves on exceptional service and unrivalled market knowledge, with a global network of 417 offices across 58 countries that can showcase your property to the widest possible audience. If you are considering selling your property please contact us on 020 3641 6122 KnightFrank.co.uk/southkensington southkensington@knightfrank.com 020 3641 6122 Guide price: £1,895,000

Cranley Gardens, South Kensington SW7 A rare opportunity to purchase a truly stunning, immaculately presented top floor, two bedroom apartment. 2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen/dining room, private access on to 2 undemised roof terraces, upper floor with lift. EPC: E. Approximatley 73.9 sq m (795 sq ft). southkensington@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 6122

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £5,750,000

Hereford Square, South Kensington SW7 A five storey period freehold house offering spacious accommodation with access to the beautiful garden square. 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen, 2 reception rooms, terraced garden, access to garden square. Grade II listed. Approximatley 310.1 sq m (3,338 sq ft). southkensington@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 6122

K&C Mag - MAY ISSUE to print

07/04/2016 09:25:35

Palace Gardens Terrace, Kensington W8 A spectacular three bedroom property An extensively renovated apartment finished with meticulous detail combining a perfect blend of contemporary living with period charm. The apartment has been expertly designed and is blessed with an abundance of natural light throughout. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room, bespoke kitchen, guest wc, private garden and terrace. EPC: C. Approximately 114.4 sq m (1,231 sq ft). Available furnished or unfurnished

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings kensingtonlettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 7308

Guide price: £2,200 per week KnightFrank.co.uk/KEQ233073 All potential tenants should be advised that as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

K&C April

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

07/04/2016 10:34:15

Royal Avenue, Chelsea SW3 Beautifully refurbished five bedroom house Just off the vibrant King's Road and within a short walk to Sloane Street, this house has been newly refurbished to exacting standards. Generously proportioned open plan living spaces have been arranged around a stunning galleried triple height atrium. 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, double reception room, dining room, family room, media room, study, wood floors, large kitchen, utility room, garden. EPC: D. Approximately 305 sq m (3,280 sq ft). Available unfurnished

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings knightsbridgelettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 6019

Guide price: £6,250 per week KnightFrank.co.uk/KNQ195030 All potential tenants should be advised that as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

K&C May 2016

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

06/04/2016 12:58:38

Queensdale Place, Notting Hill W11 A bright three bedroom Victorian terraced house A beautifully presented house, set over four floors located on a quiet street in Holland Park. The property features a large reception room on the raised ground floor and a kitchen, dining area and guest cloakroom on the lower ground floor with French doors leading out to a large west-facing garden. The first and second floors comprise 3 bedrooms, bathroom and shower room. EPC: F. Approximately 127 sq m (1,367 sq ft). Available unfurnished Guide price: £ 1,450 per week KnightFrank.co.uk/NHQ101743 All potential tenants should be advised that as well as rent, and administration fee of £276 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

K&C May - Queensdale Place 17

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings nottinghilllettings@knightfrank.com 020 3551 9610

@KFNotting_Hill KnightFrank.co.uk

07/04/2016 12:12:37

PROPERTY

Herbie Rides Again After a year and a half in Chiswick, Elizabeth “Herbie” Holder has returned to Knight Frank’s Notting Hill office as Associate Lettings Manager – and is ready to roll Over the Past couple of years Notting Hill has seen a handful of

Photography by: Sarel Jansen

shops change faces, several houses have been gutted and renovated, and traffic lights have popped up on the corner of Westbourne Grove. “But it’s minor really,” says Elizabeth Holder, who began her Knight Frank career here in 2007, before relocating to Chiswick at the end of 2014 to open the company’s new office. Now, she’s back. “Even though I’m returning to my old patch, Notting Hill feels refreshed and new yet somehow the same – and it’s really exciting.” Holder may have been at the desk as head of lettings for a few weeks, but has a wide range of properties from a beautiful family house at £5,570 per week to a studio at £330 per week. Holder’s career has followed the road straight from Notting Hill to Chiswick and back again. “I don’t think the two areas are that dissimilar at all,” she says. The house market becomes busy during the same period (a wave of new applicants come to the market in the spring and summer months, in time for the new school year), and both share similarities of mainly British, European and American tenants, with reputable and international schools in the area as a pull. “Applicants ‘moving west’ was one of my main reasons for working in Chiswick. The area is a lovely place to live – as is Notting Hill, and I’m really glad to be back,” says Holder.

Notting Hill feels refreshed and new yet somehow the same – it feels like I’m coming home

Nationality of tenants

New instructions coming to the market

Late spring has been busy for the lettings office, as it usually is each year in Notting Hill. “Research shows that there was an influx of buy-to-let landlords purchasing property at the end of March, before the implementation of the additional three per cent stamp duty that started on 1 April,” Holder describes. “The Research Letting Agency states applicants have increased by 19 per cent compared to this time last year. It’s probably likely that we’ll see a reduction in buy-to-let landlord investors due to the change, and there is an opinion that rents may increase.” But there is advantage beyond the stamp duty changes for some overseas buyers, as the pound has weakened since January. “It’s a clear incentive to buy property here, regardless of the additional stamp duty,” says Holder. “If the UK stays in the EU, I’m sure the sterling will strengthen quite quickly.” The office now has an energetic team with more than 21 years of experience and knowledge, and is looking forward to the rest of the year, renting a wide range of properties. “It feels like I’m coming home. Even though my name is Elizabeth Holder, people here really know me as “Herbie”, which was derived from my maiden name Herber Davies.” 298 Westbourne Grove, W11, 020 7985 9990, knightfrank.co.uk

Knight Frank data based on the last 12 months

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s l u x u ry l o n d o n . c o. u k s

PROPERTY

PrimeQResi

Property News

Journal of Prime Property

PRIME RESI provides us with a comprehensive monthly round-up of key news about the local luxury property market

Cromwell Mansions, image courtesy of: aLL Design

primeresi.com

Supply & Demand London’s luxury property market has recently fallen out of favour with investors, both domestic and foreign. Leading property agent Crayson examines some of the reasons why

Chip off the Old Block Plans to extend a classic Victorian mansion block have caused some consternation in the Royal Borough. Dating back to 1889 and located just around the corner from Earls Court, the imposing red-brick Cromwell Mansions currently houses 12 flats, but proposals have been lodged to extend skywards and add a few more. Big deal, you might say, but the two-storey and three-storey affairs envisaged by Vyner Street-based aLL Design are not your average mansards. RBKC is currently looking at plans that provide for four new units in total (including one five-bed penthouse with expansive terraces and staff accommodation), taking the form of striking U-shaped steel and timber structures perched atop Cromwell Mansions. According to the design team, the extensions would be constructed off-site and built “to a very high environmental standard with high levels of insulation and airtightness”. There have been a fair few objections from local residents, including some colourful descriptions drawing comparisons with “spaceships” and “boomboxes”. aLL Designs’ Will Alsop’s response to these comments was: “I have tried to produce a thing of beauty. If you look at the myriad of roof additions on this stretch of the road they are very ugly as a result of trying to fit in.”

A Cut Below The Royal Borough has confirmed it is to remove permitted development rights for all basement extensions from April. The council made an Article 4 direction last year and followed up with a consultation that ran between April and June. The direction has now been confirmed by Key Decision and comes into force on 28 April 2016. The upshot is that all basement developments boroughwide will require planning permission from then on. To avoid any niggles, RBKC defines a basement extension as “the enlargement, improvement or other alteration of a dwelling house by way of basement development, light wells or any other development below the dwelling house or its curtilage.” The move is the latest in a longrunning campaign against subterranean development by London councils, spearheaded by RBKC.

s l u x u ry l o n d o n . c o. u k s

China’s economic slowdown in 2015 was the greatest in 25 years. According to The Wall Street Journal, China’s GDP grew 6.9% last year, with some economists predicting a tougher year in 2016. Having the second largest economy, this is likely to cause concern among investors the world over. The rouble has weakened significantly against GBP and all other major currencies, largely due to oil prices plummeting. In simple terms, this is a case of supply and demand fuelled in part by the US and UK’s decision to lift sanctions on Iran. Stamp duty (SDLT) increases on residential ownership and the additional 3% added to second home purchases has reportedly made UK’s property taxes the highest of any country in the world. A worldwide taxation on non-domiciled individuals effective from 2017 is also expected to drive many of London’s wealthiest business owners overseas, taking their beneficial business interests and activities with them, such as employment, training, and so on. While London property prices have outperformed the FTSE, DOW Jones and UK Gilts over the past 15 years, it has had its fair share of cyclical highs and lows. And although we champion the asset in the long term, it makes sense not to buy blindly. Instead, you should seek professional advice. With London property being a favoured asset class the world over, the internationally-held view is that the UK is a politically and economically-safe environment in which to conduct business. London property prices have slowed down of late due to multiple factors (some of which have already been listed). However, with runaway prices and a global understanding that wealthy expats and overseas investors should be held accountable for profits earned here is probably not altogether a bad thing. Prices are likely to stagnate at the top end of the market where we believe opportunities for the canny investor still lie. As we await the referendum on 23 June, a ‘wait and see’ attitude has arisen from investors. My personal feeling is that if we leave Europe, sterling will take a hit, making prices seem even more favourable for anyone buying in euros or US dollars. Arguably, Britain will be more protected and desirable than ever to foreign buyers. If we were to remain in Europe, the risk and uncertainty that many are experiencing will be removed, allowing them to start making plans again. Either way it just needs to be over with so people can move on. With June 23 fast approaching, we don’t have much longer to wait. Crayson, 10 Lambton Place, W11 2SH, 020 7221 1117, crayson.com

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Hans Place, SW1X An immaculately presented and elegantly furnished three bedroom duplex apartment located on the first and second floors (with lift) of a period building in this exclusive garden square. The property comprises of master suite with excellent storage, two further double bedrooms (both ensuite), double reception room with wooden floors and wonderful garden views. It also features a modern kitchen with separate utility room, lutron lighting, air cooling and an integrated sound system. EPC: D *Tenant Charges Tenants should note that as well as rent, an administration charge of £216 (Inc. VAT) per property and a referencing charge of £54 (Inc. VAT) per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit www.hamptons.co.uk/rent/tenant-charges

Hamptons Knightsbridge Office Lettings. 020 7584 2014 | Sales. 020 7717 5461

£2750 per week. Long let • • • • • •

3 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms Lift Air Cooling Communal Garden Integrated Sound System

(charges apply)*

Hortensia Road, SW10 A fantastic two bedroom, two bathroom apartment on the first floor of this modern development in SW10. The property has a fantastic open plan kitchen (fitted with Miele appliances) and reception room, with lots of natural light, that has wood floors, comfort cooling and underfloor heating. EPC: B *Tenant Charges Tenants should note that as well as rent, an administration charge of £216 (Inc. VAT) per property and a referencing charge of £54 (Inc. VAT) per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit www.hamptons.co.uk/rent/tenant-charges

Hamptons Chelsea Office Sales. 020 7717 5431 | Lettings. 0207 3700 774

£750 per week (charges apply)* • • • • • •

2 Bedrooms Underfloor Heating Comfort Cooling Day Porter Lift Off Street Parking

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Iverna Court, W8 £1,895 per week Unfurnished (charges apply)* A spacious and rarely available five bedroom lateral apartment in this popular mansion building, located moments from Kensington High Street. The apartment has been refurbished and benefits from access to a communal garden square. (1,851 sq ft / 172 sq m). EPC: D

Wrights Lane, W8 £950 per week SHORT LET (charges apply)* A spacious one bedroom apartment on the sixth floor of this popular Kensington development available for short let. The apartment boasts west facing views, wood floors and a 24 hour porter. Offered Furnished (609 sq ft / 56.58 sq m). EPC: D

Hamptons Kensington Office Sales. 020 7717 5461 | Lettings. 020 7717 5459

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

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M ARKABLE We make sure that every encounter with our team is just that. Remarkable. Selling or buying a property should be a process you walk away from feeling you simply couldn’t have done it better. And our different approach doesn’t just feel good, it gets great results. Which is why statistically speaking we’re making such a mark in selling and buying in our patch. Give us a call today and find out how.

020 7221 1117 www.crayson.com

10 Lambton Place London W11 2SH

hello@crayson.com T 020 7221 1117 10 Lambton Place London W11 2SH

St Charles Square North Kensington W10 Wildly chic, excellent location, newly decorated â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a family house for someone with excellent tasteâ&#x20AC;Ś That spread in Architectural Digest is yours for taking with this cool and quirky Victorian house.

020 7221 1117 www.crayson.com

10 Lambton Place London W11 2SH

Master bedroom floor with two en-suite bathrooms Four further bedrooms One further bathroom Double reception room Kitchen / Dining area Conservatory Utility room Terrace Garden Self-c0ntained studio apartment with its own entrance Approx 3,412 sq ft/ 317 sq m Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea EPC rating band E Sole Agent Freehold Guide Price ÂŁ4.6 million

The Old Courthouse West Kensington W14 A resoundingly positive verdict: this duplex has space, light and a real deal neighbourhoodâ&#x20AC;Ś Recently converted and completely fabulous â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you could happily live in the common parts. If entertaining is your gig, this is a lateral space that is almost impossible to find in Central London.

020 7221 1117 www.crayson.com

10 Lambton Place London W11 2SH

Reception room Dining room Master bedroom suite Mezzanine level Media room One further bedroom One further bathroom Cloakroom Garden / Terrace 2,631 sq ft/ 244.42 sq m Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham EPC rating band C Joint Sole Agent Leasehold Guide Price ÂŁ2.495 million

A quirky, yet elegant apartment in an imposing red-brick building Matching people and property in London for 160 years.

Alexander Square SW3 £7,850,000 A well-presented five-bedroom, Georgian townhouse located on a private Knightsbridge road with allocated on-street parking and stunning garden views. Freehold.

• Built circa 1830 • Grade II listed period townhouse • Set over five floors • Prime location Prime Sales: 020 7591 5570 PrimeSales@marshandparsons.co.uk

Albert Hall Mansions SW7 £6,750,000 In the immediate neighbourhood of the Royal Albert Hall, this impressive four-bedroom apartment occupies a substantial part of a stunning, red-brick period building. Share of Freehold. EPC=C

• Private street entrance • Porter service • Close to Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park • Prime location Prime Sales: 020 7590 0800 PrimeSales@marshandparsons.co.uk

Garden Mews W2 ÂŁ3,250,000 A fabulous three-bedroom house tucked away in this quiet enclave of Notting Hill. Freehold. EPC=C Notting Hill Sales: 020 7313 2890 sales.not@marshandparsons.co.uk

Ladbroke Gardens W11 ÂŁ2,850,000 A wonderful opportunity to acquire a rarely available three-bedroom garden maisonette. EPC=D Notting Hill Sales: 020 7313 2890 sales.not@marshandparsons.co.uk

Proud sponsors of

3rd | 4th | 5th June

Coleherne Court, The Little Boltons

Chelsea SW5

share of freehold

The first time to market in over 30 years, this truly special 4 bedroom, raised ground floor apartment occupies arguably the best position in the block & offers the rare & sought-after privilege of direct access onto the award-winning communal gardens. This unique family apartment boasts southerly & westerly aspects over gardens, thus providing excellent light throughout the principle rooms. EPC rating D

Chelsea

020 7594 4740

sales.chelsea@chestertons.com

ÂŁ3,950,000

chestertons.com

Walton Street

Chelsea SW3

A fabulous 4 bedroom house boasting extensive terracing & situated in this landmark street between Knightsbridge & South Kensington. Walton Street is well known for its eclectic array of independent restaurants, fashion boutiques & art galleries. The house is presented in excellent condition & measures approximately 1,873 sq ft of internal accommodation. EPC rating C

Chelsea

020 7594 4740

sales.chelsea@chestertons.com

ÂŁ3,850,000 freehold

Proud sponsors of

3rd | 4th | 5th June

Carmel Court, Holland Street

ÂŁ6,950,000

Kensington W8

freehold

A truly unique 5 bedroom home located in a quiet enclave off Holland Street, one of Kensingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sought after areas. Converted from 2 Victorian artist cottages, the contemporary property comprises a bright living/reception room space with double-height ceiling, a stunning open plan Poggenpohl kitchen & a guest cloakroom. There are 5 double bedrooms (all en-suites), a media room, sauna, wine cellar, utility room & an attractive courtyard style garden. EPC pending

Kensington

020 7937 7244

sales.kensington@chestertons.com

chestertons.com

Kensington Church Walk

Kensington W8

A 3 bedroom Victorian, end of terrace freehold house with a roof terrace & off-street parking for 1 car. The property offers a bespoke kitchen by De Menagerie with integrated Gaggenau appliances, an open plan dining area, a bright reception room as well as a guest cloakroom. There are 3 bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms & ample storage. Kensington Church Walk is located off Holland Street & is a pretty & secluded courtyard just off Kensington High Street. EPC rating C

Kensington

020 7937 7244

sales.kensington@chestertons.com

ÂŁ4,300,000 freehold

Completely at home in West London.

Our services Sales and Lettings Land and New Homes Block and Estate Management Property Solicitors Chartered Surveyors Financial Services Visit kfh.co.uk

With over 35 years’ experience and more than 55 branches across the Capital, our local knowledge and London network will ensure we achieve the right result for you. Local branches include • Fulham • Fulham and Chelsea • Holland Park • South Kensington

05 May 16 Brand adverts.indd 1

30/03/2016 09:39

05.16

Cheyne Place, Chelsea, SW3 £16,000,000 Fulham 020 3486 2280 fulhamroad.sales@kfh.co.uk

09:39

05.16 KFH Runwild Kensington and Chelsea.indd 2

An outstanding seven storey, seven bedroom townhouse in the heart of Chelsea, benefiting from generous entertaining space, a stunning master suite and a roof garden with southerly views over the River Thames.

• • • • • • • •

Master suite and six further bedrooms Five bathrooms Five reception rooms Indoor swimming pool and gym Garden and roof garden 6,500 sq ft of accommodation Freehold EPC rating D

06/04/2016 09:32

Westgate Terrace, Holland Park, SW10 £560 pw / £2,427 pcm

A stunning two bedroom apartment on the first floor of a period conversion, boasting high quality furniture in the open plan reception, Miele appliances in the kitchen and Swarovski chandeliers.

Holland Park 020 3542 2120 hollandpark.lettings@kfh.co.uk

Westgate Terrace is a quiet street off Old Brompton Road, moments from all the amenities of Fulham Road, Earls Court and South Kensington.

• • • • • • •

Two bedrooms One bathroom First floor Refurbished to a very high standard Flooded with natural light Furnished EPC rating C

£210 tenancy agreement fee per property. Other fees apply, visit kfh.co.uk/lettingsfees

05.16 KFH Runwild Kensington and Chelsea.indd 3

06/04/2016 09:32

05.16

09:32

Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, SW5 £675 pw / £2,925 pcm

Newly redecorated one bedroom apartment set on the second floor of a beautiful, secure building with 24 hour porterage and lift. All principal rooms overlook the two acre communal gardens which can be accessed directly from the building.

South Kensington 020 3040 6380 southkensington.lettings@kfh.co.uk

This established period building is ideally located on the Chelsea/ Earls Court borders and is within walking distance of Earls Court and Gloucester Road underground stations.

05.16 KFH Runwild Kensington and Chelsea.indd 4

• • • • • • •

One double bedroom Reception room Stylish kitchen Dining room Built in storage space Furnished EPC rating D

£210 tenancy agreement fee per property. Other fees apply, visit kfh.co.uk/lettingsfees

06/04/2016 09:32

HAYDENS PLACE, PORTOBELLO ROAD, W11

Share of Freehold For Sale - ÂŁ4,500,000

One of a development of five houses set behind a gated entrance off the world famous Portobello Road. An unexpected oasis of tranquillity. West facing, architect designed and totally refurbished. Arranged over two floors of excellent lateral living space with the benefit of a private patio leading to communal gardens. Circa 2,157 sq.ft. 3 reception rooms, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, two terraces and parking.

PORCHESTER PLACE, CONNAUGH VILLAGE, W2

Leasehold For Sale - ÂŁ2,675,000

A wonderful family house arranged on four floors with an attractive rear garden. Beautifully presented and deceptively large with excellent proportions. It also benefits from a fantastic studio reception room occupying the entire top floor with a roof terrace. The owners have access to both Cambridge Square and Norfolk Square communal gardens. Circa 2,770 sq.ft. 2 receptions, 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, terrace and garden.

FITZJAMES AVENUE, WEST KENSINGTON, W14

Share of Freehold For Sale - ÂŁ2,395,000

An elegant second floor apartment in this stunning red brick Victorian mansion block. Beautifully presented with traditional features throughout. Circa 1,670 sq.ft. spacious drawing room, dining room, fitted kitchen, principal bedroom with bathroom en suite, 2 further bedrooms, family shower room. The property also has two balconies with lovely views.

PENZANCE STREET, HOLLAND PARK, W11

Leasehold For Sale - ÂŁ879,995

Close to all the first class shopping and transport facilities readily to hand, a tastefully refurbished maisonette on the ground and first floors of a modern well kept block in the heart of W11. The apartment would be ideal for a young family, pied a terre or rental investment. Reception room opening to kitchen, 3 bedrooms, bathroom, cloakroom and private garden.

VERNON YARD, NOTTING HILL GATE, W11

To Let - ÂŁ795 per week

Boasting a private decked roof terrace and stunning kitchen, this two bedroom house in a sought after mews located just off the internationally renowned Portobello Road. The spacious accommodation is split over three floors and comprises reception room, modern kitchen and dining room, 2 bedrooms, office space, 3 bathrooms. Ideal for entertaining.

QUEENSDALE PLACE, HOLLAND PARK, W11

To Let - ÂŁ1,450 per week

An attractive Victorian house with a sunny west facing rear garden in this quiet cul-de-sac. The property has been maintained to an extremely high standard and is beautifully presented throughout. The accommodation comprises double reception room, bespoke kitchen/family room, sun room, guest cloakroom, 3 bedrooms, bathroom and shower room.

PRINCEDALE ROAD, HOLLAND PARK, W11

To Let - ÂŁ375 per week

A newly refurbished second floor flat situated in this popular residential road, within easy walking distance of the first class shopping and transport facilities readily to hand at Holland Park Avenue. The accommodation comprises open planned living space with modern kitchen, bedroom, contemporary style wet room and private roof terrace.

MELBURY ROAD, HOLLAND PARK, W14

To Let - ÂŁ775 per week

Presented in excellent condition, a first floor flat in this beautiful red brick building, moments from the gates of Holland Park and the amenities at Kensington High Street. The property consists of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a very large reception room and fitted kitchen. The building benefits from a lovely communal garden and parking on a first come first served basis.

Appellation contr么l茅e Vin de pays Producing a great vintage requires patience, experience, skill and just a little bit of luck. We apply a similar approach to our sales and lettings business: listening carefully to your precise requirements, using our many years of experience and skilfully matching properties and services for our exacting and demanding clients. Thankfully we're not quite so reliant on the weather.

If you are looking to buy, sell or rent a property, please get in touch T 020 7014 3800 www.1stasset.co.uk

15:20

RUTLAND GATE A G AT N E SE P£ 1E,G G AReD R DEeNE NS S GAD ROH TL EO N SC WT 7 |EN TO 0G 0A 0AR P rDW eN kS

• One bedroom

SCO NW S I3N| |GTO NmS£1,200 W 7 | £PW 3.595m HUE TL H S EKAE S £T2O.LET 3 CHELSEA SW3

This stunning newly refurbished 1 bedroom apartment on the raised ground floor of this elegant stucco fronted building offers the highest standards in modern interior designed interiors, Situated on the second floorappliances. of a beautiful red brick building, this boasting a wealth of hi-tec apartment has been refurbished to the highest standard with modern furniture and wood flooring throughout. The apartment comprises Located within an easy walk of Harrods, Harvey Nichols, a large reception room and dining area, separate modern kitchen, Sloane Street and High Street Kensington boutiques as well two double bedrooms with built in storage, study area and fully tiled as Hyde Park, Sloane Square and The Royal Albert Hall. modern bathroom. Cadogan Gardens is a prestigious address ideally located for the many fashionable boutiques, bars and restaurants Chelsea and Knightsbridge have to offer.

This bedroom This bright newly three refurbished twoapartment bedroom on the fourth floor has spectacular apartment in Prime Knightsbridge views over Stanhope has high ceilings and Gardens access toand two secure car parking spaces. stunning communal gardens.

Address P ROPERTY

AGENT

P R I V E´

Address Address

3Grand bathrooms ••1Immaculate condition high ceilings •• bedroom apartment

••Newly Large reception •• refurbished throughout 2Raised interconnecting receptions rooms groundroom floor designer furnishings •with Separate kitchen

•• Overlooking Long lease Stanhope Gardens

••Open-plan designer kitchen Two double bedrooms

•• Lift accessrefurbished Recently

••Walking distance of Harrods Fully tiled bathroom

•• 24 hourrefurbished porter Newly common parts

Study area ••Walk-in shower room / wet room

•• 2Access secureto underground parking spaces communal gardens

Wood flooring ••Furnished to the highest standards •••Modern Purpose built blockbuilding behind period façade Classical redbrick furnishings • Available early July 2015

•• Use of communal gardens Central Knightsbridge location

1st Asset Management

Telephone

+ 44 (0) 207 014 3800

7-9 Street 1st Asset Management 1stTryon Asset Management

Email Telephone Telephone

info@1stasset.co.uk ++44 44(0) (0)207 207014 0143800 3800

London SW3 3LG 7-9 Street 7-9Tryon Tryon Street

Web Email Email

www.1stasset.co.uk info@1stasset.co.uk info@1stasset.co.uk

Web Web

www.1stasset.co.uk www.1stasset.co.uk

London LondonSW3 SW33LG 3LG

FIRST_ASSET_A4_STANHOPE.indd FIRST_ASSET_A4_EDGERTON.indd 1 1

32 double bedrooms Double bedrooms •• ground ﬂoor ••Raised Prestigious address

05/02/2015 05/02/2015 15:20 15:20

T o v t

FIRS

15:20 15:20

S TA N H O P E G A R D E N S

• 3 double bedrooms

SOUTH KENSINGTON SW7 | £3.595m

• 3 bathrooms • 2 interconnecting receptions rooms • Overlooking Stanhope Gardens

This bright three bedroom apartment on the fourth floor has spectacular views over Stanhope Gardens and two secure car parking spaces.

Address

FIRST_ASSET_A4_STANHOPE.indd 1

• Lift access • 24 hour porter • 2 secure underground parking spaces • Purpose built block behind period façade • Use of communal gardens

1st Asset Management

Telephone

+ 44 (0) 207 014 3800

7-9 Tryon Street

info@1stasset.co.uk

London SW3 3LG

Web

www.1stasset.co.uk

05/02/2015 15:20

THE ART OF MOVING UK RESIDENTIAL, EUROPEAN & INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS

Abels.

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Memb No: A001

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04/04/2016 15:02

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HOMES showcasing the FINEST PROPERTIES from AROUND THE WORLD

Alpine Elan Start every day with views of Austriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s majestic mountains

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struttandparker.com

Adnet, Salzburg, Austria

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Boasting contemporary elegance and impressive views, this stunning villa is a true example of Alpine excellenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Price on Application

Positioned on the edge of a high meadow, this exceptional villa has magnificent 360-degree views of the Salzburg Mountains. Located only 25 minutes away from the airport and Mozartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthplace in Salzburg, the villa was designed by the renowned architect Volker Hagen and constructed in 2007. The result is a stunning contemporary villa with windows that span the entire height of the rooms, letting in the magic of the alpine landscape.

Lulu Egerton 020 7225 3866 lulu.egerton@struttandparker.com

The Point Of No Return ucked away in the hills of the prestigious west coast of Barbados, Royal Westmoreland is the T exclusive hideaway where residents lead the lifestyle of dreams Rear exterior of the Idyll Moments Villa with pool

This is a cautionary tale – when holidaying in Barbados, you may find yourself taking extreme measures to extend your stay. If that fails, you’ll most certainly be booking your next Barbados break before the first is over. So what is it about Barbados? It’s hard to say – it could be the idyllic year-round climate, excellent restaurants, beautiful beaches, lush hills, flourishing botanical gardens, or perhaps the varied cultural calendar. I guess, the better question to ask is, what’s not to like about Barbados, because the answer is simple, nothing. And so the cautionary tale continues… Royal Westmoreland, private estate and world renowned golf resort, is perfectly positioned in the rolling hillsides of St James, which is situated on the prestigious west coast of Barbados. The properties are sold freehold and range from luxurious one-bedroom apartments to stunning seven bedroom villas, scattered amongst 750 acres of landscaped grounds. The Royal Apartments start from US$395,000, while the latest Sugar Cane Mews four-bedroom semidetached villas fetch around $1.75m.

If you’re looking for something specific, don’t be misled into thinking you’ll be forced to select from a catalogue of properties, that’s not the case at Royal Westmoreland. Custom build properties give buyers the freedom to create a luxury villa to meet their needs, on prime plots at some of the most sought-after addresses on the island. At the elite end of the estate, plots spanning up to 50,000sq ft are available freehold from US$975,000 to US $3.96m. If you have something very specific in mind, there’s even opportunity to employ your own team of architects and engineers. If you prefer the idea of buying off plan, the design team has gone to great lengths to meet the varying needs of different buyers, so you’re bound to find something that fits the bill. The Royal Apartments offer a choice of one-, two- and three bedroom residences ranging in size, from 830sq ft to 2,000sq ft. However, if the associated living space of a villa appeals, there’s the option of a Royal Villa or a Sugar Cane Ridge Villa. The former is a three bedroom residence, boasting French doors that open up to a living and dining

PROPERTY

Above and below/ Idyll Moments Villa

The Clubhouse

Fairway view

area, and a partly covered terrace that’s perfect for entertaining. Before I potentially burst your bubble, I should mention that there’s only one Royal Villa remaining for sale, so don’t delay. Finally, the Sugar Cane Ridge Villas are semi-detached properties with idyllic views of the golf course, and the option of a four metre plunge pool or sun terrace. As an owner or guest at Royal Westmoreland, you’re granted access to the 7,045-yard golf course that was designed by acclaimed course designer, Robert Trent Jones Junior. And for true enthusiasts, lessons are available from the director of golf, British professional golfer, Bill Longmuir. Membership benefits also extend to use of the Sanctuary pool, gymnasium and tennis courts for those in search of some rest and relaxation, and the Beach Club at Mullins Bay serves up local cocktails as you watch the ocean wash up on the pristine beach. If perhaps the lifestyle sounds lovely, but you really need it to appeal to your rational side, you are in luck. For those not quite ready to make the

s l u x u ry l o n d o n . c o. u k s

full commitment, Royal Westmoreland offers a fractional ownership program that starts at US$53,600, and when it’s time for an upgrade, the resort will buy it back at ten per cent uplift. Furthermore, the Barbados economy has long been one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean and it is regularly included among the best foreign places to invest for a number of reasons. As a member of the British Commonwealth, investors, benefit from a stable government, a low rate of tax for those whose income comes only from foreign sources, an efficient and transparent judiciary system, and high standards of medical care. Add to this, a resort-wide increase of eight per cent over the last two years, not to mention, two of the highest possible awards in the categories of ‘Best Golf Development’ and ‘Best Single Property’, at the International Property Awards 2015-2016, and you have every justification one rational mind could possibly need. For more information, visit royalwestmoreland.com, or contact the sales team on 01524 782649.

157

Kensington Church Walk, Kensington W8

£4,300,000

A sensational three bedroom home situated in a prime Kensington location. This Freehold property benefits from excellent living accommodation with an open plan kitchen and spacious reception allowing for a wonderful feeling of space and light throughout. Approximately 1,592 sq ft (148 sq m)

© 2016 UK Sotheby’s International Realty. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty is a registered trademark licensed to UK Sotheby’s International Realty in the UK. Each offïce is independently owned and operated. All information non - contractual, approximate and subject to error, change and withdrawal without notice. Rent excludes administration fees. Please contact our offïces who can provide this information.

sothebysrealty.co.uk

Fulham Road, Chelsea SW3 ÂŁ2,499,500 A magnificent mansion building with stunning views over the Pelham Crescent and beyond. This two bedroom apartment, developed by Ivar London, provides generous accommodation with a central entrance hall, large reception room with an open plan dining area and also benefits from a lift. Approximately 1,008 sq ft (94 sq m)

Two bedrooms | Two bathrooms | Immaculate interiors | Lift Raphael Fitoussi, Associate Director t +44 203 7140 751 | m +44 7791 535 533 raphael.fitoussi@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Rutland Gate, Knightsbridge SW7 ÂŁ750 pw

A lovely two bedroom apartment in prime Knightsbridge, situated on the third floor of a period building with lift and an abundance of natural light. There are wooden floors throughout with a separate kitchen and good storage. The amenities of Knightsbridge and open spaces of Hyde Park both moments away. Approximately 694 sq ft (64 sq m)

Two bedrooms | One bathroom | Prime location | Lift Olivia McSweeney, Lettings Manager t +44 203 714 0754 | m +44 7525 595 504 olivia.mcsweeney@sothebysrealty.co.uk

t | +44 (0)20 7495 9580 e | london@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Established 1897

IMPERIAL CRESCENT, Fulham SW6 An exceptional modern five bedroom house (approximately 4,225sq ft/ 392sq m) offering extremely flexible living accommodation, in an outstanding gated development located five minutes’ walk to Imperial Station. This well-proportioned property includes two first-floor reception rooms (both with balconies), an open-plan kitchen / dining room, study, master bedroom with ensuite bathroom, dressing room and two balconies, four further bedrooms (two with ensuite bathrooms), two family bathrooms, two cloakrooms and a utility room. There is also a double garage, a garden and a separate studio with bathroom which could be used as an additional entertainment space or staff accommodation. Imperial Wharf is quietly located close to the Thames and benefits from on-site security, porterage, guest parking and access to landscaped communal gardens. EPC rating D. Guide price: £4,250,000 Leasehold: Approximately 982 years remaining 020 7225 5911 mark.greenway@harrodsestates.com

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: +44 (0)20 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: +44 (0)20 7409 9001 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: +44 (0)20 7225 6700 KENSINGTON OFFICE: 48-50 KENSINGTON CHURCH STREET W8 4DG T: +44 (0)20 3650 4600

HARRODSESTATES.COM @HarrodsEstates

Established 1897

HORNTON STEET, Kensington W8 A spacious two bedroom apartment (approximately 936sq ft/ 86.9sq m) located on the lower ground floor of a beautiful period building. The apartment benefits from a spacious reception room, separate kitchen, master bedroom with ensuite bathroom, second bedroom with ensuite bathroom, a study area and a private patio. Hornton Street is ideally situated between Kensington High Street and Notting Hill and within walking distance of Holland Park and Kensington Gardens. EPC rating D. Guide price: ÂŁ1,400,000 Share of Freehold 020 3650 4600 alexander.white@harrodsestates.com

HARRODSESTATES.COM @HarrodsEstates

CROWN LODGE, CHELSEA SW3

£1,295,000 SHARE OF FREEHOLD • TWO BEDROOMS • TWO BATHROOMS • OPEN PLAN KITCHEN/RECEPTION ROOM • • NEWLY REFURBISHED • 24 HOUR PORTER • GYM • SWIMMING POOL •

CHELSEA OFFICE 2 Cale Street, London SW3 3QU +44 (0)20 7581 5011 chelseaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk

henryandjames.co.uk

REDESDALE STREET, CHELSEA SW3

£1,195 PER WEEK • THREE BEDROOMS • TWO BATHROOMS • LARGE RECEPTION AND DINING ROOM • • INTERIOR DESIGNED • HIGH CEILINGS • SOUND SYSTEM • PATIO GARDEN • EPC C • Plus £240 Tenancy Fee and £60 Referencing Fee (per person)

CHELSEA OFFICE 2 Cale Street, London SW3 3QU +44 (0)20 7581 5011 chelseaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk

henryandjames.co.uk

PRINCES GATE, KENSINGTON, SW7 With French doors from the double reception room to the garden, this well presented lateral apartment of approx. 1580 sq.ft has garden views from every room. The apartment offers three bedrooms, two bathroom (one en suite), open plan reception/dining room with double doors leading onto the terrace, a modern fitted kitchen with Bosch appliances and a guest cloakroom. There is a 24 hour porter and car parking spaces are available. Situated opposite Hyde Park. EPC Rating E.

PRICE: £4,950,000 SHARE OF FREEHOLD

AIX-EN-PROVENCE • BERLIN • BROOKLYN • CANNES • COURCHEVEL • DOHA • GENEVA • GSTAAD • LAKE COMO • LONDON • MADRID • MALTA • MANHATTAN • MAURITIUS • MEGEVE

www.john-taylor.com

FOUNTAIN HOUSE, PARK STREET, MAYFAIR, W1K With panoramic views of Hyde Park, on Park Lane, a 6th floor apartment in this prestigious building with 24 hour concierge services and lift. In need of refurbishment, the apartment has a large entrance hallway, formal sitting and dining rooms, fitted kitchen, family room, three double bedrooms, staff bedroom, three bathrooms and a guest cloakroom. EPC Rating C. JSA Savills, Mayfair.

£6,950,000 LEASEHOLD

John Taylor UK 48 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AX Tel: 020 3284 1888 Email: london@john-taylor.com

MERIBEL • MIAMI • MILAN • MONACO • MOSCOW • PALM BEACH • PARIS • ST JEAN-CAP-FERRAT • ST PAUL DEVENCE • ST TROPEZ • THE HAMPTONS • VALBONNE

www.john-taylor.com

ACADEMY GARDENS KENSINGTON W8

ÂŁ1,150 per week

www.century21uk.com/nottinghill

nottinghill@century21uk.com

BREAKSPEAR HOUSE BREAKSPEAR ROAD NORTH UB9

ÂŁ1,550,000 leasehold

10 Clarendon Road London W11 3AA

020 7229 1414

BODENS bodensresidential.com

ST LUKES STREET, SW3 £1,475 PER WEEK UNFURNISHED

SUBJECT TO CONTRACT + ADMIN FEES APPLY Subject to Contract + Admin Fees Apply

SMART THREE STOREY FAMILY HOUSE

1st Floor Reception | Fully Fitted Open-plan Kitchen/Dining Room Leading Onto Patio Terrace | Ground Floor Study/Playroom |

lettings@bodensresidential.com

020 7225 0433

SUBJECT TO CONTRACT + ADMIN FEES APPLY

BRAND NEWLY REFURBISHED FAMILY HOUSE

lettings@bodensresidential.com

Entrance hall | 1st floor reception with fireplace | ground floor

020 7225 0433

JUBILEE PLACE, SW3 £2,400 PER WEEK UNFURNISHED

PC-D

102 Draycott Avenue Chelsea SW3 4AD

KENSINGTON GATE, W8 £8,150,000 SUBJECT TO CONTRACT

BODENS bodensresidential.com

sales@bodensresidential.com

020 7589 2000

ASTELL HOUSE, ASTELL STREET SW3 £1,545,000

AN EXCEPTIONAL ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT WITH OFF STREET PARKING

sales@bodensresidential.com

SUBJECT TO CONTRACT

020 7589 2000

Queen’s Gate Terrace, SW7 1,511 SQ.FT/140 SQ.M

A bright and very well-proportioned 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom family apartment with direct lift access. Occupying the fourth & fifth floors, the generous reception room has access to a private terrace which has superb roof top views.

Price £2,450,000

SHARE OF FREEHOLD

020 7590 9339

Elvaston Place, SW7 921 SQ.FT / 86.SQ.M

A 2 bedroom raised ground floor apartment with a magnificent south facing reception which has an impressive with a high ceiling and original fireplace. There are new, solid wood floors throughout and the communal parts and building are both newly decorated.

Price £1,695,000

L/H 160 YEARS

020 7590 9339 38 GLOUCESTER ROAD, SW7

WWW.DOMINICLONDON.COM

SALES@DOMINICLONDON.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY OF GALLERY INTERIOR

A MARYLEBONE GALLERY SO PRIVATE, ONLY A FEW WILL EVER SEE IT

A new gallery now open in fashionable Marylebone is unmissable; but to visit this venue at The Chilterns, on Chiltern Street, you’ll need to buy a property there – and just three apartments remain, each designed by Rabih Hage. As a resident, you’ll have exclusive access to the gallery, displaying large-scale works by iconic photographer David Bailey, and there’s a five-star concierge, private spa, gymnasium and cinema. Minutes from Mayfair and the Regent’s Park, Chiltern Street has fabulous boutiques and restaurants, including the celebrated A-list Chiltern Firehouse - all on your gallery’s doorstep.

thechilternsw1.com For more information about The Chilterns or to arrange a private appointment, please contact Oksana d’Offay on +44 (0)20 8418 1070 or email oksana@thechilternsw1.com

LEW0989 MAL K&C MAY16_OL.indd 1

31/03/2016 20:59

Elevated London living built on a reputation of excellence The Penthouse Collection, Prices on Application

Chelsea Creek Show Apartments and Marketing Suite 9 Park Street, Chelsea Creek, London SW6 2FS 020 3733 1153 sales@chelseacreek.co.uk | www.chelseacreek.co.uk

Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies Computer generated image is indicative only.

20 Montpelier Street Knightsbridge London SW7 1HD

SLOANE AVENUE, SW3 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms (1 en Suite) | Reception/Kitchen/Dining Room | 733 sq.ft | 2 Balconies | Lift | 24h Porterage | EPC C This newly reconfigured and arguably rare to the market two bedroom apartment occupies a premium position on the sixth floor to the peaceful rear of this well serviced block; with far-reaching westerly views over Lucan Place and beyond. The well-appointed flat, entered via a secure 24 hour concierge, smart communal entrance and lift access; offers larger than normal accommodation for the building. The property would make an ideal home, pied-a-terre or investment property within the heart of Chelsea and could easily be occupied immediately without any further expense to the incoming purchaser.

ÂŁ1,395,000, STC Leasehold

WILTON PLACE, SW1X 6 Bedrooms | 7 Bathrooms | 3 Receptions | Kitchen | Plant Room | Pool | Sauna | Wetroom | 3,846 sq.ft | Lift | Balcony | Patio Garden | Terrace | EPC D A spectacular newly-refurbished six bedroom townhouse, making an ideal central London home. The property benefits from recent technology throughout whilst retaining the charm of its period character. The accommodation is beautifully-proportioned and arranged over six floors with lift access. The property comprises a large indoor pool, sauna and wet room; as well as 3 reception rooms and an impressive master bedroom suite, marbled bathroom, plus 5 further bedrooms all with en suite bathrooms. Wilton Place is positioned in prime Belgravia, offering super-luxury living with world-famous amenities and a wealth of amusements, all on your doorstep.

ÂŁ5,950 Per Week Furnished

T: +44 (0)20 3770 3474

info@nicolasvanpatrick.com

Show home now now for for sale sale

Including all all furniture furniture and and interior Including interior design designby byaward awardwinning winningpractice, practice,Jigsaw Jigsaw Luxurious 55 bedroom •• Luxurious bedroom townhouse townhouseatatArgyll ArgyllPlace Place • Terrace views overlooking Kensington Memorial Park • Terrace views overlooking Kensington Memorial Park • Private gardens and secure underground parking • Private gardens and secure underground parking • On-site Montessori nursery • On-site Montessori nursery • Available to move into now • Available to move into now Contact our selling agents • Priced at £3,100,000 Contact our selling agents • Priced at £3,100,000 020 3667 5569 020 3667 5583 020 3667 5569 020 3667 5583

www.argyllplace.com www.argyllplace.com

* Details and prices correct at time of going to press. Photographs depict the show home and terrace view of Kensington Memorial Park at Argyll Place. Furniture included when property is boughtand at the asking priceatonly. speak to a member of the sales team further * Details prices correct timePlease of going to press. Photographs depict the for show homedetails. and terrace view of Kensington Memorial Park at Argyll Place. Furniture included when property is

bought at the asking price only. Please speak to a member of the sales team for further details.

=AG GINNY TIARKS HICKS SOPHIE

SYDNEY STREET,LONDON, LONDON SW3 020 7351 7822 FAX:M: 020 7351 2274 117117 SYDNEY STREET, SW3 6NR 6NR TEL: TEL: 020 7351 7822 07530 689536 e-mail: ginny@hlrlets.com website: e-mail: sophie@hlrlets.com website:www.hlrlets.com www.hlrlets.com

CHESHAM CLOSE, SW1

SLOANE COURT EAST, SW3

A newly refurbished house which is extremely light and bright having been decorated in a neutral style with newly installed kitchen and bathrooms. This property has a fabulous kitchen/dining room as well as a double reception room on the first floor. The master bedroom is located on the second floor with a spacious dressing room/4th bedroom and large modern bathroom with shower. The house is situated in a cul-de-sac which is extremely well presented and secure and there are two off-street parking spaces available.

A stunning and meticulously refurbished ground floor maisonette featuring an elegant west facing drawing room opening directly onto the communal gardens. This flat has been beautifully decorated and furnished in an elegant contemporary style with excellent bathrooms and a modern white kitchen with breakfast area as well as being wired for audio/ video/data and telephone communications. It is conveniently located close to Sloane Square Underground, local shops and restaurants.

- 3 BEDROOMS - DOUBLE RECEPTION - KITCHEN/DINING ROOM - 3 BATHROOMS - DRESSING ROOM/4TH BEDROOM - 2 PARKING SPACES

- MASTER BEDROOM (EN-SUITE BATHROOM) - 2ND DOUBLE BEDROOM (ENSUITE SHOWER ROOM) - DRAWING ROOM - KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM - CLOAKROOM/UTILITY ROOM - STUDY AREA - SEPARATE STOREROOM INTEGRAL MUSIC SYSTEM - DIRECT ACCESS TO COMMUNAL GARDENS

£1850 per week

UNFURNISHED

£1450 per week

FURNISHED

DR AYCOTT PLACE, SW3

LAUNCESTON PLACE, W8

This former dance studio has been refurbished to create a beautiful and spacious first floor two bedroom apartment. The property has an amazing 40 foot long elegant reception room with high ceilings and is perfect for entertaining. There are two double bedrooms, the master having a large dressing area with lots of storage as well as two bathrooms ensuite, the second bedroom has an ensuite shower room. The bespoke kitchen is situated on the corner of the apartment and has floor to ceiling windows and offers plenty of room for dining as well as cooking.

A super mid-terrace house located in this very popular area close to High Street Kensington and Gloucester Road. This house has an excellent ground floor double reception room with a west facing window over the pretty mature garden which can be accessed from the hallway. In addition there is a large kitchen/family room with doors onto the garden. There are two good sized double bedrooms, the master having an ensuite plus two smaller bedrooms which are ideal for young children. This house is perfect for both entertaining and family living.

- TWO DOUBLE BEDROOMS - DOUBLE RECEPTION - TWO BATHROOMS - SHOWER ROOM - KITCHEN/DINING ROOM - AIR CONDITIONED

- 4 BEDROOMS - 2 BATHROOMS - KITCHEN - RECEPTION ROOM - UTILITY ROOM - GUEST WC - GARDEN - EPC RATING F

£2000 per week

UNFURNISHED

117 Sydney Street London SW3 6NR Lettings: 0207 351 7822 or info@hlrlets.com

£2650 per week

UNFURNISHED

Property News PRIME RESI provides us with a comprehensive monthly round-up of key news about the local luxury property market

House prices in the first 40 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s life

Power Players The additional stamp duty on second homes from 1 April, the London mayoral election on 5 May and the EU referendum on 23 June are what everyone is talking about, says Elena Dimova, managing director of CENTURY 21 Sophia Elena House prices in the past 50 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s life

Present value of £619 invested in 1926

A Royal Ascent To mark and show respect for HM The Queen’s 90th birthday on 21 April, estate agency Jackson-Stops & Staff has worked out that house prices have risen by 47,000% during her lifetime. The average UK house was valued at £619 in 1926, when Elizabeth was born; in 2016, the average value according to the ONS is £291,505. That’s a 471-fold increase, or +47,021%. Over the period the UK’s cost of living index rose by 5,413%, implying that £619 cash in 1926 would now be worth £34,105. To put things in a bit more context, Jackson-Stops points out that if a pack of butter which once cost 5.3p (1s – ¾d) in 1926 rose in line with the UK’s average house prices, it would now cost £24.97. So when Prince Charles reaches 90 in 23 years’ time (November 2038), the UK average house price will be £1.3m; if Prince William hits 90 in 2072, the average UK house price will be £11.3m, and if Prince George reaches 90 in 2103, a typical UK house will be £86.8m. Jackson-Stops does however say that “most would agree that another 471-fold increase in house prices [over the next 90 years] is exceedingly unlikely.”

The pound has suffered in comparison to the US dollar due to the uncertainty a potential Brexit poses for the UK economy and the currency. To illustrate what that means for London property, if you bought a £1m home in July 2014, and you are a USD-based investor, you would have paid $1.71m. If you buy a £1m home today, this would cost you $1.41m, or in other words $300,000 or 17.5% less. In the same period, according to the Land Registry, property prices went up by 5.5% in the Royal Borough and 10.1% in Westminster, therefore leaving quite a bit of the discount still sitting on the table. Will sterling weakness persist? If there is a vote in favour of Brexit, the continued uncertainty may prolong it. But if there is a vote to stay in the EU, once the fears alleviate and sterling recovers, USD-based investors should see additional returns on UK property from currency gains. USD-based investors include many countries and territories outside of the US, including the Middle East, where investors are looking to diversify away from exposure to a weak oil price. The exchange rate between the US dollar and the pound is further affected due to global economic uncertainty and currency volatility, pushing investors to seek quality assets, such as the USD and prime central London property. Having just returned from our annual Century 21 Global Conference in the US, it was encouraging to hear about the amount of positive energy in the US property market, where they are seeing an unprecedented level of foreign investment in US real estate, especially from Chinese buyers. They are experiencing a shortage of stock and often multiple offers on properties. The story is similar in Canada where, due to a weaker Canadian dollar versus the USD, some people are selling properties in the US and buying in Canada. And of course, the controversial US election is the biggest thing happening the other side of the pond. In a year where big political games are in play around the world, with prospective economic consequences, we expect to see global currency fluctuations be an important factor to what happens to real estate prices and activity. CENTURY 21 Sophia Elena, 10 Clarendon Road, W11 3AA 020 7229 1414, century21uk.com

PROPERTY

PrimeQResi Journal of Prime Property

primeresi.com

Out of the Gate

Ormonde House 8 Eaton Gate, image courtesy of: Pastor Real Estate

A super-rare renovation project has come up for sale on one of Belgravia’s best turnings. The Grade II-listed Ormonde House on Eaton Gate is being billed as “a bargain” and “the ultimate grand design home” by Curzon Street-based Pastor Real Estate. Measuring 6,255 sq ft, the six-storey townhouse dates back to 1905 and was originally designed by Balfour & Turner, key architects to the Westminster Estate. Currently a nine-bed “blank canvas”, there are reportedly plans in place to turn the unloved behemoth into a super-prime residence with four massive suites. Pastor’s David Lee estimates that £1.7m-£2m worth of work could bump the value from £10.8m (£1,734 per sq ft) up into £14.5-£16m territory (an average of £2,449 per sq ft). Noteworthy features include a marble-floored reception hall with ornate plasterwork and decorative fireplace, a grand dog-leg staircase with turned balusters, an original four-man wood and mirror-panelled lift servicing all floors, coffered ceilings and some pretty glorious bay windows.

Fair Cop

Trophy Home A glorious period villa in Holland Park has been sold for £53,489,500. The megadeal is the second biggest house sale recorded by the Land Registry over the last year (the biggest being the £80m paid for 15a Kensington Palace Gardens). Plans went in to refurbish and extend the stucco-fronted property – reportedly once owned by Virgin boss Richard Branson – back in 2007, including a huge basement complete with a full-sized squash court. Designs submitted by historic building specialists Giles Quarme & Associates were given the go-ahead by the Royal Borough, thereby signalling a painstaking four-year programme of works that would transform the property into one of London’s pinnacle trophy homes. There’s believed to be around 12,500 sq ft of internal space in total now, including a first floor master suite, another five bedroom suites and grand reception rooms. Other features include a pool, hobby room, library, gym and garden.

s l u x u ry l o n d o n . c o. u k s

Malaysian property giant Amcorp has continued its buying spree in prime central London, snapping up a £45m block of flats in Belgravia. The 1950s Kilmuir House on Ebury Street is opposite Berkeley’s super-prime Ebury Square scheme, and currently houses 49 two-bedroom apartments used as accommodation for Met Police staff. The buyer expects to take vacant possession by 30 April. The total square footage of the building is 35,225, arranged over ground and eight upper storeys, with an average apartment size of 719 sq ft. The block itself is no looker, but the location of the 0.44 acre site was the big selling point, being only 550 metres from Sloane Square, and with triple frontage to Eaton Terrace, Ebury Street and South Eaton Place. The fact that Berkeley managed to crack £3k per sq ft just over the road was also mentioned. The JV is mulling over a number of options for the site, including a “redevelopment and repositioning”. This is by no means the only prime-located former Met Police asset destined for a makeover; the former Chelsea police station is currently being designed up into a high-end residential scheme by Squire & Partners after being secured by Mayfield for £40m plus. Sol Zackay’s London-based lender Topland Group has also confirmed acquiring a brace of police authority sites itself last year, through JVs with residential developers. Finally, Abu Dhabi’s New Scotland Yard resi development bagged planning for a hyper-luxury Northacre-managed scheme called Ten Broadway just last month.

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Anderson Street, Chelsea SW3

A fabulous freehold period house in the heart of Chelsea, recently refurbished throughout with an integral garage and four double bedrooms.

Chelsea 020 3813 9448 chelsea@struttandparker.com

ÂŁ5,950,000 Freehold

Eldon Road, Kensington W8

An impressive six bedroom Victorian family house, occupying 3,523 sq ft with excellent entertaining space, a south-facing garden and two terraces.

Kensington 020 3813 9477 kensington@struttandparker.com

ÂŁ6,750,000 Freehold

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Cadogan Place, Knightsbridge SW1

A lateral penthouse apartment with west-facing views over communal gardens.

ÂŁ7,500,000 Share of Freehold

Knightsbridge 020 3813 9270 knightsbridge@struttandparker.com JSA: Savills 020 7590 5064

Cheyne Walk, Chelsea SW3

This house is beautifully presented with a 49 ft garden, a leasehold garage and spectacular south-facing views across the Thames and Albert Bridge.

£9,700,000 Freehold / £4,600 per week* Unfurnished

* The following Tenant charges may apply prior to tenancy commencement: Tenancy Agreement £222 (inv VAT) Credit Reference per application £54 (inc VAT). All advertised prices are excluded and other associated services.

Chelsea Sales 020 3813 9448 chelsea@struttandparker.com

Chelsea Lettings 020 3813 9547 chelsea.lettings@struttandparker.com

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Radipole Road, Fulham SW6

A newly refurbished bright and spacious three bedroom split level flat on this popular residential street situated moments from Parsons Green.

£725 per week* Unfurnished

Arundel Gardens, Notting Hill W11

A beautifully refurbished two bedroom apartment, situated in a striking stucco fronted period building, in the heart of Notting Hill.

Fulham 020 7731 7100

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£850 per week * Furnished

Notting Hill 020 7221 1111

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Cadogan Street, Chelsea SW3

A bright and stylish Georgian house offering superb open plan living accommodation on this popular Chelsea street.

£1,700 per week* Unfurnished

Cadogan Place, Knightsbridge SW1X

An excellent first and second floor maisonette with an outstanding drawing room, exquisite garden views and 416 sq ft roof terrace.

£3,950 per week* Furnished

Knightsbridge 020 3813 5116

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211 Regent Street, L ondon • Westfield Shepherds Bush, L ondon • L ondon City Airport

211 Regent Street, L ondon • Westfield Shepherds Bush, L ondon • L ondon City Airport Also available at Case, Harrods and Selfridges Also available at Case, Harrods and Selfridges