The Cheshire magazine April 2015 by Runwild Media Group

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Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

From the

Editor

EDITOR’S PICKs

#1 Kompoloi gold-plated, jade and cotton bracelet, £135, Iam by Ileana Makri (net-a-porter.com)

#2 Cole & Son Whimsical Collection (cole-and-son.com)

3 #3 Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, 14 March - 2 August (vam.ac.uk)

pring is definitely here and just as the bulbs bear the first colours in the garden, it’s time to refresh our wardrobes. We take inspiration from the S/S15 catwalk shows (page 30) and get some hints and tips on how to incorporate these great new trends into our wardrobes (page 34). I have to say, I’m loving the nature inspired outfits from Valentino and Cavalli. Still on the topic of design, we take a look behind the scenes of the new Alexander McQueen exhibition Savage Beauty (page 42) which will be opening at the V&A later this month celebrating his originality and love of ‘demolishing the rules but keeping the tradition’. If your S/S15 wardrobe is already in hand or fashion is just not your thing, don’t despair. We speak with local lady Lizzie Prestt about capturing the personality of landscapes (page 48) and Sir Nicholas Hytner about his return to north west theatre (page 54). As well as some great ideas for Easter. I catch some sun on the relaxed island of Barbados in true style which leaves me yearing to return(page 104), Richard Yarrow puts the Porsche Cayenne Turbo through its paces and has quite a magical experience (page 94) and Gemma Knight takes inspiration from the latest trend for two kitchens in our bursting Homes & Interiors pages. Happy Spring, happy Easter and happy reading.

Louisa Louisa Castle Editor Follow us on Twitter @TheCheshireMag

Proud to support: Variety – The Children’s Charity The Pink Ribbon Ball, Manchester & Breast Cancer Campaign

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04/03/15 11:04

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Contents

April 2015

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Features

collection

travel

026 | Star attraction How Matt Worswick is utterly transforming the fine-dining on offer at Thornton Hall 030 | Trend report Our cutting-edge update on this season’s biggest trends 034 | Catwalk to wardrobe Abi Fisher on weaving the latest trends into your closet 038 | The psychology of fashion The new research threatening to change the way you dress 042 | Marking McQueen What was it really like working with Alexander the great? 048 | The luck of the draw We sit down with inimitable illustrator Lizzie Prestt

060 | Watch news Stunning state-of-the-art timepieces for him and her 064 | Jewellery news Our usual beautiful array of the very latest jewels 068 | Off the clock Icon Cindy Crawford marks twenty years as the face of luxury watch brand Omega

102 | Travel news 104 | Effortless exclusivity Unearthing new experiences in a true Barbadian paradise 108 | A road well travelled We take a roadtrip through some of Italy’s very best bits 112 | Weekend away It’s all marzipan and gothic spires in beautiful Lübeck

regulars 008 | Editor’s letter 012 | Contributors 015 | My life in Cheshire James Palmer, AKA Mr Blow-Dry, is king of his craft 016 | Notebook This month’s local events, news and best new products 020 | Local scene All the glamour and gossip 025 | Taylor talk This year’s truly must-have creations and foodie trends

art 052 | Art & culture 054 | A knight at the theatre Nicholas Hytner on his final curtain call at The National 059 | Prize lots

fashion & beauty

FAMILY

072 | Fashion news From essential accessories to new trends, it’s all here 074 | Scarlet fever Liven up monotonous monochrome with studs, stars, sequins and ruffles 084 | Beauty news New treatments, products and all the latest news 088 | Backstage beauty Discover our guide to the beauty trends taking centre stage this spring/summer

114 | Kids’ news The very latest for little ones 117 | The classroom 121 | Stripe-tastic We just love the girls’ capsule collection from Rykiel Enfant

motoring 092 | Motoring news The latest developments from the automotive world 094 | Super charge Why the latest Porsche Cayenne Turbo certainly stands out from the crowd 098 | MINI magic The super-cool and über quirky new concept model 100 | Technology central What’s hot in the world of gadgets, games and geekery

homes & interiors 124 | Interiors news 129 | Country living Audrey Bardsley talks life after law and a love for pom-poms 142 | The two-kitchen trend Why multiple kitchens are the new status symbol de jour 150 | Recreate the look We have the perfect kitchen no matter what your style 156 | Decorating with plants Learn how to make plants an integral part of your lifestyle 162 | Under the Tuscan sun The incredible Villa Paolina is everything you could wish for 169 | Local property The best of Cheshire’s homes 177 | Overseas property These stunning properties will have you yearning to emigrate

Regulars | The CHESHIRE Magazine

APRIL 2015 s issue 016 s

Editor Louisa Castle Editorial Director Kate Harrison Theatre Editor Natalie Anglesey Collection Editor Annabel Harrison Assistant Editor Gemma Knight Senior Designer Grace Linn

The

contributors JENNIFER MASON Jennifer started out in luxury fashion marketing and has since worked as a writer in the UK and Dubai, specialising in motoring, travel, lifestyle and local features. Her time is spent reading and obsessing over the latest Formula 1 results.

RICHARD BROWN Richard is deputy editor of Collection, our dedicated watch and fine jewellery section. He specialises in men’s style, culture and finance. This month he brings us all the latest developments from the world of timepieces.

Richard Yarrow Former associate editor of Auto Express, Richard is an accomplished motoring journalist. This month, he investigates the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo and tells us just why it stands out from the crowd with Porsche’s signature panache.

Dominic Nicholls Dominic has shot a wealth of fashion, advertising and celebrities – Anthony Hopkins and Rod Stewart to name drop a few… In this issue (page 74) Dominic captures an elegant reimagining of monochrome fashion with studs, sequins and ruffles.

Iain Warde Iain is a self-confessed geek, having worked in computer gaming and tech magazines since the creation of Pac-Man. He is also a huge petrolhead who spends his spare time marshalling at Oulton Park and around the UK.

NATALIE ANGLESEY Natalie is an author, broadcaster and journalist working with the Guardian and Cosmopolitan as well as regional media. She is also a television producer and director, and is currently busy writing a book about the theatre.

Brand Consistency Laddawan Juhong Production Hugo Wheatley Alex Powell, Oscar Viney Alice Ford Advertising Manager Kayleigh Penswick General Manager Fiona Fenwick Publisher Giles Ellwood Executive Director Sophie Roberts Managing Director Eren Ellwood

Proudly published by

RUNWILD MEDIA GROUP

www.rwmg.co.uk Runwild Media Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Runwild Media Ltd. takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved. DISTRIBUTION: The Cheshire Magazine is the largest circulated luxury publication in Cheshire, delivered to selected homes in over 20 postcodes, over 300 businesses, as well as newsagents and retail outlets. ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: Please contact Kayleigh Penswick +44 (0)1502 380434; +44 (0)7841 199699 k.penswick@runwildgroup.co.uk

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cover On the

Gold label may volant dress, £3,729, Vivienne Westwood (6 Davies Street, London. W1K 3DN); ‘Chain me up’ light gold leather heels, £715 Aquazzura (Aquazzura.com) Photography by Dominic Nicholls Turn to page 74 for the rest of the shoot

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

My life in CHESHIRE J A M E S PA L M E R ‘MR BLOW-DRY’, umberto giannini

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‘I have so many fond memories of growing up in gorgeous Prestbury village’

heshire is one of the nicest places in the UK, we’ve got beautiful countryside but access to the great cities of Manchester and Liverpool. We’re really lucky.’ Known as ‘Mr Blow-Dry’, James grew up in Prestbury and found his vocation and learned it all in Cheshire. His mum was a hairdresser, as is his younger sister. ‘I guess it was in the genes. With both my mum and sister in the industry it rubbed off on me! One year, I remember mum bought me one of those practice doll heads and I just loved it.’ But James grew up with a very different career in mind. ‘I wanted to be an equine physiotherapist and ride professionally. Horses were a huge part of my life and I used to ride at Prestbury Farm. ‘I live in Manchester now, but I have so many fond memories of growing up in gorgeous Prestbury village and playing and riding along the Bollin. The rides around Cheshire are stunning and being a little higher up, you get some breath-taking views and scenery. ‘The Legh Arms is one of my favourite places, it’s a family tradition now that we go each Christmas because there’s such an amazing atmosphere.’ James still occasionally rides Toby, his dressage horse who has semi-retired, but his passion now is hair. ‘Well, at least I knew I’d be good at plaiting when I changed course, after having had to do all those horses’ tails!’ Having worked at salons in Macclesfield, Knutsford and Wilmslow, James is now a senior stylist at Umberto Giannini within Harvey Nichols, Manchester earning the title ‘Mr Blow-Dry’ from his clients and co-workers. A title he laughs at each time I mention it. ‘I was trained by some of the best blow-dryers I know and it just impressed and inspired me. I was lucky to train with these guys and it became a bit of an obsession, copying their technique until I got it right. Getting that perfect finish is one of the best feelings for me, that end result and polished look. ‘Today, I still love it. The look has gone less massive in style, much softer and natural looking, more beachy I guess, but the Cheryl Cole look is still the one for Saturday nights! Despite been pigeon-holed for his blow-dry, James is also passionate about colour. Most of all, though, it’s about doing what’s right for each individual client. ‘Over time you build up a relationship with your clients and the best thing is when they come in and say “do whatever you think”. It’s a great privilege to have that trust. Obviously, it comes with time and knowing that person and their limits but the reward is still that perfect, finished look.’ (harveynichols.com) 15

THE SEA OF BLUE Make sure you keep Sunday 26 April free for Combermere Abbey’s annual two mile Bluebell walk. Stroll through the beautiful grounds and admire the fragrant native bluebells as you go. Everyone is welcome, along with canine friends on a lead. The Walled Garden and magnificent Glasshouse will also be open for guests to enjoy the world’s only fruit tree maze and for garden lovers there will be a spring plant and produce sale. Gates open at 1pm and registration for the last walk is at 4pm. Adults £5, children (under 16) £2. Parking is free (combermereabbey.co.uk)

NOTEBOOK Home from home

hester design hotel, Oddfellows, has just released the second in a series of five new apartments. The concept is becoming increasingly popular across the globe allowing the convenience of booking and staying at a hotel but with bags of room and a sense of privacy. The apartments are situated a short walk from 16

Oddfellows, tucked away in a beautiful courtyard will all follow the renowned interior quirkiness of the main hotel with feature wallpaper depicting old leather suitcases and fantastical hot air balloon flights to Vivienne Westwood tartan, retro waiting room signs and quirky flying contraptions. (oddfellowschester.com)

FESTIVAL FUN With Festival season just around the corner, bring out your inner bohemian and stand out from the crowd with these striking headdresses from Boutique Camping. We love the all white headdress for making a summer festival statement. All headdresses are fair-trade too, in keeping with the ethos of peaceloving festival goers. £54.95 (boutiquecamping.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

5 top picks

for

EASTER From the traditional chocolate to the more quirky

#1 MUSICAL EASTER BUNNIES, £12.50, (rococochocolates.com)

VINO IN VILLA

ny fans of Prosecco should head to Treviso this 17 May as the region pays homage to the symbol of its land Connegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. This year’s celebration of the fresh, fruity sparkling wine will take place in

San Salvatore Castle complete with over 300 different wines, special menus and tours of the hand-crafted vineyards which adorn the slopes of the hills. There’s also the opportunity to learn from the Academy, how to choose, store and pair your favourite. (prosecco.it)

PURCHASE OF THE MONTH

#2 BILL SKINNER HARE STUD EARRINGS, £45 (cotswoldtrading.com)

#3 EASTER JIGSAW, £29.95 (wentworthpuzzles.co.uk)

Loving Fifty Shades of Grey? Then add this bespoke coffee table from Christian’s living room to your lust list. #4 PETER RABBIT LUNCH TIN, £9.99 (oakroomshop.co.uk)

Carved brass and antique patina with walnut root veneer top coffee table, £13,340 (touchedinteriors.com)

#5 PIERRE MARCOLINI EASTER RUSSIAN DOLLS, £45, £35, £13 (selfridges.com)

The Townhouse

Last month The Townhouse in Oswestry opened it’s über-stylish doors and we’re quite impressed with what is behind them. Designed by north west duo Brereton Pinnington, the attention to detail and quirky touches are what we love to see; distressed furniture, over sized sofas and rabbit chairs bringing a whole Alice in Wonderland meets eclectic Georgian residence vibe to proceedings. Celebrity, Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines MBE is in charge of the food too, and as you would expect, the menus are varied and heavily rely on the great local produce on our doorstep. Townhouse, 35 Willow Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1AQ (townhouseoswestry.com)

Q&A... IAN PENN, 1539 RESTAURANT & BAR

What is your favourite food? A Roast. You can’t beat a few slices of rare roast sirloin with all the trimmings.

NOTEBOOK

Food & Drink PURCHASE OF THE MONTH Kaleidotray Kaleido is a series of steel trays in geometric shapes that nest inside each other to create new and exciting visual art and practical surfaces for drinks, nibbles or other objects. They fit together side by side but can also be used individually, ‘combining classic and atypical colours and contrasts that enable new functional constellations’. We love the Danish design, simplicity and style. Kaleido trays by Clara von Zweigbergk, from £11, Hay Design at Selfridges 18

What is your favourite ingredient? Rosemary, for its aromatic and sweet taste. I will be using rosemary in our new spring menu in marinades and for roasting our spring lamb dish. If you were on a desert island which one thing would you have to have with you? My trusty pastry knife! So that I could chop down a tree to make a fire, so that I could cook a fish I‘ve gutted with my knife. Ian is the head chef of 1539 Restaurant at Chester Racecourse, which offers twists on classic British favourites. (restuarant1539.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

SPOTLIGHT ON… Restaurant 180

olin Starkey has been at the helm of the 180-degree turn around of the restaurant at Best Western Plus on Pinewood, offering traditional staple food with a nod to quirkiness and originality. Having already sampled the seasonal menus from Colin’s kitchen, we went for the standard menu to see what was on offer, hoping that, on this chilly spring evening, the food would live up to its good old-fashioned, comforting reputation. To begin, we decided on a sharing platter (so we could sample more of the menu, to be honest). And, it could be a meal in itself so beware. Sticky pigs in blankets was our firm favourite, glazed in a sticky mustard but perfect for the time of year. We also enjoyed caramelised onion hummus with tortilla chips, pistachio nuts with spiced brittle, and chicken liver pate, all presented on a wooden board and in mini-kilner jars or mini plant pots. As I said, it is a meal in itself so either take someone with a monster appetite or opt for a lighter option on the main dishes. Though, our longing for comfort food winning out, we didn’t. Tempted by stories of the steak burger (which is cooked in a water bath for added melt-in-themouth appeal) we chose this and the steak and ale pie. The steak burger is served medium rare and with aspen fries – indulgent little fingers of potato coated in truffle oil and dusted with parmesan. The steak and ale pie is served in an old-fashioned camping tin, invoking memories of childhood camping trips; tents in fields and good hearty food at the end of the day. It is served with caramelised onion suet pastry and buttered mash. At this point our bellies were fit to burst, so we didn’t make it to the chocolate truffle brownie or lemon meringue arctic roll. Even so, this was a fitting feast and perfect if you’re looking for traditional good food to warm the soul. Restaurant 180, Best Western Plus Pinewood on Wilmslow, Wilmslow Road, Cheshire, SK9 3LF (01625 529211; pinewood-hotel.co.uk) 19

Local scene Travel, style and tea with a tiger were on the agenda this month as Cheshire braved the wet weather to dream of sunnier climes

Around the world Mottram Hall Cheshire-based travel agency Carrier Travel was joined by a wide range of tourist boards for its annual event at Mottram Hall. As well as learning about the new and unrivalled travel experiences on the market, guests were entertained with magic, chocolate and luxury prize draw. (carrier.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Reach new heights Gusto, Alderley Edge Gusto combined bucket lists and healthy eating at its quarterly Kilimanjaro Awareness Dinner. Experienced mountaineer David Pickles spoke of lifechanging trips to Tanzania and Laura Hagan from Nxtep talked about the training and reaching your full potential, all with good healthy food on hand. (gustorestaurants.uk.com)

By appointment only The Clubhouse, Alderley Edge Footballers, celebrities and business people gathered to celebrate the launch of The Clubhouse – an appointment-only one -top luxury lifestyle shop for those with precious little time on their hands. The brainchild of Tony Q’aja, the clothing designer who has dressed musicians, actors and sportspeople, The Clubhouse offers a bespoke service where people can grab a drink, chill out and buy the services they want in privacy but not without style. The Clubhouse’s current portfolio includes Q’aja Couture bespoke clothing for men, David Vivienne wedding and occasion stationery, Ian Davidson bespoke jewellery, Charlie Bell concierge, The Golfworks Academy, Villa Retreats, Barrecore, Sistersieta styling for women and Holistic Therapies. (theclubhouseae@gmail.com)

The tiger who came to tea The Epstein Theatre, Liverpool The kids turned out to celebrate their favourite story-time tiger being brought to life on stage later this year, with face-painting, story-telling and the inevitable visit from the tiger for tea. (epsteinliverpool.co.uk) 22

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

Thanks a million Willington Hall, Tarporley Ladies from across Cheshire turned out for a delicious light lunch brought together by The Fabulous You Skin & Beauty Clinic and to see the SS15 collection from Abi Fisher. All raising money for The Babygrow Appeal, helping to raise ÂŁ3 million to build a new neonatal unit at The Countess of Chester Hospital. (coch.nhs.uk)

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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars

TAY L O R TA L K

Chic as chips!

Liz Taylor reflects on the food and drink trends over the years and the ‘must-have’ creations of the season

ho would have thought, 30 years ago when I first ventured into event management, that sausage and mash and fish and chips would be de rigeur at exclusive parties? Food and drink has moved into a totally different arena: Thinking out of the box is now a bento, and a trio of ‘sliders’ makes a sought after starter. Creative influences in event catering and design are definitely simpler, stylish and far more understated than in the 80s and 90s. It’s a change seen in people’s more relaxed and open-minded attitudes in lifestyle, architecture and homes too. In 2015 event venues are no longer just the ballrooms of local hotels. Railway arches, disused warehouses and amazing urban spaces are the choice of the party elite. Bringing the brick and stonework to life with a wash of lighting, distressed finishes on furniture, mouth-watering mini-bites served on slates and amazing aluminium features all celebrate the natural architecture. Lighting is now dramatic and theatrical with lasers and pyrotechnics, floral design more of an architectural installation, and amazing entertainment sourced from across the globe. The biggest change though has been in the style of food served at events; more relaxed in its content, but more elaborate and cleverly contrived in presentation. Menus are about simple recipes presented in a cutting-edge way. Formal banquets are now sharing plates. Buffet tables offer an eclectic mix of fabrics and theatrical design – not a white cloth in sight! Think kebabs to pizza vans, celebrity chefs cooking live at a reception to Asian inspired nuts and noodles, sushi and sea bass, to a selection of burgers that offer bite sized tastes of mouth-watering fun. All will be seen at the high-end parties. But presentation is, of course, key – canapés served on coloured light boxes instead of trays and food incorporated into theatrical party props. Menus are tending to be sophisticated in their simplicity, deconstructed classics are popular and a sit-down dinner competes with a multitude of mouth-watering options. Bubbles are still in, though. Prosecco is a firm favourite and sometimes preferable to Champagne as the perfect base with which to blend fresh puréed strawberries or a selection of fruit syrups. A watermelon and lychee martini delivered in ornate bird cages. Vintage inspired ingredients poured from a tea pot. They all contribute to the most exciting cocktail experience. Not forgetting those behind the wheel, these can all be converted to a delectable non-alcoholic choice that is just as exciting. Enjoy the party! Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC); 0161 876 6266 (tlc-ltd.co.uk)

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

STAR ATTRACTION Matt Worswick has been at the helm of Thornton Hall’s food offering for less than six months and is transforming the finedining there. Louisa Castle catches up with him to talk Michelin stars and championing the North West

ast October Matt Worswick joined the team at Thornton Hall as executive chef. His remit to work across the whole food operation, with a focus on improving the á la carte offering at The Lawns. Liverpool born and raised, Matt has worked in some of the best kitchens across the country from the Scilly Isles to Scotland. ‘Every experience is relevant for my work here. I’ve been collecting influences and learning all the time. All of which are responsible for my style of food today.

‘Bold and masculine are the words I’d use, hearty food made from forgotten cuts like ox-cheek and I love game. Plus we work with the best local suppliers and producers, after all your dishes are only as good as the produce you’re cooking with.’ During his time at Glenapp Castle Hotel in Ayrshire, Matt became the youngest chef (aged 25) to achieve a Michelin star. Not bad considering he was following a business course. ‘I came into the food industry by accident really. I was studying business at college and through the course I discovered it wasn’t for me. Then I happened to see an advert for a position at a local hotel so went for it. As soon as I walked in I just loved it. And that was that, as they say!’ His biggest inspiration was working with David Everitt-Matthias at Le Champignon Sauvage. ‘I worked under David at his Cheltenham restaurant as sous-chef. His whole thought process and ethos is what has probably had the biggest influence on me today. He wasn’t about frivolity in any way, just really good food, championing the cheaper cuts, and also he was a keen forager. ‘I think the North West is really undervalued

Feature | The CHESHIRE Magazine

when it comes to the food scene, but the potential is huge and all that’s going to change. It’s an area which loves its fine food and so far, everything we’ve done at The Lawns has been wonderfully received. Our aim is to achieve Michelin-star standard and if we actually are awarded one, even better! ‘We’ve got lots of great people already here and it’s time to show the rest of the country what we can do. It’s important that we invest in our young people too. I’m going to be working with some local colleges and I’m a keen supporter of the North West Young Chef of the Year competition. It’s admirable the way these guys perform under pressure.’

Win THE CHANCE TO TALK TASTEBUDS WITH A TOP CHEF

‘Bold and masculine are the words I’d use, hearty food made from forgotten cuts like ox-cheek’ Championing the region, Matt will be appearing on the demo stage at Chester’s Food, Drink & Lifestyle Festival, alongside Simon Rimmer, Gregg Wallace and Dave Mooney. ‘I’m not sure what I’ll be cooking yet. There’ll probably be local asparagus, though, and wild garlic. I want to show people how easy it is and what can be achieved with a few simple ingredients.’ The Chester Food & Drink Festival, 4-6 April (chesterfoodanddrink.co.uk; thorntonhallhotel.com)

VIP tickets to the Chester Food, Drink & Lifestyle Festival and the chance to talk fine food and flavours with one of the headline chefs; Simon Rimmer, Gregg Wallace or Jean-Christophe Novelli. Ask Jean-Christophe about his restaurant empire and Michelin stars, grab Gregg to talk about Masterchef or Millwall FC, or pick the brains of Sunday Brunch star and local boy Simon Rimmer. To be in with a chance of winning, please email your name, address and contact telephone number to info@thecheshiremagazine.com with Food & Drink Festival in the subject line.

Closing date 20 March Winners will be notified by 23 March. Runners up will be given the chance to win four more pairs of VIP tickets which include VIP entrance, glass of Champagne and a £5 food voucher; and five pairs of general admission tickets.

The Chester food, drink & lifestyle festival

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i m l y a D F a t y a e O r u G t! A

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Festival Weekend Highlights!

Admissions & Tickets

Celebrity Chef Demonstrations - free to enter

£6.00 - Adults Advance (£8 on the day)

Free Kids Cooking Workshops

£6.00 - Concessions

Over 150 Food & Drink Exhibitors

£FREE - Children (12 and under)

Art Festival – Featuring the Grosvenor Arts Society

VIP Ticket - £15 per person: includes VIP entrance, free glass of champagne and a £5 food voucher.

Camperfest – 5 Days of on-site Camping, fun and games

CamperFest - from £30 per adult, includes four days camping & daily entrance to the Food Drink & Lifestyle Festival

Visit www.ChesterFoodandDrink.co.uk or call on 01244

405615 or for more information

Valentino

SS15

Roberto Cavalli

If your LFW ticket got lost in the post, don’t worry – we’re here to help guide you through this season’s trends. Credit cards at the ready...

Fendi

Matthew Williamson

Trend

Erdem

Valentino

Giorgio Armani Burberry Prorsum

Antonio Berardi

Sonia Rykiel

Phillip Lim Osman

natural INSTINCT Nothing says spring like a smattering of nature-inspired designs, but this year’s trends are far from the dainty florals of seasons past. More savage garden than botanical beauty, models donned the catwalk in feathered dresses at Fendi, Dalmatian-spotted suits at Giorgio Armani and tropical prints at Matthew Williamson.

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

Report

Max Mara

Burberry Prorsum

DVF

MELLOW YELLOW Say goodbye to the moody greys of winter and prepare to stand out in this season’s signature shade: yellow. For the bravest among you, opt for bright canary or classic mustard, or to make a subtler statement, go down the pastel route with soft lemon.

Hugo Boss

Hermès

Phillip Lim Hermès

Fendi Dior Tibi

Stella McCartney Burberry Prorsum

SHAPE UP Where once shoulder pads signalled the silhouette of a woman who meant business, this season it’s all about box-fit jackets, striking origami folds and angular cut-outs. Hugo Boss, Osman and Antonio Berardi were among the designers showcasing the structural trend. Get on board.

Louis Vuitton Valentino

Tommy Hilfiger

Gucci Louis Vuitton

Roberto Cavalli

Giorgio Armani

Matthew Williamson

Gucci Sonia Rykiel

Saint Laurent

Valentino

Erdem

THAT SEVENTIES SHOW Good news: Seventies throwback outfits are no longer reserved for fancy dress parties. Designers embraced the era across the catwalk this spring, showcasing fringed leather, knee-high boots and dungarees. For a look that will stand the test of time, opt for suede skirts, denim jackets and elongating flares.

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Chanel

Roberto Cavalli

Dolce & Gabbana DVF

Stella McCartney

Hermès

Temperley

Valentino

Gucci

Temperley London

Louis Vuitton

SNOW WHITE The beauty is in the detail when it comes to pulling off the all-white look, which took centre stage in the form of lazer-cut designs, lace ensembles and crochet dresses. Wear head to toe or mix with bold accessories for a statement look.

EARN YOUR STRIPES Deckchair-esque stripes and Breton prints fit for a sailor make up this season’s most wearable trend. Chanel kept it classic with navy blue and white, while Louis Vuitton went for bright orange stripes in both a horizontal and vertical design. From block stripes in pastels, to zig-zags in bold, contrasting hues, as long as it’s a stripe anything goes…

Catwalk to

WARDROBE Inspired by the latest trends from the catwalk we speak with fashion expert Abi Fisher and ask her advice on how to weave them into our wardrobes

‘I

love going to the shows and marvelling at the lastest designer creations, but sometimes the outfits are most definitely meant for the catwalk, so translating them to your own wardrobe can be a bit of a challenge. ‘The key is to retain your personal style and introduce new pieces which complement that each season. Sometimes this could be a whole outfit, other times a statement accessory. But it always depends on your style. Don’t be a slave to fashion, make it work for you. ‘For the S/S15 season there will be a strong focus on soft pastels mixed with bolder shades. Dressing bright colours with interlacing weaves with soft-focus organic textures is also very on

trend. This could be a woven cream Chanelinspired box jacket over a pastel pattern summer dress or the same jacket with tailored jeans and patterned scarf. ‘Textures and luxurious textiles remain king. Fine wool and wearable clothing is again important this year, so mix beautiful fine cashmere knits with organic silk or go for a stunning layered silk skirt with a simple cotton top. ‘Cutouts featured heavily on the catwalks of Mary Katrantzou and Christopher Kane, from shoulder cutouts to boots and bags so watch out for this detailing coming through. ‘And of course, there are two bold trends we just can’t ignore; metallic and jungle. Glitter, liquid metallics and embellishments were a major part of fashion week, dominating the Cavalli show. So make your wardrobe complete with a little sparkle. Fashion also is heading on safari with florals a big one for D&G, Erdem giving us botanicals and Pucci going tie-dyed. ‘Go as bold or subtle as you want with these but if you want to capture the trend without going overboard look for detailing on edging or simply a statement piece of jewellery. ‘Remember, make these trends your own and wear them with style.’ (01829 781721; abifisher.co.uk)

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JUNGLE

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JUNGLE PRINT RULES WITH THESE SILK TROUSERS, £135

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Abi’s

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METALLIC ROBERTO CAVALLI S/S15

there will be a strong focus on soft pastels & stronger shades, £169

CUT OUT

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LACE IS SET TO BE POPULAR, £275 LAYERING OF FABRICS CREATES A REALLY INTERESTING LOOK, £229

A FOCUS ON SOFT AND ORGANIC TEXTURES, £235

Taking inspiration from ancient classical elements - Earth, Water, Air and Fire - with a subtle sprinkling of British cool has led My-Perfect-T to the creation of beautiful, contemporary, unique and versatile prints. Precision cut silhouettes made out of specially sourced silks and ethical cotton projects create simple and flattering pieces, whilst allowing the inimitable prints to flourish and be the main focus of the design.

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my-perfect-t.com

THE

PSYCHOLOGY OF FASHION

It’s been said that style is not an exact science – but a group of American researchers beg to differ. Gemma Knight investigates the new study threatening to turn the fashion world on its head

t’s a question that’s plagued women the world over for many a century – what on earth should I wear today? The blazer and matching pencil skirt which either says ‘I’m a professional goddess’ or ‘I am trying slightly too hard and hate my legs’? The neon pink shirt over skinny jeans that says ‘I need to look more outgoing than I feel’? What we wear is not just the result of an eternal struggle to look good; it’s inextricably linked to how we feel, how we are perceived, how prepared we are to deal with what the world plans to throw at us, which identity we will need to outwardly embody in order to survive the currently looming business meeting/cocktail party/ family dinner. After all, as Caitlin Moran so deftly noted in her book How to Be a Woman, ‘When a woman says I have nothing to wear, what she really means is there is nothing here for who I am supposed to be today’.

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catwalker / Shutterstock.com

‘“In fashion, colours should match only moderately”. In other words, we’ve been doing it wrong’

Lucian Milasan / Shutterstock.com

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To put it another way, ‘clothing influences perceived and signalled social identity, employment outcomes, romantic success, and even cognitive processes’ – such is the crucial phrase at the heart of a study undertaken last year by researchers at America’s Carnegie Mellon, North Carolina and Duke Universities. It might not seem an obvious topic of academic study, but their recently published research article on ‘the Science of Style’ has certainly made waves in the fashion world – and well it might have. For decades the doyens of design have been telling the fashion-conscious among us to adhere to one of two principles when selecting our daily ensembles: that of the ‘matchymatchy’ outfit (a classic, neat arrangement using a minimal palette and often pairing different shades of a single colour), or the cool, quirky effect of combining clashing colours and prints to very intentionally go against the norm in a display of stylish rebellion. For years women the world over have been steadfastly opting for one extreme or the other – playing it safe with cautiously matched two-piece suits and carefully pairing items of vibrancy with inoffensive blacks and denims (the clashphobic’s firmest friend), or throwing caution to the wind and embracing the shock value of pinks and reds haphazardly (but ever-sostudiously) placed side by side, and navies daringly layered with blacks. So imagine the feathers which have been ruffled since Kurt Gray, of the University of North Carolina’s department of psychology, and his associate authors of ‘The Science of Style’ announced their study had come to the conclusion that ‘in fashion, colours should match only moderately’. In other words, we’ve been doing it wrong. This may not seem like a cultural bombshell at first glance, but when you consider how long the fashion industry – one currently worth an astounding $1.7 trillion – has relied on the idea that the epitome of style was a matching outfit (or a rebelliously, deliberately mismatched one), the wide-reaching implications are clear.

In order to carry out their research, Gray and his team asked 239 people to study drawings of men’s and women’s outfits, each of which were presented in thirty different colour combinations in one of four colour palettes. Having exhaustively shown them a random selection of samples from amongst the 256 possible colour combinations, they discovered that not only did the participants find that the co-ordinated outfits were too ‘matchy-matchy’, but that they also really disliked the combinations that clashed, a preference the psychologists attribute to something called the Goldilocks Principle; a theory which suggests that people naturally prefer a balance between two extremes. This means that Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress with matching bag, gloves and shoes was a fashion faux pas, as was Alicia Silverstone’s yellow tartan getup in Clueless; Faye Dunaway’s berets and tweed in Bonnie and Clyde; Molly Ringwald’s Pretty in Pink against her stark red hair…the list is endless. And in fact, the authors of the study think that the evidence of the Goldilocks Principle’s relevance in fashion is even more culturally significant than the discrediting of Jackie O’s pink Chanel suit (imagine that!). ‘These results are consistent with both centuries of philosophical thought and more recent psychological studies on the importance of ”the middle way,”’ the study concludes. ‘The Goldilocks principle may also explain aesthetic judgements beyond fashion, reflecting a basic principle of human preference that seeks to balance simplicity and complexity, order and disorder. Indeed, people prefer music that balances melodic simplicity and complexity. This quantitative analysis of fashion is only a first step in empirical aesthetics, but it highlights the utility of bringing science to art; psychological science can help explain the important but often invisible judgements of daily life.’ We’ve suspected for some time that our wardrobes were of crucial cultural importance. It seems we were right. (Read the full research article at journals.plos.org)

Fit

for a

King As London awaits the arrival of the V&A’s phenomenal retrospective, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, Olivia Sharpe speaks to the exhibit’s curator Claire Wilcox and jewellery designer Shaun Leane about what it was like working with one of the greatest fashion designers of our generation

Portrait of Alexander McQueen, 1997, Photographed by Marc Hom © Marc Hom / Trunk Archive

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he fashion industry is all in a flutter this month as it gets ready to pay tribute to one of its all-time greats: Alexander McQueen. The undisputed king of British fashion passed away on 11 February 2010 and his legacy will be holding court throughout this year with a series of events marking the fifth anniversary of his death – the most anticipated of all being the V&A’s retrospective, commencing this month. To this day, I vividly remember hearing of McQueen’s untimely death. Tributes poured in from some of the most influential fashion figures, including Anna Wintour – who touchingly spoke of the ‘complex and gifted young man, born not far from here, who as a child used to sit on the roof of his tower block and watch the birds circling overhead’ – and judging from the star-studded crowd at the memorial service at St Paul’s Cathedral, it was clear that they were not simply honouring a legend but their good friend, Lee. Therefore, when I sat down to write this article, I initially found myself at a loss for words; after all, having never been privileged enough to meet him, I cannot share any of my own memories or anecdotes but merely relay what is already evident: that he was a truly visionary artist. Claire Wilcox, however, the curator behind the V&A’s exhibition, had a more personal relationship with Alexander McQueen. As well as having studied his career in depth, she’s also

had first-hand experience of working with him, the pair having met back in 1999 when Claire was devising the museum’s first Fashion in Motion event. While it is now one of the V&A’s most popular series, she explains how, at the time, showing a live fashion show off the catwalk was a ‘radical step’ so it was little wonder that the avant-garde designer, famously dubbed ‘enfant terrible’ or the ‘bad boy of British fashion’, was more than willing to jump on board. ‘He was unlike anybody I’d ever met before,’ she reminisces, fondly. ‘His way of communicating was quite different from the way I would have communicated but somehow we managed to understand each other.’ As well as comprehending her vision, Claire was pleasantly surprised at how ‘phenomenally scrupulous’ McQueen was at representing his own unique concept, remembering how he would meticulously ensure that every aspect of the show, from the garments down to the hair and make-up, resembled that of his catwalk presentation: ‘There was no compromise but we were very appreciative of this because our intention was to show visitors fashion as it manifested itself on the performance stage of the catwalk, which is very different from ready-to-wear.’ Indeed, if there was anyone who understood about performance, it was McQueen. Many of his catwalk presentations have gone down in fashion history; for example, the memorable moment when Shalom Harlow’s

Vogue on Alexander McQueen. Black dress with acres of tulle underskirt. Patrick Demarchelier/Vogue, © Condé Nast Publications Ltd.

Vogue on Alexander McQueen, Kate Moss in black chiffon see-through gown. Lachlan Bailey/Vogue, © Condé Nast Publications Ltd

Vogue on Alexander McQueen. Latticed chiffon animalprint dress 2004’s Pantheon as Lecum collection, © Nick Knight

Vogue on Alexander McQueen, Blue ostrich feather dress, April 2000 Vogue, © Mario Testino

Dress of dyed ostrich feathers and hand-painted microscopic slides, Alexander McQueen, Voss, S/S 2001, Erin O’Connor. Image: REX

Butterfly headdress of hand-painted turkey feathers, Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen, La Dame Bleu, S/S 2008, © Anthea Simms

white muslin dress was spray-painted by robots at the end of the S/S 1999 show or the finale of the Widows of Culloden A/W 2006/7 show when his close friend Kate Moss appeared as a holographic 3D image (this was particularly controversial as it followed soon after the model’s drug scandal). It has been noted how McQueen’s theatrical performances seemed at odds with the shy and reserved man responsible for them, who would invariably disappear at the end of his shows. Then again, the designer was clearly not afraid of being outspoken and his often sharp tongue has been well-documented, for instance the time when he called former head designer at Givenchy, John Galliano ‘irrelevant’ or when he reportedly said: ‘what the f*** does she know about fashion?’ in reference to Victoria Beckham. Claire hints that she, too, had been on the receiving end of what she politely refers to as his ‘forthright and direct nature’ but, on the other hand, is quick to draw attention to his ‘raucous laugh’ and ‘sensitive’ disposition. Like his shows, he appeared to be a master of contradictions. Claire insists that the V&A’s retrospective, like the original 2011 exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, will not focus on

his personal life but rather on his creative output. However, the curator does acknowledge how, seeing as the exhibit will chronologically chart the breadth of his womenswear collections in ten sections, from his MA graduate collection in 1992 to his final, unfinished A/W 2010 collection, we will be able to learn something about the man himself, who was once quoted as saying that there was something very much ‘biographical’ about what he does. ‘His collections were often a reflection of what he was interested in at the time or how he was feeling, so inevitably there was a personal investment,’ she remarks. McQueen was born in Lewisham, South London and grew up in East London, the youngest of six children. His father was a taxi driver while his mother, whom he remained very close to throughout his life, was a teacher. Although he didn’t flourish at school, leaving the education system with only one O-level to his name and dismissed by his teachers as an ‘East London oik’, this was not the reaction he got from the fashion industry. Immediately spotting his innate talent, he was given a tailor’s apprenticeship at Anderson & Sheppard in Savile Row before moving to Gieves & Hawkes. ‘He always knew he wanted to be in the fashion

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industry but he also knew that his route would not be via the education system but via the ancient traditions of Savile Row,’ confirms Claire. McQueen did break away from the confines of tailoring, however, when he began cutting clothes for major London shows at Bermans & Nathans, before leaving for Milan to work as a pattern-cutter. By the time the 21 year-old returned to London where he completed a Master’s Degree in Fashion Design from Central Saint Martins, Claire notes how he had ‘transformed from being a highly skilled tailor and technician to a fashion designer’. Like watching a great musician play an instrument, watching McQueen with a pair of scissors was, according to the curator, like watching a true artist at work: ‘He had such a facility with his hands,’ she muses. ‘Seeing his hands working so fast and yet always so accurate, truly amazed me.’

‘So many of his catwalk presentations have gone down in fashion history’

Tulle and lace dress with veil and antlers, Alexander McQueen, Widows of Culloden A/W 2006-07, Raquel Zimmerman, VIVA London. Image: firstVIEW

His ten-piece graduate collection (bought in its entirety by Isabella Blow, who played a substantial role in the designer’s life and career) focused on his strengths, showcasing his masterful tailoring skills and revealing, for the first time, his interest in 19th-century London. Named Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims, it featured locks of hair stitched and bonded under linings. McQueen’s ‘Londonness’, which reappeared just four years later in his A/W 1996 show, Stages Dante (taking place in a Spitalfields church, it made reference to his maternal ancestors, the Huguenots who had moved here centuries before), will be elaborated upon in a section of Savage Beauty: ‘It is a particular combination of historicism and modernity, which is similar to the work of John Galliano and Vivienne Westwood; while rule-breaking, it also acknowledges traditional skills. Up close

Razor-clam shells dress, Alexander McQueen, Voss, S/S 2001, Erin O’Connor. Image: firstVIEW

Alexander McQueen, It’s Only a Game, S/S 2005. Image: firstVIEW

you can admire the conceptual qualities but then you can also take a step back and see it on the catwalk where the narrative evolves.’ Narrative, indeed, plays a substantial role in all of McQueen’s collections. Highland Rape (A/W 1995-6), for instance, focuses strongly on the designer’s Scottish heritage and while initially sparking fury for its controversial use of rhetoric, it was in fact supposed to be a patriotic metaphor for the country’s violent past. While he wasn’t a good student, McQueen was clearly fascinated by history. According to Claire, he’d spend hours in the V&A’s galleries poring over the archives. Along with historicism, nature was a defining feature of McQueen’s work. A large section of the exhibition, named Romantic Primitivism, will explore his fascination with the animal world and will present garments crafted from horn, skin

Spray-painted dress, Alexander McQueen, No 13, S/S 1999

and hair, along with standout pieces from within the Cabinet of Curiosities. Inspired by the 18th-century practice of collecting unusual objects from around the world to make remarkable cabinet displays, this section will form the heart of the show and will showcase many of McQueen’s most provocative and subversive designs, including the extraordinary bird’s nest hat, created in collaboration with milliner Philip Treacy, jeweller Shaun Leane and crystal house Swarovski. Sadly, not all of the pieces on display will be the originals but some have very kindly been recreated by Leane and Treacy especially for the exhibit. Alexander McQueen often fed off the inspiration of other artists who, in turn, were equally inspired by the designer. Speaking to Shaun Leane, who will be creating a capsule jewellery collection in homage to his creative

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relationship with the designer which spanned over 17 years, he attributes much of his creativity to McQueen who gave him ‘the perfect platform to challenge the traditional notions of jewellery.’ The pair first met at Central Saint Martins, where Shaun was completing a goldsmith apprenticeship and, both full of youthful ambition and talent, they quickly struck up a friendship. When visiting Shaun in Hatton Garden, where he was working in a Victorian workshop, McQueen would marvel at his friend’s skill at restoring antique jewels and subsequently commissioned him to create pieces for his catwalk show. ‘I was a conditioned goldsmith so to meet the scale of the pieces for catwalk I needed to experiment in less expensive materials,’ Shaun explains. ‘I felt rather daunted at first but it was Lee who challenged me by saying, “Shaun, you are a great craftsman; just apply those skills to different materials and you can create anything”.’ Clearly able to spot genius in others, McQueen drew Shaun out of his comfort zone and the results were astonishing. Among the show-stopping pieces he created during their partnership was a cast-aluminium corset in the shape of a ribcage and a collection of silver tribal jewellery for McQueen’s Eshu A/W 2000-1 collection, inspired by the West African Yoruba people. Coinciding with the V&A’s exhibition is Tate Britain’s Nick Waplington/Alexander McQueen: Working Process, a behind-thescenes look at the 2009 Horn of Plenty collection as documented by photographer Nick Waplington, and Proud Chelsea’s McQueen: Backstage – The Early Shows, which will showcase British photographer Gary Wallis’ never-before-seen archive of McQueen’s early forays onto the global fashion stage. If this wasn’t enough, four books on the designer will also be released over the course of the year, including the V&A’s coffee-table tome and Vogue On: Alexander McQueen which contains a remarkable collection of photographs relating to the designer’s work, extracted from Vogue’s archive.

With this and so much more to come, there is always the fear that people won’t be able to absorb all the information on offer. But for Claire Wilcox, it doesn’t matter if people don’t take in everything, just as long as they take away with them one crucial message: ‘By bringing all of his pieces together, it is truly breathtaking to see what he achieved in just under 20 years. We want visitors to draw inspiration from Alexander McQueen’s creative life and how he pushed the possibilities of fashion to its absolute limits.’

MORE INFORMATION

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, 14 March – 2 August In partnership with Swarovski and supported by American Express, with thanks to MAC Cosmetics, technology partner Samsung and made possible with the co-operation of Alexander McQueen. (vam.ac.uk/savagebeauty) Alexander McQueen (1069-2010) edited by Claire Wilcox £45 hardback, 310 x 240mm, 350 colour illustrations (vandapublishing.com) Nick Waplington/Alexander McQueen: Working Process 10 March – 17 May Tate Britain (tate.org.uk) McQueen: Backstage – The Early Shows by Gary Wallis 4 March – 5 April (proud.co.uk)

The luck of

THE DRAW Chester born and bred, Lizzie Prestt has truly taken the artistic world by storm. With her cityscape illustrations gracing everything from tea towels to shop windows around the country, Gemma Knight meets her to talk disastrous ceramics, Simply Cheshire and vodka-drinking koalas

t’s a cold, crisp day when Lizzie Prestt bustles into the thronging, steamy coffee shop where we’ve agreed to meet; with her neat blond hair just slightly windswept and her bag overflowing with sketch-filled notebooks, she looks every inch the artist. Hardly able to hear one another over the din of an enthusiastic barista frothing milk, she shows me a doodle she’s done as a joke for a friend’s wedding invitation – the groom is Australian, the bride Polish; the drawing is of a koala clinging to a vodka bottle – and I instinctively know we’re going to get on. Lizzie is best known for her beautiful and prolific cityscape illustrations, seen everywhere from the University of Oxford’s merchandise to gifts at NotOnTheHighStreet.com and even the 2012 London Love Letters collection by clothing brand Oasis. Having drawn the likes of Windsor, Amsterdam, Birmingham and, most

frequently, the ever-changing London landscape, she’s much in demand and often does free-hand live-drawings at events and trade shows, just as she’ll be doing alongside her stall at this May’s Simply Cheshire artisan fair. But it was almost by chance that Lizzie discovered her unique talent for capturing cities in all their assorted glory. Hailing from Chester, she attended Ruthin School before transferring to the Hammond School for her GCSEs. ‘I always knew I liked art, but that was really where I delved into my artistic side,’ she explains. ‘So I went into textiles, and then I moved on to Sir John Deane’s College in Northwich, which was great, but I still didn’t really know what I wanted to do. So I did an art foundation in Leeds – I thought I wanted to do ceramics, but tried ceramics; awful at it. Just terrible. So I just sort of floated through that year trying to figure out what I wanted to do, and then eventually

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overheard a conversation someone else was having about this course in Nottingham called Decorative Arts – which is basically for people who still don’t really know what they’re doing, and I thought “oh, that sounds like me!”’. She didn’t love the course, but describes it as ‘an introduction to everything’ which allowed her the chance to discover screen printing and try her hand at a whole wealth of other artistic disciplines, from ceramics to glass painting, before she eventually settled on the idea of making wallpaper. ‘So my tutor said “ok, what are you going to print?”’ She tells me. ‘And I thought “oh. Well I can’t draw patterns or people, so I’d better draw something else”. So I went home to Chester for the summer and cycled around where I live, which is all cows and trees, and drew that, then I went back [to Nottingham] and my tutor said “well this is great, but you’re not in that environment any more, what are you going to draw now?” And I was like “well, err, I guess…buildings?”’ Lizzie followed her graduation with several years working in PR, before eventually gravitating back to illustrating and, in 2009, launching her freelance design company Inky Stone (initially named Lizzie Prestt Designs). Immediately her career began to take off as she could never have imagined, with Leeds City Council commissioning her to design all their

merchandise; one of her two favourite commissions to date. ‘That was really great because it was my first big commission and it gave me the confidence that people would be interested in what I was doing and told me that I could actually do it. And of course I have a great relationship with them because the cityscape in constantly changing, so often they’ll get me in to add something or take something away,’ she explains. ‘My other favourite commission would have to be the illustrations I did for Oasis just before Christmas 2011,’ she says. ‘That was great because obviously I’d never seen my drawings on clothes before. I actually thought it was a joke – I was in Scotland at my thenboyfriend’s house, and they asked me to come

‘I thought “oh. Well I can’t draw animals or people, so I’d better draw something else.”’ down to London. So I went home to Chester, got my portfolio, came down to London, and I was so disoriented I then lost my portfolio, went to the meeting the next morning and they said “where’s your portfolio?” and I said “I actually don’t have it, I left it in the back of a cab” (I tried to find it but I never did!). So it was a bit chaotic. But it was fantastic because it showed me I could do something big like that with such a tight turnaround, and it gave me such great exposure.’ It was handling such a mammoth, highpressure commission which also gave Lizzie the confidence to do three days live-drawing in the windows of two of Oasis’ London stores to launch the campaign, spending ‘about eight hours at a time’ drawing. ‘When I think about it

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now, I think “my god, I must’ve been mad!”,’ she says. ‘It was exhausting, I was absolutely wiped out and it was very intense having people watching you, but it was good. I learned that it was best to just say yes and go with it and deal with the consequences afterwards; it was a really good life lesson, to take the risk and trust yourself and it’ll pay off.’ Since then Lizzie has been asked by numerous companies and brands to do window illustrations and live-drawing demonstrations, though she’s particularly looking forward to bringing her talents back to her beloved Cheshire and tackling its delectable mix of town and country with her pen. ‘So Suzie [Dickens] and Sally [Jones] at Simply Cheshire asked me to do the show in May – originally just to sell my products, and then they decided I should do a free-hand live-drawing of Cheshire too. I love drawing Cheshire; it’s so beautiful, and to draw it is a real experience, it’s just gorgeous,’ she says proudly. ‘And I love to draw old buildings – they’re all so sculptured – so this is just perfect. I’ve only really drawn [Cheshire] once and it was only a small section for a cushion, so I’m really looking forward to drawing it again and I think it’ll be a really lovely show to go to because all Sally’s shows tend to have a really nice vibe, and of course I’m really looking forward to going home. I love doing artisan shows like this because there’s such a nice feeling of camaraderie and such a nice atmosphere because, although we’re all competitive in a sense, we’re all in it together. You meet some lovely people and you get an awful lot from hearing their stories and learning

from them. It’s just a really nice day out!’ Amazingly she still works four days a week for a film and TV costume and props house, doing commissions in her free time – although, with a change of job and a house move currently on the cards, there isn’t as much of that as she’d like. ‘In the future I’d love to do illustrations full time, if I could get regular commissions for the really big drawings and maybe a mini product line,’ she explains, ‘but with somebody else helping out so they could do the business side, because I’m terrible at all that! And I’d love to keep doing the live-drawing, because I enjoy doing that so much and it’s such a great way to meet lots of different people.’ She thinks for a moment. ‘And, you know, international commissions would be nice. Paris, for example.’ She says mock-offhand and laughs. ‘If anyone wants to send me to Paris, that’d be fine.’ You have to admire her dedication. Simply Cheshire, Arley Hall, Northwich, 22-23 May (simplycheshire.co.uk, inkystone.com)

literary itinerary

A TIDY SUM The art world of the north west has been abuzz since January following the £60,000 sale of famous LS Lowry painting ‘People in Street’. The sale – which was filmed as part of the BBC’s new series Fake or Fortune – took place at auction house Wright Marshall in Knutsford, and took the painting’s previous owner rather by surprise, given that they’d originally bought the painting for £1,000 at the Lefevre Gallery in London in 1972. Now that you mention it, we’ve been meaning to pay our local gallery a visit… (wrightmarshall.co.uk)

Arts & Culture Natalie Angelsey and Gemma Knight bring you not-tomiss shows and news from the world of the arts

Tumble town This year the Manchester Arena celebrates its 20th Anniversary in style with a fantastic array of entertainment. For the little ones I can recommend Justin and Friends: Mr Tumble’s Circus. The popular children’s entertainer returns with another sparkling show. CBeebies’ Cat Sandion and Swashbuckle’s Gemma Hunt join Justin Fletcher MBE and a host of friends on stage. Also joining in the fun are dino-mad Andy Day, Robert the Robot and Little Monster. Mr Tumble will invite some family members along as well. ‘It’s always exciting to welcome new friends into the Justin & Friends family,’ laughs Justin. ‘It’s rare we get to perform together and that makes these shows such fun. Cat and Gemma are both fantastic entertainers and I’m really looking forward to touring with them.’ Justin and his friends are bursting with excitement because Mr Tumble’s circus is coming to town! When the circus gets delayed, the CBeebies stars swing into action and discover they’ve some pretty amazing circus talents too! Manchester Arena, 14 April (0844 847 8000; manchester-arena.com)

A square drenched in opulence and steeped in history, Place Vendôme is renowned for being one of the most stunning places to visit in Paris. Alexis Gregory’s fashionable book from publishers Assouline features a detailed chronological account from the square’s history from its beginnings under Louis XIV’s rule, to its life in the 21st century renowned as Paris’s centre of style. The square is still celebrated for its links to haute couture and fine jewellery. Coco Chanel used it as a constant source of inspiration for her collections. It is the incredible range of personalities and creative influences that have chosen to base their brands here that has given Place Vendôme its unique reputation. This beautifully illustrated book is the perfect coffee table addition for style aficionados around the world. Place Vendôme, by Alexis Gregory, £55. (assouline.com)

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REBECCA

THEATRE REVIEW

Jesus Christ Superstar

ndrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s legendary musical became a massive hit in the early seventies when the fledgling, musical theatre duo made history by releasing an album prior to opening. I still have the album and vividly remember the first night! The story of the last days of Jesus Christ may seem an unlikely subject for a rock opera, although there’s certainly plenty of drama. The memorable musical score also contains the contrast between the happy, clappy numbers like Hosanna and What’s the Buzz and the gentle ballads Everything’s Alright and I Don’t Know How To Love Him. Combined with the operatic Gethsemane and the cry of pain from the cross, audiences were and still are held spell-bound. I’ve seen a variety of versions of Jesus Christ Superstar over the intervening years, including its last visit to the Manchester Arena when it starred Mel C as Mary Magdalene and Tim Minchin as Judas Iscariot. It

still made a powerful impact. Now this iconic musical returns to Manchester’s Palace Theatre with a new cast. Glenn Carter appears as Jesus, a role he’s played in the West End, on Broadway and on film. Australian star Tim Rogers, who plays Judas Iscariot, has performed in more musicals than most. To name but a few there’s Carousel, Whistle Down the Wind, West Side Story, Jersey Boys, The Full Monty, Aspects of Love and Jekyll & Hyde. Welsh Baritone Rhydian Roberts plays Pontius Pilot, while X Factor finalist Rachel Adedeji joins the cast as Mary Magdalene. Directed by impresario Bill Kenwright and Bob Tomson, who both hold impressive records for successful productions, it’s a foregone conclusion that new life will be breathed into this musical version of the greatest story ever told. Palace Theatre, Manchester, 13-18 April (0844 871 3018; atgtickets.com/manchester)

Emma Rice, Kneehigh Company’s award-winning director, has created a spellbinding new production of Daphne du Maurier’s masterpiece which conjures Cornish romance and theatrical magic. Following the mysterious death of his first wife, Maxim de Winter (Tristan Sturrock) returns to Manderley with his new bride (Imogen Dage). Surrounded by memories of the glamorous Rebecca, the new Mrs De Winter sets out to uncover a past fiercely guarded by the sinister housekeeper Mrs Danvers (Emily Raymond). Kneehigh is carving a global reputation for their extraordinary productions. I’m a fan and I can’t wait! The Lowry, 7-11 April (thelowry.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Art & Culture

A KNIGHT

AT THE THEATRE Natalie Anglesey chats to Sir Nicholas Hytner on the eve of his final curtain call at The National Theatre and discovers what’s next for Manchester’s leading director

nicholas hytner, (taken during rehersals for the hard problem)

his is a landmark period in the career of Manchester’s Sir Nicholas Hytner. This month, and after 12 extremely successful months (during which he brought many award-winning productions to the north west) he left his prestigious position as director of The National Theatre. ‘It’s been a huge thrill to be in such a creative position at The National but there are so many other things I want to do and I just knew when the time was right to leave,’ says Nick. Prior to his departure Nick was busy directing Tom Stoppard’s latest play The Hard Problem at The National, so the ties haven’t quite been severed. A life-long passion for the arts remains as strong as ever for the ex-Manchester Grammar School student. ‘I grew up in Didsbury and went to primary school at St David’s and Moor Allerton before going on to Manchester Grammar and then Cambridge University,’ Nick reflects. The son of barrister Benet Hytner QC, his mother is Joyce Hytner OBE who worked at

Granada and then, as a theatre fundraiser, serving on the boards of several theatres including The Old Vic, London’s Criterion and The Royal Court. ‘I was fortunate to have parents who were great supporters of the arts. Although I missed out on the popular Manchester music scene, every Sunday as a family we went to the Free Trade Hall to hear the Hallé. That’s when my love of classical music and opera was born. ‘Although I spent much of my time at Manchester Grammar School exploring theatre I also had parents who took me to see plays regularly. We went to The Library Theatre and in the early days of the Royal Exchange, when it was known as the ’69 Theatre Company, I saw Tom Courtenay as Romeo and James Maxwell in an incredible production of The Tempest, housed in the old University Theatre, before the present Royal Echange was built. ‘At first I wanted to become an actor but realised I wasn’t that good. At Cambridge I tried to write plays but I didn’t have the

concentration. However, I did have the ability to direct and the clarity of vision to see a production as a whole. I loved the interaction between rehearsals, stage design and wardrobe as well as stage management.’ That ability led Nick to direct both opera and theatre, which eventually brought him back to his home town as an associate director at the Royal Exchange, from 1985 to 1989. He also enjoyed huge success in musical theatre when he was invited to direct Miss Saigon in London and on Broadway by Sir Cameron Mackintosh. Since becoming director of The National in 2003, Nick’s early productions brought critical acclaim for The Wind in the Willows, The Madness of George III and Carousel. They were followed by classics like Othello, Hamlet, Timon of Athens and Henry V as well as new plays like Alan Bennett’s The History Boys, The Habit of Art and People and Richard Bean’s English People Very Nice, One Man, Two Guv’nors and most recently Great Britain. In 2010 Nick was knighted for services to drama. He directed Phèdre starring Helen Mirren; the two-part adaptation of Philip

Pullman’s His Dark Materials; and David Hare’s Stuff Happens. Yet ask him what he’s proudest of and modestly he never mentions his own productions. ‘When I look back at my time at The National, I think I’m proudest of the way I’ve broadened the audience as well as the repertoire. I broadened the audience by introducing the £10 ticket which meant more people could afford to come and I opened the place on Sundays. I instigated the filming of productions which can now be seen in cinemas worldwide and also managed to encourage new young writers and directors to work at The National.’ Apart from directing new plays written by, amongst others, Alan Bennett and Richard Bean, one of those fledgling directors Nick mentioned was Marianne Elliott (who I interviewed in the September issue). She was responsible for War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, both of which we’ve seen at The Lowry. Touring links with The Lowry and The National is also something Nick encouraged forging an ongoing relationship.

LEFT TO RIGHT: ONE MAN James Corden (Francis Henshall) and Suzie Toase (Dolly) Photo by Johan Personn ONE MAN James Corden (Francis Henshall) Photo by Johan Personn GREAT BRITAIN Lucy Punch (Paige Britain) 2014 by Brinkoff-Mogenburg

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Many National Theatre productions have toured here including: Travelling Light, starring Antony Sher; One Man Two Guv’nors, initially staring James Corden, then Rufus Hound and most recently Gavin Spokes. We’ve also seen Alan Bennett’s Lady In The Van and People. Indeed since The Lowry opened its doors in Salford Quays in 2000, 23 National Theatre productions have played there. Nick has also embraced film and his credits include The History Boys, The Madness of King George, The Object of My Affection and The Crucible which starred Daniel Day Lewis. ‘I love film although I’m far more comfortable directing for the theatre. I’ve been fortunate to have successes with The History Boys and The Madness of King George but have also had less successful films. All part of the learning curve.’ Exciting times now lie ahead for Nick’s new company with Nick Starr, the National’s ex-executive director, which will encompass the various art forms he cares so much about. ‘I will make theatre for a new company. we hope, find new ways of making commercial theatre.’

‘We went to The Library Theatre and in the early days of the Royal Exchange, when it was known as the ’69 Theatre Company, I saw James Maxwell in an incredible production of The Tempest’ As ever he remains passionate about new writing and has already joined the panel of the Bruntwood Playwriting Competition. The results will be announced at the Royal Exchange later this year which will bring him back to Manchester and the theatre where he once worked. ‘I’m always delighted to find an excuse to return, however briefly, to the city where I spent so much of my formative years.’

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PRIZE LOTs

3 #1 Carved Limewood Maquette As part of its Wellington, Waterloo & the Napoleonic Wars sale to mark the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo, Bonhams will be auctioning an exceptional carved limewood maquette of the figurehead for the flagship HMS Queen Charlotte. Crafted in 1790, the maquette stands 20cm high and features rare and exquisite detail. Exhibition and auction at Bonhams; 1 April; Estimated range: £60,000-100,000 (bonhams.com)

#2 Fishing Village, Cornwall by Christopher Wood Christie’s sale of 20th Century British & Irish Art will include a selection of artworks formerly in the private collection of Sir Noël Coward. The collection comprises paintings by Coward himself and those acquired as gifts from

friends such as Elizabeth Taylor, David Niven, and this oil on canvas work by revered British artist Christopher Wood, signed and dated in the lower-left corner. Exhibition and auction at Christie’s; 19 March; Estimated range: £70,000-100,000 (christies.com)

#3 The Ivy Painting by Bridget Riley One of the most acclaimed British artists working today, in 1968 Bridget Riley was the first woman to win the international painting prize at the Venice Biennale and for fifty years has been one of the foremost advocates of ‘Op Art’. The painting will be sold as part of an auction featuring iconic items of legendary significance from The Ivy to benefit Child Bereavement UK. Exhibition and auction at Sotheby’s; 25 March; Estimated range: £120,000-180,000 (sothebys.com)

Watch news See one of the most complex components of watchmaking in action, discover the exciting new limited series from Breitling, and get to know the latest brand flying the flag for state-side horology words: richard brown

The collectors’ chronograph Until a century ago, all pocket chronographs had only one pushpiece, housed in the crown, which successively handled their start, stop and zero-reset functions. In 1915, Breitling became the first brand to offer a wrist chronograph, and, in doing so, became the first company to create a pushpiece independent of the crown that controlled the three chronograph operations. It chose to place the push piece at two o’clock, where it remains on nearly every chronograph to this day. To celebrate the invention, Breitling is introducing a limited series of its Transocean model; equipped with a brand new, two-tiered, double column-wheel calibre, the Transocean Chronograph 1915 will provide its 1,915 owners a handsome tribute to watchmaking history. Transocean Chronograph 1915, £6,790, Breitling (breitling.com)

American dream Two years after Shinola exploded onto the scene, there’s another Michigan based brand flying the flag for American watchmaking. A mash-up of industrial aesthetics and traditional Saxonian design (see Glashutte Original and A. Lange & Söhne for parallels), The Detroit Watch Company’s debut 1701 is a mechanical, self-winding timepiece with a date calendar and 40-hour power reserve, available for a fraction of the price that you’d pay for a similar thing this side of the pond. We’re sold. 1701, $895, The Detroit Watch Company (detroitwatchco.com)

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ONE TO WATCH

Defying gravity Introduced more than two hundred years ago, as a mechanism designed to eliminate the effect of gravity on the regulating organ of a watch, the tourbillon remains one of the most complex components in watchmaking. Taking its complexity to new limits is Girard-Perregaux, which has developed a tourbillon with a regulating organ that rotates on three axes instead of the traditional one. It takes almost 160 hours for watchmakers to assemble the 317 components of the movement, which collectively weigh just 1.24g. Find it inside the recently launched white gold version of GP’s Tri-Axial Tourbillon. White Gold Tri-Axial Tourbillon, £POA, Girard-Perregaux (girard-perregaux.com)

‘The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, is the bench mark for those with a passion for driving and speed. Created in 1963, it still remains true to the spirit of the endurance racing drivers. A 40mm classic case size, waterproof to 100m, makes it the instrument of choice for measuring time’

Rolex Daytona 116523 white dial £11,250

Lee Chadwick, Manager at David M Robinson’s Manchester showroom (davidmrobinson.co.uk)

The art of engraving Vacheron Constantin has updated its Métiers d’Art collection with two new timepieces equipped with beautiful, hand-engraved movements. The plates and bridges of the calibre 2260/1, which sits inside the Mecaniques Gravees 14-Day Tourbillon, features acanthus leaf floral motifs line-engraved to a depth of 2/10ths of a millimetre – a fine example of art for art’s sake. Mecaniques Gravees 14-Day Tourbillon, £272,050, Vacheron Constantin (vacheron-constantin.com)

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Swing

into Orbit

lying in as part of the new collections for 2015 is Robinson Pelham’s new Asteroid ring. Revolving around the concept of the solar system, the piece has become a staple of the luxury jeweller and every collection sees it reintroduced with a different stone. The Paraiba tourmaline, fast becoming one of the industry’s most fashionable gemstones, takes centre stage this time round, its vivid blue-green hue showcased in all its brilliance. The exceptional rarity of this stone (one Paraiba tourmaline is mined for every 10,000 diamonds) makes it ideal for this particular collection. When it comes to other new pieces launching, this year sees an explosion of kaleidoscopic colour and bold shapes in the Oxygen collections, while the Evoke range brings a more subdued elegance. Paraiba Asteroid ring, £18,000 (robinsonpelham.com)

Jewellery news

WORDS BY OLIVIA SHARPE

Animal farm Julie Parker has carved out a niche for herself as one of the world’s foremost authorities on pearls and pearl jewellery. While modest and unassuming in person, the revered British jewellery designer has previously worked for the likes of Asprey, Hamilton & Inches and Theo Fennell, not to mention private commissions for members of the Royal Family. Her latest partnership is with pearl purveyor Assael, who called upon her to create a collection of bejewelled pieces focusing on the world’s endangered species in order to raise money for the Wildlife Conservation Society and Tusk, a wildlife conservation group established 20 years ago in response to the poaching crisis in Africa. Each piece, representing a different endangered animal, comprises more than 1,000 diamonds and a rare giant baroque South Sea pearl, and may either be worn as a pendant or admired as an objet d’art. Endangered Species collection by Julie Parker, available from 30 March (assael.com)

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Come into fashion Despite having been around since 1860, Italian maison Faraone has remained relatively under the radar, but this year sees the jeweller step into the limelight with the unveiling of a new collection; Via Montenapoleone. The line of prêt–à–porter jewellery, designed to complement the more traditional haute joaillerie collection, One of a Kind, takes its name from the famous Milanese shopping street where Faraone first set up shop and continues to boast a showroom at number nine. Comprising three new ranges – Sfere di Faraone, Campanelle and F di Faraone – each one features easy-to-wear pieces which cater for a younger clientele. (faraonegioielli.com)

Going on 30 As she celebrates her 30th anniversary this year, British jeweller Cassandra Goad has chosen to mark the occasion by launching a floor dedicated to customisation at her flagship store. Since starting her business in 1985 (when the age of bespoke had not yet dawned), she has been committed to offering her clients pieces that are individual to them and the new area showcases this, housing cabinets displaying sketches and tools that lead to the creation of a new jewel, along with a film that plays out Goad’s travels around the world that have inspired new designs and collections. (cassandragoad.com)

CUTTING EDGE At this year’s Paris Couture Week, Chanel presented its new high jewellery collection, Les Intemporels de Chanel:

Chanel’s latest high jewellery collection is inspired by the symbols that make up its founder Gabrielle Chanel’s universe. These include: comet, star, ribbon, camellia and lion

From top: Camelia Ganse earrings, Lion Talisman necklace, POA, Chanel Fine Jewellery, chanel.com

Collection | The CHESHIRE Magazine

#3 #2 #5

Material

girl

Designers experimented with unusual materials, from perspex to Plexiglas, for their SS15 accessories

#15

#8 #14

#9 #13 Chanel SS15

#12 #10

#11

#1 Silk-faille and gold-plated necklace, £175, Etro (net-a-porter.com) #2 Coral feather earrings, £60, Etro (etro.com) #3 Resin and wooden bracelet, £200, Marni (marni.com) #4 Floral resin, gold-plated and cotton rope necklace, £530, Marni (marni.com) #5 Resin floral earrings, £290, Marni (marni.com) #6 Gold-coloured brass choker, £730, Balmain (balmain.com) #7 Kompoloi gold-plated, jade and cotton bracelet, £135, Iam by Ileana Makri (net-a-porter.com) #8 Colour-block ring, £190, Fendi (matchesfashion.com) #9 Surf earrings with feather, £238, Etro (etro.com) #10 Gold-plated leather necklace, £85, Isabel Marant (net-a-porter.com) #11 Plexiglas stone cuff, £180, Stella McCartney, (matchesfashion.com) #12 Golden metal chain bracelet interlaced with leather, POA, Chanel (chanel.com) #13 Uniparo necklace, £78, Weekend Max Mara (matchesfashion.com) #14 Magenta square column necklace in 18-carat gold-plated brass cap and hand-dyed perspex, £270, Lily Kamper (lilykamper.com) #15 Plexiglas cuff, £345, Valentino (net-a-porter.com) 66

Off The

Clock As Cindy Crawford marks 20 years as the face of luxury watch brand Omega, Kari Colmans stands in the shadow of one of the world’s first supermodels

‘T

his is awkward,’ Cindy Crawford smiles, as she leans in to sign a life-sized campaign shot of herself on the wall of the newly launched Omega flagship store on Oxford Street. ‘I look like I’m wearing the same jacket now as I am in the picture, but I promise I’m not!’ The camera bulbs spark as she flashes that world-famous smile, one that has graced every high-fashion glossy in the world, and with it launched the era-defining age of the supermodel. She’s dressed impeccably in a smart navy blue snakeskin blazer, white T-shirt and navy trousers with pewter court shoes, as if she needs the height: I feel like a munchkin. I laugh, as she apologises for towering above me as we have our photograph taken – I’m sure I’m not the first to have pointed it out. ‘I get that all the time. And this lighting is just not flattering!’ By her side is brand president Stephen Urquhart, ensuring that one of Omega’s most valuable assets is sparkling at all times, which of course isn’t hard. I’m told my limited questions can only be watch-based – presumably to avoid any conversations about her 13-year-old daughter Kaia’s Teen Vogue modelling debut, the ever-ubiquitous fit-not-thin debate, or other tales from her cover girl heyday spent posing

alongside the likes of Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington. Cindy insists she’s enjoying doing the rounds in London, and talk inevitably turns, over a very English cup of tea, to the weather. Used to the year-round Malibu sunshine, where she lives with her family (her husband, the nightlife entrepreneur Rande Gerber, and their two children) the muggy grey day outside doesn’t offer the warmest of receptions. ‘Originally I’m from a small town in Illinois,’ she shrugs, where she was born to parents Dan, an electrician, and Jennifer, a hospital worker. ‘And I have certainly lived in cities like New York for 15 years and loved it, but when it comes to choosing a place to raise my family I like a smaller town feel on the beach. And I like the warm weather, despite being from such a cold place originally.’ But since moving to New York in 1986, landing her first Vogue cover that summer, she’s gotten used to jet-setting around the globe,

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especially with a second home in Los Cabos, Mexico, where her good friends the Clooneys also have a place. In her warm yet professional manner, she neatly steers the conversation back on-brand. She recalls a trip to Peru in September which saw Omega partner with Orbis, a sight-saving and international blindness prevention charity that happens to operate the world’s only flying eye hospital on a plane fitted out like a surgery. ‘I was able to take my daughter and it was just an incredible experience,’ she says. ‘It’s amazing to be able to share these experiences with my own family now.’ An ambassador since 1995, Cindy has worked with Omega longer than any of the company’s other star endorsers, and will be celebrating two decades with the company this year. ‘I always say that I’ve been with Omega longer than I’ve been with my husband,’ she smiles. ‘They are like family now.’ Cindy says the alliance was made through a shared value of ‘tradition, quality and timelessness’, something that is still true today. ‘I think my relationships are also a kind of investment in people. When you get married you invest in each other… and we are happily married,’ she jokes. ‘We’ve never even

had a fight! I’ve been with the company so long now – I think people just look at me and think ‘Omega’. We both know there is a long-term commitment there.’ Aside from the PR machine in motion, she seems at ease; approachable with a hint of that other-worldly supermodel air, which to be honest, I’m relieved about. You don’t get to marry (and divorce) Richard Gere by being just your average girl next door. One of the first watch labels to employ an ambassador (and a female one at that), Omega went from selling only 20 per cent of its watches to women, to what is now more of a 50/50 share – although, it must be said, this hike isn’t exclusive to Omega. According to market intelligence agency Euromonitor International, sales of women’s luxury timepieces increased 49.8 per cent worldwide from 2009-14, with £6,181 billion worth of women’s luxury timepieces sold. With top-tier horologists clearly thinking outside the ‘shrink it, pink it’ box when it comes to ladies’ watches, I ask if she feels women are taking more of an interest generally in an area that has typically been marketed to the male consumer. ‘First of all, more and more women are working today and they are successful in their own right in terms of business. They can afford to buy these pieces for themselves as opposed to waiting to receive them as a gift from somebody else. Also, I think now more than ever women are appreciating the quality of the movement and the design as a whole. ‘On the other hand, we are also thinking of watches in terms of making a fashion statement: really, you don’t need to wear a watch to tell the time anymore, because we all have our phones with us. If I travel I don’t always remember to reset the time straight away, because I think of my watch as part of my overall look. ‘A watch used to be essential. I used to sleep in a watch because I like knowing what time it is. I’m a very punctual person. You don’t really have the necessity of a watch anymore, so there’s been a real shift in people’s mindsets – you have to just want it, which is a harder sell in

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a way. It has to be more romanced.’ Today, Cindy’s modelling the De Ville Prestige Butterfly with a white gold and diamond bezel (£15,860); she laughs as she checks its face and realises that it’s set wrong, most probably on Californian time. I ask if she’d usually be sporting such a blingy look on a weekday morning. ‘I think women want to develop their watch wardrobes the same way they do [with jewellery]. ‘For me, a first watch has to be something that you can wear all the time, especially in LA as it’s so casual. I usually wear this,’ she says, picking up a piece from the table in front of us. ‘I usually wear a gold-on-gold Aqua Terra during the day. I tend to plan my jewellery around my watch unless it’s a black-tie event, and then I would say the other way round, because you pick the dress and the jewels first. I really like the Ladymatic for special events, but I don’t own one,’ she quips, with a nudge in Urquhart’s direction. ‘I think for women, [it is important] to start with that great everyday watch, followed by something for the evening. Those are the two essentials.’ While she looks impeccable for her 48 years – the Bournville-like hair, the legs that go on forever, that defiant, signature trademark perched just above her lip – I’m pleased to find the evidence of years spent smiling at the camera haven’t been blasted from her complexion. Aside from being the ultimate poster woman, would she consider a Bond girl cameo, considering Omega’s long-standing partnership with the franchise? ‘Oh I think those days are over!’ she laughs. ‘No, actually I do not like acting. I did a commercial this past weekend with Sofía Vergara who is so funny. I was supposed to be acting with her and I kept saying to the director “just please remember I’m not an actress.” She was doing all these crazy things with her face! I am very comfortable being myself in front of the camera but not trying to be someone else.’ And when you’re Cindy Crawford, why would you want to be? (omegawatches.com; euromonitor.com)

Fashion news Forever fabulous Since we discovered luxury Manchester-based fashion brand Forever Unique a few years back, we’ve found ourselves awaiting the unveiling of each new collection with bated breath – and this year’s Spring/ Summer selection has exceeded our expectations as usual. Known for its intricate, dazzling eveningwear, Forever Unique is all about fun, vibrant colours and flattering shapes, boasting body-perfecting construction to help achieve a truly show-stopping silhouette. We’ll certainly be paying a visit before this summer’s round of soirées kicks off. (foreverunique.co.uk)

Mulberry’s new it girl Some of the more common practices undertaken after a bad break-up can include: crying profusely, watching terrible films, eating junk food or dyeing one’s hair a regrettable colour. This, however, is clearly not the case for Cressida Bonas. After her public split from Prince Harry last year, the 25-year old beauty hasn’t hidden herself away but has instead thrown herself into her work and it has evidently paid off; it was recently announced that she would succeed fellow British model Cara Delevingne by becoming Mulberry’s new muse. The brand’s latest campaign, due for release this month, will star both Bonas and actor Freddie Fox, who make the perfect pair as they show off their dancing skills with a blend of improvised and rehearsed moves. Happily ever after doesn’t have to mean Prince Charming, it would seem. (mulberry.com) 72

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Mou-ve over

Red and yellow and pink and green

Recently we’ve been on the hunt for new sturdy, cosy boots to fill the gap in our footwear wardrobes created by après-ski sessions and early-spring outdoor excursions. Of course, there are certain brands – who shall remain nameless – which already have that gap covered, but we prefer to set trends rather than follow them. Thank heavens, then, for gorgeous new brand Mou and its sumptuous selection of durable, soft boots, handcrafted from natural materials and available in a delightfully eclectic range of designs. We think a good peruse of their website is in order. (mou-online.com)

You can keep your stilettos and red-soled peep-toes, we haven’t felt this way about shoes in a long time. Comfortable, ethical and strawberry scented(!), Victoria plimsolls come in a swath of frankly delicious colours that give any outfit a neat, fun twist. Founded in 1915 in La Rioja, Spain by a doting husband who named the brand after his cherished wife, Victoria has gone on to become the ultimate name in classic plimsolls and, this year, celebrates its 100th anniversary with a campaign dedicated to true love. We’re hoping that comes free with each pair. (victoria-plimsolls.co.uk)

Raey of sunshine Matches Fashion recently announced that it would be adding to its vast online repertoire of more than 400 luxury fashion brands with the re-launch of its own womenswear collection, Raey. The contemporary label, designed by the in-house team led by creative director Rachael Proud (formerly at Christopher Kane), has a modern, minimalist aesthetic with a slightly masculine edge, featuring classic wardrobe staples, including a white jumpsuit, navy trench coat, lightweight utility dress and slouchy cashmere tracksuits. We already have our eyes firmly fixed on a lemon-yellow slouchy cashmere coat, ideal for those fresh mornings in early spring. (matchesfashion.com)

Cogs and gears Accessory specialist Tateossian takes inspiration from motion with industrial pieces and watch-inspired skeleton movement. The square gear cufflinks combine different sized gears which rotate freely while the rotondo-gear cufflinks are hand-crafted from various watch gears and cogs, with finishes including silver, gunmetal and rose gold. We’re eagerly anticipating the 25th anniversary collection coming later this year. (tateossian.com)

Scarlet Fever

Whoever said black had to be boring? Liven up monotonous monochrome with studs, stars, sequins, zips and ruffles

Photographer: Dominic Nicholls ST Y LIST: H a y l e y C a i n e

White sequined Virginie deluxe blazer, £500, and New Play deluxe shorts, £125, Zadig & Voltaire (zadig-et-voltaire.com); Black silk scarf, £130, Marni (marni.com); Mini cuff with chain, £1,380, Betony Vernon (betonyvernon.com) 74

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Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine

ABOVE Abstract frill biker jacket, £1,000, Christopher Kane (harveynichols.com); Teardrop diamond earrings, £11,500, Diane Kordas (dianekordasjewellery.com) OPPOSITE Knee-seam leather-like jeans, £260, 7 For All Mankind (7forallmankind.com); James black studded crêpe blazer, £575, A.L.C. (harveynichols.com); Embellished leather bag, £1,240, Marni (marni.com)

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OPPOSITE Black velvet blazer, £1,037, and matching easy pants, £660, Raquel Allegra, Selfridges (selfridges.com); Black silk scarf, £130, Marni (marni.com); Black leather heels, £615, Gianvito Rossi (gianvitorossi.com) ABOVE Black velvet star top, £285, Anglomania by Vivienne Westwood (viviennewestwood.com); Safety pin earrings, £180, Julien David (net-a-porter.com/Julien_David)

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ABOVE Crystal embellished dress, £1,560, Christopher Kane (harveynichols.com); Resin stone cuff bracelet, £290, Marni (marni.com) OPPOSITE Studded leather jacket, £2,020, A.L.C. (harveynichols.com); Princess black tulle dress, £585, Alice and Olivia (harveynichols.com)

Hair: Meggie Cousland @ Carol Hayes, The CHESHIRE Magazine | Regulars using Kiehlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s since 1851 Make-up: Margo Holder @ LHA Represents, using NARS Photographerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Assistant: Aurora Scheftel Model: Honey, Elite Model Management Art Director: Delia Sievers Shot on location at Grosvenor House Park Lane, W1K 7TN (marriott.co.uk)

ed as nd le a re m s de le ar ab u l r t op he p rt to Fu ue d

Pink Ribbon Ball Manchester Cathedral Saturday 25 April, 2015 Pricing from ÂŁ150 per person or ÂŁ1,500 per table Tickets include champagne reception, four-course meal by Harvey Nichols with fabulous entertainment

To book: 020 7749 4106 pinkribbonball@breastcancercampaign.org www.breastcancercampaign.org/pinkribbonballmanchester

Registered charity no. 299758

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

aving topped the best dressed lists with unrivalled consistency, Alexa Chung has shared her style acumen with denim brand AG Jeans to create a collection that mirrors her personal style. Inspired by a ‘late-sixties, early-seventies aesthetic’ the designs are a range of timeless basics including a miniskirt, dungarees and high-waisted shorts. The collection is available at Net-a-Porter, where denim is a hot topic. This March the luxury e-tailer will unveil an exclusive three-piece collection of Levi’s 501 CT jeans (customised and tapered). The designs will keep the casual style of Levi’s original 501s, but will be custommade in a 72-hour process to produce a more contemporary fit. (net-a-porter.com)

JEAN GENIE 83

Beauty news

From paris with love Cast your mind back to 2010 when French model and actress Clémence Poésy was one of three spokeswomen for Chloé’s eponymous fragrance. Five years later Poésy has reprised the role, this time as the only face of the brand’s latest scent, Love Story. The fragrance itself is fresh and floral with notes of jasmine, orange blossom and cedar wood. Inspired by the locks on the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris, the bottle is in the shape of a padlock and features Chloé’s signature pleat design. £65 for 50ml (harrods.com)

Scent-sational Perfumer Jo Malone’s Jo Loves store opened last year on Elizabeth Street, where she began her career working as a florist at the age of 16. Still a fan of the floral aromas that underpinned her original self-named brand, the latest perfume to launch this March is titled White Rose & Lemon Leaves. Blending citrus with cedar wood to create a fresh scent perfect for spring, Jo told us last year ‘Each scent is a character to me; some are dominant, others are subtle. It feels personal. I create this world around a fragrance. If they were characters, how would they be?’ £95 for 100ml (joloves.com) 84

Facing the music Facial aficionados will be excited to hear that the Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel & Spa is one of the first spas in the UK – and the first in Cheshire – to offer the fantastic new Elemis BIOTEC treatments. The range includes seven different facials, each one designed to target specific skin issues, meaning that you can intensively treat sagging, ageing, blemishes and a whole host of other ailments individually. The results are pretty astounding too – apparently the Triple-Tec Anti-Wrinkle facial produced a 68 per cent reduction in fine lines and wrinkles after just one treatment. Now that’s our kind of facial! (macdonaldhotels.co.uk)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Beauty

TREATMENT OF THE MONTH SIGNATURE FACIAL

Candle in the wind Renowned for its candles and sweet Parisian scents, Diptyque has released a new collection for spring. The Rosafolia candle is a blend of geranium, Turkish rose and galbanum, producing a fresh aroma. Never one to hold back on presentation, Diptyque has packaged its latest offering in a limited-edition colourful interpretation of the brand’s rose and ivy design. Also in the collection is Diptyque’s new fragrance Eau Plurielle, and a limited edition Rosafolia scented oval. £44 (diptyqueparis.co.uk)

I know that the secret to healthy glowing skin is in the everyday, but sometimes you just need that instant result to give your skin that lift, especially at this time of the year. Enter the Signature Facial from Image Skincare, an American cosmeceutical brand only available through licensed salons and only after a consultation. I headed down to The Fabulous You Company at Willington Hall to see if it would really work on some dull winter skin. Warmly greeted by owner, Leisa, we chatted about the brand and what to expect from my facial and soon I was cosied in the spacious treatment room ready to begin. The whole ethos behind Image Skincare is that their products work at a cellular level to reduce fine lines, increase hydration and stimulate cell growth for more youthful looking skin. Extractions are performed to remove congestion and any blockages in the pores, followed by a gentle glycolic acid treatment to remove any further outer layers of dead skin cells. A signature blend of vitamins then nourishes to leave skin brightened and tightened. It can also address and calm any redness in the skin. Looking in the mirror the results were immediate and noticeable, now I just have to keep it up. I have my personal action plan to follow and Leisa will review it each month. Here’s to healthy, glowing skin. Signature Facial, £65 (1hr) The Fabulous You Company, Willington Hall, Tarporley, CW6 0NB; 01829 759332; (thefabulousyoucompany.co.uk)

Resurrecting a classic Created in 1957 in a salute to the legendary panache of Madame Carven’s husband, Vétiver has long been thought one of the finest men’s scents the world has ever known. Now, in recognition of its long history, Carven have launched an homage to the original, thronging with its classic notes of bergamot and orange blossom and encased in its signature green bottle. A crowning glory for any man’s eau de toilette case. (selfridges.com)

The Italian Job If you’ve a male birthday on the horizon and find that you’re lacking in inspiration, take heed. The Acqua Di Parma Collezione Barbiere Gift Set is a limited edition set which comes in a rather elegant hatbox and features shaving cream, aftershave balm and a facial cleansing scrub. Perfect for the man who secretly yearns to add a touch of Italian flair to his grooming routine, and suitable for all skin types. (houseoffraser. co.uk)

Andrew Gallimore joins Nars NARS has welcomed Andrew Gallimore as its new make-up artist ambassador for the UK. Gallimore has more than a decade of experience in the beauty industry, working with the likes of David Bailey and Rankin for Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar to name a few. The make-up artist will use NARS in his editorial work, and will showcase the brand in interviews and at events. Gallimore said he was ‘excited to contribute’ to the brand, and that he has been a ‘long admirer’ of François Nars. Haven’t we all. (nars.com) 85

The new kid on the block As you are aware, The Cheshire Magazine is supporting The Pink Ribbon Ball, Manchester. Louisa Castle speaks with committee chairman, Keely Barrett to find out what makes it so special

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Feature

have known Keely for several years, brought together through a mutual friend with cancer, at a time when she was already working hard on Breast Cancer Campaign’s behalf in Manchester and Cheshire. ‘I don’t think there’s one person on this committee who hasn’t been touched by cancer, and specifically breast cancer,’ begins Keely. When I first became editor of The Cheshire Magazine we had lost touch but one facebook message later, we were on the phone excited about each other’s latest news and plans. ‘I’d worked with and supported The Pink Ribbon Ball London for many years, attending some amazing events and when they called me to ask what I thought about a ball outside of London, I was genuinely thrilled and honoured. ‘The next question was who would be on the committee. I needed ten strong, genuine ladies in the north west. To be honest, it wasn’t very hard. ‘Every member had the same reaction when asked. After the “wow, I can’t believe you asked me. I’d love to be a part of it” it was straight down to business. I think there comes a time in your life when you want to give something back and realise the importance of doing so. ‘There is such amazing research work being undertaken in Manchester,’ Keely explains. ‘It is important to recognise that funds raised will help Breast Cancer Campaign to overcome breast cancer within our lifetime. ‘Chemoprevention drugs can reduce the risk of breast cancer in women known to be at high risk of the disease. However, it is currently difficult to predict precisely who will benefit from these drugs, and we need alternatives for those who don’t benefit. Breast Cancer Campaign is currently funding two projects at the University of Manchester researching this important area. ‘Professor Gareth Evans’ research will find new ways to monitor whether chemoprevention drugs are working for women at high risk, ensuring that women receive the most appropriate risk-reducing measure for them. And Dr Sacha Howell’s research focuses on finding an alternative chemoprevention drug

keely barret, pin k ribbon ball manches ter, committee cha ir

‘Over £5 million has been invested in local research projects’ which could be suitable for pre-menopausal women who currently have fewer preventative drug treatment options available. ‘High breast density is one of the risk factors for breast cancer developing. Dr Susan Astley, also at the University of Manchester, is hoping to develop better ways to detect breast density. She believes that analysis of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (3-D images of the breast) will be more effective at showing up areas of high breast density than normal mammograms. She hopes her research will provide more women with accurate information about their risk of developing the disease and therefore help them to prevent it. ‘It’s going to be a fabulous event, the first Pink Ribbon Ball outside of London, painting Manchester Cathedral pink and raising vital funds for the charity’s life-saving research. It has been organised by some amazing people and I feel so privileged to be a part of it.’ Breast Cancer Campaign’s Pink Ribbon Ball is launching in Manchester on 25 April 2015 with food by Harvey Nichols (breastcancercampaign.org)

the pink ribbon ball, london celebrated its 20th year at the natura l history museum last year (image courtesy of rex/jonathan)

Backstage Beauty

To pare down or go bold? Amy Welch discovers the beauty trends taking centre stage this season

Return to Innocence

Nothing complements the pastel hues of springtime quite like a flawless natural complexion. Seen on the S/S catwalks of Chloé and Jil Sander, pale dewy skin is the ultimate off-duty look. Aside from drinking copious amounts of water and being naturally blessed with supermodel DNA, the best way to achieve a radiant look is with a smoothing liquid foundation. Crème de la Mer’s feels lightweight on the skin and gives a barely-there look (we won’t tell if you don’t). For those pesky imperfections on the go, Secret Camouflage from Laura Mercier is our handbag staple. Secret Camouflage palette in ‘SC-3’, £26.50, Laura Mercier (lauramercier.com). The Treatment Fluid Foundation SPF 15 in ‘Neutral’, £70, Crème de la Mer (cremedelamer.co.uk)

MAIN IMAGE & RIGHT: CHLOÉ SS’15

IMAGE: JENNY PACKHAM

Gone with the Wind

Go big or go home. If your hair isn’t slicked back it should be all high shine and full of bounce, with a classic and all-American blow dry. Full and vibrant hair is instantly youthful, so it is worth taking a minute to select the right products to accentuate a blow dry. The Forever Shine duo from Philip B will define and de-frizz and is a good choice for coloured or processed hair. If you’re all about no fuss, simply skip the hair dryer and 1970s style waves are on the cards, which can still look polished for a casual lunch date. The key look is natural, seen best at Jenny Packham, so step away from the straighteners. Oud Royal Forever Shine Shampoo, £60, Oud Royal Forever Shine Conditioner, £70, both Philip B (philipb.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

Smoky eyes are all very well for candle lit winter dinners, but springtime brings with it a more imaginative colour palette. For the adventurous, bright blue and green hues will make hazel eyes pop, and Burberry’s new season Aqua Green shadow lasts all day. For the occasions where aquamarine lids seem too much or, heaven forbid, clashes with your Victoria Beckham shift dress, then an elegant black liquid liner will have the desired effect. Wet & Dry Silk Shadow in ‘Aqua Green’ and ‘Stone Blue’, £22.50, both Burberry (burberry.co.uk) IMAGE: ROCHAS SS’15

Ethereal Beauty

IMAGE: VALENTINO

There was something distinctly ethereal, almost siren like, happening at Valentino’s S/S15 show. Tousled waves pulled back from luminous cheeks showed an otherworldly beauty, whilst translucent skin also graced the catwalks of Rochas and Marni. We adore the glow of Ilia’s Polka Dots and Moonbeams’ highlighting abilities as much as we love the name. Apply to cheekbones, brow bones, inner corners of eyes, bridge of nose and pout of lower lip for an impish shimmer. An evening take on the trend was best seen at Balmain, who pared golden skin with wet-look hair on its models. For a more subtle day time look SUQQU’s blush palettes are rose-tinged perfection. Illuminator in ‘Polka Dots and Moonbeams’, £30, Ilia (iliabeauty. co.uk). Balancing Cheeks in ‘Pink Rose’, £38, SUQQU (suqqu.com)

‘For the adventurous, bright blue and green hues will make hazel eyes pop’

Polished Perfection Rouge lips aren’t exactly ground-breaking, yet we are a fool for the classic trend; the beauty equivalent of power dressing. Paraded expertly at Burberry this season, warm red tones pared with matte foundation will appear polished rather than vampish as a natural and full brow completed the look. Keeping any dreaded colour bleed in check is the Velvet Lip Liner from Nars (for a modern matte appearance use across the whole lip in place of lipstick). A more timeless approach is Charlotte Tilbury’s K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipsticks which we firmly believe should be in every woman’s makeup bag. Velvet Lip Liner in ‘Nihiwatu’, £18, Nars (narscosmetics.co.uk). K.I.S.S.I.N.G Fallen from the Lipstick Tree in ‘Love Bite’, £23, Charlotte Tilbury (charlottetilbury.com)

5 LEFT: BURBERRY

The Eyes have It

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style

SECRET

SERVICE

ollowing the success of its January launch, Kingsman has returned this month with a second instalment. The sartorial range is the result of a collaboration between luxury online retailer Mrporter.com and acclaimed film director Matthew Vaughn, and is based on his comic book turned film Kingsman: The Secret Service. The second drop is an expansion of the first and includes beautifully tailored suits and accessories. After all, in the words of Colin Firth’s character, Harry Hart: ‘A suit is a modern gentleman’s armour’. Suits from £1,495 (mrporter.com)

Motoring news words: Iain Warde

THE DEBUTANTE

he track-dedicated 1,000 bhp McLaren P1 GTR will debut at the 85th International Geneva Motor Show this month. Latest news states there will be a limited run with only minor modifications to the design concept presented just six months ago. The most noticeable change is the livery that the Geneva show car will be sporting. It is one which will be available to the fortunate few who will be joining the McLaren P1 GTR driver programme that kicks off at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain later this year. The design is homage to the yellow and green McLaren F1 GTR, which has claimed its own place in history as one of the five F1 GTRs that dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the historic debut by McLaren 20 years ago. (cars.mclaren.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

Lots of trouble Lotus has revealed a heavily revised Evora 400 that is the fastest, most powerful production car the British firm has ever made. Its 3.5-litre supercharged V6 has been uprated to push at a staggering 400bhp, delivering a 186mph top speed and 0-62mph in just 4.2 seconds. A new centre-exit exhaust means it sounds even better – and you can now tweak the sounds they make by pressing a button that opens up the exhaust flaps to increase the volume. Lotus says the new Evora 400 is so fast, it can lap its Hethel test track a staggering six seconds faster than the 355hp Evora. It succeeds. The price is yet to be revealed, but it’s on our list to take on track. (lotuscars.com)

Top down The BMW 2 Series Convertible is the third model in the company’s 2 Series line-up and is a direct replacement for the highly successful 1 Series Convertible. The new car will initially be available with a choice of four engines, including a new 2.0-litre diesel for the 220d and, for the first time in a BMW convertible, an M Performance variant, the M235i. Fuel economy improvements over the

previous model average 18 per cent and it also brings significant improvements in passenger space, access and acoustic comfort. Available now, the M235i will push out a respectable 326bhp and will get from 0-62 in 5.2 seconds, some very good numbers for a convertible. Prices range from £29,180 to £37,710. (bmw.co.uk)

‘I’d like to consider Ferrari as a scaled down version of God’ Jeremy Clarkson Rallye Sport revised Ford has revealed the all-new Focus RS, a high-performance road car that debuts Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control, which, in turn, contributes to performance never before seen in a Focus RS. It is equipped with a new 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine producing well in excess of 315bhp. Ford states that it ‘sets a new benchmark for driving exhilaration on the road and track’. Is this the return of the Escort Cosworth? We will be eagerly awaiting the test drive of this new beast very soon. (ford.co.uk) 93

Super charge Richard Yarrow discovers why the latest Porsche Cayenne Turbo stands out from the crowd; powerful and sleek with Porsche’s signature panache

’ve no idea how many articles like this I’ve written – hundreds and hundreds – but the creative process always starts the same way. It’s me looking at a new car and wondering what’s going to strike me; which elements will I like and not like, how does the car compare with rivals, and is it worth the money? Hand on heart, with the latest Porsche Cayenne Turbo, that ‘looking at’ process was completely unique in 16 years of doing this. The car was on my drive at home, it was approaching 5am and pitch black, and I was stood watching it defrost while eating a bowl of cereal. The big SUV quite literally appeared from under a heavy film of white as I chomped through my cornflakes, shivering in only a shirt. As I thought about what I was going to write, I realised there was something magical about the moment. No streetlights, no traffic, just a clear sky full of stars, the engine on tickover and an emerging silhouette of the Porsche and its distinctive four-point LED light signature.

In motoring circles, the Cayenne caused a huge fuss when it was launched back in 2002. Here was a thoroughbred sports car company going off-piste and launching a completely different type of vehicle. Proving the critics wrong, sales have exceeded all expectations. More than 276,000 examples of the firstgeneration car were produced, making it a runaway success. The MkII came along in 2010 and has done even better, with more than 300,000 sold. Not only has it boosted the growth of Porsche, it has created a solid foundation for investments in future generations of sports cars. Would the stunning 918 Spyder hybrid have been made without the profits from the Cayenne? Possibly not. This latest version is available in five variants, including Cayenne Diesel, Cayenne S and Cayenne S Diesel. For many the range highlight will be the Cayenne S E-Hybrid, the world’s first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment. With an all-electric driving range of up to 22 miles,

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

and at up to 77mph, it’s unquestionably a technical achievement. Perhaps surprisingly, it’s not the company’s first. You may remember the ‘Lohner Porsche’, the world’s first vehicle to have battery-powered electric drive as well as a combustion engine. Then again, you might not – it was built in 1899 by founder Ferdinand Porsche. But for old-school enthusiasts, the Cayenne Turbo will always be the flagship… at least until the Turbo S comes along. Power comes from a 4.8-litre engine with eight cylinders and twin chargers. It delivers 520bhp at 6,000rpm, with torque of 750Nm from 2,250 to 4,000rpm. If you want that in plain English, it means the car will hit 62mph in just 4.5 seconds and push on to a top speed of 173 mph.

‘Power comes from a 4.8-litre engine with eight cylinders and twin chargers’ Even in the pre-dawn dark, opening the door to get in is designed to make you feel special. The words ‘Cayenne Turbo’ are illuminated on the door sill and as a welcome greeting on the instruments. Turn the ignition and the dashboard lights up, but in stark contrast to most modern cars. Every display is cool white, from the unique n-shaped interior light at the top of your eye line to the sloping button-filled centre console, first seen on the Panamera, at the lower limit. A stunning execution, but the polar opposite of the minimalist approach some brands are taking. ‘Less is more’ is it not? Matched with a dark grey interior – a blend of leather and alcantara – and chromed detailing on the air vent surrounds, door handles and button edges, everything oozes contemporary style. Once you add in the Bose sound system, huge amount of head and knee room for rear passengers, it’s as smart and appealing a cabin as I’ve seen in a long time. On the road, the Cayenne Turbo remains the impressive performance machine it’s always

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

been. The Porsche marketing material which comes with the car sums it up as displaying ‘a high level of spontaneous performance, searing acceleration and an ability to handle any driving situation’. It’s hard to argue with that; straightline speed for such a big vehicle is genuinely breath-taking. It hugs the kerb through corners, staying impressively flat even as the outer wheels load up. And yet around town it’s a relaxing car to drive, the automatic transmission providing a smooth and refined experience. Standard equipment on all Cayennes includes Porsche Traction Management all-wheel drive, Bi-Xenon headlights with four-point LED daytime running lights, multi-function sports steering wheel with paddle-shifts, ParkAssist front and rear, cruise control, automatic climate control, powered tailgate and start/stop technology with coasting function. New to the car is an active aerodynamics system. Cooling air flaps behind the middle air inlet of the front grille are controlled by the engine management system, and are opened or closed according to the specific driving situation and cooling needs. Turbo spec costs £93,763 and adds LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Lighting System, 19-inch rims, Porsche Active Suspension Management with self-levelling air suspension and Porsche Communication Management with satellite navigation. Buyers also get a complimentary track day at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone. Arriving at my destination – a premium London hotel for a motor industry event – the sun had come up and it was a beautiful winter day. The Cayenne Turbo’s yellow brake calipers stood out behind the multi-spoke smoked alloy wheels, while round the back the bold quad exhausts also caught my eye. Twelve hours after I’d left home I was back, my own car still on the drive. It’s also a large SUV but from a mainstream brand. I know which of the two I’d rather keep. The Cayenne Turbo is the best I’ve driven, though it will be interesting to see how it compares with the Bentley Bentayga when that goes on sale next year.

MINI Magic Words: Jennifer Mason

A surprise

Classic construction

To the right of the central dashboard instrument there’s an inbuilt camera for capturing those important on-the-road memories

The characteristic ‘Touring’ coachline traces a sleek, aerodynamic sense of movement from the front wheels to the rear

Up front Two circular headlights and a hexagonal grille keep to the traditional MINI design accents

Colour palette The Como Blue exterior paint has been specially developed with an almost liquid effect to embody the juxtaposition of classic and modern style

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Motoring

I On the inside The interior has been stripped back to racing basics; leather and aluminium accents offer touches of luxury alongside a laid-back, distinctly cool vibe

n a new collaboration with Touring Superleggera, the tradition-steeped design and coach-building house based in Milan, MINI has introduced a super-cool new concept model embodying the best of the quirky British MINI personality alongside classic Italian body construction. The MINI Superleggera™ Vision is an intriguing cross between a timeless two-seater sports car and a compact pocket-rocket that should make even the most hardened of MINI sceptics sit up and take notice. MINI has remained rather cagey about the intimate engine details of the concept, which premiered at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2014, choosing instead to focus on the collaborative design aspects of the model – which Senior Vice President of BMW Group Design, Adrian van Hooydonk, describes as ‘an elegant automobile which interprets a British roadster under the influence of Italian style and hand craftsmanship.’ With discreet Union Jack symbols embedded into the design in several innovative ways, including the rear lights and the structural elements on the door interiors, the Superleggera Vision certainly pays tribute to its British racing heritage. Despite the recent decline in the style credentials of this most garish of national symbols, it must be said that the Superleggera Vision handles these flourishes with aplomb and the end result is, fortunately for MINI and Touring, more Bond than Benefits Street. There’s no word yet on whether MINI will put this exciting concept into general production, but I’m sure there are many out there who’ll agree with me when I say that I hope they do. (mini.co.uk)

Seamless design

Set apart

There are very few gaps in the car’s bodywork as it has been engineered by hand from large sheets of aluminium

As with other MINI models, the wheels are set widely on the body for a higher degree of agility

Jack’d up The rear LED lights form the shape of a Union Jack flag divided into two halves, a modern reminder of the car’s British side

Technology central words: Iain Warde

Compact Cameras Compact cameras are certainly the fun, on-the-go thing to have in your pocket these days as you never know when you’ll want to take that quick, high-quality picture of something spectacular. Here are some of the best ones available.

Fujifilm X-M1 USP: 16.3 megapixel X-Trans CMOS sensor BEST FEATURE: Retro-styling with the latest technology £389 (johnlewis.com)

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Canon PowerShot SX270 HS USP: Full HD movies and HS System with DIGIC 6 for exceptional results BEST FEATURE: 20x zoom to get you closer to the action £209.99 (argos.com)

Nikon Coolpix S9600 USP: Built-in WiFi lets you share on social media BEST FEATURE: Slimline styling puts easy sharing in your pocket £129.99 (johnlewis.com)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Technology

App: Mixlr Mixlr is a simple way to broadcast, share and listen to live audio. Create your own live audio content, or explore a growing world of musicians, bands, DJs, radio stations and sports. mixlr.com £free ios

‘E-mail has some magical ability to turn off the politeness gene in a human being’ Game:

Jeff Bezos

Battlefield hardline Live out your cop and criminal fantasy in this action-packed blockbuster which combines the intense multiplayer moments of Battlefield with a story and setting reminiscent of a modern crime drama. In the single-player campaign you’ll play Nick Mendoza, a young detective who embarks on a cross-country vendetta. In multiplayer you’ll hunt criminals, raid vaults and save hostages. Battlefield has never been more exciting especially if you like close quarter, multiplayer chaos! £44 (amazon.co.uk)

BOLT-ON Lockitron was the first device to allow users to control access to their home from anywhere in the world. Now, Bolt refines this original concept in a smaller and more appealing form allowing you to share temporary access with family and friends, unlock the door once you return home and includes the optional ‘Bridge’ which connects with your network for full remote control and monitoring. (lockitron.com)

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Travel news Out of Africa Overlooking the floodplains of the Moremi Game Reserve, the Belmond Khwai River Lodge is home to a collection of luxury ‘tents’; featuring raised wooden platforms and thatched roofs, they allow you to experience an African safari holiday without having to ‘rough it’. During the day you will be immersed in a world of wildlife with private guided safaris and talks, while in the evenings you can enjoy al fresco dining with views of the reserve and a history of stargazing mythology, before heading back to your tent which is fully equipped with a four-poster bed, bathroom and a stocked mini bar. (belmondsafaris.com)

Worth a thousand words Whether you are a skilled photographer or a rookie, the photography retreat at Amanzoe luxury resort on the Peloponnese in southern Greece is the perfect location to snap shots you can treasure for a lifetime. Spend three days exploring the peninsula’s ancient ruins and natural beauty, and be sure to visit the Sanctuary and Theatre of Asclepius in Epidaurus. Here you can capture street life in the narrow alleys and piazzas of the quaint seaside town Nafplio and trek up the coastline of the Methana peninsula. 24-28 April 2015, from £1,960 per person for a four-night package (amanzoe.com)

A Spanish getaway If sun, beach, sangria and paella are your ideal combination, head to the newly opened Sant Francesc Hotel Singular and soak up the Mallorcan sun in style. Converted from an old manor house, this charming boutique hotel sits in the shadow of one of Palma’s oldest churches. After a day of exploring the city, cool off with a dip in the rooftop pool or pamper yourself with a massage at the spa. As for dinner, there is no need to venture further than the garden restaurant for the finest in authentic Mediterranean cuisine. (slh.com) 102

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel

Design Delight

Gin o’clock The Dorchester on London’s prestigious Park Lane recently launched its bespoke Old Tom Gin, a handcrafted original recipe perfected by renowned bar manager Giuliano Morandin, then created and distilled exclusively for the hotel. The gin itself is smooth, spiced and heavily textured (just how we like it), and each bottle has a distinctive black wax seal and hand-signed label with its bespoke batch number to show it’s an original. Visitors to the hotel can taste the gin as part of an ‘Old Tom Cobbler’ cocktail (which is exactly as delicious as it sounds) at The Dorchester’s legendary bar, but if you’re not planning a trip down south for a little while yet, bottles can also be ordered online and couriered to your door. £65, available at The Dorchester, London, or from its online shop (dorchestercollection.com)

Long haul vs short haul

Short haul Parisian chic

Formerly the Grand Hotel Terminus, the Hilton Paris Opéra opened in January after a major renovation. A landmark building in the heart of the Opéra Quarter, the redesign has been sensitive to the building’s historic architecture and incorporates a mix of vintage and contemporary décor. Expect crystal chandeliers, marble columns and art by Charles Joseph Lameire. (hilton.com)

Urban retreat Raffles Hotels & Resorts brings its newest flagship to Jakarta, offering a haven of calm and, of course, luxury in the vibrant metropolis of Indonesia. Tastefully designed, the hotel pays homage to iconic Indonesian artist Hendra Gunawan whose works bring vibrant colour to the rich and elegant interior. Guests can choose from a variety of dining options, with three bars and three restaurants onsite, covering everything from a three-course meal to an afternoon tea or simply an aperitif served poolside. While we do not suggest you spend all of your time in the hotel, you cannot stay at Raffles Jakarta without paying a visit to its lavish spa equipped with treatment rooms and full-service beauty salon. (raffles.com)

Long haul Rise and shine

Designed by architect Zhang Hai Ao, the Sunrise Kempinski Hotel in Beijing was created in the image of a rising sun, to symbolise China’s developing economy. As well as unique architecture, the hotel offers a private marina, spa and fitness facilities. The building is covered by more than 10,000 panes of glass, with impressive views of the Yan Mountains and the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. (kempinski.com)

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Effortless

Exclusivity Barbados is a favourite holiday escape for Louisa Castle but, as she and her husband discover, there’s always something new to experience

BELOW LEFT: WATER-TAXI SERVICE BELOW RIGHT: FINE-DINING AT RESTAURANT 1539, PORT FERDINAND OPPOSITE: ST PETER’S BAY

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s I sit and begin to write about our experience at St Peter’s Bay I am in two minds: Should I wax lyrical about this gem on the Gold Coast of Barbados or should I play it down and keep it just for those of us who already know about it? I am lucky enough to have stayed in beautiful cliff top villas, penthouse apartments and the very latest in hotel design, but our experience at St Peter’s was something else. For starters our three-bedroom apartment is best described as a beachfront home on the third floor. It offers all the benefits of a holiday home but with access and ease to facilities of a five-star resort (more of that to come). There is no immaculate marble reception area here, just a friendly team to welcome you and settle you in through the impressive double doors. Bedrooms to your right (one twin, one double and both en suite with balconies), laundry room to the left, just in case, and then the view that will be on your screensaver as you sit your desk counting the days until your

return. The entrance hall opens out into your living area and fully-equipped kitchen, modern plantation style furnishings and detail adorned, and glass doors to where we spent most of our time, the balcony, but better described as the third-floor terrace. This was our favourite ‘room’ by far, complete with dining area, sitting area and three-person Jacuzzi all with that view. There is also a ‘bikini lift’ allowing you easy access to the pool area and beach. Great thinking. Back inside, the master bedroom benefits from access to the terrace also so you can listen to the waves crashing on the beach below as you drift off to sleep. Open for over four years now, our home was immaculate, no scuffs, no signs of wear and tear at all. That impressed us. But not before we made use of the bikini lift and sampled the balmy Atlantic followed by a drink (we can whole-heartedly recommend the Riviera punch and the Bajan lemonade) with resort manager, Geoff at The Gazebo – the relaxed poolside

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BELOW LEFT: PORT FEDINAND BELOW RIGHT: LIVING ROOM OPPOSITE PAGE: PENRHOUSE TERRACE & BEDROOM

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eaterie and bar. (We asked if we should change for dinner, ‘don’t be silly’ was the response. When in Barbados...) There is no pretence in Barbados and just four-hours into our stay, we already felt relaxed. My husband being in the midst of a huge company move and myself having just gone to print, typically it takes at least three days to unwind. Not at St Peter’s Bay. Geoff chatted effortlessly about snorkelling, polo and a whole host of activities we could take up, giving us all the information we needed but without it being like a presentation, and introducing us to Daniel Echasseriau, the world-travelled French chef, as he produced nibbles made of breadfruit fresh from the oven and discussed our dinner. Daniel is in charge of food at St Peter’s Bay, from the fresh salads to light evening nibbles, he’s also in charge of the in-home dining which can be arranged for you. Daniel’s passion for his work and taking influences from all the places he has visited is genuine and contagious so you can’t help but engage and take that into consideration when you sample his food. For us, the highlights were the simple fresh burrata, sliced open, drizzled with olive oil and served with rocket and sun-dried tomatoes and the fresh fish that was landed by the local fishermen daily. It was my husband’s birthday whilst we were staying and Daniel and his team organised an amazing dinner for us, cooked and served in our home away from home; lobster with watermelon; local chorizo and calamari; barracuda with the best spinach I have tried; and the obligatory chocolate birthday cake. It

doesn’t have to be three-course either, he can arrange a big tapas spread to share at a family gathering or a laid-back barbecue if you want it – just ask. He’s also got some rather excellent recommendations for dinner if you want them. Whilst we’re on the subject of food, one place we would recommend is fine-dining restaurant 1539 at Port Ferdinand – the new sister property to St Peter’s built around a marina. There are short and long tasting menus along with wine-pairing option. There’s nothing else like it on the island and it’s already become a foodie destination. The menus change with the seasons and freshest produce and you wouldn’t think that the ten courses you eat would fill you but they do,

‘Should I wax lyrical or play it down and keep it just for those of us who already know about it?’ and again the attention to detail in the flavours is astounding; from the swordfish cooked over charcoal with black garlic to the simple marriage of sourdough bread and yeasted butter. If you like your food, this is the place for you. All again served with that Barbadian ease and charm. Port Ferdinand is only a short water-taxi ride away and facilities are open to residents at both properties; there’s a great pizza oven at Pool Island for relaxed lunches; a spa; kids club; games room and deli as well as watersports to suit.

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There’s a huge range of splash inducing sports to choose from; from yacht hire and deep sea fishing which can be arranged by the team at one end to paddle-boarding, kayaking and water-skiing at the other. Our attempts were made on the paddle-board and kayak, much, I fear, to the entertainment of Chris, Franz and the watersports team trying to help us master the skills; concerned when we capsized the kayak and by our side immediately, then joking with us as we amiably blamed each other or bantered over the last football results (City lost, Chelsea won!). Of course, the waters are perfect for swimming but if you’re feeling a little adventurous do give them a go. I am no athlete in this department and tend to be extra conscious of that fact when expected to stand on what is basically a supersized ironing board and paddle in the correct direction. The team, however, were encouraging and genuinely excited for those few seconds of standing each time they set me back up to go out again. Thank you for your enduring patience. Also on offer is a trip to snorkel with some inquisitive turtles just down the coast line and via a short water-taxi journey, worth the while in itself to see some of the coastline beyond Mullins Beach. Turtles

of all sizes effortlessly perform their acrobatics in their silent underwater world as you float and flipper on the surface, transfixed, though, in our case, not so effortlessly. Whether it’s your first time in Barbados or not, we would recommend asking the concierge team to organise a tour with Orman. He’s a lot more than a tour guide somehow. He picked us up at the airport, having been fast tracked through passport control as part of our holiday experience, and we had a glimpse of his knowledge. His passion for Barbadian culture and history is fascinating but it’s his attention to even the most everyday things and showing them to you which will make it worthwhile; do you know how Barbados got its name? We certainly didn’t. We didn’t know about the black belly sheep or the railway which used to run along the coast. And I’m certain there’s lots he will continue to tell us when we return. Yes, we are looking to return to St Peter’s Bay next year, plans are already afoot. There is a raft of activities we didn’t get chance to try and tastes we’ve yet to introduce to our tastebuds. Our property was beautiful, of that there is no doubt, but for us it was the effortless and genuine Barbados welcome from the people we swam, explored and laughed with that made it an experience we would like to repeat. Home ownership and rental is available at St Peter’s Bay and Port Ferdinand (stpetersbaybarbados.com; portferdinand.com)

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A Road Well

Travelled Kari Colmans embarks on the journey of a lifetime from Ravello to Venice, taking in the beauty of Rome en route

here’s always a lot of pressure when it comes to planning a honeymoon. It’s the only holiday people will ever ask you about years down the line, and the answer has to live up to everyone else’s expectations, regardless of what may suit you: ‘oh you went to Norfolk… how, erm, charming’, said with a slight tilt of the head, just won’t do. Having been on many holidays together over the last nine years – from Mexico to the Philippines, Shanghai to New York, the Cotswolds to the Lake District – alone, with friends, and with both of our families, there’s one thing my husband and I knew for sure: the perfect holiday was not a

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vision shared. After rejecting countries, cities (and on his part, continents – ‘I’m just not that big on Asia’), we whittled it down by a few top criteria: good food, great wine and the possibility of a little adventure.

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Palazzo Avino, Ravello

Clockwise from TOP RIGHT: Amalfi coast view; Palazzo Avino Clubhouse by the Sea; view from the King Sea View Suite, Palazzo Avino; Palazzo Avino hotel exterior

We landed in Naples on a muggy morning in early September, determined not to snap at one another as we navigated the not-quitepicturesque streets to pick up the rental car: my one stipulation for a road trip around Italy was that it had to be in a convertible (Hermès head scarf compulsary). Luckily, we’d been warned that the city famous for its cyclical reconstruction under Italy’s roll-call of megalomaniacs was not for hanging about in, but it’s the nearest option when heading onward to the beautiful Amalfi coast. Once the anxiety-inducing bends of the city centre were behind us, followed by a stretch of nondescript motorway, we found ourselves driving through the narrow-pathed towns and rustic villages from which Dolmio adverts are made. And as we started the ascent up the steep southern shore of the Sorrentine Peninsula, turning a pivotal corner and narrowly missing a herd of goats, we slowed down to drink in every drop of the misty, tie-die horizon. Arriving in Ravello after a near to 90-minute drive, the winding cobbled roads eventually led us to Palazzo Avino, one of the many buildings melting into the cliff face under the burning Mediterranean sun. Originally a 12th-century villa built for an esteemed Italian noble family, the property has retained its baroque features while embracing a tasteful version of ‘Sopranos chic’ when it comes to the soft furnishings. But the old-fashioned charm extends from the décor to the service; the best I’ve experienced anywhere in Europe, where white-jacketed waiters were always on-hand with a smile to pour a crisp glass of wine or fetch a plate of fresh watermelon (served at 3:30pm every day). The hotel pool is set in the lush green hills of the

hotel grounds, framed by a carpet of pink flowers and clover, while boats congregate like ants around spilt sugar in the gently breaking waves below. Books are laid out in baskets for you to take as you please and on Sundays you can hear music and wedding bells from the square while you eat your lobster fettuccine and club sandwiches at the casual Terrazza Belvedere. We followed this with a two-minute stroll to the Palazzo’s shaded secret garden viewpoint, a spot I’d venture to name as one of the most romantic in the world. The rooms are as traditionally beautiful as the rest of the hotel – all white, gold and turquoise, to match the organic colours outside – but, as with everything else in Ravello, it all comes down to the view. While we went for the Deluxe Room for the must-have sea vista, the Suite Belvedere is the winner with its private terrace and hot tub in the middle of the living room. The hotel’s one Michelin-starred Rosselinis serves the best of Italian haute cuisine in a truly breathtaking setting. The executive chef, Michele Deleo, serves up a medley of tastes and textures, including ‘egg and shrimp’ poached in crispy bread with black truffles; squid ‘ragù’ in potato rings; and quail six ways. A stay at Palazzo Avino must include a visit to the new Clubhouse by the Sea; just 15 minutes away via a complimentary private shuttle service. Reluctant to face another daunting journey down the cliff-face, we saved it for a stop en route to our next destination: Rome. Suites from €630 per night (palazzoavino.com)

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JK PLACE Roma, Rome Once we’d established that I’d under-calculated the route time by an hour-and-a-half, the journey to Rome was pretty smooth, although we soon grew tired of our Ed Sheeran holiday soundtrack and could only pick up a Disney compilation album at the mid-way service station. We found the stunning JK Place Roma after only six loops round the one-way system, as Beauty and the Beast’s Be Our Guest came to a crescendo. But there it was, tucked away on the backstreet of Via di Monte d’Oro, just a few yards from the Tiber river. The slick boutique hotel had me snapping away for inspiration from the minute we arrived. Interior designer Michele Bonan, who had a hand in the homes of both the Tod’s and Ferragamo families, didn’t overlook a single crevice when he doused the bedroom walls in a sophisticated, spearmint green; encased the library in rich mahogany shelves lined with glossy design tomes; and created a bathroom so chic that even the toilet enticed me to perch for a little longer than usual, contemplating if Farrow & Ball could pull together this shade of grey. Bonan also called upon a number of local artists, including work by photographer Massimo Listri.

‘Our last twelve hours were spent eating gelato on the Spanish steps’

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Little details lift JK Place Roma above being just another property in another European metropolis; monogrammed pillow cases, iPads by the beds, and speedy WiFi. The service was truly impeccable, as was the food – the best we sampled was all consumed within the hotel’s four walls. Breakfast became my favourite meal (although the other half couldn’t fathom the lack of beans and bagels), beginning every day with a surprise muffin fresh from the oven. I alternated between pistachio and lemon bursting with homemade Nutella before visiting the pastry bar. And while on arrival we were a bit pooh-pooh about the Asian-ish resident JK Café, six days in and five quattro formaggis down we were happy for a bit of international flavouring: tuna tartare served on a sushi-rice rosti and calamari in an almost churros-like batter had us folding into the green velvet booths with relief after hours spent pounding the pavement (and the pizzerias). We spent two days trawling the sites which have been plagued by too many tourists for as long as they’ve been standing and documented far too often for any of my own observations to add anything enlightening to the landscape. We took an ‘if we can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em’ attitude to selfies, and our last twelve hours were spent eating gelato on the Spanish steps, guzzling three, truffle-sprinkled courses at Tartufi and Friends, and popping in to Max & Co (and co.. and co...) where I found an irresistible coat which he had to shlep around for the rest of the holiday. And of course, we had to make one last lap of the independent boutiques between the Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti. While my husband has always claimed to be ‘a city break man’, even he was clamouring for some time out, suggesting we leave straight after muffins to get to our next stop for lunch. From €390 per room (jkroma.com)

ABOVE: Bathroom at JK Place Roma BELOW: Deluxe Room at JK Place Roma

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Bauer Palladio Hotel & Spa, Venice

Clockwise from TOP LEFT: Grand Canal; Bauer Palladio Hotel & Spa gardens; Bauer Palladio Hotel & Spa dock

The final stop came around too soon but it was the one we’d been waiting for all along. We arrived in Venice by train at the Venezia Santa Lucia railway station, after a smooth journey through the heart of Bologna, stepping straight out onto the banks of the Grand Canal. We grabbed a water taxi to our hotel, Bauer Palladio Hotel & Spa, a converted monastery located on Giudecca island (along with the famous Hotel Cipriani). The lobby in Palladio’s main building, an original 16th-century convent, is cavernous with a slightly creepy ‘did someone die in here’ feel; but our junior suite, with its garden view, was set in a more recently refurbished wing which was, perhaps, a little more to our taste. Here the décor is quite colonial in style; light woods and fresh, neutral hues, a look that extends to the spa’s stunning couple’s massage room. The real appeal for staying at this resort is to be found by way of its four enchanting Venetian gardens, swamped in cream roses and wild hydrangeas. But a trip to Venice can’t be spent totally cooped up. As well as the big brands, the city is scattered with one-off boutiques specialising in obscure items: Hibiscus, just a few minutes’ walk from the Rialto bridge, will have you feeling like a child raiding your grandmother’s jewellery box, but

you’ll find the Bond Street equivalents in Calle Vallaresso, where I was able to pick up a Fendi belt that I’d been chasing all the way from Rome. Wander into Gianni Basso halfway down a narrow alley that leads to the Fondamente Nuove, where inside this scruffy, dimly lit shop, surrounded by printing presses, you will find the most exquisite stationery. Marie Brandolini sells brilliantly colourful Murano glass jugs, vases and plates from a small show room in her stunning palazzo on the Grand Canal, while Articoli per Cani, sat at the very beginning of the Strada Nuova, stocks the most ludicrous dog costumes you’ve ever seen, from full carnival get-up to a Sherlock Holmes ensemble. Fine-dining wasn’t hard to come by in Venice, and we thought we may as well go out with a bang. Our first lazy afternoon was spent wandering St Mark’s in a bit of a love-struck stupor, having run into Harry’s Dolci five minutes before closing time, convincing them to let us perch over a carafe or two, providing we could order in under a minute: pappardelle arrabiata and scampi and zucchini risotto were hasty but wonderful choices. To finish the cliché, we couldn’t resist a gondola ride, which was every bit as special as we’d imagined. Our memorable last two evenings were to be found at Cip’s Club, following a rainbow of red, yellow and green Bloody Marys at Hotel Cipriani; and out on the terrace of the St Mark Palladio’s gourmet restaurant, De Pisis, with a nightcap on the balcony of the famous Gritti Palace. Overlooking the Grand Canal, with a view of the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute and thousands of bobbing gondolas resting in the distance, we decided compromise wasn’t so bad after all. The Leading Hotels of the World offers rooms from £237 (LHW.com/palladio)

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Travel | The CHESHIRE Magazine

Weekend away …Lübeck, Germany WORDS: GEMMA KNIGHT

ou may not think you like marzipan – most of us are still reeling from run-ins with sickly sweet icing on our sixth birthdays – but trust me, you do. Hidden away close to Germany’s northern coast is the Hanseatic City of Lübeck, with its sumptuous historic old town perched on an island surrounded by the Trave River and awash with turquoise gothic spires, cobbled streets and…marzipan. The most famous of the old town’s four remaining marzipan companies – which once numbered in the hundreds – is that established in 1806 by Johann Georg Niederegger, a name now all but synonymous with German marzipan and exported all over the world (check your local Waitrose; it’ll be there). And this is no ordinary marzipan; Niederegger’s blend is mild and thick, the signature log balanced with a bittersweet cocoon of dark chocolate and hundreds of other varieties to choose from, lovingly produced at the brand’s friendly, family-owned factory just outside the city. To see the full range displayed in all its gleaming, neatly packaged glory, head to the legendary Café Niederegger in the centre of the old town, where row upon row of marzipan figures and cakes sit alongside mounds of bars, logs and loaves in every conceivable flavour, from pistachio and pineapple to orange and espresso. The whole city might almost be made of

marzipan, just like the model standing several metres high in the museum above the café; but there are, of course, plenty of other reasons to visit this sweet (no pun intended) little enclave – from its patchwork of Gothic, Baroque and Rococo architecture, to the fantastic opportunities it offers for retail therapy and gorging on classic German cuisine. This is truly a place of hidden gems – tiny backstreets with miniature, cottage-rimmed courtyards, a mischievously grinning devil statue lurking ominously behind the cathedral – so it’s well worth investing in a guided tour (or at least a good guide book) to help you really get under Lübeck’s skin. There are scores of old merchant’s houses and enchanting ancient edifices, but it’s the towering Gothic Lübecker Dom (cathedral) and Saint Mary’s Church which really give the town its uniquely striking quality. In summer the riverbanks are lined with outdoor eateries, while in winter the main square is overtaken by an ice rink and traditional German Christmas market. It even has its very own love-lock bridge, à la Paris. Lübeck’s claim to chocolate-box town status is, for obvious reasons, stronger than most – but marzipan or no, with its fairytale vibe and medieval aesthetics, this is a weekend destination to which we’d gladly go back for seconds. (luebeck-tourism.de, niederegger.de)

‘Lübeck’s claim to chocolate-box town status is, for obvious reasons, stronger than most’ 112

SUPERB, LUXURY HOLIDAY RESIDENCE

The Sanctuary, Gwynedd

Stunning, luxury 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom lodge located in the 5 star Sanctuary Lodge Park in the heart of rolling North Wales countryside. This superb holiday residence has unsurpassed contemporary style, an impressive open plan living space with fully fitted kitchen, uPVC double glazing & Gas central heating. Spacious decked terrace with southerly aspect & hot tub. The lodge benefits from an 88 year Licence Agreement which ends on 10/01/2102. Peaceful location with pleasant views | Situated on a 60 acre Country Estate | Fully furnished ready for occupancy | Two allocated parking places | Park, outdoor heated swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis court & fishing lake | 5 miles from Pwllheli | 10 miles from Abersoch The lodge has been greatly reduced to ÂŁ100K for a quick sale (original price ÂŁ170K) Contact Claire Wilman (M) 07771701773 clairewilman@me.com

Kids’ news Sleeping white

From day one

Struggling to find good quality white children’s clothes and nursery equipment for her first child, Chrissie Rucker (founder of The White Company) created The Little White Company over fifteen years ago. This season, based on the art of storytelling, it’s pirate-themed pyjamas for the boys and dots and stripes in princess pink for the girls. (thewhitecompany.com)

Fashion model Nadya Abela and children’s writer and illustrator Aytan Sofia Eldarova have collaborated to produce babywear brand Roly Pony. Made from natural fabrics like cotton, wool and cashmere, its first range includes sleepsuits, hats, leggings, babygrows and a feather-light blanket, so you can dress your newborn from head to toe. (rolypony.co.uk)

The great escape Hours of fun are to be had in the Christopher Treehouse cabin bed, brought to you by bed specialist Noa & Nani. Designed with both children and adults in mind, the handy area underneath the bunk can be used for storing away toys. Featuring a pitched roof, cut-out windows, skylight and a ladder, its white finish makes it easily styled to suit the décor of either a little boy’s or girl’s bedroom. Treehouse Cabin Bed, £399.99 (noaandnani.co.uk) 114

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

d e MR HENDRIX h s a e nl U

able scraps are not for me and begging for food I will not do, but occasionally I do enjoy a bit of human food. Do remember though, just because a food is good for you, it may be toxic for your furry friend.

The show must go on After years of working in theatre production, Lucy Gaiger and Conchita-Maria Scott launched children’s nightwear brand Atticus & Gilda. Its range of nightwear is mostly fashioned from vintage fabrics and all trimmings used were collected during the duo’s time spent working on stage productions like Mamma Mia! and The Phantom of the Opera. The latest collection features nightdresses and two-piece pyjama sets in soft pastel powder blues and creams. (atticusandgilda.co.uk )

Chicken: Packed with protein, high in phosphorus, a mineral essential for healthy bones and teeth. All round yummy treat for dinner. Salmon: Full of Omega-3, Protein and fatty acids makes Salmon a great choice for boosting a healthy brain and heart, it regulate your dog’s immune system, reduces joint inflammation, and is perfect for dogs with skin irritations. Remove all bones and cook thoroughly. Yogurt: Yogurt is a wonderful tool to soothe an upset stomach, control anxiety and boost the overall health of your dog. It’s high in calcium, protein, potassium and magnesium, but always avoid artificial sweeteners. Carrots: Carrots are low in calories, high in fibre and make a delicious doggie snack full of Vitamin A. They work as a natural teeth cleaner, control weight and improve eyes, coat and skin.

Peanut butter: Most of my furry friends adore peanut butter, as do I. Always use the creamy, raw, unsalted kind and avoid crunchy peanut butter which can be a choking hazard. High in protein, it’s a healthy treat full of vitamins B, E and H which are great for the immune system, creating a shiny coat and strengthening nails. Foods to avoid: Chocolate, Grapes/Raisins & Onions

Roll Up, Roll Up! Take a trip to the circus with Berlin-based brand Noé & Zoë, which is now stocked at the childrenwear department at Selfridges. Full of imaginative patterns and quirky colours, founder and designer Nici Zinell draws inspiration from the 15 years she spent working for costume and film departments. Highlights of its S/S15 collection include a dancing dress for girls and a starry django waistcoat (pictured) for the boys. (selfridges.com)

Chocolate is toxic and very dangerous to all dogs, containing a stimulant known as theobromine which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid heart rate, seizures and even death. Grapes and raisins are extremely dangerous, sometimes even causing kidney failure, while garlic and onions can cause damage to the red blood cells. If your dog eats any of these foods it’s best to contact a vet immediately. Until next time… Keep your tails wagging and stay healthy. Love and licks,

Mr Hendrix

xxx (facebook.com/mrhendrixandfriends, mrhendrix.com)

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Terra Nova School

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

The classroom Eggstravaganza The Firs School in Chester is hosting its Easter Eggstravaganza again this year, due to popular demand. The event is free for all children aged three to nine years old, who will be able to join all the fully supervised drama, craft and science fun that will be available, allowing you to enjoy some time to yourself. Pre-registration is essential. Saturday 21 March, 9:30am to 12:30pm (thefirsschool.net/egg15; 01244 322443)

Technology central Budding computer technicians at Hulme Hall Grammar School have been spending some time at their partner institute, Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), gaining hands-on experience with leading academics. There was even time to programme some microcontrollers in self-driving cars. (hulmehallschool.org)

Dream big Founder of the Female Entrepreneur Association and ex-King’s School pupil, Carrie Green returned to the girls’ division to speak with current pupils about dreaming big, working hard and achieving goals. Carrie is also an ambassador for the Government’s initiative on start-up loans working with everyone’s favourite Dragon, James Caan. (femaleentrepreneurassociation.com; kingsmac.co.uk) Left to right: Hulme Hall Grammar School pupil Callum Webb, MMU PGCE students Joshua and Peter next to Haris Uddin

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THE RIGHT FIT Whether it’s your first-born or you have been through the process before, choosing a school for your son or daughter can be a confusing and stressful experience. Kathryn Burrows, head of Withington Girls’ School Junior Department, offers some advice

e live in a rapidly changing world. Although it may seem a long way off at the moment, employability is going to be a factor and it’s important your child is equipped with the skills that will help them settle into junior school, transition with ease to senior school, then onto further education and beyond that to the world of work. Your choice of junior school is the first step in a life-long journey. This advice comes from years as a junior head but also from my experience as a mother of four!

Where do we begin? Even if you think you’ve made your decision, fully research more than one school so you have a good range of comparisons. Consider: • Each school’s website as well as latest school inspection reports (Ofsted for state or ISI for private) and independent reviews – e.g. The Good Schools Guide. • Other parents with a child at the school. • Third-party forums, but proceed with caution – other people’s opinions may not be right for your child. • Open days present great opportunities to speak to a range of people – but many schools also offer private tours on request. Ask questions. Look at the work on the walls. Look at workbooks if available. • And consider how the school communicates with you. Emails are fine – but if necessary, are they also prepared to give you time face to face or by phone?

What are the main elements to consider? • P ersonal. Does the school instill confidence, promote good manners, teach resilience and

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encourage pupils to extend their comfort zone? Is the environment safe? What are the school’s policies on key issues? Is there a whole-child approach? Are they allowed time ‘to be’, to play, to relax – or is every minute, including break and lunchtime, crammed with activity? Is there a happy ambience? • Academic. Look for inspirational teachers and evidence that your child will be sufficiently challenged academically. Is thinking encouraged? Enjoyment of learning fostered? How much scope is there for creativity? Do teachers have time to expand on the core curriculum? • Responsibility. Are the pupils given the opportunity and encouraged to have positions of responsibility? Does the school encourage an attitude of caring locally, nationally and in the global community? Is there charity work led by the children?

How will my child settle in? This is a very natural and common concern. Ask how the school can help to ensure your child settles happily. Is there a peer support system? Are ‘buddies’ available for younger children travelling by bus? Try to meet up with other new parents in the year group before the child starts at the school. Are there informal social events throughout the school year?

So to sum up? Do your research. Look at more than one school. Visit. Don’t make decisions based on facilities or décor. Scratch beyond the surface. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and check the school listens. Remember each child has individual needs. Is the school right for him or her not just now, but into senior school and beyond? (wgs.org)

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

interesting visitors include ‘the lego man’

‘Although it may seem a long way off at the moment, employability is going to be a factor’ the show must go on

and play

junior orchestra

JUNIOR SCHOOL Pupils look forward to the opening of their new school in SEPTEMBER

at work...

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Promotion

Where bright futures are built...

Withington Junior pupils with Mrs Kathryn Burrows take a first look at their new building as work progresses

Withington Girls’ School new purpose-built, expanded Junior School opening September 2015 Withington Girls’ School will be opening its doors to a new state-of-the-art Junior building and social ‘hub’ later this year (2015), enhancing existing accommodation and creating additional places for pupils from ages 7 to 11. Coinciding with Withington’s 125th anniversary celebrations, the purpose-built two-storey suite of classrooms is part of a £4.3million development programme, which will be completed in time for the start of the new academic year in September. The spacious new building means that the School will introduce additional classes in Years 5 and 6, opening up extra places, subject to selective assessment. There will be the usual number of places available for entry into Year 3 as well as a small number for Year 4. Head of Juniors Mrs Kathryn Burrows, herself a former Withington pupil, says she is ‘immensely excited’ by the host of opportunities the new building and ‘hub’ will offer the already thriving Department.

Says Mrs Burrows:

“It’s been wonderful for us to have been able to design, from a blank canvas, a building that is bespoke to the requirements of our Juniors. It has enabled us to create an environment that is modern, flexible and very childfocused. Importantly, it will also further enhance the exceptional learning experience our girls enjoy here, whilst still ensuring our younger pupils are connected and integrated with the Senior School where they have access to excellent specialist teachers and can access the Science laboratories; a dance studio, gym and sports hall; music rooms and Art and DT rooms.”

“The general ambience is calm and nurturing, but purposeful. At the heart of our approach in the Juniors is a commitment to empowering our girls at an early age with an inner confidence and a sense of freedom; freedom to be an individual, freedom of expression and a freedom to fly – and to equip each pupil with the foundations necessary to be able eventually to pursue her own talents and dreams. I feel that the building we have created very much responds to our ethos, allowing our girls the space, both mentally and physically, to flourish.”

Transport Excellent transport links are available to the School which are used by pupils from age 7 to 18. The School’s City Centre Shuttle Bus provides a dedicated service to/from the mainline Manchester Stations. There is also a late service to enable girls to participate in after-school activities. Some girls use the City Centre Shuttle to connect with on-going trains, buses or trams but a number of parents of younger children drop off and collect their daughter directly from the station.

“I am delighted to announce that, from September 2015 onwards, our means-tested bursary scheme will be extended to include Junior girls in Years 5 and 6. This will be in addition to the Senior School Bursary Scheme which currently helps around one-insix senior girls with the fees, according to each family’s needs.” Mrs Sue Marks Headmistress

Limited places are still available in Years 5 and 6, please call for more information Prospective parents and their daughters are very welcome to visit the School. To make an appointment or for further information, please call Acting Registrar, Mrs Louise Jefferies, on 0161 224 1077

wgs.org

Withington Girls’ School, Wellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6BL

wgs669_junior-school-297x210_v6.indd 1

03/02/2015 10:11

The CHESHIRE Magazine | Family

STRIPE-TASTIC

rtistic director for Sonia Rykiel Julie de Libran has launched a girls’ capsule collection for Rykiel Enfant. Inspired by vivid childhood memories of her mother wearing the clothes of Rykiel in the 1970s and 80s, the French designer has created a range for tots and teens up to the age of 14. With shades of olive green, dark red, cream, navy blue and black, each piece is styled with the brand’s signature SR diamanté detailing, adding a little extra sparkle and a twist on its usually classic children’s style. We love the use of stripes – they never seem to go out of style – and the adorably fun ladybird bag. (melijoe.com)

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homes and

interiors showcasing the

finest HOMES & PROPERTY IN CHESHIRE AND BEYOND

Recreate

The

Two-Kitchen

THE LOOK

Beautiful kitchens to suit every style

trend

This hot new interiors trend is the ultimate status symbol

Decorating with plants Satoshi Kawamoto on bringing plants centre stage

IMAGE: THE DINING ROOM OF AUGUSTA HOUSE (SEE PAGE 142)

Home & interiors news #1 Sparkle and Shine In celebration of 150 years of creating heritage pieces infused with contemporary style, interiors specialist James Hare has launched two special collections. Part of the Evolution collection, the Diamond Bouquet line features lavish metallic embroidery on a satin ground with silver thread, mimicking the sparkle of a diamond, while the Infinity Braid line offers a new take on the 1960s Pop Art movement with a bold and curvaceous design on a silk wool ground. With a wide selection of plain, patterned and textured fabrics for curtains, headboards, cushions and lampshades, you will be spoilt for choice. (james-hare.com)

#2 Once Upon a Time If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking to add a touch of magic to your home, the new Whimsical collection from Cole & Son might be the perfect solution. Based on childhood stories and fairy tales, the collection features 15 designs and three unusual borders, from whales riding the waves of oceans, shimmering dragonflies and starlit forests to fish suspended in strange underwater worlds. True conversation pieces, these designs are sure to add charm to your home while bringing literature to life. (cole-and-son.com)

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Homes and Interiors

#4 Lights, Camera, Action Poggenpohl and Electrolux Grand Cuisine have designed a kitchen concept which meets at the crossroads of gastronomy, creativity and interior design. The Fourth Wall brings the kitchen centre stage, breaking the barrier between host and guests with its open floor plan. Perfect for dining and socialising in one space, the concept includes a butler’s pantry, pastry counter, preparation bench and dining area; plus state-of-the-art technology to hide the larder and wine store, not to mention stainless steel appliances, a fireplace and retractable chandelier. (grandcuisine.com)

#3 LET THERE BE LIGHT If you’re searching for a quirky, contemporary work of art to set off a room, why not go practical and incorporate one of Kaia’s beautiful – and utterly unique – lighting designs? Describing themselves as ‘purity wrought in geometric perfection’ might seem a tad extreme, but having seen these stunning, striking pieces first hand we have to admit, they certainly have the wow factor when it comes to aesthetics. Each piece uses solid brass as its base material and there’s even the option to customise cords, dimensions and finishes to your exact specifications, meaning they’re the perfect accompaniment to even the most unusual spaces and designs. (kaia.at)

#5 Under the Tree Inspired by the timeless beauty of Islamic cultural motifs, the Ruby Tree is a stunning collection featuring deep colours and rich patterns. Co-founded by current Elle Decoration’s Best British Designer Bethan Gray and scholar of Islamic art and craft Mitchell Abdul Karim Crites, the collection harmoniously blends Gray’s

contemporary design with Crite’s encyclopedic knowledge of Islamic art and architecture. Be transported to the splendour of golden-age Persia with materials of vibrant blue lapis lazuli, deep red Tanzanian rubies and amazonite from Madagascar and Mozambique. Ruby Tree is sold exclusively at Harrods (harrods.com)

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INTERVIEW

COUNTRY Living Audrey Bardsley chats to Louisa Castle about the Lake District, pom-poms and turning to interior design after planned law career

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INTERVIEW

am meeting Audrey Bardsley at her latest design triumph, The Black Swan in Lower Withington, a local country pub bought by Audrey and her partner and designed very much around her country kitchen down the road. ‘Our brief was to be true to the history of the buildings (we believe that it was an old ale house for the farm labourers provided by the landowner to stop them wandering off!) without being twee and, most importantly, to make it comfortable for everyone who visits. ‘I love being surrounded by beautiful things, so a lot of inspiration came from home. The tables are designed in a style that reflects my kitchen table at home and were made by a local craftsman. ‘Then it was about bringing all the elements of the countryside together; flowers, rustic, hunting etc. And this we’ve done through the Designers Guild and Cath Kidston fabrics on the chairs and lampshades, the wallpaper and the paintings. We’ve added our own touches, though, with pom-poms to the shades and some of the cushions. I’m a bit obsessed with pom-poms to be honest! People say

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they know where I’ve been as I leave a trail of pom-poms behind me. ‘Like I said I love beautiful things, old and new, so there’s a quirky mix of things picked up from antique stores, like the paper birds from a Battersea store I simply fell in love with the Rory Dobner character plates from Liberty. That’s another place I love. The fabrics are amazing. ‘The front door is actually one we had made, the design taken from a photo I took of a house which was for sale, which I’d seen in a magazine. The piano came from eBay and there are regular sing-a-longs with all the locals, which is great to be a part of, however well you can sing or not! ‘Then we’ve incorporated lyrics from songs which mean something to the team here and to us. ‘It’s really difficult when people ask me to describe my style. I don’t like everything to be matching. If I love it I will find a place for it. I guess you could describe it as “a collection of lovely things” or “pretty and honest” if you had to. ‘I love Liberty, Colefax and Fowler, Designers Guild and Ralph Lauren, they’re my go-to places for inspiration and general loveliness.

Homes and Interiors

And Alex Macarthur’s antiques website is a favourite destination, too. My favourite thing would have to be the horse’s head over the stairs; it came from a livery nearby. That would be what I would save if there was a fire. ‘But because it’s an extension of our home really, we’ve also got a beautiful chicken taking pride of

place on the windowsill, which was made by my daughter Coco. And the map for our local walk was designed by Ottilie, my other daughter. So it truly is a mix of inspiration and styles, but we want it to feel like a home away from home for guests and visitors to entertain in or escape to. ‘I think Kit Kemp’s designs for Firmdale Hotels are amazing. I think

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INTERVIEW

Tatler recently voted her Ham Yard Hotel in London “the most fun ever”. I love the colour and eclectic style Kit’s applied here, it’s beautifully brought together.’ While Audrey always had a creative streak, studied politics at university and has a common Professional Examination in Law from Oxford. ‘Law wasn’t for me. It wasn’t pretty enough! So, inspired by the hatloving Oxfordians I thought “sod it” and set up a hat shop back home in

‘I love being surrounded by beautiful things, so a lot of inspiration came from home. The tables are my kitchen table.’ Lytham St Annes. I had all sorts of styles, from beanies to bobble hats to bespoke creations and elaborate fascinators. It was great fun.’ Audrey closed the shop to have a family and concentrate on being a mum. It wasn’t long, however, until her creativity was coming to the fore. ‘We own The Swan in Newby Bridge

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as well and in 2009 we suffered a terrible flood, which took out the whole of the ground floor. We had to get the fire crews out to rescue the guests. It really was not lovely. ‘On the plus side we then had a blank canvas. The previous decor was very nice but it wasn’t us, so this was our chance to really put our mark on it and do it just how we wanted it. So I took on the role of project manager and interior designer. The brief being very similar to here at The Black Swan, an eclectic scheme that celebrates all aspects of life in the country.’ Today, these interiors are one of the hotel’s strongest selling points. ‘Then in 2012 we discovered that this was on the market and we couldn’t wait to get our hands on it! ‘I’m very, very nosey so wherever we go I am always looking at what people have done and how. I drive everyone insane! We love travelling and seeing new things so the inspiration is endless. One of our favourite places in the Maldives is just so paired back that it is utterly chic, and the brand filters effortlessly through everything. It’s properly genius.’ As our chat draws to a close and the school run looms for Audrey, I have one last question: What’s next? I can’t imagine there isn’t another project on the horizon. Audrey laughs. ‘We’re working on the idea of some holiday cottages at The Swan and I’m currently immersed in kitchen layouts and floor plans to ensure a private but beautiful outdoor space. That’s the current challenge.’ (swanhotel.com; blackswancheshire.com)

Cheshire Magazine Issue 1 A4 + Bleed_Layout 1 03/03/2015 09:21 Page 12

Chesterfield Couture

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Mottram St Andrew A luxurious, classically designed, French inspired mansion house with wonderful views, nestled in 13 1/2 acres

• 3 reception rooms • breakfast kitchen/ family room • 4 bedrooms (all en suite) • integral 1 bedroom annexe • garaging • gardens • lake • paddocks • stable yard • woodland • hard tennis court • summer house • in all about 13.5 acres • EPC - B Guide Price: £4,950,000 FF59935

Wilmslow 01625 540 340 wilmslow@jackson-stops.co.uk

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Nether Alderley A contemporary Shakespearian masterpiece combines to create the ultimate family mansion

• Reception hall • 4 reception rooms • 5 bedrooms (all en suite) • study • leisure suite with pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, bar, gym, games room, cinema & wine cellar • garaging • 2 bedroom annexe • gardens • woodland • approaching 13 acres • EPC - C Price on Application

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Wilmslow 01625 540 340 wilmslow@jackson-stops.co.uk

Offices in London and across the country

Great Warford One of the most prestigious houses in Cheshire

• 3 reception rooms • playroom • sun room • beauty room • cinema • games room • bar • 6 bedrooms (all en suite) • leisure suite • offices • 3 bedroom flat • 2 bedroom flat • garaging • approximately 12.25 acres • EPC - F Price on Application

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Wilmslow 01625 540 340 wilmslow@jackson-stops.co.uk

Offices in London and across the country

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Mottram St Andrew Available as a whole or in 3 separate lots

• Lot 1 – 3 bedroom house with ancillary accommodation & stabling in approx 2.37 acres • Lot 2 – approx 4.05 acres Guide Price: £100,000 • Lot 3- approx 0.63 of an acre Guide Price: £80,000

Guide Price: £1,200,000

Brereton Park A stunning individual architect designed barn conversion set in private parkland

• 2 reception rooms • study • family room • 4 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • garaging • gardens • approx 0.6 of an acre • EPC – C Guide Price: £995,000

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Goostrey A charming Country Estate within easy reach of Alderley Edge The Manor House • 3 reception rooms • Study • Kitchen/breakfast room • 7 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • Integral staff flat The Cottage - 3 bedrooms • Large Listed barn • Garaging/stabling • Tennis court • Swimming pool • In all about 28.5 acres • Viewing strictly by appointment

Guide Price: £4,500,000

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Wilmslow 01625 540 340 wilmslow@jackson-stops.co.uk

Offices in London and across the country

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Badenhall

Bowdon

A superby renovated & updated period farm house

An immaculately presented house with a westerly rear aspect

• 3 reception rooms • study • 4 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • general purpose building • approx 5 acres • EPC – D

• 3 reception rooms • study • 4/5 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • garaging • gardens • EPC – D

Guide Price: £649,950

Guide Price: £1,175,000

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Computer Generated Image

Hale

Bowdon

A stylish modern detached house in a semi-rural position

An exciting building plot with innovative permission

• 1 reception room • conservatory • study • 4 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • garaging • gardens • EPC – C

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• Proposed • 2 reception rooms • 3 bedroom suites • leisure

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Hale

Hale Barns

An individual architect designed property in a stunning location An elegant 21st Century mansion

• 3 reception rooms • 5 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • garaging • gardens • EPC – E

• 4 reception rooms • cinema • gym • 5 bedrooms • 6 bathrooms • garaging • gardens • EPC – B

Guide Price: £1,750,000

Guide Price: £2,595,000

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Bowdon

Hale

A skilfully transformed property with views to the front & rear

A hidden gem in a quiet location

• 3 reception room • study • 6 bedrooms • 5 bathrooms • garaging • gardens • EPC – E

• 4 reception rooms • garden room • snug • 5 bedrooms • 7 bath/shower rooms • garaging • gardens • EPC – E

Guide Price: £1,575,000

Guide Price: £1,850,000

People Property Places

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Hale 0161 928 8881 hale@jackson-stops.co.uk

Offices in London and across the country

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INSPIRATION

The

TWO-KITCHEN trend Since the Duchess of Cambridge was dubbed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Two-Kitchens Kateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for requesting that two kitchens be included in the refurbishment of Kensington Palace, the country has gone mad for the double-kitchen home as the ultimate status symbol

Cone of the kitchens at augusta house

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Homes and Interiors

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INSPIRATION

ollowing the recent food revolution spurred on by the likes of Jamie Oliver, and the rise of high-end kitchen designers such as Smallbone of Devizes, it stands to reason that the kitchen is increasingly becoming the hub of the modern home and a favourite of budding designers and homeowners alike when it comes to showcasing their individual style. Catching on to this, developers in the prime property market have feverishly begun to incorporate two or more kitchens into the new properties they create, not just as status symbols, but to fulfil two very separate and practical roles within the home. Many prime properties incorporate a ‘family kitchen’ – usually a large, high-spec space which includes the highest-quality, state-of-the-art materials and units. Despite this,

one of the kitchens at sophia house

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these family kitchens are rarely used for any actual cooking, and instead make an ideal entertaining space, perfect for the kitchen suppers made fashionable by Samantha Cameron, Rebekah Brooks and the Chipping Norton set. The second is the staff kitchen, most commonly found on the bottom floor of the home and used as a purely functional space where the actual cooking takes place – and some properties even go so far as to have a third, much smaller ‘serving’ kitchen, often an extension of the dining room. Two perfectly executed examples of this new trend and its practical advantages can be found in two new homes from luxury developer Newcourt Residential which recently sprang up near Wimbledon, South West London. Sophia House and Augusta House each have the

Homes and Interiors

the dining room at augusta house

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Homes and Interiors

INSPIRATION

capacity for three separate kitchens; a roomy family kitchen, a servery attached to the dining room, and the potential for a third kitchen in the nanny suite. The interior design of the two properties is quirky and unique, owing to the unusual career path taken by Newcourt’s in-house designer, Lisa-Marie Mosca, who trained as a tailor (like the majority of her family) and worked in fashion for Karen Millen and Diesel before moving into interior design. The effect is especially evident in the various kitchen spaces, where her eclectic, fluid style is reflected in mirrors, tables and furniture sourced from all over the world, as well as many of the marble features which were designed around individual marble slabs that she found. A renowned expert in luxury property trends, Lochie Rankin of bespoke property search agent Lichfields is a big fan of the twokitchen craze. ‘At the top end of the market in the very largest houses, it is unusual

augusta house exterior

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to see a property without two kitchens,’ he explains. ‘Whilst styles have changed and generally properties now have a spacious kitchen leading onto the sitting room, many of the very top-end houses also have a catering kitchen for staff, often in the basement and, generally, this will be the one which has the huge industrial style ovens and fridge freezers, whereas the family kitchen upstairs will be fitted out with the best of the best coffee machines and have a comfortable style – perfect for hosting the kitchen suppers which have really taken the UK by storm.’ There’s certainly nothing so homely and comforting as a kitchen, whether it be filled with family chatter or spectacular smells, the sound of frothing coffee in the morning or clinking wine glasses late at night. As far as we’re concerned, the more the merrier. Prices for Sophia House and Augusta House start from £6,950,000, available through Newcourt Residential (020 7205 2643; newcourt.co.uk)

sophia house exterior

Award - Winning Architectural & Interior Design Janey Butler Interiors is a UK based Architectural Interior Design Practice, offering a unique approach to discerning clientele throughout the UK and beyond. Collaborating with some of Europes Top International Designers, we create bespoke Interiors by incorporating our stunning ranges of furniture, lighting, fabrics & accessories which are rarely found in the UK. To view our online Furniture Collection visit our website or contact us for more details on our Interior Design Practice. New showroom coming soon.

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DPS_Advert_Jan-2015_CheshireMag_297x210 04/02/2015 09:51 Page 1

WINNER KITCHEN DESIGN OF THE YEAR 2014

As the days grow longer it’s time to plan for the coming year, and time to allow our Award winning designers help you achieve your perfect kitchen. Our new 2015 brochure is ready to download from our website. It is photographed in our customers homes, showing the variety and high standards of our beautiful bespoke kitchens. If you’d like to know more about how we work take a look at our website, watch our video or call into one of our showrooms to discuss how we can make your kitchen dreams come true.

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B E S P O K E D E S I G N , I N S TA L L AT I O N A N D F U L L P R O J E C T M A N A G E M E N T

RECREATE THE LOOK

Culinary chic

he kitchen has long been the beating heart of any home – whether yours is a space intended for eating, entertaining or creating, its multipurpose potential makes it the most flexible and fascinating of rooms. Of course, such a malleable space can be a blessing and a curse when it comes to interior design, but we like to think of it as an opportunity to let your imagination run wild, allowing you the freedom to bring decorative themes from the rest of your home into its culinary core, or to go for something entirely different and give the kitchen an identity all of its own.

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For those aspiring to antique elegance, there can be no better example than the legendary Clive Christian ivory kitchen, chandeliers and all, with its traditional carved architecture and dark furnishings to balance the muted, light fittings. If it’s a more relaxed, rustic appeal that you’re after, we’d suggest lots of fresh pastels and natural wood – and be careful not to overshadow the simplistic feel with obvious mod cons. For a contemporary vibe, however, it’s best to go for clean lines in blacks and whites, complemented by sporadic touches of vibrant colour and quirky finishing touches.

Homes and Interiors

VICTORIAN OPULENCE The ivory kitchen by Clive Christian (clive.com) #1 Leila Chandelier, £295, The Chandelier & Mirror Company Ltd (chandeliersandmirrors.co.uk) #2 Set of three silvered glass cake stands, £109, Alison at Home (alisonathome.com) #3 Classical white display on Bombe chest, £1,019, Sweetpea & Willow (sweetpeaandwillow.com) #4 Piper statue, £699, Haddonstone (haddonstone.com) #5 Hampton steel white bar stool with backrest, £420, Alexander & Pearl (alexanderandpearl.co.uk)

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Adderley: A resid ence that inhabits you

Once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen Adderley, you will find it occupies your thoughts like no other. Such grace in such space is all too rare. For this residence has been created as a celebration of grand living. Its statement entrance. The capacious rooms for entertaining. The five bedroom suites, off-the-charts de luxe. The pool, the spa, the grounds, the vista and exquisite finishings at every turn. And beyond the gates: the rarefied environs of the finest par t of Wilmslow. However : there is just one Adderley. We recommend you visit immediately. For more information about Adderley, Wilmslow, Cheshire call 01942 263485 or visit us at www.eventusproperties.co.uk

Eventus Properties Ltd Oakland House, 21 Hope Carr Road, Leigh, Lancashire, WN7 3ET T. 01942 263485 E. info@eventusproperties.co.uk www.eventusproperties.co.uk

Homes and Interiors

RECREATE THE LOOK

MODERN SLEEK The bespoke contemporary kitchen by Earle & Ginger (earleandginger.com) #1 Chrome effect floor lamp, £150, Darlings of Chelsea (darlingsofchelsea.co.uk) #2 World map wallpaper – butterfly style, £292.50, Maps International (mapsinternational.co.uk) #3 Cornell chair – white, £109, Made.com (made.com) #4 Taylor’s Eye Witness 5-piece Dexterity coloured knife block, £39.95, Kitchen Buddies (kitchenbuddies.co.uk) #5 Sagaform cheese dome, £34.95, The Scandinavian Shop (scandinavianshop.co.uk)

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Homes and Interiors

RECREATE THE LOOK

#1 #2

COUNTRY COOL The clunch painted kitchen by Farrow & Ball (farrow-ball.com) #1 Oslo ceiling pendant in ivory, £119, Atkin and Thyme (atkinandthyme.co.uk) #2 Antique-style tall mantel clock, £38.95, Melody Maison (melodymaison.co.uk) #3 Wexford bar stool, £124, Sweetpea & Willow (sweetpeaandwillow.com) #4 Lemon tree gift set, £59.50, Heritage Gardens (heritagegardens.co.uk) #5 The Winchester Tile Company – Arcadian, £79.95, The Winchester Tile Company (winchestertiles.com)

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When your hom e is part of who you are For a certain type of person, their home deﬁnes them. It plays a fundamental part in their contentment with life. If that sounds like you, we should meet. Because at Eventus we understand you want your residence to be the sum of a thousand extraordinary parts. Where every room makes a statement. Every space exudes style and grace. And every detail - from light switches and skirting boards to the pool tiles and landscaping - has been considered and ﬁnessed. That’s why Eventus exists. To design, build and deliver residences that are as extraordinary as their owners. For more information about Eventus call 01942 263485 or visit us at www.eventusproperties.co.uk

Eventus Properties Ltd Oakland House, 21 Hope Carr Road, Leigh, Lancashire, WN7 3ET T. 01942 263485 E. info@eventusproperties.co.uk www.eventusproperties.co.uk

5356 Eventus_Adverts_F_CheshireLife.indd 1

06/03/2014 11:21

gardens

Decorating with

plants

Garden stylist Satoshi Kawamoto has developed his own distinctive approach to making plants an integral part of one’s lifestyle. In his new book Decorating with Plants he shares his comfortable, lived-in look for around the home

‘E

ver since I got involved in setting up the garden shop Globe Garden in the Mishuku district of Tokyo in 1997, I have been working on developing my own individual approach to gardening. I now feel I am in the process of consolidating a personal lifestyle vision that embraces not only plants but also interior design, as well as the

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presentation of food. ‘I have set out to share this vision with my readers. I have used a lot of photographs in order to illustrate various design ideas of mine. Please don’t feel they have to be reproduced in their entirety. It would be fantastic if there are aspects of these designs that can be adapted to fit your own individual lifestyle. ‘Personally I prefer my rooms not to be over-tidy, so in Decorating with Plants I have attempted a comfortable, lived-in look, with nothing arranged in too orderly a fashion. A plant pot here, a book there – it doesn’t matter if everything hasn’t been put away neatly. I feel this makes a room feel more relaxed, and I hope you will feel the same after reading this book.’ Satoshi Kawamoto spent many years renovating his house on the outskirts of Tokyo. He has transformed what used to be a conventional single-storey residential building into a unique space that overflows with his personality. Here,

Homes and Interiors

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gardens

he shows how his attitude to everyday living has shaped the look of his own home, and shares his ideas, as a top garden stylist, on how to make plants part of your dĂŠcor.

LIVING ROOM This is a room for unwinding in, watching television, perhaps, or a DVD. I use variegated foliage plants in here to introduce more colour

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and brightness to the room. Try combining dried flowers and pieces of driftwood among your live plants to create an individual look. The marionette hanging from the ceiling is special to me; I fell in love with it the moment I first set eyes on it. The row of pom-poms along the ceiling works well with the plants. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rely on just one type of accessory to decorate your rooms. Mix, match and combine a lot of different things to

Homes and Interiors

create impact. Go on, be bold! I used pale-tinted dried plants, such as eucalyptus, Japanese box and clematis to create this plant chandelier (left). For a touch of colour, I combined them with several artificial succulents, always specifically chosen to fit in with the colour scheme of the rest of the room. When the light is switched on, a selection of beautiful and fascinating leaf shadows are cast all around the walls.

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gardens

DINING ROOM I use this room not only for meals, but also for business meetings. It’s the busiest room in the house. Tin panels decorate one of the walls, against which is a stepladder I converted into shelving to display antique pots, quirky tea cosies, plastic bottle tops discovered in French flea markets and other collectibles that have caught my fancy over the years. A quick and easy plant arrangement can be created by placing pots of plants in a wooden toolbox. High up the wall near the ceiling are antique wall clocks and plates from Astier de Villatte, a collection of which I am slowly building up. When the room lights are turned on in the evening, there is a fantastical play of shadows cast upon the walls by the plant leaves and the light fittings. I combine soft lighting with candlelight to produce a marvellously atmospheric effect. Because this is the room in which I work on my presentations and design ideas, I have decorated it with plants that are structurally beautiful and have a lot of character.

Decorating with Plants by Satoshi Kawamoto is published by Jacqui Small Publishing and is priced at £18

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‘Mix, match and combine a lot of different things to create impact. Go on, be bold!’

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INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY

Under the

TUSCAN SUN The beautiful Villa Paolina has a history almost as decadent as its interiors, so it’s no surprise that it’s long been regarded as one of Tuscany’s treasures

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Homes and Interiors

illa Paolina is a historical property located on top of a hill, 350 metres above sea level, overlooking the Tyrrhenian coast, the gulf of La Spezia (Poets’ Bay) and the islands of the Arcipelago Toscano. The villa was built between the end of 16th century and the beginning of 17th, probably by the architect Stefano Nieri. In the 18th century the villa, along with all of its 111 hectares of accompanying grounds and farmland, was purchased by the Mansi family, one of the noblest and oldest ‘casati’ of Lucca who repeatedly refurbished and enriched the entire estate. Almost two hundred years later, the beauty of the villa and its surroundings put a spell on Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, the Countess of Compignano, who bought the property from the former owner Raffaella Mansi on the 16th October 1812. Since then, Villa Paolina at Compignano has been regarded as one of the areas greatest historical treasures, presently owned by the family of Mr Giuliano Baldini. The main villa measures 1,200 square metres and covers three

floors, including five bedrooms, large living areas, a carved stone fireplace and a piano room. In front of the villa a wide terrace leads through a double staircase to a stunning Italian garden, situated on the lower lawn and including a breath-taking cotto ‘pergola’ covered by a wisteria tree, the perfect place so spend al fresco evenings. The property also features a heated swimming pool with a hot tub, a helipad and an elevator, as well as three extra buildings which may be used for staff accommodation or rented out. The villa is surrounded by smooth hills of olive trees, where olive oil of the highest quality is produced, while the villa also boasts such majestic architectural features as a ‘bugnato’ main entrance and smooth stones framing the windows. The wonderful location of Villa Paolina, its incredible, elegant architecture and its important historical background create the natural allure which is still as integral to the Tuscan countryside today as it has always been. On the market for €16 million through Sotheby’s International Realty, Tuscany (+39 055 075 1888, sothebysrealty.com)

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Cheshire and Manchesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Largest Leading Independant Independent Estate Agents Visit our new web site www.jordanfishwick.co.uk

Torkington Road Wilmslow Guide Price ÂŁ2,500,000 Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Office 36/38 Alderley Road, SK91JX Sales: 01625 532000 Lettings: 01625 536300 E: wilmslow@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Once inside this beautiful, imposing residence one is struck by the opulence and grandeur this home has to offer. In brief: reception hall with magnificent marble staircase, living room, dining room, bespoke kitchen open to breakfast room, family room, recreational room, boiler room & utility. Master bedroom suite, 4 further bedrooms, (two en-suite) & bathroom. Spiral staircase to guest suite/bedroom 6. Carriage style driveway and immaculate gardens.

Hale Office 172 Ashley Road, WA15 9SF Sales: 0161 929 9797 Lettings: 0161 929 9898 E: hale@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Didsbury Office 757-759 Wilmslow Road, M20 6RN Sales: 0161 445 4480 Lettings: 0161 434 5290 E: didsbury@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Macclesfield & Prestbury Office 84-86 Waters Green, SK11 6LH Sales: 01625 434000 Lettings: 01625 502222 E: macclesfield@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Sale Office 95-97 School Road M33 7XA Sales: 0161 962 2828 Lettings: 0161 976 5080 E: sales@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Park Drive The Wood ÂŁ3,650,000 Glossop Office 44 High Street West, SK13 8BH Sales: 01457 858888 Lettings: 01457 858888 E: glossop@jordanfishwick.co.uk

A wonderful example of a handsome detached Edwardian residence with a wealth of original features retained, yet modernised to an exceptional standard, nestling in beautiful mature private grounds of approximately three quarters of an acre. The grounds are extremely private and the long shingled driveway leads to the double garage which originally had planning to rebuild and convert into a self contained cottage.

Chorlton Office 410-412 Barlow Moor Road, M21 8AD Sales: 0161 860 4444 Lettings: 0161 860 444 E: chorlton@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Manchester City Centre Office 217 Deansgate M3 3NW Sales: 0161 833 9499 Lettings: 0161 833 9499 E: manchester@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Salford & Media City Office City Point Unit 2, 156 Chapel Street M3 6BF Sales: 0161 833 9499 opt 3 Lettings: 0161 833 9499 opt 2 E: salford@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Northern Quarter Office 45 Tib Street M4 1LT Sales: 0161 833 9494 Lettings: 0161 833 9494 E: nor thernquar ter@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Cheshire and Manchester’s Largest Leading Independant Independent Estate Agents Visit our new web site www.jordanfishwick.co.uk

Kinderlee Mill Chisworth Prices from £84,950 to £184,950 Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Office 36/38 Alderley Road, SK91JX Sales: 01625 532000 Lettings: 01625 536300 E: wilmslow@jordanfishwick.co.uk

An exciting mill conversion nestling in wooded surroundings and yet less than half an hour’s train journey to Manchester City centre, including a wide range of luxury 1, 2 & 3 bedroom Apartments, Duplex Penthouses, new build Town Houses and Riverside Mews. All offering contemporary living within this magnificent rural setting surrounded by open countryside.

Hale Office 172 Ashley Road, WA15 9SF Sales: 0161 929 9797 Lettings: 0161 929 9898 E: hale@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Didsbury Office 757-759 Wilmslow Road, M20 6RN Sales: 0161 445 4480 Lettings: 0161 434 5290 E: didsbury@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Macclesfield & Prestbury Office 84-86 Waters Green, SK11 6LH Sales: 01625 434000 Lettings: 01625 502222 E: macclesfield@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Sale Office 95-97 School Road M33 7XA Sales: 0161 962 2828 Lettings: 0161 976 5080 E: sales@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Broad Lane Hale ÂŁ20,000 PCM Glossop Office 44 High Street West, SK13 8BH Sales: 01457 858888 Lettings: 01457 858888 E: glossop@jordanfishwick.co.uk

An impressive modern home boasting attractive external architecture and cutting edge internal design. Internally it yields spacious open plan living comprising four principal reception rooms, five en suite bathrooms and a lavish indoor swimming pool. A feature rich internal environment includes floor to ceiling picture windows, steam room, sauna and fitness suite off the pool area & bespoke state of the art kitchen.

Chorlton Office 410-412 Barlow Moor Road, M21 8AD Sales: 0161 860 4444 Lettings: 0161 860 444 E: chorlton@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Manchester City Centre Office 217 Deansgate M3 3NW Sales: 0161 833 9499 Lettings: 0161 833 9499 E: manchester@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Salford & Media City Office City Point Unit 2, 156 Chapel Street M3 6BF Sales: 0161 833 9499 opt 3 Lettings: 0161 833 9499 opt 2 E: salford@jordanfishwick.co.uk

Northern Quarter Office 45 Tib Street M4 1LT Sales: 0161 833 9494 Lettings: 0161 833 9494 E: nor thernquar ter@jordanfishwick.co.uk

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Homes and Interiors

LOCAL PROPERTY

The Wood PARK DRIVE, HALE

wonderful example of a handsome detached Edwardian residence with a wealth of original features retained yet modernised to an exceptional standard, nestling in beautiful mature private grounds of approximately three quarters of an acre. The accommodation is immaculately presented and has been enhanced by the addition of a self-contained suite and delightful orangery. There are three floors plus a useful basement room and wine cellar, offering a wealth of space and versatility that includes five/six

reception rooms, six bedrooms with the master suite incorporating a full bathroom and gymnasium along with large his and hers dressing rooms. The kitchen has been hand-crafted and custom built by Mowlem and forms the hub of this stunning family home. The grounds are extremely private and the long shingled driveway leads to the double garage which originally had permission to rebuild and convert into a self-contained cottage. On the market at an asking price of ÂŁ3.65 million through Jordan Fishwick Estate Agents (0161 929 9797; jordanfishwick.co.uk)

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LOCAL PROPERTY

Ruskin Lodge BROAD LANE, HALE

n absolutely incredible top floor apartment in this prestigious Hale development of only six in total. Luxury is an understatement, with the property boasting features such as intelligent light and sound systems, an outside terrace and a balcony, Siematic kitchen, walk-in wardrobe and bespoke furniture. This three bedroom/four bathroom apartment also has a wealth of practical living space, with a large entrance hall, WC, utility and store

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room, dining room, lounge with balcony, kitchen, and an en-suite for each bedroom. The master bedroom has a dressing room with walk-in wardrobe and the second bedroom is on another floor with a big outside terrace through double doors. The whole feel and design of this property lift it above anything else like this currently on the market. On the market at an asking price of ÂŁ1.5 million through Jordan Fishwick Estate Agents (0161 929 9797; jordanfishwick.co.uk)

Homes and Interiors

White Oaks MOTTRAM ST ANDREW

hite Oaks is a truly rare plot on one of the finest roads in the region. Almost 1 Â˝ acres of maturity, in a perfect south facing position, with its open aspect out across stunning countryside. The house is approached via a long, tree-lined drive and takes its design inspiration from the great Georgian mansion houses of yesteryear. White Oaks is constructed in a mixture of soft cream stock bricks and is detailed with traditional Portland Stone features. The house is set in beautifully landscaped private grounds, with the front and south facing rear gardens professionally designed and fully landscaped. Existing mature planting, mixed with new large specimens, including high laurel hedges to match, create a well screened and private garden. Every

detail has been carefully thought out to create a truly perfect residence. The entire property has been interior designed and space planned, and contains a unique blend of contemporary and period features. Materials and finishes have been carefully selected from around the world and have been incorporated using the highest level of attention to detail. The finest wallcoverings and fabrics have been incorporated to present each space in their finest form, while there is also a leisure suite, and five en-suite bedrooms. The careful blend of quality in all departments culminates in a highly detailed luxury home, ideally suited to the discerning purchaser. On the market for ÂŁ5.5 million Jackson-Stops and Staff, 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

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LOCAL PROPERTY

Camps Mount PRESTBURY

amps Mount is a substantial family house, designed and built to the highest specification including state of the art fittings, built by the well-renowned builders Bilton Ward Developments. The house sits centrally within its mature landscaped grounds and is accessed by bespoke hardwood electric gates with CCTV entry, providing a high degree of security. A solid oak front door leads to a galleried entrance hall with limestone flooring and an impressive bespoke walnut and glass staircase. The kitchen is bespoke and handbuilt by Mark Wilkinson with a mixture of cream-painted and walnut wall and floor units, mainly Wolf stainless steel fittings and a Sub-Zero fridge/freezer with water and ice dispenser. The kitchen/breakfast room is open plan to the day room, which has a bespoke walnut AV cabinet housing a plasma-screen television. The day room opens out

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onto rear gardens via French doors and there are three further reception rooms, one of which has a modern living flame gas fire set into a carved stone fireplace. The first floor has four large double bedrooms, including a master suite with a beautifully fitted walnut dressing room and en suite bathroom with audio speakers and Aquavision TV. There are three further double bedrooms on the first floor, all with luxurious en suite bath/shower rooms with stone tiling. There are two further double bedrooms on the second floor, served by a beautifully fitted family bathroom. The airconditioned gymnasium is accessed via the first floor and overlooks the leisure suite below, served by a well-appointed changing room and sauna. On the market for ÂŁ2.65 million Jackson-Stops and Staff, 8 Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AA (01625 540340; jackson-stops.co.uk)

Tarporley, Cheshire

Price on Application

A superb family house in a prime position on the outskirts of Tarporley with an indoor pool and about 4.8 acres of land. • A handsome Grade II listed family home • Accommodation over four floors • Drawing room • Dining room • Sitting room • Kitchen breakfast room

• Family Room • Study • Wine Cellar • Utility & Boiler room • Five bedroom Suites • Indoor Swimming pool

Savills Chester chester@savills.com 01244 32 32 32

savills.co.uk

• Gym • Games Room • Extensive garaging • Landscaped gardens • Paddock • In all about 4.8 acres

Michael J Chapman Estate Agents sales@michaeljchapman.co.uk 01625 584379

NEW LUXURY HOMES OFFERING GOLF COURSES, DRIVING RANGE AND HEALTH SPA FACILITIES STRETTON GREEN ~ MALPAS, CHESHIRE SY14 7JA

It’s not just the beautiful city of Chester you’ll find yourself close to...

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Stretton Green is a beautiful collection of luxury country homes set in the heart of the Cheshire countryside and just 10 miles from the cosmopolitan city of Chester

Unrivalled Location Superb Specification Idyllic Lifestyle

TO BOOK A PRIVATE VIEWING CALL JAN MAC CUTCHAN ON 01829 458977 OR VISIT REDROW.CO.UK/STRETTON

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Homes and Interiors

overseas property we’ve picked the most beautiful properties from OUR FAVOURITE ITALIAN PROVINCEs for your viewing pleasure

near siena

#1 Medieval Castle

This incredible estate extends over 630 hectares, amongst which is an olive grove of 1,500 trees producing award-winning olive oil. The property would also be ideal for horses with 28 hectares of pasture and ample room for barns and boxes. There are also two lakes within the estate which are used for fishing. Available at a guide price of €28 million through Tuscany Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 055 075 1888; sothebysrealty.com)

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overseas property

FLORENCE

#2 Modern Villa

FLORENCE

#3 Borgo Degli Albizi 27

An impressive four bedroom property in the prestigious palazoo Tanagli. The recently renovated building has a stunning entrance courtyard with original frescoes and an incredible marble staircase. The apartment boasts ceilings up to six metres high throughout and beautiful original fireplaces and frescoes in the living room and dining rooms. There are also two secure parking spaces, plus elevator access and a wine cellar. Available at a guide price of €2.9 million through Tuscany Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 055 0751888; sothebysrealty.com)

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This modern villa is set in a spectacular location with views of all the monuments of Florence and the surrounding green hills. The six bedroom home boasts a wonderful courtyard full of olive trees and there is also a delightful vegetable garden. Available at a guide price of €10.5 million through Tuscany Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 02 8707 8300; sothebysrealty.com)

Homes and Interiors

ROME

#4 Trastevere District

Dating back to the 18th Century, this palazzo is situated in the historic centre of Rome at the feet of the Gianicolo and is just a short stroll from Piazza San Cosimato. The property features a stunning terrace and 340 sq metres of living space which comprises two grand entrances, a large reception room and impressive skylight along with four gorgeous bedrooms. There is also an impressive feature staircase, kitchen, dining room and balconies which overlook the living room. Available at a guide price of €4.8 million through Rome Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 06 7925 8888; sothebysrealty.com)

ROME

#5 Via Del Corallo

This completely renovated design apartment is located on the third floor of an elegant and historic building in the centre of Rome. The sleek property boasts a stunning blend of contemporary design and classical elegance and has been painstakingly renovated with original features retained throughout. There are stunning wooden-beamed high ceilings throughout and two generous sized bedrooms. What’s more, the apartment boasts four bathrooms, one of which has a Turkish bath and wellness area. Available at a guide price of €2.1 million through Rome Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 06 7925 8888; sothebysrealty.com)

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overseas property PISTOIA

#6 Via Scala Del Giaccherino

TYRRHENIAN SEA

#7 Isola D’elba

Elba is a Mediterranean island in Tuscany, part of the Arcipelago Toscano National Park, and the third largest island in Italy, after Sicily and Sardinia. The villa is perched on the edge of the island and overlooks the picturesque Tyrrhenian Sea. There is also private access to the sea and a private dock with a double deck, solarium and a path to the beach. The five bedroom property stretches 270 sq metres and boasts an adjoining annexe with bedroom and bathroom and a number of terraces with beautiful views of the sea and National Park. Available at a guide price of €2.3 million through Tuscany Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 02 87078300; sothebysrealty.com)

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This convent is over 7,200 sq metres and has a total of 50 bedrooms, 40 bathrooms, a church, parking for 300 cars and over 9 hectares of land. The main structure was built to accommodate a community of the Franciscan friars of the Primitive Observance and is under the projection of the Fine Arts, with the frescoes and other valuable items having been catalogued by the Italian Cultural Heritage Ministry. Outside is an olive grove and private woodland of 105,000 sq metres. On the market for €18 million with Tuscany Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 055 0751888, sothebysrealty.com)

Homes and Interiors

rome

#8 Corso Vittorio Emanuele 21

This prestigious four bedroom apartment of 360 sq metres is located on the third floor of a historic building. The property is located only a few metres from Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and the most important landmarks of Rome. The building features typical nineteenth century high ceilings and spaces ideal for entertaining guests. There is also a concierge service and the apartment has two entrances along with a library and impressive dining room. Available at a guide price of €2.8 million through Rome Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 06 7925 8888; sothebysrealty.com)

ROME

#9 Parioli District

This four bedroom apartment is located in the elegant Parioli district and boasts a triple living room, dining room, a bathroom and a balcony which offers marvellous views across Rome. The property also benefits from a beautiful kitchen with an adjoining large office, perfect for those looking to work from home and an adjoining balcony for those wanting to pop out for a break. The apartment is also accessed via a private lift and has an adjacent garage. Available at a guide price of €3.8 million through Rome Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 06 7925 8888; sothebysrealty.com)

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Homes and Interiors

overseas property

ROME

#10 Via Rubens, Parioli

FLORENCE

#11 Historic Apartment

Split over two floors, this beautifully decorated property combines the finest Italian design and contemporary details of Florentine architecture of the XVI century. The property boasts original frescoes from the XVIIII century and 320 sq metres of living space. Available at a guide price of €4.5 million through Tuscany Sotheby’s International Realty (+39.02.87.07.83.00; sothebysrealty.com)

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This elegant apartment is located in one of the most exclusive residential areas in Rome, Parioli. The Parioli district is home to the majority of Embassies and Ambassador Residences and many of Rome’s top International schools. The five bedroom apartment consists of an impressive entrance hall which is decorated with beautiful marble mosaics, a large living and reception room, a huge dining room and a library/lounge. Available at a guide price of €9 million through Rome Sotheby’s International Realty (+39 06 7925 8888; sothebysrealty.com)

PARIS / JANUARY 23-27, 2015 / SEPTEMBER 4-8, 2015 PARIS NORD VILLEPINTE

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Homes and Interiors

BEAUTIFUL THINGS

ECO-FRIENDLY FIRES Whether it is traditional or contemporary, a fire is always a great way to provide a focal point in a room. Nevertheless, not all rooms easily lend themselves to the addition of a hearth, so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re huge fans of the fantastic flueless range on offer from Bioethanolfires.co.uk. Not only are its fireplaces low carbon and sustainable (they run on alcohol produced by plants), but the lack of a flue (a chimney or vent) means they can be installed anywhere, whether it is an empty corner or the centre of a room. Personally we like the Fireline Automatic 3; a super-technical model which is WiFi enabled and can be controlled directly from your smartphone or tablet. The range includes fireplaces designed to be used outside, and even the option to request bespoke sizes to perfectly suit the dimensions of any room. Sounds like a spark of genius to us. (bioethanolfires.co.uk)

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To view our online Furniture Collection visit our website or contact us for more details on our Interior Design Practice

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