The Mayfair Magazine May 2015

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Contents | The mayfair Magazine

Contents May 2015 Features 022 | A thousand miles Racing car legend Sir Stirling Moss OBE on his illustrious career and his life in Mayfair

082 | The real candidate Ivan Massow on why he’s ready to get serious and succeed Boris Johnson as Mayor of London

Collection

Fashion

027 | Out of the shell Yoko London partners with BAFTA as its official jewellery sponsor for 2015

043 | Style spy

029 | Jewellery news 085 | The craft of the cruise Exlpore exquisite detail and craftsmanship in the world of custom motorcycles

052 | Bold and beautiful We chart the rise of contemporary haute couture label Ralph & Russo

022

062 | Meet your maker As London Craft Week arrives in town, we bring you our guide to what’s on in Mayfair

031 | Jewel time Show-stopping pieces in the fine jewellery world are unveiled at Baselworld

044 | Style update 046 | The new romantic Take sartorial inspiration from the ballet this month as we bring you ethereal lace in soft colour palettes

036 | Best in show This year’s dispatch on extraordinary watches from Baselworld 041 | Watch news

044

067 | Mayfair by design Charles Saumarez Smith takes us on his design tour of the area 078 | The power breakfast Leading figures from the world of business, politics and the arts share their definition of success

062

regulars 014 | Contributors 016 | Editor’s letter 019 | My life in Mayfair: Guy Salter, founder, London Craft Week 020 | Couture culture Our latest dispatch on the arts, film and theatre releases

052 10

115 | Remembering Mayfair: Brown Hart Gardens

046


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Contents | The mayfair Magazine

Contents May 2015 Art

Interiors

Travel

Food & Drink

056 | Art news

073 | Interiors news

089 | Travel news

106 | Food & drink news

058 | Exhibition focus: Photo London at Somerset House

074 | Parisian chic Guillaume Alan on the influence of fashion on his minimalist interior designs

090 | Bernalda bella We discover a beautiful southern Italian escape at Palazzo Margerita

108 | Dining out: Engawa, Ham Yard

060 | Prize lots

094 | The art of travel The InterContinental Park Lane launches a package inspired by the heritage of Mayfair

mayfair

Resident’s Journal

Our insiders’ guide to Mayfair in association with The Residents’ Society of Mayfair & St James’s (from page 109)

073

096 | City break: Prague Romantic and brimming with culture, we bring you our ultimate guide to Prague 098 | Suite dreams: The Goring Hotel

Beauty 101 | Beauty news 104 | Spa review: Abigail James at Liz Earle

056 12

166

Property 138 | Property news The latest news in prime central London property from PrimeResi.com and Knight Frank 154 | Making history We meet Kim Bays, associate partner at Carter Jonas Mayfair & St James’s 158 | Greener pastures An historic property on Green Street arrives on the market 166 | Hot property Inside One Denman Place; an address where you’ll find beautiful, contemporary apartments


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Contributors | The mayfair Magazine

MAY 2015 s issue 044

The

contributors

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

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Charles Saumarez Smith Charles Saumarez Smith CBE is secretary and chief executive of the Royal Academy of Arts. This month, take a tour of the area through his lens, as he reveals his favourite places for design in Mayfair, from his favourite tailor to cultural attractions.

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.

Guy Salter

Richard Yarrow

Carol Cordrey

Guy Salter is a luxury investor and expert. He also represents the British Luxury Industry and the British Government’s GREAT Campaign. He also is the founder of London Craft Week, which takes place this month, and to mark the occasion, shares his life in Mayfair.

Former associate editor of Auto Express, Richard is an accomplished motoring journalist. This month, he discovers the beauty and craft behind customised motorcycles, and meets the top companies in the UK who will make your Harley Davidson truly one-of-a-kind.

Carol is an art critic and editor. She organises the annual London Ice Sculpting Festival and is permanently on the art scene bringing us the latest happenings. This month she meets Philip Mould as he relocates his iconic gallery from Dover Street to Pall Mall.

Also published by MAY 2015 s £5.00

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DISTRIBUTION: The Mayfair Magazine is distributed in Mayfair, St James’s and Belgravia as well as selected parts of Knightsbridge, Chelsea and Marylebone.

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From WestWood to lagerFeld; When Fashion and politiCs Collide

trade

Secrets

london CraFt WeeK arrives; going green With Kate gould; and dirK messner at lumas

Oriental express summer silhouettes inspired by the east

cover

On the

painting of stirling moss by Tim Layzell. For more information on his work please visit timlayzell.com or follow on Twitter @timlayzellart (see page 22)


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Editor’s Letter | The mayfair Magazine

editorT

From the

EDITOR’S PICKs

1 2

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o master a craft takes patience, time and dedication. Many would agree you could spend an entire life honing a skill – or skills – in your chosen field, and only then come close to that elusive definition of ‘perfection’. Sir Stirling Moss OBE was truly a master of his profession as one of Britain’s most iconic and successful all-round racing-car drivers. He welcomes us into his home to talk about his remarkable career and his life in the area as a long-time resident, 60 years after winning one of his most famous races, the Mille Miglia in 1955 (page 22). And Mayfair has, of course, long been a destination for craftsmanship, and is where some of London’s finest examples of beautifully made interiors, fine jewellery and watches, fashion and art can be found. Celebrating the attention to detail that goes with exceptional luxury goods is London Craft Week, which arrives in London this month for the first time. We meet its founder, Guy Salter, to discuss the evolution of craftsmanship in the area (page 19), and bring you our top picks for the week, from watchmaking at Vacheron Constantin to a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into making a Rolls-Royce (page 62). Secretary and chief executive of the Royal Academy of Arts Charles Saumarez Smith shares his own penchant for design in the area, by taking us on a tour of his favourite places in Mayfair (page 67). Meanwhile, Richard Yarrow delves into the world of customised motorcycles, uncovering their exquisite design and creative engineering, and you need not even be an aficionado yourself to appreciate the beauty of these two-wheeled works of art (page 85).

Kate Racovolis Editor Follow us on Twitter @MayfairMagazine

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above: Watchmaking at Vacheron Constantin. Image courtesy of Vacheron Constantin (see page 60)


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The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

My life in MAYFAIR G u y S a lt e r Founder of London Craft Week

I ‘For me, true luxury and craft are inextricably linked’ – Guy Salter

Clockwise from top: guy salter; Odette Toilette Perfume Bottles; teacup at clardige’s, image courtesy of claridge’s; 4160 Tuesdays, ‘Shazam’; Carréducker Derby Shoe in canvas and deerskin; Watchmaking at Vacheron Constantin (see page 60 for details on london craft week’s events; londoncraftweek.com)

f something is done in Mayfair, it is done with a level of sophistication that other parts of London can’t quite match. Of course much of that is because it has to be – the residents and visitors (mostly) insist on it. This is as true of restaurants or clubs as it is of galleries or shops. My relationship with Mayfair goes much deeper than just my working career. As a child I remember visits to Allens, The Connaught and the church on Farm Street. The first two have changed in a very typical Mayfair way; quietly but very much for the better, the third seems to me to be wonderfully the same (although, The Jesuits may disagree). The area still retains that sense of place and tradition, while having undergone a fairly significant transition. The biggest drivers for that change were, firstly, the reversion of offices to private homes after the post-war change of use expired, and secondly, the growth of luxury retail. Mayfair has seen every stage of change in luxury; from traditional family-owned small businesses becoming household names with flagships to match, and then recently a reversion to a more niche specialist approach. The wonderful thing is you can still see examples of each, which must be very rare, not only for London but even for cities like Paris. And apart from Mayfair’s constant evolution, I love its quirkiness and diversity. If it ever lost that, it would become just a series of cold, smart shopping streets. The idea behind London Craft Week, which is taking place from 6-10 May, was to give exceptional craftsmanship its moment in the spotlight – similar to fashion during London Fashion Week. For me true luxury and craft are inextricably linked. You literally cannot get one without the other. The trouble is that, to some extent, they diverged during the peak years of the luxury boom, but the good news is increasingly the best examples are as rooted in exceptional craftsmanship and materials as in design. If you take this more cohesive definition of both luxury and craft, Mayfair is a destination for both and increasingly so. Luxury customers now expect and demand more in terms of quality and individuality. London, and indeed Mayfair, is on the frontline of this trend. I visit too many places in the area to list – you could spend a full week trying the locality’s delights and still not have experienced everything. But if I have to single a few out, The New Craftsmen is a hotbed of talent and remarkably good value, Claridge’s still has the best cup of tea in London, the new Colony Grill at The Beaumont is already a classic, the Royal Acdemy of Arts is ever-reliable for inspiration and Umu is the best for Kyoto cooking in London. Mayfair seems to be acting increasingly like a super-filter for luxury. So if you were a very discerning visitor to London and you only had a few hours to shop, Mayfair would offer a much more interesting selection within walking distance than most similar areas in other big cities. 19


agenda

literary itinerary

From Venice with love One of Mayfair’s most characterful member’s clubs, Loulou’s has an unmistakably eccentric interior. For the Biennale D’Arte 2015, Loulou’s will celebrate the only way it knows how, by transforming Venice’s Bauer Hotel B-bar into an opulent and surreal nightclub space – a Venetian extension of London’s legendary nightspot that will overwhelm the senses, and a wonderful excuse to plan a trip to Venice. Loulou’s residency is running from 1-10 May at the BAUERs Hotel, Venice (bauerhotels.com)

Couture culture Make this month about pursuing creative your endeavours, with a new film about the world’s most revered Impressionists and a horticultural tome by Redouté

theatre

American Buffalo Damian Lewis and John Goodman in rehearsals for American Buffalo (Photo: Johan Persson)

D

‘The 1975 script for American Buffalo is a fine example of Mamet’s terse but melodic vernacular’

avid Mamet has often been dubbed ‘America’s greatest living playwright’, and the West End is providing us with the chance to see his work in action. The 1975 script for American Buffalo is a fine example of Mamet’s terse but melodic vernacular, and is considered a classic of the American canon. 20

The play takes place in a junk shop owned by Don (played by John Goodman), who has sold a buffalo nickel to a customer, but soon after estimates that it is worth much more than what he sold it for. He plans to steal it back with the help of his assistant Bob (Tom Sturridge) and his friend Teach (Damien Lewis). The darkly witty action that ensues fervently explores the relationship between business and friendship, and the divided loyalties between three men who will try anything to get ahead. This all-star cast is set to wow the critics with what Lewis declares is an ‘engaging, thought-provoking and, above all, entertaining play’. American Buffalo is at Wyndham’s Theatre until 27 June (delfontmackintosh.co.uk) words: hannah lemon

Requiring both horticultural insight and artistic skill, the study and illustration of botanical findings reaches back to the Renaissance. In a tribute to botanical illustration, Taschen has reprinted colour-stippled engravings from the famed French flower painter, Pierre-Joseph Redouté. An official court artist at Versailles no less, Redouté was often described as the Raphael of flowers and a darling of Parisian high society – he counted Empress Josephine as a loyal patron. The collection of vibrant prints highlights the wonder of floral discovery from the Age of Enlightenment, and celebrates horticulture which still adorns our gardens today. No matter what your horticultural ability, Redouté’s splendid collection of botanical illustrations are a joy to behold – we think it’s enough to inspire some gardening worthy of a Chelsea Flower Show medal, or at least a visit to some of Mayfair’s best green spaces. They serve as a delightful reminder of the beauty of the natural world. Redouté. Selection of the Most Beautiful Flowers, £99.99 published by Taschen (taschen.com)


The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

image © Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

5 top picks

Artistic licence

Be inspired by London Craft Week as we bring you some of our favourite accessories, made with great care and craftsmanship

film

The Impressionists and the man who made them

P

anning across the works of Degas and Monet, one cannot help but note the expressive use of colour. For such masterpieces it seems surprising that, when the great Impressionist artists first exhibited their work, they were met with contempt and ridicule. Following the only 19th century Parisian art dealer who championed these struggling artists’ works, The Impressionists depicts Paul Durand-Ruel’s relationship with the artists he helped establish, and charts his prevailing determination to support the Impressionist style in the hostile environment of the austere French salons. Through historic reflections by curators of the exhibition Inventing Impressionism, on which the film is based, we piece together a sense of the

widespread derision Durand-Ruel met from Parisian society. Going against the classicist notion of painting that French society favoured, within each painting an expressive personality can be seen – Monet’s Impressionism, Sunshine being a famous example of which the movement’s name is derived. Most insightful are extracts from Durand-Ruel’s memoirs, voiced by Robert Lindsay, which describe the eventual success of the Impressionist movement as a ‘triumph of modern art over academic art’. Plainly, without Durand-Ruel’s continual financial backing and determination, one of the most loved and recognisable artistic movements in Western art may ceased to have been. The Impressionists is in cinemas on 26 May

#1 Tie, £125, Drake’s (drakes.com)

#2 Meisterstuck fountain pen, £620 (montblanc.com)

# 3 Leica X Typ 113 Silver, £1,550, Leica (leica-storemayfair.co.uk)

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#4 Leather-bound notebook, £185, Bespoke & Bound (thenewcraftsmen.com)

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A thousand miles This month marks 60 years since Sir Stirling Moss OBE’s iconic win at the Mille Miglia in 1955. Kate Racovolis meets the legend himself to discuss his remarkable career and life in Mayfair

A

friend of mine once told me to always take the time to look up in Mayfair – for so much that makes this area beautiful lies not only at eye level, but above shop fronts and office doors. Remembering this advice on one quiet, crisp morning in early spring, I arrive in Mayfair, carefully traipsing the cobblestones with notepad and recorder in hand, to a residential address on Shepherd Street. A few floors up on the façade of one of the addresses, is a discreet glass panel placed in front of one of the windows, no larger than the size of a few books laying side-by-side, and on it is etched a racing car. You’d miss it entirely, unless you knew this marked where Sir Stirling Moss OBE lives – and has lived since he bought the property in 1952, when it was, as the former racing car driver describes, quite literally, ‘a bomb site’. The

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crumbled walls and street littered with rubble presents a vastly different picture to what it is today; a quiet, polished street just next to Shepherd Market. Moss’s personal assistant opens the door, and it’s as if I’ve just stepped into a hall of fame. Model racing cars take pride of place, ornately perched on shelves, as do an archive of photo albums containing newspaper clippings and photographs from his illustrious career, the good, the bad and the ugly; safe it was not to be a racing car driver, and Moss certainly had his fair share of crashes and broken bones. We walk up the steep and narrow spiral staircase, to another room filled with racing memorabilia, and Moss, dressed rather dapperly in a pale pink shirt monogrammed with his initials in cursive, ‘SM’, enters the room with just as much of a presence at 85 as he would have had 60


The mayfair Magazine | Feature

above, fROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ‘Stirling Hamilton’ sir stirling moss and lewis hamilton british grand prix winners, 1955 and 2014 painted by Tim Skett (facebook. com/tim.peticula); two following images: stirling moss collection (from stirling moss: my racing life)

years ago. His outfit hints at his humourous side, too, as his braces are adorned with Bugs Bunny cartoons. ‘I bought this house for five grand – I designed the property myself, and had it built,’ Moss humbly points out in a raspy voice. ‘I wanted to live in Mayfair because it really is the centre of everywhere.’ It was this month in 1955 when Moss, at age 25, won the iconic race that fans and racing-car aficionados still pinpoint as the height of his career, the Mille Miglia road race in the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, followed by winning the Targa Florio race and the Tourist Trophy at Dundrod. It was in this year that he also famously beat world champion Juan Manuel Fangio at the British Grand Prix at Aintree in the Mercedes-Benz W196 Monoposto. That year, however represents only the surface of Moss’s accolades; he also spent time as a motoring editor of Harpers & Queen, and received an OBE in 1959. ‘We are talking about something that happened 60 years ago, it is such a long time,’ says Moss somewhat wearily, yet he bounces back with enthusiasm: ‘But when I think back, what is so surprising is the performance of the cars of that era. I was driving a car that

was so advanced for the time.’ Since his racing heyday the motoring industry has, of course, changed dramatically, as technology has made racing cars even faster than Moss admits he could imagine. However he is still quite rightly lauded as one of the best all-round British drivers of all time; looked up to by many, and celebrated the world over for his success.

‘He is still quite rightly lauded as one of the best all-round British drivers of all time’ Numerous celebrations are taking place in his honour this year to mark this occasion, one of which is a book entitled Stirling Moss: My Racing Life by Moss and Simon Taylor. Moss’s influence over the next generation of racing talent is undeniable, as Lewis Hamilton comments in the foreword: ‘Stirling had one of his finest Formula 1 seasons driving for Mercedes-Benz. I have now won my second World Championship for Mercedes-Benz. It was great to be able to line our cars up side-by-side and compare them, the W196 and the W05

below, LEFT TO RIGHT: image: stirling moss collection (from stirling moss: my racing life); long day ahead, by artist tim layzell (timlayzell. com); following two images: stirling moss collection (from stirling moss: my racing life); SIR STIRLING MOSS after winning the British Grand Prix in 1955

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above: left to right: stirling moss, by tim layzell (timlayzell. com); stirling moss and lewis hamilton, image Mercedes-Benz (from stirling moss: my racing life)

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Hybrid, designed 60 years apart and technically more different than you could imagine. I told Stirling I couldn’t dream of racing his car. He said he couldn’t dream of racing mine. But they were both made to chase precisely the same goal: to beat the rest of the world. And that’s what they both did.’ Moss looks back on his racing career with rightly earned pride, but looks at driving on the road today through a different lens than on a circuit. ‘I get very little pleasure out of actually driving,’ he says. ‘The real pleasure is before you arrive, or before you go. Racing is a totally different matter; the Mille Miglia is 1,000 miles in one lap. It was quite an exhilaration,’ he continues with a calmness that doesn’t quite express the sheer adrenaline he felt when behind the wheel. It does, however, sum up, in many ways, the way he drove; not quite relaxed but composed, sitting back and upright as if to make the task ahead look completely effortless. ‘The journey,’ he adds with a smile, ‘can also be pretty

good too, if you’re doing well.’ Moss’s life in Mayfair is not necessarily as ostentatious as one might imagine, choosing to visit a local cafe for a piece of toast with honey and butter for breakfast from time to time, or visiting a local restaurant. He is concerned more with the appearance of the street nearby – ‘It took me years to have the cobblestones replaced on the road!’ he says – than frequenting the nearby shops. He is, however, partial to visiting the likes of Aston Martin, when it has a new model on show – it’s clear you can take the man out of the car, but never the car out of the man. ‘I am very lucky to have had the life that I’ve had since I started racing. I had the chance to travel all over the world to different countries, which I still do,’ he says. ‘It gave me the opportunity to meet new people and see new places, but still, to me London is the centre of the world. And I can’t think of anywhere else in London I would swap Mayfair for.’ He’ll be right here in Shepherd Street, but when you next pass by – just don’t forget to look up. Sir Stirling Moss will be signing copies of the book, Stirling Moss: My Racing Life at Hatchards, Piccadilly on Wednesday 20 May from 12.30pm – 1.30pm (evropublishing.com)

right: Sir Stirling Moss with his sister Pat Moss-Carlsson among Moss’s trophies, stirling moss collection (from stirling moss: my raciing life). below left: stirling moss. below, right: stirling moss by tim layzell (timlayzell. com)


The mayfair Magazine | Feature

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The mayfair Magazine | Collection

I

f you hadn’t already worked it out, after seeing Lupita Nyong’o’s show-stealing custom-made Calvin Klein Oscars dress made entirely from a staggering 6,000 ivory pearls, you surely will have by now: this year, in the worlds of both fashion and fine jewellery, it’s all about pearls. It was little wonder, then, that the official jewellery sponsor to the 2015 BAFTAs was none other than Yoko London, one of the world’s leading luxury pearl jewellers since 1973. To mark this honour, the British company produced a series of show-stopping pieces, all of which highlight founder Michael Hakimian and his team’s commitment to using only the finest and rarest of these precious orbs, perfect in size, colour and lustre. Visit the Knightsbridge flagship to see the latest collections. Yoko London, 49 Beauchamp Place, SW3 (yokolondon.com)

Out of the shell 27



The mayfair Magazine | Collection

Jewellery news Although diamonds will never go out of style, the popularity of pink sapphires is on the rise WORDS: OLIVIA SHARPE

Luck be a lady While it may be one of the oldest jewellers in the world, Cartier has always succeeded in keeping up with the times and this is no doubt why it has maintained such a lasting appeal. Its Amulette de Cartier collection, in particular, is indicative of the brand’s desire to create pieces which can be worn by modern women in everyday life. The precious charms (officially launched on 1 April) have been described by the house as ‘magical talismans’ and encompass natural gemstones which carry their own hidden message or good luck charm. These have been set into pendants, earrings, bracelets and rings. From the opal symbolising ‘happiness’ to the lapis lazuli (‘serenity’), find the one that encapsulates you. Amulette de Cartier collection, from £1,420 (cartier.com)

CUTTING EDGE 2001 was the year the first piece of Louis Vuitton jewellery was created: a Monogram bracelet. This recognisable motif has since developed into five distinct ranges (Idylle, Sun, Star, Fusion and Dentelle) and this year, the house releases the new Monogram Idylle collection:

The new contemporary collection of easy-to-wear jewels includes hoop earrings, charm necklaces and stackable rings, all of which feature three shades of gold: yellow gold for the diamond, rose gold for the star and white gold for the round flower.

Beneath the Rose Pink sapphires – although historically less well-known than their blue counterparts – have recently been gaining popularity in the jewellery world, largely because of their similarity to pink diamonds (and their comparatively lower price point). William & Son has chosen to pay homage to the gemstones’ natural beauty in a new high jewellery collection, Beneath the Rose. It takes its name from the phrase ‘Sub Rosa’ – which refers to an act of secrecy – as the company wished to highlight its commitment to exclusivity when it comes to its bespoke commissions. The sapphires have been rose-cut and many of the pieces are set in rose gold, heightening the femininity of the collection. Beneath the Rose, POA (williamandson.com) Working Progress Last year saw luxury jeweller D’Joya celebrating Antoni Gaudi’s birthday with a one-off fine jewellery collection inspired by the revered architect’s work. Continuing its appreciation of architecture, the latest range draws on iconic buildings around the world and each piece incorporates a priceless jewel. The grandeur of the Duomo cathedral, for example, has been reimagined into a Gothic-style pendant featuring salt-water pearls, diamonds and a princess diamond centrepiece. The collection has five pieces but there are plans to expand it over time. (djoya.com)

(uk.louisvuitton.com) 29


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The mayfair Magazine | Collection

jewel Time After a year of working tirelessly, Baselworld is the time when the pinnacle figures of the high jewellery industry come together to reveal their latest creations. From show-stopping timepieces to one-of-a-kind suites and never-before-seen stones, Olivia Sharpe presents the jewels which dazzled us most this year

THE TRANSFORMERS When spending an astronomical amount of money on a piece of fine jewellery, there is some comfort in knowing (for the buyer, at least) that it can be worn in more ways than one. Along with its Fascination watch, Graff Diamonds also brought out a sapphire and diamond double brooch with a secret watch, which can be worn in three different ways: as a single piece, as individual brooches or as a single brooch with a tassel. During Chanel’s S/S14 fashion show, Cara Delevingne sported the Première rock timepiece in black but, never one to be conventional, the supermodel wore the watch as a belt (there was more than one attached before you start panicking, ladies). This year, the house has released its latest version of this model in pastel blue. Messika has always succeeded in combining the traditions of high jewellery with contemporary designs; its skinny bracelets utilise an innovative technique which was patented by the house in 2007. This system of invisible nano-springs provide elasticity to the diamond strands, thereby giving the pieces flexibility. Founder of Jacob & Co, Jacob Arabo is well-known for his bold and daring creations and this year he unveiled two standout collections: Cerastes and Rare Touch. The latter includes a diamond mesh cuff that was worn by Madonna on her MDNA tour, and a bolero jacket made from gold and diamonds. Whatever will they think of next? 

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Première Rock timepiece in pastel blue leather and steel triple-row chain, Chanel; mOVE GOLD & DIAMOND BANGLE, mESSIKA jOAILLERIE; Prisma mini ring in white & yellow gold, cARRERA y cARRERA; Pensée de Diamants bracelet, Boucheron

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LEGENDS OF THE HALL At this year’s Baselworld there was a definite feeling of nostalgia in the air. Rather than brands showing off with one-of-a-kind pieces in order to make headlines, many were instead paying tribute to their heritage. British jeweller Garrard commemorated its 280th anniversary with two new collections: the Regal Waterfall collection reinterprets two historic symbols relating to the brand (the Regal and Waterfall motifs), while the second collection, Bow, presents a modern interpretation of three diamond brooches Garrard designed for Queen Victoria in 1858. Spanish jeweller Carrera y Carrera similarly delved into the past in order to mark its 130th birthday, launching the Universo collection. This has been inspired by an old travel diary owned by an adventurer who was fascinated by a 2,600 year-old sculpture discovered in Spain in 1897; the Lady of Elche. Rather than launching an entirely new collection, Marco Bicego instead updated

‘British jeweller Garrard commemorated its 280th anniversary with two new collections’ those that have won the jeweller a loyal fanbase over the years, including his oldest, Paradise (launched 12 years ago), which has been slightly adapted to include larger coloured stone pieces. The jeweller’s Marrakech collection did see an entirely new piece unveiled this year – a woven white gold bracelet – but even this turned out to be a subtle homage to the brand’s history, with each of the 15 strands representing a year since the company was first founded.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: Blue sapphire ring with white gold and diamonds, rEGAL wATERFALL EARRINGS & Bow necklace with South Sea AND Ashoka pearls, and white diamonds, ALL Garrard; Garza sculpture, Carrera y Carrera

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BLUE STEEL

SUPER NATURAL It is no secret that flowers and nature have long been a source of inspiration for jewellers, and the Basel halls were once again bursting with pretty perennials, heralding the arrival of spring. Carla Amorim looked to her native Brazil for her Botanic fine jewellery collection, while Fabergé was drawn to summers in Provence for its new high jewellery watch; limited to just five pieces, the self-winding 37mm model includes a diamond-encrusted dial decorated with precious gemstones, mother-of-pearl flowers and turquoise leaves. At Roberto Coin, the jeweller refreshed his Garden collection to include an enchanting pendant featuring a beautiful blue topaz surrounded by tsavorites, white diamonds and orange sapphires. However, for us, the winner for the prettiest piece had to go to Pasquale Bruni; its new collection, Prato Fiorito, includes a stunning Fiori in Fiore necklace encompassing pink sapphires and diamonds, with a pavé flower and a drop of multifaceted morganite.

We journalists have a habit of pulling trends out of thin air, but when it came to this year’s Basel, there was undisputedly a recurring theme: and this was the colour blue. As well as being the bezel colour of choice for several new watch models, blue gemstones also played a key role in this year’s jewellery collections, ranging from sapphires and topazes to Paraiba tourmalines and lapis lazuli. Well-known for her playful designs, French jeweller Lydia Courteille unleashed an octopus pendant but what made this underwater creature truly captivating was its array of sapphires in deep shades of blue, green and violet, plus a dazzling opal. Sutra Jewels has never been one to shy away from colour, and the brand certainly demonstrated it this year with its new turquoise necklace (predicted to be the next ‘in’ stone), a piece that has since been listed as one of the show’s favourites. Chopard revisited its iconic Happy Hearts collection by bringing out new pieces featuring the openwork hearts motif also in turquoise, and for its high jewellery range, it unveiled the 41.57-carat oval Paraiba tourmaline ring. In order not to detract attention away from this exceptional stone, the simple design features a slender lacework ribbon of diamonds. Finally, Stephen Webster lived up to his reputation for being a rocks god with his new Gold Struck collection; inspired by the Cheapside Hoard (the world’s largest cache of Elizabethan and Jacobean jewellery discovered in London more than 100 years ago), it includes the electrifying finger ring set with turquoise, amethyst, tanzanite and blue topaz. 

clockwise from top right: tURQUOISE NECKLACE, sutra jewels; Haute Joaillerie Temptations earrings, Chopard; Octopus pendant, Lydia Courteille; gOLD sTRUCK fINGER rING, sTEPHEN wEBSTER CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Garden necklace in satin yellow gold with white diamonds, blue topaz, tsavorite and orange sapphires, Roberto Coin; Fiori in Fiore necklace, Pasquale Bruni; Jeux du Contraire ring, Sicis Jewels; Summers in Provence high jewellery timepiece, Fabergé; Héra the peacock ring, from the Animaux de Collection, Boucheron

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Collection | The mayfair Magazine

TIME IS PRECIOUS

THE RARER, THE BETTER Rare is a word that gets bandied around a lot in the Basel halls, as every year sees the most precious diamonds, coloured gemstones and pearls displayed in all their glory. As part of its tenth anniversary collection launched this year, Parisian jeweller Valérie Messika created a ten-piece collection of unique high jewellery sets, which not only showcases the founder’s design talent but also the spectacular diamond, a stone that has always been very close to her heart (her father, Andre, is a key player in the diamond trade). The stunning Manchette Swan cuff design, which uses the graceful lines of marquise-cut stones to replicate the bird’s plumage, truly allows the diamonds to speak for themselves. Along with a number of emerald suites, Indian jeweller Amrapali paid tribute to its iconic lotus motif with an 18-karat yellow gold, ruby and diamond necklace. Every year, Japanese jeweller Mikimoto presents one-of-akind high jewellery pieces and this year, the Pearl Drape necklace was one of the most talked-about. Then again, its Legend necklace, featuring a captivating water opal and spectacular 24mm Baroque South Sea pearl, certainly lived up to its name. Yoko London showcased its impressive collection of pearls in all shapes, sizes and colour varieties, bringing out natural pink Freshwater pearls and dark grey Tahitian pearls in new, contemporary designs.

above: 18-karat white gold necklace with diamonds and a graduation of South Sea and Tahitian pearls, Yoko London: Lady Stardust earrings with pink sapphires, amethysts and white diamonds, Stephen Webster; 18-karat white gold, diamonds and natural colour pink Freshwater pearl earrings, Yoko London

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While jewellery and watches are typically divided into separate camps, what happens when the worlds of haute joaillerie and horologie come together? While we were relieved to see that watchmakers are finally realising that women no longer just value a watch for its number of diamonds, this doesn’t mean to say that we can’t all appreciate a bit of bling. And who better to do this than the king of diamonds himself, Laurence Graff? The jeweller followed his £33 million headlinemaking Hallucination watch, launched last year, with the Fascination model; worth $40 million, it features an astounding 38.13-carat D Flawless pear-shape diamond at its centre that can be removed and converted into a bracelet or ring. Both Harry Winston and Boucheron captured our imaginations with their own interpretations of the secret watch, the former having created the aptly-named The Jeweller’s Secret; inside what appears to be a make-up compact (an exquisite mother-of-pearl, pink sapphire and diamond case) is a delicate pocket watch. Boucheron nearly stole the limelight with its Lierre de Lumière timepiece. This true work of art took about 650 hours to make and has a total of 1,223 stones. With such beauty and artistry on show, both jewellers and watchmakers have truly surpassed themselves this year.

clockwise from top right: Lierre de Lumière secret timepiece, Boucheron; The Jeweller’s Secret, Harry Winston; Fascination watch, Graff; VIII Grand Bal Cancan watch in pink gold, white ceramic, feathers and diamonds, Dior


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Best in show Each Spring, Basel becomes a hive of watch aficionados as buyers, journos and collectors amass for the world’s largest watch fair. Amid the classic and the contemporary, the refined and the sublime, these were the watches that most caught our eye words: Richard Brown

T

he biggest news from Baselworld 2015 was that TAG Heuer will be partnering with Google and Intel to produce a smart watch. Interesting not for the product itself – we still have yet to see it – but for what the collaboration reveals about the Swiss mechanical watch industry. Which is that it’s nervous. It won’t tell you so, but in the wake of the Apple Watch, it is. With the quartz crisis still fresh in the minds of the industry’s leading stalwarts, brands are seeking to protect themselves against the greatest threat they’ve faced for 30 years. And while Swatch, Breitling, Montblanc and Frederique Constant have all, in some way, embraced the digital, it is TAG that’s spearheading the Apple counter-attack face-on. ‘We don’t know for the moment if the [digital] market exists,’ TAG’s general director Guy Sémon admitted to Wired magazine. And yet, revealing the collaboration with Google, LVMH watch chief Jean-Claude Biver hailed it as the ‘biggest announcement’ of his 40 year career – quite the sound-bite from the mouth of a man who, having sat at the helm of Blancpain,

#1

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#2

#3

Omega and Hublot, is widely considered as the grandfather of the modern watch industry. ‘Innovation’ is the word touted most among watch manufacturers. The next two years will be the time for brands to prove it’s more than a frivolous buzzword. In the meantime, here’s what mesmerised us from the world of the mechanical.

#1 Patravi ScubaTec Equipped with a helium valve, luminescent hands, an ultra-precise, automatic movement and rugged rubber strap, the Patravi ScubaTec is well-spec’d for life underwater. It looks pretty special on dry land too. £16,500, Carl F. Bucherer

#2 Chamber of Wonders New World The trio of watches comprising GirardPerregaux’s Chamber of Wonders collection immortalise the worlds imagined by ancient cartographers. The dial of the New World (pictured) blends tones of blue and pink aventurine, calcite and Canadian nephrite and takes around 95 hours to create. £31,300, Girard-Perregaux

#4

#5


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#3 Venturer Tourbillon Dual Time

#7 Calatrava Pilot Travel Time

Moser’s Venturer Tourbillon Dual Time takes us back to the convex shapes that were popular in the 1960s. Its hands and dial are curved at the edges to follow the curvature of the rounded sapphire crystal that sits above. £85,800, H. Moser & Cie.

Yes, that does say Patek Philippe on the dial. A pilot’s watch is perhaps not what you’d expect from the brand, which is half of the appeal. The other half is its bold, 42mm size and classically masculine design. £31,120, Patek Philippe

#4 Pontos S Regatta

#8 PanoReserve

Implausibly light thanks to its forged-carbon case, the Pontos S Regatta features a ten-minute countdown indication at 12 o’clock, allowing sailors to keep track of time in the minutes they spend jostling for position before a race. A 45mm diameter and luminescent-coated hands add extra visibility. £5,800, Maurice Lacroix

One of the best-looking watches at this year’s Baselworld was Glashütte Original’s PanoReserve. A head-turner by anyone’s standards, the watch is now available cased in red gold with a matte-black dial or in stainless steel with a deep-blue dial. The black version wins it by a whisker. £15,800, Glashütte Original

#5 Classic Fusion Enamel Britto

#9 Lux Sable

After partnering to produce last year’s multicoloured World Cup football, Hublot has again joined forces with Brazilian cubist artist Romero Britto. The result is a beguiling, brightly-coloured piece of pop art. £41,000 (in platinum), Hublot

A lady looking to avoid the usual suspects when choosing a wristwatch might like to consider Nomos Glashütte. The Lux Sable comes with a manual-winding movement, Art-Deco-inspired case and in lesser-spotted aubergine. £12,400, Nomos Glashütte

#6 Aquis Depth Gauge

#10 El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tour Auto Edition

This patented diver’s watch measures depth using a unique gauge built into the sapphire crystal that allows water to enter the watch, the first timepiece in history to do so (intentionally, anyway). It comes with both a stainless steel and a rubber strap. Choose the rubber. £2,300 Oris

#6

#7

#8

Should you ever need to time something to a fifth-of-a-second, the 300 measurement divisions on Zenith’s Chronomaster 1969 Tour Auto Edition will allow you to do so. Alternatively, simply sit back and drink in its sporty styling. £8,100, Zenith

#9

#10

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A jeweller’s view Watch and jewellery specialist Fraser Hart has been trading in luxury timepieces since 1936. Following Baselworld, its team of experts presents its own ‘best in show’ guide #11

11. Day Date 40 ‘Rolex’s Day-Date 40 returns to the timeless proportions of the original. Inside is Rolex’s next-generation movement, a phenomenally well-engineered mechanism that promises timekeeping that is twice as good as the current movement, 15 per cent more efficient and will keep going for 70 hours off the wrist. A new benchmark has been set and this will filter through the rest of the range in the coming years.’ – Chris Haynes, #12 watch specialist at Brent Cross #13 £41,700, Rolex

14. Dolcevita ‘My favourite watch would have to be the Longines Dolcevita. I love how the curved rectangular face sits comfortably on my wrist while the delicate dial and polished bracelet mean I can take it from day to night. With timeless elegance, this would definitely be my personal choice.’ – Susan Knights, head of ecommerce £2,130, Longines

15. Elite 6150

12. Speedmaster Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy ‘This was my favourite watch of Baselworld 2015 because it’s not only a cool-looking watch but it also has a great story behind it, being a tribute to the 45th anniversary of the legendary Apollo 13 mission. The enamel (Snoopy) case back is a great finish too.’ #14 – George Komodromou, merchandise planning manager £4,630, Omega

13. Pelagos ‘We saw lots of titanium at Baselworld this year but there was just something special about the Tudor Pelagos. Not only is it a superb-looking watch and comfortable at the deepest depths, but it has an urban coolness combined with a vintage feel. I can see this watch becoming a timeless

#15

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classic and as soon as I was able to get this watch on my wrist I knew I was sold.’ – Jason Evans, Swansea store manager £3,020, Tudor

‘Since its launch in 1994, the Zenith Elite has retained its reputation as a high-end, classical timepiece. The new Elite 6150 goes that little bit further with a slightly larger 42mm case housing a self-winding movement that has an incredible 100-hour power reserve – a first for the Elite range. I adore the simplicity and elegance of this watch as well as its ultra-thin design. The cambered dial is punctuated by sleek, graceful hands, which will appeal to all watch enthusiasts looking for that understated, elegant look.’ – Brian Bailey, Kingston store manager £5,600, Zenith

16. The Maestro Frank Sinatra Limited Edition ‘For me, Raymond Weil has stolen the show. Its continued link with music is


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#16

reinforced by its new association with Gibson guitars and the Gibson watch; its support of the Sinatra 100th birthday this December; its limited Sinatra watch (limited to 1,212 pieces); and the extension to the Tocatta range with the new watch supported by Nicola Benedetti. If this isn’t enough, it has also launched a stunning Piper pilot watch. Well done to all at RW. Exciting times ahead.’ – Jim Sharples, regional manager £975, Raymond Weil

17. Navitimer 01 Limited Edition ‘My standout Basel watch is the Breitling Navitimer 01 Blue edition with a diameter of 43mm because it’s so slick! This is an exclusive version of the legendary Navitimer with a black dial featuring blue counters and an inner bezel. The movement is a Breitling in-house manufacture Calibre 01 visible through a transparent case back. With only 1,000 pieces being produced worldwide, this makes it a highly-sought-after limited-edition Breitling for this year and we will be lucky enough to have these at Fraser Hart.’ – Adam Obernik, junior watch buyer £7,190, Breitling

18. B55

#19

‘It’s so exciting that real watchmakers are now stepping into the smart watch/phone era. Bearing this in mind, my Basel watch choice has to be the new Breitling B55. Using a Breitling app on your smartphone and a Bluetooth link to your phone, this piece allows you to not only

manage your alarm and time zones from your watch via the app, but also to record flight times. It perfectly links Breitling’s history of aviation to a smart watch.’ – Dan Bailes, Solihull store manager Price TBA, Breitling #17

19. Seamaster Aqua Terra ‘Having always been a fan of Omega, and after spending my childhood playing the part of a secret agent, the logical watch for me is the new Omega Bond watch. With the move away from the traditional Seamaster and Planet Ocean, this watch is a little more discreet than the limited-edition pieces of previous years. The contrast between the blue and yellow on the dial gives a modern twist on a classic design. This, all combined with the reliability of Omega, makes it my watch of choice this year.’ #18 – Stephen Douglas, logistics manager £4,630, Omega

20. Carrera Cara Delevingne Edition ‘The TAG Heuer Carrera Cara Delevingne Edition is based on the 41mm steel Lady Carrera but has a titaniumcarbide coating and anthracite dial with rose gold-plated indices and hands, making it light and versatile to wear no matter what the occasion. There are two models; one with a diamondstudded bezel and one without diamonds. I love the strap version which has padded calfskin with the diamondshaped chequerboard stitching. Each strap also carries Cara’s signature on the reverse and the case back features her trademark Lion tattoo.’ – Myalee Sofield, head of buying £3,150, TAG Heuer To find your local store, visit fraserhart.co.uk #20

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Auctioneers & Valuers Antiques | Jewellery | Watches

The Watch Sale Tuesday 26th May at 10am A selection of wrist watches previously sold at auction. Fellows Auctioneers www.fellows.co.uk Jewellery Quarter Saleroom & Head Office | 0121 222 7666 19 Augusta Street, Birmingham B18 6JA Mayfair London Office | 020 7127 4198 2nd Floor, 3 Queen Street, London W1J 5PA

fellowswatches


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

Paint it blue A relatively under-the-radar brand in Britain, Junghans has been a purveyor of slim-line, pared-back precision instruments since 1861. Based in Schramberg in Germany, the company remains independently-owned and is highly respected within watch circles. Junghans’ Meister watches debuted in the 1930s, were refined during the 1960s and remain the company’s principal collection. In celebration of what Junghans calls the ‘blue hour’ – the brief moment only observed during sunrise and sunset – this year sees the Meister range presented with a deep-blue dial, adding an additional elegance to a enduringly smart aesthetic. Meister range, from £1,550, Junghans (junghans.de)

ONE TO WATCH In each edition, we select our timepiece of the moment from the watch world’s most exciting creations

The Big Bang is the most recognisable model in Hublot’s range, and this one is a real favourite. Combining steel, ceramic, resin, rubber and carbon fibre, this variant is inspired by the world of motorsport. A watch on the cutting edge of design and fashion.

Portugieser Party For the Chinese, 2015 is the Year of the Sheep. For IWC, it’s the Year of the Portugieser. Celebrating its 75th birthday, the brand’s most prestigious range of timepieces has been modernised with a host of design and technical updates. Most recently reworked is the Portugieser Yacht Club Worldtimer. With a 24-hour dial, it offers 13 time zones, with each location named on the outer ring. The limited-edition model is available in a run of 100 red gold cases and 500 stainless steel cases. Portugieser Yacht Club Worldtimer, IWC £18,750 (red gold), £7,500 (stainless steel); iwc.com A Question of Sport Every watch brand has a creation that defines it; a preeminent collection that shapes the association between company and consumer. In Audemars Piguet’s case, that’s the Royal Oak and its sportier sister the Royal Oak Offshore, whose latest incarnation is the Selfwinding Tourbillon Chronograph. Driven by a peripheral oscillating weight in satin-brushed 950 platinum, the watch comprises 335 parts and a tourbillon carriage that takes a watchmaker three days to assemble. Water-resistant to 100 metres and protected by a forged-carbon case and screw-locked crown, it’s a watch that’s meant to be worn, whatever the terrain. Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Tourbillon Chronograph, £201,200 (audemarspiguet.com)

Big Bang, £11,000, Hublot (hublot.com) 41



The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

State-side style The butter-soft leather accessories of Connecticut-based brand Gurkha are preparing us for sophisticated summer travels. Coinciding with the brand’s 40th anniversary, and marking 200 years of Gurkha’s service to the British Crown, the all-American leather goods company has introduced a heritage collection to support The Gurkha Welfare Trust – featuring the famous green wool used in its uniform jackets. Our pick would always be a soft leather case – laid-back and functional, it will establish characterful creases over time, ageing just like a fine wine. (fortnumandmason.com; gurkha.com)

Style spy W O R D S : am y welch

The scent of success We have often been a little dubious about unisex fragrances, but the premise that often the simplest things can generate the most beauty is rather hard to fault. Dominique Ropion’s new grand parfum for Frederic Malle proves the point – a fresh cologne with a sensual quality. With a distinctly musky base and top notes of orange blossom and bergamot, the fragrance is a refreshingly contemporary Eau de Cologne. If a scent is to reflect your personality, then this is an indulgent self-compliment. Cologne Indélébile, £105 for 50ml, Frederic Malle (liberty.co.uk)

Through the looking glass

On the road

Bespoke spectacle designer Tom Davies has somewhat revolutionised the eyewear market, creating custom pieces full of character and craft. His latest men’s collection, the Ultra Light Horn Collection, offers lightweight frames, a departure from the designer’s previous collections of impactful and thick shapes. The softer design layers thinly-cut horn with titanium arms. The design ethos was to push the natural material of buffalo horn to its limit and create a softer spectacle frame for S/S15. The results are sophisticated, fusing traditional materials with a modern style. Eyewear, from a selection, Tom Davies (tdtomdavies.com)

For a bank holiday weekend away, a well-crafted and spacious piece of luggage is as important as what you pack. Holland & Holland has introduced a relaxed globetrotting experience in the form of its latest cotton and linen canvas collection. Expertly made in England, the bolster bags are the ideal carry-on. More than capable of enduring rough safari conditions, the waxy finish appears just as ruggedly dapper come a city break to Paris. Canvas safari bolster bag, £795, Holland & Holland, 33 Bruton Street, W1J (020 7499 4411; hollandandholland.com)

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Fashion | The mayfair Magazine

English rose Even for the most dedicated followers of fashion springtime brings with it an opportunity to indulge in the most feminine of hues. Beulah brings a focus on soft lines and inner beauty for S/S15. Full of versatile shift dresses and floating pastel pieces, which have been inspired by floral photography, the dainty collection would well suit a formal garden party for late spring. In keeping with the refined silhouettes, Beulah – meaning the new land of peace – is passionate about luxury fashion with an underlying conscience. For each garment purchased, the brand’s Beulah Trust further aids vulnerable women in Third World countries, helping them to build a new life free from abuse – elegant attire with an equally admirable cause. (beulahlondon.com)

Style update WORDS: AMY WELCH

A dog’s life Both playful and tongue-incheek, a new collection from Jimmy Choo features an utterly unique collaboration. Across the limited edition collection of white tote bags and accessories with colourful linings, the printed fine-line illustrations of a loveable English bull terrier make for some smile-inducing accessories. The work of Brazilian artist Rafael Mantesso, the illustrated scenarios of his beloved dog, named Jimmy Choo – what else? – enchanted the brand’s creative director Sandra Choi, and thus the collaboration was born. From a selection (jimmychoo.com)

The phonetics of fashion What do your shoes say about you? Thanks to Charlotte Olympia’s ABC collection, they can pretty much say whatever you want. By marrying the brand’s colourful leather flats with gold embossed leather appliqués, your imagination is the limit to create a truly unique pair of flats. ABC collection, £495, Charlotte Olympia (charlotteolympia.com)

Going up The Tod’s woman has many guises. She can be frivolous at times and a compulsive shopper at others, but always embodies a sense of sophistication and femininity. In celebration of the Tod’s woman and her effortless elegance, the brand has produced a fun and ironic series of shorts entitled The Virtuous Elevator. In the film, the brand’s Cape bag has many playful guises, such as a place to keep your pooch or even tulips. Cape bag, from a selection, Tod’s (tods.com)

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The new romantic Take a soft approach to summer by taking your sartorial cues from the ballet, with soft, ethereal lace dresses in elegant neutral tones p h o t o g r a p h y: d o m i n i c n i c h o l l s s t y l i n g : H ay l e y C a i n e

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THIS PAGE Silk tulle dress, £6,400, Giorgio Armani (armani.com). Diamond and white gold earrings, £68,000, Garrard & Co. (24 Albemarle Street, W1S; 020 7518 1070). Heels, £595, Jimmy Choo (jimmychoo.com) OPPOSITE Dress, £1,499, Christopher Kane, available at Harrods, (Knightsbridge, SW1X, 020 3626 7020). Earrings in platinum and diamond, £27,500, Boodles (178 New Bond Street, W1S; 020 7437 5050)

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The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

THIS PAGE Silk dress, £1,225, Stella McCartney (Harrods, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X; 020 3626 7020). Diamond earrings, £12,000, Asprey (16 Grafton Street, W1S). Flats, £395, Jimmy Choo (jimmychoo.com) OPPOSITE Chiffon dress, £2,399, Alberta Ferretti (Harrods, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X; 020 3626 7020). Sandals, £625, Jimmy Choo (jimmychoo.com); Earrings, £52,000, Garrard & Co (24 Albemarle Street, W1S; 0207 518 1070)

Hair and make-up: Lou Box at S:Management using Kevyn Aucoin and Redken Model: Arabella at Elite Model Management Photographer’s assistant: Inna Kostukovsky Shot on location at the Royal Opera House, London (020 7304 4000; roh.org.uk) 51


Bold and

beautiful

A trailblazing British couture house has had unprecedented success both on the international fashion stage and Knightsbridge’s luxury scene in less than a decade. The brand’s dynamic founding partners tell Annabel Harrison about the rise and rise of Ralph & Russo

I

n the ferociously competitive, exclusive world of high fashion, it can take brands decades to make serious waves in the market, usually after having spent millions on shows at the carousel of biannual Fashion Weeks, employing the most sought-after designers and establishing boutiques around the globe (unless you’re Victoria Beckham or the Olsen twins; your profile may allow you to bypass a stage or two of the lengthy, expensive process). There’s only room for a handful of brands at the top of this elite food chain and their showcases take place twice a year in Paris;

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if you’re invited to take part in Haute Couture Week, welcome to the inner circle. Getting to that stage requires the ticking of a lot of boxes. For starters, you’ll need an atelier in Paris, with 20 full-time members of staff. You must design made-to-order, handmade pieces, for private clients, who’ll attend more than one fitting. You’ll need to get those creative juices flowing too; you’ll be expected to present between 25-35 original designs to the public twice a year. Even the term ‘haute couture’ is protected by law in France and rules state that only ‘those companies mentioned on

MAIN IMAGE AND RIGHT: FASHION IN MOTION EXHIBITION, RALPH RUSSO, IMAGE COURTESY OF V&A MUSEUM; FAR RIGHT: Ralph & Russo AW14, Image courtesy of Ralph & Russo


The mayfair Magazine | Feature

the list drawn up each year by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture… are entitled to avail themselves’ of it. This January, the runway roll call bestowed just 21 brands with this honour, including established names you’d expect to be old hands at haute couture, such as Chanel, Dior, Valentino, Versace and Elie Saab (younger than the French and Italian houses but still founded an impressive 33 years ago). However, there’s one inclusion on the list that made its debut only last year and, startlingly, didn’t even exist until 2007. When I speak to Ralph & Russo’s co-founder Michael Russo about this remarkable achievement, he declares being invited to Paris Haute Couture Week as a Guest Member was the highlight of 2014: ‘To show our creations there alongside other iconic couture houses was just incredible.’ Ralph & Russo is the first British label in a century to do so; the last was Maison Lucile – founded by early 20th century designer Lady Duff-Gordon – in 1915. Holding back from showing a collection until the time was right ‘was one of the biggest and hardest decisions we’ve had to make’, Michael explains. ‘Over the years, we did receive invitations to show our pieces publicly but until January last year, we had only shown them to private clients. But Paris Couture Week was the right time and the right moment to show the world who we are and what our vision is.’ I should point out that Michael has an Australian accent, as does cofounder and creative director Tamara Ralph, despite the brand’s British status; it transpires that although both founders are Australian, the brand was founded in London and so we can be justly proud of it. In fact, the Royal Borough has been central to the Ralph & Russo story so far; it was here that the pair, partners in life as

well as business (they’re happily engaged), met through the most serendipitous of circumstances. Tamara, recently landed in London, went out to explore her new home and, quite literally, bumped into Michael on Chelsea’s Fulham Road. They started talking and, two years later, Ralph & Russo was launched. The showroom and atelier (by appointment only, of course) are discreetly located in Knightsbridge – Tamara and Michael have a property nearby – and last year, a Ralph & Russo boutique launched in Harrods (as did its accessories collection). Having moved from her native Australia a decade ago, Tamara now sounds like a fully- 

‘Paris Couture Week was the right time and the right moment to show the world who we are and what our vision is’

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fledged Londoner. ‘It is one of the greatest cities in the world and I’m constantly inspired. There’s a fantastic collection of Impressionist paintings at the National Gallery and Knightsbridge is just such a beautiful area. From Harrods, the florists and CUT at 45 Park Lane to the V&A; it has it all!’ Michael is similarly enthusiastic about the fashion here – ‘Londoners can be quite avant-garde with their style choices; they’re fearless and more directional than in other cities’. Of the V&A he says: ‘It’s such a beautiful institution; the history, beauty and romance behind the art within the museum are elements that are also embodied in every Ralph & Russo creation’. This mutual appreciation is no doubt why, last autumn, the V&A played host to a rare Ralph & Russo catwalk show as part of its live Fashion in Motion series,

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designed to bring the excitement and spectacle of the high-fashion catwalk to a wider audience. Models wearing a dream-world parade of fairytale gowns swept down the runway, culminating in a finale featuring the most elaborate and timeconsuming dress that Ralph & Russo has ever created. ‘With 600 metres of silk tulle, 40 different types of bead and 25 different types of Swarovski crystal, this wedding dress took 3,900 hours to create,’ Tamara explains. ‘Luckily not everyone gets married in the same month!’ This creation is the epitome of what can result from the imagination of someone like Tamara, who comes from three generations of couturiers. ‘I’ve sketched dresses and clothes for as long as I can remember. I began sewing and creating pieces for myself at the age of 12 and naturally the first thing I made was a dress. It was such a thrilling moment to see one of my sketches come to life and soon I was creating pieces for my girlfriends.’ Now it’s women who want to wear the most intricate, extravagant and opulent pieces that money can buy that Tamara

ABOVE: Image courtesy of Ralph & Russo; LEFT: SS’15


The mayfair Magazine | Feature

is dressing. She describes the definitive Ralph & Russo client as ‘strong, confident, elegant and wonderfully feminine’ and many would agree that one of her most high-profile admirers, Angelina Jolie, could be described as such. In recent months the Hollywood star has worn the label both to receive an honorary damehood from HM the Queen and to the UK premiere of her film, Unbroken. Tamara handdraws an illustration for every couture design – these encompass eveningwear, bridal, cocktail, tailored or daywear – whether the owner will be Angelina, an international businesswoman or an Arabian princess. Next, nimble-fingered couturiers will drape, cut and pin the creation to the body before stitching and sewing each panel, crystal and embellishment by hand. As Tamara describes this process, I recall the enchanting scene in Cinderella when her ballgown is made by magic by the fairy godmother before her very eyes. Each unique gown can take hundreds, or thousands, of hours (and up to 30 pairs of industrious hands) to create; expect to wait six to eight weeks, from illustration to finished product, if you’re in the market for this type of couture piece. You might think there aren’t many women who are prepared to pay five and even six figure sums for couture creations but, judging by the success that Ralph & Russo has enjoyed, you’d be wrong. The images from the latest couture week have just been released and Olivia Palermo praised Ralph & Russo’s S/S15 show as one of the best on her website: ‘One had the feeling of witnessing the presentation of a collection that surpassed the special and crossed over into the rarified world of collections that are painstakingly crafted with love and a total devotion to beauty.’ An haute couture gown may be something that most of us can only dream of owning, but if that’s the case, then let us dream on. Ralph & Russo, 39 Sloane Street, SW1X 020 8878 5399 (by appointment only) (ralphandrusso.com)

LEFT ALL Images courtesy of Ralph & Russo

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Art | The mayfair Magazine

Q&A with…

Art news

Scottish art arrives in London, photography unites with sculpture and Philip Mould makes a landmark move, taking his gallery from Mayfair to St. James’s w o r d s : C A RO L C ORDR E Y

French influence The sunlight, the vivid colours, the relaxed approach to enjoying life: those are the influences we tend to absorb when visiting France. And so it was for four, young, Scottish painters – Francis Cadell, John Fergusson, Leslie Hunter and Samuel Peploe – who went to France around the turn of the 20th century. Their work was inspired, also, by the use of non-naturalistic, wild colouring favoured by France’s Fauvist group of artists that was dominated by the great Matisse. Although their four artistic styles differed, they exhibited together in France and became known collectively and internationally as the Scottish Colourists. Examples of their landmark works will be a magnetic attraction at Richard Green’s Mayfair gallery, and alongside them will be works from other notable Scottish artists, including Sir John Lavery of the Glasgow Boys. Pre-war Scotland, Paintings From c.1890-1930 20 May-10 June (richardgreengallery.com)

Life through a lens Sculpture and photography tend to occupy separate spheres in contemporary thought. This exhibition is particularly exciting because it reveals how important and integral photography actually was in the evolution of work by these giants of sculpture. Rodin employed photographers to record his work as it was being created so that he could explore the effects of angles, lighting and scale. He was also quick to see its commercial importance, and used photographs of his finished works to spread his reputation far and wide. Brancusi preferred to photograph his sculpture himself, employing it as a tool to determine the effects of both his style and scale of work on the viewer. Moore used distinguished photographers as well as his own images to record his work in progress, determine the ideal surface detail and angles and, most interestingly, the best arrangements of multiple figures on his sculptures whilst still in maquette form. Rodin, Brancusi, Moore: Through the Sculptor’s Lens, 22 May-11 July (waddingtoncustot.com) 56

Q: Why did you select 18-19 Pall Mall as the location to house your iconic portraits? A: The street, best known for being home to various gentlemen’s clubs, was also once the centre of the fine art scene in London. In 1814 the Royal Academy, National Gallery and Christie’s were situated in Pall Mall. It felt like the right time to recolonise it! Also, relevant are numbers 81 and 82, which originally formed Schomberg House, home of miniaturist Richard Cosway and the legendary Thomas Gainsborough. Q: What decisions were made about the scale and style of the wall spaces, and what is unique about the new location? A: Paramount to achieving this are walls of the right tonality to allow paintings to appear to their greatest advantage. In addition to the main gallery, a ‘cabinet room’ to house portrait miniatures will incorporate an original 18th century miniatures cabinet, and there will be a floor dedicated to early 20th century work. There will be a research library, an area for educational talks, a media centre and modern screens to engage visitors with the fascinating stories and scholarship that lie behind the attribution of paintings. Philip Mould & Company, 18-19 Pall Mall (philipmould.com)

clockwise from top lefT: FRANCIS CAMPBELL BOILEAU CADELL RSA RSW (1883 -1937), Reflection, Signed lower, oil on canvas: 40 x 50 in / 101.6 x 127cm Painted circa 1915, Copyright Richard Green Gallery, London; philip mould, Image Credit Philip Mould & Company; Pierre Choumoff for Auguste Rodin, The Hand of God, Courtesy of Waddington Custot Galleries

art dealer Philip Mould OBE Q: Your gallery has become a Mayfair magnet for collectors. What was the catalyst for your move to St. James’s? A: Philip Mould & Company is moving from Dover Street to create a new gallery over three floors in Pall Mall, flanked by the National Gallery and St James’s Palace. With fashion houses multiplying along Dover Street, we wanted to relocate to an area with links to the art world that could accommodate my ambitious vision for a larger and innovative new gallery space/salon.


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Exhibition Focus:

Photo London Photography has welcomed a passionate and growing audience in recent years. Celebrating a new generation of collectors, Photo London signals the capital’s first international photography fair full of dynamic images WORDS: AMY WELCH

photography can grasp our emotive senses possibly more than any other art form – and in a digital age where powerful images appear both transient and with lasting impact, the ingénues behind the camera are increasingly being celebrated as pioneering artists. This month, for the very first time, Photo London will arrive at Somerset House, showcasing an array of emerging and established photographic talent. It will throw into the spotlight this art form at its best, with galleries from all over the world – and from Mayfair – taking part. From contemporary practices to prints which provoke nostalgia and

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photograph is a secret about a secret,’ said the controversial documentary photographer Diane Arbus. ‘The more it tells you, the less you know.’ Most famed for her captivating portraits of circus performers and marginalised people, Arbus eloquently sums up society’s enduring fascination with photography as an art form. Both beguiling and insightful,

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left: Horst P. Horst, VOGUE 1942 © Horst Estate / Condé Nast / Courtesy of Bernheimer Fine Art Photography. below: ® Vik Muniz, Piccadilly Circus (Postcards from Nowhere), 2014, Courtesy Ben Brown Fine Arts, hong kong


The mayfair Magazine | Art

‘Guests are spoilt for choice as the four major exhibitions will overwhelm the creative senses’ vintage photography holds an important place within the event (for what would a revered photography fair be without the inclusion of one or two of Horst P. Horst’s images?). One of the original masters of fashion photography, his image of a model’s hand for Vogue in 1942 is a sublime example of the sartorial power a beautifully choreographed image can wield. Upon entry guests are spoilt for choice as the four major exhibitions will overwhelm the creative senses – the Beneath the Surface exhibition showcases 200 rarely-shown photographic works from the V&A archives and could aptly be described as a best of the best in photography. Bringing together 70 of the world’s leading photography galleries,

including many of Mayfair’s own galleries, the LUMA Foundation has partnered with Photo London to produce a diverse programme of events for the public throughout the four-day fair. From an installation series set in the courtyard to late-night music, lectures and debates, the international fair will take over Somerset House – a rather fitting location, as it’s where Sir John F. W. Herschel reportedly coined the term photography in 1839. The symposia about the future of photography transcends for a moment the mere aesthetic quality of the works shown, and enters into a thoughtprovoking and academic view of photography as a form of communication and creative expression. What the future may hold for this enigmatic art form surely appears promising looking to the creative programme of Photo London – a true celebration of the world’s finest photographic expression, the next generation of emerging talent and the established masters who no doubt inspired them. Photo London, 21-24 May at Somerset House, Strand, WC2R (020 7759 1170; photolondon.org)

left: ® Karen Knorr, The Eyes of Argus, Villa Farnese, Courtesy of Grimaldi Gavin, London; below: © Noemie Goudal, Tectonic I, 2014, Courtesty Edel Assanti, London

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#1 A Violin by Postiglione, dated 1896 Vincenzo Postiglione was one of the most important Neapolitan violin makers of the late 19th century. He made the beautiful and tonal string instruments in his own studio, and this particular piece was made in 1896 using a highly-skilled technique influenced by the Old Masters of Italy. This violin produces a rich and characterful sound and is a typical example of Postiglione’s style from 1890 to 1910 – certainly too beautiful to play. Estimated value £40,000-£60,000, Musical Instruments at Bonhams Knightsbridge, 11 May (bonhams.com)

#2 Taj and Train, Agra, India, 1983 by Steve McCurry

#3 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe

Best known for his fascinating multicultural photography, Steve McCurry’s images of Indian train stations appear his most evocative and colourful. ‘When the train pulls into the station there is a mad dash of humanity,’ McCurry has said of his time spent in India. Documenting everyday scenes around the globe, the artist’s photography pinpoints our enduring interest in humanity and the contrasts of Western and Eastern cultures. Estimated value £5,000-£8,000, Around the World at Christie’s, 28 April (christies.com)

Famously driven by Tippi Hedren in the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock film The Birds, the Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe is a legend of British motoring prowess. The six-cylinder engine is one of only two cars in existence of this design and boasts numerous bespoke features. Superbly crafted, the DB2/4 remains as beautiful an acquisition as it was in 1953. Estimated value $1,400,000-$1,800,000, The Andrews Collection presented by RM Sotheby’s, Fort Worth, 2 May (rmauctions.com)

Prize lots

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IMAGES: #1 IMAGE COURTESY OF BONHAMS #2 IMAGE COURTESY OF © CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LIMITED 2015 #3 DARIN SCHNABEL © 2014 COURTESY OF RM SOTHEBY’S #4 IMAGE COURTESY OF BONHAMS #5 IMAGE COURTESY OF PHILLIPS 2015 #6 IMAGE COURTESY OF DREWEATTS

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The mayfair Magazine | Art

#4 Candy Apples by Wayne Thiebaud, 1987 Colourful and nostalgic, Wayne Thiebaud’s paintings conjure up fond images of family picnics, days at the funfair and children’s birthday parties. Growing up during the Great Depression, Thiebaud’s paintings depict all manner of cakes and confectionary. Using a carefully considered composition, Candy Apples is a charming way to recall the innocence of youth and American suburbia. Estimated value $40,000-$50,000, Post-War and Contemporary Prints and Multiples at Bonhams New York, 11 May (bonhams.com)

#5 Patek Philippe, Ref. 130 For admirers of fine watches and timeless style, Phillip’s Geneva Watch Auction holds more than a few gems. The extremely rare stainless-steel single- button chronograph by Patek Philippe was manufactured in 1927, and only two examples of this model were made – the other now sits within the Patek Philippe Museum. It’s a beautiful example of vintage horology. Estimated value SFr 1,000,000-SFr 2,000,000, The Geneva Watch Auction: One at Hôtel La Réserve in Geneva, 10 May (phillips.com)

#6 Ox lounge chair and ottoman by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen In an inaugural auction category of Decorative Arts, the first of Dreweatt’s bi-annual modern design auctions reveals some impressive pieces of design history. The Ox lounge chair, designed by Arne Jacobsen (the grandfather of modern Danish architecture and design), displays the minimalism he was famed for. Today the chair remains a striking example of Jacobsen’s expressive futuristic design. Estimated value £4,000-£6,000, Decorative Arts from 1860 and Modern Design at Dreweatts, 29 April (dreweatts.com)

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MEET YOUR MAKER

Mayfair is steeped in handmade history. As the capital prepares for London Craft Week, Ellen Millard explores the artisanal offerings hidden in the city and brings you our top picks

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treasure trove of handmade gems, Mayfair is internationally famed for its artisanal talent. A short walk through its illustrious streets will uncover a collection of beautifully-crafted shoes, historic perfumeries and enough jewellers to satisfy your inner magpie. Mayfair is often said to be at the heart of British luxury, the origins of which are rooted in craftsmanship. Floris, one of the world’s oldest perfumers, sits on Jermyn Street, where its prestigious scents were handmade in the vaults below until 1989. On Albemarle Street, jeweller Barbara Tipple hand-crafts her exquisite designs in an atelier attached to her showroom. George

The New Craftsmen will be presenting Made of Mayfair, showing work by seven makers inspired by the area’s architecture and craft heritage. On Old Bond Street, Vacheron Constantin’s craftsmen will be displaying the art of watchmaking and hand-engraving at its flagship store, while Mulberry will be demonstrating its plaiting, inking and stitching techniques. Drake’s will offer a chance to see one of its artisan creators demonstrate the method behind tie-making, and Ormonde Jayne founder Linda Pilkington will discuss the secrets behind her saccharine scents, with a chance for guests to try their hand at perfumery, too. For Linda, the attention to detail that

below: Gilded Vessel with Gold & Copper Ring, by Pedro Da Costa Felguieras. Represented at London Craft Week by The New Craftsmen. right: LINLEY London Skyline Panel (detail)

‘The area is renowned for its craft heritage, carving beautiful creations using time-honored tradition’ Cleverley can be found on Old Bond Street, where it has been crafting bespoke footwear since 1958, while J&C Martin fashions fine jewellery out of silver and 18ct gold in its Shepherd Market workshop. It’s fitting, then, that the inaugural London Craft Week will be holding many of its events in Mayfair this spring. Founded by Guy Salter, craft’s answer to London Fashion Week will hit the capital this month, showcasing home-grown talent and British design. The seven-day event will celebrate the skill and technique of craftsmanship with events at workshops, galleries and exhibition spaces across London, offering demonstrations by celebrated makers and a behind-the-scenes look into the world of craft. Mayfair will play host to many of the events exhibiting some of the capital’s finest talent. Meanwhile, in north Mayfair,

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craftsmanship brings is integral to luxury design. ‘In creating Ormonde Jayne, my goal was to combine elements which I consider define true elegance: the quality of English craftsmanship, the art of French perfumery, and the sensuality and natural harmony of the orient,’ she explains. ‘All the products are made in-house in our own London laboratory, with every aspect of the company benefitting from the personal attention of the founder.’ London Craft Week will throw a spotlight on the capital’s finest talent in the streets of Mayfair, which has been a hub of artisanship for centuries. Whether you’re a handmade aficionado or just a fan of beautifully-crafted design, there’ll be plenty to discover in this behind-the-scenes look at Britain’s illustrious makers and their ateliers. London Craft Week is on from 6-11 May (londoncraftweek.com) 


The mayfair Magazine | Feature

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The mayfair Magazine | Feature

The Mayfair Magazine’s

london craft week picks: left: Watchmaking at Vacheron Constantin. Photo credit Vacheron Constantin. right: Paper Rose Single Stem, by Zoe Bradley. Represented at London Craft Week by Crafted at Fortnum & Mason

The Art of Marquetry at LINLEY Famous for its embellished furniture, LINLEY’s craftswomen explain the art behind ‘painting in wood’, and demonstrate the technique using the brand’s accessories collection. 8 May, 10.30am-5pm, 41 Burlington Arcade, W1S

Asprey Asprey opens up its silver and jewellery workshops to reveal the many leatherworkers, engravers, watchmakers, silversmiths and jewellers behind its illustrious designs. 7 May, 3pm-4.30pm, 167 New Bond Street, W1S

James Purdey & Sons With over 200 years in the London gunmaking business, it’s safe to say James Purdey & Sons knows a thing or two about artillery. Learn from the best as barrel maker Tony Smith and stocker Dickie Bailie showcase their talent at the Mayfair flagship. 7 May, 10.30am-5pm, 57 South Audley Street, W1K

Etro The man behind Etro’s signature paisley prints, Mr Maury, demonstrates the hand-painted technique used to design the illustrious pattern. 7 May, 10am – 5pm, 43 Old Bond Street, W1S

Henry Poole and Co Henry Poole opens its doors to reveal the process of livery tailoring and the patterncutting procedure, plus take a peek inside the brand’s pattern books. 7 May, 2pm-5pm, 15 Savile Row, W1S

Browns Hand-embroiderer Alice Archer is the designer behind Browns’ latest capsule collection. She joins Browns CEO Simon Burstein to discuss the

range at the South Molton Street boutique. 7 May, 6.30pm-8.30pm, 27 South Molton Street, W1K

Lock & Co The world’s oldest hat shop welcomes guests to glimpse behind-the-scenes at Lock & Co, including a chance to meet designer Sylvia Fletcher, who reveals how she creates her couture headwear. 8 May, 2-3pm, 6 St James’s Street, SW1A

Rolls-Royce For one day only, Rolls-Royce unveils the intricate design and craftsmanship behind the prestigious motor brand at the Berkeley Square branch. 8 May, 10am-5pm, 18 Berkeley Square, W1J

Made of Mayfair: The New Craftsmen Created specifically for London Craft Week, seven makers showcase their Mayfair-inspired work, drawing on the craft heritage and architecture of the area. Elsewhere, Catarina Riccabona shows off her weaving skills at St James’s Church, and Katherine May offers a flower-dying workshop in the original perfume labs of Floris. Made of Mayfair: 6-9 May, 11am-7pm, 34 North Row, W1K. Catarina Riccabona: 7 May 10am-6pm, 8 May, 10am-1pm, 197 Piccadilly, W1J. Katherine May: 8 May, 6.30pm-8.30pm, 89 Jermyn Street, SW1Y

Watchmaking and Hand-Engraving at Vacheron Constantin Discover the process of fine watchmaking with a demonstration by Vacheron Constantin’s watchmaker and hand-engraver, plus have a go at engraving and assembling a movement. 7 and 8 May, 10am-6pm, 9 May, 10am-5pm, 37 Old Bond Street, W1S

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The mayfair Magazine | Feature

Mayfair by

design Secretary and chief executive of the Royal Academy of Art’s Charles Saumarez Smith on where we’ll find him in Mayfair, as he shares his favourite places for design for everything from fashion to food

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One of the reasons I like working in Mayfair is the connection to a wider community of places in and around the neighbourhood, the feel of the streets to the north and west, the fact that there are still specialist stores, not just the big chains, and that it is always possible to make new discoveries of shops and galleries in the side streets.

image: Clive Rowley

 Bonhams I recently went to a dinner at Bonhams in its incredibly smart new premises at the top end of Bond Street, designed by Alex Lifschutz of Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands. Everything is smoothly sleek from top to bottom, including the new restaurant in Haunch of Venison yard.

 E. Marinella

 The

Keeper’s House Bar and Restaurant

I once went on a special weekend trip to Naples to buy ties in Marinella on the sea front and visit the workshop – but recently discovered that it had opened a shop in Maddox Street, which saves the trip.

‘I once went on a special weekend trip to Naples to buy ties in Marinella on the sea front and visit the workshop’ image: credit E. Marinella

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What could be nicer at the end of the day than to sit in the small garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith sandwiched between the Royal Academy and Albany, and then have dinner in the restaurant next door?


The mayfair Magazine | Feature

This is a new discovery on Duke Street, where it is possible to get very good trousers made (in Britain) in the bestpossible cotton fabric: smart and understated, it’s the kid branch of Norton & Sons, the Savile Row tailors.

image: E. Tautz

 E. Tautz

 Louis Vuitton Most people go to Louis Vuitton for their suitcases, but I go for its bookshop on the first floor which is stocked full of well-chosen contemporary art books and special editions, including some limited editions of art works.

image: Richard Bryant, Arcaid Images

 E.B. Meyrowitz

image: credit E.B. Meyr owitz

I am unfortunately addicted to spectacles from Meyrowitz, which I always assume are made from the rarest horn. Smart and chic and magnificently expensive, there is nothing nicer than having one’s eyes tested in its basement.

 Blain Southern Harry Blain and Graham Southern opened up their previous gallery, Haunch of Venison, in the Royal Academy’s building in Burlington Gardens. They were incredibly nice tenants and ran an admirable programme of exhibitions, including the first exhibition of Thomas Heatherwick’s furniture. Now they are in a smart new space on the west side of Hanover Square, a good position when Crossrail opens in 2017.

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 Sotheran’s

 Richard James

This is how a bookshop ought to be: extensive, mildly chaotic and made for browsing.

I used to go to Richard James when he first opened in Savile Row, not least to have my hair cut in the basement (I’ve still got a good selection of his ties), and was slightly put off when he moved to a much smarter and more visible shop on the corner of Clifford Street. But I have recently rediscovered his dapper coats and sock drawer.

‘My days often begin with breakfast in The Wolseley, with boiled eggs and soldiers and English breakfast tea’

image: corbin & king

 The Wolseley My days often begin with breakfast in The Wolseley, with boiled eggs and soldiers and English breakfast tea. I like the atmosphere of high-powered intrigue, and appreciate the fact that I am always given a good seat in what I think of as the dress circle.

Occasionally I like to escape into the rooftops of Dover Street Market, where one can have a cup of tea, browse the latest design magazines, and feel that one might be in Paris. 70

image: Richard James

 Rose Bakery


The mayfair Magazine | Feature

 G. Heywood Hill For most of my life, I bought my books at Heywood Hill, as long as my brother ran it, which he did for 42 years. I still admire the fact that it continues as a general bookshop, stocking the best of new books as well as antiquarian. And they now make up gift parcels. image: Ben McMahon

‘It has become fashionable, particularly in Japan, but it has remained consistent to its belief in the well-made’

 The New

Craftsmen

I first visited The New Craftsmen when it was in a garage at the back of Mount Street. It’s now in much more posh premises on North Row just south of Oxford Street and stocks the best of the crafts, but looking as if they belong in London not the Cotswolds. It’s a very good initiative of Mark Henderson, the chairman of Gieves & Hawkes.

 Labour

and Wait

On the top floor of Dover Street Market is a minibranch of Labour and Wait, which I have known since it was first established in Cheshire Street by Simon Watkins and Rebecca Wythe-Moran, stocking old-fashioned household goods before they go out of production. Now it has become fashionable, particularly in Japan, but it has remained consistent to its belief in the realm of well-made items. image: Brown Betty Teapot by Labour and Wait

Charles Saumarez Smith is secretary and chief executive of the Royal Academy of Arts and an enthusiastic blogger on charlessaumarezsmith.com/blog 71


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The mayfair Magazine | Interiors

The secret garden A love for floral patterns and classic children’s literature should steer you towards Liberty’s interiors department this spring. With a colourful mix of fabrics, wallcoverings and cushions which are based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel The Secret Garden, the latest Liberty interiors collection draws inspiration from narrative details of an enchanted English garden. Our favourite pieces are the velvet print cushions, bringing all the wonder of nature into the home. Jeffery Rose Tree Golden cushion, £150; Chapman Tapestry Marmalade cushion, £150, all Liberty Art Fabrics Interiors (liberty.co.uk)

Interiors news

FINISHING TOUCH

WORDS: AMY WELCH

Crystal clear

Wall to wall Hermès’ passion for storytelling rings true with jungle prints and horse-racing motifs for your home. A new wallpaper collection, inspired by archive scarf designs, proves both fun and colourful. Possibly the most lavish interiors for fashion aficionados, short of adorning your walls top to toe with Hermès silk scarves. Jardin d’Osier, £125.50 a metre, Hermès (hermes.com)

Tall and slender, RIEDEL Crystal’s latest decanter allows wine to unfold and be enjoyed through twofold aeration; firstly on being poured into the decanter and secondly when the wine is decanted into your glass. The elegant carafe is the perfect pairing for the Sommeliers Superleggero glass series, with each glass shaped to suit a specific variety of grape – the Burgundy Grand Cru glass is a good excuse to enjoy a bottle of red. From left: Superleggero Decanter; Sommeliers Superleggero Oaked Chardonay; Sommeliers Superleggero Burgundy Grand Cru, all £135, RIEDEL Crystal (riedel.com)

A scattering of facetted amethyst stones will add a touch of glamour to plain dressing tables, while a soft suede lining will keep any trinkets safe. What is not to love? Aragon box with amethyst, £420, Katharine Pooley (katharinepooley. com)

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Guillaume Alan’s eponymous interiors brand is renowned for its sleek monochrome style with opulent artistic sensibility. As the brand’s Mayfair studio signalled a new location for luxury interior, we meet the creative pioneer at the forefront of design WORDS: AMY WELCH

Parisian chic 74


The mayfair Magazine | Interiors

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t is often the most simplistic forms of design which convey the utmost beauty. Glancing around Guillaume Alan’s Mayfair showroom on Hay Hill, this sentiment rings true. All airy monochrome tones and classic French accents, the Parisian design brand has championed a visionary penchant for marrying contemporary structural forms with a concealed grandeur. There is a distinct timelessness about the place.

‘A harmony between classicism and minimalism has produced peaceful sanctuaries of modern design’ Renowned for a subtle and understated sense of luxury, designer Guillaume Alan opened his first interior studio in the heart of Paris’ Saint-Germain at the tender age of 22. Over the years the brand has flourished as Alan’s vision of a peaceful modern space to live in has harmonised classicism and minimalism. Today the area of Hay Hill appears perfectly in keeping with the Guillaume Alan brand of understated luxury and is slowly becoming an artistic hub of design, though only a few years ago Mayfair appeared a shrewd location for design studios. Where Alan led in 2012, 

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interior heavyweights such as Holly Hunt and Christian Liaigre have since followed. ‘There was no question to decide on another location,’ says Alan. ‘I love Mayfair; its architecture, its energy and very chic feeling.’ From locale to design ethos, its staying ahead of the curve sits rather comfortably within Alan’s artistic sensibility – the brand’s clean lines and highend minimalism have been immortalised in fashion shoots for the likes of Chanel and Tom Ford. ‘I am very proud of these campaigns,’ says Alan. ‘It is recognition coming from high-

‘Materials and textures are very important in interior design and bespoke furniture’ demanding maisons that are forerunners, looking for strong and iconic impact.’ Beginning in fashion himself, Alan’s understanding and passion for fabrics have imparted themselves upon his own fabrics and materials collection. ‘My vision is whole,’ Alan explains. ‘I have always been very passionate about this very creative world [of fashion]. Materials and textures are very important in interior design and bespoke furniture.’ Earlier this year the Savile Row and Cashmere collection was launched, which reflects Alan’s close relationship with the fashion world. ‘We share the same culture and passion for detail,’ the Parisian chimes. ‘I attach particular value to an irreproachable level of manufacturing

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The mayfair Magazine | Interiors

quality; I try to reach timelessness.’ Inspired by the famous sartorial street, Savile Row, just a stone’s throw from the Mayfair studio, traditional tailoring fabric highlights an ethos of cosy yet sophisticated interiors – a palette of five degraded grey shades. The collection seamlessly reflects Alan’s design philosophy: ‘Everything has been designed for a calm and relaxing way of life; purity is a way of life, like a sanctuary, a haven of peace at the heart of a vibrating city.’ Expressing an opulent 18th century luxury in a very minimalist and modern style has been a longstanding influence for the forward-thinking brand. ‘Renewing French classicism in a minimalist way was the first point of my very first collection,’ says Alan. ‘It has inspired me a lot and still does today.’ From architecture to bespoke interiors, when faced with new projects the clients’ needs and atmosphere of the building become a resounding influence, a subtle alchemy between raw and neat materials on show. ‘Unique places have a great stamp which can come from the history, the view, the volumes, and this gives the first ideas in my reflection. Everything comes from here.’ Looking to the future, Alan relishes the prospect of working on more truly unique places and sharing his design vision. The brand will no doubt continue to approach projects in an innovative way and bring about an emotive response. ‘My approach is [always] the same; a feeling of great simplicity and absolute purity.’ Guillaume Alan Mayfair, 1 Hay Hill, W1J (020 7408 0778; guillaume-alan.com)

ALL photographs by Matthew Donaldson

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As leading figures from business, politics and the arts gathered at London’s second annual Power Breakfast in the spirit of networking, Gabrielle Lane asked the assembled guests: what does it take to be successful in your industry?

THE power B 78


The mayfair Magazine | Feature

photo by Andrew Penketh. Stylist: Doris T Lin. Food courtesy of Bon Soiree

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orty years after the team at the Loews Regency Hotel in New York coined the term ‘power breakfast’ to reflect the number of influential professionals who gathered there to discuss the financial climate ahead of the working day, Jonathan Tisch, the chairman of Loews Hotels, staged the event in London for the second time. With a guest list drawn primarily from the worlds of fashion, finance, law and media, and representing organisations such as Richemont, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Reed Smith and Warner Brothers UK, conversation spanned a diverse range of topics including business deals, abstract art and ski trips, as guests enjoyed smoked salmon and scrambled eggs at Hélène Darroze at The Connaught. Event organiser, Tanya Rose, CEO of Mason Rose, worked in conjunction with literary agent Ed Victor, regularly named as one of London’s most well-connected men, to ensure the right mix of attendees. She told me: ‘The seating plan was quite tricky as everyone attending was very senior. However I treated it like a private party, and made sure that people were sitting with people who they knew as well as interesting people who I thought that they should know and would like to network with. The other challenge for me was to make sure that Jonathan Tisch was personally introduced to everyone, and that they would make contacts or learn something new from coming to an event such as this.’ With the guests having achieved recognition within their respective fields, many were happy to share their answers to the question: what does it take to be successful in your industry?

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#1 Robert Crozier, executive vice president, managing director, Robb Report International Division Success is doing what you want and being happy about it. Simple to say, hard to achieve; always be ready for change.

#2 Tamara Box, global co-chair, Financial Industry Group Since the financial crisis, our industry has seen higher levels of regulation push many institutions into a state of homogeneity and mass anonymity. The truly successful ones are those who keep FIT; that is, they Fight the complacency that such conformity can bring, then Innovate assiduously, and Transform themselves rapidly.

#3 Kim Winser OBE, founder and CEO, Winser London Ltd Success takes determination, energy, respect for your customers and team alike – and, it’s important to be ahead of the curve, with a sixth sense for future lifestyle trends.

#4 Hélenè Darroze, Michelin-starred cuisiniere of The Connaught I think that in my industry putting yourself in question – as a chef but also as a person and as a boss – is one of the keys to success. Passion is the second one.

#5 Alia Al-Senussi, VIP relations Middle East, Art Basel Trust is a central element of working in the arts, as relationships are at the heart of the art world. Every interaction, be it in the non-profit sector or on the commercial side, is personal. Being able to have faith in the institution with which you are working, the people you are collaborating with and the dealers, artists and advisers with whom you come into contact makes for a positive and successful life in the arts. The art world is notoriously opaque, so much of the time all one has to go on in getting things done is reputation.


The mayfair Magazine | Feature

#6 Pilar Boxford, group PR director, Richemont You become successful if you are different and charismatic. In my capacity of head of Richemont public relations, I created events such as the Cartier International Polo, targeted to the audience we wanted to reach, whilst enhancing the image of the brand.

#7 Jo Malone MBE, founder of Jo Loves I have stayed true to the same brand heartbeats all throughout my career: inspiration, innovation, integrity, ignition and instinct. Collectively, they have been my compass for the past 21 years and have kept me focused throughout.

#8 Theo Fennell, luxury jeweller As in any creative business but especially something as emotive as jewellery, it takes originality of design and concept, a real love of what you are making and a brilliant team to make the dreams a reality. You need some luck, some talent but, most of all, tenacity and a real passion for what you are doing.

#9 Anji Hunter, senior advisor, Edelman There are two maxims for a successful working life: keep it simple and what goes around comes around.

#10 Josh Wood, hairdresser/colourist and founder of Josh Wood Atelier The hair industry is a very fast-moving industry. The keys to success are being consistent, while always developing new ideas and trying to stay as creative as possible. The work I do all over the world with my editorial and shows challenges me every day and drives me to push boundaries, which means when I return home I can express those ideas to my team and clients at my Atelier. Travel is key to seeing the industry from many different viewpoints – the work I do in China, India

and North America enables me to look at service and craft, and try to reapply those moments of excellence in my own world.

#11 David Giampaolo, chief executive, Pi Capital It takes luck and hard work, followed by more luck and hard work, while at all times staying hungry to learn and grow your IQ and EQ. It is also very important be kind and to help others to be successful – and as we have only one life and one planet, we need make it count!

#12 Steve Norris, Conservative politician It may be corny, but my advice is you have to love what you do. If you do, it isn’t work anymore. It’s a pleasure. You can’t guarantee success will follow but you’ll have a great time finding out.

#13 Marcus Langlands Pearse, director UK property, TIAA Henderson Real Estate To succeed in our industry, you must have market intelligence that places you ahead of the game, and surround yourself with a strong, commercially-minded team.

#14 Tracey Woodward, owner Tracey Woodward Beauty at M&S Hard work, passion for the product and the people – and a lot of common sense. You should start each day with an open mind, and love what you do as it is essential for success!

#15 Trevor Green, owner, Entertainment Film Distributors UK To answer your question, long-standing relationships with people who respect, trust and have admiration for our company, and because we have the same goals, they know that they would maximise their business by working with us.

#16 Lady Eve Pollard, ex-editor, Daily Express Success takes original ideas and endless hard work.

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The real

candidate Having led a life more colourful than the most implausible soap star, Ivan Massow talks to Henry Hopwood-Phillips about why he’s ready to get serious and succeed Boris Johnson as Mayor of London…

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ondon mayoral candidate, Ivan Massow, seems like a real guy; not the most sexy of descriptions, admittedly, but in the age of Spock-lite politicians it’s a powerful card. He also looks real. Though he’s wearing the ubiquitous open-necked shirt, the Photography: Sarel Jansen

London mayoral candidate comes across less like the sandblasted goblin of the Blairite and Cameronian yesteryear, than a wizened salt-andpepper haired pin-up. The post has relatively limited formal powers but its appeal has, perhaps paradoxically, up until now, been restricted to the personalities of Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson. So having a candidate who appears so regular feels slightly anticlimactic, even incongruous… But of course Ivan isn’t normal. The menagerie, full of dogs and parrots hints at this. Raised near Brighton, he admits to being an ‘instinctive’ Tory ‘despite a politically tribal narrative that might insist my natural position is

‘Raised near Brighton, he admits to being an “instinctive” Tory’ on the left!’ due to an early ‘street urchin’ existence that included dyslexia, adoption, and homosexuality. ‘I cannot remember what qualifications I left Brighton with’, his eyes glint, ‘because I’ve had to fib so much about that period in the past – I think I left school with one O-level.’ Clearly his life trajectory wasn’t a conventional one – with a launchpad of qualifications – but Ivan was a man with an idea. ‘I found a niche in the market making sure gays weren’t financially penalised in the financial products they were offered.’ Millions of pounds soon flowed into

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The mayfair Magazine | Feature

his coffers. ‘I was so happy proving to teachers, parents and friends that I was worth something, that I wasn’t a dead-end,’ he beams. That particular high, however, closed when he lost a lawsuit to a firm he had accused of failing to uphold his ethics. A period of alcoholism followed and spanned a time of self-exile in Barcelona, a sad hiatus that nevertheless ended with a fairy-tale rescue by none other than Joan Collins – ‘who by the way, insists on being named the godmother of my child’, he adds excitedly. The controversy didn’t end with the alcohol intake though. Never shirking the right to hold real opinions, he recollects being ‘forced to resign as Chairman of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) after observing that much of conceptual art was “craftless tat”’. Looking to pick himself up, Ivan jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire, throwing his hat in the mayoral ring at the end of last year. The first shot across the boughs came from Mark Wallace at Conservative Home, describing Ivan as an ‘unconvincing candidate’, a man who seemed destined to be little more than a careerist and a ‘loose cannon’. ‘I understand why he said that,’ Ivan comments humbly, ‘so I set things straight by inviting his editor to interview me.’ The follow-up makes for interesting reading, and captures Ivan’s tone well. It’s a mischievous tenor that flirts with gravity and comedy simultaneously – it is apparent that he is sensitive to the lightness and heaviness of both life and the task he has set himself. Another accusation is that what Ivan sells as ‘blue-sky thinking’ amounts to little more than headline chasing. Policies aimed at housing the homeless in City Hall and naming a prison after himself on ‘Boris Island’ seem to add noise rather than solutions to a city that proffers itself as one of the few ‘world-capitals’. ‘That’s not fair’, he protests, giving the example of a volunteer transport brigade that would potentially stop London coming to a halt on strike days, ‘I set out a poll on a website that attracted large numbers of voters. In the end

over 40 per cent said they would participate if such a scheme materialised, which I thought rather impressive.’ Other statistics don’t look so rosy. YouGov published a poll at the end of 2014 claiming Ivan’s recognition in London hovers around the nine per cent mark. It’s a superior presence to other Conservative hopefuls but also

‘Ivan jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire, throwing his hat in the mayoral ring at the end of last year’ undoubtedly worse than the Labour big-guns such as Tessa Jowell and Sadiq Khan. This has caused consternation within the party; some have voiced concerns that they need a bigger name – Zac Goldsmith is often touted – a person Boris has made no secret of supporting as a possible heir apparent. The lack of acclaim has perhaps kicked Ivan into making sure his vision is not lacking. He is able for instance, despite platitudes on his website about embracing modernity, to articulate the planks of policy in detail. Most of this centres on devolution. He certainly begrudges the fact ‘the [London] economy generates 22 per cent of the UK’s total wealth and yet has less control over its money than either Scotland or Wales’, believing part of tackling this problem should involve setting a London budget and creating a tourist tax. A Conservative for 33 years, a Londoner for 25, one cannot fail to be impressed with the energy the silver fox is applying to his candidature. One gets the impression some in the public realm believe his campaign to be more about energy than sense; a political example of a man on a collision course with a brick wall. Looking back at Ivan’s life though, it seems the walls have sustained far more damage than his head. (ivan.london)

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The mayfair Magazine | Motoring

The craft of the

cruise

Exquisite design, creative engineering, unlimited imagination and an appreciation of heritage; welcome to the world of custom motorcycles. We meet the craftsmen behind these two-wheeled works of art w o r d s : R I C H A RD Y A RRO W 85


opening image: Warr’s HarleyDavidson; above: Shaw Speed & Custom

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ine craftsmanship isn’t hard to appreciate. It brings together a holy trinity of talents – imagination, creative skill and attention to detail – to fashion something that is more beautiful than the sum of its parts. The results may not be to your taste and, let’s be honest, custom-built motorbikes aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. But few would argue that these one-off machines, often based around a Harley-Davidson, are visually stunning works of art. ‘For the buyer it’s an image thing, but not in a vain way,’ explained Charlie Stockwell of King’s Road Customs, Chelsea. ‘No one rides a Harley because they need one. It’s about tradition and heritage, and then people liking the idea of having something unique.’ The business is a division of Warr’s HarleyDavidson, Europe’s oldest Harley dealer and trading since 1924. Customers include those who have been successful in business, Formula One drivers, football players, music and film stars. But, as Stockwell explains, there are also average guys who have saved hard and want to spend their money on something cool. The result is that King’s Road Customs is now building 20+ bikes a year – each one completely unique – and they’re to be found all over the world. There’s no such thing as an average job or completion time. Stockwell, the firm’s head of design and custom, reckons 50-100 man-hours over two to three months covers the majority of projects. Prices start at around £15,000, made up of £7,600 for the entry-level Sportster bike and roughly the same again on paint, parts and labour. Then there’s the other end of the scale. ‘We finished a bike last year costing £128,000 for a chap who has seven of our designs,’ says Stockwell. A few miles south of London and out

in the East Sussex countryside, another custom bike builder told us business is booming. ‘It’s a growing market and we’re trying to keep up with demand rather than create it,’ explains Steve Willis, team principal at Shaw Speed & Custom. ‘People want personalisation these days. They want a different coloured roof on their car or to invent their own Nike sneakers online.’ In just six years the business has gone from almost nothing to a global brand. Its bikes are now ridden and cherished as far afield as America and Australia. The irony is that the move to expand the custom side of the operation – Shaw has been an official Harley-Davidson dealership since 2002 – didn’t come by choice. In 2009 Harley decided to discontinue its Buell sports bike range, leaving Willis and team with a problem. He says: ‘Buell was a fair amount of income

‘We finished a bike last year costing £128,000 for a chap who has seven of our designs’ for us, all gone just like that, so we decided to take the customising to a new level. We created a separate in-house design studio, somewhere customers could sit comfortably and talk to a project manager about the bike they wanted.’ Recognition and reputation came quickly. During the winter of 2009 Shaw was building a bike which ultimately became known as Strike True II, because it was the second machine for a customer who already owned one he’d christened Strike True. The new machine won first place at the London International Custom Bike Show and part of the prize was to attend the modified, Harleys world championships in


The mayfair Magazine | Motoring

America. The bike triumphed again. At the same time, Willis convinced luxury watch company Bell & Ross that its brand would fit well on another bike he was building. ‘It was one of the first projects I recognise where there was a proper collaboration with another brand, rather than people just putting stickers on a bike. Bell & Ross took a huge leap of faith, ran with it and had one of its best years ever for marketing.’ It didn’t hurt business when the handcrafted machine came third in the world championships, and with media coverage in the likes of GQ and Vogue, people were visiting the Shaw website. ‘They realised they could have a bespoke bike built with their own DNA and enquiries came thick and fast. We’ve never looked back.’ Prices for something with the Shaw Speed & Custom signature typically start at £15,000 to £25,000 for the Harley Sportster range, rising to £65,000 for the larger Softail. Being based on the A22 between Eastbourne and East Grinstead means Shaw gets a lot of day-trippers from London. That’s also the case for Suffolk custom bike builder Krazy Horse, though at time of writing, owner Paul Beamish confirmed he’s looking at opening a business in the capital later this summer. Prices for its one-off machines can easily top £30,000, and he said his customers are a broad mix. ‘All sorts of people spend that kind of money on a bike. For some, it’s their overriding passion. They might have one bike that we’ve rebuilt several times and it’s evolved over the years into something else. Others are collectors and have bought four or five bikes from us. They are obviously people with money, but an expensive motorcycle probably doesn’t cost them any

more than belonging to an expensive golf club.’ Krazy Horse started with Beamish and a friend selling bike spare parts from a village shed, and this year is celebrating its 20th anniversary. It’s doing so with some style; after a move from small retail premises in central Bury St Edmunds to a larger industrial unit on the outskirts, it’s now expanded into a second building with franchises for high-end bike brands Norton and Indian, plus a Morgan car dealership. ‘I haven’t a clue how many we’ve done – some jobs takes months, some take years – but we’ve built a lot of bikes,’ said Beamish. ‘We build bikes that we want to build for ourselves and then sell them. We don’t tend to do stuff, where people come along and say, “I want a bike that looks like a fire engine.” Our bikes are all usable.’ When custom bikes look this good, getting them dirty on the open road seems such a shame.

Below, clockwise from top: Warr’s Harley-Davidson; Warr’s HarleyDavidson; Krazy Horse

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The The mayfair mayfair Magazine Magazine | Regulars | Travel

Travel news The Baccarat Hotel in New York City presents a world of modern elegance, while Palma de Mallorca becomes our new cultural escape WORDS: AMY WELCH

TRAVEL TIPS DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT… A soft leather casing and pursefriendly size has just transformed one of our favourite Acqua di Parma fragrances into a suitcase essential. Rosa Nobile Purse Spray, £84, Acqua di Parma (acquadiparma.com) THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT… TRAVEL BY ART Discover a city through the eyes of its famed artists with this creative cultural tour guide. Free, iTunes App Store

Long haul

Vs

Baccarat Hotel & Residences, NYC Legendary French crystal maker Baccarat knows how to dazzle, and its first hotel in New York proves just that. The iconic brand, founded by King Louis XV in 1764, has skilfully avoided an overkill of bling with sumptuous interiors by French design duo Gilles & Boissier – even a 125-foot-wide crystallike curtain veiling the entrance exudes true sophistication. With the iconic Modern Museum of Art set across the street and Fifth Avenue but steps away, the hotel holds a Michelin-starred restaurant, custom chandeliers and the first Spa de La Mer in the US – a fine excuse to visit New York. (baccarathotels.com)

Short haul

Palma de Mallorca, Spain A former manor house belonging to a noble Mallorquin family, Sant Francesc Hotel Singular sits within a charming square, in the heart of the historic old town in Palma de Mallorca. Although the mild climate and sandy beaches have drawn tourists to the area for many years, the old quarter of the city, with architecture of golden limestone quarried from the island, still holds undiscovered cultural riches. Opening this spring, the hotel’s rich heritage reflects a warm hospitality and local beauty – the historic courtyard is a pretty spot for some Mediterraneaninspired al fresco cuisine. (hotelsantfrancesc.com)

‘One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things’ - Henry Miller

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he idea of returning to your family home – no matter what your age – is a comforting one. A kitchen that’s always warm, extra helpings of home cooking and people fussing over you all day long. This is the ethos behind Palazzo Margherita, the hotel that film director Francis Ford Coppola adoringly created in Bernalda, in the Basilicata region of southern Italy where his father grew up. The centre of an Italian home is, without a doubt, the kitchen. And Palazzo Margherita takes food incredibly seriously. It is here, where our chef Mariella is teaching our group, how to make pasta the southern Italian way: with semolina and water. Once we’ve found the optimum consistency, with Mariella’s motherly guidance we craft orecchiette, which translates to ‘small ear’ because of its shape, by pushing flattened pieces

‘The centre of an Italian home is, without a doubt, the kitchen. And Palazzo Margherita takes food incredibly seriously’ of dough over our thumbs; shell-like cavatelli by smoothing a ball of dough into a curved shape and flicking it away; and hollow filei tubes with a metal skewer. ‘Look, I’m making a kebab!’ quips one of the guests. A dusting of flour over our rustic-looking attempts and they’re ready for the pan. While they bubble away, Mariella tackles the sauce, using a copper pan to fry up onions and cherry tomatoes from the Palazzo’s garden – everything guests consume here is organic and grown locally, if not within the grounds. With salt, basil and some of the pasta water, she grates some creamy Cacioricotta cheese into the mix before throwing in the rest of the pasta and letting it boil down into a vibrant red sauce. The simple recipe – without garlic – tastes 

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The mayfair Magazine | Travel

Bernalda bella Take your next holiday the way the father of acclaimed film director Francis Ford Coppola lived – at Palazzo Margherita, in the charming countryside of southern Italy words: clare vooght

Courtyard Garden, photo by Gundolf Pfotenhauer

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from top: Salon (Screening Room) Lisa Limer; Courtyard Garden AND Bathroom, PHOTOS BY Gundolf Pfotenhauer

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the opposite of simple. The sweet tomato juice has saturated the pasta, which, it turns out, we haven’t done a half-bad job on, and the cheese has added depth and an element of indulgence. Matched with a glass of Aglianico del Vulture – a red wine also from Basilicata – the dish confirms that food tastes better when you travel to it, rather than the other way around. A wander around the Palazzo’s garden will give you more insight into the ingredients favoured by the chefs. Pomegranate trees arch above beds of lettuce, parsley and red and green chilli. Scents range from citrus to earthy rosemary as you pass through the garden. Between vegetable patches is a four-seater table under a vine-entwined pergola, where guests can eat. In keeping with the family home idea, you can eat your meals anywhere you want. If not under the pergola, try lunch on a sun lounger by the secluded outdoor swimming pool; an aperitif on a bench by a baroque fountain that just so happens to be Coppola’s favourite reading spot; or dessert while propped up in bed by substantial pillows. After our efforts in the kitchen, my friend and I decide the best place for our Margherita cake dessert is in our Garden Suite, where we are staying for the weekend. One of the more secluded suites, it opens out onto the garden, and is just close enough to hear the soothing sound of the fountain when the windows are open. The room’s impact is all in the detail: a handwritten welcome note from Rosella, the hotel’s general manager, next to a bowl of almonds and a silver nutcracker; the bathroom soap is wrapped in white paper and a white ribbon hallmarked with the red hotel emblem; the Apple TV is loaded with 132 films, mostly by Italian directors, hand picked by Coppola. There’s also a list of 15 films made by Francis and Sofia, including classics such as Lost in Translation and The Godfather. We pick Coppola senior’s 2009 drama Tetro, by which time our desserts have arrived under silver cloches. The signature cake is a chocolate and black cherry delight, topped with a sprig of mint


The mayfair Magazine | Travel

and edible flowers; all in the detail. After a peaceful night wrapped in soft white sheets and a morning dip in the white Devon & Devon rolltop bath, enhanced with bath oil made by Santa Maria Novella – one of the world’s oldest pharmacies in Florence – I’m ready for breakfast. Like other meals at Palazzo Margherita, it is an important event. We decide to have this meal in the courtyard. Restored to its former 19th-century glory in a purposeful style that makes it look almost like a film set, it’s another nod to the world of the

‘Explore Bernalda or visit the nearby white sandy beaches looking out to the Ionian Sea’ silver screen. Just-squeezed orange juice is brought out to us, followed by cappuccino – the pattern in the milk, which matches the pattern on the cups, is another touching detail. After that, it’s croissants, toast made from fresh-baked bread, ricotta, a fruit platter of kiwi, banana, pear, plum and apple cut and arranged into a fan in the middle, strawberry, apricot and fig jam – of course all made on the premises, with the figs plucked from the tree opposite where we’re sitting. Then come the scrambled eggs, with ham and mozzarella, and a plate stacked high with three types of cake: apple, mascarpone, and chocolate and amaretti.

We ask for mint tea, and the mint is picked immediately from the garden, to arrive in a teapot within minutes. It’s the freshest and most flavoursome mint tea I’ve ever tasted. If you can tear yourself away from the motherly embrace of Palazzo Margherita – or more to the point, move after such a hearty meal – the hotel has bicycles for guests. Explore Bernalda or visit the nearby white sandy beaches looking out to the Ionian Sea. The city of Matera, 40 minutes away, is also worth a visit for its ancient cave dwellings, and the hotel can arrange for a driver to take you there. When you return, the best way to end the day is with dinner and a film screening in the opulent Salon. As the hotel has only seven suites and two rooms, chances are you’ll get this all to yourself. We chose gritty Naples Mafia movie Gomorrah, accompanied by a starter of creamy mozzarella with local grilled eggplant, followed by lamb baked in a pot with lampascioni (hyacinth bulbs). Paired with the attentive service and a bottle of red – Primitivo from Puglia – this has all the makings of the best TV dinner of your life. Rooms cost from £375 per night, and suites from £550. Palazzo Margherita offers a three-day Dolce Vita package, including cooking classes and trips to Matera starting at £478, excluding accommodation. Palazzo Margherita, Corso Umberto 64, 75012 Bernalda, Italy (0039 0835 549060; coppolaresorts. com) Easyjet offers flights from London Gatwick to Bari from £63.98 return (easyjet.com). Clockwise from top left: IMAGE BY Gundolf Pfotenhauer Suite 8, Pasta AND Courtyard Garden, IMAGES BY Gundolf Pfotenhauer

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Travel | The mayfair Magazine

The art of

A

travel

ny celebration of Mayfair and the iconic, historic brands which call this fine area home is certainly cause for a round of applause. The InterContinental London Park Lane has teamed up with the London Luxury Quarter to launch something rather special. It’s called Made in Mayfair, and is bringing to the fore the craftsmen and creativity that Mayfair is known for through a series of bespoke experiences for the hotel’s guests. Depending on your personal interests – from fine fragrances to Savile Row suits, guests will be led on an extraordinary journey through time with visits to heritage shoemaker Foster & Son, Floris and Dege & Skinner. Afterwards, retreat to the comfort the hotel’s Royal Suite, which is designed to reflect the style of Queen Elizabeth II’s former childhood home of 145 Piccadilly, which is now the location of the hotel. InterContinental Park Lane, 1 Hamilton Place, W1J (020 7409 3131; ihg.com)

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ituated on the Vltava river, with pedestrian-only bridges, winding streets, warming food and jazz bands playing in the open air, Prague’s beauty and charm are undeniable. Effortlessly quaint, yet reassuringly quirky, this striking city might boast enough dramatic architecture to keep sightseers busy for days, but its small centre, cosmopolitan outlook and continental culture also make it the perfect place to wander about, happily losing time with a loved one. One way to get your bearings in Prague is to take a river tour, which provides wonderful views of the Old Town and helps you work out the intricate geography of this beautiful place. Prague-Venice Cruises runs a lovely two-hour trip which includes Czech beer tasting and entertainment from the comfort of a replica century-old boat. In the evening, for something special, head to Villa Richter, three restaurants and a vineyard nestled in the hillside next to Prague Castle. Offering everything from a fine-dining extravaganza to an intimate drink on an open-air terrace with gorgeous views across the city, Villa Richter is the city’s ultimate hidden gem. While you’re there, visit Prague’s most striking offering, the largest ancient castle in the world. Once home to kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia, the impressive sculpture is now the official office of the President of the Czech Republic, but it’s the dramatic architecture that draws the crowds. The UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises the St Vitus Cathedral and the St George’s Basilica as well as a monastery, multiple palaces and defense towers. Prague Castle has been through countless renovations, making it the ideal place to spot most of the architectural styles from the last millennium, while its gardens offer the perfect resting ground after a busy afternoon. It comes as no surprise that the city of a thousand spires has fast become one of Europe’s hippest travel destinations, rich with culture and heritage.

[city break]

prague The city of a thousand spires, Prague’s striking architecture and rich heritage offer the perfect culture fix for a weekend away w o r d s : e l l e n mi l l a r d

Charles bridge

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Prague Orloj Astronomical Clock


The mayfair Magazine | Travel

Where to stay The elegant Augustine Hotel is set within an old secluded monastery in the heart of the city, striking the balance between exclusivity and convenience. A complex of seven different buildings which date back to 1284, it spans the entire architectural spectrum of Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic styles; order steak and foie gras at the Elegantes restaurant, an Angel cocktail at the 1887 bar and finish off with a massage at the beautiful spa. Stay in the Tower Suite and prepare to feel like a princess. (theaugustine.com)

SUITCASE E S S E N TIA L S

‘Bee Different’ earrings, £3,000, Theo Fennell (theofennell.com)

Top, £230, 3.1 Phillip Lim (stylebop.com)

Eating and drinking Tucked between Prague’s most exclusive boutiques, jewellers and fashion houses, Cantinetta Fiorentina has its work cut out pleasing the sartorial crowd, but succeeds on every level. Specialising in Tuscan cuisine, it offers an opulent palette of certified beef Chianina, Cinto Senese pork, fresh seafood and homemade pasta. (cantinetta.cz)

Trousers, £230, Sportmax (matchesfashion.com)

Loafers, £245, Tod’s (net-a-porter.com)

Mayfair recommends Set in the heart of the Old Town, Buddha Bar also has a chic home in Prague, where locals and tourists alike flock to lap up its mezzanine bar and Asian and Pacific-Rim fusion cuisine and world-famous music compilations. It’s a must for a night on the town. (buddha-bar.cz)

Sunglasses, £245, Erdem (erdem.com)

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Suite

dreams

… at The Goring Hotel, Belgravia Words: AMY WELCH

All images courtesy of The Goring

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ondon’s most decadent and long standing family-run hotel is renowned for its charm and eccentricity. Opened by Otto Richard Goring in 1910, The Goring may have conducted business as usual throughout two world wars, but it was a grand refurbishment earlier this year which saw the hotel close its doors for the very first time in over a century. Already a haunt for noted royalty and high society, The Goring has unveiled a new chapter in its history, with a décor to suitably match the five-star hotel’s unpretentious and light-hearted nature. The pièce de résistance of the refurbishment has to be the palatial Front Hall, the whimsical work of renowned designer Russell Sage. Be warned that on arrival you may lose all sense of spatial awareness studying details of the hand painted wallpaper. Upon first glance a sepiatoned English landscape appears predictably lavish, all rolling hills and manor houses, although on closer examination the walls host a peculiar array of exotic animals, an homage to the family’s tastes and humour. A unicorn and lion in full heraldic splendour are forever poised in battle before the restaurant’s entrance – a subtle nod to the Royal Warrant proudly displayed outside the hotel. Towards the concierge desk you’ll find a monkey dressed in

full racing silks on horseback, depicting George Goring’s love of riding and sports (naturally), and to the fireplace where a seal reflects current owner and fourth generation of the family Jeremy Goring’s fondness for surfing. At each turn, The Goring’s new look reveals touches of idiosyncratic humour, and there is little doubt an exuberant stay is on the cards. Upstairs, hallways and suites favour flourishing wallpapers and weighty fabrics by Gainsborough Silks. With antique sideboards and elaborately marbled bathrooms, each guestroom resonates the heritage of the hotel’s

‘The pièce de résistance of the refurbishment has to be the palatial Front Hall’ Edwardian Baroque origins, and one can only imagine the antique gems residing within the Royal Suite, spanning the entire top floor. Returning to the most characterful ground floor, the Bar, theatrically transformed by designer Tim Gosling, shows gilded details inspired by Empress Josephine’s Chateau de Malmaison – a window seat facing the private garden is an envied spot.


The mayfair Magazine | Travel

While contemporary accents steal your gaze (the glimmering white-blossom chandeliers of the Dining Room are unabashedly modern) The Goring still embodies that quintessential, British tradition which so many of its guests yearn to return to time and again. Not for one moment do you encounter anything but fine service. A fleet of fresh-faced and smartlydressed footmen are on hand for exactly this, on call 24 hours a day to further cement the hotel’s focus on luxury service. Come the evening, the David Linley-designed Dining Room becomes the epicentre of the hotel and focuses on British-sourced ingredients blended into stomach-achingly indulgent cuisine, with modern twists. If your eyes are bigger than your stomach, then the entirety of the evening

menu will appear all too tempting. And as for the lobster omelette, it is a thing of gastronomic beauty indeed. As delicious and hearty as the name suggests, the dish arrives with a side Caesar salad and silver cup of golden duck fat chips. On departing the hotel, one realises what a serenity the place holds; as a regal retreat of hospitality and fine-dining that yearns to be returned to. Walking once more through the marbled Front Hall of curious animals adorning the walls I notice an erudite-looking gorilla sat proudly, wearing a judge’s wig. Thus sums up the hotel’s delightful eccentricity, and in the words of Jeremy Goring, ‘it will make guests smile’. The Goring, Beeston Place, SW1W (020 7396 9000; thegoring.com)

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Lilou et Lo誰c L O N D O N

S I Z E D O E S M AT T E R . . .

3kg Scented Candle From The Emperor Collection

www.lilouetloic.com


The mayfair Magazine | Beauty

Beauty news

A moment of one’s own Meditation is having a moment. And certainly in Mayfair this ancient technique to rebalance the mind is too, courtesy of The Connaught and its renowned Aman Spa. Whether you’re well versed in the art of mindful meditation or new to the practice, drop into the spa on your lunch hour for a complimentary 20-minute session, led by the spa’s expert therapists. So switch off your Blackberry and rest your mind – you will re-emerge with a renewed sense of clarity and calmness. The Aman Spa Meditation Classes are on weekdays at 1.00pm. Advance booking is essential (020 3147 7305)

The Aman Spa at The Connaught launches lunch-hour meditation sessions, and we bring you the latest and greatest products in beauty w o r d s : k at e r ac o v o l i s & a m y w e l c h

Midas touch A sun-kissed and golden glow is a tell-tale sign you have abandoned waiting on British summertime and have just returned from a sojourn to warmer climates. Or is it? Tom Ford’s Soleil collection for Spring/Summer is all warm metallic hues and ethereal beauty, dressing the skin like a Greek goddess as though you have just stepped off the plane from somewhere fabulously warm. The lightweight shimmering body oil is our favourite of the collection, the scent of white floral bouquets and amber-sandalwood lingering on the skin. Apply to the front of legs for golden limbs to rival a supermodel. Shimmering body oil, £68, Tom Ford (tomford.com)

Hit refresh Summer is upon us. Which means that inevitable re-evaluation of how we look and feel all of a sudden comes to the fore of our minds; could we have more energy, feel less tired and generally feel healthier? So often, the answer is a resounding yes. Cue in Bodyflow, a holistic wellness company founded by a health and well-being expert of 16 years Gemma Ireland, who works with a team of experts to deliver an array of treatments, from yoga to reflexology and massage and much more. What sets Bodyflow apart is its calibre of therapists – I tried a reflexology session with Gemma herself, and remarkably, after what felt like the most dreamy foot massage I’ve ever had, my energy levels felt quickly replenished and rejuvenated. And where, you may ask, can we find Bodyflow? You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your house, as the team will come to you – what better excuse to carve out some ‘me’ time. (bodyflow.co.uk)

Travel light The only thing better than a having a bottle of one of Frederic Malle’s heavenly fragrances is having a perfectly travel-sized version to pop in your tote and carry around with you for a quick spritz on the go. The perfumer’s new travel case was inspired by the concept of Bauhaus and the way it married function and form in clean, simple lines. It comes in Frederic Malle’s signature red, as well as black, and perfectly protects the 10ml refills of perfume you can purchase for inside – classic and chic. Travel case, £30, and refills from £65, Frederic Malle (liberty.co.uk) 101


Out of the blues Dr Tim Lebens discusses the causes, symptoms and treatments of depression

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o you ever feel overwhelmed with the daily grind? Or find yourself losing control over aspects of your life? Stress is an established feature in today’s busy lifestyle, but it can easily manifest itself as anxiety or depression. Left unrecognised, this can perpetuate negative feelings and become destructive. Before long, relationships and work can be affected by inadvertent and damaging behaviours associated with the condition. Depression is common and can occur in as many as 1 in 4 of us during our lifetime. It may be triggered by events and a susceptibility to react to the world around us, secondary to our genetic or physiological make-up. Contrary to common belief, feeling low in mood is rarely the only symptom and there are typically many physical signs of depression. Your sleeping pattern can become broken or erratic, particularly waking early in the morning and struggling to fall back to sleep. There may be a loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss, or sometimes a tendency to comfort eat.

Changes in lifestyle are crucial to improve the chances of recovery and in maintaining your mental health. The focus should be on a healthy diet, optimising your nutritional requirements (plenty of fruit and vegetables), regular exercise, stress management and a reduction in alcohol intake. In some people, recreational drug use may also be responsible for triggering depression and can often be overlooked. Another treatment currently ‘in vogue’ is mindfulness which can be incredibly helpful and need only take a few minutes a day. I would recommend ‘Headspace’, which is available as a mobile app.

Mentally, depression can make you feel low, constantly fatigued, absent minded and can cause difficulty in concentrating on some aspects of work. There is usually a loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy and you may struggle to look forward to simple pleasures. Irritability, low self-esteem and loss of libido are other common features.

If you are concerned you may be living with depression, or have other concerns about your mental health, it is important to speak to your GP. They can advise you on how to manage the symptoms and may refer you on for further treatments.

In moderate to severe depression, antidepressants can be helpful to get your life back on track. Antidepressants are not addictive and help to correct the chemical imbalance that may be causing your symptoms. They can take 4-6 weeks to work and are generally used for a minimum of 6 months.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar and persist for more than a fortnight, it would be worth talking to your doctor. If you would like to check if you are depressed, a useful and validated questionnaire is the ‘PHQ-9’ that you can find online. Depression can run in families. However, due to the sensitive nature of the condition, we are often unaware of the diagnosis in relatives and even ourselves. Biological causes of depression tend to be less common, but it may be the result of a low blood count, nutritional deficiencies or thyroid disease. Depending on your signs and symptoms, your doctor may consider arranging some blood tests. The good news is that depression is a treatable condition. If mild to moderate, people tend to respond well to ‘talking’ therapies, which may include CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). A useful self-help programme for CBT can be found on www.moodgym.anu.edu.au or your GP may decide to refer you to a psychotherapist. For further information or if you would like to arrange an appointment at The Wellington Hospital, please contact the Enquiry Helpline on 020 7483 5004 or visit thewellingtonhospital.com


The mayfair Magazine | Health Promotion

meet the specialist Dr Tim Lebens BM, DFFP, MRCGP is a Private GP at The Wellington Hospital’s Platinum Medical Centre in St John’s Wood. He trained at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington and has also worked in Psychiatry at The Priory Hospital, London. His specialist interests include Men’s and Women’s Health, Psychiatry and latest advances in General Medicine.


Beauty | The mayfair Magazine

Spa review Abigail James at Liz Earle WORD S : g a b r i e l l e l a n e

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aving a facial that makes your skin glow afterwards isn’t rare. But having one that actually manages to change your beauty habits in the long-term, is. For this reason, skincare brand Liz Earle has dedicated the treatment room at its boutique in Duke of York Square to Abigail James – a therapist with more than a decade of experience, who has delighted in transforming it into a homely bubble of French shabby chic décor, turquoise water glasses and feather-lined duvets. James is widely known in the industry for her ability to make you look and feel five years younger in an hour, which is why Liz Earle must have been so pleased to have her on board. ‘The team let me choose the furnishings myself,’ she told me as I arrived for a Hero Facial. I had expected the treatment to be as relaxing as any other, with glossy-faced but short-lived results. In fact, I now have a shelf of duck-egg blue lotions and potions, which I remain devoted to more than a month later. I even own a muslin cloth, thus helping to buff off dead skin cells each time I apply them. And two further members of the editorial team have taken to buying their own Cleanse & Polish, a creamy cleanser that doesn’t lather. The reason? I left the Hero Facial with a brighter, tighter complexion but a completely dry face. When I suggested to Abigail that treatment results are usually masked under a layer of serum, she looked surprised. ‘You don’t need to apply lots of product,’ she mumbled humbly. The key is to use the right ones sparingly, and combine this with a lifting massage and technology that is tailored to your skin type. During my visit, the bespoke nature of

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the facial involved use of steam and oxygen to open and cleanse the pores and time spent under an LED light pod that uses blue rays to kill bacteria and red to promote collage production which firms the skin. I went straight to lunch afterwards, and wore no make-up for the next two days. Simply, I will never use face wipes again. Hero Facial, from £180, Liz Earle, 38-39 Duke of York Square, SW3 (uk.lizearle.com)


More than

300 million GP consultations take Place a year in the uk.

our private GPs are available for appointments at short notice, offering same day access to diagnostics scanning. They can organise diagnostic blood tests and refer you on to a specialist, when necessary.

Call our team today

www.thewellingtonhospital.com

020 7483 5004


Food & Drink | The mayfair Magazine

Park life The Four Seasons at Park Lane is bringing about nostalgic memories of family picnics on warm spring afternoons with the picnic-inspired afternoon tea for two. Served from a wicker hamper (for what true British picnic would be complete without one?) the afternoon tea includes classic sandwiches served in vintage tins, sweet desserts and, of course, Champagne. Enjoying the inventive Pimm’s mousse with the leafy viewpoint of Hyde Park will surely set your summer in motion. From £39 per person, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, Hamilton Place, Park Lane, W1J (fourseasons.com)

Food & drink news With spring well and truly sprung chefs, confectioners and Champagne houses have produced some seasonal specials with a distinct floral theme words: amy welch

Objects of desire In another delectable collaboration, Ladurée has teamed up with the renowned pearl jeweller MIKIMOTO to produce some predictably scrumptious macarons. The pièce Montée de choux is the absolute piece de resistance, a towering pink pyramid of iced choux pastries filled with rose and lychee crème patissiere, while the boxes of eight offer a subtle nod to MIKIMOTO’s precious pearls with jewellery printed on the pastel gift boxes – ideal for spring wedding favours. MIKIMOTO and Ladurée macarons, Ladurée, 71-72 Burlington Arcade, W1J (laduree.com)

Toast of the town Celebrating with a bottle of Dom Pérignon does not require much coercion. As the Champagne house takes over a traditional London townhouse this month, we celebrate the craft and creativity behind its signature vintages. Dedicating each level of the townhouse to a different vintage, opulent dinners and tastings will take place and Michelin-starred chef Skye Gyngell is on hand to create a bespoke menu. It’s a fine reason to raise a glass. Le 3 Étages by Dom Pérignon, 5-14 May at a secret central London location (uk.domperignon.com/les3etages)

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Green thumb It seems all of Mayfair is in bloom this month, taking inspiration from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester is no exception, presenting a quirky lunch flower menu to be served during the week of the famous show, running from 19-22 May. Each dish depicts a miniature garden – the Pistachio and Strawberry Field dessert tastes as delightful as it appears, made from light pistachio mousse, white chocolate and strawberry marmalade. £60 per person, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, 53 Park Lane, W1K (020 7629 8866; dorchestercollection.com)


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

www.snowleopardvodka.co.uk


Food & Drink | The mayfair Magazine

DINING OUT Engawa, Ham Yard WOR D S : l a u r e n r o m a n o

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ive or take a few, there are only 3,000 Kobe cattle raised every year. This prized beef, which was banned from import into the EU until last May, is the most costly of all cuts. The Beyoncé of the bovine world – if the rumours are to be believed – it’s not unknown for farmers to massage their herd, feed them beer and even brush their coats with saké to soften the distinctly fat-marbled brawn. And as I tuck into an eight-course tasting dinner at Engawa at The Ham Yard Hotel complex, where menus are arranged around this delicacy, I think that I make a fair stab at working my way through the UK’s quota. Here, the meat is served in a number of ways – from raw to seared, teppanyaki style. I’d read up on its so called ‘melt in the mouth’ qualities with some scepticism, but it only takes one course for me to appreciate the unique taste sensation that knocks the socks off even the juiciest fillet steak. Crossing the twinkly lit courtyard from the bar at the hotel, it seems ‘quiet’ is definitely the operative word here. I spy a quintet of chefs manning the grill in the open kitchen in full view of the diners who have managed to obtain coveted front-row seats. Diners can choose from three, five or eight courses in the evening and a selection of bento boxes at lunchtime. I am swayed into the full eight courses by the charming manager Daniel Ashworth who formerly worked at Nobu.

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As the courses begin to arrive in quick succession, I’m grateful for the loose waistband on my trousers. Arriving spectacularly atop a block of ice, the dainty dish of Kobe beef yukhoe – finely chopped cubes of beef swimming in dashi stock and garnished with grated yam and peppery strands of spring onion julienne – is the best of the trio of appetisers, which also include a smooth chawan-mushi and kobe beef soup and a prawn and vegetable tempura ball. A sashimi selection follows, and it is with regret that I have to skewer a slippery scallop that eludes my (highly accomplished) chopstick skills, ruining the neat aesthetic in one fell swoop. For the main event we are asked to choose our preferred cut from two raw slabs presented with a flourish in a black box, and a plate of thinly sliced, rare-cooked steak promptly arrives. Defeated by the buttery Kobe, I am about to throw in my napkin when a sushi platter appears on a little wooden plinth, leaving a maki roll and various other slivers of fish hovering at mouth level. Having said that, I still manage to find room in my ‘dessert stomach’ for the tofu cheesecake served with a green tea infused chocolate dipping sauce. It surprises me that the chefs haven’t thought up an inventive way to Kobify this end note, but then that really would be too much of a good thing. Engawa, 2 Ham Yard, W1D (engawa.uk)

below: ImageS courtesy of Daisuke Shima Nacása & Partners Inc


mayfair

Resident’s Journal

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

Secretary Richard Cutt (Crossrail & Finance)

Planning Applications Ronald Cottee (Planning)

Membership Howard Evans (Events & Membership)

Traffic Lois Peltz

Police Marie-Louise Burrows

Licensing Derek Stratton


mayfair

Resident’s Journal

Mayfair Matters Each month we invite some of Mayfair’s experts to share their vision for the area

will bax

all photography by sarel jansen

The Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum has set out to improve and preserve Mayfair and its many facets. We discuss the role of the organisation at our monthly meeting at the Royal Academy of Arts’ private members’ club

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hen it comes to defining Mayfair, numerous facets that make up this unique place come to mind. Buzzwords like culture, art, commerce, retail, luxury, quality of life and community can all be mentioned in the same breath – but this month, we question how all of these elements come together. The 110

Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum was the first formally-designated local forum by the Westminster City Council in 2013 and has set out to do exactly that, by putting together its official Plan to improve the area, including all matters relating to Mayfair, from streetscapes, to the safety of its residents and public spaces, and ensuring it retains its heritage and charm,

while moving forward with our times. In order to achieve this, the people who work, live in and visit Mayfair are already signing up to be a part of this exciting time for the area; as the Forum notably provides a platform where businesses and residents can come together. To celebrate this, joining us at the Royal Academy is a combination of both the movers and shakers who either live or work (or both) in the area including: Harvey Cyzer, partner and head of Knight Frank’s Mayfair office; Will Bax, chairman of the Forum and also responsible for Grosvenor’s London Estate portfolio; Mark Henderson, a business member of the Forum and also chairman of Gieves & Hawkes and founder of The New Craftsmen; and George Hammer, a resident member of the Forum and chairman of his Mayfair-based business Hammer Holdings. Cyzer: The obvious con for an estate agent is this misconception that every property we sell at Knight Frank or other agents is sold to an international person who pays no tax, who doesn’t live in Mayfair, who comes to Mayfair seldomly and if you were to pass his flat on Mount Street you would see a light on twice a year. Although Mayfair is incredibly expensive as everyone well knows, in comparison to other areas, there are a number of English people who do live here, and North European people and we see that now more and more. I’ve been in the area since the early 1970s, and on the positive side, you see that there is much more diversification and many more options now for


george hammer

people. If you want to get an inexpensive sandwich you can, if you want to go to the chemist, those amenities are here too. You don’t have to go back too far to find that Mayfair was once extremely difficult to operate in and function in a normal financial way. That’s really helped people who commute in and who are transient through Mayfair or have to stay in a hotel in Mayfair. You don’t have to go to Fortnum & Mason as you used to for your shopping; there’s a Tesco at the end of Jermyn Street. That never used to be the case. Bax: What’s the purpose of Mayfair? This has been quite an interesting discussion within the Forum, because you have residents sitting round the table like George, who wears both hats; he runs businesses in Mayfair but is also a resident. The purpose of Mayfair since the Second World War at least, has been that it is the commercial heart and the leisure heart of London. We’ve seen that consolidated and almost reinvent itself as that through time over the last 60 or 70 years, to this extraordinarily international, dynamic place which it currently is today. That puts all sorts of pressures on the neighbourhood in how it balances that role as London’s most important retail and leisure district with its role as a broad neighbourhood for people to live in and work in. Of course, there are many more amazing things about Mayfair than need fixing but there are things

mark henderson

that need improving. Despite the fact that I agree with Harvey that there is a resident population that genuinely does live here, there are still lots of empty homes in Mayfair that mean that it is outside of opening hours. It can be a lonely place. We need to consider that. Given its international standing and the quality of its urban realm, it’s poor, for example, Oxford Street is the most polluted street in Europe is a big issue that we also need to consider. It’s about balancing the exclusivity, which is so important to it – this idea that Mayfair is expensive, we’re not going to change that – but it needs to be inclusive. I think we can do more to address that through effective management of land use and retailers. The fundamental issue is one of balance. It’s balancing this important world role that Mayfair plays for our city with liveability for people who work here and are residents here. Henderson: I’ve been here since the 1980s and one of my thoughts about Mayfair, is that above all else, it’s a meeting place. It doesn’t really fall into any particular category and that’s its absolute joy. It’s not The City of London, so it’s not a place where there are lots of people doing nothing but work and there are a lot of people in the City, who love the idea of being able to work here. It’s not a pure place to live, either. It’s unique in that it’s a blend of

high-end retail, culture, hotels, restaurants, offices and residential that’s unparalleled anywhere in the world and the particularly special thing about it is that above all it’s a place where people can meet; but it’s not just luxury. There are convenience stores, affordable housing and start-up businesses as well, making it a comfortable and fun to live and work in. There are some extraordinary places to be found here. It’s about making the most of this particular space. Obviously planning regulations can determine whether a certain place gets knocked down or not, because five years ago it was in a pretty shabby state. Clearly I think somewhere like Savile Row is important, as I have said many times, it’s an absolute joy to walk down that street and see a hundred people making things in the middle of London. It’s part of the character that makes Mayfair a gorgeous place to come. Hammer: I’ve lived in Mayfair since 1973. I bought a little derelict house actually – it was freehold, one of the few freeholds in Mayfair – for about £30,000 at the time. I’ve seen Mayfair change a lot over the years; some good and some not so good. I’ve always considered London to be the world’s capital centre and it really is. I’ve argued this with many a foreigner over dinner, and I’ve always won. No one has been able to defeat my argument that Mayfair is the capital. From my perspective, the Forum really does serve to bring together not only residents but businesses too. The Forum is for people who live and work in Mayfair, and there are many more people who work in Mayfair than live in Mayfair and we’ve got to communicate that. There are differences of opinion on this but my own feeling is that the more people who belong, the stronger the Forum is, the more we can do something and the more we can keep that balance between community. For further enquiries about the Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum visit (mayfairlocal.com)

harvey cyzer

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mayfair

Resident’s Journal

The Notebook

from top: John Monks, Archive II, 2014 to 2015, oil on canvas, 123 x 154 cm from Long & Ryle; Reclining Lioness by Charles Valton from Hickmet Fine Art

Our latest dispatch of local news from around Mayfair

SAVE THE DATE For discerning collectors and first-time buyers alike, we cannot think of a better occasion to revel in Mayfair’s rich art and antiques scene than the LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair later this summer. Running from 22-27 September, the distinguished fair (now in its seventh year) will take over Berkeley Square with over 100 exhibitors with exceptional works of furniture, jewellery, antiquities, ceramics and fine art. LAPADA holds a strong reputation as the largest society of professional art and antiques dealers in the UK, and this year’s fair will no doubt show a vast array of fascinating objets d’art – a cabinet of curiosities in the heart of Mayfair. Tickets are available from lapadalondon.com 112


THE ARTIST Artistic residencies have married together visionary artists and fine London hotels for many years. A fruitful creative partnership that can both enthral and inspire guests, this summer the Corinthia Hotel will revolutionise the practice of choosing an artist in residence by holding a competition – the prize is a coveted month’s artistic residency at the hotel. With the theme of opera as the brief, contemporary opera companies and composers will pitch ideas for a piece, to be performed in September to the public. No part of the hotel is off limits, from the grand penthouses to the kitchens, as creative minds can become inspired by every inch of the hotel. We cannot wait to discover the winning concept on 30 April. (corinthia.com)

image courtesy of Grosvenor

Corinthia Hotel London

MAYFAIR IN BLOOM Scott’s already presents a wonderful vantage point to sit and survey life in Mayfair. Adorn its Terrace in a swathe of sumptuous wild flowers and you get a fine dining destination come horticultural spectacular. Taking inspiration from the Chelsea Flower Show, landscape garden designer Marcus Barnett, who has designed this year’s Telegraph Garden, has transformed the Terrace at Scott’s into a multicoloured taste of the English countryside. As guests dine amongst wild flowers, what better place to enjoy a glass of Champagne and watch the world go by. 19-22 May at Scott’s, 20 Mount Street, W1K (020 7495 7309; scotts-restaurant.com)

WESTMINSTER’S MILE Starting on The Mall and finishing at Buckingham Palace, the Bupa Westminster Mile has become one of the most iconic miles in the world. This year’s race for charity is sure to set spirits high with categories for all ages and abilities – a number of all-female races are also set to take place for the first time in support of Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign. Runners and spectators can marvel at the stunning architecture all around, from Downing Street and the Cabinet War Rooms to St James’s Park in full bloom. 24 May (bupawestminstermile. co.uk)

MARVELLING AT MAYFAIR The day has nearly arrived, where Mayfairians will raise a glass of Champagne (or a cocktail or two) to all that makes Mayfair great, at the annual Summer Garden Party in the Mount Street Gardens. It’s not only the perfect way to spend a lovely summer evening, but an opportunity to network with local residents and discuss the area as a place to live and work. You can meet the members of the Residents’ Society of Mayfair & St James’s and the Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum to discuss your ideas about how the area could be improved or better served. We’d certainly raise a glass to that. Tuesday 23rd June, 6pm to 9pm. To purchase tickets visit rsmsj.com

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mayfair

Resident’s Journal

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

The High Price of Oxford Street

Planning applications in the local area

The prime office and residential property of 431-451 Oxford Street has more than doubled in value in the past 16 months

DATE RECEIVED: 9 March PROPOSAL: Internal reconfiguration of existing building to provide four residential flats ADDRESS: 1 Red Lion Yard

431-451 Oxford Street finds itself in an increasingly sought-after location. The 53,000-square-foot property, comprising offices and apartments, sits on the northern outskirts of Mayfair on the corner of North Audley Street and Oxford Street, opposite the iconic Selfridges department store. The luxury property investor Tribeca Holdings Ltd bought the property for £127 million in 2013, it is now estimated to be worth as much as £300 million as Tribeca is set to treble rental income after buying out other occupiers and renting the below stores to luxury retailers. Given the building’s proximity to Mayfair’s growing luxury retail and London’s awaited high-speed Crossrail (the property will be about 160 meters from the Bond Street station due to open in 2018), it is little wonder that value has IMAGE: CHRISTINE MATTHEWS increased so significantly.

DATE RECEIVED: 5 March PROPOSAL: Retention of shop front ADDRESS: 10 Shepherd Market DATE RECEIVED: 9 March PROPOSAL: Installation of replacement signage and replacement flag on existing flag pole and replacement awning ADDRESS: 22 Old Bond Street DATE RECEIVED: 3 March PROPOSAL: External alterations to include replacement windows, roof and wall insulation and the installation of PV panels at roof level ADDRESS: 3-5 Mount Row

Planned road works and closures in May STREET

PLANNED WORK

DATES WORKS OWNER

Carlos Place

Repair to a leaking Thames main in Carriageway

11-13 May

Thames Water 0845 9200 800

Vigo Street

Excavate and locate existing electrical cables

18 May until 5 June

GTC Pipelines Ltd 01359 240363

Regent Street

Repair to a damaged water main in Carriageway

2-3 May

Thames Water 0845 9200 800

Clifford Street

Carriageway resurfacing

11-12 May

City Of Westminster 020 7641 2000

New Bond Street

Carriageway resurfacing

11-12 May

City of Westminster 020 7641 2000

mayfair Resident’s Journal

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


The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

Remembering

MAYFAIR b r o w n h a r t g a r d e n s duke street

T

he tranquil green spaces of Mayfair, adorned with statues and relics of the past as they are, often appear as old as time itself. Brown Hart Gardens is one such example, with its Edwardian Baroque architecture. The Grade II listed space offers an interesting insight into the area’s development at the turn of the 20th century. It began life as Duke Street Gardens in 1889, when Duke Street was expanded to the west. The communal garden was created for the residents of the dwellings in nearby Brown Street and Hart Street. Fourteen years later the second Duke of Westminster leased the land to the Westminster Electricity Supply Co. with plans to construct a large sub-station. The industrial plans did not receive the warmest of welcomes by residents. Although they had disdained the uncouth company the Duke Street Gardens had attracted, they did not wish to lose a rare communal space. In a bid to appease local unrest, the sub-station scheme proposed to reinstate the communal gardens above the construction, to be designed by architect C. Stanley Peach. Peach’s authority on electrical

works (he previously designed a number of elegant industrial buildings including a generating station on the corner of Davies Street and Weighhouse Street to much praise) was a far cry from the aesthetic and ornate requirements of a central Mayfair garden. However, after much initial opposition, Duke Street Gardens later became Brown Hart Gardens, and was generally welcomed and enjoyed. With 950 square metres of Portland stone, a domed gazebo and steps at both ends, Peach’s designs presented a forward-thinking and elevated respite from city life. Today the space is still owned by Grosvenor Estate and after over 20 years of closure to the public, Brown Hart Gardens re-opened in 2007, returning to its core purpose as a key communal space. An enduring link to the gardens’ history remains through the peculiar byelaws dating back to the original Duke Street Gardens – the most whimsical of which is that brawling, quarrelling, singing and the practicing of gymnastics are strictly prohibited (bath chairs are also not permitted). But it’s a wonderful place to take a moment’s respite from the city.

image courtesy of Grosvenor

‘Today the space is still owned by Grosvenor Estates’ 115


Property | The mayfair Magazine

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

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

Paddington & Bayswater carter jonas

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

127 Mount Street W1K 3NT 020 7493 0676

Pimlico & Westminster

London, Mayfair & St James’s

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

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

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

Savills

Knightsbridge

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

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

Mayfair

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

Hanover residential

West End

49 Welbeck Street W1G 9XN 020 3540 5990

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

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

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

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

Sloane Street

St John’s Wood ChestertonS

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

Knight Frank

Mayfair

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

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

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

13 Hill Street W1J 5LQ 020 7629 7282

Marylebone

Knightsbridge

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

Strutt & Parker

London Head Office

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

Harrods Estates

Knightsbridge

82 Brompton Road SW3 1ER 020 7225 6506

Mayfair Hamptons International

Chelsea

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

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

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

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

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


showcasing the

finest HOMES & PROPERTY from the best estate agents

The high life Exceptional properties with exquisite interiors arrive on the market

Image: harrods estates (harrodsestates.com)


Maddox Street, Mayfair W1S A one bedroom pied-à-terre A perfect one bedroom lateral apartment on fashionable Maddox Street. This well proportioned property benefits from a contemporary south facing kitchen/reception room, Juliet balconies, impressive ceiling heights and air conditioning. Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen/reception room. EPC: C. Approximately 36 sq m (385 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 119 years remaining

Guide price: £1,150,000

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/WER140123

1, 50 Maddox MM May

10/04/2015 15:08:54

4,


54

Green Street, Mayfair W1K A two bedroom triplex penthouse with terrace A two bedroom apartment situated behind a beautiful Portland stone fronted facade. The property has been finished with high quality materials including Carrera marble and a Schiffini kitchen and further benefits from a private roof terrace and open plan kitchen/dining room. 2 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, kitchen/dining room, reception room, guest WC, study, roof terrace. EPC: D. Approximately 164 sq m (1,765 sq ft). Share of freehold

Guide price: £3,500,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7484 John-Taylor.co.uk london@john-taylor.com 020 3284 1888

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/WER150014

4, 40 Green St MM May

13/04/2015 11:03:24


Upper Brook Street, Mayfair W1K A beautifully presented two bedroom apartment with porter A recently refurbished two bedroom lateral apartment, situated on the fifth floor of a beautiful period building on prestigious Upper Brook Street. Master bedroom with en suite bathroom, bedroom 2 with en suite shower room, reception room, kitchen, lift access, porter. EPC: C. Approximately 112 sq m (1,206 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 99 years remaining

Guide price: £3,750,000

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/WER140171

15,42 UBS MM May

10/04/2015 14:59:25

Ea


25

Earlham Street, Covent Garden WC2 A stylish three bedroom apartment with lift access A contemporary three bedroom lateral apartment situated in the Seven Dials district of Covent Garden, benefiting from a generous open plan kitchen/reception room and lift access. Situated on the second floor of a popular residential building, this loft style apartment combines character with the convenience of modern day living. 3 bedrooms, bathroom, 2 shower rooms, open plan kitchen/reception room, lift. EPC: C. Approximately 132 sq m (1,422 sq ft). Share of freehold

Guide price: £2,995,950

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/WER150011

Earlham St MM May

13/04/2015 11:01:50


Jermyn Street, St James's SW1 A smart one bedroom lateral apartment with porter A newly refurbished one bedroom pied-à-terre situated in a secure, Grade II listed building in the heart of London's oldest district. The property offers a bright and modern living space with high ceilings throughout, and further benefits from lift access and porterage. Bedroom, bathroom, open plan kitchen/reception room, lift, porter. EPC: D. Approximately 41 sq m (439 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 161 years remaining

Guide price: £875,000

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/WER140110

18 Bank chambers MM May

10/04/2015 15:01:33

Pe


33

EXCEPTIONAL PROPERTIES IN MAYFAIR To find out how we can help you or to request your no obligation market appraisal please contact us: KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7484

Guide price: £1,625,000

Bourdon Street, Mayfair W1K A two bedroom lateral apartment situated on the fourth floor of a quiet residential block just off Bond Street. 2 bedrooms, bathroom, shower room, reception room, kitchen, lift access. EPC: C. Approximately 62 sq m (669 sq ft). mayfair@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 7484

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £1,750,000

Gilbert Street, Mayfair W1K A smart two bedroom apartment situated in an imposing Georgian building moments from Oxford Street. Bedroom with en suite bathroom, bedroom 2, shower room, kitchen, reception/dining room. EPC: C. Approximately 106 sq m (1,140 sq ft). mayfair@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 7484

Peterson house & Bloomfield MM May

17/04/2015 11:56:22


KF_DPS_LHP.indd 1

14/04/2015 09:42

KF_


XLI

Green Street Mayfair W1K

Located on one of Mayfair’s premier streets behind a beautiful period red brick fronted façade. This superbly appointed and rare six floor town house (524 sq m / 5,638 sq ft) has direct access to the coveted communal Green Street Gardens. The property is fully modernised with some outstanding architectural features and offers a wonderful, light and voluminous space with a lift to all floors, plus a private roof terrace. EPC: D.

Freehold Guide Price £16,500,000 joint sole agents

Mayfair

020 3284 1888 london@john-taylor.com

09:42

KF_DPS_RHP.indd 2

020 7499 1012 KnightFrank.co.uk

14/04/2015 10:19


Hyde Park Gardens, Hyde Park W2 Magnificent apartment with direct access to award winning communal gardens A beautifully presented Grade II listed apartment in this prestigious block benefiting from exceptional living and entertaining space and with wonderful south facing green views towards Hyde Park. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen/breakfast room, cloakroom, balcony and terrace with direct access to the communal gardens. Approximately 331 sq m (3,566 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 119 years remaining

Guide price: £10,750,000

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/HPE120109

4 2 Hyde Park Gardens The Mayfair Mag May 2015

15/04/2015 10:45:06

15


06

Hyde Park Square, Hyde Park W2 A spectacular three bedroom lateral penthouse with access to garden square A luxurious penthouse apartment that has been extensively refurbished to create a contemporary light filled living space overlooking two garden squares, located in a Grade II listed white stucco building. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception/dining room, kitchen, cloakroom, comfort cooling, lift, porter, access to private communal gardens. Approximately 217 sq m (2,336 sq ft). Share of freehold

Guide price: £4,950,000

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/HPE140222

15 21 Hyde Park Square - Mayfair Mag May 2015

15/04/2015 10:42:01


Denman Place, Soho W1D A truly unique selection of apartments These beautifully interior designed one two and three bedroom apartment have use of the luxury services of the recently opened Ham Yard Hotel including 24 hour concierge service, access to the bar, restaurant, gym, spa, state of the art cinema, roof top gardens and bowling alley. EPC: C-D. Approximately 53 sq m (527 sq ft) - 110 sq m (1,584 sq ft). Available furnished

Guide price: £2,276 - £9,000 per week KnightFrank.co.uk/MAQ215441

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

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

Mayfair Lettings - Mayfair Mag May 4

16/04/2015 09:30:27

Le


27

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

Guide price: £850 per week

St James's Street, St James's SW1

-->

An exceptional one bedroom lateral apartment with 24 hour porterage. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, reception room, kitchen, lift. EPC: D. Approximately 59 sq m (631 sq ft). Available furnished. mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 7799

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £1,400 per week

Reeves Mews, Mayfair W1K A bright two bedroom apartment situated within a Mews House in Mayfair. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, dining area, kitchen, lift, caretaker. EPC: C. Approximately 69 sq m (742 sq ft). Available furnished. mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 8166 7799

Lettings Mayfair Mag - May 3

15/04/2015 14:27:45


Adams Row, Mayfair W1K passivhaus maisonette in Mayfair The key benefit of this passivhaus is reduction in utility expenditure, the average annual energy bill is around £300. There is a constant ambient temperature of 17ᵒC. There are no drafts due to the triple glazed windows and the Heat Recovery Ventilation system guarantees clean air with 80% of the air impurities and pollution filtered out of the incoming air supply. This impressive maisonette comprises 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room and dining area, open plan kitchen with a steam oven and an induction hob, study. Approximately 168 sq m (1,817 sq ft). Available furnished Guide price: £2,500 per week KnightFrank.co.uk/MAQ215696

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

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

Mayfair Mag - Lettings May 3

16/04/2015 09:31:17

Ma


17

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

Guide price: £2,150 per week

Hyde Park Square, Hyde Park W2

-->

A spacious Grade II listed three bedroom apartment located on one of London's finest garden squares. 3 bedrooms (all en suite), large reception room, south facing balcony, contemporary eat in kitchen and guest cloakroom. Approximately 205 sq m (2,207 sq ft). hydeparklettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 7941

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

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Guide price: £4,500 per week

Weymouth Mews, Marylebone W1 A unique triple aspect house that has been interior designed throughout to the highest standard. Master bedroom suite with dressing room, 2 further bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, double height entertaining space, garage. Approximately 204 sq m (2,196 sq ft). marylebonelettings@knightfrank.com Office: 020 3641 5853

Mayfair Mag May 20151

15/04/2015 16:09:00


savills.co.uk

1 DUPLEX PENTHOUSE APARTMENT WITH A FABULOUS ROOF TERRACE duraven street, w1 Reception room ø kitchen/dining room ø master bedroom with en suite bathroom ø further double bedroom ø shower room ø guest w.c. ø balcony ø 166 sq m (1,788 sq ft) ø roof terrace ø EPC=E Guide £4.75 million Leasehold, approximately 989 years remaining plus Share of Freehold

Savills Mayfair Lindsey Webb lwebb@savills.com

020 7578 5100


savills.co.uk

LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY

1

A RECENTLY REFURBISHED FLAT SET IN THE HEART OF ST. JAMES'S st. james's chambers, ryder street, sw1 ø 2 bedrooms ø open plan kitchen/dining room ø 2 bathrooms ø lift ø building manager ø 104 sq m (1,122 sq ft) ø Council Tax=G ø EPC=C

Savills Mayfair Diana Tran dtran@savills.com

020 7578 5100 Furnished £1,295 per week + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply* *£36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor reference where required. Inventory check out fee – charged at the end of or early termination of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.


Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Bryanston Court, W1H An impressive refurbished three bedroom, three bathroom apartment in a popular portered block. Having undergone a comprehensive programme of high specification renovation and interior design by the London based company Base Interior, this apartment has blended luxury modern living with the character of the building. EPC: D

From £3,750,000 Leasehold • • • • •

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

Three bedrooms Three bathrooms Refurbished Porter Approx 1,492 sq ft


Portland Place, W1B A spacious four bedroom lateral apartment located in a fantastic building on the third floor (with lift) in a portered block. The property comprises of three good size double bedrooms and a fourth bedroom which could be used as a study. The apartment benefits from fantastic formal entertaining space, as well as an underground parking space plus a storage room. The property is located on a wonderful street very close to Regent’s Park and within walking distance of all the local amenities of Marylebone High Street. EPC: C

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

£2,650 per week Unfurnished • • • • • •

Four bedrooms Three Bathrooms Porter Lift Underground parking Storage room


Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Warwick Square A stunning four bedroom maisonette on Warwick Square, arranged over two floors. With all the elegance and grandeur expected on the square these beautiful rooms offer high ceilings with ornate cornicing, handmade oak floors, beautiful fire place and fantastic proportions. EPC: E

£3,490,000 Share of Freehold • • • • • •

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

Four bedrooms Three reception rooms Three bathrooms Period Access to private garden Over 2,500 approx sq ft


Bickenhall Mansions Located in this popular portered mansion building a stones throw from Regents Park and Marylebone is this bright south west facing lateral apartment. Measuring in excess of 2100sq ft the apartment comprises four bedrooms and a double length reception room. EPC: D

£3,150,000 Leasehold • • • • • •

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

Double length reception room Kitchen Three/four bedrooms Bathroom and shower room Two balconies Residents lift


Great Scott’s

Iconic Mount Street parade up for £110m?

A

key section of Mayfair’s Mount Street could be up for grabs after its British owners reportedly received an unsolicited bid of £90m. There’ve been various whispers that the prominent parade of buildings at 14-25 Mount Street, which gourmands may recognise as the home of seafood sensation Scott’s, is now very quietly available, although it sounds like prospective buyers will need to shell out more like £110m to be in with a chance of reeling it in. The 21,365-square-foot slice of primest Mayfair includes eight other commercial spaces occupied by the likes of Marc Jacobs and Ralph Lauren, along with all that resi above; the buildings are five storeys high and feature a number of apartments and penthouses. Names that have been linked with the potential deal include the Safra Group, members of the Qatari royal family, and the Reubens brothers, with Knight Frank in charge of proceedings.

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

Audley cue

Mayfair car park poised for super-prime transformation

N

ew plans have been submitted to turn a pretty uninspiring Mayfair car park into a 200,000-square-foot neo-classical residential scheme. It’s already being tipped to become ‘London’s most exclusive address’. The existing six-storey structure – primarily fronting Audley Square – dates back to 1962 and is described as ‘utilitarian’ and ‘almost industrial’ in the planning application to Westminster Council, with a countenance that ‘detracts from the character and appearance of the Mayfair Conservation Area’. This isn’t the first time a demolition job has been mooted, but these latest proposals – submitted on behalf of mobile

phone mogul John Caudwell and designed by legendary US architecture practice Robert A.M. Stern – involve the creation of 30 ‘super-prime’ apartments above ground, with residents’ parking and a whopping great subterranean leisure complex below. It appears like there are three penthouses planned on top, one of which looks to be a triplex stonker that has ‘recordbreaker’ written all over it. If all goes to plan, the Portland stone-clad ‘Audley Square House’ will rise nine storeys above ground and turn a pricey parking spot into what could well be Mayfair’s long-awaited answer to One Hyde Park…

photograph by Basher Eyre (CC by SA 3-0)

138


The mayfair Magazine | Property

MARKET INSIGHT

Going green

Grosvenor retrofits create London’s greenest period rental properties

F

ollowing up on its BREEAM Outstanding-rated retrofit in Belgravia, Grosvenor is bringing home even more from the sustainability front, retrofitting three rental properties in Mayfair and Belgravia to ‘EnerPHit Passivhaus’ standard – a first for London’s private rented sector – making them the most energy-efficient period homes to rent in the capital. It’s all part of Grosvenor’s initiative to sustainably retrofit its London portfolio of more than 500 rental properties to reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2023. So far, 300 units have already been retrofitted. The new Passivhaus-standard properties include a three-bedroom home on Adams Row, Mayfair, (available to rent for £2,500 pw) and two two-bedroom houses on Passmore Street, Belgravia (both already let). The standard, which delivers significantly lower energy bills as well as peace, clean air and a sense of wellbeing, is more typically found in glossy new-builds with a Kevin McCloud in the cupboard. Tenants living in sustainably retrofitted properties can expect to save up to £900 per year (c.80 per cent) on their heating bills, due to better insulation.

Partner and head of Knight Frank Mayfair, Harvey Cyzer, imparts his knowledge of the local property market The population of London has now passed its previous record-high, seen before the outbreak of WWII. Some forecast that by 2036, the city’s population will reach ten million, and demand for public transport will have risen by another 50 per cent. As a result, the arrival of Crossrail, the high-speed line which increases London’s rail capacity by ten per cent, is highly anticipated. The anticipation of new transport links has a clear relationship with price performance, with new research showing that, on average, prices within a 15-minute walk from Crossrail stations have already outperformed prices in the wider local authorities since the project was granted Royal Assent in 2008. The central section of Crossrail, running from Paddington to Canary Wharf, encompasses some of the largest regeneration projects being undertaken, such as the £1 billion overhaul of Tottenham Court Road Station and the new station at Canary Wharf. The biggest rises in residential prices have been seen within a ten-minute walk of Bond Street. Knight Frank analysis shows an 82 per cent uplift in prices in the area surrounding the station, which encompasses much of Mayfair. While some of this increase has been underpinned by the buoyant central London market, it does not explain the full uplift: prices in the Mayfair market were some 30 per cent higher at the end of Q3 2014 than July 2008. It can be argued that many stations have seen increased value that will come from a rejuvenation of the public realm, new high-end private developments as well as the new station and the transport benefits of the Crossrail link. We expect that residential prices around most Crossrail stations will outperform local markets between now and 2018. Knight Frank’s base forecasts show cumulative price growth of 15.2 per cent in prime central London between now and the end of 2018, with growth of around 18 per cent across London.

Image courtesy of Grosvenor

primeresi.com

knightfrank.co.uk 139


jackson-stops.co.uk

York Terrace East, NW1 A stucco fronted house of over 6,000 sq ft, located on the southern side of Regents Park. 3 reception rooms, kitchen, 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, shower room, wine cellar; roof terrace, garage. EPC rating TBC

Guide Price: ÂŁ8,750,000 Leasehold

People Property Places

FF58002

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

Offices in London and across the country


Star Yard, WC2A A nineteenth century freehold property measuring in excess of 3,000 sq ft, located in London’s Legal Quarter. Recently refurbished by award winning developers, Marldon, this former warehouse has been transformed into a four bedroom house.

Prices from £4,400,000/£2,995per week (fees apply)

People Property Places

FF55469

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

Offices in London and across the country


jackson-stops.co.uk

Albert Embankment, SE1 A first floor apartment (with lift) in a portered riverside development with direct views along the River Thames. Open plan reception/kitchen/dining room, 2 en suite double bedrooms, WC; secure parking. EPC rating C

ÂŁ1,795 per week (fees apply)

FF54591

Half Moon Street, W1J A split level garden apartment located in central Mayfair with full use of all hotel facilities. 2 reception rooms, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; garden, 24 hour concierge. EPC rating C

ÂŁ5,950 per week (fees apply)

People Property Places

FF53598

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

Offices in London and across the country


/di’skri:t/ adjective

The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid revealing confidential information. Most of the time we employ the widest range of bespoke, innovative marketing strategies available to achieve success for our clients. However, for the times when this isn’t appropriate for them, we are also trusted to market properties discreetly to the many registered applicants we have looking to buy or rent property.

Please get in touch to see how we can help.

jackson-stops.co.uk/london


FOR SALE UNIQUE ONE BEDROOM TOWN HOUSE

£1,650,000 Freehold

RED LION YARD, MAYFAIR W1

FURTHER DETAILS:

A rare opportunity to acquire a delightful one bedroom freehold Mayfair townhouse extending to 723 sq ft (66 sq m) in a small charming cobbled mews discreetly located just off Hill Street, close to the exclusive amenities of Mayfair and the surrounding area.

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

Hyde Park is a few minutes walk away and the boutiques of Mount Street and Bond Street are also close by making this unique property an ideal pied à terre. Accommodation: entrance hall, study/home office, guest cloakroom, reception room with open plan kitchen, master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and bathroom.

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


www.pastor-realestate.com

TO LET WOODS MEWS, MAYFAIR W1

£1,300 per week

Stunning refurbished duplex apartment in a quiet cobbled Mayfair mews off Park Lane. A few minute’s walk from Oxford Street and the open spaces of Hyde Park. The property extends to 1140 sq ft (105.91 sq m) and offers: entrance hall, L-shaped reception/dining room with access to large private patio garden and balcony, fully fitted kitchen, double bedroom with luxury en-suite bathroom, second double bedroom, shower room and security alarm.

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

TO LET EDWARDS MEWS, MARYLEBONE W1

£1,000 per week

Rarely available two bedroom penthouse apartment with wrap around terrace in a prestigious development moments from Oxford Street with separate entrance and lift access to the ninth floor. Extending to 904 sq ft and finished to the highest specification to provide: entrance hall, fully fitted luxury kitchen, double bedroom, en-suite bathroom, further double bedroom, reception room with wood flooring and superb far-reaching views from the decked terrace. Available May 2015.

FURTHER DETAILS:

Mollie Crowley

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


TO LET BERKELEY STREET, MAYFAIR W1

£995 per week

Substantial newly refurbished two bedroom Mayfair apartment in a period style residential block moments from Green Park tube and the exclusive shops of Bond Street. This lovely property boasts many original features with high ceilings, feature fireplace and large airy rooms. Extending to 1137 sq ft (105.6 sq m) comprising: entrance hall, large double aspect reception/dining room, new fully fitted eat-in kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, second double bedroom, new family bathroom, excellent storage throughout and day porter.

FURTHER DETAILS:

TO LET PARK STREET, MAYFAIR W1

£800 per week

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

FURTHER DETAILS:

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

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

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


www.pastor-realestate.com

TO LET MARYLEBONE W1

£725 per week

Beautifully presented two bedroom apartment in a luxury development moments from Bond Street, Marylebone High Street and Oxford Street. The property is situated on the 5th floor of this modern building accessed via a residential entrance and private lift. The apartment offers wonderfully bright accommodation extending to 870 sq ft (81 sq m) and comprises entrance hall and large reception room with wood flooring, two double bedrooms with fitted robes, two bathrooms (one en-suite), fully fitted luxury kitchen with granite worktops, air conditioning.

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

TO LET LANCASTER GATE, HYDE PARK W2

£825 per week

Stunning interior designed one bed apartment in this exceptional award winning development opposite Hyde Park with it’s own private entrance. The Lancasters is located east of Notting Hill and west of Oxford Street making it a very convenient location. The apartment boasts high ceilings and comprises spacious living area, double bedroom area, luxury fitted kitchen and marble bathroom with separate shower. Other benefits include large storage vaults, 24 hour concierge service, gym, swimming pool and steam room.

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


Chesterfield Gardens

£1,900 per week long let

Mayfair W1J

A stunning lateral 3 bedroom apartment in a sought after block benefiting from 24hr uniformed porters & lift. The apartment is superbly located on a quiet street & has been finished to a very high standard. The accommodation comprises a large reception room, modern fully fitted kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, further double bedroom with en-suite, a 3rd small bedroom & guest cloakroom. EPC rating D

CHESTERTONS

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* Competition closes on the 21st May 2015. For full terms and conditions email design@chestertons.com. ** While stocks lasts.

Mayfair

020 7288 8301

lettings.mayfair@chestertons.com

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


Mount Street

Mayfair W1K

An immaculately refurbished penthouse located on Mayfair’s most premier street. This stunning lateral apartment is bright & spacious with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms & a kitchen. The apartment covers approx. 1,425 sq ft & benefits from south facing views over Mount Street. Boasting under floor heating throughout, a fully integrated sound system & Gaggenau kitchen appliances, the property has been finished to an exceptional standard. EPC rating G

chestertons.com

ÂŁ5,350,000 leasehold

Mayfair

020 7269 4513 sales.mayfair@chestertons.com


Making history Hannah Lemon wanders through the exclusive enclaves of Mount Street to meet Kim Bays, associate partner at Carter Jonas, and learns about how Mayfair’s rich history is entrenched in the landscape

A

lot can change over two centuries. A building in the heart of Mayfair that stands on the site of the parish workhouse, which housed around 600 paupers, now accommodates some of the most sought-after one-bedroom prime properties. Even in the 13 years that associate partner Kim Bays has worked at Carter Jonas, the market as well as the landscape has transformed. ‘It’s changed a lot. Prices have gone up and come down, but I would say prices now are higher than the days at the beginning of my career.’ Starting off as an estate agent in an office opposite Claridge’s, then Davies Street and now the Carter Jonas office on Mount Street, Mayfair has always been her stomping ground. Kim acts as a sort of tour guide for the area, divulging interesting facts about every street corner, and she even has a story or two to tell

154

about the Carter Jonas branch on Mount Street. ‘The whole terrace was built in 1886 and it cost about £20,000. It has been an estate agent since 1913, but prior to that it was an upholsterer and the flats above were used as “gentlemen’s rooms”,’ laughs Kim. ‘They had a housekeeper in the basement who ran up the back stairs to look after everybody. It’s got such an amazing history.’ The old-fashioned desks, low lighting and leather chairs in the office all play a part in adding to the historical drama, particularly the listed panelled walls, which Kim points out were left over from the fit-out of the British ocean liner the Lusitania. But this rich past blends perfectly well with the efficient modern service the lettings team provides; the longestestablished lettings team in the area I’m told. Kim dubs Mount Street ‘London’s Rodeo Drive’, and I can see why. It certainly has taken


The mayfair Magazine | Property

some of the sparkle from Bond Street with brands such as Oscar de la Renta, Céline, Stephen Webster, Christian Louboutin and Moynat all calling this place home, with talk that Louis Vuitton may also follow. And this glamour is without the flamboyance that some of

‘This glamour is without the flamboyance that some of London’s other affluent areas possess’ London’s other affluent areas possess. ‘People can come to Mount Street and not get noticed,’ says Kim. ‘Their driver can pull up discreetly outside a boutique and they can go shopping.’ This cosmopolitan area attracts a variety of tenants from England to the Far East: families renting for 18 months, tenants in town for business who need a longer-term rental for three years, or even students from wealthy families who let for just nine months. ‘I have had families living here since I started at Carter Jonas 13 years ago!’ exclaims Kim. ‘But most people who live here have other houses in the country or overseas and use a property in Mayfair as a pied-à-terre.’ I ask if the overall success in lettings is being curtailed by the much-talked-of election, but Kim insists that the Mayfair market transcends politics. ‘The demand from people who want to live here commands what landlords charge. Mayfair is a wealthy area so I don’t think the election is going to make a difference to the person who lives and works here.’ But this means that when clients leave, they take their

money with them too. ‘During holiday times the market does go quiet for a longer period than in the suburbs. In Mayfair the market takes a little while to pick back up again but that is indicative of the people who live here.’ With such enthusiastic investment in the area from brands, visitors and of course the Grosvenor Estate, it is no wonder that properties are demanding a premium. Tucked quietly beside the leafy courtyard of Mount Street Gardens, the one-bedroom flat that we are conducting the interview in has been immaculately dressed, down to the detail of every last reed diffuser. The ceiling-high windows are trimmed with ribbon, while the walls are decorated with soft fabric and the kitchen is fitted with every modern convenience. There is a dual-aspect apartment on the first floor that Kim tells me incurred a bidding war over the starting price of £1,500 per week, which ended up going to the highest bidder at £1,700. ‘It is probably one of the most expensive one-bedroom flats in Mayfair. But at the same time we have a studio flat available at £345 per week and have just let a house at more than £14,000 per week. We have quite a varied list of instructions, but in Mayfair anything will let for the right price. There is a flat in a short-let block on Park Lane that is available to let at £40,000 a week.’ A far cry from its humble historic beginnings no doubt. Carter Jonas Mayfair & St James’s, 127 Mount Street, W1K (020 7493 0676; carterjonas.co.uk)

photO by sarel jansen

155


carterjonas.co.uk

Hyde Park Place Hyde Park W2

A substantial apartment arranged over the raised ground and lower ground floors of this traditional red brick mansion building. The property has an amazing drawing room and overlooks Hyde Park whilst retaining many of its original period features. Reception room • 3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms • Kitchen • EPC rating E

Guide price £2,300,000

Hyde Park & Bayswater

020 7402 1552 leo.florees@carterjonas.co.uk


North Audley Street Mayfair W1

A bright apartment situated on the second floor of a period red brick mansion block. Conveniently located close to Hyde Park and the shopping amenities of Oxford Street. Reception room • 2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms • Kitchen • Approximately 980 sq ft • Share of freehold EPC rating D

Guide price £2,250,000

Mayfair & St James’s

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


Property | The mayfair Magazine

Greener pastures Set within one of Mayfair’s premier streets, the spacious sixfloor townhouse of 41 Green Street offers a grand and contemporary space with a sense of history

B

ehind the period red brick-fronted façade of one of Mayfair’s premier streets sits a rare six-floor townhouse. A mere 160 metres from Hyde Park, number 41 Green Street holds all the history of the street in its architecture. Designed by Wimperis, Simpson & Guthrie (who produced Grosvenor House on Park Lane), the house’s four reception rooms, six bathrooms and seven bedrooms boast grand high ceilings with modern amenities. Appalachian bleachedoak floorboards welcome guests upon entry to the spacious entrance hall. Perhaps most contemporary is the lower ground floor, all clean lines and featuring its own stainless steel Italian fitted kitchen – a perfect space for guests or staff. The first-floor Juliette balcony overlooking the formal and private gardens of Green Street leads from a spectacular drawing room and forms just

158

one of many original architectural touches. The second reception room on this level presents a peaceful music room, full of natural light. To the master bedroom, and this second-floor room is rather unique. With a Carrara marble en-suite bathroom and dressing area innovatively designed into the space, 41 Green Street’s master bedroom is bright and modern, a loft-style departure from the traditional gardens below. Complete with private roof terrace (via a beautiful and ornate spiral staircase), lift access to all floors and French doors opening out onto the coveted Green Street gardens, this is a townhouse which cleverly fuses luxury modern living with original architectural features. Guide price, £16.5 million. For further enquiries contact Knight Frank, 120A Mount Street, W1K (020 7499 1012; knightfrank.co.uk)


Rental experts in London’s prime real estate

STUNNING DUPLEX PENTHOUSE TO LET

10 Lancelot Place 10 Lancelot Place LANCELOT PLACE, KNIGHTSBRIDGE SW7 London, SW7 1DR London, SW7 1DR This magnificent duplex penthouse apartment in Knightsbridge

is positioned opposite Harrods and overlooks Hyde Park offering striking panoramic views across London from the heart of the capital. 7,327 square feet (680.6 square metres) of internal space and 2,438 square feet (226.5 square metres) of external

18,000 Per week (+ admin fees) 8,000 Per week (+ admin fees)

phillipsharrod.com

0207 1234 152

space. Master bedroom (en-suite dressing room and bathroom), 4 further bedrooms (2 en-suite), shower room, 3 reception rooms, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, 2 guest cloakrooms. 24 hour concierge service, underground parking (for 3 cars), gym, swimming pool and sauna. EPC Rating=C.

£18,

Phillips Harrod are delighted to be sole agents for this outstan utstanding duplex penthouse apartment set on the 9th and 10th floors of this prestigious private building in one of the anding duplex penthouse apartment set on the 9th and 10th floors of this prestigious private building in one of the world’s finest locations. This magnificent apartment in Knights nightsbridge is positioned opposite Harrods and overlooks Hyde Park offering striking panoramic views across London tsbridge is positioned opposite Harrods and overlooks Hyde Park offering striking panoramic views across London £18,000 per week (plus admin fees) from the heart of the capital.

SOLE AGENT

With private direct access to the entrance lobby from two lifts wo lifts, the apartment is offered in superb condition. The accommodation comprises 7327 square feet (680.6 square fts, the apartment is offered in superb condition. The accommodation comprises 7327 square feet (680.6 square metres) of internal space and 2,438 square feet (226.5 square quare metres) of external space, having a Master bedroom with en-suite dressing room and bathroom, two bedrooms are metres) of external space, having a Master bedroom with en-suite dressing room and bathroom, two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, two further bedrooms, shower room, oom, two large reception rooms, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, family room, utility room and a guest wc on each m, two large reception rooms, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, family room, utility room and a guest wc on each floor.


West Halkin Street, Belgravia, SW1X A well presented and well planned two bedroom apartment situated on the raised ground floor of an impressive period building, located in one of the most sought after streets in the heart of Belgravia. The property features a spacious entrance hall, large south facing reception room with study area, guest cloakroom, a well-appointed kitchen and utility area. Master bedroom with en suite bathroom and door leading onto the demised terrace, 2nd bedroom with en suite bathroom. The property has the added advantage of a resident caretaker and long lease, and is therefore ideal as either a home or as a long term investment. EPC Rating C. JSA Henry James, Belgravia. John Taylor UK 48 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AX Tel: 020 3284 1888 Email: london@john-taylor.com

£3,650,000 LEASEhold

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

www.john-taylor.com


Beautifully boutique The best, curated for you

Great Newport Street, WC2 Prices from £950,000

The Pathé Building, W1 Prices from £1,175,000

Maddox Street, W1 Prices from £1,300,000

Hop House, WC2 Prices from £1,495,000

Hollen Street, W1 Prices from £1,500,000

Buckingham Street, WC2 Prices from £2,200,000

Soho Square, W1 Prices from £2,250,000

Craven Street WC2 Price £5,950,000

Betterton Street WC2 Price £8,000,000

To find out more about some of London’s best developments from the West End’s market leading agent visit cbre.co.uk/londonhomes or call 020 7420 3050 Prices correct at time of going to print. Images are computer generated except for Buckingham Street, Soho Square, Craven Street and Betterton Street.


PORTLAND PLACE LONDON W1

A rarely available, Grade II* listed virtual freehold building of circa 10,000 sq ft / 937 sq m on one of London’s most prestigious streets Currently with commercial use, the property has planning consent, granted January 2014, to be converted back into a magnificent single family house. Features of the building include two impressive first floor drawing rooms with nearly 15ft /4.5m high ceilings with ornate cornicing and plasterwork, a four person passenger lift, rear patio and an impressive stone staircase.

joint sole agents

999 year lease from 1954 UK REAL ESTATE LTD

price on application

Marylebone

020 3435 6440

KnightFrank.co.uk


The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

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

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

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

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


Bermuda’s Luxury Real Estate Specialist Whether you are seeking a beach, boating or golf estate, historic home, private island or quality condominium, Sinclair Realty offers the finest cache of properties in Tucker’s Town and island-wide. As Bermuda’s exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, we look forward to providing you with the depth of expertise and excellence that is characteristic of everything Christie’s does.

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

SINC03-1761 Kens & Chelsea Mag.indd 1


WHY BUY BERMUDA? Geographic Convenience • London – less than 7 hours • New York – 2 hours • Toronto – 2.5 hours

Quality of Life • Britain’s oldest self-governing overseas territory • International financial centre • One of the world’s highest standards of living • Subtropical climate • Pink sand beaches & turquoise waters • Miles of world-class golf • No personal or corporate income tax or capital gains tax

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

Fr / 2/6/15 11:18


[hot property]

I

n the heart of buzzing Soho, the Ham Yard Hotel has been up and running for less than a year but has firmly established itself as one of London’s finest venues. Moments from Mayfair this resting place for the elite is surrounded by the Ham Yard Village, a peaceful green space complete with a bronze sculpture centrepiece by Tony Cragg. Those wanting more than just a fleeting visit now have the chance to call this place home within 24 one, two and three-bedroom apartments at One Denman Place. The apartments are available to let for periods of 90

166

days or more and can be accessed via an exclusive entrance with a dedicated reception on Denman Place or via the hotel itself. The interiors have been individually designed by co-owner and designer Kit Kemp in her award-winning and world-renowned modern British style and innovative mix of colour, pattern and texture. The apartments are light and airy with full-length warehousestyle windows, some with spacious terraces and views overlooking the London rooftops. Each property is immaculately presented with beautiful detailing including fabric-covered


The mayfair Magazine | Property

One Denman Place

walls, grey oak floors, bespoke furniture, Italian Boffi kitchens, luxurious marble bathrooms and a fully-integrated audio and visual control system. HLR Residential, the Chelsea-based agency overseeing the lettings, commented: ‘We are very excited to be able to market the independent apartment building at Ham Yard, which has to be one of London’s latest hot spot “destinations”. Tenants of these exceptional apartments not only benefit from being cared for by a five star hotel but are also part of a unique and inspiring

environment in the heart of the West End.’ Alongside the hotel’s 91 individuallydesigned bedrooms and suites are 13 independent retail stores as well as a restaurant and bar with outdoor dining. There is a drawing room and library, spa and gym, state-of-the-art theatre, several private event rooms, a 1950s-style bowling alley and a rooftop garden with sweeping views of the Soho skyline; all of which can be accessed by the happy new tenants of One Denman Place. HLR Residential, 117 Sydney Street, SW3 (020 7351 7822; hlrlets.com)

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MOUNT ST MAYFAIR W1 Rare first first flfloor oor three bedroom lateral apartment facing south over fashionable Mount Street. ■ n ■ n ■ n

Unmodernised 21 Year Lease 2,320 Sq Ft

£5,000,000

Dunraven St MAYFAIR W1 An exceptional one bedroom apartment on a quiet residential street just behind Park Lane. ■ ■ ■ ■

Double Bedroom with En Suite Lift Share of Freehold 831 Sq Ft

£2,250,000

no-one knows mayfair better than wetherell


UPPER BROOK ST MAYFAIR W1 An immaculately refurbished two bedroom lateral apartment with 9ft ceilings spanning three windows across. n n n

Porter Lift 1,206 Sq Ft

£3,950,000

Balfour Mews MAYFAIR W1 Charming two bedroom duplex maisonette with private terrace in the heart of Mayfair Village. n n n

Over First & Second Floors 38 Year Lease 1,206 Sq Ft

£2,000,000

wetherell.co.uk

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


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THE HERON MOOR LANE EC2 Panoramic views across 2,100 sq ft of luxury accommodation. ÂŁ3,950,000 JSA: Knight Frank

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

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