Vantage Magazine February 2016 by Runwild Media Group

M ESUR E ET D ÉMESUR E *

SPONSORS OF THE BOAT RACE & LEANDER ACADEMY ATELIER PARMIGIANI 97 MOUNT STREET, MAYFAIR, LONDON W1K 2TD, TEL. 020 7495 5172 LONDON

TONDA 1950 TOURBILLON

World’s thinnest (3,4 mm) automatic ﬂying tourbillon Platinum micro-rotor World’s lightest titanium cage (0,255 g) Hand ﬁnished movement, case and dial Hermès calf strap 100% engineered and made by Parmigiani Manufacture Switzerland www.parmigiani.ch

Issue 67

Contents ntents



10 | In Vogue The National Portrait Gallery celebrates British Vogue’s centenary by delving into Condé Nast’s photographic archive

14 | Mother Earth Livia Firth on eco-friendly fashion and the latest Chopard Green Carpet Collection

32 | Ode to Hampstead Take a trip down memory lane and discover John Keats’ connection to Hampstead

42 | A Sense of Occasion Emilia Wickstead’s sophisticated silhouettes get a glittering makeover courtesy of Swarovski

56 | The Fruits of Labour Sophie Hulme on her Resort 16 collection, her impending bag and jewellery lines and her new pop-up in Harrods

63 | Charlotte’s Web Charlotte Tilbury celebrates the launch of her first stand-alone store in Covent Garden

96 | Swiss Precision A romantic alpine escape at the magnificent Chedi Andermatt resort in Switzerland

REGULARS - 19 -

COLLECTION

- 29 -

SPOTLIGHT

- 37 -

FASHION & BEAUTY

- 69 -

HOME & INTERIORS

- 73 -

HEALTH & FAMILY

- 81 -

FOOD & DRINK

- 91-

THE ART OF TRAVEL

- 105 -

PROPERTY

EDITOR'S LETTER

FEBRUARY 2016 / ISSUE 67 ACTING EDITOR Lauren Romano COLLECTION EDITORS Richard Brown Olivia Sharpe EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Ellen Millard EDITORIAL INTERN Amelia Mayes SENIOR DESIGNER Daniel Poole PRODUCTION Hugo Wheatley Jamie Steele Danny Lesar Alice Ford CLIENT RELATIONSHIP DIRECTOR Friday Dalrymple EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Sophie Roberts GENERAL MANAGER Fiona Fenwick MANAGING DIRECTOR Eren Ellwood Proudly published and printed in the UK by

RUNWILD MEDIA GROUP

6th Floor, One Canada Square Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AX 020 7987 4320 / rwmg.co.uk

Members of the Professional Publishers Association

W W W. LU X U RY L ON D ON.CO.U K

A website. A mindset. A lifestyle. Runwild Media Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Runwild Media Ltd. takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved. DISTRIBUTION Vantage magazine is distributed throughout Hampstead, Highgate, Primrose Hill, St John’s Wood, Maida Vale, Marylebone, Regent’s Park and the surrounding areas. For complete maps please visit our website. ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Please contact Sophie Roberts (+44 (0)7725 753058 / s.roberts@runwildgroup.co.uk)

From the editor Ricky Gervais trading insults with Mel Gibson, near wardrobe malfunctions – it can only mean one thing: the red carpet season is upon us. The Golden Globes might be done and dusted for another year, but we’ve still got the Oscars to look forward to later this month. And the one question clocking up column inches – apart from whether or not Leonardo DiCaprio will actually bag a best actor gong this time (fourth time lucky?) – is what will everyone be wearing? If humanitarian and Eco-Age founder Livia Firth had her way, the red carpet would be looking decidedly greener. Back in 2013 she launched the Green Carpet Challenge, with help from high-profile British designers, to encourage stars to recycle their gowns or don more sustainably made ensembles. True to her cause, Firth even turned up to the Paris premiere of The King’s Speech wearing a dress fashioned from one of Colin’s old suits. Charlotte Phillips meets the creative director and campaigner to talk about getting more mileage out of our wardrobes (p.14). The rest of us might not have as many opportunities to get dressed up (although if you do, flick to page 42 for some occasionwear pointers from designer Emilia Wickstead), but there’s always room for some last season Choo’s. Cue Vestiaire Collective, a shopping site where eBay meets Net-A-Porter. Ellen Millard talks to its founder Fanny Moizant about giving second-hand designer goods a new lease of life (p.52). Ellen also treats her beauty regime to a boost at House of Tilbury, the first store from one of the industry’s most outspoken make-up artists. Find out why you’ll never catch Charlotte Tilbury barefaced (p.63). With (dreaded) Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we round up three very different romantic escapes (p.94). Choose from an alpine spa break at Switzerland’s Chedi Andermatt, or be wined and dined at the sumptuous Le Bristol in Paris. But if those sound too cliché, there’s always Vegas. I discover a more sophisticated side to Sin City and get my fill of Michelin-starred cuisine, topped off with a helicopter ride of a lifetime, without spotting a single wedding chapel or Elvis impersonator. Who said romance was dead?

Lauren Lauren Romano Acting Editor

On the cover Marie Lise Gres by Ron Falloon Image © Ron Falloon, courtesy of Zebra One Gallery

Other titles by RWMG

Anne Gunning in Jaipur by Norman Parkinson, 1956 ÂŠNorman Parkinson Ltd / Courtesy Norman Parkinson Archive

FEATURE

Vogue

Rebecca Wallersteiner celebrates British Vogue’s 100th birthday as the National Portrait Gallery unveils its major retrospective of more than 280 iconic photographs from the Condé Nast archive 

T MAY HAVE been launched as a high-society newsletter when it began in 1916, but British Vogue soon evolved to become one of the world’s most influential fashion bibles and a cultural record of the times. Now, at the ripe old age of 100, the magazine is the subject of a fascinating exhibition, due to be unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery this month. By dipping into the vast Condé Nast archive curator Robin Muir, who is a contributing editor to British Vogue, tells the story of how the magazine has changed over the past century and honours the iconic photography that earned the publication its peerless reputation as the front runner in fashion journalism. “British Vogue has played a pivotal role in the development of portraiture over the past century, commissioning leading photographers and designers to produce some of the most memorable and influential images in the history of fashion,” comments Dr Nicholas Cullinan, director of the National Portrait Gallery. Visitors can expect to see the whole roster of supers in action, from the likes of Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer and Linda Evangelista, as well as the visionaries who captured them – the likes of David Bailey, Mario Testino, Tim Walker and Patrick Demarchelier. The photographers who bring fashion to life on the pages of Vogue are as influential in the fashion industry as the designers themselves. The magazine has never been afraid to promote new talent or ideas. Striking images on display include the entire set of prints from Corinne Day’s controversial Kate Moss underwear shoot, taken in 1993 at the height of the ‘grunge’ trend and the so-called ‘heroin chic’ era. Moss was just 16 when she was discovered by Day and soon became a Vogue cover girl. Day’s images celebrated the ordinary and reacted against

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 11

the materialism of the 1980s – a look that went on to be embraced by brands such as Calvin Klein. Moss’s fresh-faced innocence was a contrast to the big barnets, heavy make-up and shoulder padded glamour of the decade, as captured in a 1989 snap by American photographer Herb Ritts, where a Bardotesque Claudia Schiffer sits astride a motorbike, sporting a big bow and even bigger hair. Vogue doesn’t just focus on models on the catwalk. Tim Walker is behind some of the magazine’s most fantastical shoots and his whimsical An Awfully Big Adventure collection featuring a model riding a buffalo is also on display. Other notable highlights include photographer John Deakin’s iconic 1952 portrait of his friend Francis Bacon. Deakin’s photography played an important role in Bacon’s art; several of the artist’s paintings were based on photographs he commissioned from Deakin. Nearly 300 Deakin prints came to light when Bacon’s South Kensington studio was dismantled after his death and transferred piece by piece to Dublin in 1998. One of Vogue’s more unpredictable employees, Deakin worked as staff photographer between 1948 and 1949 and again from 1951 to 1954, achieving the dubious distinction of being hired and fired by the same long-suffering editor, Audrey Withers, twice. He was first sacked for

“Anybody interested in photography, fashion, fame and magazines will find this an unmissable experience”

mislaying cameras, but was re-hired as no one took photographic portraits as well as he did. After three years of outstanding work, he was let go yet again after the lure of Soho’s afternoon drinking dens led to cancelled sittings and irate clients. Showcasing British Vogue’s early years proved to be a challenge due to the fact that the magazine pulped many of its photos in 1942 to support the war effort, but there are fortunately still some in existence. A series of Second World War pictures taken by British Vogue’s official war photographer Lee Miller bring historic context to the exhibition. Originally a Vogue model, she became an acclaimed war correspondent, covering events such as the London Blitz, the liberation of Paris and the horrors of the concentration camps at Buchenwald and Dachau. Aged 19, Miller had been spotted on a Manhattan street by the publisher of Condé Nast and graced British Vogue’s cover in 1927. She went on to be snapped by leading photographers, including Edward Steichen and Nickolas Muray, before becoming a fashion photographer herself. In Paris, she inspired the Surrealist artist Man Ray, becoming his lover, muse and collaborator and closely observing his working techniques. This enabled her to begin her own photographic studio, taking over many of Man Ray’s fashion assignments so that he could concentrate on his painting. After the war ended Miller began to suffer from severe depression, haunted by the human suffering she had recorded for Vogue on camera. Decade by decade, the exhibition explores British Vogue’s dedication to the best in design and its influence on fashion trends and society. Exquisite early 20th century vintage prints, unpublished work and original magazines are all on display. After its early success, British Vogue has carried on its legacy of mirroring the times and continues to put fashion into context within the wider world – the austerity and optimism that followed the two world wars, the ‘Swinging London’ scene in the 1960s, the politicised 1970s, the luxury-loving Thatcherite 1980s and the grungy, eco-conscious 1990s. “Anybody interested in photography, fashion, fame and magazines will find this an unmissable experience,” says British Vogue’s current editor-in-chief Alexandra Shulman. A century later Shulman and her team continue to set trends for photography, fashion and design for a new generation – here’s to the next 100 years. Vogue 100: A Century of Style at the National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, WC2H, from 11 February – 22 May 2016, sponsored by Leon Max npg.org.uk/vogue100

This image: Claudia Schiffer in Paris by Herb Ritts, 1989 ÂŠHerb Ritts Foundation/Trunk Archive

FEATURE

Left: Kate Moss at the Master Shipwright's House, Deptford by Mario Testino, 2008 ÂŠMario Testino

lu x u r y l o n d o n .c o.u k

Vantage | 13

Mother

Earth

The expression, “be the change you want to see in the world” could have been written for Livia Firth. Having identified a real problem in the fashion industry, she’s making significant headway in changing it – while looking immaculate, of course, writes Charlotte Phillips 

IVIA FIRTH JUST won’t conform to the ‘Hollywood wife’ stereotype. Yes, she’s an attractive, slim brunette, and then of course she’s married to the world’s most famous [actor] Colin and travels the world with their gorgeous children. More notably, however, Firth is a humanitarian advocating workers’ rights, a brand consultant and an Oxfam ambassador who is thoroughly shaking up the fashion industry. It all started with a trip to Chopard Palme Verte collection Bangladesh in 2008, before which, says Firth, she “never really thought about fashion.” It was there, alongside “formidable women” including environmental journalist Lucy Siegle, ethical designer Orsola de Castro and eco-friendly stylist and adviser Jocelyn Whipple, that the importance and impact of the factory production line was driven home. Being on-site in Bangladesh gave Firth a glimpse into the origins of fashion we never see: the real-life implications for those working to fulfil a bottomless pit of consumerism in Western society. Today’s philosophy of ‘more is better’ and the rise of

fast fashion has brought the ability to shop quickly and indiscriminately to the masses, whether looking for a new dress for a Saturday night, or the perfect shoes for a big meeting. We can do so because the items are available at a low price, but elsewhere, there’s a cost to pay. “The impact this has on people and the planet is huge,” explains Firth. She saw first-hand that cheap mass-production of clothes in developing countries often meant mistreatment of garment workers and abuse of the natural environment. “I learned that fashion is the second most polluting industry after mining and oil, that it is worth an estimated $3 trillion dollars and that it employs almost 2.8 billion women.” Firth remains astounded. “Can you believe it?” Having been confronted with the reality of manufacturing, for Firth, continuing to consume fashion in the same way became impossible, but the solution to the problem seemed simple. “Buy less and get more ‘fashion mileage’ out of each piece. Buy heritage pieces that

INTERVIEW

Livia Firth, image courtesy of Eco-Age

LU X U R Y L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 15

will last, and become an active citizen through your wardrobe,” she explains. She began with leading by example, making sartorial choices that included – gasp – outfit repeats, a cardinal sin in much of Hollywood. She also recycled some of her mother’s dresses and more than held her own at an awards show wearing a dress re-styled from some of Colin’s old suits. The same year as her Bangladesh trip, Firth founded Eco-Age, born from her new-found aims: to change our ‘more is better’ clothing culture, and to make the fashion industry – and both its production and consumption – more sustainable and ethical. Eco-Age is both a brand consultancy for sustainability and a collaborator with NGOs, as well as a design house. None of Firth’s ethos involves forgoing style: she is impossibly chic. No-one could mistake her for a hempwearing, eco-activist. She wants to look good, just not to the detriment of others and the world around her. In fact, Firth’s style credentials alongside her green values mean that designers and celebrities are taking note, in part through participation in her so-called Green Carpet Challenge. This ongoing project, pioneered by Firth in 2009, has turned the red carpet into a homage to recycling and sustainability. Countless fashion houses have turned their hand to ethical production, including Sergio Rossi, Erdem and Victoria Beckham. Dolce & Gabbana even used fabric made from recycled plastic bottles to produce a dress for Firth, and celebrities from Emma Watson to Cameron Diaz have donned ‘green’ outfits for a good cause. Highlights include Meryl Streep in gold Lanvin that used eco-certified fabrics and Emily Blunt wearing a black Carolina Herrera gown featuring vintage French chiffon from the 1940s. But the people Firth and Eco-Age really want to reach are you and I. The 2015 documentary film that Firth was heavily involved in, The True Cost, was a portrayal of child labour and poor working conditions that are seen to propel fast fashion. Is her quest to raise awareness succeeding? “Consumers are becoming more intelligent and taking charge – they now understand the true cost of buying so cheaply and so fast,” Firth says. “We all need to become active citizens through our wardrobes.” Not content with just raising awareness of the problem, Firth has also been developing macro-level solutions that capture the attention of the social media generation. You could try Firth’s #30WearsChallenge,

None of Firth’s ethos involves forgoing style: she is impossibly chic

which encourages people to wear outfits at least 30 times to break the cycle of consumption. Firth’s philosophy is about buying clothes you love, and will continue to do so for years to come. You could also invest in Eco-Age’s work with online fashion retailer Yoox. Firth first designed an exclusive ‘eco’ party dress for the website in 2011, which developed into a capsule collection of pieces: think flawless tailoring, modern cuts and, of course, sustainable production and fabrics, be it recycled leather, or organic wool.

INTERVIEW

From L-R: Bracelet, watch, pendant and earrings. All part of the Chopard and Eco-Age Green Carpet collection Far right: Poppy Delevingne in Chopard Palme Verte collection

As of October last year, there’s a partnership with Marks & Spencer, where Firth personally selected an edit (including a party outfit and workwear looks) from existing collections that highlighted a positive approach to good factory conditions or use of recycled materials. With fashion has also come a focus on the jewellery industry and a Valentine’s-appropriate collaboration with luxury jeweller, Chopard. Firth first met Caroline Scheufele, the brand’s artistic director and co-president, at the Oscars in 2012. “We started talking. When I asked her ‘where does your gold come from?’ Caroline immediately replied ‘from the bank!’ and I realised that meant she didn’t actually know,” Firth tells me. From that point on, Firth credits Scheufele as embarking on a mission “to change not only her company and brand but the entire industry.” Scheufele partnered with the Alliance for Responsible Mining and “started sourcing fair-mined gold in Colombia and supporting small-scale mining communities to achieve fair-mined certification. She even forged a strategic partnership with Precinox, a

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

big Swiss refinery, so that all the fair-mined gold has preferential treatment,” says Firth. The first Chopard Green Carpet collection in collaboration with Eco-Age launched in 2013, featuring pieces made in Geneva from ethically sourced materials. It is, Firth says,“a perfect example of the marriage between ethics and aesthetics”. Then came the Palme Verte collection: “It’s Chopard’s first diffusion line crafted with fair-mined gold,” she adds. “Caroline is now looking at other raw materials and how to continue to source from other responsible suppliers – so there are lots of exciting projects planned for 2016.” Firth’s eco-conscious mindset is evidently a philosophy, not just a day job, and she admits that switching off is difficult. But when she’s not consulting with global brands or thinking up new, greener initiatives for the fashion fold, she likes to relax at home with her family. “Now that I am in my forties I exercise twice if not three times a week if I can,” she says. She eats “healthy, home-cooked food,” although there’s a disclaimer: “For an Italian, that includes pasta of course...” As for the progress of ethical initiatives, Firth is feeling confident. “The luxury market is leading the way, showing examples of how to work at supply chain level,” she says, commending the Kering Group (holders of Bottega Veneta, Stella McCartney et al) as “groundbreaking” in publishing their Environmental Profit and Loss report. Firth isn’t the only one ready to applaud the efforts of such companies taking a lead in the eco revolution. In December 2015, she hosted the Green Carpet Challenge’s Global Leader of Change Awards in Paris. Along with Scheufele of Chopard and the CEOs of Marks & Spencer and Unilever, FrançoisHenri Pinault of Kering received a prize for his commitment to the cause. The trophies? Made from recycled Perspex, of course. eco-age.com; chopard.com

VANTAGE | 17

COLLECTION

A familiar ring If there’s one jeweller that you know you can trust to ensure you pick the perfect engagement ring, it’s De Beers. With unrivalled diamond knowledge that spans more than 125 years, it has always been the company’s mission to source only the finest and most precious diamonds and it hasn’t failed yet. As well as this promise of quality, clients can also expect the pinnacle of design and craftsmanship. As part of its Bridal 2016 collection, De Beers reintroduces the Adonis Rose engagement ring, which sees an iconic symbol of the house brought to life in a solitaire, marquise diamonds and pink gold, along with the Promise Solitaire, the Caress, the Aura Solitaire and the Infinity engagement rings. From £2,350, debeers.co.uk Photography by De Beers

VANTAGE | 19

COLLECTION

Jewellery news By Olivia Sharpe

Seeing stars Given its founder’s preoccupation with symbolism, it seems only right that Chanel has created a new fine jewellery collection dedicated to the icons most associated with the French house. These include Comète, which was the star of the original 1932 Bijoux de Diamants collection designed by Coco Chanel: “I wanted to cover women in constellations. Stars! Stars of all sizes…” The Plume pieces similarly draw reference to 1932, the curved feather earrings and necklaces mirroring the pieces made in that year. Finally, the Camélia Ajouré necklace, earrings and rings pay tribute to arguably the most famous Chanel symbol: the camellia flower. Presenting a modern interpretation of this well-known design, the rings mould over the finger, while the necklace naturally adapts to the skin tone or fabric of the wearer.

Ring in the New Year Harrods has ensured that February – arguably the jewellery calendar’s most important month – does not go unnoticed in its newly refurbished Luxury Jewellery Room. This month will see five new brands welcomed into its glittering halls, including: Spinelli Kilcollin, Sophie Bille Brahe, Fernando Jorge, Cristina Ortiz and Kenza Lee. Among these, LA-based brand Kilcollin and Spanish designer Ortiz will both be UK exclusives, while Copenhagen-based jeweller Bille Brahe will debut exclusive styles within the department store. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, she has been going from strength to strength since she launched her eponymous label in 2011.

Les Icônes de Chanel, POA, chanel.com

Available from February 2016 in Harrods’ Luxury Jewellery Room harrods.com

Cap in hand

“Storytelling is at the heart of Kamushki and for our Wishbone collection, we have paid homage to our Libyan roots. In Libyan tradition, the fish represents For their second collection, goodness and is 20-something sister duo Mariam and worn to protect Dania Sawedeg have created a range of pieces based on a fish’s anatomy the wearer from as a symbol of good luck the evil eye and bad energy.”

Cutting

EDGE

– Mariam & Dania Sawedeg

After years of curating other jewellers’ creations, Susan Caplan has finally set out on her own and launched her first collection: One. Caplan delved into her own jewellery box for inspiration and has designed a range of contemporary wearable pieces that incorporates Scandinavian design, modern art, and ‘70s and ‘80s style jewellery. “One of the reasons why I love Scandinavian design so much is because it’s timeless. I’m hopeful that people will see that in this collection.” We only hope this collection will be one of many. £49-£385, susancaplan.co.uk

Wishbone collection, £785-£3,580, Kamushki, available at Browns, 24-27 South Molton Street brownsfashion.com; kamushki-jewellery.com

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 21

COLLECTION

Watch news By Richard Brown

Raymond Weil’s first pilot’s watch Before establishing his eponymous watch company in 1976, Raymond Weil was fond of mountain flights around the Matterhorn. He did so in a Piper aeroplane. Fitting, then, that it is with this small-aircraft manufacturer that his grandson, and the company’s current CEO, Elie Bernheim has partnered to produce Raymond Weil’s first pilot’s watch. The shiny blue minute and hour hands on the selfwinding, 45mm Freelancer Piper Special Edition resemble an aircraft’s rotor blades, while the GMT hand, with its red pointer, references a compass. Freelancer Piper Special Editon, £2,895, Raymond Weil raymond-weil.com

Topping out Schofield has been quietly reinvigorating British watchmaking from a bucolic village in West Sussex since 2011. The brand’s first creation, the Signalman, found favour among many a watch writer, and company founder – Giles Ellis – has received plaudits for his meticulous attention to design ever since. The newest member of the Signalman family, the Silvertop, features a two-tone case of mirror-polished and DLC-coated stainless steel – and it is a thing of beauty. Just 600 pieces will be produced – 300 with a grey dial, 300 with a black. Signalman Silvertop, £4,260, Schofield, schofieldwatchcompany.com

Better connected? Breitling and TAG Heuer have become the latest Swiss watchmakers to partner with Silicon Valley to produce smart watches. TAG Heuer’s ‘Connected Watch’ TAG Heuer’s (£1,100) was engineered Connected Watch with Intel Inside and is powered by Android Wear. A 46mm diameter means that the watch at least resembles a time-telling device, with a case, back, buckle and lugs made from titanium, as well as a rubber strap. Three dials are available: a chronograph, a three-hand dial and a GMT dial. Interestingly, anyone who buys TAG’s Connected watch can exchange it, at the end of the two-year warranty period, for a mechanical Carrera for an additional £1,100. Breitling, whose answer to the smart watch question is the Exospace B55 (£6,650), is keen to stress that the chronograph is the boss of the watchphone partnership – the accompanying app is designed to improve userfriendliness, and little else. Unlike TAG’s effort, Breitling’s watch won’t tell you that you’ve received a text, phone call or email. What it does provide is a 1/100th of a second chronograph, two time zones, a countdown timer, a flight time and lap time chronograph and a perpetual calendar. It’s powered by the brand-new Caliber B55, a COSCcertified SuperQuartz movement that will remain accurate to within a few seconds per year. The phone, connected via Bluetooth, is used for changing the time, setting alarms, adjusting time zones and storing data captured by the watch. tagheuer.co.uk, breitling.com

22 | VANTAGE

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

COLLECTION

Empire

The

Strikes Back It has been sleeping for almost a century. Now, spearheaded by aviation specialist Bremont, the British watch industry is in full-scale revival. Richard Brown meets company co-founders Nick and Giles English, the brothers on a mission to do the impossible and manufacture their own movement 

LONG WITH OVERPRICED ski resorts and little red pocket knives, Switzerland has made mechanical watches its ‘thing’. Rude, really, when you consider the disproportionately large contribution Britain has made to horological history. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Thomas Mudge invented the lever escapement; John Harrison’s marine clocks solved the longitude problem; Robert Hooke discovered the science behind springs; and John Arnold pioneered the wearable watch. The greatest watchmaker of the 20th century was also a Brit; George Daniels’ co-axial escapement was the first practical escapement to have been devised for 250 years (it was adopted by Omega in 1999). Meaningful British watchmaking, though – and we’re talking in the large-scale sense here, not about the handful of masterpieces produced by Daniels’ heir Roger Smith, which he creates from his humble workshop on the Isle of Man – ceased in the early 1970s when Smiths Industries, which had previously employed more than 400 people and provided watches to Sir Edmund Percival Hillary and his team during their expedition to Everest, diversified away from timepieces.

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

In the ensuing years, Switzerland was allowed to consolidate the watch industry and make mechanical timepieces its own. Salvation came in the unlikely shape of a plane crash. In 1995, Oxfordshire brothers Nick and Giles English lost their father to a flying accident, an incident in which Giles himself broke more than 30 bones and was lucky to survive. The brothers decided to dedicate the rest of their lives to producing something about which they both felt passionate: pilot’s watches. “Our goal was to help reinvigorate and restart the British watch industry,” says younger brother Giles, now 42, who, having spent his adolescence restoring old clocks and his adulthood flying historic aircrafts, was suited to the task in more than just name. Established in 2002, Bremont the brand took its name from Bremont the man – a gracious French farmer and aviation enthusiast in whose field the brothers crash-landed in the late 1990s. (Like the swashbuckling heroes of a 19th century adventure novel, the lives of the English brothers are littered with such tales of mishap and escapade – too many to document here, but worthy of an autobiography in the future, surely?)

VANTAGE | 25

ALT1-WT/BL World Timer Automatic Chronograph, £4,495

Bremont’s first collection, the ALT1-C series, debuted in 2007. What the brand has achieved in less than a decade since is nothing short of extraordinary. A flagship store in Mayfair’s South Audley Street opened in 2012, followed by outposts in Hong Kong, the City’s Royal Exchange and, more recently, New York’s Madison Avenue. The company has acted as the official timekeeper for the Epsom Derby and the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race and runs regular events for its Adventurers’ Club, which boasts such illustrious ambassadors as record-breaking climber Kenton Cool, polar explorer Ben Saunders and Seven Summits mountaineer Jake Myer – the youngest Briton to have successfully climbed the highest mountain on each continent. Graham Bell and Charley Boorman are also Bremont luminaries. Following partnerships with ejection seat specialist Martin-Baker, and both Jaguar and Boeing, last year saw Bremont score its biggest marketing coup yet, becoming the Official Timing Partner to the 35th America’s Cup – ousting one of the world’s most valuable luxury brands, Louis Vuitton, in doing so. More impressive than the sponsorship deals, the celebrity ambassadors and even Nick’s cameo appearance in Kingsman: The Secret Service (directors of the 2014 stylish spy flick chose to decorate its actors in Bremont watches) is the astonishing inroads the company has made towards its original objective of putting Britain back on the watchmaking map. For the first time in nearly 50 years, Britain is designing and assembling a significant number of its own mechanical watches. OK, so

ALT1-Z Zulu Chronograph, £4,295 ALT1-C Classic Stainless Steel, £4,695

the 8,000 pieces Bremont makes each year barely registers against the run of watches produced by its Swiss counterparts – it’s rumoured that Rolex alone annually pumps out more than a million – but for a country that ten years ago was producing practically nothing, it’s quite the achievement. “The British watch industry has some great guys making watches,” says Nick, 45. “By having our own Bremont apprentice schemes, and by investing in our own equipment for our new parts, we are playing our small part in reinvigorating the industry.” Nick is being characteristically humble – Bremont has spearheaded the revival of British watchmaking almost singlehandedly. In 2013, the company opened a custom-built headquarters in Henley-on-Thames. As a statement of intent, the brothers recruited 12 watchmakers and four apprentices

For the first time in 50 years, Britain is designing and assembling a significant number of mechanical watches

Bremont is the Official Timekeeper of the 35th America’s Cup

COLLECTION

Bremont-Jaguar MKII, £4,950

S500 Supermarine Automatic, £3,295

to work there, bringing the process of finishing movements and final watch assembly ‘in-house’. A year later, the brand went further, announcing the launch of a Silverstone-based facility dedicated to the production of movement components – the holy grail of watchmaking for even the largest of brands. Having invested in state-of-the-art CNC mill-turning, metal-cutting and finishing machinery – some of which is the first of its kind in Britain – Bremont is now able to manufacture its own baseplates and bridges, a significant step in bringing back as much of the watchmaking process to the UK as possible. True verticalisation, though, is, of course, almost impossible and Giles admits that Bremont still relies on Switzerland for many of its parts. “We do not produce our own hands and dials yet, but each year we look From left: Giles and Nick English to create more and more in-house components. The investment on each new part that we manufacture costs us millions so it’s often not viable unless you are using a high volume of components. The key is being able to manufacture in the UK without killing your margins or having to increase the price of your watches.” The closest Bremont has come to creating a bona fide calibre of its own is the BWC/01. Launched in the summer of 2014 with the release of the Wright Flyer, the BWC/01 was developed with the help of long-serving movement-making aid La Joux-Perret. La Joux-Perret provided the calibre’s cogs and pins, but, significantly, its base components were manufactured by Bremont. “Investing in Silverstone wasn’t just about having the machinery and training people to use it,” says Giles. “It was also about creating and owning the design rights of every one of the movement components.” The BWC/01 was a major step towards this aim. Step inside one of Switzerland’s many watchmaking

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

Bremont’s America’s Cup Collection

facilities and you’ll realise that it’s not white-haired octogenarians huddled over wooden benches with monocles and microscopic screwdrivers that make watches. Timepieces may be finished by hand, but their components are made on a conveyor belt of huge, heavy-duty machines that whizz and whirl inside huge, sterile, shiny-white factories. It’s the cost of these machines that make most ‘watchmakers’ little more than case-makers, implanting in their creations calibres made by third-party companies of whom you’ve never heard. “Very few manufactures make everything themselves,” explains Giles. “Even in Switzerland, there are always some components that it is hard to justify making for yourselves, unless you are making millions of them.” Steadfast to its ambition of producing a home-grown watch, Bremont, wherever possible, turns to UK companies for parts it can’t personally manufacture. “There is a long way to go, but we’ve made incredible progress towards our end goal,” says Giles. “It’s a very exciting time for the British watch trade.” Trust in Bremont to keep the flag flying. bremont.com

VANTAGE | 27

CAPE COD The new bathroom series by Philippe Starck. info@uk.duravit.com www.duravit.co.uk

Dramatic interlude If you’re searching for a Shakespeare fix that doesn’t involve standing through Hamlet exposed to the elements at the Globe Theatre, check out the work of British artist Bartholomew Beal at The Fine Art Society. The exhibition coincides with the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death and is a fitting tribute to the playwright’s work. Inspired by the tragedy King Lear, Beal’s colourful compositions draw on the emotive and dramatic themes of the play and focus on the comparisons between visual language and literature. “These are paintings designed to give pleasure,” curator and art writer Edward LucieSmith commented – “a pleasure that is only on the surface uncomplicated, but which becomes increasingly subversive the more closely we look.” Until 5 February, 148 New Bond Street, W1S faslondon.com The Standing Pool, 2015, by Bartholomew Beal Courtesy of The Fine Art Society

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 29

EDITOR'S PICK

Local news By Amelia Mayes

A novel idea Now in its 64th year, Jewish Book Week is back for 2016. With more than 80 events running across 10 days, bookworms can look forward to literature discussions and debates led by authors such as Andrew Solomon and Simon Sebag Montefiore, as well as live music and drama productions that fit with this year’s life and death theme. Learn about the infamous Romanovs, consider Einstein’s achievements, or discover novels penned by local writers. 18-28 February, Kings Place, 90 York Way, NW1, jewishbookweek.com

John Akomfrah, Tropikos, 2016 Single channel video, colour, sound © Smoking Dogs Films. Courtesy Lisson Gallery

Play time Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones fans may want to take a trip to Almeida Theatre this month to see Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. Starring Jessica Brown Findlay, Tobias Menzies and Paul Rhys, the play explores our never-ending desire to find a sense of purpose in the world. Directed by Robert Icke, winner of the Evening Standard’s Best Director award for Oresteia, the drama follows the life of an elderly professor and his new wife. From £10, 5 February – 26 March, Almeida Street, N1, almeida.co.uk

Uncle Vanya at Almeida Theatre Photo ©John Angerson

SPOTLIGHT Marie Lise Gres by Ron Falloon, image © Ron Falloon, courtesy of Zebra One Gallery

Behind the lens The photography of artist and filmmaker John Akomfrah is the subject of an eponymous exhibition at Lisson Gallery this month. In his exploration of topics such as postcolonialism and the experience of the African diaspora in Europe and America, Akomfrah’s captivating images blend film footage with still photography. Alongside a series of politically charged films, the exhibition will also feature two new video installations shot in Greece and Barbados, which explore the economic and refugee crises respectively. Until 12 March, 27 Bell Street NW1, lissongallery.com

Swinging sixties The eagle-eyed among you will have spotted this image of Marie Lise Gres on the cover of this month’s issue. Captured by photographer Ron Falloon in 1965, the photo is one of a selection currently on sale at Hampstead’s Zebra One Gallery. A summer job photographing guests at The Carlton Hotel in Cannes sparked Falloon’s interest in photography. After moving to London, Falloon assisted John French before opening his own studio in 1962, where he photographed the likes of Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy. Zebra One Gallery, 1 Perrin’s Court NW3, zebraonegallery.com

Hyde and seek It was 1886 when Robert Louis Stevenson released his chilling novella The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. This winter the Cockpit theatre is reviving the well-known tale about the dangers of self-definition and class conflict for a four-week run in collaboration with Blue Orange. Set in a 1930s jazz club, with a live pianist and plenty of catchy songs, director Mark Webster’s reimagining of the Victorian classic will have you examining the effect of duality within us all. £18, until 6 February, Gateforth Street, NW8, thecockpit.org.uk

“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.” – Albert Einstein Damage control

This image: Women's Centre, Darya Khan, Pakistan, by Yasmeen Lari ©Heritage Foundation of Pakistan Above: Ideas for rebuilding Hoboken, New Jersey after Hurrican Sandy ©OMA

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

Disaster is the subject of RIBA Architecture Gallery’s new exhibition, Creation from Catastrophe, which examines how physical destruction can inspire new opportunities for creativity. Drawing on the work of architects including Yasmeen Lari, Toyo Ito and Sir Christopher Wren, the display explores how cities recover from devastation and questions the fragility of architecture alongside our ever-changing relationship with nature. From recovery plans after the Great Fire of London, to modern day responses to natural disasters, explore a time tunnel of emergencies and how our cities and the humans that build them constantly attempt to reassert control. 26 January – 14 April, 66 Portland Place, W1B, architecture.com VANTAGE | 31

Ode to Hampstead Jack Watkins takes a trip down memory lane as he explores John Keats’ connection to Hampstead 

F YOU LIVE IN or on the outskirts of Hampstead for any length of time you quickly become adept at finding ways to escape the high street’s crowds. Areas of more secluded, private delight aren’t hard to discover. I always feel a burst of delight on reaching the lower end of the street as I turn left to continue the descent along Downshire Hill. A few yards along the road, the landscape and atmosphere changes completely. Tranquillity reigns. The villas are Georgian but, fronted by sturdy old walls, trees and shrubs, look as if they have been there forever. The Heath sits invitingly at the end, hinted

All images © Keats House, Hampstead

at by the greenery of lofty London Plane trees. And if you take the right-hand option as the road forks at the Italianate, cream stuccoed chapel of St John, you pass the one-time home of arguably the most famous of all Hampstead’s former residents, John Keats. It was to this property (now Keats House, but then known as Wentworth Place) that Keats returned from a trip to the City in February 1820, chilled to the bone. A thaw had lifted temperatures after a recent cold spell in the capital, so when Keats had set out earlier in the day he’d neglected to put on his thick coat and, in an attempt to save money, the impecunious poet had ridden on the outside of the coach. It bought on a severe chill, and he was immediately sent to bed by his friend Charles Brown. But as Keats lay down on his pillow he began coughing up blood. Having trained as an apothecary, he recognised that the blood was arterial, meaning that he was suffering from tuberculosis, known at the time as consumption. To alleviate his suffering,

SPOTLIGHT

Not only would he meet and fall in love with Fanny Brawne here, but he would write some of his most famous works

Keats would embark on a trip to Italy later that year, but he would never return to England, dying in Rome in February 1821, aged 25. Wentworth House is a grand sounding name, but in reality the property consisted of two semi-detached dwellings, one half of which Brown owned. But for Keats, the epitome of the Romantic poet, it would witness some of the happiest times of his short life. Not only would he meet and fall in love with Fanny Brawne here, but he would write some of his most famous works, including Ode on a Grecian Urn, and Ode to a Nightingale, the latter composed in the garden. Keats House continues to draw visitors from around the world, but the now revered poet was mocked as “the Cockney Homer” in his day. His origins were modest. He grew up at the Swan & Hoop Inn, Moorgate, where his father was an ostler. After developing an interest in medicine, he became a student at St Guy’s Hospital, aged 18, and spent five years there, dressing patients’ wounds after surgery. But he also had a hankering to write poetry. An introduction to the writer and critic Leigh Hunt, who lived in a cottage in the Vale of Health in 1816 proved critical to his later literary development. Keats was already familiar with Hampstead Heath from walks with the artist Joseph Severn. While it wasn’t wild in the same way as William Wordsworth’s Lake District, its landscape was still one of open fields and scattered farmsteads. Despite its proximity, it had, as it still does, a feeling of total apartness from what Keats called the “loggerheads” of the City. Keats at this time was living in rudimentary lodgings in Cheapside. The poet frequently walked from there to visit Hunt. His poem I Stood Tip-Toe Upon a Little Hill was written during a stay at Hunt’s cottage, inspired by “a delightful summer day” when the poet stood musing beside a gate leading up to Kenwood House. By the spring of 1817, Keats was lodging at 1 Well Walk, where the Wells Tavern now stands. Here, while nursing his brother Tom, who would eventually die from consumption too, Keats became friends with Charles Dilke and Brown, owners of the two halves of Wentworth Place. The gregarious Brown fancied himself as something of a literary man, though this

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

didn’t seem to have amounted to more than a single comic opera, which had been performed in Drury Lane a few years before. When the pair went on a walking tour of Scotland, Brown let out his home to a widow Mrs Brawne and her three children. Keats immediately took a shining to 18 year-old Fanny. After Tom’s death, Brown invited Keats to become his lodger. The Brawnes had moved out but lived conveniently close by, at the top of Downshire Hill, on the corner of the High Street and Rosslyn Hill. Keats began his courtship of Fanny knowing his income was insufficient to support a wife. He was also becoming increasingly preoccupied with death as his health began to decline. Yet there were good moments. When Dilke decided to move out, the Brawnes moved into his part of the house, and visits between Keats and the family were frequent. Keats wrote several of his best odes during this period too. Ode to a Nightingale was inspired by a nightingale that had built its nest near the house in the spring of 1819. “Keats took a tranquil and continual joy in her song,” Brown recalled. “One morning he took a chair from the breakfast table to the grass plot under a plum tree.” He would apparently sit there for several hours listening to the bird’s beautiful melody. By the autumn of 1820, however, the poet was making his final voyage. As the boat departed en route to Italy, he copied his sonnet Bright Star into his volume of Shakespeare’s poems. About a week later, at the bottom of a letter to Mrs Brawne sent from Naples, he’d scribble the haunting message: “Goodbye Fanny! God bless you.” Keats House, as it became after it was saved from demolition in 1920, opened to the public five years later. Devoted to Keats and to poetry in general, it contains many mementoes, including the engagement ring Keats gave to Fanny, drawings, paintings and manuscripts. The rooms are kept much as they were back in his day. And even though the nightingales no longer nest on the Heath as they did two centuries ago, it’s still a fine place to go if you are trying to forget that you are living in London. Keats House is open Friday to Sunday, 11am-5pm 10 Keats Grove, NW3

VANTAGE | 33

L’arche de Noé XXXIII by Cathleen Naundorf Designer: Elie Saab

Flights of Fancy Ahead of the photographer’s first solo exhibition in New York, Annabel Harrison takes a closer look at the career and creations of the widely travelled and globally renowned Cathleen Naundorf 

SPOTLIGHT

Portrait of Cathleen Naundorf

S MR EINSTEIN ONCE SAID, “Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere”. This sentiment couldn’t be more apt when considering the fact that Cathleen Naundorf’s career has taken her from photo-reporting on Indian tribes in Amazonia and shamans in Siberia to shooting runway shows in Paris for Condé Nast, and subsequently the world’s top couture houses, via spending time with the Dalai Lama (of all people). “My photographs are a reflection of my imagination,” said Naundorf earlier this year, “and that’s where the narratives come from… I find inspiration everywhere when I travel. I was a photojournalist for a long time, so a curiousness for discovery is in my blood.” This is not hard to believe. The French-German photographer’s oeuvre comprises images that are all, to varying degrees, fantastical and eccentric, while at the same time being opulent and exquisitely composed.

Working with a large-format camera, Naundorf’s distinctive technique is inspired by photographer Horst P. Horst, who she met in the early ’90s. He became both a mentor and a friend, inspiring her initial move into fashion in 1997; by 2005, she was working on a series called Un Rêve de Mode, with six couture houses, including Chanel, Lacroix, Dior and Valentino. She was given access to gowns from their archives for her elaborate, theatrical shoots and the results can be seen in her book Haute Couture: The Polaroids of Cathleen Naundorf. L’arche de Noé XXXIII (pictured opposite) was on show at Mayfair’s Hamiltons gallery earlier this year in an exhibition entitled Noah’s Ark. “The umbrella (which is for protection against the sun, not the rain),” Naundorf clarifies, “is from Burma. I travelled through the southern part of the country for one month via the old English train from the 1940s. Along the way, I discovered these amazing handmade paper umbrellas… On my last day, a local I had befriended brought me a present to take home, and it was one of these umbrellas! When the opportunity to shoot the Noah’s Ark series came up, I chose a hand-painted background of the sky and one of the umbrellas I had found on my travels.” If you love this image, get in touch with the gallery; although it is among the selection for Naundorf’s upcoming solo exhibition in NYC at the Edwynn Houk Gallery, selected works are still available for purchase through Hamiltons. We expect to see more from Naundorf in the capital over the coming months; drawn by the “positive energy and dynamism, British humour and eccentricity [of this] multicultural, open-minded city”, Naundorf liked it “so much that I moved here!” Selected photographs from the Haute Couture series will be exhibited at Cathleen Naundorf’s first solo exhibition in New York until 27 February 2016 Edwynn Houk Gallery, 745 Fifth Avenue, NY 10151 houkgallery.com Hamiltons, 13 Carlos Place, W1K hamiltonsgallery.com cathleennaundorf.com L'arche de Noé VIII by Cathleen Naundorf Designer: Dior

My Paradise Bird I by Cathleen Naundorf Designer: Chanel

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 35

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

Away with the fairies While Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is the epitome of romance for some, Jenny Packham chose the Bard’s more light-hearted work as inspiration for her 2016 collection. Taking cues from the enchanted kingdom and fairy-tale characters in the comedy play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Packham has designed a collection of wedding dresses comprising silk tulles, corsets and chiffon, and decorated with appliqué organza flowers, ostrich feathers and Swarovski crystals. jennypackham.com

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 37

Fashion news By Ellen Millard

Goldie locks The saying goes that the best things come in small packages, and Jimmy Choo has proved the theory right with a petite version of its Lockett bag. Redesigned in nine new styles, the miniature tote features a stylish gold chain and arrow-shaped clasp with delicate embellishment. Make a statement with the buttercup yellow, denim leather or python print styles. From £895, jimmychoo.com

Bucket list BAIA founder Susy Brown set out to create a timeless, sophisticated collection of staple bags for S/S16. The result is smooth leather and suede totes, bucket bags and cross-body styles in pastel shades of peach, blue, grey and white. Gold and silver hardware and straps in contrasting colours add a fun touch to an otherwise simple range, which will fit seamlessly into EDITOR'S any wardrobe.

PICK

From a selection baiabags.co.uk

In the shade You know you’ve made it big when you can name an entire collection after one of your designs, but we wouldn’t expect anything less from fashion maestro Stella McCartney, whose latest range of eyewear takes its moniker from her Flabella tote. Oversized rose pink cat-eye shades and gold embellished specs make-up the new line, which runs alongside McCartney’s new essential range of pastel styles, paint-splattered designs and ski-goggle shapes. From a selection, stellamccartney.com

FASHION

Kors for celebration Michael Kors has enlisted Russian model Sasha Pivovarova to star in his new Resort 2016 campaign, once again shot by Mario Testino. The supermodel, who opened the designer’s Spring show back in September, is seen soaking up the sun while lounging in the back of a cream open-topped car, decked headto-toe in Kors’s latest collection of geometric print blouses, striped jumpers and polka-dot trousers, all in a tanned colour scheme. If only all road trips looked this glamorous. Available at Selfridges, michaelkors.com

Jean genie 2015 saw Alexa Chung rule the denim roost with her collection of button-down miniskirts and navy dungarees, but 7 For All Mankind looks like it’ll be taking back its crown this season. The LA label has just launched a collection of dungaree culottes, zip-up dresses, denim shirts and elongating flares that wouldn’t look out of place on the fashionista herself. Team the look with the label’s tan suede jacket and oversized shirts to achieve the off-duty model look that Chung does so well.

Aisle be damned Future brides, take note: Casadei has launched its bridal collection for 2016, comprising two new styles of its signature Blade pump. The It shoe favoured by A-listers Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez and Amal Clooney has been revamped in two simple white and champagnecoloured styles. The sleek platforms will work well with any dress or colour scheme – just make sure you practice walking in them before stepping down the aisle. £550 each, casadei.com

From a selection 7forallmankind.com

French fancies Balmain for H&M is old news; this year it’s all about Carven, which has designed a capsule collection for French e-tailer La Redoute. Taking inspiration from the air hostess uniforms produced by Madame Carven in the 1960s and 1970s, Carven’s creative directors Alexis Martial and Adrien Caillaudaud have designed an elegant collection of clean-cut trousers, belted dresses and A-line skirts. Navy, black and cream are prominent shades, while flashes of red, khaki and pastel tones add a pop of colour to the collection. From a selection, laredoute.co.uk

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 39

Clockwise from top left: Medium Trotteur bag in almond palmelato calfskin, £1,750, Céline, 103 Mount Street, W1K; Python bag, £2,270, Miu Miu, 150 New Bond Street, W1S; Necklace, £390, Marni, mytheresa.com; Karlie suede heels, £420, Aquazzura, 38 Albemarle Street, W1S; Mini shoulder bag, £925, Victoria Beckham, 36 Dover Street, W1S

First Blush  PHOTOGRAPHY Ian Walsh STYLIST Vanissa Antonious

Occasion

A Sense of

Lauren Romano meets the go-to designer for feminine formalwear, Emilia Wickstead, to talk starting out, sophisticated silhouettes and Swarovski crystals ď&#x192;ľ

Portrait by Rebecca Reid; Catwalk photos by Yannis Vlamos; Backstage photos by Jason Lloyd-Evans

INTERVIEW

HE PHRASE ‘CRIMES AGAINST FASHION’ doesn’t quite cover some of the atrocities that get debuted when convention decrees we don our Sunday Best. No other dress code (apart from the ever-ambivalent ‘smart casual’) causes as many fashion faux pas. You can play spot the meringue/shiny satin monstrosity with almost every wedding album in existence. And Royal Ascot wouldn’t be Royal Ascot without someone, no matter how instinctive their inner style gauge usually is, turning up looking like they’ve raided the costume department from Absolutely Fabulous.

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

Not only do designer Emilia Wickstead’s clients attend the usual slew of weddings and parties, their diaries are filled with state banquets, Royal Box seats at the Wimbledon final and red carpet photo-calls, so getting it wrong is not an option. Since showing her first ready-to-wear collection at London Fashion Week in 2012, the New Zealandborn designer has been the go-to for the trickiest of couture conundrums: occasionwear. In Wickstead’s atelier banished are the trains, the frills and the fuss usually associated with anything traditionally from that ilk. In their place a modern, but vintage-looking silhouette has enticed everyone from the Duchess of Cambridge and Samantha Cameron to Diane Kruger and Alexa Chung. Nipped in waists and full circle skirts in pretty pastels are part of the Wickstead DNA, but unexpected twists pull designs out of prim and proper territory. For S/S16 Wickstead has played with proportions, incorporating blouson sleeves, puff ball shorts and ballooning shapes, alongside crop tops and streamlined capri pants. Her trademark pastels have been infiltrated by chintzy clashing florals, geometric patterns and candy cane stripes, overlaid here and there with a scattering of sparkling crystals. Wickstead is one of six London-based designers who have been selected to join the latest edition of the Swarovski Collective. Founded in 1999 by Nadja Swarovski in collaboration with Isabella Blow and Alexander McQueen, the Collective was established to push the boundaries of crystal use in fashion, and has supported the likes of Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler and Marios Schwab over the course of its 16 years. This season Wickstead has frosted satin collars with chequered sparkles, beaded floral silk jacquards with flowers and embroidered eye details onto the hems and sleeves of dresses and skirts. “The eyes were inspired by the 1940s George Cukor film The Women,” Wickstead reveals. “The entire film is shot in black and white, but there’s a mini fashion show in the middle that is depicted in colour. One of the characters wears a blouse that has an eye motif on, which is where the idea came from.” I get the impression that Wickstead is not overly fond of the ladylike tag that has been tacked countless times to her look. “There’s something very romantic about our silhouettes because we’re mixing traditional with contemporary. We combine the sumptuous with intricate beading that adds punch to delicate shapes,” she says in her upbeat way, skirting the question. “Collaborating with Swarovski gives a bit of twist, an element of adventure somehow to my designs.” The proportions of the collection are certainly designed for the adventurous. Playful amorphous garments billow and balloon in ways that might

VANTAGE | 43

“There’s something very romantic about our silhouettes because we’re mixing traditional with contemporary”

not all together be described as flattering, but the oversized is cleverly balanced out with a gymnastic element of razor backs and crop tops. “It’s essentially about mixing tradition with a sort of modern and athletic sensibility,” Wickstead explains. Old-world couture and femininity are constant sources of inspiration for the designer, whose own boutique on Sloane Street could be modelled on a Dior Salon of old. It offers ready-to-wear garments as well as a bespoke service and a made-to-order collection where women can choose from a selection of fabrics and colours. Made-to-order is the very cornerstone of the Wickstead brand. After graduating with a BA in Fashion Design and Marketing from Central Saint Martins, rather than scrimp her way to making a collection, Wickstead ditched the catwalk to set up shop in her living room. Despite having placements at Giorgio Armani, Proenza Schouler, Narciso Rodriguez and American Vogue under her belt, she got an unlikely job on the door at Mahiki nightclub. I wonder if she ever bumped into the Duchess there when she was still K-Mid, but she seems reluctant to do royal talk. Nonetheless, the job and a loan from her boyfriend (now husband), gave her the financial injection she needed to start inviting friends round to her flat where she put on fashion shows. Wickstead took fittings and set up a home atelier and when the recession hit, she took a brave punt, going in with a low bid for a shop on Cadogan Place in Belgravia. “Maybe that’s what saved me, starting backwards,” she muses. “I really got to know what

INTERVIEW

“Maybe that’s what saved me, starting backwards. I really got to know what my customer wanted, what sells and what doesn’t”

my customer wanted, what sells and what doesn’t. I started with retail, which is a huge eye-opener to anyone setting up a business because at the end that’s what you want to conquer really.” She describes her customer as the most modern woman in her circle. “I love using the word alluring,” she smiles. Wickstead is her own greatest ambassador, and wears her designs everyday unless she’s on Mum duty at the weekend when it’s jeans and a jumper. With two small children she understands the difficulties of juggling motherhood with a career. After the birth of her daughter Mercedes in 2012, she was reportedly back to work the next week preparing for Fashion Week. “I feel like I’ve basically been pregnant for the last few years – putting together collections and then giving birth two weeks later. It is very challenging, but as a woman your career doesn’t stop for that, especially when you have your own business.” Despite the sleepless nights Wickstead insists that her creativity is inspired by what surrounds her and family plays a big part in that process. “Having said that, time was the greatest gift given to me during the last collection,” she confesses with a laugh. “Oh, and crystals.” 162A Sloane Street, SW1X, emiliawickstead.com swarovskicollective.com

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 45

Take a Vow

Break with tradition and forgo the conventional white wedding dress for a lace jumpsuit or sequin number ď&#x192;ľ PHOTOGRAPHY Phillip Waterman

STYLIST Jess Stebbings

Dress, £2,800, Jenny Packham, jennypackham.com; Diamond Earrings, £6.500, Noor Fares, Dover Street Market, 17-18 Dover Street, W1S

Above Mirror Ball Dress, £9,500, Temperley London, 27 Bruton Street, W1J; Diamond Earrings, £20,563, Shamballa Jewels, available at Harrods; Diamond Ring, £420, Stone Paris, stoneparis.com Left Jumpsuit, £832, DVF, dvf.com; Diamond Earrings, Noor Fares, as before; Diamond Ring, £10,500, and Diamond Necklace, £2,950, both Shaun Leane, available at Selfridges; Bag, £1,695, Jimmy Choo, jimmychoo.com

Above Dress, £425, L.K Bennett, lkbennett.com; Ring, £4,750, and Diamond Earrings, £8,400, both Noor Fares, as before Right Dress, £280, Solace, solacelondon.com; Diamond Earrings, £10,666, Shamballa Jewels, as before; Ring, £4,750, Noor Fares, as before

HAIR & MAKE-UP Elliot Bssila @ Terri Manduca using Aveda Neusa Neves using Eyeko PHOTOGRAPHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ASSISTANT Kevin Baker MODEL Ganna @ Models 1 SHOT ON LOCATION AT Angelspace Studios

INTERVIEW

Green

Sleeves

Like a hybrid of eBay and Net-A-Porter, Vestiaire Collective is giving unused designer goods a new lease of life. Co-founder Fanny Moizant tells Ellen Millard why recycled fashion is this year’s hottest trend 

E’VE ALL EXPERIENCED that rare feeling of joy when finding a stowaway £10 note in an old pair of jeans, but locating enough cash in your wardrobe to subsidise a pair of Jimmy Choo’s is surely a discovery as rare as stumbling upon a hidden treasure chest. Not according to Fanny Moizant, one of the co-founders behind Parisian designer re-sale site Vestiaire Collective, who believes our unworn items are a gold mine waiting to be tapped. “Practicing the one in, one out strategy [with your wardrobe] is very clever because you always end up getting extra money for your fashion just by selling what you have at home,” she tells me. “There’s no point keeping your space and your wardrobe cluttered with things you don’t wear any more.” This is the ethos behind Vestiaire Collective, a luxury online portal that allows you to upload and sell your designer cast-offs to an online community. It’s the product of six co-founders who all had the same idea at the same time. While Moizant’s business partners were interested in selling their unused clothes, her idea came from simply looking for a new way to shop, which she happened upon after reading an article about bloggers selling their unwanted clothes. Having started out working in her mother’s clothes shop as a teenager and later for a homeware brand as an adult, Moizant jumped at the chance to combine her love for business and fashion. Her brother introduced her to one of the co-

founders, and together along with four others they created the collective. Seven years later, Vestiaire has more than 100,000 new members every month, joining an international community of four million. The headquarters in Paris has expanded to include offices in New York, London – where Moizant now lives – and Berlin. Three thousand new items are submitted every day, with the curation team turning away roughly 30 per cent of submissions. “The reason that we have the curation step is because at the time [that we launched] the existing reselling sites were quite a bit… how do you say? Painful,” she tells me. “There were so many things that you ended up just spending your time trawling through for great items, so from day one we wanted to have a very curated offer and inventory, and to take only the good pieces that the community was willing to buy.” If your item makes the cut, it’s posted on the website where anybody in the world can buy it. Once purchased, the item is shipped to the site’s headquarters in Paris, where it’s taken through a quality control procedure to check size, condition and colour as well as brand authenticity. The entire process, from the moment you make your order to when it’s delivered to your door, takes roughly eight days – not bad considering those last season Manolo’s could be travelling through several different countries. Unsurprisingly, the best sellers are the big-name brands. The Hermès Birkin bag won the prize for the fastest-selling item

If your item makes the cut, it’s posted on the website where anybody in the world can buy it

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 53

ever when it was snapped up in a mere 17 seconds – faster than tickets to see Adele, I muse. “At the time we had a manual process to put every item online, and the person in charge had just put the bag on the website. When she checked the page she was like, ‘What? Where is the bag?’” Moizant laughs. “Then she discovered that it wasn’t a bug, but that the bag had sold out immediately!” The Chanel Boy and 2.55 bags also top the best-sellers’ list, along with Acne Pistol boots and Chloé’s Faye bag. “The best sellers are a mix of iconic pieces that most girls dream of,” Moizant smiles. For those looking for something specific, the One That Got Away service allows you to post your most sought-after item in the hope that Vestiaire’s online community might be able to find it for you. On Moizant’s personal wish list is a pair of Céline gold-plated brogues that she has narrowly missed out on on several occasions, but she says she still owns her first Chanel bag, which she bought through the website. “It’s a navy blue one with a pompom that I absolutely love,” she says. “I still own it and will keep it for a while.”

INTERVIEW

the rest should be low-key,” she says. Despite this, she admits that her style has adapted to London’s quirkier fashion sense since moving to the capital. “UK women are bolder compared to the French, who are more classic. I love those strong looks, which are very feminine I think; [British women] wear skirts and dresses more than in France. I really like that side actually. It’s had a big impact on the way I dress,” she admits. “Right now I’m really in love with Christopher Kane, and I recently bought his pleated shiny skirt that I’m wearing with a basic sweater.” Not only has London made an impression on her wardrobe, but Moizant believes the capital has given her a more positive outlook on life, too. “There’s an energy here that unfortunately we don’t have any more in Paris,” she tells me. “The creativity; the mix of different cultures; the people, who are really open-minded and positive; it’s a really refreshing state of mind.” While Moizant now heads up the UK office, the rest of the world is getting a slice of Vestiaire Collective’s pie, too, with new branches opening in Madrid and Milan this year, and plans for American expansion in the pipeline. It looks like global domination is the end goal, and my guess is it’ll succeed – after all, who doesn’t like a bargain? A survey Vestiaire conducted found that five per cent of women have the resale value in mind when they buy something new. “It’s an emerging trend, and although it’s still small, it does show that there’s a shift in the behaviour and mentality of fashion lovers,” Moizant explains. “You might buy a £500 pair of shoes, but you know you’re going to get at least half or more back. You’re not spending more money; you’re just recycling the money that you’re sat on every day.” Calculation has never been my forte, but it’s safe to say that Moizant’s is a maths lesson I am happy to get on board with.

“You’re not spending more money; you’re just recycling the money that you’re sat on every day”

When we speak, the service has been temporarily put on hold to make room for Vestiaire Collective’s annual Wardrobes for Women sale, a 12-day charity event for which famous faces like Emma Watson, Keira Knightley, Diane Kruger and Charlotte Olympia Dellal auction off their unwanted possessions to help support women survivors of war who are working to rebuild their lives. “It’s a pity when beloved clothes sit dormant in my closet, so I am thrilled to be a part of Wardrobes for Women to give these clothes a new life,” Knightley said at the time. Among the items that went under the hammer was a gingham Derek Lam dress previously owned by Watson, Knightley’s floral Valentino bag and a polka-dot DVF blazer from Kruger. “The charity sale is something we do every single year. It is important to us to give back,” Moizant tells me. “Most of the time the charity that we pick is dedicated to women. It’s very interesting for our community to access those very rare pieces while supporting a good cause.” When it comes to her own style, Moizant likes to keep things simple. “Less is more. You don’t need to do too much, you just need to have one strong piece, and

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

vestiairecollective.com

All images courtesy of Vestiaire Collective

VANTAGE | 55

The

Fruits Labour of

British accessories designer Sophie Hulme speaks to Olivia Sharpe about the growth of her brand, from her new tutti-frutti Resort ‘16 collection to her impending jewellery and evening bag range 

E WERE BEGINNING to fear that the concept of an affordable luxury handbag was disappearing from the fashion industry – until the arrival of Sophie Hulme, that is. Since launching her namesake brand in 2007, the up-and-coming British accessories designer has been delighting us with her sophisticated yet playful, luxurious but accessible designs that redefine modern classics in new and timeless ways.

She received her first British Fashion Award for emerging talent in accessories in 2012 thanks to her best-selling leather tote, which has been sported by the likes of Carey Mulligan and Samantha Cameron. This year sees the designer branch out further with the launch of her newly opened Harrods pop-up shop, which currently houses her mouth-watering Resort ‘16 collection, comprising pieces inspired by fruit. Here, she discusses starting out, her style icons and her pet Beagle, Alan.

INTERVIEW

The Resort ‘16 collection is a celebration of colour and texture. Continuing my fascination with taking the everyday and making it special, this time around I was inspired by the geometry of fruit. Orange segments are realised in laser-cut appliqué and crystal ‘pips’ that have been inlaid on triangular watermelon slices. I love the bright medley of colours, with the explosion of bananas, grapefruits, cherries and oranges adorning the bags. Orange, blossom pink and red berry are all really optimistic, positive shades that can bring a great pop of colour to a simple outfit.

I initially wanted to be an artist so I did a foundation year in fine art. Part of my course involved fashion so I had a go and realised I really enjoyed it. It made sense because when I was younger, I always used to make stuff: boxes, sweet machines, all kinds of things. The idea of becoming a fashion and accessories designer didn’t come to me until my foundation year, but looking back now, it was a natural choice.

The Sophie Hulme charms are inspired by my love for collecting everything from little leather pouches to vintage clothing. The pom-poms are just so much fun; they have their own little personalities and are now very much part of the family. The charms and the pom-poms are definitely the more personal part of the brand and our customers can collect them every season, building their own ranges up over time.

Since the day we started, I have said I don’t want to be trend-led. I want to make pieces that last and being too trend focused puts a shelf life on products. I intentionally try not to follow popular fashions in order to keep things fresh and do my own thing. I like the idea of building a wardrobe of beautiful items that will last forever.

The idea of the tote was to take this staple piece back to basics and create something practical, but also beautiful. The handbags are crafted in classic saddlery leather, which becomes more beautiful over time. The hardware itself is quite industrial yet sophisticated. Gold-plating was first

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 57

Sophie Hulme pop-up shop in Harrods, all images courtesy of Gilbert McCarragher

used to support and reinforce the handle, but over the years this has also become an iconic decorative feature of the bags. The tote is constantly evolving and to celebrate the launch of our new online store, we created an exclusive capsule collection of soft grey bags, accented in silver hardware. It marks the first time we have strayed from our signature gold hardware.

“I feel honoured to have created something that people recognise and that has an identity”

I have long been a fan of wearing men’s tailored trousers with a heel. You can wear this outfit anywhere and it always looks chic. With my first ever tote, I was inspired by the rawness and functionality of menswear and military attire.

I don’t have a style icon as such, but I loved my mum’s style in the ‘70s. There are old slides of her

travelling with my dad across America in a camper van and she looks amazing. She would put outfits together with such ease. I like to design with the idea of creating pieces that can be passed down to your children.

The best gift I have ever received was my engagement ring. It’s from the 1950s and it has a really beautiful and unusual setting.

When it’s cold outside, I like to stay in with my Beagle, Alan. We sit on the sofa together and watch Columbo. I have always lived in North London – my whole family is from here and still live nearby. I’m a big Arsenal fan and I have lots of childhood memories of watching matches at the Emirates Stadium. The grounds at Kenwood House are beautiful so I take my niece and nephew for walks and tree climbing there in the summer. The Albion in Barnsbury is great for a drink and I especially like it as they are very welcoming of Alan, too. I also love Trullo in Highbury, an Italian restaurant with the best pappardelle – it’s delicious!

We are launching jewellery this year through online retail as well as at the Harrods popup shop. The range is inspired by our signature charms and I’m really happy with it. We are also launching evening bags in the winter that are inspired by our core bag range. I think they bring something new to the ones I am so used to seeing on the market.

My biggest career achievement so far has been winning a British Fashion Award. It was

such an honour to be in the same room as Valentino, Stella McCartney and other incredible creative minds whom I so admire. I feel honoured to have created something that people recognise and that has an identity. But at the same time, to see a girl on the bus wearing one of my bags – that has still got to be the proudest moment of all. The Resort ‘16 collection is available at the Sophie Hulme pop-up shop in Harrods, from £125 to £995 sophiehulme.com; harrods.com

b a s l e r- f a s h i o n . c o m For retail enquiries call 020 7225 5203

B E R LI N

BAS_AZ_UK_210x297.indd 31

LONDON

PA R I S

NEW YORK

MOSCOW

SYDNEY

ABU DHABI

10.09.15 11:37

Beauty news By Ellen Millard

Lace up We’re used to seeing pastel shades and floral prints cropping up on the catwalk when S/S rolls around, but there were no telltale signs of spring at Burberry this season, which has chosen a decidedly autumnal theme for its latest collection. The label’s new make-up range, Velvet and Lace, mirrors the ready-towear line with black cherry nail varnish, nude gold eye shadow and oxblood lips. From £15, available from February, 121 Regent Street, W1B burberry.com

Kiss and tell For the 12th year in a row Clinique has joined forces with Great Ormond Street Hospital for the Kiss It Better appeal. To help raise money for research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancers, Clinique has produced a limited edition Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick. Available in Matte Magenta and Matte Petal in a special lip print design, all of the proceeds will go to the Kiss It Better appeal, with an additional £2 donated by Clinique for every lipstick bought in February. £15 each, clinique.co.uk

California dreaming

Early spring in California is the inspiration behind Chanel’s latest collection, which includes a range of warm shades reminiscent of a sunrise in Los Angeles. A new blusher palette, Sunkiss Ribbon, combines fuchsia, coral, copper and light pink shades set in a criss-cross pattern. Blend together to create a sun-kissed effect that wouldn’t look out of place on the streets of Long Beach.

EDITOR'S PICK

£44, chanel.com Clarins Instant Glow Spring Make-Up Model 2016

The glow getter When designing its new make-up line, Clarins set out to produce a range that would brighten complexions and give skin a warm tint. Cue its Instant Glow collection, comprising a limited edition Natural Glow eyeshadow palette of five metallic shades in gold, nude, rosy pink, bronze and charcoal, a rose cream blush and four new shades of its Rouge Eclat Age-Defying lipstick. £33, clarins.com

bag

BEAUTY

In the Our pick of the latest must-have handbag essentials

1. This spring, Dolce & Gabbana Beauty has themed its new make-up range, Rosa Look 2016, around the rose. Eight pink shades have been added to the label’s originally red Dolce Matte Lipstick collection, while a new eyeshadow palette, Miss Dolce, combines three matte shades of nude pink, fuchsia and black with a pearl white hue. From a selection, dolcegabbana.com

2. Crème de la Mer’s new Lifting Eye Serum combats signs of ageing and instantly tightens the skin around the eye area. Simply prep the skin using the round side of the applicator, which helps stimulate microcirculation and cool and soothe the eye, and apply a drop of the serum for an instant lift. £180, cremedelamer.co.uk 3. For two weeks in spring, Tokyo turns pink thanks to the annual bloom of its famous cherry blossom trees. SUQQU’s new make-up range is inspired by the colourful season, comprising pink lipsticks, champagne eyeshadows and coral blushers that mirror the shades of the famous flora. From £18, available from Harrods 4. Colour is the name of the game this season at

NARS, which has introduced cobalt blue and mint green shades to its Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow palettes. For the lips, a new staple red that takes its moniker from our favourite festive drink, mulled wine, has been added to the label’s Banned Red lipstick collection. From £19, narscosmetics.co.uk

5. Eve Lom’s new Brightening Cream helps create an even-toned, younger complexion. Using rose otto oil to increase hydration and combat oxidative stresses (the cause of premature ageing and dark spots), the cream plumps fine lines and wrinkles and soothes the skin. £75, evelom.com 6. A beauty range with a difference, Argan Liquid Gold uses argan oil and 24 carat gold to hydrate, radiate and protect against ageing. New to the collection is the Multi-Tone BB Cream, which adapts to your skin tone and provides even coverage while moisturising at the same time. £70, arganliquidgold.co.uk 7. Sisley Paris has launched new shades of its easy-to-use Phyto-Lip and -Eye twists for S/S16. Snap up the draw-on eyeshadows in metallic tones of emerald, amethyst, copper and pearl and the tinted lip balms in poppy, litchi (nude) and sugar (light pink). £29 each, sisley-paris.com 8. Achieve a look worthy of a true make-up artist with Illamasqua’s new Corrupter gel. The transparent product helps you distort your make-up to create a messy effect, taking you one step closer to achieving that notoriously tricky smoky-eye look. £20, illamasqua.com LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 61

Reset the clock.

Get time on your side with Dr Sebagh’s iconic, glow-restoring serums. Serum Repair

Supreme Maintenance Youth Serum

Dr Sebagh’s award-winning, cult serum with 60% hyaluronic acid intensively hydrates and plumps the skin for instantly glowing results. Perfect for day or night, or as a pre-party radiance boost.

A highly powerful super-serum, Dr Sebagh Supreme Maintenance Youth Serum plumps, hydrates and protects skin whilst boosting its natural glow. Oil-free, for all skin types, this potent concentration of ingredients, including resveratrol, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and three antiageing peptides, helps kick-start collagen production and visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

Rose de Vie Sérum Délicat More than just a pretty bottle. This powerful, silky, organic rose oilbased serum is an essential treatment to restore the skin’s natural barrier and vitality. Calming, soothing and antioxidant-rich, it reduces redness and protects and smoothes dry, mature or sensitive skin.

Used alone or mixed to create your perfect, personalised blend, find Dr Sebagh serums in stores and online at drsebagh.com.

INTERVIEW

From the book London Burning: Portraits from a Creative City published by Thames & Hudson. Photograph copyright Kate Martin. Courtesy of TransGlobe Publishing

Charlotte’s Web Charlotte Tilbury tells Ellen Millard about the launch of her first stand-alone store, and why the bare-faced look isn’t for her 

HEAR CHARLOTTE TILBURY before I see her, her unmistakable raspy voice huskily addressing Covent Garden and steering me in the right direction to her new store. She’s easy to spot thanks to her vibrant red hair and purple maxi dress, and the fact that there’s a small crowd of tourists forming around her, craning their necks to see what all the fuss is about. The fuss, of course, is the launch of Tilbury’s first ever stand-alone store, situated on

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

James Street where it rubs shoulders with MAC, and is just around the corner from Estée Lauder, Jo Malone London and Aesop – a pretty big deal for a brand that only launched two years ago. Tilbury herself has been working as a make-up artist for more than 20 years and even in the unlikely event that you don’t recognise her name, there’s no doubt you’ll have come across her work. Her CV reads like the guest lists at the Oscars and London

VANTAGE | 63

Fashion Week combined, and includes the faces of Amal Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Moss – who is godmother to her two sons – and Gisele, as well as catwalk shows by Tom Ford, Donna Karan and Missoni, and photoshoots by Mario Testino and Mert and Marcus. Like an antidote to the ‘no make-up’ make-up trend, Tilbury believes that women don’t wear enough make-up, and claims that nobody has seen her without her warpaint. She even admits that her husband is locked out of the bathroom while she cleans her face and reapplies a softer look to sleep in. “I discovered make-up when I was 13 and haven’t looked back,” she tells me. “I started wearing mascara after I saw my school friends wearing it, and noticed that overnight people were reacting to me in a very different way. I was more popular, and I felt more confident. It changed my life.” After attending the Glauca Rossi School of MakeUp, Tilbury was mentored by Mary Greenwell before establishing herself as a make-up artist in her own right. In 2013, she launched a blog and began posting video tutorials on YouTube, and soon after she started her own make-up range. “The reason I built this brand was to share everything I know about the power of make-up. This is what I dreamt of before I became a make-up artist,” she says, without a hint of modesty. “I wanted to create a make-up range that was like a virtual consultation with one of the world’s leading experts. I simply poured all of my backstage secrets, tips and tricks into an easy-to-use, easy-to-choose format. Everyone wants to know how to be the best version of themselves.” This is very much the concept behind the new boutique, where two storeys – divided between ‘fast’ and ‘fabulous’ – are dedicated to helping customers find the right product for them. ‘Fast’, as you can imagine, is all about the quick sell, with video how-to guides, before and after visuals and 15-minute make-up

“I don’t want the knife or the needle; I’ll do anything and pay anything to have a fabulous cream”

demonstrations from Team Tilbury. There are no tills; instead, the tech-savvy staff are armed with iPads that double up as checkouts. Downstairs – the ‘fabulous’ floor – is a more relaxed affair, with a chandelier, a champagne bar and seven vanity tables inspired by the dressing rooms of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe, two of Tilbury’s inspirations. “I’ve always been obsessed with modern day and classic icons. For me an icon can range from the timeless beauty of Marilyn Monroe to the chameleonic, hypnotising magnetism of Kate Moss, to the intelligence and grace

Above & Right: From the book London Burning: Portraits from a Creative City published by Thames & Hudson. Photograph copyright Kate Martin. Courtesy of TransGlobe Publishing

INTERVIEW

of Amal Clooney and the original supermodels like Cindy Crawford,” she says. “Beauty icons like Helena Rubinstein, Estée Lauder and Coco Chanel also inspire me – strong, powerful women who paved the way for women to access make-up today, and who completely shook up the industry.” I venture downstairs to the ‘fabulous’ floor to join the bundle of journalists perched on plush burgundy sofas – the same shade as the make-up’s packaging, naturally – where Tilbury reveals more about her latest products, Magic Night Cream and Magic Eye Rescue.

It’s difficult to keep up as she hurtles through the list of ingredients, at one point referring to stem cells as the “NHS of cells” and using a mattress as an analogy for bouncy skin, but her talk is punctuated with enough humour and “Darlings” (she says this a lot), that it doesn’t really matter. What is clear is that Tilbury isn’t short of passion, so much so that I fear she might burst with pride when talk turns to the Magic Night cream. “It has totally transformed my life,” she confesses. “I am vain, I love looking good, and I don’t want the knife or the needle; I’ll do anything and pay anything to have a fabulous cream. It’s amazing that you can see what [the Magic Night Cream] does so quickly. I promise you, you wake up to the best skin of your life.” Her passion continues in a similiar vein when she speaks about her soft spot for city life. Despite growing up in Ibiza, the capital has very much influenced Tilbury and her brand and as such she was among 100 creative personalities featured in Thames & Hudson’s London Burning: Portraits from a Creative City, a series of interviews that revealed the favourite haunts of Alexandra Shulman, Guy Ritchie and Roksanda Ilincic, released last year. As someone who dreamed of escaping to the Big Smoke from a young age, Tilbury is full of praise for the city, crediting it as the place where she first started to forge professional relationships. In London Burning she reflects on the importance of a friendly personality as the key to success in the beauty industry: “You get to be with people in places or times that not even their families sometimes or their best friends would share, because the only time that someone gets that close to your face is if they’re your lover. So it’s an incredibly intimate job, and you do become very involved. For me it’s about aura. You feel someone’s feelings, you pick all of that up.” Her first ever store will spearhead her very British beauty shake-up, and Covent Garden proved to be the perfect location. “I love the juxtaposition of glamour and edge. For me, launching here feels like such a natural step in my make-up revolution.” From what I can gather her “revolution” is only just beginning, and Tilbury is far from ready to put down her brushes. As the slogan on her make-up bag says: “Give a woman the right make-up, and she can conquer the world”. House of Tilbury, 11-12 James Street, WC2E charlottetilbury.com

London Burning: Portraits from a Creative City by author and editor Hossein Amirsadeghi and executive editor Maryam Eisler, £58, published by Thames & Hudson thamesandhudson.com

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 65

STRONGER. SLIMMER. FIRMER. FITTER. in six week s ta k e 5 i nches off your waist, lo s e a s tone, doub le you r fi t nes s

“LOSE WEIGHT AND GAIN FITNESS IN RECORD TIME. WITH THE BODYDOCTOR’S WORKOUT ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE” The Sunday Times Style Magazine

COMING SOON B o dy d o c to r - Fi t f o r Lov e A co u p l e t h at sweat together , stay together

Th e B e s t Tra i n i n g I n Th e Wo r l d - An d i t ’s O n Yo u r D o o r s t e p ww w. bo dy d o c tor . c om / 0 2 0 7 4 9 9 9 9 9 0 / s o u t h au d l e y s t r e e t, m ayfa i r w 1

BEAUTY

Face Time Ellen Millard remedies her winter ravaged skin at House of ELEMIS

T’S SAFE TO SAY my skin has taken something of a hit recently; the winter weather coupled with one too many Terry’s Chocolate Oranges is beginning to have an impact on my complexion, which is in dire need of some major TLC. Having heard great things about ELEMIS, I arrive at its flagship spa in Mayfair with high expectations and the hope that a stint in one of its therapy chairs will banish any tell-tale signs of my festive binge. I’m led upstairs to the Penthouse, a vast space with two treatment rooms, a living area and its own private bathroom. I settle down in front of the Skin Lab (a consultation machine), which takes an extremely indepth – and frankly unflattering – photograph of my face. Mr Blobby is given a run for his money as a series of yellow dots point out my dry patches, sun damage and signs of ageing – it’s very clever, if a little scary to look at. Skin thoroughly examined, my therapist suggests I have the hydrating BIOTEC Skin Resurfacer facial to combat my dry, weather-weary visage, but promises to adapt the treatment so my blemish-prone areas get some much-needed attention too. My face is prepped with a cleanser before an ultrasonic peel – a quartz tool that vibrates 27,000 times a second – is used to exfoliate and remove any impurities and dead skin cells. I am admittedly a little wary of the instrument at first, but I’m pleasantly surprised to discover that it’s far gentler

I’m so happy with the results that I spend the rest of the afternoon and the following day make-up free

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

than I was expecting, and in fact I hardly notice it at all. Afterwards, a deep-cleansing mask is layered over my problem areas, and I momentarily drift off to sleep as my skin soaks it in. At the beginning of my session, my therapist had guaranteed that I would walk out with a rejuvenated complexion, and when I wake up I’m happy to see that she has delivered on her promise. My pores are visibly smaller, my cheeks feel baby soft and, best of all, there’s no leftover oil lurking on my face (a post-facial problem I’ve encountered several times before). In fact, I’m so happy with the results that I spend the rest of the afternoon and the following day make-up free. My first trip to House of ELEMIS may have been a long time coming, but it was certainly worth the wait. BIOTEC Skin Resurfacer facial, £120, House of ELEMIS, 2 Lancashire Court, W1S, elemis.com

VANTAGE | 67

BESPOKE HANDMADE FURNITURE www.oficinainglesa.com London Showroom

info@oficinainglesa.com +44 (0) 207 2264 569

Coming up roses Nobody does print quite like the Designers Guild, which offers an explosion of pattern and colour every time it launches a new collection. This season is no different, and the Marylebone store has looked to Parisian haute couture from the 1950s for inspiration. With a focus on luxurious fabrics, the Couture Rose collection comprises silk, brocade and taffeta curtains and beaded wallpaper in bold florals, botanical prints and bright colours not for the faint-hearted. Wave goodbye to the magnolia colour schemes of seasons past and brighten up your home with the labelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fleur Sauvage and Nymphaea prints. 76 Marylebone High Street, W1U designersguild.com

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 69

Interiors news By Amelia Mayes

Out on the tiles Bisazza has been in business for a decade and to celebrate this milestone, the Italian mosaics company has collaborated with British interior designer Tom Dixon to create Cementiles. Drawing on Dixon’s London roots, the new range of concrete tiles is inspired by the city’s streets and architectural landmarks. Dixon’s clever designs can be arranged in multiple ways, meaning you can tailor orders to your requirements. Inspired by Scalextric, the tiles can be manipulated to form straight or curved patterns. Whether on the floor or on the wall, these designs will truly stand out and make a statement feature. From a selection, bisazza.com

Flower power

Throw down Get cosy this Valentine’s Day with a classic woollen throw from WoolMe. The new company specialises in creating beautiful woollen products, using alpaca, mohair and cashmere materials. We love the silky mohair throw, made from the hair of the Angora goat that gives the luxurious yarn a high lustre and smooth finish. Available in two colour variations, it’s ideal to use as a blanket, sofa cover or bed decoration. £84.99, woolme.com

As spring slowly approaches, brighten up your home with Skandium’s beautiful Lyngby vases. Inspired by the German Bauhaus movement, the ribbed flower holders channel a Scandi aesthetic and come in soft pink and elegent grey hues. The vases look best arranged together – just add fresh flowers in coordinating colours to create a quick and simple table arrangement. From £15, skandium.com

INTERIORS

Images by Billal Taright

As nature intended

Let’s be Frank Lighting designer Bert Frank doesn’t follow trends as he believes his collection of wall lights and lamps are designed to stand the test of time. This season Frank has released a new wall light as part of the Revolve line. Available in a range of custom colours and finishes, the brass of the lamp can be left to discolour for a vintage look, or polished to keep its new, shiny glow. £630, bertfrank.co.uk

Francis Sultana has just added the finishing touches to a new collection, specialising in elegant furniture and lighting pieces. Inspired by the Art Deco period and the natural world, the Lulu range is all about romantic contrasts, mixing soft silks with rough leather and twine. With geometric interplay and bespoke textures, the timeless collection features an on-trend colour palette of neutral tones, greens, blues and bold reds. From £2,950 francissultana.com

Fennell’s finest

EDITOR'S PICK

Skull decanters and bullet shot glasses: we wouldn’t expect anything less from master silversmith Theo Fennell. From the US space shuttle tequila shot set to engraved bottle sleeves, we love the new collection of playful handcrafted silver barware. Like all his products, the glass skull bottle stoppers combine both luxury materials and craftsmanship with Fennell’s trademark wit: a pirate stopper for rum, a cossack for vodka or a sombrero for tequila. Choose your poison wisely.

In plain sight

Coloured decanters with skull bottle stoppers, £825-£1,495 theofennell.com

From £65 per 10m roll, cole-and-son.com

Cole & Son has been decking out castles, theatres, and even Buckingham Palace with its hand-printed wallpaper since 1875. Now the royal-serving company is launching a new colour collection, Landscape Plains, featuring five semi-plain designs in a range of colours and finishes. Alongside the popular Watered Silk and Jaspe Strie textures, enjoy the speckled effect of Pebble, the leather finish of Cordovan, and the block prints of Coral. With more than 70 different colours available, get your walls ready for an elegant upgrade.

Taking shape Linley’s vibrant S/S16 Henley Triangle collection is influenced by the work of Italian architect Giò Ponti. Pink, orange, yellow and more muted tones of taupe and burgundy create a bold yet balanced palette, while Ponti’s trademark triangle motif embellishes a selection of home accessories, from lamps and photo frames to mirrors and jewellery boxes. Even if you prefer to keep your interior décor simple and minimal, Linley’s newest range is the perfect way to add eye-catching detail to any room. From £300 41 Burlington Arcade W1J, davidlinley.com

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 71

Canary Wharf Ice Rink

31st October - 27th February Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf

BOOK TICKETS TODAY SPONSORED BY

icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk OFFICIAL BAR & KITCHEN PROVIDER

Baby, it’s cold outside French children’s brand Jacadi arrived on Hampstead High Street last month, bringing with it Parisian-inspired clothing in petite sizes. The latest collection has just hit the new store, where expectant parents can also sign up for the Jacadi baby registry service. Create a wishlist of outfits – from cute pinafores and cuddly snowsuits to pre-walker shoes – as well as toys and nursery decorations to share with friends and family. The store doesn’t just cater for babies, however. Bigger kids up to the age of 12 can shop for cashmere knits, partywear and, of course, Breton stripes. 29 Hampstead High Street, NW3 jacadi.com

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 73

Family news By Amelia Mayes

Slumber party Bunk beds are so last year, as the cabin bed creators at Noa & Nani have proved with the latest addition to the brand’s furniture collection. The space-saving Isabella Day Bed comes equipped with a chill-out sofa, (perfect for hosting Mr Penguin’s birthday party), a comfy single bed and an extra pull-out bed for those all-important girly sleepovers. Once the midnight feasts are done and dusted, the additional bed doublesup as storage space, tucking neatly away. £159.99, noaandnani.co.uk

What’s the time, Mr Wolf? The wolf in Little Red Riding Hood might have threatened to huff, puff and blow a house down, but the Gentleman Wolf by Moulin Roty isn’t quite so menacing. You won’t catch him dressed up in Grandma’s nightdress and bonnet either as the soft teddy comes with a dapper wardrobe, including a fluffy white trimmed plaid coat, a charming top hat and velour boots. His faux fur tail and ears means he’s extra snuggly too. £46 alexandalexa.com

Caps off Mr Men has partnered with Lucky Seven Caps so kids can channel their favourite storybook character and customise a sunhat to match. Choose from three Mr Men and Little Misses, a range of colours as well as the style and shade of the side-leaf decoration. Squish-proof and double stitched for extra support, this sturdy cap will keep heads protected from the spring sunshine as kids don Mr Tickle or Little Miss Sunshine for a day of exploring. From £35, luckysevencaps.com

FAMILY

Mum’s the word

EDITOR'S PICK

Designed to please those who love raiding mum’s wardrobe for dressing up, The Linen Works has launched its first mother and daughter collection. Brought to life by founder Larissa Cairns, the pure Belgium linen designs are inspired by her grandma’s dress-making and the timeless smock dresses, classic blouses and skirts in a simple colour palette will look as good on tiny people as they do on mums. From £120, available at Liberty, Regent Street W1B, thelinenworks.co.uk

Bags of fun Make tidying up tantrums a thing of the past with Tellkiddo’s new storage bags. These fun and simple sacks are sturdy enough to store toys, sports equipment or arts and crafts clutter. The reusable bags feature adorable animal faces and stand upright, so you can chuck in train sets and toy cars with ease – a perfect tidyup solution when unexpected guests come round to call.

New arrival Buying for newborns can be tricky, especially if you’d rather steer clear of baby grows and bibs. For those in need of some inspiration iCandy has curated a range of gifts designed especially for the tiniest of tots with The Newborn Gift Set, which features six accessories. A fruit clip toy, hat, soft rattle, matching mittens and booties and a satin ribbon tape measure are presented in an adorable mini suitcase that doubles as the perfect keepsake memory box. The gender neutral soft grey set comes in either cotton or cable knit, finished with a Pima cotton lining for ultimate baby comfort. £50, iCandyworld.com

£14, nubie.co.uk

Spring in their step From crazy zigzags and paint splashes to military-style jackets, floral garlands and tribal stripes, Stella McCartney’s new S/S16 collection draws inspiration from an eclectic array of sources. The animal kingdom is well represented throughout the range of dresses, dungarees and T-shirts. Look out for the butterfly dress that comes complete with a delicate set of wings, or the fun, fringed octopus beach poncho to make a statement on the sand. From £31, stellamccartney.com

That’s a wrap After a mild (if a little wet) start to winter, the weather looks likely to take a turn for the worse this month, so children will get a lot of wear out of Smallable’s latest collection of knitted accessories. Bobble hats, mittens and bandanas come in a range of cute designs, including the new Emile et Ida cat hat and Mini Rodini panda mittens, which come with a handy string to thread through coats so they won’t go missing. From £19, smallable.com LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 75

1 in 8 men ARE DIAGNOSED WITH PROSTATE CANCER EVERY YEAR. AROUND 6 MEN A DAY WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH TESTICULAR CANCER.

Early diagnosis and treatment has led to a major increase in survival rates. Experienced urologists and oncologists within our highly skilled team, will support you at every stage of your journey.

Call our team today

www.thewellingtonhospital.com

020 7483 5000

HEALTH

Health & fitness news By Ellen Millard

Electric avenue Bright shades of orange, turquoise and cobalt blue, geometric shapes and a new Spark print make up Lucas Hugh’s Electric Feel range. Mesh T-shirts, a fleece kimono cover-up and a flexible one-piece are all made using a special DriRelease fabric and inner supports to assist you as you work out, while leggings comprise highcompression, body-sculpting fabric and supportive waistbands that help protect against muscle strain. From a selection, lucashugh.com

Gym bunny When King’s Cross restaurant German Gymnasium opened last year we were surprised to discover it had more Sachertorte and strudel than running machines and weight-lifting on the menu, but this year it will be paying homage to its namesake with an outdoor fitness class hosted by MW5 Fitness. The bi-weekly sessions will go back to the former gymnasium’s roots with Victorian gymnastics, boxing and body weight drills, followed by a healthy breakfast. £15, mw5-fitness.com

Hard core EDITOR'S PICK

If the thought of braving the cold, dark outdoors to attend an exercise class leaves you huddled on the sofa cradling a ready-meal lasagne instead, you’ll be pleased to hear about Barrecore’s latest offering. New for 2016, PRIVATEbarre enables you to have a one-toone session from the comfort of your home, using a live online feed with your own personal trainer. No equipment is required – simply log on and book yourself onto one of the morning or evening sessions. £45 for an hour-long PRIVATEbarre session barrecore.co.uk

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

New wave The brainchild of New Yorkers Rosie Ward and Alicia Whillas, swimwear label Ward Whillas combines fashionable cuts with activewear technology to create its range of stylish swimsuits and bikinis. With quick-drying Italian compression fabrics that resist damage from chlorine and body lotion, the brand’s latest collection will see you through more than one summer holiday. Make your first poolside moment of 2016 a little less daunting with the monochrome Carter swimsuit or the reversible Osprey bikini. From £275, net-a-porter.com

VANTAGE | 77

What do you need to know about Parkinson’s? Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s in the UK. 1 in 500 people in the UK has Parkinson's disease – around 127,000 people. Dr Arshad Rather discusses diagnosis, symptoms and treatments of the disease

PARKINSON'S DISEASE IS a progressive neurological disorder causing both motor symptoms such as slowness of movements, rigidity and tremors, and non-motor symptoms. Parkinson’s disease is caused by a lack of dopamine in part of the brain called the ‘substantia nigra’.

How is Parkinson’s disease diagnosed?

The Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank has developed diagnostic criteria that state patients should have slow movement (Bradykinesia) and one of the following three symptoms: tremors, rigidity and postural instability. OTHER FEATURES SUPPORTING DIAGNOSIS INCLUDE: • Short-stepped gait • Decreased arm swing • Affecting one side of the body more than the other • Difficulty in stopping and starting movements • Speech problems • Swallowing difficulties • Good response to medications If facial nerves are affected causing visual problems or facial abnormality, symptoms are equal on both sides of the body, there is a poor response to medication, early onset dementia or urinary incontinence, then an alternative diagnosis should be sought.

WLN_JAN_Advertorial_VANTAGE-v8.indd 1

Non-Motor symptoms (NMS)

These symptoms are unrelated to movement issues. Research suggests these occur before motor symptoms but become more common and bothersome in older adults. NMS can be the primary complaints and lead to a decline in quality of life regardless of motor impairment. COMMON NMS: • Drop in blood pressure when standing • Nausea • Vomiting • Constipation • Urinary issues • Pain • Sleep disorders • Depression and Anxiety • Dementia • Sexual dysfunction

What investigations are needed?

Although there is no specific test, a DAT scan which analyses the dopamine transport system is sometimes useful to diagnose Parkinson’s. In later years, the areas of the brain affected by Parkinson’s are also affected by other disease, hence it is not as useful.

15/01/2016 14:41:07

HEALTH PROMOTION

MEET THE SPECIALIST Dr Arshad Rather, MBBS MSC MRCP MRCP (GERIATRICS) is a consultant in Geriatric and General Medicine with a special interest in Parkinson’s disease. He is member of the British Geriatric society movement disorder unit. Dr Rather takes a keen interest in patient safety and clinical governance. He is Audit Lead at University College Hospital. His research interests are mainly around Parkinson's disease and heart failure in older adults.

This scan is mostly useful in ruling out Parkinson's disease secondary to medications. Some drugs, mostly antipsychotics, can cause Parkinson’slike symptoms but the effects are reversible once medication is stopped. An MRI scan can help to rule out structural problems in the brain such as tumours and vascular problems.

How do we treat Parkinson’s disease?

There's currently no cure for Parkinson's and what causes people to get the condition is unknown. Parkinson’s isn't directly fatal, but symptoms do get worse over time. Management of Parkinson’s disease is broad and involves multidisciplinary professionals. Geriatric medicine consultants who specialise in Parkinson’s disease and specialist nurses play pivotal roles in managing complex older patients. Management involves medications, surgical treatments, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Medication used to treat Parkinson's disease increases the levels of dopamine in the brain. Medications can improve motor symptoms like slowness, rigidity and tremors, but don’t affect non-motor symptoms.

These medications can also have side effects, such as: nausea, tiredness, abnormal movements and lower blood pressure. Dopamine agonists can cause Impulse control disorders, where patients become disinhibited and may display uncharacteristic behaviour. An option for surgical treatment is a procedure called Deep Brain Stimulation and may be useful for some patients.

In Summary

Parkinson’s is a complex disease not just a movement disorder. Non-motor symptoms are diverse at all stages but are more common in older patients and worsen as the disease progresses. In older adults Parkinson’s disease becomes complex as older patients suffer from other diseases as well and symptoms overlap. Patients with minimal symptoms who can carry out daily activities may prefer to delay treatment. However, if the symptoms are bothersome, starting treatment early is important as medication shows a quick response. Physicians who specialise in Geriatric medicine and have interest in Parkinson's disease are well placed to manage these complex older patients.

For further information or if you would like to arrange an appointment with Dr Arshad Rather at The Wellington Hospital please contact the Enquiry Helpline on 020 7483 5000 or visitthewellingtonhospital.com

WLN_JAN_Advertorial_VANTAGE-v8.indd 2

15/01/2016 14:41:21

The best gift for wine lovers.

“AT DINNER, WE HAD SIX DIFFERENT WINES FOR SIX DIFFERENT PEOPLE. BUT DIDN’T OPEN A SINGLE BOTTLE.” For centuries, it was impossible. NOW THE CORAVIN REVOLUTION IS IN YOUR HANDS. The Coravin System is the first and only tool in the world that lets you access, pour and enjoy wine from a bottle - without pulling the cork. Now you can taste, share, compare and explore wines like never before. It’s the revolution that’s opening up an enriching world of possibilities.

WWW.CORAVIN.CO.UK January Short Term Offer‫‏‬.indd 1

12/10/15 2:51 PM

Home time James Martin isn’t the sort of chef you turn too for recipes that reference ‘jus’, ‘foams’ or any other fussy-sounding elements. He prefers simple, no-nonsense fare – “food should be enjoyed in the eating and the cooking,” he reminds us. Perhaps that’s why his third and latest series of Home Comforts for BBC2 has already been a hit among January hibernators, tuning in to watch Martin whip up dishes such as pea and parmesan soup and lamb belly. To coincide with the show, the official tie-in book, More Home Comforts, is released this month. As the title suggests, readers can expect winter warmers and indulgent comfort food to share, including this ‘posh’ fish pie with champagne sauce. More Home Comforts by James Martin, published 11 February, £20, Quadrille

Photography by Peter Cassidy

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 81

Step up to the plate Marylebone’s Carousel continues its hob-sharing streak with a new series of chef residencies planned for 2016. With 25 successful stints completed last year, this season kicked off with the understated French-Japanese cuisine of Reykjavik-based Akané Monavon, whose time manning the stove ends on 30 January. Next up, chefs from Stockholm’s two-Michelin starred Oaxen Krog & Slip will take the helm from 2-13 February to recreate the hotel bistro’s most famous dishes. Pull up a pew at the communal dining table for knuckle of veal and flipside beef tartare. 71 Blandford Street, W1U carousel-london.com

Food & drink news By Lauren Romano

Simon says EDITOR'S PICK

Roll with it The founder of Oliver Maki is such a fan that he has eaten at one of his sushi outposts (four in Kuwait, one in Bahrain) every day since launching 10 years ago. That’s a lot of maki rolls. This year the chain is upping chopsticks from the Middle East to Dean Street, with a 55-cover restaurant overseen by former Nobu Las Vegas head chef Louis Kenji Huang. Don’t expect to find your usual salmon sashimi on the menu, however, Oliver Maki is not really that kind of place. With a focus on contemporary sushi, Huang’s approach favours innovation – the signature Oliver Maki Roll, for example, is presented as eight dishes in one, made from 30 ingredients. 33 Dean Street, W1D olivermaki.co.uk

Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan is no stranger to foraging; much of the produce for his flagship restaurant L’Enclume, comes from the surrounding Cumbrian headrows and his 12-acre farm. From this month these ingredients will be the stars of the show at Aulis, a development kitchen at Fera at Claridge’s, where chefs will put new recipes to the test, while willing guinea pigs can book a seat for dinner at the kitchen counter. Brook Street, W1K, aulis.feraatclaridges.co.uk

New year, new look If you’ve got some time to kill in between suit fittings, Mayfair’s Sartoria has reopened after an extensive refurbishment. Prop up the cicchetti bar with plates of panzanella, octopus salad and cured meats, or toast the end of Dry January in the new wine cellar where head sommelier Michael Simms will host private tasting events for budding oenophiles. Italian chef Francesco Mazzei is in charge of the kitchen, rustling up dishes from his native Calabria, including saffron risotto with chicken livers, soft polenta with wild mushrooms, toasted hazelnuts and black truffle, and other dishes so good your bespoke Hardy Amies suit might need taking out an inch or two. 20 Savile Row, W1S, sartoria-restaurant.co.uk

FOOD&DRINK

Restaurant review

House party As House of Ho rebrands with a flagship in Fitzrovia, Ellen Millard samples the finest Vietnamese cuisine head chef Ian Pengelley has to offer 

OME OF THE BEST food I’ve ever had was in Vietnam, which I visited two years ago. My month-long sojourn was fuelled by bowls of steaming hot Pho, Goi Cuon (translucent spring rolls) and fresh fish washed down with Saigon beer and, on a few regrettable occasions, rice wine. Since then I’ve been itching to return, but, reluctant to stump up the air fare, I have had to make do with Western substitutes. Fortunately, this is London, and if anywhere does international cuisine better than said food’s country of origin, it’s the capital. Cue House of Ho, the modern Vietnamese restaurant originally founded in Soho, which has upped and moved to Percy Street. The new flagship (its former home has become the more casual but less catchy sounding Ho Modern Vietnamese) is well placed in the heart of Fitzrovia, and fills four floors with two restaurant spaces, three private dining rooms and a secret wine room. I visit just one week after opening, but despite being early days House of Ho is running like clockwork. We start with Vietnamese crackers and fresh salsa, a tangy tomato and onion dip with just a few flecks of coriander that are easily avoidable if you’re not a fan of the Marmite of herbs. Up next is pan-fried salmon wrapped in salty rice paper rolls with a Ho vinegar dressing, which I immediately declare my favourite dish before changing my mind when the minced pork grilled on lemongrass skewers arrives with a caramel sauce in tow. I lose a rock-paper-scissors fight over the last one, but turn out to be the real winner when an odd number of crispy fried rice nets with chicken dumplings arrive and I devour the last two before my guest can object. Luckily the first signature dish arrives before a chopstick fight can ensue, and the succulent Black Angus shaking beef in oyster sauce brings

Photography © James Balston

all warfare to an end. “It’s like heaven on a stick!” my dinner date proclaims as he spears one and wolfs it down. The beef is hands down the highlight of the evening, my only regret being that we didn’t order another plate. Instead, we are served the Chilean sea bass with Vietnamese fermented plum sauce, which is delicious, if a little tricky to eat with chopsticks. We end the meal with the Royal Hue Sharing Dessert Platter, which arrives in a giant bowl complete with three palm leaves and four smaller plates balanced on a bed of crushed ice – an impressive sight but admittedly a little OTT. We tuck into an exotic fruit salad, green tea crème brûlée and a trio of ice creams. All three are delicious, but pale in comparison to the warm green tea fondant, which takes 20 minutes to arrive but, as our waiter tells us when we order, is worth the wait. Vietnam might boast beautiful weather and sandy beaches, but London’s food scene is a worthy rival, and that, at least for now, is enough to stop me reaching for my passport.

Despite being early days, House of Ho is running like clockwork

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

1 Percy Street, W1T, houseofho.co.uk

VANTAGE | 83

Treat Them Green, Keep Them Keen Lauren Romano talks sweet potato brownies and staying ahead in the green-eating game with Honestly Healthy founder Natasha Corrett 

’VE GOT A MUG of fully-caffeinated, milky tea on the go and am nibbling on a triangle of (whiter than white) toast and peanut butter (the non-virtuous kind) when I call ringleader of the clean-eating movement Natasha Corrett for a breakfast powwow. Even before I’ve quizzed her as to what’s on her plate I know she’ll be more of a green smoothie, egg-white omelette and homemade glutenfree bread kind of girl. “I definitely practise what I preach,” she affirms, a little impatiently. You might not be able to put a price on your health, but that doesn’t stop people scoffing in disbelief at the extortionate cost of hemp or chia seeds as they chomp down on their sweet potato and medjool date brownie (more of those later). The green-eating industry has something of a Marmite effect, and its champions are among those we love to hate most; the green-eyed monster in us wants the glossy hair, clear skin and bundles of energy, without eating our body weight in kale. With their ‘it’s not a diet it’s a lifestyle’ sermons, Corrett and co are easy (but unfair) targets for our wheatgrass and spiralising gripes.

Plum and kuzu compote and bircher layered breakfast pots

The healthy-living stakes are high, but, Corrett is quick to inform me, she was the first to coin the alkaline-based eating mantra that has spawned a thousand copycats. Five years ago she started the green revolution with her first cookbook: Honestly Healthy: Eat with your Body in Mind, the Alkaline Way, penned with help from her nutritionist godmother Vicki Edgson. It was an overnight hit. Victoria Beckham couldn’t get enough of it; a single tweet from her ensured the book flew off the shelves, and it has now sold more than 300,000 copies in 15 languages. “I went to see an Ayurvedic doctor when I hurt my back,” Corrett begins. “He told me that I was very acidic from years of yo-yo dieting and I needed to put myself in a more alkaline state. I started a 21day programme based on ayurvedic principles and I felt like this could become my life and that it wasn’t a diet.” The word diet, I discover, is out, together with any mention of calorie counting; Corrett’s philosophy is based on eating natural, unprocessed, organic food. An overly acidic body is more prone to disease, lethargy, poor skin and insomnia, she tells me. “It’s a complete way of life. My skin cleared up and my hormones balanced out. I definitely couldn’t do what I do now if it wasn’t for eating this way. I wouldn’t have the energy.” And you need energy to stay ahead in this game, especially when it comes to keeping up with the continually expanding canon of superfoods. Teff is the new quinoa and kefir the probiotic of choice this year – two ingredients that Corrett has recently incorporated into a range of breakfast dishes, launching this month at the Pullman London St Pancras hotel. The Intelligent Breakfast, as it has been named, boosts brain productivity and energy levels, and the menu has been conceived with the busy business traveller in mind. “Obviously it’s all gluten-free, vegetarian, cow’s diary free and sugar-free. I’m using grains like millet,

“I definitely couldn’t do what I do now if it wasn’t for eating this way. I wouldn’t have the energy”

INTERVIEW Natasha Corrett at Pullman London St Pancras

which is good for brain power and teff to make homemade, very dense sourdough bread,” she explains. “I taught the chefs how to live culture yogurt so they can make it themselves. It’s got huge amounts of prebiotic in, which helps to heal the gut,” she explains. She loves the turmeric omelette with chia seeds and avocado for its almost too good to be true sounding health benefits. “Turmeric is fantastic for the immune system, chia seeds are huge in energy and avocado is

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

great for the skin. When you’re tired your skin tends not to glow as much,” she adds, as I wonder what nutritional goodness Hovis and Sun-Pat have bestowed on my far from radiant complexion this morning. Corrett is no stranger to early starts herself. Prior to founding Honestly Healthy she ran Fridge Fill – a sort of healthy meals on wheels service. Back then her life revolved around 4am market visits, cooking 50 meals on the hob at her West London flat and delivering them

VANTAGE | 85

Teff and millet soda bread with a poached egg and kale

to City workers. “I never decided to start a business, it just happened. I was already organising wellbeing retreats in the countryside and I was bringing chefs and yoga teachers in and orchestrating the whole thing. Then one day my chef didn’t turn up and I had to cook and that’s how it started. It was all very organic, and before the days of blogging and Instagram.” Corrett’s @honestlyhealthy feed now has more than 300,000 followers, but she’s well aware that she’s up against a new breed of nutritionists, cooks and evangelic vegans who are also preaching a go-green gospel – the likes of Ella Woodward (Deliciously Ella is the fastest-selling debut cookbook ever), Hemsley & Hemsley, Amelia Freer and Tess Ward. “There are a lot of us out there now, but I was the first one to really break the market five years ago,” Corrett reiterates. “We’re all saying the same, but just with a different tone, that’s all. We want to get people cooking from scratch and eating clean foods; we might have a slightly different philosophy, but essentially we’re all doing the same thing. It’s about inspiring people to see how great clean-eating is.” She’s (only slightly) less diplomatic when it comes to the case of the plagiarised sweet potato brownies, Healthy HQ. “Everything that I’m which have now been copied in crap at he’s great at. I try to push countless spin-off recipes. “In the things over to him that I don’t want original Honestly Healthy book that to do,” she laughs mischievously when I ask what came out five years ago, my sweet potato brownies were it’s like desk sharing with him – not that she’s at the the star of the show. I suppose everyone’s got a version office much by the sounds of things. of that now. The avocado chocolate mousse was one Corrett is more likely to be found in the kitchen. At of mine too…”. She laughs, slightly exasperated but the moment she’s testing out recipes for her new 90-day good-humoured, at my suggestion that imitation is the transformational programme Green and Lean, which greatest form of flattery, although she is very clear that has seen more than 100 people sign up already, weeks her 70:30 philosophy makes her stand out from the before the launch. She’ll be rolling it out with fitness crowd. Corrett advocates following a healthy, plantsessions at exercise studios in London later this month. based, alkaline diet 70 per cent of the time, and then Corrett will also be touring the summer festivals on a eating what you want for the rest, whether that means tuk-tuk decked out with juicers and smoothie makers; pizza, chocolate cake or, her weakness, chips. working on a campaign to encourage people to eat nine “I’m a foodie at heart, so to be told I could never meat-free meals a week; and releasing her new book have something would throw me into despair really,” Honestly Healthy in a Hurry in May. she says. ‘Clean eating’ isn’t a phrase she’s keen on either. “I think the term has actually been quite badly trashed in the last year, Chia and turmeric omelette with people saying that it’s a bad thing and that’s how eating disorders occur. I think people need to realise that the term ‘clean eating’ just means eating real food from scratch. It’s not about depriving yourself of anything – it’s about finding a healthy balance.” She’s managed to make converts of her family too, including her mother, the interior design mogul Kelly Hoppen, and her new husband, HIIT Gym founder Simon Bateman, who has become the latest recruit at Honestly

“I’m a foodie at heart, so to be told I could never have something would throw me into despair”

INTERVIEW

Her work/life balance has gone out of the window recently she admits, but hopefully her impending move to the Cotswolds will help address that. She’s looking forward to taking the dog for long walks, baking sticky toffee puddings and having Simon and his HIIT training know-how on hand if she over-indulges. As for business pointers, she has her entrepreneurial family to turn to. Her mother’s successful interior design career has won her many accolades and celebrity fans; her uncle Michael owns the Michael Hoppen gallery and her father Le Boudin Blanc restaurant in Mayfair, while her grandmother Stephanie Hoppen is still working as an art dealer. “I come from a close-knit Jewish family and I’ve always been instilled to work hard, follow my dreams and do what I’m passionate about,” she concedes. And right now that passion is powering her through the battle to out-green the competition, with a little help from those chia seeds. Intelligent Breakfast is available at The Golden Arrow Restaurant at Pullman London St Pancras until July. Green and Lean launches this month honestlyhealthyfood.com

Banana and coconut oil muffins

Teff and millet soda bread

LU X U R Y L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 87

L A

P L E A S E

LR_RunWildMedia_UK_235x333.indd 2

R E C H E R C H E

D R I N K

D E

L ’ Œ U V R E

R E S P O N S I B L Y

29/01/2015 14:38

FOOD PROMOTION

Roux the Roost Haute cuisine’s father and son dream team Albert Roux and Michel Roux Jr. are elevating their gastronomic exploits at The Langham, London CHEZ ROUX HAS made itself very much at home at The Langham, London. The partnership, set up by one of the industry’s most sought-after father and son culinary duos, Albert and Michel Roux Jr., has gone from strength to strength ever since the pair launched their flagship restaurant Roux at The Landau there in 2010. The trademark Roux brand of classic fine dining, delivered with finesse, has long been a natural fit with the assured elegance of the ever-evolving grand hotel, which recently celebrated its 150th birthday. This year, however, guests who want to feast on onion consommé, terrine of confit duck, fois gras and chestnuts, grilled Dover sole and pear tarte tatin can now do so outside the confines of Roux at The Landau’s serene, circular dining room. Timed to coincide with the hotel’s landmark anniversary, a new culinary partnership has been launched across the hotel. The most recent phase to be rolled out from the Roux kitchens, where head chef Chris King is at the helm, is the Private Dining by Roux concept, which caters for corporate meetings, conferences and social events. Rather than sorry-looking platters of finger sandwiches and fruit bowls, the kitchen offers four different menus – Day Delegate, Canapé, Executive Lunch and Dinner – that offer a nod to the haute cuisine the Roux team are renowned for, with a modern twist. The Private Dining menu marks the second phase of The Langham, London’s extended partnership with Chez Roux, which began with the launch of SNAX last year. Inspired by the the Surrealism-themed cocktail menu at Artesian (which has won the title of World’s Best Bar for the fourth consecutive year), King consulted with Roux Jr. to create a range of tapas-style sharing dishes to pair with the innovative tipples. Past menu highlights include Cornish oysters and truffle mignonette, tuna tartare and, for those with a sweet tooth, Japanese bloody Mary macarons and mango marshmallows. “Creating SNAX was an inspiring process and an opportunity to incorporate ingredients in different ways. I like to challenge the notion that certain ingredients are limited to food and others to drink,” explains King. New dishes will be introduced to the SNAX menu in the spring to reflect head bartender Pip Hanson’s new cocktail menu, which will also be unveiled in the next couple of months. Other developments have taken place in the refurbished Palm Court, the birthplace of Afternoon Tea. Here King has created a range of dishes to satisfy the peckish and those looking for a more substantial evening meal. Popular dishes include salade Perigourdine, spit-

roast coquelet à la bière and praline profiteroles, which are served from 5.30pm to 10.30pm Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. “I’m really excited about the new partnership with The Langham. Since the opening of Roux at The Landau we have had a great relationship, sharing values of excellence and discerning tastes, so this next step seems only natural to me,” comments Roux Jr. “To be partnered with such a prestigious team who understand and value what we do in the kitchen is a great testament to what the Rouxs strive for and what the likes of myself and Chris King do day in, day out.” 1C Portland Place, Regent Street, W1B, langhamhotels.com

ÂŠ2015 TUMI, INC.

Tumi Stores Regent Street and Westfield Also available at Harrods, Selfridges and Heathrow Airport

THE ART OF TRAVEL Dutch courage If there’s anywhere you’d expect to see bookcases stuffed with tomes that climb up your bedroom wall and a bicycle repair kit in every guest room, it’s Amsterdam – a city known for its quirks. Following the restoration of the Pulitzer hotel, 25 interlinked canal houses have been given a new dose of eccentricity by creative director Jacu Strauss, who hails from Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio. The hotel reopens this month with 80 guest rooms and four suites, the latter themed around idiosyncratic collectors and entitled Antique Collector’s Suite, Music Collector’s Suite, Art Collector’s Suite and Book Collector’s Suite, accordingly. If you can’t get a room, visit the Pulitzer’s bar for cocktails with a canal-side view. Rooms from £235 per night pulitzeramsterdam.com

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 91

Travel news By Amelia Mayes

St Petersburg

HOTSPOT

This Shrove Tuesday celebrate in style with Russia’s annual Maslenitsa festival, where pancakes are combined with age-old customs and tobogganing February is famous for two things: romance and pancakes. Russians takes the latter very seriously with a week-long celebration of the event they call Maslenitsa. A hark back to Pagan times when the hot, round discs were made to represent the sun, any eating establishment worth its salt will be rustling up blinis throughout the month. Aside from the gluttony, the festival also dabbles in sleigh rides, puppet shows and spontaneous music concerts. Away from the Maslenitsa celebrations, immerse yourself in the city’s culture with a visit to the State Hermitage Museum, one of the oldest and largest art galleries in the world. Or if you simply want to explore, pull on your furs and boots and take a romantic stroll around the monuments that make up the UNESCO World Heritage site.

WHY

It celebrated its 140th birthday last year but the Belmond Grand Hotel is still going strong, as it continues to seduce guests with its traditional style luxury. The iconic hotel is one of the city’s great architectural treasures. Its 265 lavishly furnished rooms and suites ooze opulence with ornate chandeliers, wall coverings and grand pianos. If you still have room after all the blinis, enjoy Asian delicacies with dinner at AZIA, or become a connoisseur by taking part in one of the hotel’s popular wine and food masterclasses as you plan your itinerary to the nearby Mariinsky Theatre or St Isaac’s Cathedral the next day.

STAY

Rooms from £150 a night, belmond.com

TR AVEL

Miami vice Famous for its long beaches, Art Deco architecture and eternal sunshine, Miami is the perfect place to let your hair down. The new ME MIAMI hotel offers a mix of music, fashion and design in a contemporary downtown oasis with views of beautiful Biscayne Bay. Check out the skyline as you relax by one of the rooftop pools, see and be seen at the STK Rebel steakhouse and lounge bar, or dance the night away to top DJs when the hotel opens its doors this month.

Eco chic retreats  SHORT HAUL 

Inside the box Forget thinking outside the box, everything you need to relax is found inside at The Pig’s new Bert Box eco lodge. In collaboration with architects Box 9, the lodge features clever heating systems that insulate the rooms in the most ecological way. Once inside, stay toasty by the Stovak log burner, and kick back in the rustic, cabin-inspired master bedroom, before heading out to explore the surrounding New Forest, safe in the knowledge that your carbon footprint is at an all-time low.

From £495 a night, melia.com

From £395 a night, thepighotel.com

On the case Upgrade your luggage for your next adventure with Globe-Trotter’s new bespoke suitcase service. Picky pioneers can now design their own limited-edition case, choosing from a range of leathers, colour palettes and sizes. If you don’t have time to design your own holder, Christopher Jenner’s fractured North Star monogram suitcase should fit the bill. Inspired by Globe-Trotter’s British heritage, the case is available in red, white and blue and combines traditional style with practical touches. From £1,570 for a bespoke case 35 Albemarle Street, W1S globe-trotter.com

Photo © Michael Franke

Romantic retreat It might be the shortest month of the year, but dreary February always seems to drag. The optimism of the new year has long since faded and the summer seems like a very distant speck on the grey horizon. Escape the temperamental weather with a trip to Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, which is launching five romantic suites this month. Each comes with a private ensuite spa, featuring a treatment area, steam room, rain-maker shower and sauna, with stunning views over the Lake District moors. On arrival guests will receive a beauty hamper filled with organic Jetty Spa products to help them unwind before they work their way through the spa treatment menu of aromatherapy massages and restoring Indian hair treatments.

 LONG HAUL 

Lapa luxury Get up close to Costa Rica’s wildlife with a stay at Lapa Rios. The eco lodge is formed of 17 open-air bungalows, tucked away among a 1,000-acre private rainforest reserve, where you can take a break from technology with no access to phones, television or internet. The fresh ocean breezes mean no air-conditioning is required, either. Wake up to the calls of the Howler monkey and learn more about the country’s endangered animals, such as pumas and scarlet macaws, on a range of outdoors tours. From £315 a night, laparios.com

From £495 a night, thegilpin.co.uk LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 93

From Paris with Love Enjoy a sumptuous Valentine’s weekend in Paris at Le Bristol, writes Francesca Lee 

NOWN AS THE CITY OF LOVE, Paris has long been synonymous with romance. From croissants and coffee à deux and sunset walks along the Seine, to the view from the Eiffel Tower at night, Paris has many amorous attributes that help it live up to its reputation as the lovers destination of choice. Add to that the abundance of fine-dining destinations, treelined boulevards and its illustrious art scene, and it’s hard not to be seduced by the city’s charm. Indeed, as Audrey Hepburn famously once said: “Paris is always a good idea.” Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré has long held an air of exclusivity. Luxury brands including Hermès and Jeanne Lanvin opened their first shops here in the nineteenth century, and a few decades later, in 1925, five-star Le Bristol opened. Named as a tribute to the British Earl of Bristol, Bishop Frederick Hervey, who was renowned for his high standards, back in the day the hotel was a favourite with the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Rita Hayworth. Designers Christian Lacroix and Louboutin caught on, and thanks to the hotel’s proximity to the haute couture boutiques down the road, renowned fashion photographers soon began to call Le Bristol home. Today, George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and Mario Testino are counted among its guests. Having completed a six-year €1.3 million renovation just a few years ago, the hotel is the definition of Parisian chic. The entrance has an

opulent red carpet, polished marble floors, statement chandeliers and Louis XVI furniture, and is a marvel in its own right: it’s hard to know where to look first. And, if you’re lucky (I wasn’t unfortunately), you might spot Le Bristol’s intrepid resident Burmese cats Fa-Raon and his lady companion Kléopatre on the concierge’s counter. The grand hallways feature display cabinets with pieces by Paris’ premier jewellers, while the 1940s glass and wrought-iron elevator could rival the glass lift in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. As one would imagine, there’s a range of rooms and suites to choose from. Mine certainly didn’t disappoint, with its stately high ceilings, soft pastel hues and antique rosewood furniture. Some such as the Imperial Suite even have their own steam rooms. And if you manage to venture out of your room (I certainly found it tricky), make sure you pay a visit to the hotel’s heated yacht-style rooftop swimming pool, complete with teak decking and a Côte d’Azur mural. It also has a steam room next door for those who have to make do with the hardship of not having one in their room. The view from up here is magnificent. The deck looks out over the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and Sacré-Coeur, so even if you don’t have the chance to visit the sights, you can at least say you’ve seen them from the hotel. And, during the warmer months, guests can sunbathe on the balcony that overlooks Paris’ rooftops, before unwinding with an indulgent treatment at Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie.

Make sure you pay a visit to the hotel’s heated yachtstyle rooftop swimming pool, complete with teak decking and a Côte d’Azur mural

TR AVEL

Home to four Michelin stars, when it comes to eating out guests have a plethora of fine-dining restaurants at their fingertips. World-renowned chef Eric Fréchon has three Michelin stars under his belt and executes some of the finest haute cuisine dishes at Le Bristol with his talented team of 110 chefs. His temple of gastronomy, Epicure, was a favourite of Nicolas Sarkozy when he was in office (the Élysée Palace is just around the corner), and diners come from near and far to sample his foie gras and smoked oysters with a duck and green tea bullion. If you’re looking for something a little less fancy but by no means less accomplished, I dined at 114 Faubourg, a brassiere-style restaurant with an open kitchen, and opted for a flavoursome game pâté starter, followed by an impossibly tender beef fillet. My sweet tooth was certainly sated with the Café gourmand: a coffee with an assortment of mini desserts, although the lighting was a little on the dark side to truly appreciate the pretty presentation. The hotel’s final eatery, Le Jardin Francais overlooks the courtyard garden and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as afternoon tea. Once Le Bristol’s gourmet delights have been sampled, what better way to work off all the cheese, fois gras and red wine than by following in the footsteps of some of the world’s most prominent fashion figures? After all, shopping is always a good idea, especially if you happen to be looking for a certain diamond ring. Rooms from approx. £685 a night, lebristolparis.com

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 95

Swiss Precision Kari Colmans enjoys a weekend of sunshine and spa treatments at the magnificent Chedi Andermatt resort 

ESPITE ITS PROXIMITY to Italy and France, both prime summer holiday destinations for many Brits, almost everyone had the same reaction to mine and my husband’s summer in Switzerland break. Like Olaf the snowman from Disney’s mega-hit Frozen, they were intrigued to find out what exactly snow does in summmerrr (raht da daht dah dah). Situated at the crossroads of three mountain passes in Urserental, The Chedi, which opened in December 2013, rests in the belly of the Swiss Alps, within the utterly charming town of Andermatt. We fly to Zurich and then hop on board the train to Göschenen station where the blondehaired, blue-eyed hotel driver is standing to attention as we exit the first class carriage doors (you could be picked up from Zurich, of course, but the train is a wonderful part of the trip in itself, minus the vertigo and travel sickness that comes with a long and winding road). The ride only takes a couple of hours, most of which is spent gazing out the window, magazine unopened, at the beauty of the ice-blue gorges, lush mountainsides, and houses that look as if they’ve been cut out from a Hans Christian Andersen storybook. The peace is only broken by a German-speaking ticket-master, whose aggressivesounding vernacular (all she said was “tickets please”) somehow manages to send us into a faff, searching frantically for our passes. I’m pretty sure we imagined the “Schnell! Schnell!” that followed. After just a few more minutes’ commute even further upwards, it’s clear as you approach the hotel

by car that the experience is going to be impressive from the start. Architecturally, JeanMichel Gathy has taken his cues from the traditional wooden chalets and grand hotels of the past, but with a more modern focus on straight lines and symmetry. Yes, it’s certainly in harmony with the village’s own structures, but only insofar as Buckingham Palace is in keeping with the other buildings of St James’s Park. Usually one for boutique hotels rather than grand, multi-storied resorts, I was nervous before arriving that the size of the place would take away from its tranquillity (there are 105 sizeable rooms and suites as well as new residences to buy), but it couldn’t be more peaceful. We stay in a Grand Deluxe Room (just one up from ‘the bottom’ Deluxe Rooms), but had I not been

TR AVEL

told so prior to our arrival, I would have assumed it to be the best suite in the house, so beautiful and vast was its setting. In fact, I’d even go as far to say that it’s one of the most impressive rooms I have ever stayed in. It’s all very Alpine-chic meets Asian-zen (Gathy hails from Kuala Lumpur): dark, 17th century wood panelling meets soft leather chairs and sofas, and there’s a low, Japanese-style table in the centre of the room, surrounded by floor cushions on which to perch and enjoy the fresh fruit, warm banana cakes and chilled champagne that greet us on arrival. An imposing mural by European master Peter Paul Rubens of a snow-swathed mountain that has succumbed to the whims of a few racing skiers fills the entire wall that faces the bed; the lights fall just so to give a three dimensional edge to their tracks. But the interior’s showstopper is definitely the ultra-modern glass

fireplace, shared like a hatch between the bedroom and terrace, where we sit for hours enjoying the panoramic views of the mountainside. Even the bathroom has the wow-factor, with an enormous tub that also faces the snow-capped, sun-filled range, and separate ‘his and hers’ rain showers. And while of course, it is all designed with winter in mind more than it is summer, impeccable taste knows no season. Having read so much about the spa (it snared the Condé Nast Traveller UK Spa Awards Most Indulgent Spa gong last year, plus the 2015 GALA Spa Awards Luxury Hotel City/Resort nod, to name but two of its official accolades), it’s our first port of call for a taste of the Romance in Style experience; a 60-minute Balinese massage on parallel tables, followed by a half an hour Chedi Love Bath. Wrapped in what must be the softest robes known to mankind, our feet are bathed before getting comfortable for the gentle, pressurepoint focused pummelling, tailored to our individual requirements. The soak, accompanied by a selection of traditional canapés – and both the bathing and drinking kinds of bubbles – is a memorable start to the day as the morning chill subsides into blissful, poolworthy sunshine, made more pleasant (and even more romantic) than on the beaches of the Amalfi coast by the cool mountain breeze. At 2,400 square metres, the spa again is designed space-wise to accommodate a mountain of ski-weary guests with its range of baths, Finnish saunas, steam rooms, plunge pools, hammams, ice fountains and flower baths. But with a smart, 12-metre outdoor pool (in addition to a stunning 35-metre indoor pool), it is the perfect place to sit, bikini-clad, catching the late morning and afternoon rays. However, there are also 25 alpine lakes nearby if you’d like to embrace the German tradition and go au naturel. The pool service (in fact, all of the service) is faultless; the Swiss lack the pomp and formality of the French or the fawning, almost embarrassing kowtowing that you’ll find beyond Europe, but everything is seamless. Whatever your request (no matter how banal), just assume the answer is yes: another cushion for your head? It will appear before you can count to 20. Throat a little parched? Before your bottom hits a seat anywhere outside, an immaculately smart (and attractive)

Whatever your request, just assume the answer is yes: another cushion for your head? It will appear before you can count to 20

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 97

waiter or waitress will appear, as if from nowhere, with chilled cucumber water, a small smoothie and a dish of candied fruit, plus more towels than you know what to do with. All of this is complimentary (as are all the soft drinks from the minibar, plus all movies in the room) which for me, sums up the entire approach of the hotel: they know their guests can afford it, but considering what they are paying for the privilege of staying here, they shouldn’t need to put their hands in their pockets. This attitude dictates a level of ‘money talks, wealth whispers’ class that can be felt throughout; from the design and service to the other guests, who regardless of their personal circumstances, all wear their labels on the inside. There’s not a monogram on show anywhere, despite there being no doubt that everyone is head-to-toe in only the finest clothes money can buy. Food-wise you can want for nothing. The (main) restaurant, which is open for three meals a day, boasts four open, glass box-like kitchens, ideal for a bit of culinary theatre. They specialise in cold cuts, desserts, Western and Asian cuisine (one kitchen for each). There’s also a dedicated cheese chamber, which if you’re sensitive to the smells of an ageing blue, is probably best avoided, but it’s heaven for a fromage fiend like my other half. You can mix and match from the different menus in one sitting if you like, but that’s something I can never get my head around. So we opt for Asian on the night we visit, leaving it to the staff

tr avel

to bring us a banquet of their choosing, and enjoy fragrant curries, noodles, meat and dim sum, the last kind of meal we were expecting to find here. The very intimate, authentic Japanese restaurant by Hide Yamamoto only seats 46 people, and is quite different in atmosphere to the large main restaurant. Guests can sit at either the open sushi and sashimi bar or the tempura station. But you can pretty much be fed and watered anywhere you go in the resort; the wine and cigar library has its own walk-in humidor and an impressive selection of fine wines; the lobby is ideal for afternoon tea, or just gazing at the table of cakes, sitting idle all day to tempt you as you pass by; the bar and living room is a great pre- or post-dinner setting where ski or sports butlers (there is an 18-hole golf course designed by Kurt Rossknecht nearby) come to deliver itineraries to their charges while they enjoy a few authentic Swiss morsels. And of course, the pool and pool-side courtyard are perfect for an al fresco lunch of club sandwiches and fresh juice, while absorbing the views of the Gemsstock mountain. Even the in-room dining is smooth; I order a tea and a slice of cake, and have to wait no longer than five minutes before a fresh pot and three pastry options arrive at my door with a smile and an apology for the delay. And despite the town’s tiny size, there are a couple of exceedingly good, authentic Italian restaurants to try (just ask at the concierge, they by no means try to keep you hostage). Although it is far quieter than I expect the winter months will be, we are not the only ones who have

lu x u r y l o n d o n .c o.u k

escaped to the Alps for the summer. The town is full of hikers, bikers and nature lovers, as well as driving enthusiasts, who are forced to slow to a snail’s pace as they wind through the cobbled streets, cashmere boutiques and primary coloured churches of Andermatt in their stylish vintage cars. But it’s also the perfect weekend escape to just do nothing but eat, swim and spa, in what feels like an almost secret destination, one that I’m sure won’t stay off the beaten track for long. As Olaf would say: “Winter’s a good time to stay in and cuddle, but put me in summer and I'll be a… happy snowman!”

 Need to know  Rooms at The Chedi Andermatt start from £432 per night in a Deluxe Room on a B&B basis including taxes, ghmhotels.com/en/andermatt SWISS offers up to 110 weekly flights from London Heathrow, London City, Birmingham and Manchester to Zurich from £63 one-way, swiss.com The Swiss Travel System provides a dedicated range of travel passes and tickets exclusively for visitors from abroad from £167 in first class swisstravelsystem.co.uk For more information on Switzerland visit myswitzerland.com

Vantage | 99

Fortune

Wheel OF

Forget shotgun weddings and slot machines, Las Vegas is now a byword for top DJ residencies, helicopter rides and Michelin-starred tasting menus. Lauren Romano investigates the other side to Sin City 

OWHERE IS MORE SUSCEPTIBLE to stereotyping quite like Las Vegas. If popular culture is to be believed, on an average day the Mob might launder a few million dollars, while a card sharp plots his latest casino heist. Then there are the elopements that take place around the clock at the open-all-hours wedding chapels, which in turn keep the Elvis Presley impersonators – who arrive in their droves in search of fame and fortune under the ferocious Nevada sun – in gainful employment. It’s a strange type of economy. Part of me wishes Vegas really was like that. There’s something tackily romantic about tossing your last cent onto the Craps table, winning the jackpot and being serenaded down the aisle to Suspicious Minds. But the only king I see when I touch down at McCarran International Airport is a lone stag, staggering sheepishly towards the baggage carousel.

It seems so implausible that a city of casinos and flash hotels built into the basin of the Mojave Desert should thrive in a natural habitat better suited to cacti. Outside, the midday heat is so intense the billboards seem to shimmer (although we shiver away in our air-coned ‘taxi’ – a gleaming stretch limo). Donny and Marie Osmond’s dazzling Colgate-white grins appear like a mirage on the horizon through the tinted windows as we crawl along the congested Strip. Vegas is changing. With every new and revamped mega hotel springing up, a quota of fine-dining restaurants, spas, exclusive bars and sprawling clubs playing host to multi-million pound DJs is being steadily filled. Whether you’re stopping off en route to a road trip around LA, are on a romantic minibreak, or celebrating your last night of freedom, there’s plenty to offer those in search of a more luxurious introduction to the city, just make sure you pack your credit card(s).

TR AVEL

I eventually stumble across a sign for the Laurel Collection Suites in the Octavius Tower at about 4am, swiping my access card to the private lift triumphantly. Like everything else in the city, our twobedroom suite is supersized. There’s an enormous master bedroom, with a dressing area and a Jacuzzi tub set in all marble surrounds. A separate wing on the other side of the large living and dining area is kitted out with double twin beds and another bathroom, as well as all manner of gadgets and techy touches, including my personal favourite: electronic curtains that peel back to reveal a view of a replica Eiffel Tower standing tall outside. I come to the conclusion that there is no greater way to be roused from a deep, jet-lag induced sleep than by the sound of the room service trolley being rolled in, piled high with chocolate chip pancake stacks, especially when the sights of Paris are only a click away.

I come to the conclusion that there is no greater way to be roused from a deep sleep than by the sound of the room service trolley being rolled in

Two-bedroom Octavius Penthouses at Caesars Palace from £4,495 a night, caesars.com

STAY Who needs to go to Venice when you can ride a gondola through the shopping mall at The Venetian hotel and admire the fresco ceilings, modelled on the Sistine Chapel? From shiny black pyramids to pirate ships and Disneyland-style castles, when it comes to hotel options Vegas isn’t short on novelty factor, or space, for that matter. Caesars Palace, my home for the next three nights, has about 3,000 rooms to spare. I recognise it from The Hangover, which was filmed here. The arrival of Bradley Cooper and a tiger apparently didn’t halt the hotel’s business as usual policy, a member of staff tells me, alluding to the ‘vow of secrecy’ he had to take to keep a lid on the situation. Sadly no filming appears to be taking place during my visit, but even without Cooper there’s plenty to ogle at here. Caesars Palace lives up to its palatial moniker – it’s so big I do actually get lost on my first night trying to navigate my way back from the sprawling Omnia nightclub.

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

VANTAGE | 101

EAT

The food is unashamedly extravagant, presented with highly decorative, ornate flourishes

The hottest table in town isn’t necessarily the roulette one. Today, the culinary stakes in Vegas are as high as those played out in the casinos, with hotels fighting to recruit the Joël Robuchons, Pierre Gagnaires and Guy Savoys of the industry to cook in their kitchens. If Man v. Food ever came to Vegas I doubt even Adam Richman wouldn’t feel the strain after three days of eating caviar and fois gras on the trot. And your waistband isn’t the only thing that will be feeling the pinch. The nine-course menu at Joël Robuchon’s eponymous three Michelin-starred restaurant starts at $445 per person, with a wine pairing package available to add on. But it’s worth it. Mirroring the pomp and ceremony of the moody purple velvet dining room, the food is unashamedly extravagant, presented with highly decorative, ornate flourishes. From a vivid strawberry gazpacho with balsamic vinegar, burrata and pistachios, to a semi soft boiled egg on spinach puree with a comté cheese sauce that resembles a wobbly eyeball, Robuchon has a knack

SIGHTSEEING Seeing the sights in Vegas in reality involves a lot of hotel hopping – dashing from the blazing hot sunshine to the igloo like casinos. We visit the Bellagio to marvel at its fountains – 460ft high jets of water that are released every 15 minutes, crisscrossing in perfectly choreographed displays – and stay for brunch at Jasmine. The buffet spread is impressive; dumplings, roast pork, fresh shellfish, steaming bowls of ramen and chocolate covered everything, which I attack like a girl who hasn’t tucked into multiple course tasting menus two nights in a row. We also take afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental because why else would you go all the way to Nevada if not to drink darjeeling and eat finger sandwiches? There’s certainly nothing wrong with fine dining and ‘upscale casual’ dress codes, but after a couple of days I’m hankering after a burger and a taste of Vegas’ grittier side. Away from the slick mega casinos, downtown on Fremont Street you can get a glimpse of what things were like when the Strip was just a twinkle in entrepreneur Steve Wynn’s eye (Wynn opened the Strip’s first mega casino resort in 1989). Founded in 1905, Vegas isn’t the oldest kid on the block, but from the mining boom pioneers to the

for pairing humble ingredients majestically. Other treats include scallops with a green curry jus, a near perfect seared black cod and an entire trolley load of petit fours that look almost too dainty to eat. It’s a close call comparing Robuchon’s efforts with Vegas’ other French fine dining contender. Back at Caesars Palace, Guy Savoy’s calm, oriental-looking dining room offers a nine-course signature menu full of gallic flair, expertly paired with an impressive wine list, filled with trophy bottles from Savoy’s cellars in Paris. So pungent is the artichoke and black truffle soup with a toasted mushroom brioche, I get a whiff of it before I see it. It’s the signature dish for a good reason, although my favourite winning combination of the evening is a beef tenderloin, matched with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon; simple, exquisite and not quite so smelly. Joël Robuchon’s Menu Degustation $445 with a wine pairing package from $295, joel-robuchon.com; Guy Savoy nine-course signature menu $290, caesars.com

mobsters who later ran the show, the city has always attracted those hoping for a lucky break. The Neon Museum is a shrine to the city’s mid-20th century heyday, where you can uncover the history behind the hedonism with a tour of its collection of rusting hotel signs that used to light up the Vegas sky. Fountains brunch at Jasmine from $58, bellagio.com; Afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental from $65, mandarinoriental.com/vegas; Neon Museum day tour from $18, neonmuseum.org

TR AVEL

PARTY Vegas doesn’t do early nights. I’ve been awake for approximately 32 hours when Calvin Harris takes to the stage at Omnia nightclub. The Dumfries DJ is just about visible behind the smoke, strobe lighting and showers of gold confetti released from a chandelier that pulses to the throb of the music. DJs are like royalty in Vegas, commanding six-figure price tags for hourlong sets, and Omnia is the ultimate electric temple, with 75,000 sq ft of space in which to put the sound system through its paces. Whether Harris is worth all that dosh or not, I’ll never know as I don’t make it all the way to the end. I nod off to a bass line that makes our balcony booth shake. Moral of this story: never underestimate the power of jet lag, even if you’ve splashed out a couple of thousand dollars on a table. Balcony tables at Omnia from $3,000 omnianightclub.com

IF YOU WIN THE JACKPOT... If your poker hand plays off, one of the best ways to blow your winnings is on a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon. The early morning Wind Dancer Tour with Maverick Helicopters offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding valley. Climbing high above the urban sprawl of the city, within minutes the skyscrapers give way to dusty terracotta plains and chiselled grey rock formations, until you reach the outskirts of the Canyon itself. We land on a ridge deep within the national park for a breakfast of croissants and champagne, marvelling at the steep sided channels carved by the Colorado River and the sheer scale of it all, our awed voices ricocheting off the craggy rock faces. It’s a million metaphorical miles from the shiny, ferociously air-conditioned city. Returning to civilisation is hard, but we ease back in gently with a spot of pampering at the opulent Middle Eastern inspired spa at Encore at Wynn. After a massage and a dip in the thermal pools, I’m just about ready for another night of fine dining. Caesars Palace is home to the biggest Nobu in the world. But if your winnings leave you with spare change to the tune of $35,000, elevate the experience one step further by checking into the Nobu Villa. The three-bedroom suite designed by David Rockwell boasts a sky deck that offers panoramic views of the Strip’s hypnotic light show. What’s more, the Nobu chefs can come and prepare dinner for you in the kitchen, delicately slicing sashimi before your eyes. My chopsticks work overtime as I work my way through so many delicious

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

platters of sushi followed by succulent Wagyu beef buns that I need (yet another) nap. I slip off to the master suite and plonk myself down on a bed that Justin Bieber reportedly slept in on the night of his 21st birthday. It seems a fitting end to what has been anything but your average minibreak. Being serenaded to sleep by Elvis would be the icing on the cake. But, of course, that can be arranged – I hear he hangs out down by the wedding chapels. Fly to the Grand Canyon with Maverick Helicopters for $439 per person, maverickhelicopter.com; Custom massage at Encore spa $170 per person, wynnlasvegas.com; The Nobu Villa from $35,000 per night, caesars.com/nobu-caesars-palace

 Need to know  Five nights in Las Vegas with Virgin Holidays, including scheduled Premium Economy flights from London Gatwick direct to Las Vegas, room only accommodation at Caesars Palace and transfers starts from £1,495pp. Start your holiday in the v-room at Gatwick Airport, adults £24.50, kids from £14; virginholidays.co.uk For more information on Las Vegas visit lasvegas.com/uk

VANTAGE | 103

PROPERTY

PROPERTY LISTINGS See below for estate agents in your area

ARLINGTON RESIDENTIAL 8 Wellington Road NW8 9SP 020 7722 3322 arlingtonresidential.co.uk

ASTON CHASE 69 / 71 Park Road NW1 6XU 020 7724 4724 astonchase.com

HANOVER 102 St John’s Wood Terrace NW8 6PL 020 7722 2223 49 Welbeck Street W1G 9XN 020 8128 0675 hanover-residential.com

IAN GREEN RESIDENTIAL 28 De Walden House Allitsen Road NW8 020 7586 1000 iangreenresidential.com

LAURENCE LEIGH 60 Queens Grove NW8 6ER 020 7483 0101 laurenceleigh.com

MARSH & PARSONS 35 Maida Vale W9 1TP 020 7368 4458 27 Parkway NW1 7PN 020 7244 2200

PHILLIPS HARROD 85-87 Bayham Street NW1 OAG 0207 1234 152 phillipsharrod.com

PROPERTY DIVAS 34a Rosslyn Hill NW3 1NH 020 7431 8000 propertydivas.com

91 Salusbury Road NW6 6NH 020 7624 4513 marshandparsons.co.uk GLOBE APARTMENTS 45 Chiltern Street W1U 6LU 020 7034 3430 globeapt.com

KNIGHT FRANK 5-7 Wellington Place NW8 7PB 020 7586 2777 79-81 Heath Street NW3 6UG 020 7431 8686

HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL 99 St John’s Wood Terrace NW8 6PL 020 7717 5319 21 Heath Street NW3 6TR 020 7717 5301 hamptons.co.uk

RUNWILD MEDIA GROUP

104 | VANTAGE

55 Baker Street W1U 8EW 020 3435 6440 60 Salusbury Road NW6 6NP 020 3815 3020 2c England’s Lane NW3 4TG 020 3815 3350 knightfrank.co.uk

PARKHEATH 208 Haverstock Hill NW3 2AG 020 7431 1234 8a Canfield Gardens NW6 3BS 020 7625 4567

SAVILLS 7 Perrin’s Court NW3 1QS 020 7472 5000 15 St John’s Wood High Street NW8 7NG 020 3043 3600 savills.co.uk

savills.co.uk 192 West End Lane NW6 1SG 020 7794 7111 148 Kentish Town Road NW1 9QB 020 7485 0400 parkheath.com

TK INTERNATIONAL 16-20 Heath Street NW3 6TE 020 7794 8700 t-k.co.uk

If you would like to appear within the property pages of VANTAGE, contact Friday Dalrymple, property manager, on 020 7987 4320 or f.dalrymple@runwildgroup.co.uk

LU X U RY L O N D O N .C O.U K

P R O P E RT Y SHOWCASING THE FINEST HOMES & PROPERTY FROM THE BEST ESTATE AGENTS

Image courtesy of Aston Chase

Marlborough Place, St John's Wood NW8 Low built detached five bedroom house Located on one of the prime roads on the west side of St John's Wood. On the market for the first time in 27 years, with a beautifully landscaped garden and sitting behind a gated wall. Master bedroom with dressing room and en suite bathroom, 4 further bedrooms, 3 further bathrooms, sitting room, reception room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, garage, off street parking for 3 cars. EPC: F. Approximately 368 sq m (3,959 sq ft). Freehold

Guide price: £7,000,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/st-johns-wood stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 020 7586 2777

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/SJW140238

17 Marlborough Place - Vantage February 2016 -print

11/01/2016 16:04:39

York House, St John's Wood NW8 Seven bedroom gated family home with off-street parking Tucked away behind electric gates on Elm Tree Road lies this beautiful family home with off-street parking. Master bedroom with en suite, dressing area and roof terrace, 4 further bedrooms (all en suite), 2 further bedrooms, family shower room, 2 guest WCs, kitchen/family room, dining room, drawing room, rear garden, swimming pool, garage. EPC: E. Approximately 405 sq m (4,363 sq ft). Freehold

Guide price: £7,500,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/stjohnswood stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 020 7586 2777

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/SJW150333

6 Elm Tree Road - Vantage February 2016 -print

12/01/2016 10:54:25

L E T T H E R E B E L OV E

The residential lettings industry is all about relationships. At Aston Chase our expertise in lettings and property management, honed over the last 30 years, makes us adept at carefully matching discerning tenants with quality properties to the delight of both parties. We understand that paying close attention to the individual needs of every client is the hallmark of excellent service, a service we call ‘Letiquette.’ Our meticulous approach ensures that whether you’re a Landlord or a Tenant, when it comes to lettings you can rely on us to find your perfect match. Letiquette — The Art of Letting. 6 9 – 7 1 PA R K R O A D | L O N D O N | N W 1 6 X U | T + 4 4 ( 0 ) 2 0 7 7 2 4 4 724 | A S T O N C H A S E.C OM

CHESTER TERRACE REGENT’S PARK NW1 An outstanding opportunity to acquire a magnificent Grade I Listed residence with direct views over Regent’s Park. The house has been modernised to an outstanding specification and benefits from a passenger lift that serves all floors, and a delightful roof terrace. Chester Terrace is located directly opposite Regent’s Park and within close proximity to all the amenities of Marylebone High Street.

Accommodation & Amenities Principal Bedroom with En-Suite Dressing Room and Bathroom, 4 Further Bedrooms, 1 Further Bathroom, 2 Shower Rooms (Both En-Suite), Drawing Room, Dining Room, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Living Room, Media/Cinema Room, 2 Guest Cloakrooms, Utility Room, Roof Terrace, Garage, Air Conditioned Throughout, Temperature Controlled Wine Cellar, Passenger Lift, AMX AV & Home Automation System, Underfloor Heating & Lutron Lighting. EPC=E.

CROWN ESTATE LEASE 136 YEARS ÂŁ13,750,000 PRINCIPAL AGENT

BRUNSWICK PLACE REGENT’S PARK NW1 CROWN ESTATE LEASE 83 YEARS £8,950,000 PRINCIPAL AGENT

Ast Chs_DPS3_LHP.indd 1

An extensively refurbished beautiful Nash residence providing approximately 4,600sq ft of family accommodation, enviably located moments from the beautiful open spaces of Regent's Park and the exclusive resident-only gardens of Park Square West. Brunswick Place is conveniently positioned within easy reach of St John’s Wood, Marylebone Village, the West End and Regent's Park Underground Station (Bakerloo Line).

ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES Principal bedroom suite, 4 further bedrooms, 2 further bathrooms (en-suite), 2 further shower rooms (en-suite), drawing room, dining room, family/media room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, gym, guest cloakroom, underfloor heating, air conditioning, Sonos music system throughout, CCTV, landscaped front courtyard garden, additional courtyard space, balcony, residents’ parking, exclusive resident-only gardens of Park Square West. EPC=F.

12/01/2016 12:03

Ast C

astonchase.com

WELLINGTON ROAD ST JOHN’S WOOD NW8 FREEHOLD GUIDE PRICE £4,250,000 SOLE AGENT

12:03

Ast Chs_DPS3_RHP.indd 2

6 9 – 7 1 PA R K R O A D LO N D O N N W 1 6XU 020 7 7 24 47 24

An opportunity to acquire an imposing five bedroom semi-detached period residence (268sq m/2,882sq ft). This well located house is offered in good condition and has the added benefit of gated off street parking for three/four cars and a private rear garden. Planning permission has been achieved to extend the house to in excess of 6,000sq ft. Plans are available on request.

ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES Principal bedroom with en-suite bathroom, large dressing room & balcony, 4 further bedrooms (1 with en-suite bathroom), family bathroom, large double aspect reception room, open plan kitchen with breakfast room, study, large entrance hall, guest cloakroom, utility room, gated off street parking for 3/4 cars, private rear garden, first floor balcony, eaves storage. EPC=D.

12/01/2016 11:20

College Crescent NW3 ÂŁ1,300,000

A spacious refurbished apartment within a detached stucco building located moments from the facilities of Swiss Cottage and the Finchley Road.

1250 sq ft/116 sq m 24ft open plan reception 3 double bedrooms 2 bathrooms Shared off street parking Contact Belsize Park Office 020 7431 1234

South Hampstead 020 7625 4567 nw6@parkheath.com

Belsize Park 020 7431 1234 nw3@parkheath.com

West Hampstead 020 7794 7111 192@parkheath.com

Kentish Town 020 7485 0400 kt@parkheath.com

Property Management 020 7722 6777 pm@parkheath.com

Kensal Rise 020 8960 4845 kensal@parkheath.com

www.parkheath.com

Belsize Avenue NW3 ÂŁ1,750,000

In prime Belsize Park close to the Village within a handsome semidetached property, a large garden level apartment with private patio and off street parking.

1344 sq ft/125 sq m 25ft reception 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Private side patio Off street parking Contact Belsize Park Office 020 7431 1234

South Hampstead 020 7625 4567 nw6@parkheath.com

Belsize Park 020 7431 1234 nw3@parkheath.com

West Hampstead 020 7794 7111 192@parkheath.com

Kentish Town 020 7485 0400 kt@parkheath.com

Property Management 020 7722 6777 pm@parkheath.com

Kensal Rise 020 8960 4845 kensal@parkheath.com

www.parkheath.com

Northwick Terrace St John’s Wood, NW8 £1,275,000

Fairfax Place South Hampstead, NW6 £1,299,000

A beautifully presented three bedroom apartment (1,156 sq ft / 107 sq m) situated on the raised ground and lower ground floors of this period conversion. This lovely duplex apartment comprises of reception room, kitchen, guest cloakroom, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, two further bedrooms and shower room. The property also benefits from a private front patio, long lease and is conveniently located between St John’s Wood and Little Venice.

A well presented three double bedroom, three bathroom mid terraced house (1,209 sq ft / 126 sq m) located in this quiet cobbled mews off Fairfax Road. This contemporary house is offered in good decorative condition and features excellent accommodation over three floors including modern kitchen and bathrooms. Fairfax Place is located close to the shops, amenities and transport links of Swiss Cottage and Finchley Road ( Jubilee lines).

Avenue Road St John’s Wood, NW8 £1,450,000

Blair Court St John’s Wood, NW8 £1,495,000

A beautifully presented three bedroom, two bathroom apartment (1,074 sq ft / 100 sq m) situated on the fourth floor of this modern block on Avenue Road benefiting from balcony, porterage and passenger lift. The apartment was completely renovated two years ago and features contemporary accommodation with wooden flooring, double glazing, a bright triple aspect reception room and a spacious modern kitchen.

A bright three bedroom, two bathroom apartment (1,050 sq ft / 97 sq m) situated on the sixth floor of this 24 hour portered block in St Johns Wood. The apartment is well presented throughout and benefits from secure gated allocated parking space, two lifts and balcony. The property is offered with a recently extended lease. Blair Court is well located for the amenities of St Johns Wood & Swiss Cottage.

020 7722 2223 | www.hanover-residential.com

Clive Court Maida Vale, W9 £2,250,000

Aberdeen Court Little Venice, W9 £2,995,000

A bright and spacious three double bedroom family apartment (2,311 sq ft / 215 sq m) situated on the third floor of this mansion style portered block, with lift. This apartment features a reception room leading to a dining room, playroom, beautiful kitchen/breakfast room, master bedroom with walk in dressing area and en-suite bathroom, two further double bedrooms, family bathroom, guest cloakroom and separate utility. The property also features two balconies.

A newly constructed penthouse apartment (1,935 sq ft / 180 sq m) built to an exacting standard, offering the best of lateral luxury living with breath-taking panoramic views across London. The entire entertaining space is fashioned from beautiful natural wood inspired floor tiling with under-floor heating and boasts unique features such as a spectacular domed dining room and direct lift access in to the apartment.

London House St John’s Wood, NW8 £3,350,000

Greville Place South Hampstead, NW6 Price on Application

A spacious and bright four bedroom family apartment (1,750 sq ft / 163 sq m) situated on the second floor of this prestigious portered block. The apartment has the rare benefit of an exceptional private south east facing terrace measuring approx. 30 x 27 in addition to a balcony and one underground parking space. London House, with its 24 hour porterage and communal garden is located on Avenue Road.

An elegant six bedroom Grade II listed house (5,286 sq ft / 491 sq m) built in 1819 offering flexible accommodation over three floors with an expansive and mature south facing private garden. Benefits include a separate two bedroom guest annex, double garage and off street parking. The guest/staff annex comprises of a kitchen breakfast room, reception room, two bedrooms both of which have en suite bathrooms and separate entrance.

020 7722 2223 | www.hanover-residential.com

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

LIVE IN AMAZING KING’S CROSS

Lewis Cubitt Park, the principal green space at King’s Cross, provides the perfect place to relax and unwind

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PLACE You have restaurants, cafés, parks and fountains; you have shops, squares and the joys of a canal; you have the best national and international rail connections in London and an extraordinary choice of some of the Capital’s most extraordinary homes. Move in now and experience living at King’s Cross.

You have 6 tube lines, 3 mainline stations and a Eurostar. Live just 5 minutes from Oxford Circus and Covent Garden and a mere 8 minutes from Victoria and Piccadilly Circus.

Please contact us at: enquiries@livingatkingscross.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 7205 4349 kingscross.co.uk/homes

www.kingscross.co.uk

Intelligent Risk Management & Execution

EXPERT IN FOREIGN CURRENCY

Why RVB?

Approach

About

If you are needing to convert currency

RVB assists you in understanding

RVB Currency UK Ltd is a UK

to buy or sell a property, RVB delivers

each and every step of the process, so

registered company, number 7586693,

a blend of intelligent and practical

that we can provide you with the best

regulated by the FCA as an Authorised

solutions, with the sole purpose of

tailored solution to meet your specific

Payment Institution (FRN: 593854)

protecting you from losing money

requirements, for any currency scenario.

and by HMRC as a Money Transmitter

unnecessarily due to excessive charges

Our core value is that your interests are

(license number:12653819).

and currency market volatility.

at the heart of every decision.

+44(0) 20 3137 6885

18 Savile Row, London, W1S 3PW

info@rvbcurrency.com

THANKS TRIP ADVISOR. WE’RE AS PLEASED AS RUM PUNCH.

Trip Advisor has awarded Saint Peter’s Bay, Barbados, their Certificate of Excellence. What makes this so special? It recognises the consistently excellent reviews we’ve been earning. From couples, families and simply anyone dedicated to real standards in this Caribbean idyll. At its heart: our concierge team, here to help you get the very best – whether that’s swimming with turtles, perfecting your swing, pampering or exploring all the riches of this Bajan jewel. A holiday of a lifetime. Or a home for a lifetime. Saint Peter’s Bay welcomes you.

UNNA Luxury Resorts & Residences

Visit stpetersbaybarbados.com and then call 0800 097 0847

THE WORLD AGREES, IT’S A WORLD APART.

Lanark Road W9 £1,700,000 Having undergone an extensive refurbishment programme this exceptional three-bedroom maisonette comes to the market in walk-in condition. Share of Freehold. EPC=E

• Light-filled maisonette • West facing roof terrace • Victorian conversion • Next to Clifton Gardens

Little Venice: 020 7993 3050 sales.lve@marshandparsons.co.uk

Modernapartment apartmentboasting boasting Modern highceilings ceilingsthroughout throughout high Matchingpeople peopleand andproperty propertyininLondon Londonfor forover over150 150years. years. Matching