Vantage Magazine November 2015 by Runwild Media Group

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46 Issue 64

Contents



10 | Hats Off Milliner Philip Treacy on designing headwear for international divas, the photographers who have influenced his craft and his new book

14 | Back to the Future The changing face of luxury and the Walpole Brands of Tomorrow worth looking out for

22 | Look to the East Release your inner magpie at the V&A’s new Indian jewellery exhibition, Bejewelled Treasures: The Al Thani Collection

54 | Lip Service Jet-setting in style with Lulu Guinness’ new vanity case

72 | The Lowe Down Pearl Lowe talks family life, battling her demons and her new line of childrenswear

82 | On the Rocks Rande Gerber on banishing hangovers and brewing his own tequila with best friend George Clooney

98 | Viva Forever Detoxing Austrian-style at VivaMayr’s latest medical spa in Altaussee

regulars - 19 -

collection

- 29 -

spotlight

- 35 -

fashion & beauty

- 59 -

HOME & interiors

- 67 -

health & family

- 81 -

food & drink

- 91 -

the art of travel

- 101 -

property

editor's letter

november 2015 / ISSUE 64 acting Editor Lauren Romano Collection Editor Annabel Harrison Contributing Editors Richard Brown Olivia Sharpe editorial assistants Ellen Millard Chloë Riddle Sub Editor Jasmine Phillips Senior Designer Daniel Poole Production Hugo Wheatley Oscar Viney Jamie Steele 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

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From the editor “When you meet somebody, you meet their face, not their feet, or their Prada handbag. It’s the most potent part of the body to decorate,” hat designer extraordinaire Philip Treacy says of his accessory of choice. From nests of butterflies paraded down the Alexander McQueen catwalk, to jewelencrusted lobsters worn by Lady Gaga, the hatter talks Ellen Millard through some of his career highlights, snapped for his eponymous coffee table tome, released this month to celebrate 25 years in the business (p.10). Former Primrose Hill ‘It’ girl Pearl Lowe is quietly celebrating a personal milestone of her own. This year marks a decade since she ditched the capital for the Somerset countryside, to reinvent herself as a fashion and interior designer. Ahead of the launch of her children’s dressing up label Petite Pearl Lowe in Harrods, the forthright mum of four opens up about battling her drug demons, moving house every year and what Daisy and co. are getting up to (p.72). As autumn sets in, our thoughts naturally turn to hibernating indoors. With this in mind I meet Anne Line Hansen, founder of Esensual Living, a website dubbed the net-aporter for the home to talk about tracking down the most covetable interiors brands and revolutionising the way we buy online thanks to her pioneering shoppable films (p.62). Another woman trying to shake up the way we shop is perfumer Lyn Harris. Ellen Millard meets the nose to mix a bespoke fragrance in the laboratory at her latest venture Perfumer H, which opens on Marylebone’s Crawford Street this month (p.49). I indulge in a little mixology of my own when I prop up the bar at The Berkeley with Rande Gerber (a.k.a. Mr Cindy Crawford). The entrepreneur and his best friend Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney have launched their own tequila, Casamigos. Originally created as the house spirit for the pair’s shared Mexican ranch, it is now the fastest-selling premium tequila brand in the States and it looks set to go down well here too, not least because the duo claim the pure agave recipe doesn’t give you a hangover. Pass the limes, please (p.82).

Lauren Lauren Romano Acting Editor

On the cover Kati Tastet by Helen Lyôn for Harper’s & Queen, 2000, from Philip Treacy: Hat Designer by Philip Treacy and Marion Hume

Other titles by RWMG

HatOffs Ahead of the launch of his new eponymous book, Philip Treacy speaks to Ellen Millard about the photographers who’ve influenced his craft, his style icons and designing hats for international divas 

hilip Treacy is sat in his studio in Battersea, staring at a wax head that vaguely resembles Lady Gaga. The bust in question is what’s left of the popstar’s model from Madame Tussauds – minus the make-up, hair and features – which was delivered one day to Treacy’s workshop. “It just kind of arrived. It took me a while to figure out who it was, but you can tell,” he laughs, his Gaelic lilt floating down the phone like a soothing Irish melody. “I designed the hat for the wax work, so I’ve ended up with her head.” He says this nonchalantly, and while from anyone else it would come as a surprise, this is the man who’s designed jewel-encrusted lobsters and sparkling telephone toppers for (the real) Gaga, nests of rainbow butterflies for Alexander McQueen, and an impressive ship structure for Isabella Blow that Michael Jackson reportedly offered to buy for £25,000. Something tells me surprise moments come thick and fast in the world of Philip Treacy, who’s been dressing the heads of the famous and anonymous alike for 25 years. “What I love about hats is that they are the most exciting accessory in the world,” he says of his craft. “They are the ultimate expression of glamour, fantasy, elegance and beauty. When you meet somebody, you meet their face, not their feet, or their Prada handbag. It’s the most potent part of the body to decorate.” Born in Ahascragh, County Galway, Treacy discovered fashion through his sister, Marian, who would bring home copies of Harper’s & Queen and Tatler from London. He learnt to sew at the

Right: Jade Parfitt by Lillian Bassman for German Vogue, 1998

INTERVIEW

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ripe old age of six, and made his first hat when he was 18, a reconstruction of a jumble sale find that he took apart and reshaped into his own version of a Matterhorn hat. “I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and making things,” Treacy says of his venture into headwear design. “To make a hat is to turn a two-dimensional material into a three-dimensional sculpture, which is exciting. A hat is the ultimate glamour accessory.” He studied fashion in Dublin at the National College of Art and Design, before moving to London to complete an MA in fashion design at the Royal College of Art. It was during this time that Treacy met the then style editor of Tatler, Isabella Blow, who commissioned him to make a headdress for her wedding, and subsequently introduced him to Karl Lagerfeld when he was just 22. “She invented my career, as she did with Alexander McQueen,” he recalls, fondly. His first stint in the fashion world was at Chanel, where he arrived at the haute couture fittings session to find Lagerfeld surrounded by Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington and Steven Meisel, likening the experience to being at an X-Factor audition. In 1993, he branched out on his own with his first solo show, for which Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Christy Turlington were paid in hats to model his decadent headpieces. Now, 25 years on since his sartorial debut, he’s celebrating with an eponymous tome co-authored by his good friend and fashion journalist Marion Hume, honouring the “greatest photographers that have ever lived” who have captured Treacy’s hats in stunning and often iconic photographs, the likes of Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Bruce Weber and Mario Testino, to name but a few. “My ideas always start as photographs in my head,” Treacy tells me. “I’m very influenced by photography, and in many instances I see the hat photographically before I begin. It’s very exciting when they end up looking vaguely reminiscent of my initial idea.” His favourite snap is the image on the book’s front cover, shot by Irving Penn and starring Linda Evangelista wearing a Treacy original, a plume of black wispy cockerel

“When you design a hat for anybody, it’s a collaboration. If I designed a hat for you, I’d collaborate with you”

This page: Emma Watson by Simon Procter for Harper’s Bazaar UK, 2008. Opposite page, L-R: Daphne Guinness by Philip Treacy for Italian Vogue Gioiello, 2008; Naomi Campbell by David LaChapelle for Tatler, 2003; Jard Allard by Bruce Weber for L’Uomo Vogue, 1996

INTERVIEW

feathers splaying across the model’s face. “[Linda Evangelista] is an exceptional model, and Irving Penn has always been a huge inspiration to me,” Treacy says of the photograph, which he loved so much that he bought it at auction years later, and cites it as his most treasured possession. His fans don’t stop at supermodels though and Treacy has since dressed the heads of Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Jones, Kate Middleton, Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker and Victoria Beckham, a lengthy list that doesn’t even scratch the surface of his impressive roll call of clients. “It’s exciting to make hats for international divas. It’s interesting to have the personality of the individual as inspiration, and you can’t not be inspired when you design for Elizabeth Taylor or Lady Gaga.” As well as pop’s elite, Treacy’s designs have graced many a royal’s head too, and in 2011 the hat maker was charged with creating 36 headpieces for the Royal Wedding, a moment he names as the highlight of his career so far. “Royalty wear more hats than anybody else; some people have an ultimate moment once in their life, but royalty can have an ultimate moment every week.” One of his imperial weddingguests-cum-models was Princess Beatrice, whose nude Valentino ensemble was complemented with a ribbon pillbox of Treacy’s design. The headpiece received its fair share of attention, much of it negative. Unperturbed by their remarks, the young princess had the last laugh when she auctioned the hat off for charity, raising more than £80,000. For Treacy, the beauty of hat design is the reaction that the finished product provokes, whether that be positive or negative. “I love that people have very strong opinions about hats. They can like a hat, they can loathe a hat, they can think it’s ridiculous, they can think it’s sensuous, and it can all be the same hat.” From oversized orchids and gravity-defying Brillo box towers to topper tributes to Michael Jackson’s Neverland, Treacy’s designs are certainly

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unique, and it’s this creative flair that’s seen Voltaire Diamonds, Asprey, Valentino and MAC knocking on the designer’s door. “I’m always open to collaborations,” he tells me. “And when you design a hat for anybody, it’s a collaboration. If I designed a hat for you, I’d collaborate with you.” Depending on the commission, a hat can take anything from a few hours to a few weeks to make, and Treacy is very much involved with the entire process. “Hats have the illusion that they take no amount of time at all, when in fact they involve a huge amount of effort,” he says. “It’s a very labour intensive craft. It’s supposed to look easy, but it ain’t.” Indeed, writing in the forward of their new book, Hume comments on Treacy’s meticulous design process, saying “you’d never expect a fashion designer to touch a needle. Yet here is Philip and his thimble – often with a mouthful of pins, too – bringing the hat that he first imagines inside his head to life.” Back in his studio in Battersea, Treacy and his team of dedicated artisans are striving towards S/S16, A/W15 a distant memory for the designer who always works six months in advance. In the meantime, he’ll be celebrating his 25th anniversary in the best way possible, doing what he does best: “By making hats. It’s what I do.”

Philip Treacy: Hat Designer by Philip Treacy and Marion Hume is out now, £75 published by Rizzoli New York, amazon.co.uk

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This image: Stitching a Mulberry bag, courtesy of Mulberry, at London Craft Week Below: Letterpress stamps at Wyvern Bindery, London Craft Week 2015

ondon is in the lap of luxury right now. According to figures recently released by Walpole and Frontier Economics, the luxury market is forecast to continue to have a seismic impact on society, with a projected growth of 7.8 per cent, and, if predictions are true, an estimated industry value of up to £57 billion by 2019. But what is luxury? It’s a question that the V&A sought to answer once and for all with a sell-out exhibition of the same name that has only just closed its doors. The curators sifted through the bling and the bespoke, delving into the world of art and design to present a mismatched array of objects that they felt fitted the luxury bill. There was a decadent crystal-embellished monkey from Studio Job, George Daniel’s fob watches, an haute couture gown from 3D printing maverick Iris van Herpen and a hand-knitted Nora Fok necklace that looked like foaming bubbles spilling over a steaming hot bath. Collectively the exhibits revealed that there really is no boundary that cannot be pushed in the luxury sphere. After a year of Apple Watches, 3D printing and a rising interest in bespoke (Burberry’s Scarf Bar,

anyone?) it’s hardly a surprise that luxury is on the up. Even the Rugby World Cup has seen its share of the fanfare this year, with Louis Vuitton designing an exclusive trunk for the Webb Ellis Cup. Travel is adapting to the changing market too, offering more and more exclusive experiences. Earlier in the year, tech-savvy sunseekers with a penchant for flying solo welcomed Ubair, an app that allows you to book private aircraft from the palm of your hand (because taxis are so last year), while this month sees the debut of BA’s new first-class cabin on its highly-anticipated Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the first of its kind to feature an eight-passenger cabin complete with headset controls, double screens for in-flight entertainment (why choose between two films when you can watch both?) and a charging point for electronic devices. With so many new ideas appearing on the well-heeled market – and technology at the helm of much of it – it’s becoming increasingly difficult to guess where the final frontier of the industry will be found. But there is one organisation that has no qualms about its development; Walpole has been championing the British branch of the market since 1990, and is about to host its annual Walpole British Luxury Awards this month, a celebration of the UK’s best-loved brands. “Luxury to me signifies a product or a service that exudes quality, superior design, innovation, craftsmanship and real attention to detail,” the organisation’s CEO, Michelle Emmerson, tells me. “It is something aspirational and desired; it makes you feel special.” Many of the brands that fit this definition can be found on Walpole’s 160-strong members list, which includes Asprey, Cole & Son, Harrods, Burberry and Alexander McQueen.

“Luxury to me signifies a product or a service that exudes quality, superior design, innovation, craftsmanship and real attention to detail”

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“The handmade, the niche, the craft, the storytelling, the emotional attachment and the unique

But it isn’t just the big names that get all the attention; Walpole’s Crafted programme offers advice to makers who, though highly skilled at their craft, lack the commercial prowess needed to succeed in the industry. The scheme is chaired by Guy Salter, who is no stranger to ateliers and workshops having set up the inaugural London Craft Week back in May, which celebrated traditional craftsmanship with behindthe-scenes tours of some of the capital’s finest makers at work. While there is concern over the impact of technology, Salter believes it will give smaller names a platform on which to grow. “I think it’s a massive opportunity,” he says. “The exciting thing [about advances in technology] is the chance it offers to get a feel for what the makers do via social media and engage a dialogue with them.” The silver lining, Cole & Son’s creative director Shauna Dennison says, is that the specialised brands that do hold onto their age-old traditions will become all the more unique. “Because of the inevitable automation and digitisation of many services and manufacturing technologies, it will mean that the handmade, the niche, the craft, the storytelling, the emotional attachment and the unique

idea associated with creating luxury pieces will become ever more precious and valuable,” she tells me. There’s no denying the importance of international markets on luxury’s future; where once it was considered a predominantly European phenomenon, countries across the globe are progressively returning to their own traditional skillsets and investing in commodities of the highest calibre. “I think we’re probably at one of the most interesting moments in the evolution of the luxury market,” Salter tells me. “My view is that mainland China will continue to pick up and become the most important luxury market over the next few years.” Cole & Son has already reaped the benefits of luxury’s changing face, finding inspiration for its vibrant wallpaper designs overseas and gaining international fans. “The market is so much bigger now than it used to be. We trade all over the world, even as far as Vladivostok!” Dennison tells me. “Our wallpapers are created according to our own brand aesthetics, but because they span a stylistic gulf

The house that Hackney built

In the frame

Just five years old but already making an impact in both the fashion and interiors worlds, it’s likely you’ve already heard of House of Hackney. Famed for its quirky prints and bold designs, the label has collaborated with Opening Ceremony, ASOS and, more recently, William Morris. Its latest collection sees Morris’ delicate floral prints revamped in bold, contemporary colours.

Mayfair gallery Beetles+Huxley is home to some of the best photography London has to offer, from 19th century documentary snaps to more contemporary work from world-famous photographers like Edward Weston and Irving Penn. The recently renovated space holds ten exhibitions a year including the likes of photojournalist Steve McCurry’s Afghanistan and Elliott Erwitt’s Double Platinum. Its forthcoming show highlights the work of Berenice Abbott’s lesser-known US Route 1 series, a sequence of black and white images taken during a road trip from Maine to Florida.

houseofhackney.co.uk

Berenice Abbott, 27 October – 21 November Beetles+Huxley, 3-5 Swallow Street, W1B beetlesandhuxley.com Above: Automat, 977 Eighth Avenue, New York, 1936 ©Estate of Berenice Abbott/Getty Images. Image courtesy of Beetles+Huxley

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idea associated with creating luxury pieces will become ever more precious and valuable”

Above, L-R: Geometric II, Miami by Cole & Son; Behind the scenes tour at Garrard, London Craft Week 2015

from ‘heritage’ to ‘contemporary’, it means that our collections have a wider appeal.” Next year, Salter plans to reflect this change by opening up London Craft Week to the masses, showcasing brands from all over the world. “London is one of the few cities that has the capacity to be a world platform and London Craft Week was never meant to be specifically just British. It will continue to feature the famous names, shops and galleries, but will have an even bigger selection of lesser-known master craftsmen and a much larger percentage of non-British participants.” Back on UK soil, Walpole is harbouring the fresh talent of our own luxury offerings through its Brands

of Tomorrow programme, which gives up-andcoming labels guidance as they enter the increasingly competitive market. “With ‘brand Britain’ more popular than ever before, this is the perfect time to look at who is going to mantle the future,” Emmerson says, excitedly. Check out the ones to watch below, and in the unlikely event that none of them take your fancy, log on to Ubair and book a private flight east to discover the next big thing overseas. thewalpole.co.uk

Wax lyrical After more than two decades in the candle industry, Rachel Vosper has seen it all; from changing trends to the much welcomed increase in demand. “The luxury market has exploded!” Vosper says. “The increase in technology has enabled me to explore new techniques and produce cutting edge vessels.” Her beeswax candles are presented in brightly-coloured leather cases that light up the shelves of her Belgravia-based boutique, where customers can pick up a Vosper original, or make their own using the bespoke service. rachelvosper.com

Sole mate The by-product of two half-Italian Londoners who were bored of their City jobs, Bionda Castana offers seamless Italian craftsmanship with quirky London design. The label has designed shoes for Matthew Williamson, David Koma, and Emilio de la Morena and this year the brand launched its flagship store, where its bespoke service allows customers to choose from 16 core shapes and a variety of colours, heel heights and embellishments to design with. biondacastana.com

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M ESUR E ET D ÉMESUR E *

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 alligator strap 100% engineered and made by Parmigiani Manufacture Switzerland www.parmigiani.ch

ATELIER PARMIGIANI 97 MOUNT STREET, MAYFAIR, LONDON W1K 2TD, TEL. 020 7495 5172 LEICESTER

LUMBERS | LONDON SELFRIDGES, THE WONDER ROOM ARIJE | HARRODS, MONTREUX JAZZ CAFE WATCHES OF SWITZERLAND | FROST OF LONDON | BEAU GEMS SCOTLAND AND NEWCASTLE ROX DIAMONDS AND THRILLS WINDSOR ROBERT GATWARD JEWELLERS

COLLECTION

The return of SalonQP The UK’s largest watch fair rolls into town, housed once again at the Saatchi Gallery, this November. A. Lange & Söhne, Tudor and Ralph Lauren make their return to the show, which will this year feature more than 80 exhibitors, including Bremont, Bell & Ross, Chopard, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Harry Winston and Montblanc. Auction houses Bonhams and Fellows will also be in attendance, as will the winning watches from the 2015 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Founded in 2003, last year’s SalonQP three-day event attracted more than 7,000 visitors, confirming it as one of Europe’s leading public watch fairs. SalonQP, 12-14 November, Saatchi Gallery, SW3 salonqp.com Arachnophobia, POA, MB&F, mbandf.com

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COLLECTION

Jewellery news By Olivia Sharpe

Archi de triomphe

Imperiale woman It was only a matter of time before Chopard’s Imperiale watch, launched in the 1990s, gave birth to a corresponding jewellery line, which subsequently arrived in 2012. This year, as part of the maison’s series of advertising campaigns dedicated to its four flagship collections (Imperiale, Happy Diamonds, Haute Joaillerie and Classic Racing), Chopard has cast model Hilary Rhoda as the new ‘Imperiale woman’ and launched five new pieces, which were unveiled at the 2015 Venice Film Festival in September. Encompassing a watch, ring, a pair of earrings, necklace and a tiara, each piece channels the majestic Imperiale motif.

A high jewellery diffusion line sounds like an oxymoron when you consider how the whole purpose of a high jewellery collection is to target an elite clientele who can afford these precious items, rather than the masses. However, there is clearly a burgeoning trend for such collections, as more and more women are desiring accessible pieces that can be worn day-to-day. Enter Dior’s new Archi Dior medium jewellery collection, a watered-down version of its high jewellery counterpart. Pieces include the Bar en Corolle ring, which references both the New Look’s first line and the 1947 Bar suit, and the Diorama necklace and bracelet, inspired by the 1951 ribboned dress by the same name. From £5,000, dior.com

chopard.com

Cutting

edge As the V&A celebrates all things India this autumn as part of its dedicated festival, Swiss jeweller De Grisogono similarly pays homage to the country’s rich jewellery-making history with its latest collection of earrings, fittingly named India.

“Each pair has taken seven days to craft and the open-work featured on the backs allows light to filter through the stones, creating a chiaroscuro effect. I think in volumes, I imagine in colours, I design in lights.” – Fawaz Gruosi (Founder & creative director)

Bulgari pop-up at Harrods Bulgari is celebrating its 130 years of Italian masterpieces this year in a special exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum, but fortunately you do not have to travel quite that far in order to experience some of the brand’s most iconic pieces. Throughout November, Harrods will play host to the Italian jeweller in a pop-up exhibition in its Brompton Road exhibition windows, showcasing seven exclusive products that have been reimagined from iconic Bulgari collections. These will include the Diva pendant in malachite and pink gold, the Octo watch, and the Serpenti Forever galuchat handbag in emerald croco. 30 October – 28 November Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X

L-R: White gold, turquoise and emerald India earrings; rose gold India earrings set with mammoth ivory and brown diamonds, POA, degrisogono.com

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Look to the East The V&A’s fascinating new exhibition, Bejewelled Treasures: The Al Thani Collection, showcases the prevailing influence of Indian jewellery and jewelled objects on the Western world. Olivia Sharpe reports 

n 1910, French designer Paul Iribe designed an emerald aigrette that was pictured on the cover of the then popular fashion journal, Comoedia illustré (Paris, 1 February 1912). While inspired by the Paris performances of the Ballets Russes, its overall design evokes the form of an Indian turban jewel, having been set with an antique Mughal carved emerald. With its natural wealth of gemstones and metals, it’s no surprise that India has a rich jewellery history that has long impacted the rest of the Western world. Following on from the exhibition held at the Met last year, the V&A’s latest display – Bejewelled Treasures: The Al Thani Collection – presents more than 100 precious objects originating from, or inspired by, the subcontinent, drawn from a single private collection. Pieces date back from the 17th century Mughal dynasty right up to the present day, highlighting the linear progression of styles and techniques, not to mention the shared cultural influences between east and west.

Unlike previous exhibitions, which have predominantly focused on Hindu jewellery traditions, the interesting aspect of the V&A’s exhibit, according to its curator Susan Stronge, is that it explores Mughal gemmology. Like the Tudor royal court, the Mughal court in India – which ruled from the 16th to the 18th century – was one of the most lavish in history. To display their power and status, members would adorn themselves with jewels and this is portrayed in old V&A archive images taken from Susan’s new book, which accompanies the exhibition. These include a painting of Shah Jahan holding an emerald (c.1631-2) and another of Tipu Sultan, who wasn’t a Mughal emperor, but his South Indian court would still have followed many of its customs. Susan stresses that the majority of the pieces on display would have been worn by men and notes how there was even a hierarchy when it came to the different types of stones. Although one would have

collection

thought diamonds held the highest status, this was in fact not so. “The most highly valued stone in the treasury was the spinel,” she explains. “People are not very familiar with it today, but in gemmological terms it is similar to ruby. Spinels come in a range of colours, but the most highly valued were deep red. Originating from Badakhshan in Central Asia, these were both very large and very transparent, and were kept in their natural, irregular form.” Of course, with India having been the sole supplier of diamonds to the world at this time, these do also feature heavily, presented as “extraordinary, unmounted stones”. One such piece is the magnificent ‘Arcot II’ 17.21-carat diamond, which was gifted to Queen Charlotte in 1767 from the Nawab of Arcot, who controlled the renowned Golconda Southern India diamond mines. The exhibition also presents Indian court jewelled objects from the Mughal era. These include a c.1770 ‘backscratcher’ belonging to Clive of India; it represents one of the few non-jewelled pieces, having been made from Nephrite jade (and set with rubies and gold). Such expensive materials indicate that this would not have been used for its traditional purpose, but more likely would have been seen as an emblem of office for court officials (emperors at the time having coveted ceremonial and functional objects made of luxury materials). Another object that Susan finds particularly intriguing is the jewelled finial from the throne of Tipu Sultan: “This is a very poignant piece – when the British defeated Tipu Sultan in 1799, they also seized his treasury. His throne was destroyed, apart from a very few jewelled components. This is a rare survivor”. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Indian craftsmen were becoming inspired by European design, particularly in Hyderabad under the Nizams. Susan notes how this is illustrated through the inclusion of European open settings,

allowing light to shine through cut diamonds and emeralds; this technique, according to the curator, was then “a very foreign concept in Indian jewellery”. In the early 20th century, an influx of Indian maharajas were suddenly arriving in Europe and having their treasures reset according to the latest styles, which, at the time, was predominantly Art Deco. This phenomenon, in turn, led to European designers being greatly influenced by Indian jewellery design. A Cartier emerald brooch that was made for the Paris 1925 Exposition Internationale des Art Décoratifs, for instance, presents an Art Deco reinterpretation of conventional Indian forms. India’s rich tradition of jewellerymaking continues to this day, having been passed down through the generations. A section dedicated to enamelling explores how in Mughal times, the vivid colours would have been hidden on the backs of jewellery pieces, such as bangles and earrings. For her research, Susan travelled to Jaipur where she visited one of jeweller Amrapali’s (founded in 1978, it specialises in contemporary Indian jewellery) five workshops specialising in enamelling and other such techniques. Speaking to director Sameer Lilani, he comments: “Jaipur is the world centre of coloured stones, so there’s a huge culture of jewellery manufacture. We have between 2,000 and 2,500 craftsmen who do everything, from base metal manufacturing to stone-setting and enamel, and often it is three generations of the same family working for us; the grandfather, the father and the son.” Also being shown in the exhibition is a newly-documented film on the art of ‘kundan’, a uniquely Indian style of using highly-refined gold to set stones that is still being employed today. Contemporary jewellers continue to look to the east as a major source of inspiration. In 2002, avant-garde jeweller JAR showcased a brooch in Paris that can be seen to replicate elements of Mughal architecture. Featuring an evocative ogee arch silhouette and a fine antique facetted emerald, its design highlights the enduring influence of Indian jewellery traditions on Western culture.

India’s rich tradition of jewellerymaking continues to this day, having been passed down through the generations

21 November 2015 – 28 March 2016 Bejewelled Treasures: The Al Thani Collection is sponsored by Warstki vam.ac.uk/bejewelledtreasures Opposite: Box of Tipu Sultan, Mysore, c.1782-99 Above, clockwise from top left: Emerald & diamond clip brooch, Cartier Paris, 1925 (modified 1927); Brooch by JAR Paris, 2002; Aigrette, designed by Paul Iribe, Paris, France, 1910; Three Brahmin couples, watercolour & gold on paper, India, c.1830, © Victoria and Albert Museum, London. All jewelled objects courtesy of the Al Thani collection © Servette Overseas Ltd. Photography: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd.

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Christopher Kane, S/S12 © Josh Olins, Trunk Archive

We worked very closely with Rizzoli, as well as with our contributors, on every aspect of the book. Our archive contains amazing photographs from the 1890s when my great-greatgrandfather established the company, as well as iconic images from the early days of the silver screen, 20th century haute couture and jewellery pieces, and the avant-garde architectural and design collaborations we have created more recently.

Swarovski has stayed at the forefront of innovation by working with creative visionaries across the fashion, jewellery, performance and design industries.

warovski’s legacy is a glittering one in all senses of the word. The company has become world-renowned for its innovative and exquisite use of crystals and, as such, its history is as studded with stars as its creations are: the brand has worked with the best designers across the decades, from Balenciaga, Chanel and Dior to McQueen and Katrantzou; it has bejewelled Marilyn Monroe, Liz Taylor (Cleopatra), Madonna and Emily Blunt (The Young Victoria) for their respective performances; and its sparkling installations have graced both the Palace of Versailles and the Oscars. Nadja Swarovski elaborates on this dazzling history.

This focus on ground-breaking collaboration has been key to our company’s success from the very beginning. My great-great-grandfather Daniel Swarovski frequently travelled to Paris to work with the early couturiers, like Charles Frederick Worth and Jeanne Lanvin, and 50 years later his sons worked with Christian Dior to develop the ‘Aurora Borealis’, a stone inspired by the Northern Lights that Dior never tired of using in his couture and jewellery collections. Fast forward another 50 years: Alexander McQueen opened the floodgates and reintroduced Swarovski into the world of fashion. He created this crystal mesh top with a hood and teamed it up with the most incredibly delicate silk skirt. That juxtaposition between the hard and the soft made it incredibly powerful, yet feminine. Working with him made me realise the importance of putting our product in the hands of creative talents who could embrace Swarovski’s spirit of innovation and ensure our brand remains relevant.

When I started in the mid-’90s, people really didn’t know anything about the colour and intricacy of the stones I played with as a child; they only associated Swarovski with the figurines. I wanted to share the stories I grew up with, hearing how my grandfather worked with Christian Dior and Coco Chanel. He understood the importance of putting our crystal in the

Phillip Lim for Swarovski, 22 Ways to Say Black, 2010 ©Mark Pillai

Written Stars in the

As her family’s company celebrates its 120th anniversary, Nadja Swarovski relives some of the brand’s key designs and collaborations, illustrated beautifully in a new Rizzoli publication  Nadja Swarovski

collection

important because that is the source of creativity, and creativity to us is essential in terms of the evolution of the product, or at least in terms of the evolution of the use of the product.

The aim of the Swarovski Collective is twofold – to support emerging talent but also to deepen our relationships with established fashion talent. We started it when working with McQueen in the late 1990s and it’s hard to believe that earlier this year we awarded Peter Pilotto our inaugural Swarovski Collective Prize to mark its 15th anniversary. For S/S16 and A/W16, the Collective includes some really exciting new designers in London, Paris and New York, as well as many of last season’s returning talent. Putting our crystal in the hands of these young fashion visionaries and giving them our support is truly rewarding, and the results can be breathtaking.

London is such an amazing creative hub: it draws and inspires talents from across the world. The designers that make it their home are among the most innovative in the world. Our London offices are in Mayfair, just around the corner from Savile Row, and I have always loved the area’s mix of fashion, art, luxury and craftsmanship. The retail scene is so vibrant now and many of our closest collaborators, such as Erdem, Nicholas Kirkwood, Hussein Chalayan, Shaun Leane and Stephen Webster, have shops nearby.

We are honoured that the V&A’s director, Martin Roth, hosted and moderated our talk there on 13 October. We worked together on the recent McQueen exhibition and he has a true appreciation of what we are trying to do in supporting creative talents from across the design disciplines. Colin McDowell is one of our most distinguished fashion historians and commentators, so audience members enjoyed a wide-ranging and stimulating discussion on why so many designers are passionate about using crystal as a creative ingredient. hands of great designers and I wanted to do the same. I wanted to work with a designer who was the equivalent of Coco Chanel. Of course, it was McQueen. This collaboration created a blueprint that we have used to work with creative talent across the different industries.

We are fortunate to have worked with some of the 21st century’s most exciting design talents. These include luminaries such as Ron Arad, Zaha Hadid, Tom Dixon, Ross Lovegrove, Tord Boontje, Yves Béhar and the Bouroullec brothers. All our collaborations have been inspirational in the way they pushed the boundaries and responded to the medium of crystal. Supporting emerging talent is so

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SWAROVSKI: Celebrating a History of Collaborations in Fashion, Jewelry, Performance, and Design, £60, Rizzoli New York. Preface by Nadja Swarovski, foreword by Suzy Menkes, introduction by Alice Rawsthorn and texts by Vivienne Becker, Deborah Nadoolman Landis, Deyan Sudjic and Colin McDowell

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Watch news By Richard Brown

Backes in business A tale as old as time It may not be the world’s oldest watch brand (Blancpain was founded in 1735) but, having survived wars, political unrest and economic downturns, Vacheron Constantin is the only watchmaker that can claim to have been producing timepieces uninterrupted since 1755 – and it has now released a book honouring that 260-year journey. More than a celebratory pat-on-the-back, Vacheron Constantin – Artists of Time is a fascinating account of the history of watchmaking by the industry’s longest-serving custodian. Order one for your coffee table now.

Backes & Strauss, the world’s oldest diamond company, has opened its first flagship in Mayfair. Alongside the brand’s diamond-heavy timepieces, the boutique houses historical archives dating back to the 1800s, when Backes & Strauss sourced and polished diamonds for the likes of Cartier, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co. and Boucheron. Coinciding with the opening is the launch of the Regent Beau Brummell Tourbillon pocket watch, a moon phase-equipped accessory that shimmers with 1,669 diamonds. Backes & Strauss, 21-22 Grosvenor Street W1K, backesandstrauss.com

Vacheron Constantin – Artists of Time vacheron-constantin.com

One to watch

Allun Michaels, store manager at Fraser Hart in Brent Cross, selects his watch of the month:

“Earlier this year, Rolex updated its iconic Day-Date piece to sit in a 40mm case. Housing the most accurate movement it has ever produced, this is a stunning mix of heritage and cutting edge technology” Right: Day-Date 40mm, from £23,300, available in 18-karat yellow, white and Everose gold and platinum, Rolex, Fraser Hart, Brent Cross 020 8732 8459, BrentCross@fraserhart.co.uk @FHBrentCross

Upgrading an icon Behold Audemars Piguet’s new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar. Same as the old one, you may think. But take a closer look. Having grown to 41mm, the rakishly handsome timepiece has been enhanced by the addition of a week indicator at the perimeter of its dial. It will now tell you the day and date of the month, as well as the week of the year. A moon phase at 6 o’clock completes proceedings. Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar £69,800 (rose gold) or £44,500 (steel) audemarspiguet.com

collection

A Hero of Horology Watches of Switzerland opens its doors on Oxford Street

tepping into Watches of Switzerland’s expansive new boutique on Oxford Street, a colossal 98-inch interactive touchscreen displaying an exceptional Cartier wristwatch greets you, accompanied by a series of images demonstrating how the fine piece was crafted. Far from its humble beginnings in 1924 as a mail-order watch business, this is Watches of Switzerland’s third boutique to open in London this year and welcomes customers into an immersive digital world of horology. From Rolex to Patek Philippe, IWC to Hublot, fine timepieces adorn the space. And you are sure to find the same inviting interior style as the company’s flagship store on Regent Street, designed by architecture company Callison. With a VIP lounge designed with the globetrotting watch connoisseur in mind, and even a cinema on the lower-ground floor to view new product launches in high definition, no techsavvy watch enthusiast will want to leave. Watches of Switzerland, 439-441 Oxford Street, W1 watches-of-switzerland.co.uk

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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

spotlight

Let there be light Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safe to say that London is at its prettiest when the festive season rolls around, with glistening decorations lighting up the main shopping streets, and the Norwegian Christmas tree standing tall in Trafalgar Square. But no area of the capital celebrates quite like Marylebone, where this year the Howard de Walden Estate will once again hold its annual Christmas lights festivities. Head down to the High Street for an afternoon of performances by local children and musicians, food and craft stalls filled with tempting treats and locally produced gifts, and a chance to see Father Christmas and his merry herd of reindeer at the grotto, all in support of Age UK Westminster. 18 November, 3.30pm-6.30pm, Marylebone High Street, W1, marylebonechristmaslights.com Photo by Lloyd Sturdy

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EDITOR'S PICK

Mind over matter

Local news

Whether you like to go with the Vinyasa flow, turn up the tempo with Ashtanga, or the temperature with Bikram, those who know their way around a yoga mat won’t want to miss the Wellcome Collection’s winter exhibition. Tibet’s Secret Temple: Body, Mind and Meditation in Tantric Buddhism provides a rare and enlightening insight into yogic and meditational methods, revealing stories that were hidden from all but the most advanced practitioners. Pop in to marvel at the stunning digital artwork representing 17th Century murals from

By Chloë Riddle

Heart of glass North London artist Yorgos Papadopoulos works, rather unusually, with industrial glass, shattering, colouring and relaminating window panes to create his abstract work. The artist stumbled upon his unique craft after accidently breaking a sheet of glass while studying ceramics at university, and has never looked back. This month newly opened Aeon Gallery will showcase Papadopoulos’ work in Windows to Wherever, an exhibition of the artist’s best creations, set to be a truly smashing display. Until 7 November, 20B Heath Street, Oriel Court, NW3 aeongallery.com

An Aborted Beginning

Dream on If you’ve ever wondered where your pet’s mind goes when they nod off after a hard day of chasing their tail or chewing your favourite cushion to shreds, Harriet Horton’s new show Sleep Subjects might just be the exhibition for you. Showing at the Crypt Gallery this month, the artist explores animals and their subconscious capacity in her first solo display, featuring visually striking taxidermy, sound and light that together creates a hypnotic dreamlike atmosphere.

L-R: Amitabha; Innocence

13-17 November, The Crypt Gallery, Euston Road NW1, cryptgallery.org.uk

spotlight Lucian Msamati Photo by Mark Douet

A laugh a minute Award-winning playwright Marcus Gardley’s A Wolf in Snakeskin Shoes arrives at the Tricycle Theatre this month. A contemporary reworking of Molière’s Tartuffe, the comedy centres around a multi-millionaire with days to live and the solace he seeks from Archbishop Tardimus Toof, an ostentatious prophetcum-preacher. The pacey and witty farce, featuring Lucian Msamati and Sharon D. Clarke, looks set to provide much mirth this month. Until 14 November, tickets from £12, 269 Kilburn High Road, NW6 tricycle.co.uk

Cultural enlightenment the Dalai Lama’s private meditation chamber and the thangkas, or scroll paintings, depicting the traditional Tibetan medical system. 19 November – 28 February 183 Euston Road, NW1 wellcomecollection.org Clockwise from left: © Royal Geographical Society; © The Trustees of the British Museum; © Collection of the Newark Museum

Jazz music from Trish Clowes trio

The Hampstead Arts Festival returns this month bringing a variety of music, literature, film and political discussion to some of the area’s best-loved venues. Entertaining and intellectually stimulating, this unique festival is all about broadening cultural horizons and taking the time to learn and experience something new. The event kicks off with an interesting discussion about the poetry and politics of W. B. Yeats at Burgh House, led by the eminent radio producer Piers Plowright and Yeats biographer Roy Foster. 2-29 November, tickets from £10 hampsteadartsfestival.com

“But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.” – W. B. Yeats Cry me a river

Ben Rivers at Camden Arts Centre © Valerie Bennett

Don’t miss your last chance to see new work by artist and experimental film-maker Ben Rivers, which is on show at the Camden Arts Centre until the end of the month. Rivers bridges the gap between documentary and realism in his two screened film works, which focus on the marginalised world of an idiosyncratic artist and a remote ecosystem. Earth Needs More Magicians runs alongside Rivers’ artist-curated exhibition Edgelands, which explores transitional themes, exploring mainstream society and the borders of cities. Until 29 November, Camden Arts Centre, Arkwright Road, NW3 camdenartscentre.org lu x u r y l o n d o n .c o.u k

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Andrea Palladio

Renaissance Man As an exhibition of Palladian designs opens at RIBA, Jack Watkins considers the legacy of the movement’s forefather, architect Andrea Palladio 

ou don’t have to be an expert (although a degree of architectural knowledge certainly helps) to know that the term Palladianism refers to a form of classical architecture noted for its cool, refined elegance. But less familiar, to British audiences at least, is the life and work of the originator of the style, the Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580). Three hundred years ago this year, Palladio’s groundbreaking treatise, I Quattro Libri dell’Architettura (The Four Books of Architecture), received its first English translation. It proved so popular that by the middle of the 18th century Palladianism was the preferred style for new and remodelled country houses across England. The Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) exhibition Palladian Design: The Good, the Bad and the Unexpected at the Architecture Gallery is therefore timely. The RIBA is the custodian of 300 drawings and sketches by the only individual to have had an architectural “ism” named after him, gifted to the Institute in 1894 by the Duke of Devonshire. The collection represents about 85 per cent of Palladio’s surviving drawings, some of them originally acquired by Britain’s renowned Classical architect Inigo Jones on his visit to Italy in 1614. The show reflects on

not only Palladio’s own work, but on how, almost uniquely among practitioners from his time, his ideas continue to influence designers in the 21st century. What made Palladio unusual among Renaissance architects was that his route into the profession came via the building trade instead of paintings or sculpture, as was the accepted norm. Born in Padua, he’d started out as a stonemason in Vicenza, before the patronage of a nobleman enabled him to branch out into independent design, most notably for more than 40 villas in the Vicenza and Veneto region of northern Italy, as well as two churches in Venice, San Giorgio Maggiore and Il Redentore. Palladio thought farmhouses and bridges were just as important as churches and palaces, however, and the exhibition contains images reflecting his innovative integration of all parts of a landowner’s estate into the overall design, so that even his barns were given the classical treatment. Palladio was also fascinated by the ruins of Roman antiquity. He spent a lot of time making drawings of the baths and basilicas of ancient Rome, and his most copied design feature, the large pedimented portico supported by classical columns and side arches, was derived from the Roman Portico of Octavia. From his studies of the past, Palladio developed his ideas on symmetry, harmonic

SPOTLIGHT

proportions and the use of the classical orders. Sturdy Tuscan columns, “plain and rude”, in Palladio’s words, were used on barns and other more workaday structures, and the ornate Corinthian order was considered more suitable for churches. Eventually, Palladio became, as Guido Beltramini puts it in the highly recommended exhibition catalogue: “simply the architect who translated ancient buildings for the modern world, a kind of timeless architectural divinity outside history,” his style often reduced to a series of identifying motifs. We don’t even know what he looked like – the lead bust from c.1740 in the exhibition is only an artistic interpretation of his appearance, derived from one commissioned by Lord Burlington in the 1720s. The British entry point into the world of Palladianism came via Inigo Jones, with buildings like the Banqueting House, Whitehall, the Queen’s House, Greenwich, and St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, where he actually used Palladio’s agricultural Tuscan order on the portico to meet the Earl of Bedford’s request for a simple church “not much better than a barn.” But it was Lord Burlington, an amateur architect in his own right who, by acquiring more of Palladio’s drawings and making them available for study, played a major role in ensuring that the Italian’s ideas influenced British architects and tastemakers for decades to come. Burlington, with William Kent, designed one of the buildings that is often cited as an exemplifier of the Palladian villa, the delightful Chiswick House – although, as the exhibition catalogue notes, it is only partly based on Palladio’s work. Another fine example is Marble Hill House at Twickenham. In its setting on lawns running down to the Thames it is a survivor of what has been called the ‘Thames Veneto’, when many smallish Palladian or classically styled villas were being built here and around London in the 1720s and 1730s. Palladianism spread worldwide, from India and Russia to the US, but its endless permeability meant it was also fused by more humble builders onto vernacular styles. By the late

Chiswick House by Lord Burlington, 1729 © RIBA Collections

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18th century even the builders of London terraces were imitating Palladianism. And if Modernism banished it to the sidelines in the middle of the last century, in recent decades it has made a comeback, especially in the US where wealthy clients have sought to evoke a sense of history by commissioning new Palladio-inspired homes. Many progressives reject these buildings as reactionary, and others fear an obsession with taste and style has been allowed to overshadow the core ideals of Palladio’s work and his ideas about harmony and integration. Yet the attraction to the wider public of the Palladian style remains evident. When Harrogate Borough Council consulted locals over proposals for a new shopping centre, the preferred choice was a design which echoed a Palladian basilica, complete with classical loggias. It opened in 1992, and has since become a treasured element in the Harrogate townscape. Yet if such structures offer what the Architecture Gallery’s curators call “the comfort of the familiar,” sections on post-modern and abstract Palladianism reflect upon its creator’s belief in the mutability of his ideas, and the notion of a universal architectural language able to engage with whatever conditions a site demands. Palladianism’s use or reimagining in recent designs for structures as disparate as a ski lodge in Canada and a combined commercial and residential building in Potsdam, Germany, highlight its enduring relevance. But perhaps the most touching, if unwitting, tribute was paid by freed American slaves returning to Africa in the 19th century. They restarted their lives by building humble new dwellings, but in doing so set their porches on columns, nostalgically recalling the frontages of the Palladian-style plantation houses of their former owners. The adoption of an idea doesn’t come much more universal than that.

The RIBA is the custodian of 300 drawings and sketches by the only individual to have had an architectural “ism” named after him

Palladian Design: The Good, the Bad and the Unexpected at the Architecture Gallery, until 9 January 2016, 66 Portland Place, W1B architecture.com

Chiswick House today

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A new Leith As if Leith Clark didn’t have enough on her plate as stylist to the stars, fashion director for Harper’s Bazaar, founder of Lulu and editor-in-chief of Violet, the multi-talented fashionista has turned her hand to design. This month Clark joins forces with Orla Kiely to launch a capsule collection of floaty dresses, velvet smocks and woollen coats. In a predominantly monochrome palette – save for a smattering of baby pink and mustard yellow – the range consists of midi dresses with Peter Pan collars, ruffles and pleats in charming Kiely-esque florals. From a selection, orlakiely.com

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Fashion news By Ellen Millard

Back to basics Hampstead favourite Nicole Farhi has earned a reputation for its clean-cut basics and chunky knits and for good reason, too. Get cosy in this season’s offering of cashmere jumpers with rolled collars and peplum sleeves, pea coats, gilets and lambskin biker jackets. For the bottom half, skirts and dresses have been designed with a day-tonight transformation in mind, while wide-leg woollen culottes and slim cigarette pants are available in staple shades of camel, navy and black. From a selection, 27 Hampstead High Street, NW3, nicolefarhi.com

An apple a day

Geek chic Many a ‘nothing to wear’ moment could have been swiftly solved with the addition of Cher Horowitz’s magic wardrobe from Clueless and Alexa Chung’s new app VILLOID certainly goes some way to filling that role. A hybrid of Pinterest, eBay and Instagram, users can upload pictures to a virtual dressing room to create moodboards that are shared with followers, who can then snap up your suggestions using the ‘buy’ button. Free to download from the app store

Despite initial misgivings about its appearance, the Apple Watch was welcomed with open arms by the fashion world when it launched earlier this year, with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Wintour and Karlie Kloss clocking on to the techy timepiece. This month the latest version is set to cause a similar buzz thanks to a new, sleek design by Hermès, featuring leather cuffs hand-crafted by Parisian artisans and a specially designed face complete with a minute hand in the label’s signature eye-popping orange. Watch this face. From £1,000 235 Regent Street, W1B apple.com

EDITOR'S PICK

fashion

Truth or flare The seventies has taken the sartorial scene by storm this year, and from the looks of things the decade has no plans to disappear anytime soon. Follow the trend with 7 For All Mankind’s A/W15 offering, a trio of denim flares inspired by the era. Fully embrace the look with the Pintuck flare and its dramatic 24-inch wide hem, or for a subtler approach opt for the Braided pair (pictured) that features an intricate plait detail on the waistband and pockets. From £225, 7forallmankind.com

Art of the matter Following the success of its Giosetta Fioroni and Celia Birtwell collections, Valentino has unveiled its third collaborative range of the season, this time with emerging artist Esther Stewart. The artist’s geometric prints caught the eye of Valentino’s creative directors, who discovered Stewart at a review of her 2013 show. The collection comprises both men’s and women’s wear, as well as a range of chic accessories, including this Garavani bag (pictured), featuring a retro triangle design in lemon yellow and khaki green.

Space odyssey While we’re usually reluctant to start decking the halls months before the Christmas season, Selfridges has a festive offering that we’re willing to get on board with right now. Using the sky as this year’s theme, the department store has called on designers to produce a celestial collection of clothes, accessories and beauty products inspired by a galaxy far, far away. Along with intergalactic prints at Karen Millen and Vivienne Westwood, personalisation services will be available at Mulberry, Johnstons, Proenza Schouler and Edie Parker, while the beauty department will be offering exclusive products that are out of this world too. Journey to the Stars launches in November at Selfridges, selfridges.com

Garavani Bag, £1,685 valentino.com

Biker grove The hunt for the perfect leather jacket is finally over thanks to Georgia May Jagger, who has designed the ultimate biker for Mulberry. The black lambskin coat is inspired by the model’s personal collection of vintage leathers and has a boxy fit that gives room for layering. A choice of three linings – emerald green, sapphire blue and magenta – brings a contemporary twist to the otherwise classic design. £995, mulberry.com

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Instaglam We’re all guilty of occasional Instagram stalking, but no one more so than Aquazzura’s creative director Edgardo Osorio, who admitted that his A/W15 collection took inspiration from his followers on the photography app. “I realised that the Aquazzura girl travels all the time, everywhere from Coachella to the Oscars to the mountains.” With this in mind, Osorio has expanded his range of footwear – which is now available at the label’s first ever London boutique – to include Instagram-worthy biker boots, platforms and delicate feather sandals. No filter necessary. From a selection, Aquazzura, 38 Albemarle Street, W1S, aquazzura.com

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Wool blend dress, £2,010; Jersey neck collar, £170; both Marni, 26 Sloane Street, SW1X; Black leather gloves, £55, & Other Stories, stories.com

The

Garden Dare to be different with contrasting prints, textures and colours for a bold look that will see you stand out from the crowd ď&#x192;ľ Photography Dominic Nicholls

stylist Hayley Caine

Above Ruffled knitted sweater, £315, J.W. Anderson, net-a-porter.com; Plaid wool skirt, £625, Comme Des Garçons, selfridges.com; Patent black croc disco boots, £450, Stuart Weitzman, stuartweitzman.com Left Yellow alpaca coat, £1,735, Rochas, net-a-porter.com; Leia gingham top, £350, A.W.A.K.E, matchesfashion.com; Wool belt, £345, Rochas, as before; Nat skirt, £1,865, Mary Katrantzou, marykatrantzou.com

Above Camel frill-edged turtleneck top, ÂŁ465, J.W. Anderson, selfridges.com; Space Maasai gingham skirt, ÂŁ450, A.W.A.K.E, as before Right Imperial button-detail brocade full-skirt dress, ÂŁ588, A.W.A.K.E, as before

HAIR & MAKE-UP Lou Box PHOTOGRAPHER'S ASSISTANT Alessia Chinazzo MODEL Marta @ M+P Models Shot on location at Flitwick Manor, Bedford hallmarkhotels.co.uk

Right Angles  Photography Ian Walsh

stylist Vanissa Antonious

Clockwise from bottom left: Hoop earring in silver, £210, J. W. Anderson, j-w-anderson.com; Revolve cuff, £220, Jenny Sweetnam, jennysweetnam.com; Fringe earrings in silver, £240, Jenny Sweetnam, as before; Gold-plated Love Bite choker, £181, Maria Black, maria-black.com; Creole hoop earrings in 18K yellow gold, £4,400, Noor Fares, from a selection at Dover Street Market, doverstreetmarket.com; Encircle hoops in silver, £145 a pair, Jenny Sweetnam, as before; Hoop studs in silver, £81 a pair, Jenny Sweetnam, as before; Magic Knod little bracelet in gold, silver and diamond, £330, Delfina Delettrez, 109 Mount Street, W1K, delfinadelettrez.it; Gold-plated Nomi bracelet, £155, Maria Black, as before; 18K yellow gold Pleated Flat Folded ring with 10 diamonds, £3,410, Hadar Nornberg, Dover Street Market, as before; Small gold dip badge, £187.50, Bunney, bunney.co.uk; Large gold badge, £1,500, Bunney, as before

Beauty news By Ellen Millard

Stars in their eyes A summer spent stargazing at glittering constellations in South Africa is the inspiration behind Bobbi Brown’s new Sterling Nights collection. A smokey eye with shimmering flecks of glitter forms the brand’s staple look of the season, made possible thanks to the nine metallic eyeshadows from the Sterling Nights Eye Palette, a new Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner and four marbleised Sequin Eye Shadows. From £18.50, bobbibrown.co.uk

Box-fresh Match your fragrance to your handbag with Marc Jacobs’ latest olfactory offering, Decadence, which takes the form of the designer’s signature Box Calf Trouble evening bag. A woody scent with notes of Italian plum, Bulgarian rose and liquid amber is packed into the glass clutch, which comes complete with a python bottle cap, gold chain and black silk tassel. Co-ordination never looked, or smelled, so good.

EDITOR'S PICK

From £49 for 30ml, houseoffraser.co.uk

Wick off the mark Taking inspiration from the ingredients used in its very own hero product, Cleanse & Polish, Liz Earle has released three new candles for the season ahead created with natural soy and beeswax, and fragranced with pure essential oils. Take your pick from soothing Rosemary & Rock Rose, reviving Lavender & Basil and heady Damask Rose & Pink Pepper. £40, lizearle.com

Perfect scents This month Jo Malone joins the parade of stylish shops on Regent Street, with a new flagship store. Offering exclusive services, products and events – including a chance to meet the makers and try your hand at a floral masterclass – the new London outpost will give customers the opportunity to customise their fragrance, from engraving and embossing services right down to the colour of the lid. The boutique will also be home to a Fragrance Library that will showcase nine of the brand’s discontinued and limited-edition scents. Jo Malone London, 101 Regent Street, W1B jomalone.co.uk

bag

beauty

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

1. Elemental Herbology is redefining the term ‘beauty

sleep’ with its new Vital Glow, an overnight serum that combats environmental damage and early signs of ageing. Plant C-Stem and natural acids from apples, sugar and milk work to reduce blemishes and repair UV damage while you catch 40 winks. From £55, elementalherbology.com

2. Crème de la Mer’s latest rejuvenating elixir is its

first ever dual-purpose oil, formulated for the face but suitable for the body and hair too. The Renewal Oil can be used as a primer, a night-time serum or a moisturising flight companion, softening lines while providing a natural glow. £155, cremedelamer.com

3. While we’re only just getting used to the idea of A/W15, the fashion world is one step ahead and looking forward to S/S16. Get up to speed with MAC’s trend forecast palette of 12 lipsticks in shades of bright orange and soft pink. £35, maccosmetics.co.uk 4. Beauty mogul Dineh Mohajer found her calling after mixing two nail polishes to create a sky blue shade to match her Charles David sandals. Save yourself similar colour co-ordination fiascos with Mohajer’s brand Smith & Cult, which offers glossy polishes in 33 shades and styles. £19 each, spacenk.com 5. Not content with mastering photography, Steven Klein has turned his hand to beauty. This month sees the launch of his new NARS collection, a collaborative range of rainbow eyeshadow and blusher palettes packaged in unique boxes decorated with Klein’s avant-garde photography. From a selection, narscosmetics.co.uk 6. Any excuse for glitter is a good one in our eyes, and there’s no better justification than the impending festive season. Burberry certainly agrees, offering a shimmering version of its signature My Burberry scent, complete with gold snowflakes and a gold gabardine knot. From £15, burberry.com 7. Dolce & Gabbana has opted for bright colours over dark autumnal tones for its new beauty line. Championing warm reds, pinks and purples inspired by its A/W15 ready-to-wear range, the collection comprises metallic eyeshadow and an amethyst lipgloss not for the faint-hearted. From £19, dolcegabbana.com 8. Brighten up weather-weary skin with Eve Lom’s new Illuminating Radiance Powder, which blends roseshaped particles and mother of pearl extract to create a natural glow. Use on your cheekbones, brow bones or upper lip to catch the light and create a radiant look. £50, evelom.com

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It wasn’t me...!

THE LUXURY HOME FRAGRANCE COLLECTION

www.lilouetloic.com

interview

Success

A Nose for

Miller Harris founder Lyn Harris speaks to Ellen Millard about her new store and brand Perfumer H, the art of bespoke scents and life in Primrose Hill ď&#x192;ľ

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here aren’t many perfumers who can cite Jane Birkin and Manolo Blahnik as fans, or claim their candles to be Samantha Cameron’s gift of choice for the First Lady, Michelle Obama. The favoured nose of fashion and political packs alike, Lyn Harris’ olfactory prowess has earned her a much-deserved following, but it has done little to alter her down-to-earth demeanour. Perched on a sofa in her new store on Crawford Street, dressed in a simple grey sweatshirt and navy Converse trainers, Harris smiles when I ask her about ‘SamCam’, but admits that her friends and family were more excited than she was. “It was her assistant who came in,” she explains. “She said, ‘you’ll probably hear about this tomorrow’ and when I woke up the next day I just had loads of emails. It was a delight.” Thanks to Michelle Obama’s market influence – America’s answer to the ‘Kate Effect’ – the gift did wonders for Miller Harris, skyrocketing the popular but niche brand into the upper echelons of the perfume pecking order, and was reportedly responsible for a 400 per cent increase in website hits and a 300 per cent rise in candle sales. The claim-to-fame list isn’t short of other impressive feats either. Among her most

interview

exciting commission highlights to date, Harris has been tasked with creating in-house fragrances for Liberty of London and Solange Azagury-Partridge.“We’re all on a journey, and my journey took me in this direction,” she explains. “In my school holidays I worked in a perfume shop, and I think that’s where the dream began.” After leaving school, Harris briefly lived in London where she worked for an essential oils company before moving to the world’s capital of perfume, Grasse, to begin her training. “It was very rare that non-French people [studied in Grasse], so when I did my training I was the odd one out. I had to have a translator because my French wasn’t good enough for the science lessons,” she admits. “They just saw me as the quirky British girl with her trainers.” After completing her course she continued studying the art at Robertet, a fragrance house that she still works with today. “I was drawn to them because they are renowned for using natural ingredients, which they grow in their fields,” she says, adding in a nostalgic interlude that she decided to follow a natural path early on and work with scents that reminded her of childhood summers spent in Scotland. “I felt the timing was perfect for me to do something a little bit unique,” she says animatedly of her latest venture, Perfumer H. “My fragrance house made me realise that I had this amazing heritage behind me that I wasn’t speaking about because I’d been hidden behind a brand for so many years. I began to realise that British perfumery was what I should be representing, and although Miller Harris was definitely a part of that, I don’t think people necessarily associated me as the first British nose.” The new Marylebone outlet is certainly a world away from the bright Miller Harris boutiques that she left behind in 2012 – the only pop of colour among the stylishly minimalist décor comes from a red rug and five jewel-toned bottles that draw your eye as soon as you enter the room. It transpires that the opulent glass packaging had a big influence on the collection. After falling for the bright Michael Ruh Studio creations, the perfumer had a brainwave. “I began to see the different colours as representing the different fragrance families, and then the ideas for the fragrances came along,” she explains, adding that she decided to mirror the fashion seasons and release five fragrances twice a year. Consequently, the aptly named ‘ready-to-wear’

range offers a seasonal twist on the signature scent categories of citrus, floral, wood, fern and oriental. On the opposite side of the shop, a library of deliciously scented concoctions line oak shelves, waiting to be selected by the next customer. Named the Laboratory Editions, this section of the store is where bespoke and ready-to-wear meet, offering customers the chance to buy a one-off bottle, or the entire formula. “The Laboratory Editions are much more my playground, where I can push themes, ideas and materials,” Harris tells me. “People are quite excited by the idea of being able to create something unique.” I’m shown into the on-site laboratory where her assistant Caroline is working on a new scent. “I write the formula in my office downstairs, Caroline then puts it together and then I see if it smells how I envisioned it,” she explains. Taking the personalisation process one step further, a final collection offers a unique opportunity to create a fragrance with Harris herself. “Perfumer H is about the perfumer, and about coming to see the perfumer. Bespoke will always be a part of who I am,” she insists. “It is the ultimate in fragrance, it’s like buying a piece of art. Having the laboratory was very much key, and has been the icing on the cake.” The store’s location was equally as important for Harris and the Crawford Street boutique is suitably placed opposite the florist Titanias Garden, and just around the corner from her home in Primrose Hill. On the rare occasion that she’s not concocting new fragrances, she enjoys coffee at Melrose & Morgan, shopping in Camden Market and Pilates at the Marriott in Swiss Cottage. “I find inspiration in life, and going for walks in Primrose Hill,” she says. “A lot of the collection is inspired by this wonderful country, nature and the seasons.” Despite only officially opening this month, she hints that the waiting list for a bespoke Perfumer H fragrance is already filling up fast. With the store already gaining interest, there’s no doubt Harris’ latest venture will soon have a queue of eager customers dropping in for a sniff of her latest scents. It looks like, this time around, Samantha Cameron will have to get in line…

“The Laboratory Editions are much more my playground, where I can push themes, ideas and materials”

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Perfumer H, 106a Crawford Street, W1H perfumerh.com

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beauty

Lighten Up Gabrielle Lane encourages habitual highlighters to seek help at John Frieda

airdressers are like lovers: you tell them your secrets and they have the power to break your heart. In the case of a recent date at John Frieda, New Cavendish Street – my hair colour was ‘a grower’, but I am now in love. And these are the types of relationships that last, of course. The salon, (the smaller outpost of the very famous man – and brand) is discreet and fuss-free, but it’s home to some of the brightest talents in the business: Kate Moss and Lara Stone’s colourist Nicola Clarke is stationed here, poring over the former’s undressed golden highlights, and the latter’s icy Nordic blonde mane. I visited at the end of summer and when I say my post-appointment hair colour was a grower, it’s not because I didn’t like it at first. It’s because I’d previously had the same hairstyle since I was 16 and the team looked at my over-styled, over-bleached locks and instantly suggested something more natural: ‘I won’t like it,’ I thought. ‘This is going to be a difficult review to write.’ Thank goodness I’m wrong. During the two-hour appointment, the John Frieda team wove hundreds of very fine highlights through my hair, interspersed with a slightly warmer tone closer to my natural ash, so that the overall effect was still lighter, but looked softer. At first I was twitching for the flashbulbs of previous peroxide transformations, but by

The John Frieda team wove hundreds of very fine highlights through my hair

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effectively working backwards to undo a brash block of colour that wasn’t fooling anyone, what I’ve been left with is the beachy look that us blondes forget we are often trying to achieve to begin with. The best bit is that more than six weeks on I have no dark roots – not one. My hair still looks blonde, people still ask me if I’ve ‘just had my colour done’ and if anything, it feels odd not to be ringing a salon to reschedule a prompt retouch. I don’t know what to do with myself. There’s another trick that the team at John Frieda has up its sleeve, too. Olaplex is a treatment solution that can be mixed in with your colour to protect the hair from damage, or applied separately to strengthen all hair types. You may think you’ve heard all about Brazilian blow dries and keratin treatments, but this is different. As opposed to coating the hair with different levels of success, it works by rebuilding the bonds inside each strand, which often arise due to heat exposure and colouring. I assumed it was another fad and forgot all about it, until weeks later, when washing my hair I noticed how manageable it had become. Its wave, which I had suppressed for a decade until it resembled a frazzled kink, is now back with vigour. As a beauty writer, you’re often offered lots of new experiences and treatments, but as a result of my visit to John Frieda, I’ve turned subsequent opportunities down. I’ll see you at New Cavendish Street. Olaplex is available from £50, John Frieda 75 New Cavendish Street, W1W 020 7636 1401, johnfrieda.co.uk

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Service

Lip

Following the launch of her new vanity case, Lulu Guinness talks to Lauren Romano about jet-setting in style and her soft spot for the capital ď&#x192;ľ

All images ÂŠ Lulu Guinness Burlington Arcade / LuluGuinness.com

Interview

here’s something so nostalgic about a vanity case. My grandmother never

travelled without one. Fortunately I don’t think that the glamorous notion of travel is in danger of disappearing altogether. It has certainly become more accessible, but that doesn’t detracted from the excitement you feel when counting down to a holiday. Travelling is definitely still a luxury and something I take very seriously!

It was actually my make-up artist who was the inspiration behind the vanity case design. I realised how much she had to carry around with her and all the different bags she would then pack into a suitcase. That’s why we have provided the multiple striped bags alongside the case to separate out all your essentials. The Lulu Guinness hard-sided spinner luggage has always been a firm favourite and so a vanity seemed to be the perfect addition to the set.

From top: Polaroid lips shopper, both folded away and open; Lips print vanity and suitcase set

When it comes to my own beauty regime, a slick of red lipstick has long been my signature look. I started wearing it when I was

“I design for someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously; a woman who is fashion forward”

about 17 and people would always comment on how it suited me, so I’ve stuck with it ever since. It inspired the lips clutch that I created 20 years ago – a motif that still features in a variety of different styles across the Lulu Guinness range.

My first brush with fashion came from delving into my grandmother’s wardrobe. As a child I would

spend hours dressing up in her designer clothes and jewellery. Fast forward to adulthood and my first bag design was actually a briefcase for women. I designed it from the basement of my home 26 years ago when I was pregnant and I haven’t stopped adding to the collection since.

I love the fact that a bag can make an outfit. I wear a lot of black so I rely on my handbag to make a statement. When I’m not wearing my own label I love to accessorise with pieces from John Rochas, Moschino and Manolo Blahnik. My go-to daytime tote is my Daphne number, which I designed a few seasons ago and is now available in a selection of colours, although I always carry a red or black one. I also like the Thorn Chloe clutch from my A/W15 collection, which is ideal for evenings. If someone looked in my bag they’d find lots of scraps of paper floating around. I’m forever collecting inspirational images, photos and cuttings to show my colleagues.

forward and likes to convey her personality in what she wears. My all-time style icons are Elsa Schiaparelli and Paloma Faith. Designers have different ways of interpreting fashion and a lot of them have to take it seriously. However, fashion should be a way of expressing yourself and I do think people can get too caught up with chasing the latest trend and forget that.

The Lulu Guinness style is tongue in cheek, elegant and fun. I design for someone who doesn’t

My tagline for the A/W15 collection is: ‘Life is a bed of roses but beware of the thorns’.

take themselves too seriously; a woman who is fashion

I have used lots of dark and luxurious colour, including

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interview

garnet and damson tones. I also played around with tape and took inspiration from the fashion artist Donald ‘Drawbertson’ Robertson’s designs, hence the tape face range.

It’s good to branch out from fashion circles; I have collaborated with artists in the past and I enjoy working with charities too. I would love to do something like The Paint Project again. When I took part I joined forces with artist Joseph Steele and we exploded paint onto one of my bag designs to raise money for The Art Room charity.

I don’t think it’s harder for a woman to make waves in the fashion industry, not in this day and age. A lot has changed since I first started out, but I think there are plenty of strong women within the field showing us how it’s done. I work long hours but I try to achieve a good work/ life balance by taking time out for my family. I make sure that I keep to our strict collection sign off deadlines and escape to the country on the weekends whenever I possibly can. Organisation is key.

Is London the fashion capital of the world? I think you can tell a lot from the calibre of the London Fashion Week shows – it is certainly standing strong against New York, Milan and Paris. You can get anything you could possibly want from this city – it is a place that caters for everyone at every age. You can’t possibly get bored of London as it is consistently being updated and renovated with a new gallery, exhibition or shopping district opening up every week. I can’t keep up! Vanity case £100, Lulu Guinness 42 Burlington Arcade, W1J, luluguinness.com

From top: A/W15 Damson & orange lips clutch; A/W15 Tapeface backpack; Red lips vanity case

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DARJEELING

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DISCOVER A VERY SPECIAL COLLECTION OF HOME FRAGRANCE AND BATH & BODY PRODUCTS INSPIRED BY TEA. Grown in the tea gardens and hill stations of East India, Darjeeling is often called the ‘champagne’ of teas. Our Darjeeling fragrance is blended in England by master perfumers, with crisp, refreshing aromatic essential oils. Zesty lemongrass, a twist of citrus and spicy nutmeg are layered over a rich black tea base to encourage positivity and optimism, while the finest botanicals collected from across the globe, help to cleanse and care for your skin. Moods are enhanced, the day more positive, the spirit soothed. These are scents to surround yourself in. Every day. Every place. From lounge to bath, work space to holiday. Discover more at t-london.com T 02 0 7 2 8 4 5 9 3 9

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Heads-up Mouse’s Back, Pigeon, Elephant’s Breath: a coat of magnolia just doesn’t cut the (Sudbury Yellow) mustard any more. If pared-down neutrals leave you cold but a brightly patterned feature wall would clash with the three-piece suite, why not make your ceiling the focus. It might sound a bit Baroque, but ceiling art can be contemporary too, as Belgian painters Eddy Dankers and Thierry Thenaers of Volta have set out to prove. Transforming rooms all over the world (the pair were involved in the restoration of Versailles) with enormous lengths of painted canvas, the duo have launched Volta in the UK to tackle all kinds of commissions, from graphic murals to trompe-l’oeil style optical illusions. From £300 per square metre, voltaceilings.com

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Interiors news By Lauren Romano

Double denim From Woodstock worthy flares to in-demand dungarees, denim, as always, has been reinvented for the new season. Ever versatile, the material has now transcended into the interiors domain too. Galerie’s new wallpaper collection boasts the texture of the hard-wearing weave, available in a palette of stonewash, traditional blues, powdery greys and pastel shades, as well as a selection of non-woven wallcoverings and murals featuring geometric designs. You can also create a bold feature wall with a denim mural, but remember to keep matching soft furnishings to a minimum – double denim is so last season, after all. £29.95 per roll, murals from £179.95, galeriehome.co.uk

EDITOR'S PICK

Bar none

A modern masterpiece Back in May Pablo Picasso’s Women of Algiers (Version O) broke the record for the most expensive artwork sold at auction. If you were outbid by several hundred million when it went under the hammer, but are still hankering after your own masterpiece, look no further than the latest collection from the Conran Shop. Created in collaboration with The Picasso Foundation, some of the painter’s 20th century works have taken on a new form: colourful cushion covers that are handcrafted using a traditional jacquard loom. There might not be $179m in loose change lying down the back of your sofa, but at least it will look a pretty picture. £85, 55 Marylebone High Street, W1U, conranshop.co.uk

The countdown to the festive season has begun, so as you riffle around in the back of the sideboard, past the fancy napkins and board games for the dusty bottles of eggnog, Baileys and other beverages that are only acceptable to drink from November onwards, take heed that a drinks trolley isn’t just for Christmas, especially if Jonathan Adler has anything to do with it. His new Jacques Bar Cart, complete with champagne bucket, bottles and coasters in brushed bronze, will add some sparkle to nights in from now until the New Year and beyond. Pass the cherry brandy. Malachite and Newport barware from £25 Jacques Bar Cart from £1,450 jonathanadler.com

interiors

In the shade Victoriana meets seventies chintz in Little Venice designer Sera Hersham Loftus’ lampshades. Her Jezebel collection features one-off couture pieces made from fabric sourced at textile auctions and lace houses in Paris. Ribbons, glass teardrops and reclaimed stands give a decidedly vintage feel to the shades, which are carefully pieced together by pattern cutters that learnt the tricks of the trade on Savile Row. From £750, seraoflondon.com

Kitted out Designer Kit Kemp, is known to dip into folklore tales when transforming the many rooms across her Firmdale Hotels empire, and her recent collaboration with Wedgwood plays to her whimsical trademark style. The fine bone china Mythical Creatures range encompasses illustrated tea and coffee cups, tea pots, bowls, jugs and plates, emblazoned with all things bright, beautiful and bizarre, including a strange assortment of insect hybrids. Look out for the caterpillar crossed with something that resembles a marrow, as you tuck into your cucumber sandwiches. From £22, wedgwood.co.uk

Pillow talk Duvet days courtesy of La Perla are a sumptuous affair. High thread counts are all well and good, but why settle for cotton when you can slip between layers of pure silk and cashmere, adorned with intricate embroidery and lace trims. The home collection range, now available exclusively at Harrods, takes inspiration from classic Italian architecture, and the ornately finished bedspreads and sheets come in sleek black with gold detailing or mocha-toned cream shades.

The Flagship has landed Achille Salvagni’s Atelier has touched down in Mayfair. The flagship Atelier has fast become synonymous with timeless furniture, using the finest quality materials, such as mahogany, rosewood, Royal Oak and laurel in its designs, as well as touches of onyx, bronze and gold. Having made cabinets for the Quirinal Palace and collaborated with artisans from the Vatican City, it’s fair to say the brand is no stranger to grandeur and excellence. No doubt this scrupulous attention to detail and impressive resumé will be reflected in the specially curated Mayfair display, which is set to change its interior layout entirely on a sixweek rotational basis. 12 Grafton Street, W1S, achillesalvagni.com

Relight my fire What do Sketch restaurant, Simon Cowell and Kelly Hoppen have in common? No, it’s nothing to do with wanting to find the next One Direction, although Harry Styles and co. might be as tempted as Cowell by the bespoke fireplace sculptures from BD Designs. Created by founder Cathy Azria at her studio in South Hampstead, bespoke pieces have found their way into the chimney breasts of celebrities’ homes and their favourite London haunts. Working mainly in steel and bronze, once lit the flames lick the abstractly shaped elements, which crackle, pop and continue to glow and emit heat long after the fire has been turned off, so you can keep toasty all autumn long. Park Mews, 213-215 Kilburn Lane, W10 bd-designs.co.uk

From £49 to £3,300, available exclusively from Harrods lu x u r y l o n d o n .c o.u k

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Bare

The

Necessities

Dubbed the net-a-porter for the home, esensualliving.com is fast establishing a reputation for its covetable homeware brands. Lauren Romano meets co-founder Anne Line Hansen to talk about revolutionising the way we shop online Anne Line Hansen Photo by Christophe Roué



obody’s perfect, even the former general manager of Roger Vivier, Giorgio Armani and Chanel has her foibles. “I suppose I’m quite a picky person,” Anne Line Hansen begins reflectively over her toasted cheese sandwich in the Parlour at Sketch. “It drives my colleagues mad because I have this condition where I remember everything,” she smiles. Admittedly as faults go, a razor-sharp memory hasn’t served Hansen too badly. Having climbed the commercial ladder to the dizzying sartorial heights mentioned above (she attended ‘real-life university’ chez Ralph Lauren and helped Mr Armani launch Armani Privé), Hansen has hung up her fashion mantel and fallen for her other weakness: textiles. Launched last month by Hansen and her business partner, former editor of Architectural Digest France and Maison Française, Alexandra d’Arnoux, esensualliving.com has already been branded the net-a-porter of the interiors world. Rare finds from brands including Gaia & Gino, Morpho + Luna and Creel and Gow, are curated by Hansen and contextualised in beautifully shot product pages. The retail experience is meant to be akin to flicking through a magazine. There’s shoppable film footage

and a journal section featuring exclusive designer interviews, brand stories and even city guides, where renowned tastemakers share their personal address books. David Rockwell gives his bite-sized chunk of the Big Apple while Alda Fendi spills the beans about Rome. The Esensual Living common denominator is quality. “I have a natural affinity for things that are well made,” Hansen explains. “Once you’ve lived with things that are innately crafted how can you live with something that isn’t?” I want the right cashmere, the right linen. Libeco is one of my favourite brands of all time,” she says, taking me on a virtual tour down the bed linen and towels aisle with a quick tap at her laptop. “It’s made in the Flemish part of Belgium. I’m constantly travelling for work and whenever I step off a plane somewhere new, before I head to a meeting I try to discover local crafts. These brands are what define a country. It’s almost as if I’ve taken the best of Asian, European and American design and merged it into one universe,” she explains proudly. Born in Denmark but based in Paris for 25 years, Hansen and the Esensual Living team, all with the exception of d’Arnoux, are currently in the process of relocating to London to establish the brand following its soft launch across the Channel. “London is such a cosmopolitan city, which caters to the world, hence the reason that you have such an influx of tastes and inspiration,” Hansen says. Her target audience is based here too and she believes that like most time-poor individuals, they want to be engaged and surprised by their online encounters. “I’m a consumer,”

“Once you’ve lived with things that are innately crafted how can you live with something that isn’t?”

interview

Aerial III Rug by TAI PING Photo by Vincent Thibert

Easyclip bed linen by Lissoy Photo by Caroline Menne

Ephemera silk rug by Tai Ping and selection of Caravane cushions Photo by Vincent Thibert

Cali Vase Silver by GAIA&GINO Photo by Vincent Thibert

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she explains. “As I see it esensualliving.com is about creating access to products, some of which are from established brands and some that are pretty much undiscovered, but the common thread is craftsmanship and artisanal know-how. Unfortunately I think what we are seeing in large cities, and smaller cities too for that matter, is by and large quite generic.” She recounts working with clients within the lifestyle and design industry and how it occurred to her that a lot of them were failing to address the end consumer. “In other words, there are so many what I would call ‘silent brands’ that may not be very strong at marketing but that are the most amazing craftsmen. Over the course of many years I have been distributing business cards to my interior decorator and architect friends and then one day I thought, ‘there’s a business to be built here’.” If the jump from retail to e-tail has been a difficult one Hansen has clearly taken it in her stride. As she shows me around the site it’s clear that she’s been involved in even the most pernickety of details. The most challenging part she admits has been to convey the tactile nature of the materials, which is why much of the budget has been allocated to beautiful photography. Another sizeable chunk has been spent on the final frontier in retail innovation: the shoppable film. It does as the name suggests, and as Hansen helpfully demonstrates: “I press play, I spot this vase, I want this vase; I click. I like this plate; I click,” totting up a shopping trolley of seriously desirable goods along the way. But has she picked up items like this for her own home? She mentions her “small place” in Paris’ 1st arrondissement, and hints at her London home – “where we live there are trees! If I want to see trees in Paris I have to go to the Tuileries,” – but doesn’t divulge too much about the décor. “I don’t have room any more,” she laughs. “I am very prone to textiles but I have to give things to my nephews and my mother.” Her notion of home is very much wrapped up in comfort and the familiar. “Once you’ve been travelling or stressing around in the city all day, you want to come home and feel like you’re in a soothing environment, where all your senses are stimulated, from the scents to the materials you wrap yourself up in,” she says. Accordingly, one of the latest Esensual Living additions is an edit of carefully selected natural and organic wellbeing products, including WOO candles handcrafted in recycled wine and vodka bottles and perfumed ornaments by Laura Tonatto. Talk turns to the much imitated Scandi aesthetic. Hansen insists that interior décor hailing from her native neck of the woods is not just all about one

“London is such a cosmopolitan city, which caters to the world, hence the reason that you have such an influx of tastes and inspiration”

A selection of Luni Tasselled Cushions by Caravane Photo by Caroline Menne

Monterey bed linen by Libeco Photo by Caroline Menne

interview

minimalist look. “My father always liked to say that buying inexpensively can be very expensive over the course of a lifetime. It’s quite a Scandinavian attitude. When you move away from home you save up for an Arne Jacobsen Egg. You’d rather have one chair than go to Ikea and buy six,” she explains. “There is an innate understanding about lasting quality. You’d sit on the floor until you could afford a whole set.” Esensual Living certainly stocks plenty of homewares worth saving for. I’ve got my eye on a handmade Tai Ping rug, a snip at only several thousand pounds, but until I find a piggy bank much bigger than my own to raid, I’ll have to make do with a beanbag. esensualliving.com

 Anne Line Hansen’s  top autumn picks Mimetico throw, £160 Cecchi e Cecchi

Candles & diffusers by RPL MAISON Photo by Frédéric Ducout

Ecume Des Jours Hand Towels and Alize Bath Robe by Nina Ricci Photo by Frédéric Ducout

Eva robe, £604 Morpho + Luna

Cali vase, £390 Gaia & Gino

Gabriel square pillowcase £54, Alexandre Turpault

Wine bottle candle £32, WOO

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PR ADO settee with cushion & EVERY WHERE sideboard. Design: Christian Werner. LUMIĂ&#x2C6;RE NOIRE floor lamps. Design: Philippe Nigro.

23-25 Mortimer Street London W1T 3JE 0207 323 1248 www.ligne-roset-westend.co.uk

health & family

The sweetest thing As the party season begins, make sure your children are beautifully dressed with the help of house of petite haute couture, Tartine et Chocolat. The kidswear brand has created party dresses in powdery rose pink and intense sapphire blue, embellished with sparkling rhinestones, fine lace and pearl buttons that will have little mademoiselles channelling their inner fairy tale princesses. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not forget the gentlemen, who will look as dapper as daddy in timeless blazers and bow ties. The collection also includes seasonal staples such as cable knitwear and fleecy gilets to ensure that your little oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s everyday look is covered too. From ÂŁ29, 66 South Molton Street, W1K tartine-et-chocolat.fr

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Family news By Chloë Riddle

Art attack Giant buttons, spools of thread and unwound yarns of wool – no, this isn’t the set of The Great British Sewing Bee but the latest campaign from Catimini. Let loose on a supersized sewing box, this season Catimini presents the new L’Atelier des rêves collection, a playful line of kidswear in a kaleidoscopic range of colours. Comprising geometric prints and animal illustrations, the vibrant outfits will make the transition into autumn all the more seamless. From £20, catimini.com

Barbie girl Sophia Webster has embraced her inner child and designed a collaborative collection with Barbie in celebration of the iconic doll finally ditching heels and embracing flats for the very first time, thanks to a new articulating ankle. The range of shoes, available in a bumblegum and fuschia pink colour scheme, includes a children’s sandal version of Webster’s signature Chiara heels, skater trainers and speech bubble jelly sandals. A speciallydesigned Barbie doll will be putting her best foot forward too by modelling a pair of glittery Riko hi-top trainers, ideal for hotfooting it over to the Dreamhouse. From £80, sophiawebster.com

Playing house While you may be familiar with the online boutique interiors company Houseology, you might not know about its new range of children’s furniture and accessories. Having recently unveiled its exciting new nursery section Houseology is fast becoming the website of choice for mini home décor enthusiasts. From beautifully crafted cribs to stylish high chairs, there’s everything you could possibly need to give your nursery a stylish edge. Hosting a number of well-known brands, including Charlie Crane, Oliver Furniture and Micuna, you’ll be spoilt for choice. houseology.com

FAMILY

Little chef

Winter wonderland Even though Absorba has been dressing children since 1949, the French brand certainly isn’t stuck in the past. The A/W15 collection consists of stylish, contemporary pieces, from cosy baby suits to elegant party dresses in a range of dark blues, crimson reds and marl greys that stand out against a wintry sky. We particularly love the chunky Nordic print cardigans that are fur-lined to keep your little ones toasty and warm all day long.

£6.99 each, amazon.co.uk

Soft touch Blue Almond has launched a second collaborative collection with luxury cashmere designer Madeleine Thompson. The babywear range features adorable cardigans, leggings and blankets in soft hues of grey, pink and baby blue adorned with cute pompoms. The gentle material is ideal for your baby’s delicate skin, and will keep them cosy and comfortable during the colder months.

From £20, alexandalexa.com

All hands on deck Not even the seasonal weather can rain on French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac’s parade this month. In anticipation of the damper weather he has launched a capsule collection for Petit Bateau. Quintessential pieces from the brand’s signature staples have been reworked. Top of our wish list is the classic raincoat, which has been transformed into a bright, canary yellow poncho, while the colourful sailor-adorned T-shirts add a cheery touch to autumnal dressing.

If you’re struggling for packed lunch inspiration then invest in a copy of Lunchbox from Leon’s awardwinning cookbook collection. Packed with healthy dishes that are easy to prepare, the recipes will help fuel you and your children through a busy day. Double up with the Sweet Treats collection for healthy, gluten- and dairy-free alternatives to all of your favourite puddings and desserts, so you can treat your tots to a lunch of soba noodle vegetable salad with a slice of date and walnut loaf for afters.

From £95, bluealmonds.co.uk

EDITOR'S PICK

From £25, petit-bateau.co.uk

Baby, it’s cold outside Swedish brand Mini Rodini has created an animal-inspired collection for winter, featuring hand-drawn illustrations by founder Cassandra Rhodin. Alaska Panda and Penguin suits for babies offer a fun yet practical solution to Britain’s blustery weather, while bomber jackets and parka coats will keep kids stylishly warm this season. Mini Rodini prides itself on its ethical and environmentally friendly ethos, so you can shop with a clear conscience. From £70, minirodini.com lu x u r y l o n d o n .c o.u k

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Hot off the Press As Tintin becomes the subject of an exhibition at Somerset House this month, Chloë Riddle takes a trip down memory lane with the famous investigative journalist 

know I am not the only one harbouring fond memories of Tintin, the plucky detectivereporter whose inquisitive nature took him and his dog Snowy around the world in search of answers. The Adventures of Tintin have been bedtime favourites for generations, but the pristine colour illustrations have come a long way since their humble beginnings in 1920’s Belgium, and have a history that is turbulent to say the least. Created by Georges Prosper Remi, aka Hergé, Tintin was originally published in a weekly entertainment supplement called Le Petit Vingtième in Brussels in 1929, as anti-socialist propaganda for children. Hergé’s comic strip survived WWII and the German invasion of Belgium by adhering to strict censorship, after which he created The Adventures of Tintin magazine, where his comic artwork and intricate plotlines would flourish unimpeded by

All images © Hergé-Moulinsart, 2015

political affiliation. With 24 albums published before his death in 1983, Hergé left a legacy that would eventually see Tintin gracing the silver screen as a computer animated blockbuster in 2013, with more than 200 million copies of the albums sold worldwide. This November, Somerset House will host TINTIN: Hergé’s Masterpiece; an exhibition that delves into the fascinating history of Tintin and its creator, offering an insight into how it evolved from initial pencil sketches into the pristine graphic albums we know and love. The exhibition coincides with the release of a book of the same name written by Pierre Sterckx and translated by Tintinologist Michael Farr. “I loved the Tintin books from the first time I read them at the age of four with my mother in Paris,” Farr tells me. “I remember it vividly and from the first adventure I was captivated. Perhaps this is what led me to become a reporter myself.”

family

Farr reminisces about his encounter with the comic book genius who he interviewed in Brussels in 1978. “Hergé was delightful, charming and as engaging as Tintin himself. He immediately put me at ease by inviting me to lunch at the best restaurant in town. He was very appreciative of good food and good wine; an aspect of his personality that give life to the character of Captain Haddock.” With his quick temper, boisterous personality and insatiable appetite for drink, Haddock cuts a memorable figure and is a firm favourite among readers. Tintin on the other hand is less defined, more malleable and Farr believes that it is partly thanks to this that the comic albums have such universal appeal. “Tintin has a slightly blank, often expressionless face that makes him so relatable. The reader projects themself onto Tintin and becomes immersed in his world as a part of his adventures.” Apart from quizzing him on popular culture and Pink Floyd, Hergé wanted to talk to Farr about art. It is not enormously well known, but Hergé had a passion for modern art and was particularly avant-garde in his tastes. He even attempted to develop his own abstract creations before eventually returning to his illustrations. Hergé references many modern artists, often drawing their paintings into the background of the comics. Dynamic, multi-layered scenes are aptly portrayed by Hergé’s own artistic style, ligne-claire, literally ‘clear line’, which came to define Tintin. “It has the capacity to be

caricature but it leans more towards realism in its meticulous portrayal of details,” Farr explains. Hergé was first and foremost a graphic artist, but his brilliance didn’t stop there. “He was a talented writer who was exceptionally observant, and never seen without a notebook in which he would jot ideas down from daily life,” Farr continues. “He was also a complete control freak, and wanted to oversee every panel of the comic to ensure it matched his standards.” It hasn’t all been smooth sailing though; Hergé’s albums have raised eyebrows in the past, being condemned as containing racist sentiments. Tintin in the Congo is thought to be particularly controversial, yet as Farr explains, an understanding of the sociohistorical context of the albums is essential. “We are very politically correct nowadays but back in the 1920s and 1930s racism was endemic. We absorb our environment, and although Hergé himself held no racist ideas, he played upon it and exaggerated it to comic effect. The early Tintin albums are a product of their time.” Back on home turf over at Somerset House the exhibition will include everything from original pencil sketches to artwork from the finished stories, as well as insightful information about Hergé himself, all staged in the elegant Hermitage room, which is reminiscent of Captain Haddock’s manor house, Marlinspike Hall. Despite being almost 100 years old, Tintin remains as relevant and timeless as ever. That Hergé himself wanted to be a journalist is evident in his albums. “The Tintin annuals could be read as superb topical features on particular subjects; from drug smuggling to plane crashes to robbery. Tintin is beyond fashion in that sense,” Farr concludes. “Despite its often serious subject matter The Adventures of Tintin are light-hearted and humorous, and in this often unpleasant world, Tintin is there to brighten up the day.”

“Tintin has a slightly blank, often expressionless face that makes him so relatable”

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TINTIN: Hergé’s Masterpiece, 12 November – 31 January, Somerset House, Strand, WC2R somersethouse.org.uk

 Need to know  The exhibition will coincide with the release of TINTIN: Hergé’s Masterpiece, £35, published by Rizzoli. Download Michael Farr’s new series of English editions from the app store, which include a full translation of the original French text, as well as high-quality rendering of the exceptional artwork.

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All images by Marguerite Smits van Oyen, courtesy of Petite Pearl Lowe

interview

The

Lowe Down With a new childrenswear line launching in Harrods, Pearl Lowe speaks to Lauren Romano about swapping Primrose Hill for Somerset, battling her demons and why family comes first 

’m not sure what to expect as I wait for Pearl Lowe at Cachao on Regent’s Park Road, right in the heart of her old stamping ground. Back in the nineties she was the doe-eyed ‘It’ girl of the Primrose Hill Set, partying with the likes of Kate Moss, Sadie Frost and Jude Law. The highs and lows of that era have clocked up more column inches than I’m sure she’d care to remember. The tabloids were quick to pounce on rumours of paternity tests (Lowe’s friend, Gavin Rossdale, was revealed to be the father of her eldest daughter, Daisy) and became hooked on rock and roll tales of drug abuse. These days, Lowe admits that her life is less headline worthy. Fleeing London for leafy Frome ten years ago with her husband Danny Goffey, drummer with the band Supergrass, and their children Alfie, 18, Frankie, 15, and Betty, nine, Lowe has shaken off her former life and established herself as a successful fashion and interior designer. “These are all props for my husband’s new music video,” (Vangoffey, Trials of a Modern Man, in case you want to YouTube it) she begins, breathlessly by way of an explanation as

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she bundles through the door of the café with two bulbous bin bags and a trunk suitcase. If the glare of the paparazzi flash has left its mark on Lowe it’s hard to tell – the resilience and frankness seem to be all her own. She’s unrehearsed, too, and no topic seems off limits, although we’re meeting to talk about her new childrenswear line, Petite Pearl Lowe, which is launching this month and will be stocked exclusively in Harrods. “Petite Pearl Lowe has only been in the pipeline since last Christmas actually. When I have an idea I’m quite tunnel vision about it,” she explains, slurping on a banana (soya) milkshake. “In a way, it came about because after I left Peacocks people kept emailing me saying they couldn’t get hold of my dresses and please could I design some more, but I thought that was too predictable and I wanted to do something different.” A former Brit Pop frontwoman (Pearl first found fame with the band Powder) designing vintage frocks for a budget high street retailer might not sound like a match made in sartorial heaven, but Lowe proved herself as a design force to be reckoned with when she catapulted Peacocks onto glossy magazine pages and the catwalk front row. Modelled by Daisy and shot by Rankin, her black polyester dress with a cream lace trim had the likes of Alexa Chung, Sharleen Spiteri and Holly Willoughby racing to the tills back in 2010. Courtney Love asked for one to be couriered to her New York hotel room. A waiting list had to be created for the first time in the store’s history. As fashion debuts go, Lowe’s was always going to be a hard act to follow. “At Christmas I bought some pink sequinned fabric and I turned it into what I call ‘cabaret curtains’ for Betty’s room. I lined them with a beautiful silk and that was where the inspiration for the collection came from,” she says. “It’s hard to find clothes for children that are a little bit different. I’m quite flamboyant and so is my husband. I wish someone was designing harlequin capes and sequinned leotards when my kids were younger.” Although dressed head-to-toe in a black lace dress and fitted blazer, with chunky Judith Michael & Daughter gem rings, it’s not hard to imagine Lowe rooting through a fancy dress box. “I do love a themed

“I wish someone was designing harlequin capes and sequinned leotards when my kids were younger”

party,” she smiles mischievously, adding that the collection will soon include a range of women’s leotards. “Whenever I go anywhere, if I see a kid’s costume – it doesn’t matter if I don’t have a kid that size – I will buy it and hang it up somewhere.” Family is never far from Lowe’s mind, and her clan crop up in conversation constantly. “Betty used to love dressing up, but now she’s into leggings and Nike trainers. They grow up so fast, it’s a nightmare because I’m forever young you see,” she laughs in her raspy way. I ask if she envisages her kids inheriting her Peter Pan playfulness. “They are so different,” she shrugs. Daisy

interview

has carved a successful modelling career after being signed by Select aged 15; Alfie meanwhile has the performing gene. Despite only starting as a fresher at Bristol University this term, the budding DJ has already taken to the stage at Bestival, Secret Garden Party and Glastonbury. “He actually asked me to sing on his record the other day, which was really sweet,” Lowe tells me, beaming in that proud parent way. Then there’s Frankie, a promising illustrator who wants to design T-shirts, and aged just nine Betty is something of a violin prodigy. “My grandmother was in the first all-girl band in the ’20s,” Lowe explains. “She played violin and saxophone, so Betty must take after her – she can literally pick up a violin and play it. How mad is that?!” The lure of the stage is something that Lowe understands well. “My mum tried to encourage me to go to fashion school but I wanted to join a band, that’s all I wanted to do from the moment I discovered Stevie Nicks. I kind of regret that now,” she admits, as she reminisces about her old Saturday job at her mum’s boutique. She went back to her fashion roots in 2001, designing a range of lace curtains and later bespoke dresses for Liberty. Her own style has always veered towards vintage. “I once bought an Alexander McQueen dress and I turned up to a party and there was a model in it. I went home. She looked amazing, whereas I looked small and frumpy. At least with vintage you know you’ll be the only person wearing it,” she muses. “It’s getting harder to track down the good stuff. I’ve got cupboards full of it, but I have to admit I’m getting a bit bored of my look. “Daisy said to me the other day: ‘Mummy, you’ve got to change your image. Now that you’re a business woman we need to get you some power suits.’ I didn’t see anything I liked though. As I’m getting older I don’t really like my body,” she says disheartened, fixing me with those big hazel eyes, half hidden behind loose strands of a tousled fringe. Whatever she says, she’s hardly in danger of slipping into wallflower territory just yet. A certain Mr Olly Murs still thinks she’s got it anyway; he recently approached her to play the role of ‘hot mother-in-law’ in his latest music video. “I’m so pleased I didn’t do it!” she laughs. Talk turns to settling down in Somerset, where a new addiction has replaced her old habits. Once a serial house mover, Lowe has found an ingenious remedy for her itchy feet by working as an interior designer. She’s just finished decorating two homes

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in the west country and is working on another two in London. Her self-confessed obsession for knickknacks is so bad that she claims Goffey screams in exasperation every time she comes back from a flea market. “If he had it his way the house would be retro modern and that’s so not my style. I hate that look of everything being spotless and in its place.” Having gone to town with big fringed lamps and sumptuous upholstery, Lowe admits that her social life now revolves around nights in with the family. She might be a festival stalwart, but she insists that she only goes to Glastonbury for the vintage shopping and hates the fact it’s so noisy. Instead, she prefers to hit the steam room at Babington House, listen to classical music and invite people over for dinner, leaving Goffey to do the cooking. Lowe seems very settled in Frome but with interior design jobs in London and the Petite Pearl Lowe collection launching imminently, she hints that she might be about to reacquaint herself with the area. “I live on the Great Western train at the moment! I tried to buy a house around here recently but it went to sealed bids and then I lost momentum,” she trails off. Even if a permanent relocation isn’t on the cards, it doesn’t matter as everyone seems to be upping sticks to Somerset. “A lot of our friends have moved down. Danny’s best friend, the actor Rhys Ifans, lives in the next village. [Suede frontman] Brett Anderson is moving next week. It’s brilliant!” she says, although it’s clear that this new circle is not the Primrose Hill Set mark two. Lowe is all too thankful for the life she left behind. “I don’t miss anything,” she insists. “I love the beauty of the countryside and the fact that my kids are not glued to their screens but running around in fields. I love the fact that it’s so clean living. I don’t know anyone who takes drugs down there,” she adds quietly. This year is a new milestone for Lowe as it marks ten years since her addiction bit the dust. “I’m so thankful that I got out of that crazy life,” she says soberly. The decade has given her plenty of time for reflection and she has been quietly working with drug charities trying to help users get clean. “Even if I only reach one person that will make it worthwhile,” she says. Not one to shy away from her past, it is Lowe who brings up her 2007 memoir All that Glitters. “At the time I was thinking ‘Oh my god what have I done? Everyone’s going to hate me’. And for a while I got labelled a ‘junkie’ but to this day I’m so proud of the book. People would always write about me being in the coolest set in London but it was hell,” she says, her voice suddenly scratchy with emotion. “It might seem boring to the tabloids that I live in the countryside but to me I know that I made the right choice for my family. If my life ends tomorrow my kids will always remember that they had a wonderful childhood and that’s all I care about.” Petite Pearl Lowe is available exclusively at Harrods pearllowe.co.uk

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There are approximaTely

2 million sports injuries in the uK every year - 95% of which are soft tissue injuries.

early diagnosis, treatment and physiotherapy can reduce the risk of long term damage. our orthopaedic consultants work together with experienced sports medicine physicians and physiotherapists to manage a wide range of orthopaedic problems.

Call our team today

www.thewellingtonhospital.com

020 7483 5000

HEALTH&FITNESS

It’s a knockout ALALA’s A/W15 collection packs a punch with sheer panelled leggings, lightweight hoodies and loose-fitting tank tops that wouldn’t look out of place in a ring with Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams. The New York-based sportswear brand is now available in the UK thanks to the recently launched Activewear Studio at Matches Fashion, an edited collection of fitness gear that caters for all your workout needs. From a selection, 87 Marylebone High Street, W1U, matchesfashion.com

Health & fitness news By Ellen Millard

Listen up Stella McCartney has designed a post mastectomy bra to be launched in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Louise Listening, a delicate rose pink number, offers a pretty alternative to a post-surgery bra as well as comfort and support during the healing process. All proceeds will go to the Hello Beautiful Foundation to help fund a new London centre for women with breast cancer, while a hot pink Alina Playing set will benefit the Linda McCartney Centre in Liverpool.

EDITOR'S PICK

From £35, stellamccartney.com

Raise the barre

Hidden gem

London’s favourite barre studio, barrecore, has set up shop in Hampstead, where the brand’s signature classes will be on offer alongside a new Paleo café and treatment rooms for chiropody and massage therapy. Hailed as a workout that targets all the major muscle groups, the regime improves posture and alignment as well as muscle definition and overall strength and endurance.

If there’s one thing we love more than dressing up, it’s dressing down, a concept that casualwear connoisseur Gem&i has well and truly mastered. Created by two friends on a mission to find stylish yet comfortable loungewear, the label offers super-soft T-shirts, tracksuit bottoms and matching sweatshirts with catchy slogans perfect for both a trip to the gym or a Netflix marathon.

£28 for a single 60-minute class 7-9 Pond Street, NW3, barrecore.co.uk

From £48, gemandi.com lu x u r y l o n d o n .c o.u k

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Meet the Specialist Mr Rahul Patel is a consultant orthopaedic sports knee surgeon. He is a consultant at University College London Hospital and the current President of the Royal Society of Medicine's orthopaedic section. He co-developed the MSc in Sports & Exercise Medicine at University College London and he is highly active in research and education.Mr Patel consults privately from the Wellington Knee Unit at the Wellington Hospital and the Institute of Sports Exercise & Health in central London. His main interests are cruciate ligament surgery, meniscal preservation, regeneration and transplant and cartilage regeneration.

health promotion

Après Ski With ski season in the offing, Consultant Sports Orthopaedic Surgeon, Rahul Patel expects to see his clinics filling up with skiing and snowboarding injuries. Typically, 30-40 per cent of all alpine ski injuries will be knee related Having a snowboard or skis strapped to your leg by uncompromising boots endangers your knee joint because of the huge rotational force this setup is capable of generating. In general, symptoms of severe pain, swelling and inability to weight bear, the feeling or hearing of a ‘pop’ or a tearing sensation should prompt an urgent visit to a local specialist. An x-ray is mandatory to exclude fracture. Initial treatment of rest, ice, compression, elevation and analgesia is sensible. Three of the more common knee injuries are discussed below:

Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)

The most common ligament to be injured is the MCL. The usual mechanism is one of excessive valgus (lower leg leaning out relative to thigh) applied to the knee joint, crossing of skis or ‘catching an edge’. Pain will be greatest on the inside of the knee, making bearing weight difficult. There are three grades of severity which can be detected clinically. Grades I & II can initially be treated by wearing an appropriate knee brace (hinged, locked in extension). Once home, physiotherapy and time should do the trick. Grade III injuries should be braced at first but often require early surgical repair. On returning from your trip, all grades should be verified clinically and radiologically (usually with an MRI scan) by an orthopaedic specialist to prevent injury to other structures.

Meniscal Tears

The meniscus is the shock absorber that sits in between the bones of the knee joint and is roughly half-moon shaped. There are two, one on the inside and outside of the knee. They are vulnerable to tearing in a knee twist or sprain. The blood supply is poor, so inherent healing capacity is very low.

Swelling after injury is not always present but pain on the side of the tear and difficulty bearing weight are quite common. In larger tears the knee may ‘lock’ (not straighten fully), requiring swift medical assessment. If this persists for more than three days, you may need keyhole surgery but spontaneous unlocking can occur at any time. Specialist clinical examination and MRI scan will confirm the diagnosis. Most tears can be first treated with a trial of physiotherapy. Depending on individual demands and persisting symptoms, your orthopaedic surgeon will discuss the necessity of surgery.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) This important ligament in the middle of the knee is responsible for stabilising the knee in twisting or pivoting movements. Rupture can happen many ways; a characteristic ‘pop’ is not always felt or heard. Again, the inherent healing potential is poor and symptoms of instability often manifest and persist.

A diagnosis can be confirmed by an MRI scan and an examination to test knee stability. ACL ruptures often occur in conjunction with damage to other parts of your knee, increasing the likelihood of surgery. Physiotherapy is a good first line treatment but if you wish to continue playing sports involving twisting or pivoting, you may need ACL reconstruction surgery.

Prevention strategies

It is best to prevent injuries happening in the first place and your risk will be reduced by undertaking pre-skiing strengthening and conditioning. Taking advice from qualified professionals is highly recommended. Other top tips: check your equipment and ensure it is right for you, recognise when you need rest, warm up and down and if you do jump, keep your knees flexed on landing. Good luck!

For further information, or if you would like to arrange an appointment to see Mr Rahul Patel at The Wellington Knee Unit, please contact the Enquiry Helpline on 020 7483 5004 or visit thewellingtonhospital.com

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The more the mezze For most of us the memory of our first ever kebab (a chicken shish with garlic sauce from Jason Donervan) is something we’d rather forget, but West Hampstead resident and food writer John Gregory-Smith’s introduction to the traditional Turkish speciality in Istanbul was a cause for celebration. Ten years later he has published Turkish Delights, a collection of recipes hailing from the Bosphorus to the Black Sea, inspired by his extensive travels across the country. The beautifully shot cookbook brims with regional delights, including Mediterranean fish dishes, hearty stews and honey-laced baklava, without a greasy doner in sight. Turkish Delights by John Gregory Smith £19.99, published by Kyle Books, kylebooks.com Kale, spinach, pomegranate and walnut salad Photography by Martin Poole

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Casamigos Tequila founders George Clooney and Rande Gerber

Rocks

On the

INTERVIEW

Rande Gerber, a.k.a. Mr Cindy Crawford, talks to Lauren Romano about bed-hopping, banishing hangovers and brewing his own tequila with best friend George Clooney ď&#x192;ľ

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ust when it looked like George Clooney couldn’t be any more of a catch, he goes and finds a tried and tested tonic to a hangover. The cure? Drink tequila. On the rocks, neat, in a margarita; just keep slamming those slammers and wake up smug as a teetotaller on a Saturday morning, is what Dr Clooney prescribes. Of course, he isn’t proffering any old type of tequila; he’s talking about his own brand liquor, Casamigos, distilled with his long-time drinking buddy Rande Gerber. Gerber’s may not be a name that is instantly familiar, although he’s the spouse of one of the world’s most recognisable supermodels and a successful businessman at that. You might have heard him mentioned as the pioneer of the ‘lounge bar’, a type of drinking establishment that doesn’t sound too dissimilar to Central Perk, except it serves White Russians rather than flat whites. Today, Gerber and the third cog in the Casamigos operation, property mogul Mike Meldman, have made themselves very much at home in the bar at The Berkeley. It’s the morning after the night before when the trio were tasked with keeping the tequila flowing at the launch party of Cindy Crawford’s new book Becoming. From the sounds of it Clooney was a particularly attentive host, playing bartender and topping up shot glasses with zeal. He’s noticeably absent this morning, although I’m sure it’s just jet lag that’s wiped him out, and not a hangover, heaven forbid. Some might call it hair of the dog, but after hitting the sack at 4am, Gerber and Meldman are back on the sauce. “I never drink alone,” confesses Gerber, with a mischievous glint in his eye, as he hands me a tumbler of Casamigos Blanco while he pours himself an amber coloured Casamigos Añejo. “Someone once described Casamigos as ‘dangerously smooth’,” he warns, raising his glass in a toast. He might not have quite the Nespresso suave of Clooney but Gerber, at 53, still has something of that distinctly American poster-boy look about him. He is charming, chiselled and very polite and even dressed down in jeans and a zipped jacket, it’s not difficult to see how he ended up married to his model wife. “If you drank that whole bottle right now you might have a bit of a headache in the morning, I’m not sure,” says Gerber with a wry smile when I quiz him about the non-hangover boast. “But I’ve never experienced it and we’ve definitely done a lot of research.” And nobody could accuse the boys of not doing their homework. Propping up bars all over Mexico, where they built neighbouring homes called ‘Casamigos’ in Cabo San Lucas a decade ago, the drinking buddies worked their way through hundreds of different versions of the local spirit, all in the name of research. Unable to find the perfect blend, it was Clooney who suggested they make their own and they spent two years working with a master distiller in Jalisco.

“We didn’t care if we sold one bottle as long as we got to keep drinking our own”

Above: Casamigos Tequila founders Rande Gerber and George Clooney Photo by Andrew Southam

It might be a bit of a sidestep for Clooney, but as career paths go it’s not such a curveball for Gerber, who until 2010 headed up Gerber Group, a nightlife empire reportedly worth $100 million. Hotelier Ian Schrager gave him his big break, tasking him with fitting out the bar at the Paramount Hotel in 1990. Cue The Whiskey, a blueprint for the lounge bar concept, complete with comfortable couches, for, well, lounging. Other spin-offs followed as well as the Skybar in LA where Gerber reportedly bumped into Crawford after her divorce from Richard Gere. Does it get annoying when Clooney hogs all the limelight? Gerber is diplomatic. “I think the great thing for George is that this is his first business. We’re all partners and we are involved in every aspect of the process. When there’s a decision to be made it’s the three of us that discuss it together. We live the lifestyle so it doesn’t really feel like work because everything about it is authentic.” The pair never intended to make a business out of tequila at all, but several years down the line, and many empty bottles later, it was the distillery that threatened to pull the plug. “‘We’re sending you about 1,000 bottles a year so either you’re selling it or your drinking way too much,’ they said to us,” laughs Gerber. “They told us we needed to get a license for our ‘samples’. We didn’t care if we sold one bottle as long as we got to keep drinking our own.” The fact that Casamigos is the fastest growing ultra-premium tequila in the States, heaped with more accolades than you can shake a margarita shaker at, is a bonus. “It’s very different from other tequilas out

INTERVIEW

there,” Gerber explains. “Most people equate tequila to their college days and haven’t touched it since, but the type of agave that we use is the best of the best. The process that we went through was much longer because we were just doing it for ourselves to drink and we wanted it to be perfect. We wanted the smoothest tequila that we could drink all day and all night and not be hung-over in the morning.” The agave (that’s a type of aloe plant between me and you) used in Casamigos’ three tequilas is 100 per cent Blue Weber grown in the Jalisco Highlands. In Gerber and Clooney’s current liquor line-up there’s Casamigos Blanco, a crisp, clear and incredibly smooth tipple; Casamigos Reposado, a slightly more viscous blend with hints of caramel; and Casamigos Añejo, which is aged for 14 months and has a more refined, smoky aroma that treads on whisky territory. We’re two and a half tequilas in when Crawford makes her entrance, sweeping into the bar with all the inconspicuousness that a supermodel can muster. I wouldn’t mind looking like her at almost 50, having been partying to the early hours of the morning. She is radiantly beautiful; the tequila goggles amplifying the glossy mane, gazelle-like leather-clad legs and megawatt smile. Her poison’s usually a Reposado on the rocks, but the paps are outside waiting to snap her en route to her lastest press junket, so she doesn’t stick around for long. Together, the two of them have got to be in the running for the most photogenic couple of all time, although Clooney and Amal aren’t far behind. As brand

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ambassadors go, a supermodel, an internationallyfamed barrister and a Hollywood A-lister aren’t bad, I muse, as Gerber laughs a little helplessly. He admits that having celebrities attached to any brand can backfire, but – and again, perhaps it’s the tequila talking – he insists that Clooney’s involvement is the real deal. The set-up seems pretty genuine to me. The pair have known each other for 20 years, first meeting at Gerber’s New York bar Morgans. They visit their homes in Mexico ten times a year to personally taste test and put every batch through its paces – only when it’s had their seal of approval is it bottled. As for how it’s best enjoyed, they like to drink it with friends, or at Meldman’s beach shack in the Bahamas. It’s also, of course, the drink of choice for Clooney and Gerber’s boys-only motorcycle trip that they take every summer. Casamigos launched quietly in the UK back in the spring as part of Selfridges’ Year of Mexico celebrations, but it is now behind the bars at Nobu, Zuma, 5 Hertford Street and Chiltern Firehouse, to name but a few. “It’s convenient for George since he moved to the UK because it means he doesn’t have to bring countless cases with him when he comes,” Gerber jokes. Although hangovers are a thing of the past for the pair, there have been plenty of salubrious incidents during the production process. One tale, which is already part of Casamigos folklore, never gets old for Gerber. After they got their license, the story goes, Gerber and Clooney hit the bottle hard, so much so that Clooney had to crash at the Gerber’s Malibu pad. Cindy woke up at 3am and went to look for her husband, discovering him lying face down on the bed in the guest room fully clothed. She got into bed and tried to wake him up and what do you know, it was actually George, not Rande. “She came to find me and said: ‘I just got into bed with George!’” Gerber sniggers. “We could hear him downstairs raiding the cupboards, laughing about it. In the morning he said, ‘that’s going to be our first ad campaign: drink a bottle of Casamigos and wake up with Cindy Crawford’. But Cindy insisted that we changed it to ‘wake up with George Clooney’.” Is tequila the secret to a happy marriage? Gerber seems to think so. Let’s hope it works for the Clooneys too. One half of the power couple might be fighting for human rights in the courtroom while the other is setting the world to rights at the bar, Casamigos in hand, but at least they’ll both wake up feeling freshfaced in the morning. He’s definitely a catch. Rande Gerber is co-founder of Casamigos Tequila which is available at Selfridges, selfridges.com

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Against the grain It’s almost that time of year again when all but the most virtuous box up their NutriBullets and spiralise their final courgette; a time when a Terry’s Chocolate Orange suddenly counts as one of your five a day. Thank goodness then that the Detox Kitchen has arrived to show us the error of our ways by launching Grain and Green, a deli filled with more antioxidantpacked salads than you can shake a celery stick at. Open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, the seasonally changing menu will include griddled sweet potato with lemon yoghurt and pecans, and aubergine dressed with sticky apricot and tamari sauce. They’ve not forgotten the avocado on (rye bread) toast either. 10 Mortimer Street, WIT, grainandgreen.co.uk

Food & drink news By Lauren Romano

Trigger happy If you loved The Lockhart and its Deep South dining as much as we did, then hold onto your cowboy hats because the chef behind the venue, Brad McDonald, is launching Shotgun, a barbecue-inspired den in Kingly Street. Muscovy duck and dexter brisket will be getting their turn on the grill pit, and there’s an ice cream machine for afters so you can help yourself to a scoop of chipotle chocolate washed down with chicory vodka punch. Happy Thanksgiving!

Colour coded Maison Pierre Marcolini is fusing chocolate with artistic flair this month with its new collection in collaboration with British design star Tom Dixon. Bold and playful, the boxes are presented in hues of pink, orange, yellow and purple and contain a mouth-watering range of chocolate treats with flavours ranging from lemon praline to Earl Grey tea. Pierre Marcolini x Tom Dixon 37 Marylebone High Street, W1U marcolini.com

Image courtesy of Tom Bowles

Gone fishing The jury’s out on the worst restaurant names of 2015, but the latest opening from Caprice Holdings, Sexy Fish, might be in contention for the gold medal. Thankfully Ben Orpwood’s Asianinspired dishes, such as miso-glazed Chilean sea bass and an oriental tasting menu of buns and dumplings, sounds much more appealing. But the food isn’t the only catch – aquatic-themed artworks by Damien Hirst and Frank Gehry, including a shimmering 13ft crocodile sculpture, have been commissioned for the 190-seat dining room. 1-4 Berkeley Square, W1J, sexyfish.com

26 Kingly Street, W1B, shotgunbbq.com Image courtesy of Sim Canetty-Clarke

food&drink

Restaurant review

Italian Job Ellen Millard tucks into a deliciously simple Italian feast at the latest Seymour Place offering 

ondon’s restaurant scene has been something of a battleground for food fads this year, with cereal cafés jostling with grilled cheese sandwich shops and BYOingredients joints for the top prize as the Next Big Thing. While it may be keeping the culinary scene on its toes, the latest craze of eccentric eats has left me feeling rather exhausted. So you can imagine how pleased I was to hear of a simple Italian just off Oxford Street with an aim to please the locals. Bernardi’s is the latest outlet to open up on the corner of Seymour Place, joining newbies Zetter Townhouse and Lurra down the road. Fancier than a Jamie’s Italian but relaxed enough for a week night, Bernardi’s focuses on traditional Italian grub with a contemporary twist. Founded by brothers Gabriel and Marcello Bernardi, the restaurant is smart but welcoming, managing to avoid being too fussy with an upstairs dining area and a separate section below for nibbles and sundowners. I begin with a Mattiniero aperitif, an elderflower, prosecco and apple concoction that despite being almost flubber green tastes delicious, while my guest tries the Lecca Lecca Luna cocktail, a Barolo Chinato, pomegranate and prosecco blend that goes down rather well. Our waiter advises us to order a cicheti and an al forno dish to share, and we opt for the courgette and herb fritti with balsamic mayonnaise that almost puts regular chips to shame, and a delicious gorgonzola and prosciutto pizzetta. We move on to antipasti and again choose two dishes between us, this time selecting the creamiest burratina that complements its accompanying beetroot, radish and sweet onions beautifully. The second dish is a tasty green pepper affair, which I’m told – by the sunny operations director – has been put on the menu especially after the restaurant’s fruit and veg girl (who drives the ingredients all the way from

Lemon sole and autumn minestrone

I vow to return to try the tagliatelle with Cornish crab, chili and spring onion

Italy) turned up with them on the day. Four starters down and we are already regretting the absence of elasticated waistbands, so we decline our waiter’s suggestion of ordering two pasta dishes, although I vow to return to try the tagliatelle with Cornish crab, chili and spring onion. I select fish for my main course, tucking into a light lemon sole floating on a bed of chunky minestrone soup, while my dinner date opts for the lamb rump, agrodolce lentils and Romano peppers that is melt-in-the-mouth delicious and causes a Gregg Wallace-style reaction (“Oh my god!”). Just as we start waving the white flag, the dessert menu arrives. Acting on the pretence that there’s a separate stomach section for pudding, we share a coffee semifreddo, a flakey frozen plate of espresso goodness. As we practically roll ourselves to the tube station, we spare a thought for the trend-hoppers heading home with bellies only half full. Bernardi’s may not be the wackiest of eateries out there, but in a city that moves faster than its occupants can keep up, sometimes less really is more. 62 Seymour Street, W1H bernardis.co.uk

Lamb rump, agrodolce lentils, and Romano peppers

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Glass

Raise a

During the 1800s, Parisian innovators of science, art and entertainment were celebrating their triumphs with a glass of cognac. Courvoisier has revisited the glamour of the Belle Époque with the launch of a new expression. Hannah Lemon reports 

eritage brands often revisit their rich histories in order to showcase exquisite craftsmanship. Over the last few years, Jaguar has celebrated 80 years of sports cars, Cartier has honoured a century of the panther and Smythson has marked 120 years of luxury stationery. Next in line is Courvoisier; two centuries have passed since the luxury cognac brand’s inception. Founded by the mayor of Bercy, Louis Gallois, and Emmanuel Courvoisier in 1809, the business flourished and it was subsequently named official supplier to Emperor Napoleon III’s Imperial Court. The reputation of Courvoisier continued to blossom and it became synonymous with the decadence of the Parisian Golden Age, a time that has provided inspiration for the company’s glamorous new redesign. Scientific innovations, technological breakthroughs and the artistic elite

transformed this era into a celebration of optimism, which suited the ethos of Courvoisier. The Lumière brothers pioneered cinema; the term haute couture was coined; cabaret came to the Moulin Rouge; Folies Bergère prospered with the advent of electricity; and the Renault brothers and André Citroën spearheaded the rise of the French automobile industry. In 1889, the Eiffel Tower was built for the World Fair and became a symbol of the joie de vivre and rich cultural expansion of the Belle Époque. At the opening of this landmark, guests from around the world came together in celebration, including inventor Thomas Edison, actress Sarah Bernhardt, the Prince of Wales and Gustave Eiffel himself. And the tipple of choice for such an illustrious occasion? You guessed it – Courvoisier. Now, more than a century later, the cognac brand has revisited the Eiffel Tower

Courvoisier became synonymous with the glamour of the Parisian Golden Age

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to commemorate this exciting era with the launch of the limited-edition Célébration Sensorielle gift sets. Taking cognac lovers on an aromatic expedition through Paris, they feature one of two expressions: the Courvoisier Initiale Extra, which combines flavours of old port wine with truffle and hot fruitcake, and the Courvoisier Initiale XO, which harmonises vanilla and crème brûlée notes with candied orange and iris flower. The former comes with two scented candles and the latter with two scented cones, both of which have been crafted to complement and enhance the notes of the cognac and act as an unforgettable sensory experience. Courvoisier called on scent technician Ericka Duffy and perfumer Euan McCall to create fragrances that capture 24 hours in Belle Époque Paris: Brise de Vincennes (the breeze from Vincennes) and Nuit Débordante (heady night). Each has in its heartnote a cognac accord that binds the concept back to Courvoisier. “It was extremely important to not only

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capture the spirit of moments of the Belle Époque era,” explains Duffy, “but also to pay respect to the cognac itself.” Thanks to in-depth research around the period, Duffy managed to capture historical elements of smell and taste to complement the cognac samples. “For the daytime scent, for example, we looked at the rise of café culture, expositions, world fairs and more. We looked at the new aromas that would have been infusing the era – such as coffee beans, tobacco, exotic flowers and leather luggage.” The scent draws on all the aromas that make Paris so charming in the daytime, when locals would meet in outdoor cafés to sip cognac and watch the world go by. With dusk descending, the second fragrance conjures up the glamour and intrigue of the city after dark. “For the night-time scent, we looked at aromas of tobacco, candied orange and patchouli.” Set on making the redesign as authentic as possible, Courvoisier’s creative team undertook immersive visits to Paris in order to help shape the brand’s new direction. Reflective of the creativity of the Parisian Golden Age, the team uncovered design inspiration throughout the city. Details taken from architecture of the era, including the unique steel structure of the Eiffel Tower, are gracefully intertwined to produce striking packaging. However, it doesn’t stop there. As part of Courvoisier’s transformation, the brand is launching signature cocktails and a bespoke tour through Paris. The latter takes guests past some of the French capital’s most famous landmarks, including the Pont Alexandre III, the Lavirotte building and SaintGermain-des-Prés. It provides cognac enthusiasts with the chance to explore the influential art, architecture, innovation and science of the late 1800s, as well as Courvoisier’s role during the period. But if a trip to Paris is not on your agenda this festive season, you will be just as contented with a journey to somewhere equally glamorous – Courvoisier’s Golden Age. A swig of cognac and a scent of Paris is all it takes. Célébration Sensorielle Initiale Extra, RSP £397, is available at Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Hedonism Célébration Sensorielle XO, RSP £190, is available at Harvey Nichols and Hedonism. Pricing will vary, check with retailer for details.

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NICO ROSBERG · GLOBAL CITIZEN MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS F o r m u l a O n e T M Te a m D r i v e r a

D E S I G N E D I N A M E R I C A F O R G LO B A L C I T I Z E N S

TUMI.COM

211 Regent Street, L ondon • 170 Piccadilly, Mayfair, L ondon • Westfield Shepherds Bush, L ondon Also available at Harrods and Selfridges

the art of TRAVEL

Winter blues Kick off your slippers and sink into barefoot luxury at Mirihi Island Resort. At just 350 metres long and 50 metres wide, it is one of the smallest islands in the Maldives, situated in the breathtaking South Ari Atoll. Despite its diminutive size, the desert island essentials â&#x20AC;&#x201C; palm-fringed beach, spectacular coral reef â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are still present and correct. Choose from a private beach or waterfront villa, both with tranquil views of the turquoise-toned Indian Ocean. Grab your snorkel or head to the onsite diving centre to explore the crystal-clear waters in more depth, or take Mirihiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s private yacht for a sunset sail or a sunrise fishing trip, while sparing a thought for those of us braving the wind and the rain back at home. mirihi.com

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Travel news By Ellen Millard

Udaipur, Rajasthan

HOTSPOT

Light up your November with a trip to India’s city of lakes, Udaipur, where celebrations for its annual Diwali festival are in full swing Rajasthan certainly packs a punch when it comes to cultural enlightenment, home to the holy Jain Temple in Ranakpur, the Rajput Forts and the ruins of the Indus Valley Civilisation. But when India’s Festival of Light, Diwali, returns for another year this month, all eyes will instead be on the state’s city of lakes, Udaipur, where locals pull out all the stops to honour the ancient Hindu celebration. Head to the town hall, where the municipality will once again host the Dussehra-Deepavali fair, a week-long event of performances and music. Afterwards, wander the main streets to see the glittering festive decorations that light up the city’s buildings, and round off your day by catching one of the many fireworks displays that will illuminate the skies throughout the week.

Why

Set on the shores of Lake Pichola, the Leela Palace Udaipur makes the most of its location, with every room, spa suite and pool overlooking the picturesque expanse of water. When you’re not drinking in the view, a short walk into town will see you in the thick of some of India’s best markets. For Diwali, the hotel offers a Sights & Culture package, which covers all bases, with boat rides and tours of the Grand Palace, and a chance to unwind with a 30-minute Ayurveda treatment at the on-site ESPA spa, where you can press pause and appreciate those lakeside views.

stay

From £470 per night between 3-13 November theleela.com

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The big freeze

Great British escape Autumn is the season that serves as a reminder to all Londoners that a very big house in the country would be a very good idea; preferably somewhere with a village pub around the corner and a roaring fire in every room. Cue Flitwick Manor in Bedford. The 18th-century manor house has the balance of stately meets cosy down to a tee. Once you’ve familiarised yourself with the picturesque grounds, pull on your wellies and explore pastures new with a ramble to the ancient woodlands of Sharpenhoe and the Woburn Abbey Deer Park before returning home for afternoon tea. From £125 a night, hallmarkhotels.co.uk

Green peace Sri Lanka’s first ever sustainably-designed hotel, Tri Lanka has emerged on the banks of Lake Koggala. Living walls, eco roofs, solar-powered hot water and dwellings constructed entirely of local materials, give the development its green kudos. Built to respect nature and co-exist with the landscape around it, the eco-friendly site contains 11 luxury suites spiralling down a six-acre hill, and a soaring water tower that boasts 360-degree views of the lake and the lush forests beyond. Once opened later this month, the hotel’s wellbeing mantra will be echoed in a programme of yoga and holistic treatments. From £1,533 per person for seven nights half-board, ampersandtravel.com

South side Joining its intimate hub of ocean-front villas, Orpheus Island has unveiled four newly renovated South Suites at the water’s edge, a stone’s throw from the coral cays and aquatic wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. With just 28 holidaymakers hosted at any one time, guests will have free reign of the resort, so you won’t have to jostle for sunlounger space. The recently unveiled suites offer a nautical interpretation of laid-back luxury, with open-plan living spaces and a white washed colour scheme, as well as private cobblestone courtyards at the rear with an outdoor stone bath big enough for two.

 SHORT HAUL 

Hit the Schnapps It might not boast quite the same snowy panorama as the Alps, but Abbey Hotel, Bath is offering its own take on Courchevel chic, minus the salopettes. Leave the thermals at home and head to its pop-up AprèsSki Bar, where the mulled wine will be flowing from later this month until the New Year. Once you’ve got your grog blankets on, stargaze from the hotel’s terrace, before retreating inside for dinner at the awardwinning Allium restaurant. From 25 November – 9 January rooms from £125 abbeyhotelbath.co.uk

 long HAUL 

Off piste Forget room service, it’s all about slope service at Gstaad Palace. Weaving in and out of the runs, ski butlers will be whizzing down the peaks, tugging picnic hampers brimming with local Swiss delicacies in tow, so you can enjoy your sandwiches without interrupting the day’s skiing agenda. Once back at the hotel if you’d rather give the après-ski crowd a wide berth, guests can take a sleigh ride to a farmhouse chalet for fondue à deux before boarding a snow groomer for a romantic midnight ride under the stars. From £335 a night, palace.ch

£955 a night, orpheus.com.au; queensland.com

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Tale

A Winter’s

Jennifer Mason holes up in a luxury Swiss mountain retreat to enjoy skiing in style – the Gstaad way 

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f your idea of a perfect skiing holiday is one that focuses just as much on the pre or après as the activity itself, then Gstaad is the place for you. Nestled in the Swiss Alps, just a few hours’ train ride from Geneva, the quiet village remains a haven for those who prefer winter getaways of the relaxing, rather than the rowdy, variety. After a short flight from London to Geneva, most who journey to Gstaad will do so on the super-efficient rail network, whizzing along the banks of Lac Léman to Montreux, where the savvy traveller will then sink into the first-class comfort of the Golden Pass train. Featuring enormous windows that offer a panoramic view as you travel at pace through the countryside, this is a fantastic way to enjoy some of Switzerland’s most breathtaking scenery. Those with access to a private jet can skip all the platform-switching by taking advantage of the ad-hoc runway on the outskirts of the village; but there’s something to be said for the more leisurely railway experience – particularly when you’re met on the train by a very polite chap from your hotel with a hamper of champers (try saying that fast three times after you’ve quaffed your way through the final stops). Mere moments from the station is the newlyrefurbished Le Grand Bellevue hotel, my home for the next few days. It’s a building that, from the outside, looks like what you’d get if you crossed the mansion from The Sound of Music with the castle from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It’s very Swiss, but the turrets, towers and cheerful yellow exterior belie the traditional chalet feel. Nor are the interiors what you’d expect from a mountain refuge. Envisaged by talented interior designer Davia Koetser (one half of the husband-andwife team that owns and runs the hotel), the shared spaces are chic and contemporary, managing to preserve a traditional, comfortable feel despite the quirky and eclectic update. Think roaring open fires modernised

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After such an indulgent night, it’s time to hit the slopes the next morning, but before I venture to the lifts I head out for a spot of shopping. Well, I have to look the part! Gstaad is home to some of the most stylish skiers around, courtesy of the village’s collection of upmarket luxury boutiques selling Ralph Lauren, Hermès and Louis Vuitton. Properly attired and with my expert guide in tow, I’m chauffeured directly to the base of the slopes, which promise the best conditions today. The view from the top is, quite simply, stunning. I’ve picked a beautiful day for it – the skies are clear blue, I can see miles of the dramatic alpine landscape and the sunlight is reflecting trillions of sparkling diamonds in the snow. Although I’m a little rusty on my skis, my instructor is patient and starts me off on the easier runs until I’ve got the hang of things. I’d forgotten the sheer, unadulterated pleasure of whizzing down the slopes, performing (in my mind) perfect parallel turns and reaching the bottom breathless and full of cheer. This beats the gym any day. Finally, after a full day carving my way through the alpine passes alongside celebrities, royals and politicians rendered anonymous by their ski gear, I’m more than ready to head back to the hotel and assuage my aches and pains with a luxurious afternoon tea in front of a roaring fire, followed by a visit to the spa. It’s one of the best hotel spas I’ve yet to encounter – though I’m not entirely sure they shouldn’t offer maps; there are so many rooms that I occasionally find myself looking for breadcrumbs to mark my trail home again. After soaking up the refreshing scents and the relaxing atmosphere for an hour or two, I can barely remember my own name, let alone the twinges from my overexerted muscles. Skiing might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the experience in Gstaad is like a delicate oolong – heady and luxurious. Whether you’re happiest making the most of the outdoors or putting your feet up beside the sunlit indoor pool, at Le Grand Bellevue there’s something for everyone to enjoy. As for me, I’m tempted to hide away somewhere in my suite in the hope that I can stay another day.

Gstaad is home to some of the most stylish skiers around, courtesy of its luxury boutiques

with minimalist glass frontages, a grand piano alongside hanging birdcage chairs and a collection of differing vibrant prints on the walls and soft furnishings that, anywhere else, would clash horrifically but somehow merge seamlessly to form spaces that feel homely and inviting, as well as stylish and elegant. As I settle in, I browse the options for my evening meal. The hotel has something to offer every type of epicurean skier; from the simple, delicious bar menu, to the unexpected sushi café in the basement and refined bistro-style dining at the signature restaurant Leonard’s. The latter is watched over by both a tweed-clad ninefoot camel of the same name – the hotel mascot – and Michelin-starred head chef Urs Gschwend. Speciality dishes like bouillabaisse Marseillaise and fillet of sole with Noilly Prat sauce, along with classic favourites like creamed pea soup and tagliata of beef do an excellent job of warming the cockles after a day on the slopes. But if you’re looking for something more down to earth, the hotel has a delightful surprise up its sleeve. Set in the grounds just metres from the entrance, Le Petit Chalet is a traditional, fairy-lit hut that seats 18 guests and serves up a menu of hearty Swiss dishes, including fondue and, my personal favourite, raclette. At odds with the sophisticated feel of the main hotel, this magical hideaway is an opportunity to let your hair down, enjoy the house vino and consume your bodyweight in deliciously gooey cheese.

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 Need to know  Flights from London to Geneva with SWISS from £63 one-way (0845 601 0956 / swiss.com) Winter rates at Le Grand Bellevue start from 650 CHF per room based on double occupancy and a half-board basis (bellevue-gstaad.ch)

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Viva Forever Ellen Alpsten chews her way through a detox at VivaMayr’s latest medical spa in Altaussee 

is not pleased. Once again, James Bond is not fit for service. Yet once again, M knows exactly where to send him: “You are going to VivaMayr Altaussee in Austria. It’s tough, but you’ll make it.” Jokes aside, Bond has in fact just paid a flying visit to the valley close to Salzburg where the most recent outpost of the detox destination not for the faint-hearted has opened. Snow-clad peaks gather around an impossibly clear, icy lake – bathing might be possible in August, the locals are quick to assure. The village of Altaussee is clustered with handsome turn-of-thecentury chalets, which once attracted the likes of Sigmund Freud and Gustav Klimt. No wonder that some of the scenes from the soon to be released Bond movie Spectre were shot in this exquisite setting. However, while the villagers chose to ignore Daniel Craig, the helicopters and the speedboats – just as they have ignored a lot in the past centuries – they can’t do so with the recently opened spa clinic on the shores of their lake. After a decade of success in Maria Wörth, VivaMayr has expanded to Altaussee, nestled among the central Alps. A world away from it all (don’t expect WiFi access in your room) VivaMayr Altaussee welcomes rock n’ royalty as well as the very private and very wealthy for a serious Mayr-style detox. And come they do, as VivaMayr promises what no spa ever seems able to deliver: a true and lasting effect. A Mayr therapy is all about the oldest cleansing and regenerative method known to mankind: happiness starts with healthy intestines. A century ago, the Austrian physician F. X. Mayr observed: “Toxins in the intestines can cause illness, premature ageing and ugliness of the physical body as well as the psyche.” He recommended dietary restriction under medical supervision, which delivers emotional, spiritual and physical rejuvenation. Mayr is not about weight loss (although that is a splendid side effect); it is about sanitising the body. Accordingly gourmet dining is not on the menu. Chef Martin Stein left his Gault et Millau Restaurant in Vienna in search of a calmer lifestyle and now heads

up the kitchen at the clinic. Portions are tiny and consist of what the doctor prescribes after a bizarre kinesiology test that involves dribbling a series of foods onto your tongue to see how your body reacts. My test confirms that gluten, nightshade vegetables such as potatoes and tomatoes, as well as honey are culprits of some unspecified dietary crime, and these ingredients are consequently banished from my meals. The Mayr therapy can make grown men weep. “Please, I am a big man. Give me more!” begs a London investment banker, yet the waitress just smiles and moves on, the skirt of her pretty Altaussee dirndl swishing behind her. Breakfast is the least restricted meal of the day and lulls patients into a false sense of satisfied security with its scrambled eggs, avocado and smoked fish. Lunch is varied and fish or meat is served with tasty variations of vegetables, while dinner is decidedly more hardcore: broth or tea, served with that Mayr staple, stale, hard spelt bread.

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“We have forgotten how to chew. Yet it is the last chance for our body to get hold of any nutrients”

Dr. Sepp Fegerl, medical director of the clinic and master of its many treatment rooms, explains: “We have forgotten how to chew. Yet it is the last chance for our body to get hold of any nutrients.” Nobody could accuse VivaMayr of being the host with the most. Guests sit at separate tables and meals are taken in complete silence to encourage concentrated chewing – 40 times is the recommendation. In the absence of conversation, the imposing Alpine panorama does, thankfully, offer some distraction from the meagre rations. The extreme detoxing has immediate effects on the digestive system, but Dr. Fegerl’s daily belly massages ensure that no putrid gases are trapped in the intestines. The gentle, yet firm stroking motions also check the internal progress of the salts, which are to be taken every morning before yoga or gymnastics – and, crucially, before breakfast. The bitter liquid is sourced in the age-old salt mines of the area. This local heritage is everywhere at VivaMayr: salt gleams in a golden hue of amber fashioned into crude blocks in the

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walls of the Sole Sauna; it seasons the cleansing fumes of the steam bath; and Martin Stein cooks with it. At VivaMayr thoughts circle around food and feelings. Detoxing hits a lot of patients pretty hard. Nausea, sleeplessness, severe headaches, dizziness and tears – VivaMayr has seen it all. Relaxing massages, aerial yoga and mud baths as well as hydrotherapy or facials break the routine, which is structured around mealtimes and check-ups. It might sound like a particularly punishing form of torture, but after a week my complexion gleams, my belly is flat and firm, my spirits are high and I have a new-found awareness of each mouthful of food. VivaMayr teaches you how to eat and most rules are easy to translate into everyday life: cook with ghee instead of oil; nothing raw after four; drink between meals, not during; don’t snack. Months after the therapy and I might not be Bond girl material just yet, but I feel like a new woman. Rooms from €220 a night, vivamayr.com/altaussee

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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 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

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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

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

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

Parkheath 208 Haverstock Hill NW3 2AG 020 7431 1234

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

8a Canfield Gardens NW6 3BS 020 7625 4567 192 West End Lane NW6 1SG 020 7794 7111 148 Kentish Town Road NW1 9QB 020 7485 0400 parkheath.com

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

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P R O P E RT Y Showcasing the finest HOMES & PROPERTY from the best estate agents

Elegant & exclusive The latest prime properties

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Let, set, go

Knight Frankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Laura Dam Villena and Stefano Palmiero talk about embracing community spirit and launching the lettings arm of the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park office

Photography by Sarel Jansen

property

ver since launching the Queen’s Park branch in the spring, office head Laura Dam Villena has been making herself at home in the area. Spreading the word about the independent shops and eateries on the doorstep to colleagues and clients alike, she has been working her way through her favourite local haunts, one flat white at a time. “The café culture around here is really something else. I can’t stop buying coffee,” she laughs. It seems there are plenty of others who share her opinion, and consequently the local property market is looking decidedly promising. “We have a really good share at the top end of the market and have achieved some great results,” she says. “There have been a few instances when Knight Frank has taken on a property that has been on the market with another agent for most of the year, and we’ve managed to achieve the asking price within a couple of months.” The office’s target patch orbits the park, and its sought-after surrounding streets, which include Harvist Road, Chevening Road, Milman Road and Kingswood Avenue, are dotted with great instructions. “We’re really starting to make our mark and establish our position,” Laura explains. “We’re seeing an increasing trend for clients that we’ve dealt with through our Notting Hill office wanting to move to Queen’s Park. They really appreciate the fact that you can get a house of the same size for substantially less and become part of an active community with a village feel to it. People like the fact that there’s a real personality to the area.” Queen’s Park certainly has personality in spades. One case in point is the new Queen’s Park Design District, which was created as part of the London Design Festival to celebrate the artists, architects and interior designers who live and work in the area. Keen to stay ahead of the creative curve, the office’s latest acquisition of artwork comes courtesy of the son of a local architect. Queen’s Park is also famed for its culinary prowess. “We’re the main sponsor of the Queen’s Park Farmer’s Market, which recently celebrated its ten-year anniversary,” Laura says, adding that the team got involved handing out hampers and there was a competition to win £100 worth of vouchers to one of her favourite local restaurants, Ostuni. Now that Knight Frank has tested the waters with its sales department, Laura and the team have decided that the time is right to launch the lettings side of the business, headed up by Stefano Palmiero, who arrives at Queen’s Park from the Islington office. “People might have the misconception that because the area is such a hotspot for families that the majority of homes here are for sale, but there’s a strong selection of rental properties too, from one-bedroom apartments

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to large homes that are available for less than £1,000 a week,” Stefano explains. As well as offering relative value for money and great transport links – including the Bakerloo line at Queen’s Park and the Overground at Brondesbury Park – it is the calibre of local schools that is making the area popular with families. “I think in the next couple of years we’ll see a big influx of French families moving to be closer to the new French lycée opening in Wembley,” he says. Young couples are also attracted to the area thanks to the great selection of one- and twobedroom properties and a new wave of contemporary developments, including Queen’s Park Place opposite the Tube station. “Apartments like these are becoming very popular with people who relocate for work and want a low-maintenance home away from home,” Stefano says. “The idea of having a concierge is popular too. People these days want convenience at any cost. “Renting is definitely becoming more of a lifestyle choice,” he continues. “I read somewhere recently that saving up £100,000 for a deposit, stamp duty and legal fees is the equivalent of ten years’ of rent. In the UK we have this mind-set that we have to own our own property, but if you go abroad, everyone rents. I think you’ll start to see more and more families renting long-term as opposed to putting themselves under the pressure of having to buy somewhere.” Once overshadowed by its more well-known neighbours, Queen’s Park is now north-west London’s worst-kept secret. “I didn’t know a lot about the area until I started to work here but I absolutely love it around here,” Stefano admits. “I enjoyed the community spirit at the farmer’s market. I was texting all my friends saying that they had to come and pay a visit.” For the rest of the year Stefano will be growing the lettings side of the business, adding to a portfolio of properties that already includes period homes on Brooksville Avenue, Salusbury Road and Keslake Road. On the sales side of things, the office continues to go from strength to strength, as Knight Frank helps to sell some of the most sought-after properties in the area. But although the agency as a whole has always had a stronghold over the top end of the market, Laura is keen to stress that the office deals with properties of all price ranges. “The first property we sold around here achieved £500,000. People shouldn’t be afraid to call up or pop in just because we are known as experts at the top end of the market. We’re absolutely delighted to give our professional advice to people at any price level.” 60 Salusbury Road, NW6, 020 3815 3020 knightfrank.co.uk

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ACACIA ROAD

ST JOHN’S WOOD NW8

A WONDERFULLY DESIGNED FAMILY HOME A double fronted, 8 bedroom house for sale in St John’s Wood, NW8. Elegant and newly built, this detached house provides spacious family accommodation in excess of 9,700 sq. ft. The property stands behind a gated driveway, has been finished to an exemplary standard and is designed to offer state of the art living and leisure facilities, with an elevator serving all floors. This impressive freehold residence is completed by secure parking for several cars. Located on a sought after street in East St John’s Wood minutes from the amenities of St John’s Wood High Street and the Jubilee Line, this fine family home also benefits from close proximity to Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill. Reception Room | Dining Room | Family Room | Kitchen/Breakfast Room | Master Suite | 5 Further En Suite Bedrooms | Study | Cinema | Utility | Pool and Spa | Gym | Front and Rear Gardens | Staff Accommodation | Lift | EPC Rating: C

JOINT AGENTS

FREEHOLD

St John’s Wood

020 7586 2777 KnightFrank.co.uk

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Hanover Terrace REGENT’S PARK NW1 The property is one of the largest houses in what is generally acknowledged as the finest of the Nash terraces. Benefits include the unique feature of a lift (requires reinstatement) and the rare advantage of an additional floor, which provides further panoramic views over the park. Hanover Terrace is one of the most desirable and sought after locations within Regent’s Park, close to the boating lake, open air theatre and Queen Mary’s Garden.

ACCOMMODATION & AMENITIES

Formal drawing room, dining room, kitchen/family room, master bedroom with en suite bathroom and dressing room, 4 further bedrooms, 3 further en suite bathrooms and dressing rooms, media room, gym, staff bedroom and en suite bathroom, lift, courtyard and garden. Mews house including sitting room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, family bathroom, study, kitchen and garage.

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LONG LEASEHOLD | JOINT SOLE AGENTS

020 7586 2777 5-7 Wellington Place London NW8 7PB stjohnswood@knightfrank.com KnightFrank.co.uk

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Chevening Road, Queen's Park NW6 Attractive two bedroom apartment with garden A spacious apartment for sale, located on the first floor of a traditional building offering bright accommodation. Master bedroom, one further bedroom, dressing room, bathroom, open plan kitchen/reception room and private garden. EPC: D. Approximately 78 sq m (840 sq ft). Leasehold

Guide price: £895,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/queenspark queenspark@knightfrank.com 0208 022 5466

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

KnightFrank.co.uk/QPK150035

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Dundonald Road, Queen's Park NW10 A characterful four bedroom Edwardian house with garden This impressive light-filled house is arranged over 2 floors and is well presented throughout with bespoke fittings and an array of traditional features. 4 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, bathroom and garden. EPC: D. Approximately 176 sq m (1,895 sq ft). Freehold

Guide price: £2,100,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/QPK150061

KnightFrank.co.uk/queenspark queenspark@knightfrank.com 0208 022 5466

@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Vantage - November- Queen's Park

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savills.co.uk

1 A SPECTACULAR PENTHOUSE APARTMENT WITH VIEWS ACROSS LONDON marylebone, nw1 Open plan reception room/dining area ø tv room ø study with en suite bathroom ø kitchen ø master bedroom suite ø 2 further bedrooms (1 en suite) ø family bathroom ø guest cloakroom ø underground car parking for 5 cars ø 379 sq m (4,079 sq ft) ø EPC=D Offers in excess of £8.95 million Leasehold, approximately 982 years remaining

Savills St John's Wood Zach Madison zmadison@savills.com

020 3043 3600

L E T T I N G YO U R E L A X

P R O D U C T S S U P P L I E D BY

A myriad of coffee blends exist because different people have different tastes. At Aston Chase, we understand that the hallmark of excellent service is to pay close attention to the individual needs of every client. When it comes to lettings and property management, we call this service ‘Letiquette.’ Our expertise honed in the residential property market over the last 30 years makes us adept at carefully matching discerning tenants with high quality properties and whether you are a Landlord or a Tenant, our meticulous service will be entirely to your taste. 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

QUEENS GROVE ST JOHN’S WOOD NW8 FREEHOLD £16,000,000 JOINT SOLE AGENT

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A rare opportunity to acquire a substantial low built detached residence (452sq m/ 4,866sq ft), located on the highly sought after east side of St John’s Wood between Avenue Road and St John’s Wood High Street. The property provides lateral accommodation arranged over two floors only and benefits from exquisite landscaped gardens, incorporating a separate staff flat with a double width garage. Planning was granted in 2012 to retain the façade and add a basement and second floor, increasing the square footage to 10,022 square feet.

ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES Principal bedroom with 2 dressing rooms & en-suite bathroom/sauna, 3/4 further bedrooms, family bathroom, 2 shower rooms (1 en-suite), drawing room, dining room, family room, study, kitchen/ breakfast room, utility room, butler's pantry, guest cloakroom, landscaped front & rear gardens, staff flat comprising bedroom, bathroom, living room & kitchen, double width garage. EPC=F.

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FERNCROFT AVENUE HAMPSTEAD NW3 FREEHOLD ÂŁ6,500,000 SOLE AGENT

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Located on a much sought after tree lined avenue is this substantial Edwardian double fronted family house, which has been virtually re-built and renovated to an exemplary standard. Ferncroft Avenue is ideally situated for the open spaces of Hampstead Heath, Hampstead Village and within easy access to the Finchley Road.

ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES Principal bedroom with dressing room & en-suite bathroom, 2 further bedrooms, 2 en-suite bathrooms, en-suite shower room, staff bedroom with en-suite bathroom, reception room, sitting room, study, kitchen/breakfast room, garden room, gymnasium, playroom/family room, library/ study, utility room, kitchenette, utility room with kitchenette, 2 guest cloakrooms, off street parking for 2 cars, 72ft rear garden, decked terrace, air conditioning in the principal rooms.

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astonchase.com

PRINCE ALBERT ROAD ST JOHN’S WOOD NW8 CROWN ESTATE LEASE £6,950,000 PRINCIPAL AGENT

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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

A handsome Grade II Listed semi-detached house, set back behind security gates and a walled drive. The property measures circa 4,006 sq ft and faces directly south towards Regent’s Park and benefits from off street parking for up to four cars, a rear garden and a side patio. Prince Albert Road can be found on the north eastern edge of Regent’s Park, between Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park.

ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES Reception room, drawing room, study, kitchen/breakfast room, principal bedroom suite, 5 further bedrooms (1 en-suite), 2 further bathrooms, guest cloakroom, utility room, laundry room, rear garden, patio, off street parking for 3/4 cars. EPC=E.

12/10/2015 11:26

Daleham Mews NW3 ÂŁ2,800,000

A superb mews house with terraces and courtyard, in the heart of Belsize Village.

1732 sq ft/ 160 sq m 3 double bedrooms plus study 33â&#x20AC;&#x2122; reception with vaulted ceiling Two terraces Freehold 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

Head Office 020 7794 7111 headoffice@parkheath.com

www.parkheath.com

Glenilla Road NW3 £4,500,000

In prime Belsize Park, a handsome 1930s detached house with gated off street parking and a large south-facing garden

3,000 sq ft/278 sq m 5/6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms 28’ double reception 22’ kitchen/dining room 61’ rear garden 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

Head Office 020 7794 7111 headoffice@parkheath.com

www.parkheath.com

HAMPSTEAD NW3 Set discretely behind a gated 125 ft private driveway, a detached three storey, six bedroom, contemporary designed house of some 4,951 sq ft / 460 sq m (gross) located opposite the open spaces of Hampstead Heath and a short walk from the centre of Hampstead Village.

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Arlin

This striking home provides fantastic entertaining space on the ground and garden levels, with a 37 ft split level double reception room, split level family room and kitchen/ breakfast room, study and bedroom six/ playroom. A particular feature of the house is the indoor swimming pool and sauna complex located on the lower floor, with direct access leading onto a south-west facing 63 ft lawned garden with soft play area, plus a large side patio and two bedroom suites. The upper floor comprises a master bedroom suite with dressing room and bathroom, plus two additional double bedroom suites. The driveway allows off street parking for 5+ cars, as well as a detached double garage.

Price on Application Freehold EPC Rating C Joint Sole Selling Agents

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Stockleigh Hall St John’s Wood, NW8 £1,350,000

Eyre Court St John’s Wood, NW8 £1,450,000

A delightful two bedroom apartment (806 sq ft / 75 sq m) set on the fourth floor of this prestigious block on Prince Albert Road. This apartment features views towards Regent’s Park from the reception room and further benefits include 24 hour porterage, passenger lift and a share of the freehold. Sole Agent.

Presented in excellent decorative order, a delightful two bedroom, two bathroom apartment (954 sq ft / 88 sq m) situated on the third floor of this prominent portered block in the heart of St John’s Wood. The apartment offers an exceptionally bright west facing aspect and comprises a generous reception room with dining area and wellappointed kitchen. Additional benefits include 24 hour porterage, entrance phone and passenger lift. Long lease.

Century Court St John’s Wood, NW8 £2,200,000

Abbey Lodge St John’s Wood, NW8 £4,200,000

Featuring truly sensational views into Lords Cricket Ground, this rarely available two/three bedroom apartment (1,217 sq ft / 113 sq m) situated on the 11th floor of this prime St John’s Wood portered block. Accommodation comprises a generous reception room with access to good sized balcony, intercommunicating dining room (originally bedroom three), kitchen/breakfast room, master bedroom with ensuite bathroom, bedroom two and family bathroom. Allocated parking space. Sole Agent.

Rarely available - situated in one of the most sought after portered blocks between St Johns Wood and Regents Park, an impressive fourth floor apartment offering great entertaining space, excellent storage, and overlooking communal gardens and Regents Park. Accommodation (2,400 sq ft / 222.9 sq m) comprises: two beautiful reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, guest cloakroom and three bedrooms each with en-suite bathrooms.

020 7722 2223 | www.hanover-residential.com

Belsize Road Swiss Cottage, NW6 £1,950,000 Freehold

Daleham Mews Belsize Park, NW3 £2,650,000 Freehold

A four/five bedroom semi-detached family home well maintained by the present owners offering approximately 2,392 sq ft of flexible accommodation. The house offers generous reception and entertaining areas, off-street parking for two cars, integral garage and a private rear garden. The property is well situated for the shopping amenities of Swiss Cottage and both West Hampstead and Kilburn High Road underground stations ( Jubilee line).

A charming freehold period mews house (2,122 sq ft) currently arranged as two flats, which subject to full planning consent, can be converted back into a single dwelling. The Vendor has received pre-application approval from Camden to convert the flats back into a single dwelling - further details available upon request. There is also an integral single lock up garage.

Albert Street Camden, NW1 £3,500,000 Freehold

Kent Terrace Regents Park, NW1 £5,495,000 Leasehold

A beautifully refurbished Victorian house located on one of the most sought after roads in Camden with a gorgeous landscaped rear garden with summerhouse set in a tranquil setting close to the bustling high street. With a light and airy feel the accommodation over five floors of this home offers superb entertaining space (2,598 sq ft / 241.4 sq m) with three stunning reception rooms, five bedroom and four bathrooms (one en-suite).

A beautifully appointed seven bedroom Grade II Listed period home (3,786 sq ft / 351 sq m) located within this Nash terrace in Regents Park. Featuring well planned and versatile accommodation offering an abundance of entertaining spaces complemented by the rare benefit of an open plan kitchen leading onto a private rear garden. Also available for rent at £3,500 per week.

020 7722 2223 | www.hanover-residential.com

375 Kensington High Street LONDON

The height of luxury in Kensington Edward House Launches 29th October – Call Now

Edward House is the pinnacle of 375 Kensington High Street and the tallest tower built in Kensington for thirty years. Comprising of luxury 2 bedroom apartments and 4 bedroom duplexes, Edward House features unique and breathtaking views over London. 375 Kensington High Street boasts world class residents’ facilities including 24 hour Harrods concierge, luxury pool, spa, private cinema and state-of-the-art gymnasium.

Call now for details 020 3468 5305. Prices from £2,500,000. Further 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments available from £1,075,000. Sales & Marketing Suite open daily 10am to 6pm (Thursdays until 8pm). Prices correct at time of going to print. Computer generated image depicts 375 Kensington High Street and is indicative only.

www.375kensingtonhighstreet.co.uk Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

property

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Market Research

“If you’re thinking of selling, listen carefully,” says Marc Schneiderman of Arlington Residential, as he explains the importance of being realistic and making sure the price is right

have been working with people and property for more than 30 years and I can say, with some confidence, that one of the characteristics required of a good agent is to be able to manage the expectations of clients. This is a necessary trait as a considerable proportion of property owners feel their home is worth more than it actually is. Often this is due to unachievable figures being promised by either inexperienced or unknowledgeable agents, or occasionally by manipulative and over-enthusiastic agents keen to bolster their register of properties in the misguided belief that the more properties they have the more chance they have of selling them. The reality is that if you are selling your property you really should not be making a decision on who to entrust the sale of your home to based solely on the price an agent seems to be convinced they can achieve. The role of an agent, unless instructed otherwise, is to achieve the best price and to do so within a reasonable period of time. Often the injudicious advice of over-ambitious or incompetent agents costs the client both time and money. When Arlington Residential is asked to advise on a potential sale we are thorough. Our marketing reports always refer to comparable transactions and we fully validate and explain our views on price. There is a common misconception amongst sellers, and indeed some inexperienced agents, that they have to quote an asking price that is felt to be much higher than the figure believed to actually be the property’s value in order to allow “room for negotiation”. This is simply not true and our last few sales have proved this. Buyers will pay the asking price, if they feel that the price quoted is reflective of the property’s value. Buyers are much more willing to engage with a seller who is being realistic and sensible. Ultimately inflated asking prices only lead to discourage buyers from taking the seller and their property seriously. Occasionally we are confronted with clients who choose to sideline our advice and appoint agents who are clearly unrealistic. This usually results in Arlington Residential being appointed some months

Buyers will pay the asking price, if they feel that the price quoted is reflective of the property’s value

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later at the price we originally suggested when the first agent proves to be unsuccessful. Aside from price it is also important for us to manage our clients’ expectations on the timing of a likely sale. This depends on a whole host of factors, including the mood of the market and the desirability for that type of property. At the top end of the market it is not uncommon for it to take six months, or even more, before a buyer is found. This can be a rarefied market place with a very limited number of buyers. Suggesting an immediate buyer at an absurdly ambitious price only leads to disappointment. Sellers – beware of agents offering something that sounds too good to be true – it usually is! Arlington Residential, arlingtonresidential.com Marc can be reached at: marc@arlingtonresidential.com

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IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PLACE The steps beside the Regent’s Canal with Granary Square and the University of the Arts beyond.

LIVE IN AMAZING KING’S CROSS You have restaurants, cafes, parks and fountains; you have shops, squares and the joys af 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, Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden and a mere 8 minutes from Victoria.

Please contact us at: enquiries@livingatkingscross.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 7205 4349 kingscross.co.uk/homes Marketing suite: 14–15 Stable Street, King’s Cross, London N1C 4AB

www.kingscross.co.uk

THE ROUGHILL ESTATE

AN INVITING FAMILY & CORPORATE HAVEN IN TUCKER’S TOWN World Class Golf Residence Near the famed beaches, dining and amenities of the private Mid Ocean and Tucker’s Point Clubs, Roughill provides eight bedrooms and 11 full baths set on 2.65 emerald acres with stunning Atlantic views, gated entry, bespoke finishes, home automation, swimming pool and spa, putting green, pool cottages and staff quarters. Newly Priced at US $15,750,000

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

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Exclusive Affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate

WHY SINCLAIR REALTY BERMUDA? As the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, Sinclair Realty is Bermuda’s one and only luxury real estate boutique. We look forward to welcoming you to our island with the depth of expertise and ‘above-and-beyond’ service that is the Sinclair hallmark.

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

Th / 9/24/15 14:26

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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.

Delancey Street NW1 ÂŁ2,650,000 An impressive, four-bedroom Georgian house, boasting fantastic space throughout and arranged over five levels, located on a prime street close to Regentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park in Camden Town. Freehold. EPC=D

Camden: 020 7244 2200 sales.cam@marshandparsons.co.uk

Aberdeen Court W9 ÂŁ2,000,000 A bright and spacious three-bedroom apartment situated on the first floor of a popular portered mansion block in the heart of Maida Vale, next to excellent transport links. EPC=D

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

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