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I S S U E FROM THE EDITOR This issue see us focus on both wealth and Africa – two subjects that, not too long ago, wouldn’t have felt like natural bedfellows. But the continent is shifting, with a newly wealthy middle class, a growing luxury market and, of course, a host of natural resources to draw upon. Even more so than the traditional emerging markets – the BRICS and the MINTS – Africa is an enticing prospect for both investors and experience-seeking adventurers. This issue sees us investigate both, from the investment possibilities in Africa itself to its pristine beaches and raw, natural beauty, for those seeking a holiday with a difference. Elsewhere, our wealth focus explores the quirky world of alternative investments. Could you have a small fortune sitting in a dusty toy box somewhere? Tip – original Star Wars toys are a surefire winner. Finally, we reveal the wardrobe essentials that every man should own – timeless classics that will never go out of style. Because a fine piece of fashion can be an investment too. Enjoy the issue.
Scott Manson
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Editorial Director Scott Manson scott@tempusmagazine.co.uk Creative Director Ross Forbes ross@tempusmagazine.co.uk
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W E A LT H
10 TIPS FOR THE SMART INVESTOR 22 - 24 THE SIMPLICITY OF ARBITRAGE 26 - 28 WHAT’S THE ALTERNATIVE 32-35 SMOOTH OPERATOR 38-41 THE LION ROARS 44-48
ESCAPE
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48 HOURS IN CAPE TOWN 70 - 74
THE TEST OF TIME 82 - 89
INDULGE THE WORLD’S BEST MEMBERS CLUBS 94-101 THINK DIFFERENTLY 102 - 104 A MIRACLE ON HEDDON STREET 106 -107
SMART LIVING 21 SERIOUSLY COOL GADGETS YOU 110 - 119 NEED RIGHT NOW ROOMS WITH A VIEW 122 - 125
MOVE TRAVELLING AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT 128 - 130 HIGH FLYERS 132 - 141
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C C U LT U R E TRENDWATCHING 138-141
W E A L T H 10 TIPS FOR THE SMART INVESTOR 22 - 24 THE SIMPLICITY OF ARBITRAGE 26 - 28 WHAT’S THE ALTERNATIVE? 32-35 SMOOTH OPERATOR 38-41 THE LION ROARS 44-48
10 TIPS FOR THE SMART INVESTOR If you’re looking for some top investing tricks, then read on
W E A LT H
“Never invest in a business you can’t understand.” Warren Buffet
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here are countless books, blogs and white papers detailing all manner of dark arts around the world of investment. But what if some of the best advice was also the simplest? Here we outline some smart, easily actionable advice for every investor
Check the numbers When we look at investments, most people tend to focus on the returns. But cost is a key component too. If fact, some would argue that it’s the most important factor. So as well as looking at how a fund has performed over the last few years, it’s also worth looking at the less sexy numbers too. What’s the fund’s expense ratio – its operating costs, in other words? Also, how often is the fund traded (turnover), as this will affect the transaction costs. Finally, how does the load fee look? This is the charge to the investor when buying or selling funds. All of these should be low or below average.
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Live below your means Granted, this might be a surprising suggestion but several money gurus suggest that unless you’re completely out of debt and, ideally, buying less stuff and saving costs wherever you can, then investing really isn’t for you.
Don’t buy all at once However good it might feel to make that big buy at one price, showing how confident you are in a stock, it makes sense to be more prudent. Stage your buys, work your orders and try to get the best price over time. If you want to buy 5,000 shares, for example, then try buying in 500 share increments over a day. It might annoy your broker but it’s a great way to get a good price.
Don’t panic When a stock takes a pounding, people panic and flee. It’s natural. But a better time to sell will usually come. Next time there’s a mini-panic, try taking an alternative position and buying a little to get a feel for the market. Not necessarily for the long term, but just to enjoy the bounce that those who exited will miss out on.
Buy the best The best stocks are usually the most expensive. If you’re a consumer, the same generally holds true for brands – that’s why a Rolex costs more than a Timex. So it’s surprising that many investors are prepared to take a punt on stocks that aren’t best in class, simply because they’re cheaper. Pay for the better stock, even if it pains you. Chances are you won’t regret it.
Invest in what you know Warren Buffett, who knows a thing or two about investments, said: “Never invest in a business you can’t understand.” Try and have a reasonable working knowledge of the industry you’re investing in. While you can’t be expected to know all the moving parts, you should at least stick to your core competencies.
Buy and hold Many top investors buy stocks with a view to holding on to them for a decade or more. The view is that in the long
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run financial markets give a good rate of return even while allowing for a degree of volatility. Some take this to the extreme, advocating that you should never sell a stock unless you need the money.
Be prepared One of the best risk management rules is to keep a large part of your capital unused so you can handle any potential loss. The influential investor George Soros, for example, lost nearly $2bn on the Russian markets in the late 1990s but his net worth is currently $25.2bn, making him the 19th richest person in the world.
Losers can be lucrative too Granted, this flies in the face of the earlier ‘buy the best’ advice, but Sam Zell – chairman of Equity Group Investments – advises: “Look for good companies with bad balance sheets and understand your downsides.” In other words, don’t be afraid on in-debt down on their luck companies, as they’re cheap and could turn around.
Ke e p e m o t i o n o u t o f i t Be rational, methodical, well diversified and aware of your risk tolerance. Good investment isn’t based on hunches or uninformed fast decision making. Don’t try to beat the market, but instead look to ride the growth of the global economy.
THE SIMPLICITY OF ARBITRAGE Investors bruised by recession and continuing volatility could find arbitrage investment to be a safe haven
By Scott Manson
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e’re still suffering the aftershocks of a recession that struck over a decade ago – one which affected most investment models and in turn created losses. The public suffered in different ways, from losses of equity on properties to depreciating pension schemes and underperforming endowment policies. Due to such economical calamities in the financial markets, investors’ confidence levels have decreased. The result is that more and more of them are turning towards low risk investment models. The challenge is that traditional investment methods are not providing sufficient levels of returns anymore, so investors across the globe are now looking for more innovative ways to invest, while not compromising with capital. Preservation of capital and security is paramount to most investors’ strategy. It follows that the most sought after investment model is one which provides healthy returns with minimal risk to capital. For many, this is regarded as the holy grail of investing.
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Research and remain openminded
Drop shipping explained Drop shipping allows small sellers to access large suppliers without the needing to hold large stock or require large finances from the outset, which can be a financial risk.
The opportunities for this kind of investment are rare, though, and for many fall into the ‘too good to be true’ category. But like a rare animal that sits on an endangered list, every now and then researchers will find new populations. The same can be said with investments. Like a constantly-questing zoologist, it requires an investor to proactively research and to keep an open mind.
The drop shipper will advertise a product without having to purchase it. The buyer – unaware that the drop shipper does not own the product – would send funds directly to the warehouse, which would then post the product to the buyer. The dropshipper will then be sent the difference in price or the markup.
Investors should therefore remain optimistic when looking for investment strategies as there is one such strategy which has been around since the dawn of civilisation. This is known as ‘arbitrage’. To explain, it involves the simultaneous purchase and sale of an item, and the net result for those that use such a method is a profit made from the difference in price. Arbitrage exists because of market inefficiencies.
During this transaction, the dropshipper has incurred no risk. Their only real risk is that no one buys the product or the product is returned. In either event, the dropshipper loses no money. Pure arbitrage is very similar to this model but, if implemented in a drop shipping scenario, it means that once the buyer has agreed to purchase they cannot return the product. This means the deal is locked in and profit is guaranteed.
As a simple example of arbitrage, consider the stock price of Company ABC is trading $1 on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), while at the same time it is also trading at $1.07 on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). A trader can purchase the stock on the NYSE and immediately sell the same shares on the LSE, earning a profit of 7 cents per share. The trader could continuously exploit this arbitrage until the specialists on the NYSE run out of inventory of Company ABC’s stock, or until the specialists on the NYSE or LSE adjust their prices to halt the opportunity. A simpler example, which is commonly used every day, is the ever-increasing online sales we see with goods. This is known as drop shipping.
MJS Capital is one such company setting new standards in security structuring and taking advantage of pure arbitrage. This means that it’s able to offer its clients an above average return. The firm is aligned with multiple security and commodity traders who work within the banking sector. Using large credit lines, MJS generates profits by pre-selling the assets that it purchases. It’s a low risk strategy that’s been very well received in the square mile of London due to its simplicity, and it’s one that potential investors should explore for themselves. The rewards are there for those willing to approach arbitrage with an open mind. www.mjs.capital
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WHAT’S THE A LT E R NAT I V E ? There are a host of more offbeat investments to add to your portfolio. Here are some of the most interesting
W E A LT H
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or those readers of a certain vintage, cast your mind back to the summer of 1977 when the first Star Wars movie was released. Back then, few could have predicted that it would become one of the most popular films of all time and one which, crucially, kickstarted the craze for film merchandising. Back then, the three-inch plastic figures of Luke Skywalker, C3PO and other Star Wars characters cost just £1.50. Today, they sell for up to £18,000 each. For those whose plastic toys were relegated to the bin or the junk shop, this is a bitter pill to swallow. The highest price paid for a Star Wars figure was in January this year, when a Boba Fett, who first appeared in The Empire Strikes Back, sold for £18,000. A Palitoy 3¾-inch Jawa in vinyl cape, even with part of the packaging crushed, sold for £10,200 in 2013. Even bashed-up Han Solos or Chewbaccas rescued from the attic can sell for hundreds. But kids’ toys are just one of many surprising (and often surprisingly fun) ways to diversify your portfolio through alternative investments. From wine to cars to gold, there are a wealth of ways to increase your wealth.
Wine Canny investors in this group will be raising a glass or two as the Liv-ex Fine Wine 100 Index, a wine market tracker plotting the hundred most sought after wines, rose for the sixteenth consecutive month in March 2017. The banking crisis of 2008 hit it hard, compounded by lacklustre harvests and a string of poor vintages, and the index went on to fall by a third between 2011 and 2014. Wine investment is back on track now though.Traditionally the investment world of wine has been limited to a high-priced set of the best claret wines from the Bordeaux region of France. The most in demand wine producers include the five Premier Cru – first growths – of Haut Brion, Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux and Mouton Rothschild. These are followed by ‘Super Second’ producers that include Mission Haut Brion, Montrose, Cos d’Estournel and Leoville Las Cases. About 80% of the wines in the Liv-ex 100 come from Bordeaux.
The only way to buy is to trust the palates of those who dictate market valuations. The American wine critic Robert Parker, for example, effectively sets the prices. He scores each wine he tastes out of 100, with any wine scoring 96 or above being deemed as ‘exceptional’ and therefore worthy of investment. Investment wine is stored in temperature controlled warehouses. There is no VAT or duty to be paid if the wine always stays ‘bonded’. Wine is seen as a ‘wasting asset’ by Revenue & Customs so escapes capital gains tax – normally charged at up to 28% on the profits earned on assets, including shares, when they’re sold.
Gold Gold has a tangible, immediate, appeal and is often the first choice when someone is considering an alternative investment. For the UK investor, it’s VAT exempt and there is no capital gains tax on certain coins. There will be storage expenses though, unless you plan to bury it in your garden. In which case, do make a map. On a more serious note, it’s seen as a safe investment and one that people often turn to in times of unrest or volatility.
Art What was once a closed, rarefied world has now become open to all. Click on the ‘shop’ section of London’s White Cube Gallery website, for example, and you can, at time of writing, pick up an original Anthony Gormley lithograph for £3600. This instant access to one of the UK’s foremost artists is an example of just how accessible art buying has become. But will you make money? There are several art buying indices but these tend to track the top end of the market. There are also art bonds that take the onus off the investor and on to the experts who manage the bond. If you’re looking to buy pieces yourself then start small, say experts, and just buy what catches your eye. If you are looking for more certain returns – head for the bankable names such as Hirst, Emin or Banksy.
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Classic cars Like wine, this is the joyous side of alternative investing. Who among us could not be stirred by the sight of a classic Ferrari sitting in the garage, just begging to be driven? The big question, though, is will you make the right choice when it comes to make and model? Get it wrong and you could be left with a depreciating lemon. Get it right – vintage Ferraris, Porsches and Mercedes-Benz are doing well right now – and you could see your investment accelerate. The latest price index compiled by Historic Automobile Group International (HAGI), shows that Mercedes-Benz has been the bestperforming marque, increasing in value by just over 85% over the past three years. Ferrari is catching it up, with an increase of 65%, and Porsche runs a close third with a rise of almost 60% The factors that determine a car’s value are provenance, rarity and, quite simply, how cool it looks. Cars driven or owned by celebrities, particularly Steve McQueen, are always popular. A 1967 Ferrari 275 Spider, identical to the one he drove in The Thomas Crown Affair, went for $27.5m in 2013. But if you’re looking to buy something special now, with a view to future high returns, what are the motors of note? The Porsche 918 Spyder, released in 2014, could be a winner – only 918 of them were made. Low mileage, well maintained Aston Martin and Lamborghinis should also fare well. If you have deep enough pockets, then an original McLaren F1 is also a safe bet.
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SMOOTH OPERATOR Damian Lewis on the new season of ‘Billions’, getting recognised when he’s out and about plus the worst audition he’s ever had... By Lucy Allen
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amian Lewis is back in business as Bobby ‘Axe’ Axelrod for another series of ‘Billions’. The British actor stars alongside Paul Giamatti in the TV drama about power politics in the world of New York high finance. Shrewd, savvy U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Giamatti) and the brilliant, ambitious hedge fund king Bobby ‘Axe’ Axelrod (Lewis) are on an explosive collision course, with each using all of his considerable smarts, power and influence to outsmart the other. The stakes are in the billions in this timely, provocative series. Tempus met with Damian to find out more about what drives this fascinating character.
You want to buy a sports team? Damian Lewis: - Yeah, that’s one of my investments and that’s all about status, that’s all about acceptance, that’s all about being a blue-collar, working-class guy, self-made billionaire, a nouveau riche guy who wants to be accepted by the establishment, by the East Coast old buddy guys. And so these different stories have emerged this year in an interesting way. Also, I think we just see the way in which the emotional lives of these characters is finally what undoes them. So when they are irrational, emotional, envious, angry, needy then they perform less well. When Axe is dependent on the algorithm and he’s rational and he’s clear-headed then he’s better at what he does. He has more chance of taking him down and more chance of just doing his job well. But certainties are eroded. Season one was a great ride, it was being in this playground with these powerful people, in the playground that is New York and of course there was an effect to the way they behaved but there was no real consequence. I think there’s more consequence this year. So it goes deeper.
Let’s talk about the evolution of Axe. How has he progressed in the latest series? Damian Lewis: - Well I think Axe is a man who wants to be left alone. He’s a libertarian, he believes that a man should be able to make money. It’s like the goal posts in that industry move all the time so what’s legal and what’s illegal is very hard to prove or disprove and they all take advantage of that all the time. And he’s a past master at it. I think he just feels just sort of indignant and disgruntled that this man has decided to come at him so aggressively, which he has. He’s not going to go away. I think Axe feels that in order to thrive he needs to dispose of Chuck Rhoades so he files this lawsuit against him and that’s how we start season two. After that, there are hard decisions. I think a lot of people are concerned about this show that this will burn out because it’s just going to be a show about two men cracking skulls but actually I think what they’ve done quite artfully this season is there is a whole investigation by his people into his own office and I in the meantime am looking at an investment.
He has money but do you think his need to gain some respect from the elites is making him a little crazier? Damian Lewis: - Axe has a significant birthday during the course of the season and I think he examines where he is, what he is, what he’s achieved and what he wants from life. He then gets pushed into a position which is a little bit like the gunslinger who has put down his guns having to make one last kill. And he does something abominable, which is a place he’s pushed into because of his fight with Chuck. But there is a shifting in his self-awareness, of who he is, there is a little more introspection, which is something you could never accuse Bobby of normally. 39
likes being married to a billionaire and she would like that to continue I think. But I think the problem is, it’s that little thing that people have sometimes, the relationships that you share with people at work take on a different meaning from the relationships at home. And I think that is a threat to her and I rely on Wendy for so much in my intellectual life that is to do with work and that’s why it’s threatening to Lara, who is like me, an instinctive creature from the street more so.
It took all season for Chuck and Axe to get back in the same space, and when they did, it was with a vengeance. How was the process of filming that having been apart in terms of the acting all season long? When you finally merged space again, how was that for the two of you? Damian Lewis: - I think from the point of view of craft, resisting overacting those moments because the understanding is that they need to crackle and it needs to be climactic, you know very quickly when you’re purchasing it because you feel that there’s a responsibility to bring a climax. You just have to continue to trust the writing and not do that. But it’s always great fun acting opposite Paul [Giamatti] as it is with everybody.
So there is a fracturing in his marriage? Damian Lewis: - As the game, as the desire to win starts to become burdensome, people get taken for granted. I think his wife is maybe is one of them a little bit, and these vulnerabilities and these frailties will start to emerge as a result of the burden of responsibility of trying to win this game.
Axe and Maggie Siff ’s character have a great dynamic. What about Taylor’s [non-binary gender] relationship with Bobby? And what a great character that is?
What about Taylor’s [non-binary gender] relationship with bobby? and what a great character that is?
Damian Lewis: - Yes. As the paranoia increases their relationship is challenged too. Wendy is quite capable of taking care of herself, as we saw at the end of last season when she plays Axe in that last moment and runs away with a Maserati and a $5million bonus. And she doesn’t work with Axe anymore. Axe relies on her heavily though. Of course there is always going to be a question of pride with him and he attempts to lure her back but it’s because I think there is some truth in the fact when she says, ‘We built this company together’, I think she is good counsel for him and he needs her, he feels more confident with her. I don’t think there is any kind of romantic interest between them, for now, but what Maggie said was, ‘She is the other woman but she’s not the other woman.’ She’s the other woman because Axe relies on her so heavily. He relies on the unflinching support from his wife and the fact that his wife is even more of an alley cat than he is and is taking care of stuff for him behind his back, all the time, selflessly. She
Damian Lewis: - She, I mean ‘they’ is fantastic. Bobby can be vindictive, he can be overpowering, he can be overbearing, he can be harsh and like many autocrats he likes people who speak truth to power and he sees that in Taylor, in ‘them’, that’s why he likes Wendy too, and he sees that ‘they’ have an intellectual purity and Bobby immediately recognises someone who is as quick and as smart as he is. And wants ‘them’ around for that reason. And whatever else he grew up with... Damian Lewis: - It doesn’t matter. This is one of his saving graces. This is one of the reasons we continue to be drawn to Bobby and continue to warm to him. For all the abominable things that he is capable of doing there is truth in him, there is something in him that responds to truth.
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‘They’ are central to the development of this season and you should watch that with care because the thing about these hedge fund guys, the goal posts move, it’s difficult to prosecute because they’re very good at using loopholes in the law. They talk about having an edge a lot and having the edge is really a euphemism for gaining information any way you can. When they feel they have the edge, then they make the bet, then they make the investment. That’s something ethically that ‘they’ struggle with in the first part of the season and you’ll see the effects and the seductive power of money on ‘them’ as the season progresses. Does Bobby ever look at the ethics of the companies he’s acquiring? Damian Lewis: - Well, the short answer is at the moment no. But it’s not absolutely clear. And we also don’t get into the mechanics of what happens for a company when somebody like Bobby Axlerod comes in and makes it work more efficiently. That’s not something the guys seem particularly concerned with until this moment which I was just alluding to, which is later in the season, where there is a brief discussion about the way in which government, local communities, have a responsibility to take care of their own towns and then there is a little riff on what happened in Puerto Rico recently, about the way in which an entire
country has effectively been privatised because the hedge fund guys have been able to go in and invest and start to take over huge numbers of assets, hard assets and infrastructure in the company in order to rebuild it. This show never wants to become too didactic because there are people of course like you who will understand it, there are people in New York who will understand it but mostly I think you need to understand the show through the prism of people’s emotional beats, you need to know that someone has won and someone has lost and you need to know what’s at cost. And I think the show will work most successfully in that realm, without becoming too didactic, I suspect. How much do you think the show reflects what is going on at the moment politically? Damian Lewis: - I don’t think the guys consciously go after that, but there are parallels, obviously, because we’re telling stories in that world, but I think a lot of the hedge fund guys at the moment are feeling enormous pressure as the fees are going up and people are not actually finding it – people aren’t coming to invest anymore, so they’re finding it harder to make money, and I think just somewhere in the ether that is affecting Bobby and certainly puts him under greater strain.
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When you are out and about, do you get recognised more for this or ‘Homeland’? Damian Lewis: - I’m old. I get recognised for everything. [laughs] I get recognised just for being me now. Finally, what was the strangest audition you ever had? Damian Lewis: - The strangest audition I ever did was when I was a younger actor and I was auditioning for a commercial and there was a sleeping bag at the end of the room and they said, ‘Go and get into that sleeping bag.’ And I said, ‘OK’. And then they said, ‘Now turn away from us, face the wall.’ And I said, ‘OK’. And then they said, ‘On action, roll over towards us.’ And I rolled over in my sleeping bag and they said, ‘Ok thanks so much for coming in’. And that was it. You didn’t get the job? Damian Lewis: - That was the last commercial audition I ever went up for because I felt it was such a waste of time. Billions is on Sky Atlantic now
THEMACALLAN.COM P L E A S E S AV O U R R E S P O N S I B LY
THE LION
ROARS
With a newly affluent middle class, a growing luxury market and a wealth of natural resources, there’s never been a better time to invest in Africa
By Scott Manson
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f you were offered the chance to invest in a country that would see economic growth of 6% or 7% a year for the next two decades, then any sensible person would grab it with both hands. But if you then found out that the country was in Africa, you’d be forgiven for having second thoughts It’s time to think again about the continent though. Internally, Africa’s super-rich are pouring money into prime property and helping create a growing market for luxury goods. Externally, fund managers are pointing to numerous factors that are making it an increasingly attractive proposition — rapid economic growth, growing political stability, plus a young and increasingly middle-class population. Granted, it’s still a less certain proposition than more traditional emerging markets – the BRICs and the MINTs – but for those who can hold their nerve, Africa is an enticing prospect offering potentially great returns. It’s a place that’s seen many revolutions over recent years, but the one happening now is very different. Consumer culture has truly arrived with new shopping malls and supermarkets springing up alongside traditional street markets, paving the way for major international brands. Luxury cars are an increasingly common sight, and not just in their more traditional homes of Cape Town and Johannesburg. Elsewhere, Kenya has become a global hotspot for impressive homes and property at market-beating prices. “In almost every country in Africa, the number of hotels, restaurants and retail outlets offering goods and services on a par with those in Europe or the US just grows every year,” says David Hardisty, Director for Africa at Barclays Wealth and Investment Management. “There is a palpable sense of major and rapid change.” He goes on to point out that Kenya was named as the number one country in last year’s global house price-rise survey by market specialist Knight Frank, showing widespread acknowledgement both within the continent and beyond that Africa was heating up economically. As Knight Frank reported, upper-end housing in the capital Nairobi, as well as in Kenya’s coastal regions, jumped by 25% in 2011/12 alone. Corporations have sat up and taken notice, with many more now actively targeting the African consumer. Unilever is looking to double its African revenues over the next five years, while Procter & Gamble’s CEO, Bob McDonald, calls Africa the US company’s “next frontier”. This is being driven in part by a fast-growing middle class with a chunky disposable income. A study by the African Development Bank from 2011 reported that Africa’s middle class grew from 151.4 million or 27 % of the population in 1990 to 313 million or 34.3 % of Africans in 2010 – putting it on a similar scale to the middle classes of China or India. The upper class is also on the rise. The number of African billionaires has more than tripled in the past five years. There are currently 55, according to African financial magazine Ventures. Add to this a growing population – up from 1 billion today to 1.4 billion in 2025 – plus increasing urbanisation, with one on three Africans now living in a city, and you have a continent that investors will find it impossible to ignore.
Four countries to watch
Côte d’Ivoire Touted as Africa’s new economic powerhouse, with a diversified economy and growth in 2016 expected to hit 8.5%, the secondhighest in the world. President Alassane Ouattara is regarded as a steady and knowledgeable leader – he’s an economist and former International Monetary Fund (IMF) director – who has laid out an ambitious National Development Plan with major structural reforms. The IMF projects Côte d’Ivoire’s GDP to continue growing at roughly 8% annually over the next few years.
Senegal Long regarded as one of the most stable countries in the region, President Macky Sall is currently overseeing includes twentyseven flagship projects and seventeen major reforms, Senegal is expected to continue growing in the high single digits through 2017. 46
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Morocco
This country has become the African front runner for renewable energy and is on track to meet more than 40% of its needs through these sources, primarily solar and wind, by 2020. This is particularly impressive, given it was previously the region’s largest energy importer, depending on fossil fuels for over 97% of its energy. King Mohammed VI has also helped forge agreements for multibilliondollar investments in the agriculture, energy, and financial sectors, as well a MoroccanNigerian joint venture to build a gas pipeline to connect the two countries that will eventually link up to Europe.
Ethiopia
Despite recent political crises and a state of emergency being declared in late 2016, the IMF estimates that Ethiopia will overtake Kenya as East Africa’s largest economy in the next year, thanks to an average annual growth of 10.8% over the last decade. $500 million in new foreign investment also came in to the country during the last three months of 2016. Add to this low labour costs and it’s easy to see why the country is a popular location to manufacture consumer goods.
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Buying African diamonds The trade in conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, has contributed in part to a decrease in sales as consumers grow increasingly uncertain of a stone’s provenance. It may have contributed to human rights abuses, unfair labour practices or harmed the environment in its extraction. Here are some simple ways to ensuring your investment in conflict-free. Avoid diamonds that come from countries like Zimbabwe and Angola, where human rights abuses in and around mines have been well documented. Look for diamonds from Namibia and Botswana as those countries work with small-scale miners as well as large-scale industry to make sure that income from mining creates jobs and leads to development. Check your supplier, as many – such as De Beers, Tiffany and Cartier – have schemes that invest substantially in local communities, helping to build schools and hospitals near the mines, or ensuring that their cutting and polishing plants remain local, rather than being outsourced abroad.
Blood diamonds Africa has around half of the world’s gold deposits and a third of its diamonds, copper, platinum and ‘rare earth’ minerals, used in smartphones and flat-screen TVs. It’s diamonds, though, that Africa is really famous for. The most recent example of this was the ‘Pink Star’ diamond that was recently sold at Sotheby’s for $71.2m – a new world record. It was mined in South Africa, the birthplace of many of the world’s finest stones. And while diamond production in Africa has dropped of late, this serves as good news to the smart investor – increasing the scarcity of the stones. As a norm, during periods of uncertainty investors normally flock to gold as a safe haven. However, the value of diamonds, especially the higher and more expensive carat diamonds like the five carat diamond follows a similar pattern as gold. These diamonds can be used, with gold, as a hedging instrument and safe haven during periods of uncertainty. Global demand for diamonds dropped in 2015, but De Beers – the world’s largest supplier of diamonds by value – reported a significant uptick in 2016 and says confidence has returned to the market. 48
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E S C A P E THE CALL OF THE WILD 52 - 59 MOZAMBIQUE CHIC 62 - 68 48 HOURS IN CAPE TOWN 70 - 74
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THE CALL
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WILD Enjoy a tourist-free African experience by travelling out of season in the Maasai Mara
By Claudia Avila-Batchelor
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he roar from the depths of Thor’s chest announced fat, biblical raindrops. When they fell in a torrential downpour, dense clouds descended on to the Maasai Mara, enveloping us in their foggy mist. We could only see when the cotton clouds broke, giving us a glimpse of the wild landscape. The smell of the rain, its deafening fall and ribcage-moving thunder was an epic display of mother nature welcoming us to her bosom. Alone with guide Douglas in the middle of the valley, I knew this was a privilege few have enjoyed. Once the skies shone and we were back in the lush plains of Kenya, looking at soggy buffalo, warthogs, zebra, baboon and antelope, all had huddled together against the storm. A lone hyena buried her drenched head down in the long grasses, teasing us with a peek-a-boo show. We were effectively alone, playing out our own version of Out of Africa. Apt, considering our luxury lodge, the Angama Mara, was built where the iconic movie was filmed. Each season brings its own beauty, and the rains provide fertility, colour and a collection of insects and resplendent butterflies. These attract thousands of birds to feed and breed, adding splendid hues into the plains. Most tourists visit the Mara Triangle – the area in between the Mara river and the neighbouring Serengeti in Tanzania – during the summer, as the great migration brings millions of nomadic wildebeest travelling with the seasonal changes in search for water and food. The short rains generally fall between November and December, and hail a period of life-giving nutrition for all plant and animal life. Bright, sunny mornings are broken up by dramatic rainstorms in the afternoon, by which time game drives are usually over – unless you brave the elements, which can make for a spectacular adventure.
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A view to a kill During our second morning drive, we witnessed a kill from stalker to scavenger. Douglas spotted a small pride of five lionesses, quietly spread out and looking at their prey, as we watched them from behind. With military precision, they advanced in stealth mode, creeping up unseen towards their unsuspecting victim. Invisible lines of command steered the pride forward, each member knowing exactly at which point to slide unseen along the grasses and disappear. We watched this magnificent display for over ten minutes, and just as quickly as it had begun, the hunt took on a more urgent element. The lions surrounded a mid-sized warthog, who zig-zagged and squealed for mercy. He sprinted blindly towards us, and was brutally captured within a few feet of our vehicle. 54
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Hearts beating furiously, we had to turn away as the poor animal was torn to pieces in front of us, his haunting squeals penetrating our heads. Within moments an eerie pair of hyenas arrived, sinisterly calling to their pack. The cacophony of sounds was nature at its glorious best, yet it was the lion’s mighty roar when a hyena came too close that commanded the scene and reminded us all of who was in charge. We sat mesmerised, watching aghast until the last piece of Pumbaa was devoured by the blood-stained scavengers. Every day bought a fascinating adventure: rhinos feeding their baby, cheetah innocently playing in the grassland, elephant families feasting on lush vegetation, hippos escaping the heat in the river and colourful birds showing off their plumage. With so much going on there is no need to return to camp for lunch but instead enjoy fabulous picnics, surrounded by nonchalant wildlife.
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Our last morning was spent above in the clouds, courtesy of Captain David Chipping and his Balloon Safari at the Governors Camp, a 45 minute drive from Angama. With over 25 years and thousands of hours flying experience, there is nothing this charming Brit doesn’t know about ballooning or the Mara. After a safety brief we found ourselves floating above the green sea of grass and its inhabitants, speechless at the earthy beauty of the landscape. A surprise dinner on our last night, in an enchanted forest decked out in fairy lights and lanterns was an unexpected treat. After the adrenalin rush of our daily adventures, the huge open fire and BBQ pit provided a cosy end to the trip. Surrounded by the sounds of the bush and infused by the plants that give Africa its distinctive scent, we spent the evening under the stars recounting the devastating beauty of our planet, and our insignificance in relation
to this grand theatre of life. A low season visit to the Mara felt like our own private wild playground, an added bonus being able to at times watch game below from the comforts of our own bed.
Angama Mara Angama means ‘suspended above,’ and the location is a perfect description of its given name. A fairy-tale creation of Nicky and Steve Fitzgerald, this is the most forward thinking brand in luxury safari lodges. Having launched and built over 60 lodges in sub Saharan Africa and four in the Indian continent over the last thirty years, the Fitzgeralds don’t just know about safari management, they personify the industry. Two camps of fifteen tents each make up the establishment – although it’s misleading to describe the tents as such. Every conceivable
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detail of a luxury hotel has been included for guest comfort, with unique and exclusive furnishings and cosmetics that have been specifically produced for Angama. All lodges have uninterrupted 180 degree views, and are the only tents in the world which have 11 metre floor-to-ceiling glass windows. From their perch 300 metres above the Mara and on the edge of the escarpment, guests are almost floating on air. Impeccable service and delectable food leaves absolutely no room for anything other than enjoying the surrounding nature and local Masaai village, which makes for a vibrant and educational visit. angama.com For more information on hot air ballooning: governorscamp.com BA and Kenya Airways fly direct to Nairobi, where small charter planes take guests on the 45 minute flight to Angama’s private airstrip.
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®
MOZAMBIQUE CHIC Claudia Avila-Batchelor discovers one of the world’s most idyllic islands
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he idea of staying on a private island is at the top of most discerning travellers’ wish-lists. However the reality is that once you’ve arrived at your dream paradise, boredom can quickly set in. We now live a life that is full of information overload and decreasing attention spans, so lying in the sun on a tropical island can present some entertainment limitations. This is where Azura’s Quilalea island, just off the coast of Mozambique, has the edge on most of the planet’s idyllic atolls. Situated just a short (and breathtakingly beautiful) helicopter ride away from the capital city of Maputo, the location is in the heart of the Quirimbas Archipelago marine sanctuary. As a result, aquatic life is richly abundant and every month and season brings its own special event – turtles nest and hatch November to March, big game fishing can be enjoyed July to September, whale watching June to September and year round, almost-perfect conditions to dive, fish, see dolphins and bird watching. Trade winds between February and June bring in cooler air and with them the chance to sail on a traditional dhow, or, if you are so inclined, kiteboard on an ocean that will feel like your own personal playground. 63
Instagram-ready island This little tiny island, with just nine beachfront villas, certainly punches above its weight in terms of diversity. Within its 86 pristine acres there are a huge range of activities to keep guests entertained for weeks, yet it provides a veritable detox from life, technology and stress within a boutique African embrace. The house reef can be reached by walking directly on to it from the main beach, where a 20m drop is home to plenty of different fish, marine mammals and crustaceans. Snorkeling will suffice for those less keen to take things to the next level, however Quilalea’s managers Claudia and Leon are also expert divers and underwater photographers – perfect for capturing those instamoments. They’re also life-long authorities in the hospitality trade – part Tarzan and Jane with a dash of Lawrence of Arabia and Emilia Earhart. This potent combination makes them flexible enough to ensure the tiny island provides as much individual relaxation as adventure – and they will cater for the full range of guest requests alongside their impeccable team of butlers and staff. 64
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Within its 86 pristine acres there are a huge range of activities to keep guests entertained for weeks, yet it provides a veritable detox from life, technology and stress within a boutique African embrace
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Gentle SUPing and kayaking around the island is also a stunning way to explore. Mangroves, caves, woods and natural shallow pools are teeming with life and vibrant colours. This wonderful eco system also attracts migrating birds and territorial monitor lizards, and the pools are home to eels, fish, thousands of crabs and even more starfish, giant clams and other crustaceans. Up above, colourful swifts, kingfishers, starlings and others buzz around looking for food as giant herons and sandpipers greedily pick at the tideless sands. Not just a place for waterbabies, Quilalea is an ornithologist’s and nature lover’s Eden. 65
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Gastronomic delights The nature walk is guaranteed to bring out your inner child. Walking through rock pools reminded me of long summers spent looking for crabs, and the wild trails took me back to making camps in the woods of my childhood. Holing up in secret pirate caves let my imagination run free with glee as I watched wildlife scurrying about. Giant baobab trees provide water, shade and even cosmetic and food ingredients that are expertly made in-house. The level of individual gastronomic treats that are provided are staggering, given the island’s remote location and would not be out of place in some of the world’s leading restaurants. Fishing for just a couple of hours delivered a salad fish, king mackerel, giant trevally, big eye kingfish and a dorado. Professional fishermen can only dream of such a bounty, so that helps to explain some of the incredible food available. The herb garden is as organic as you can get, and its diversity of plants expertly used in the kitchen. Minute attention to detail and providing comforts before you have even thought of them are the MO of Quilalea. Surprise dinner settings on the beach in secret coves are like a treasure hunt across the island. Luxurious bubble baths in antique tin baths are a work of art, and the perfect setting for watching a sunset from the privacy of your terrace.
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Spa services have the added benefit of locally produced lotions and potions to spoil and rejuvenate your skin, and if you really want to tear yourself away from utter indulgence there are heli-hops to explore nearby islands. These are hidden historical and architectural gems where tales of locals, pirates, slaves, and traders will thrill you. Absolute privacy is a luxury few people have the privilege to experience, and Quilalea welcomes relaxation and switching off in this most exclusive of settings. At the same time, there are ample activities on offer should the slow pace of life be too much to completely succumb to. azura-retreats.com 68
48 HOURS IN CAPE TOWN The jewel in South Africa’s crown, this melting pot of a city is a feast for the senses and offers a wealth of experiences for a flying visit
By Scott Manson
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lessed with some of the highest numbers of sunshine hours a year, the wonderfully cosmopolitan Cape Town is also one of the world’s most welcoming cities. With lively cafes, bars, brilliant boutiques and the stunning Table Mountain as its backdrop, it’s little wonder that it’s on the radar of every cool-hunter. Better still, as it’s only two hours ahead of GMT, European visitors can delight in escaping any jet lag. But if you’re in the city for a flying visit, whether for work or pleasure, how can you experience the best that Cape Town has to offer in just 48 hours? Read on to discover the highlights of South Africa’s oldest city.
Day one Morning running tour Locals are an active bunch: surfing, swimming, hiking and biking their weekends away. So why not join them on their Saturday morning (8am) Greenpoint Parkrun – departing from Greenpoint Stadium – which sees hundreds of joggers take a scenic 5k run through the city, around the stadium erected for the 2010 World Cup, and into the Greenpoint Urban Park, filled with playgrounds, ponds, an open-air gym and gardens with 25,000 indigenous plants. The run is free.
Check in to your hotel You’re hot and sweaty so it’s time to check in to the Manna Bay Fine Boutique Hotel. Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, this elegant boutique property offers uniquely themed rooms with state-of-the-art technology. The outdoor pool and the wooden sundeck offer views of Cape Town’s skyline. MannaBay Fine Boutique Hotel’s suites are individually decorated and include free WiFi, flat-screen TVs and iPod docks. All rooms are fitted with heated floors and a marble bathroom. Guests can enjoy daily High Tea, or sip a cocktail from the lounge bar while admiring the Atlantic Ocean. A library with African travel literature can be found next to the large television in the lobby area. It’s the perfect base from which to explore the city. mannabay.com
V & A Wa t e r f r o n t No visit to Cape Town is complete without a trip to this historic working harbour, which has a spectacular setting and many tourist-oriented attractions, including masses of shops, restaurants, bars, cinemas and cruises. The Alfred and Victoria Basins date from 1860 and are named after Queen Victoria and her son Alfred. Too small for modern container vessels and tankers, the Victoria Basin is still used by tugs, fishing boats and various other vessels. If you need to do a quick souvenir run, this is your place.
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Afternoon
Evening
Lunch
E a t d i n n e r a t T h e Te s t K i t c h e n
It’s time to eat and one of the prime spots is The Company’s Garden, a beautiful green spot in the heart of the city with fish ponds and rose gardens. Enjoy beautiful dishes such as spatchcock chicken served with sweet chili marmalade, served in an inspirational and deeply peaceful setting. No visit to Cape Town is complete without a trip to this historic working harbor, which has a spectacular setting and many tourist-oriented attractions, including masses of shops, restaurants, bars, cinemas and cruises. The Alfred and Victoria Basins date from 1860 and are named after Queen Victoria and her son Alfred. Too small for modern container vessels and tankers, the Victoria Basin is still used by tugs, fishing boats and various other vessels. If you need to do a quick souvenir run, this is your place.
Luke Dale-Roberts’ creates inspirational dishes with top-quality local ingredients at his flagship restaurant – generally agreed to be the best in Africa. However, the award-winning UK-born chef is so highly regarded that bookings are super scarce. So plan ahead. And if you’re desperate to try his cooking, he foes have another place – The Saxon – over in Johannesburg. thetestkitchen.co.za
thecompanysgarden.com
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Day two Morning
Afternoon
G e t t h e b e s t p i c t u r e o f Ta b l e M o u n t a i n
Head to the beach at Clifton Giant granite boulders break up the four beaches at Clifton and, as they’re almost always sheltered from the wind, they’re great sunbathing spots. Sun loungers are available and there plenty of places to enjoy some food, a drink or a home-made ice cream. There’s a rather sweet numbering system for the beaches too. The most northern and longest of the beaches are Clifton 1st and 2nd. Clifton 3rd is the gay beach, though plenty of straight folk frequent it, too, while Clifton 4th is popular with families. Make sure you are seriously warm before getting in the sea though – the water comes straight from the Antarctic, and is very cold.
There’s only one way to get a truly spectacular shot of this iconic landmark, and that’s to take a helicopter tour of the City Bowl. This will ensure a beautiful vista of the city, sea and mountain. If you’re looking for other Instagram-friendly moment, while you don’t have time to go on a proper safari, why not experience some African wildlife in the town itself. The Cheetah Outreach Centre in Somerset West, just outside the city, offers a close encounter with the cats, with all proceeds from the visit going towards protecting the species from extinction. cheetah.co.za
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Evening D i n n e r a t t h e C h e f ’s Wa r e h o u s e a n d C a n t e e n One of the hottest dining spots in town, head here for a delicious spread of small plates from chef Liam Tomlin and his amazing crew. Flavours zip around the world, from a squid with a tangy Vietnamese salad to comforting coq au vin. Top chefs visit here on their nights off – that’s the kind of level this kitchen is cooking at. No bookings though, so arrive early. chefswarehouse.co.za
Drink at Asoka Head to hip Kloof Street where you’ll find this brilliant Asian-inspired bar and restaurant (which is also home to the city’s oldest olive tree). From the feng shui design to its famous cocktails, it’s a fabulous place to plot up for a few hours and soak up the vibrant atmosphere. asoka.za.com
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S T Y L E CASE HISTORY 78 - 80 THE TEST OF TIME 82 - 89
STYLE
Tumi is the luggage of choice for stylish travellers worldwide, and has been making carry-on cool since its launch in 1975. To find out how the iconic firm is continuing this journey, Tempus caught up with new creative director Victor Sanz. B y Pete r Je n k i n s o n
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aking its name from, of all things, a Peruvian icon that company founder Charlie Clifford came across during his days in the Peace Corps in South America, Tumi has gone on to become synonymous with durability, lightness and style. From highperforming, hard wearing cases to the more quirky beach bags, new this year, that you see here, it’s little wonder that Tumi now has over 120 stores worldwide. As Breitling or Omega are to the watch world, so Tumi is to luggage. Tough luxe, in other words. Tempus – What’s your approach to design? Victor Sanz – I’ve a superb team of stylish and superb minds. When it comes to designing something new, I’m all for the collaborative approach. Each member of the team might have some insight into an area we hadn’t thought of so they bring that single-minded thinking into the team and we all benefit. Tempus – We’ve all had that sinking feeling when your cases appear on the carousel looking like they’ve been on a totally different adventure than you – but this is challenged by TUMI who create near-indestructible stuff. How does this resonate with remaining stylish? Victor Sanz – It’s all about researching new materials and what can be done with them. We’ve created compounds that didn’t exist to build some of our cases and it is this constant beating down boundaries that makes this such an exciting design job to be in. Thankfully I am, by default, quite curious in nature so understanding what is happening in the materials process in other industries like aerospace or automotive I find fascinating, and it helps my design process and job here immeasurably. Tempus - What does a TUMI customer look like? Victor Sanz - Super smart! In truth, our demographic of users is far from the cliché
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Victor Sanz, creative director, Tumi
of middle-aged businessmen. All manner of people use TUMI: music industry people, athletes, new age CEOs, older ones. I think we’re creating travel products that can bridge the gap and be used for both business and leisure, we make luggage that makes travel easier – and everyone wants a piece of that.
Tempus – We can imagine you are fascinated by baggage carousels. Do you spend time researching in airports? Victor Sanz – Not exactly, no. It’s hard not to ask people who have picked up a TUMI case what they think and get some honest feedback. I, of course, don’t tell them I work there!
Tempus - What’s the best way to choose a piece of luggage that is right for me?
Tempus - You’re well into your first year at TUMI – what’s your favourite story about the brand?
Victor Sanz - Definitely take a look at where you are off to, and what your plans are when you arrive. If you’re on a business-only jaunt it’ll be different than if you’re going to take in the city and its culture. Think about not just what you are taking but what you might like to bring back. Tempus – Travelling light is an alien concept to most of us. Any tips? Victor Sanz – I’ve managed eleven days with a single carry-on. Impressive even for my frugal packing style. Just keep it simple, blacks and whites perhaps so you can mix and match everything inside your case.
Victor Sanz - Well, cases that get returned to their owners with precious and important contents do make me smile. Also there was some lost luggage from the Hudson plane crash that got back to its owners. Oh, and working on the customisation of luggage for the Doctors Without Borders charity. It had specific requirements to allow the transportation of medicine to remote places while also keeping it cool – the fact that we could have an impact on helping someone save a life was totally rewarding. tumi.com
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© 2016 TUMI, INC.
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THE TEST OF Dress to invest with the fashion, says Anna Beesley
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best
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orget throwaway dressing and being a disciple of the latest trends. Dress smarter by investing in classic pieces never go out of style. Here’s Tempus’s lowdown on the best menswear choices to last you a lifetime.
Edward Green shoes Since setting up shop in Northampton in 1890, Edward Green has hand-made some of the world’s best shoes. ‘Craftmanship’ is more than a slogan for them, with each shoe being made to the same exacting standards that have been passed down through the generations. Only 350 pairs of shoes are made by around 60 artisans per week and the quality of the materials is second to none, ensuring unrivalled comfort and durability. As we head into summer take note of the ‘Portland’ loafers, made in buttery-soft suede and perfect to wear on a balmy evening with shorts or turned up chinos.
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D r a ke’s t i e s London born and bred, Drake’s was founded in 1977 in London’s East End, producing scarves and shawls for high-end fashion boutiques and traditional tailoring houses before branching out into ties and pocket squares. Today, the factory is still based in the capital, a stone’s throw from London’s silk weaving roots in Spitalfields. Each timeless design has a relaxed elegance that will be immune to changing trends for decades to come and is made with the exacting quality that we have come to expect from this great British brand.
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William & Son leather bags Craftsmanship is at the foundation of everything that William & Son does. Known originally for its custom gun-making, then earning a Royal Warrant, the WRA group acquired a leather factory in north London and continued its journey to becoming one of the best British accessories brands. A great weekend bag should be on the top of any gentleman’s wish list and this is one of the best quality and best looking versions on the market. Sling it into the back of your convertible Aston Martin for extra style points.
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Emma Willis shirts You can’t ask for a better quality shirt than those made by Emma Willis. She set up shop on Jermyn Street after starting her bespoke shirt making business in 1987. Her superior shirts are now made in her factory, Bearland House, an 18th century townhouse in Gloucester. Traditional cutting and sewing techniques ensure each piece is made to the highest specifications – collars are hand-trimmed before turning to ensure clean cut, sharp points and all shirts are finished with real mother-of-pearl buttons. Monograms can be handembroidered and bespoke fitting is still a huge part of her business, ensuring a perfect fit every time.
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Lock & Co. hats Hats are sometimes considered a little outmoded today, but we think that there is no better way to add to your sartorial repertoire than with a dashing piece of headgear – whether it’s a fedora, flat cap or panama. Lock & Co is the oldest hat shop in the world and one of the oldest family-owned business still in existence. Dating back to 1676, Lock & Co. is revered for its centuries-honed craftsmanship and its hats have been worn by famous figures from Nelson to Oscar Wilde. Two royal warrants attests to its commitment to quality and assurance of longevity.
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Turnbull & Asser dressing gowns Ok, so technically this is leisurewear but what man wouldn’t welcome a handmade silk dressing gown to wear while reading the morning papers. Turnbull & Asser gowns have experienced a revival of late, thanks to the arrival of a new head of design and are fast becoming the pinnacle of downtime luxury and a style mascot for a bygone era of elegance. The gowns are limited edition and made using high-density woven jacquard silk and are made to stand the test of time.
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Gieves & Hawkes tailoring Most people have their favourite tailor and are unfailingly loyal to their chosen cutter, but one Savile Row institution stands above and beyond others. Gieves & Hawkes has sat at No. 1 since 1913, helping to establish the street as the home of fine tailoring. The house has become synonymous with London style, dressing some of the wealthiest and most powerful people in society. The private tailoring suite is akin to a private gentleman’s club where you will go through thousands of the finest cloths, get measured, drink whiskey, talk about politics and have a truly bespoke and British experience. As Oscar Wilde said: “One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art�.
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Johnstons of Elgin cashmere Good quality cashmere should be a priority in any wardrobe. Johnstons of Elgin is one of the last remaining wool mills in Britain and the only one to take fibres from their raw state all the way through each stage to the final product. Their passion for their craft and over 200 years of expertise has seen them become one of the world leaders in cashmere quality. Once you’ve seen and touched their cashmere, you’ll accept no other.
johnstonscashmere.com
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I N D U L G E THE WORLD’S BEST MEMBERS CLUBS 94-101 THINK DIFFERENTLY 102 - 104 A MIRACLE ON HEDDON STREET 106 -107
THE WORLD’S BEST MEMBERS’ CLUBS T h i n k i n g o f j o i n i n g a p r i v a t e m e m b e r s’ c l u b ? Do n’ t s i g n u p for a thing until you’ve read our guide By Scott Manson 94
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here are few things in life more comforting than arriving at your private members’ club, knowing you’ll meet some interesting people, drink some fabulous cocktails, eat world-class food and, crucially, always get a seat. And a comfortable one at that. Little wonder that some of the very best clubs have been running for over a century, a testament to the fact that if you get everything right, then the vagaries of fashion and trends will never diminish your popularity. Read on to discover some of the Tempus team’s favourite spots, cherrypicked from our global travels since we launched our magazine back in 2012.
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LONDON
Disrepute
Opened late last year, this has already become a firm favourite with the Soho set, offering the sort of late night clandestine experience that’s all too lacking in what was once one of central London’s edgiest areas. It has an unexpectedly opulent feel, combined with a speakeasy vibe – thanks in part to its basement location. A great late night addition to the capital’s bar scene. disrepute.co.uk
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Soho House
The original London members’ club and arguably one of the best, the Soho House empire has now spread globally (Berlin is one of our favourites) but its new incarnation at Dean Street has become a firm favourite with those looking for fun and games in a stylish setting. The service is always second to none, too. Tip: head to the very top floor if you’re struggling to find a seat – there’s usually a few up here. It’s also where everyone graduates at the end of the end of the night as the DJ plays on up here until close. sohohouse.com 97
T O K YO
Roppongi Hills Club Potential members can only be proposed by current members at either of these impressive East Asian clubs. The upper echelons of society meet here to talk business and do deals and, with an incredible seven restaurants, two bars and some of the best views in the city, it’s easy to see why members stick around and play once their work is done. roppongihillsclub.com
MONTANA, USA
T h e Ye l l o w s t o n e C l u b This is about as exclusive as it gets, with a joining fee of £228,000 and access to the an annual membership of £27,000. That grants you to the 13,600 acre private community set in the wilds of Montana, compete with massive lodge house, private ski mountain, golf course and a number of incredible restaurants. They can also arrange access worldwide to hot ticket events and places such as St Andrews golf course. Bill Gates and Ben Affleck are members, among many notable others. yellowstoneclub.com
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DUBAI
The Capital Club Located in Dubai’s financial district, this exclusive invite-only business club doesn’t disclose its fees. Most of the club’s members are CEOs, directors or founders of their organisations and the club has played host to numerous global business deals. You can also gain access to sister clubs in Africa and China but, for sheer jaw-dropping views, it’s hard to beat the sight of the Burj Khalifa from the terrace bar of this fabulous place. capitalclubdubai.com
BUENOS AIRES
The Clubhouse Housed in a converted four-story residence in Buenos Aires chic Palermo Soho neighborhood, The Clubhouse is an urban Members´ Club offering a lounge, terrace, two bars, pool and garden and four Guest Rooms. It hosts a calendar of events including private dinners with international chefs, film screenings, rotating art exhibitions and pool parties. Better still, it’s part of a reciprocal clubs network which means members can also gain acess to clubs such as London’s Hospital Club or Budapest’s Brody House. clubhouseba.com 99
MADRID
Club Matador
Sited in a historic apartment in the fashionable Salamanca neighborhood, this members-only club is the perfect spot for the city’s uber-hip locals. Started by the creative team behind the Matador magazine, it hosts cultural events, live music and art exhibitions among its well curated cultural program that includes lectures and workshops. The restaurant menu focuses on traditional Spanish cuisine while the bar has an ambitious craft cocktail program, bringing in mixologists and guest bartenders from all over Europe. We love this place. clubmatador.com 100
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MONACO
Ya c h t C l u b d e Monaco
Are you well-connected, affluent and know at least two members of this place who will sponsor you? Oh, and do also speak fluent French. If so, there’s a chance – just a chance, mind – that you might be able to gain access to this ultra-exclsusive club. Founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier, it’s the last word in old school nautically-themed luxury. Note there is a strict dress code enforced, so do check should you be extended a visiting opportunity. yacht-club-monaco.mc 101
THINK D I F F E R E N T LY Welsh champagne? English vermouth? Northern Irish gin? There are a host of unusual drinks that are disrupting the alcohol industry. Peter Dean raises a glass to some of the best.
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t used to be that gin could only be made in two places, London and Plymouth. These days it can be made anywhere you can fit a copper still. And it is. Apart from the seemingly insatiable, growing thirst for gin worldwide I credit Monkey 47 for the latest boom in making drinks in strange and different places. Monkey 47 has been dubbed the ‘world’s best gin’ by world number one wine critic Robert Parker. It has had a mystique about it ever since and is probably one of the most expensive gins around. And who would have thought a gin made in the heart of Germany’s Black Forest would have drinks experts singing its praises?
The Black Forest is also home to the über-hip premium vermouth Belsazar that cleverly saw spare capacity in the outfashioned German fruit liqueur market, and teamed up with a distillery that needed to break into new ground. It uses some old workhorse vineyards once occupied by Martini. Vermouth is just the latest fortified wine to be made in places other than southern France (Noilly Prat) and northern Italy (Martini). There’s a growing trend for cutting-edge vermouths to be made in all sorts of ‘strange’ places which, like gin, can claim its uniqueness because of a particular mix of botanicals.
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The wild foraged botanicals of The Botanist gin are totally unique to almost any other gin you care to mention. When Beefeater master distiller Desmond Payne launched Beefeater 24, which was his gin made for the Asian market, he didn’t source botanicals from the point of origin, but from the target market. To the brand’s core botanicals were added a unique blend of Chinese green and rare Japanese Sencha teas. The launch was a massive success in both China and Japan. Martin Miller’s Gin has found a point of difference in the water – it’s sourced in Iceland and distilled in England. It certainly tastes unique but whether the difference in water makes that much of a difference in 40% proof spirit is up for debate. Spirits are now made all over the globe, far from their traditional homes, as we’ve witnessed for many years with Japanese whisky
and vodka made almost anywhere. I particularly liked the advertising campaign for Ciroc that made a virtue out of its point of difference – spirit made with French grapes. Of course it all began with grapes. When the Romans trampled across the globe they took their vines with them. Foot soldiers drank three litres of wine a day and that had to be maintained somehow. Many of the world’s top vineyards – the Rhone, Mosel, Burgundy – were all originally planted by Romans who knew a good south-facing slope when they saw one. With increasing efficiency in transport, viticulture and sales through the internet, wine can be grown anywhere and everywhere. At this year’s Australia Day Tasting in London one of the most exciting wines was the country’s first Assyrtiko from Aussie wine legend Jim Barry. Now that really is Greek to me.
“It’s not Champagne it’s better,’” says Michelin-starred chef Roger Jones of this 11 year-old winery in Wales that is growing chardonnay, pinot noir and albariño and is making a truly exceptional blanc de blancs. The 2010 vintage is fresh, zingy, has tangerine notes on the nose, a delicate sparkle with layers of fresh clean stone fruit and a very fine baked brioche background – the poise and texture are outstanding.
Gin is being made everywhere these days. This exceptional gin from a small batch distillery in Northern Ireland has been winning many awards, and rightly so. This is very much a cottage industry approach – hand-picked botanicals and so on. Juniper is there and nicely integrated. The gin has attractive, floral, grassy notes with hints of elderflower, orange and light pepper on a long finish. Makes a very fine gin and tonic. Serve with a twist of orange or fresh lavender in summer.
Once vermouth was just the domain of Noilly Prat and Martini but now there are alternatives. The Collector is a handmade vermouth made in Somerset by the team that also runs award-winning restaurant The Ethicurean. It’s a mix of 20 botanicals that are grown (including wormwood and yarrow) and foraged wild ingredients. It’s very special and makes a spectacular negroni.
ancrehillestates.co.uk
shortcrossgin.com
thecollectorvermouth.com
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porsche design Timepieces
FIRST IN BLACK. THE NEW ORIGINAL.
Timepiece No. 1 | www.porsche-design.com/timepieces
A MIRACLE ON
Sake-hating Scott Manson visited a sake-based restaurant. This is how he got on
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ake and I have never seen eye to eye. My previous experience of it has been courtesy of a cheap and cheerful Japanese chain restaurant (clue: it moves its food around on a conveyor belt) and what I tried – admittedly a long time ago – was pretty rough. So it was with some trepidation that I agreed to check out London’s premier sake specialising restaurant. It has some gastronomic chops though.
The name means “sake cellar”, and it’s run in part by Gekkeikan, who have a royal warrant for sake, as well as The Araki – a Michelin star sushi restaurant. Situated just off Regent Street, it feels like a truly traditional set-up. From the hot towels and beautifully calm interior to a sake menu so in-depth that it’s organised by province. There’s even a sake sommelier. Best seats in the house are the booths,
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which are partially screened, although the whole place feels modern, sleek and designed by someone with serious attention to detail. There’s also a theatrical robata grill and openplan kitchen, where you can watch as the chefs cook, and then enjoy your food served at the traditional wooden kappo counter. The food is designed to be a harmonious mix to stimulate the human senses, such as the sashimi moriwase – 18 pieces of
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beautifully fresh fish, served with edible flowers and intricate daikon carvings. My dining partner – a veggie – also enjoyed the sushi rolls with burdock and carrot maki and a sprout tempura with batter so light it melted on the tongue. There was plenty for the meat-eater too, including some flame-fired rare wagu beef. And do not leave without trying the whole langoustines, served with sea salt and lime.
Fiddly, but worth it. Drinks were similarly strong, including seriously smoky cocktails made with Japanese whisky. And what of sake – for so long my alcoholic nemesis? Reader, it was delightful. I was served a ‘cloudy’ sake which refers to sake that still contains rice solids that have not fermented. It had a rich, chewy, rustic flavor which, while challenging to a Western palate, tasted like nothing I’d ever
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tried before. And it was all the better for that. In Sakagura, Heddon Street has got itself another fine restaurant. Let’s drink (sake) to that. sakaguralondon.com
S M A R T L I V I N G 21 SERIOUSLY COOL GADGETS YOU NEED RIGHT NOW 110 - 119 ROOMS WITH A VIEW 122 - 125
Yo u r w i s h l i s t i s a b o u t t o l e v e l u p By Matt Chappell
SMART LIVING
LG OLED TV W Winning over 40 awards at this year’s CES, LG’s new OLED TV W hangs just 2.57mm off the wall it lives on -- it’s thinner than an iPhone. The clunky parts of the TV — the speakers, connections, technology -- are housed in a separate hub below. And it’s not just size that matters – you’ll also get HDR 4K picture quality, unique OLED colour contrast and immersive, threedimensional sound among much more.
paintimpact.com ©2017
Hero 5 Off for a once-in-a-lifetime experience? You need a GoPro HERO 5. Small, waterproof, light and highlydurable, this action camera is ideal for capturing the moments you want to last forever. Shooting video up to 4K, the Hero 5 has voice control, a 2-inch touch display to preview and play-back your shots and advanced video stabilisation means shaky hands are no longer a problem.
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BeoSound 2 It looks like something out of the future and it may as well be. Crafted out of rock-solid aluminium, this is Bang & Olufsen’s newest Bluetooth speaker and it supports all streaming services from Google Cast to Apple AirPlay. It’s got Spotify, Deezer, QPlay and TuneIn built-in. With 360 sound, a tap, turn or swipe controls your music. Plus, wireless BeoLink Multiroom technology can link all of your other B&O products up throughout the house.
HTC Vive VR Headset Virtual reality is in its infancy but, from gaming to video, the HTC Vive is currently winning. It offers the most complete VR experience on the market. The Vive’s headset uses two 1080p screens whilst two ‘base stations’ track its movement. Two motion controllers then act as guns, felt tips or whatever you need them to be. Its room-scale feature allows you to walk around a space 4.5m x 4.5m, too. This is fully immersive. And fully cool.
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Raden A50 Smart Suitcase This is no ordinary suitcase. It’s a marvel to look at with its sleek design but this case is ever-so smart. It’s appenabled, meaning it sends how much it weighs and its current location to your phone. A built-in battery pack will also charge said phone (or laptop) up to four times. It’s made from an ultra-strong material that won’t crack under pressure, too – its 7,000 strong waiting list (as of Feb) is most likely justified.
Bianchi Oltre XR4 CV Road Bike If you’re the next Bradley Wiggins (or perhaps his biggest fan), Bianchi’s shiny new Oltre XR4 should get you feeling a little tingly. Unveiled at the Tour De France, it’s an update to their flagship bike that looks the same but, inside, is much, much better. Its carbon fibre frame has been infused with something they call CounterVail, a carbon material that cancels up to 80% of vibrations while increasing stiffness and strength.
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J e t p a c k Av i a t i o n’s new Jetpack That’s right, this is now a real thing. Powered by ultrasmall jet engines, its maximum altitude is 10,000ft with a top forward speed of 68mph and a flight time of 10 minutes. It’s been live tested in both New York and London already and creators Jetpack Aviation say they’ve had a private order already placed.
Photo courtesy JetPack Aviation ©2017
Norton Router With looks more akin to an expensive art piece, this is a Wi-Fi router gadget lovers may want – or need. Norton, famous for anti-virus software, is now offering to secure our entire digital lives. Using advanced machine learning and lots of other impressive tech, this router will defend every device you connect to Wi-Fi – from TVs and gaming consoles to phones and laptops.
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Photo courtesy JetPack Aviation ©2017
Motiv Fitness Ring This is the Motiv Ring, probably one of the coolest fitness trackers out this year. Obviously, it’s a ring — so you can wear it day and night. It’s waterproof, has a five day battery life and is crafted from ultra-light titanium. It does all the stuff you want a fitness tracker to do – measures active minutes, active and resting heart rate, calories burnt, distance traveled, steps and sleep. Then it sends it all to your phone.
C Seed 201 Outdoor TV Hands-up, this may not be new for 2017 but, if you don’t have one, you’ll want one in 2017. Developed by the Porsche Design Studio, this is the world’s largest outdoor TV. Boasting an enormous 201-inch screen, it’s so big it’s housed underground. Don’t worry, simply use its biometric fingerprint sensors and it’ll rise up, unfolding seven panels as it goes.
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Kuri The Robot Meet Kuri, your new helpful, house robot. He’ll patrol the house while you’re gone, displaying or capturing video with the camera behind his eyes. He’s got voice recognition and a set of speakers for entertainment – and he’ll wake you up in the morning, learning to avoid obstacles as he wheels his way around. He’ll even learn which room to visit and the daily routine of your house. Very smart.
Acer Predator 21 X The word ‘predator’ is accurate, this is the most ridiculous gaming laptop ever seen. It’s got a 21-inch 2560 x 1080 screen, with eye-tracking technology, up to four 512GB solid state drives and a 1TB 7200 RPM hard drive. It needs five cooling fans. It’s the same price as a hatchback car. It even needs a reinforced suitcase to wheel it around in. Convinced?
SMART LIVING
Sleep Number 360 This is a smart bed. It will sense and track your movements as you sleep, adjusting firmness, comfort and support to keep you, well, comfortable. It will prewarm your side of the bed, or even just your feet, and raise your partner’s side of the bed if it senses snoring. Then, for when you wake up, it’ll send all your sleep data to the connected app you have on your phone. Now that’s smart.
Panasonic Lumix GH5 If you’re photography or video obsessed, the Lumix GH5 is your new best friend. It’s one of the best 4K video cameras on the market (60p at 4K, up to 180p full HD), before you get to professional video cameras. It’s brilliant for photographers too, enabling ‘4K photo’ extraction as well as a stunning array of other features. It also has a touchscreen display, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connection.
BACtrack Skyn At a lunch and need to drive later? Here’s a gadget that will come in handy. This is the world’s first wearable alcohol monitor. It measures your Transdermal Alcohol Content (TAC) – small amounts of alcohol secreted through the skin – in near real-time and converts it into estimated BAC (Blood Alcohol Content). So you’ll know just how far an extra cocktail pushes you over the limit.
DJI Mavic If you’re after a drone DJI is the company for the job. Its latest invention, the Mavic, ticks all the boxes and is the most sophisticated drone yet. Light, compact and easy to fly, it will avoid obstacles and hover precisely. You need a steady set of rotors to use its 4K stabilised camera. It’ll stay in the air for 27 minutes and reach speeds of up to 40mph in ‘sport’ mode. Ever wanted to be a pilot? Here’s your chance.
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Furrion Prosthesis Prosthesis is a full-on exo-bionic racing suit. Indeed, it requires a pilot. Furrion say they are currently in the process of training pilots to race (race?!) in these huge ‘mechs’, which can run up 21mph and jump 10ft high. The human at its core calls the shots with the frame mimicking the pilot’s movements. Still under development, we’re not sure how you become a pilot but this is one space to keep an eye on. The company has plans to make smaller, more agile exoskeletons for budding mech athletes to buy.
Ashley Chloe Fuse Earbuds 2017 is going to be the year of wireless earbuds so here are a pair worth investing in. These Fuse earbuds, by Ashley Chloe, are the first to be made with ceramic, improving their Bluetooth capability and providing a waterproof and shiny coating. Smart-app enabled and with touch control, the buds are powered by a high-density battery, which takes just 15 minutes to hold enough charge for one hour’s worth of listening.
Sea-Doo GTR-X 230 Jet Ski Why restrict yourself to going fast on a road when you could go fast in the open sea? Sea-Doo’s latest foray is an update on their GTR-X model, placing a supercharged 230hp Rotax engine under the hood. That means 0-60mph in just 5.29 seconds — and no white lines to stay in.
LG Instaview Enter LG’s new Instaview fridge freezer, full of worthy gadgetry. It’s got a door in a door, for easy access items, which is covered by a mirrored glass panel. Two knocks and the compartment illuminates, showing you what’s inside. It’s got an auto-open function for the main door controlled by a smart sensor down by your feet and auto-drawers too. It has Wi-Fi for connecting to your phone, a fresh air filter and much, much more. It’s pretty cool, for a fridge.
Withings SteelHR It’s a fitness tracker that pairs up with your suit just as well as your gym kit. The battery lasts for an impressive 25 days – so you can track all the time. From ping-pong to volleyball, with the usual suspects (walking, running, swimming) in between, the Steel HR will automatically recognise or learn to track your activities (from heart rate to calories burnt). It’s water-resistant up to 50m and has an automatic sleep mode. It’ll also wake you up with a vibrating alarm and display smartphone alerts – all within a stylish and classic watch face. Clever. 119
ROOMS WITH A VIEW Thinking of investing in London real estate? Take a look at two of best properties on the market
By Scott Manson
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ondon’s prime property market is showing post-Brexit sings of life with the number of homes under offer in Chelsea and Belgravia at their highest since the referendum. The falling value of sterling has also helped to drive the market, with half of prime buyers coming from overseas. Here are two properties proving very popular with investors.
One Blackfriars Dubbed ‘The Vase’ because its elegant, directional shape is based on a fifties vase belonging to the building’s architect Ian Simpson, it will house 274 luxury apartments – with prices starting at £1.15m for a one-bedroom apartment, up to £23m for the 6,000 sq ft Kensngton Suite which is situated on the 43rd floor. There’ll be 50 floors to this structure when it opens in 2018 but, with a lift speed of 4m per second, it’ll only take 40 seconds to get to the top. Underneath the building is a three-floor basement the size of six Olympic swimming pools, which
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will house the spa, gym, cinema, golf simulator and winery. A Harrods concierge service will be available 24/7, along with valet parking. The site will also include a 161-bedroom hotel, shops, restaurants and units for local ventures such as yoga studios. With a unique vantage point looking out at St Paul’s, The City, Canary Wharf and the Houses of Parliament, this stunning building is a fine addition to London’s growing collection of unconventional new landmarks. berkeleygroup.co.uk
Chelsea Island This landmark development of 89 luxury apartments marks the final phase in the regeneration of an exciting new waterside destination at Chelsea Harbour. Enjoying views towards the River Thames, each home offers a modern take on traditional British craftsmanship, with the apartments designed to create a living experience that captures the ideals of comfort, attention to detail and elegance. The scheme offers plenty of landscaped outdoor space, including a new vibrant creek-side piazza that enhances the existing offering of neighbouring Lots Road. With a state-of-the-art gym and views
looking towards many London landmarks, this place gives you all the benefits of a Chelsea postcode, without the traffic-smogged streets and transport difficulties. Renowned Belgravia florist Neill Strain has also designed a spacious residents’ roof garden overlooking Chelsea Creek that offers attractive landscaping and green, open space – a refuge from the busy city life of central London. Prices start from £1.25m for a onebedroom apartment and £3.75m for The Penthouse Collection. chelseaisland.com
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Could Tesla’s Model S be the future of motoring ?
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f you thought electric cars were all hair shirts and muesli then think again, as Tesla’s Model S offers sports car performance with the sort of styling that will stop traffic. Bold early adopters who don’t want to sacrifice speed for green credentials have been snapping up this vehicle since its recent release, undaunted by a price tag that puts it into the same bracket as the Mercedes S500 Plug-in Hybrid and the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid. The all-electric Model S can outperform both in outright acceleration terms – although the Tesla needs to be tethered to a charger while its rivals can simply pop into a filling station. If you can live with the range
limitations though, this car is a beast. The Model S P100D Maximum Performance version, for example, comes with Tesla’s Ludicrous Speed option and will do 0-60mph in just 2.5 seconds. It will also cover 380 miles on a full charge. The Smart Air suspension means the rise is smooth (you can even vary the height – useful to avoid clipping wing mirrors on tight roads) and the tax breaks that come with driving an electric car make it a winner if you were thinking of buying it as a company vehicle. There’s all manner of cool gadgetry going on too. Obviously it runs almost silently, which can be slightly unnerving at first, plus the keyless door fob makes the door handle
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pop out when you get close to the car. Very James Bond. There’s also a 17 inch touchscreen on the dash, plus a smart central TFT screen depicting speed, range and energy flow. There’s even an autopilot system that keeps you a safe distance from the car in front and takes care of the steering, ensuring you remain in the centra of your lane. There’s a confidence from the manufacturer too, as it comes with a four year warranty and an eight year warranty on the battery. If you’re looking for a groundbreaking ride, then this is it. With staggering performance and a futuristic feel, Tesla is arguably the new generation of motoring excellence. tesla.com
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The World’s finest china, Crystal & Silver Tableware
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The private aviation industry is bigger than ever. We reveal some emerging trends from this fast-moving market By Scott Manson
F
inding a private aviation solution used to be simple, if eyewateringly expensive. You simply bought a plane and hired someone to fly it for you. Today, however, there are many options open, from charter, to fractional ownership to a number of operators who all claim to be the ‘Uber of private aviation’. So what are the factors you should consider when looking for a business jet, and what are some of the current market trends?
Reduced rates Before market disruption, courtesy of a number of smaller, nimbler operators, cost was based on an hourly rate – no matter if you were flying for two, four, six or ten hours. However, with commercial airlines
improving their first class offering, private firms had to up their game. NetJets has cut hourly rates for certain cross-country flights by 30% and is offering discounts of up to 40% on transatlantic flights. Flexjet now provides a discount for international travel.
Long range fliers want to go further Increasingly, private jet customers want to fly further non-stop, particularly routes from the US West Coast to Europe. This is where aircraft like Gulfstream’s ultra long range G650ER come in, with its 7500 nautical mile range enabling it to fly non-stop from LA to Melbourne. Dassault’s Falcon 8X comes close with a range of 6450 nautical miles.
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A ve r y s u r p r i s i n g m a r ke t e n t r y Ryanair, one of the most vilified (albeit successful) of the low cost carriers has made a surprising move into the business jet market, launching a 60-seat 737 charter service. With a range of up to six hours and, they say, ‘fine dining’ available on board, it offers genuinely low buy-in to the private flying experience. A return trip from London to Geneva, for example, comes in at around £550 per head. Providing you can find 59 friends to fly with, of course.
range aircraft such as the Gulfstream IV, Bombardier Global 6000 and Legacy 600 are up 98% year-on-year. This reflects an increased desire from UHNWIs to fly privately on long-haul journeys to adventurous, less traditional locations. As a result, the super-rich are travelling longer distances by private jet than ever before. Victor has also revealed the top destinations flown to by private jet in 2016.
Perks and partnerships If you’re looking to get access to that hot ticket event, forget about using a concierge company – because the chances are that your private jet operator has you covered. NetJets runs an annual poker tournament for its customers, which could see you rubbing shoulders with the likes of Warren Buffett or stars of sport and entertainment. Elsewhere Victor gives customers access to Lamborghini Academy and has partnered with Ski Boutique, a collection of over 400 European luxury ski chalets for rent. Want to get front row at a fashion show? Ask your aviation account manager to make it so.
In numbers According to 2016 data from Victor, one of the leading on-demand private jet charter services, the total number of private jet aircraft types chartered from 2015 to 2016 increased by 25%. The state that charter for larger jets is on the rise – bookings of long-
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Top 10 2016 flight destinations – global departure London (UK) Nice (France) Las Vegas (US) Zurich (Switzerland) New York (US) LA (US) St Bart’s (Caribbean) Ibiza (Spain) Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) Male (Maldives) Above stats courtesy of flyvictor.com
TOM MERRIFIELD
www.tommerrifield.co.uk 020 7431 0794
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TREND WA T C H I N G
From storytelling to virtual reality, we reveal some of the trends that are shaping the world of luxury right now
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he world of luxury is regarded by many as a staid, slow moving beast, full of traditional brands who find it hard to embrace change. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Here we highlight some of the trends emerging in 2017.
M o r e s t o r y, l e s s s t a t u s A high-end watch on your wrist may confirm status but, more and more, greater kudos comes from owning a product that has a story attached to it. Consumers are looking for an artisan-led approach – something that demonstrates the incredible skills and care that’s gone into creating a product. This is where smaller brands win over bigger brands, as they often have a more genuine story to tell.
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Virtual Reality This is the biggest thing for luxury brands at the moment. Pretty soon every luxury store will have a virtual reality or augmented reality experience. The opportunity to experience exotic new worlds through a headset has already seen fashion house Christian Dior use virtual-reality headsets to give buyers an immersive behind-the-scenes glimpse of its runway shows in Paris and Milan. Without jetting off to Europe, visitors can visit local boutiques and don a virtual-reality headset, known as Dior Eyes, to enjoy a front-row runway experience of the haute couture collections. Fashion labels Balenciaga and Tommy Hilfiger are also embracing the technology. Tommy Hilfiger will enable visitors to its Regent Street shop in London to enjoy an in-store virtualreality experience tied to its autumn runway presentation.
Thoughtful luxury Status used to be about the possession of certain objects. Now, status has become less about ‘what I have’ and much more about ‘who I am’. Increasingly, this means products and experiences that fulfil a role of self-improvement or improving the lives of others. This is driven in part by the behavior of other UHNW types, such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, who have pledged to give the majority of their wealth to good causes. Hotels have woken up to this, with the word ‘bouteco’ (coined by Tempus writer Juliet Kinsman, no less) describing those boutique hotels which are not only eco-friendly, but also – in some cases – are run as not-for-profit social enterprises. Check bouteco.com for more info.
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Car firms target female drivers First there was the Gucci-designed Fiat and then Victoria Beckham’s baby Range Rover Evoque. Add in the fact that Bentley started selling handbags that retail for over $5,500, while Porsche debuted its Maria Sharapova handbag. And Mercedes-Benz has The House of Mercedes-Benz, a fashion boutique featuring exclusive items as a limited-edition collection of wooden eyewear inspired by the wood detailing in the MercedesBenz S-Class.
Lamborghini has also now pivoted towards females with the upcoming Urus SUV, planned to roll out in 2018, targeted to women with families and single women. Speaking of the brand’s iconic bull logo, CEO Stefano Domenicali said: ‘A bull is always aggressive, but I would like to give us a new philosophy for the future: a bull can be gentle.’ Currently women make up just 5% of Lamborghini drivers.
The element of surprise While partnerships between luxury watches and fine art are a welltrodden path, a less orthodox partnership is that between renowned Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille and French graffiti artist Cyril ‘Kongo’ Phan. Together they created a concept for a $685,000 timepiece with the watch’s components individually painted by Phan, using special airbrushes capable of applying paint that doesn’t affect the watch’s movement. Only 30 of the RM 68-01 Tourbillon Kongo were produced, and all sold out on pre-order.
The style of Alexander's work reflects his background in science and engineering, and his love of architectural and natural forms. The pieces are visually arresting with bold forms and vibrant colours. He employs a unique and innovative approach to fine jewellery design, together with the highest levels of craftsmanship, and a decadent refusal to compromise on quality. w w w. a l e x a n d e r d a v i s j e w e l l e r y. c o m
S AV E T H E D A T E Yo u r l u x u r y e v e n t c a l e n d a r s t a r t s h e r e
May
May
3-5
11-13
American Express World Luxury Expo, Riyadh
The Elite, London
3-5 May
May 11-13
The 5th American Express World Luxury Expo hosted in the palatial Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, will again showcase the world’s leading luxury brands, to an ultra-affluent and highly discerning target audience. Guests are invited via personal invitation however those interested in attending may contact the organiser to request an invitation. It’s a tight guest list, in other words.
Held at London’s Biggin Hill private airfield – useful for those arriving by jet or helicopter – this is a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the world’s leading lifestyle brands. Expect the best in private aviation, marine, supercars and luxury artisans, set in a truly special location.
world-luxury-expo.com
theeliteevents.com
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May
May
14-16
15
FT Business of Luxury, Lisbon
De Grisogono party, Cannes
14-16 May
May 15
Chaired by the FT’s editor Lionel Barber and co-chaired by the fashion editor Jo Ellison, the event brings together leading luxury executives, creatives and financiers to look out where the luxury revolution is going and some of the exciting initiatives being launched by brands.
Held at the prestigious Hotel Du Cap-Eden Roc, the de Grisogono dinner party always stands as a unique, stylish and special moment. Expect a guest list of the best in Hollywood royalty.
live.ft.com
degrisogono.com
May
22
RHS Charity Gala Preview, London May 22 The RHS Chelsea Flower Show Charity Gala Preview is the most stylish way to enjoy the world’s finest flower show. The preview event is held in aid of the Royal Horticultural Society, the charity behind the annual Chelsea Flower Show. Despite the evening’s ever increasing popularity, numbers are strictly limited, giving guests the opportunity to savour the delights of the show in comfort and style. With champagne, canapés, and music to complete the ambience, guests are guaranteed an evening to remember. gcprive.com
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