Issue 51, The Wellness Issue by The Essential Journal

THE

essential journal In pursuit of a quality lifestyle

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THE ALL-ELECTRIC I-PACE

WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR. ONE THING WE COULDN’T KEEP QUIET.

I-PACE. Jaguar’s first all-electric performance SUV. 292 mile range.* Groundbreaking cab-forward design. Intelligent interior space. And underneath, 400PS that delivers 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds with zero tailpipe emissions. Just a few reasons why I-PACE has been named 2019 World Car of the Year. Contact us now to book a test drive.

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2 THE ESSENTIAL JOURNAL Fuel consumption: N/A. CO2 Emissions: 0 (g/km). EV Range: Up to 292 miles. *EV range figures are based upon production vehicle over a standardised route. Range achieved will vary dependent on vehicle and battery condition, actual route, environment and driving style.

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NEW RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

CAPABLE. YET INCAPABLE OF BLENDING IN.

CONTRIBUTORS Adonis Michael Amelia Smith Andy J Pizza Daniel Niederer Dawn Davies Ian Harrold Jake O'Brien Murphy Luca Faloni Luke Boase Mark Ross Matthew Gonzalez Studio MUTT Tommy Banks Thomas Curry

PUBLISHERS Singleton Publishing EDITOR Will Halbert w.halbert@singletonpublishing.co.uk CREATIVE DIRECTOR Thomas Sumner t.sumner@singletonpublishing.co.uk LEAD DESIGNER Jennifer Swaby FRONT COVER Thomas Curry Photography by Colin Dack

New Range Rover Evoque is as at home on city streets as it is on mountainous roads. It has all the capability credentials of a true Land Rover but with all the city smarts too, such as ClearSight Groundview* technology. This displays what’s underneath the bonnet so you can keep an eye on those awkward high kerbs when parking. The Evoque really can do anything. Apart from avoid admiring glances. Call or visit to book your test drive today.

PARTNERSHIP MANAGER Elliot Ramsey e.ramsey@singletonpublishing.co.uk @TEJOURNAL @essentialjournal @essentialjournal

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web essentialjournal.co.uk

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TERMS & CONDITIONS

Hatfields Land Rover Pickering 01751 477 177 Hatfields Land Rover Shrewsbury 01743 450 045 hatfields.co.uk

Official WLTP Fuel Consumption for the Range Rover Evoque range in mpg (l/100km): Combined 28.5-44.9 (9.9-6.3). NEDCeq CO2 Emissions 188-143 g/km. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer’s tests in accordance with EU legislation. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. CO2 and fuel economy figures may vary according to factors such as driving styles, environmental conditions, and accessories. 4 load THE ESSENTIAL JOURNAL Nolita Grey on First Edition only for 12 months from launch. *ClearSight Groundview not available on First Edition. Requires 360 camera. All in-car features should be used by drivers only when safe to do so. Drivers must ensure they are in full control of the vehicle at all times.

Contents 9 The Primer 14 One Thing Done Well: Lock & Co. words Will HALBERT 16 Let it Snow words Will HALBERT 19 The Evolution of Outerwear words Will HALBERT

27 An Essential Guide to Getting the Lay of the Land in New York City words Will HALBERT 28 High Flying-Fashion words Will HALBERT 30 The Fast and the Furious words & interview by Will HALBERT

20 Cashmere Dreams words Will HALBERT

37 Expert Help words Mark ROSS & Amelia SMITH

22 Flying the Flag words Will HALBERT

37 Wellness Redefined words Will HALBERT

22 Flash Forward words Will HALBERT

39 Creative Camaraderie words & interview by Will HALBERT

24 Tailored Thoughts On Christmas Shopping words Matthew GONZALEZ

42 Office-ready Ruggedness words Will HALBERT

24 A Cut Above words Ian HARROLD

44 Run with the Pack words Will HALBERT

26 Your City, Your Rules words Will HALBERT

47 Dry Drinking Holes words Dawn DAVIES

47 Sober Sipping words Dawn DAVIES 48 Straight Up Christmas Spirit words Will HALBERT 49 Sober as a Saint words Will HALBERT 50 Addressing the Table words Jake O'BRIEN MURPHY 51 Essential Thoughts On words The Essential Journal Team 53 The Northern Pop-up, Pick-me-up words Will HALBERT 55 On the Pass with Tommy Banks words Tommy BANKS 57 The Building Blocks of Healthy Living words Studio MUTT 58 Coffee and Counsel with Adonis Michael words Adonis MICHAEL

Under no circumstances must any part of this publication be reproduced without prior permission to the publisher. Whilst every effort is taken, the publisher shall not be held responsible for any errors. Furthermore, the publisher shall not be held responsible for any advertising material/content. Please also note that the views and opinions written within this publication do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the publisher. All prices and details stated within this publication are correct at the time of print, however these are subject to change and the publisher shall not be held responsible for these. Third party contributions own exclusive copyright to their own material that they have submitted as part of the publication. All rights reserved.

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140th

BY APPOINTMENT TO HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES MANUFACTURER AND SUPPLIER OF FOOTWEAR CROCKETT & JONES LIMITED, NORTHAMPTON

MADE IN ENGLAND | SINCE 1879

Anniversary Collection

140th

BY APPOINTMENT TO HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES MANUFACTURER AND SUPPLIER OF FOOTWEAR CROCKETT & JONES LIMITED, NORTHAMPTON

MADE IN ENGLAND | SINCE 1879

Anniversary Collection CROCKETTANDJONES.COM

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CROCKETTANDJONES.COM

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THE PRIMER

‘Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow! What a Ride!”’ - Hunter S. Thompson A Note from the Editor Find out more at johnsmedley.com/discover/legacy

ot the first choice for many when it comes to extolling the virtues of a balanced, measured life, I’ll admit. But if there’s anything to be gleaned from Thompson’s helter-skelter, hell-for-leather wisdom it is this: Wellness - and with it, good living - is many things to many people, and there’s no one way to achieve it. Which is why we’ve dedicated this issue to exploring the idea of it. You see, of late, the notion of wellness has gotten so upside down that we’re almost made to feel guilty if we’re not hitting certain tenets of someone else’s abstract idea of living well. In such cases, the very pursuit of wellness is apt to incite a kind of anxiety, creating a topsy-turvy scenario wherein we stress about what we’re doing about our stress. Which is pretty absurd, when you stop and think about it. Sometimes, wellness is as simple as cutting yourself some slack and getting out of your own head. It’s (quite literally) a walk in the park with loved ones. It’s drinking more water. It’s generally giving less of a shit about things that, ultimately, don’t matter. So take the yoga class, or don’t. Drink that overpriced avocado and kale smoothie, or don’t. If your idea of switching off and relaxing involves a hot bath and a few candles, that’s cool. If it involves a chinese takeaway and some heavy metal, that’s also cool. In the wise words of not Hunter S. Thompson: You do you.

Will HALBERT Editor

What’s On Our Wish List:

The Graff Threads Collection The latest stunning collection from Graff, the iconic British jeweller famed for crafting diamonds of brilliance, Threads is as conceptual as it is remarkable. Featuring a range of extraordinary pieces designed in geometric, latticed patterns, the collection speaks to and celebrates our modern world - one in which stories, lives and connections are increasingly intertwined. Comprised of everything from daring, statement necklaces and bracelets to more minimalist pieces designed for everyday wear, Graff ’s brand new collection marks a bold and exciting phase in the jeweller’s storied history, and solidifies its reputation as a pioneering force in contemporary design excellence. @graff

What We’ve Been Drinking:

Stranger & Sons Gin Produced in Goa by the Third Eye Distillery, Stranger & Sons is a unique gin, built around spices and herbs central to the flavour profiles of traditional Indian cookery. Distilled to showcase the very best in home-grown botanicals, Stranger & Sons leads with notes of pepper, lemon and coriander, followed by a zesty punch of Gondhoraj lime from Calcutta, resulting in a gin that’s both distinctly aromatic and refreshingly citrusy. All in all, Stranger & Sons Gin is a welcome addition to a spirits market all-too-lately saturated by mediocrity and imitation. Bag yourself a bottle this festive season and you won’t be disappointed. @strangerandsons

View our collections at: 55 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6LX | 24 New Cavendish Street, London, W1G 8TX | 24 Brook Street, London, W1K 5DG | johnsmedley.com 8

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Who We’ve Been Talking To:

Daniel Niederer, Founder and CEO of luxury watch and lifestyle brand, SEVENFRIDAY

Where We’ve Been Eating:

Madre Here’s wellness on a plate that beats even our mother’s pan of scouse. Madre. The meeting of minds from two of the UK’s best casual dining experiences - London’s Breddos Tacos and Liverpool’s Belzan - has opened on Liverpool’s Albert Dock. Rejuvenating a courtyard previously known for its Fab Four tourism tack shops, Madre's menu of fun family-style dining brings a sustainable and locally sourced taste of Mexico to the Mersey. Try the Baja Fish Tacos, Burrata & Squash Tostadas, Half a Pig’s Head and Cafe Madre cocktail. @thisismadre

What We’ve Been Wearing:

Sunspel Oak Wood Fragrance Launched in 2019 by the luxury British clothing label Sunspel, Oak Wood is the brand’s first foray into the world of fragrances - and, boy, have they done it right. Produced by the eminent London-based perfumer, Lyn Harris - dubbed the city's most stylish nose by Vogue in 2016 - Oak Wood is a modern, clean cologne made with the fashion-forward man and woman in mind. Carrying notes of bergamot, chamomile, cedarwood and frankincense, among others, Oak Wood is a fresh, timeless fragrance inspired by the sights and scents of England. As Harris herself notes: ‘The countryside is part of me every day. It’s there in my head all the time, it’s part of who I am and it inspires me deeply.’ @sunspelclothing

First off, tell us a little about SEVENFRIDAY, how it came to be, and its ethos. SEVENFRIDAY is a brand built on the foundations of taking a leap of faith. A brand aimed at challenging the ‘norm’ and creating alternatives. I studied law in Switzerland, followed by tenures in both Australia and Asia in the luxury-trading industry, and came to realise that traditional employment and following the rules and regulations of others was just not for me. I decided it was time to throw caution to the wind by creating a new, 21st century business venture aimed at breathing new life into the way that brands behave and relate to their customers. SEVENFRIDAY is almost an ‘anti-brand’. It doesn’t have to workshop to identify its core values, or brainstorm to work out what its DNA is. We live the brand.

chestudios.co.uk

What’s the idea behind the name itself? Too many of us are stuck in a regime where we work all week to look forward to a weekend that goes too quickly. We are programmed that way, to dread that Monday morning feeling. At SEVENFRIDAY, we believe that everybody should strive to live their lives with the positivity that a Friday brings. Yes, hard work, goals and striving to be the best you can be is part of it, but surely enjoying that time and being in control of your own life is just as important - we live everyday as though it’s Friday. SEVENFRIDAY’s dial designs are wonderfully original and pretty audacious. What’s the inspiration and ethos behind them? Firstly, we don’t see ourselves as a watch brand, we are an attitude and a lifestyle first, and that mindset is very important. The designs are inspired with an industrial look and feel, but blended with subtle design features including the layered, exposed, and intricate mechanical elements as well as the material used on both the dial and straps. Of course, we also have our iconic square face that many people recognise us by, but there are so many different variations throughout our series. As much in design as in distribution, the world of watches is often a staunchly traditional one. Do you think it’s important to mix things up and have a little fun with things? Absolutely, we’ve had this discussion many times within the company and with people across the watch industry. For me, personally, the industry and product offerings are, on the whole, not too exciting. If I’m to spend money on a product, I want it to make a statement, to say something but also be a reasonable value proposition. Obviously that’s my opinion, but I do feel, like in fashion, many people buy watches because of the name. We create a community of like-minded people through our global spaces and the SEVENFRIDAY app, where people can interact and have fun within the brand. Our products reflect our personality and the diverse range of characters we possess. The new T Series looks pretty amazing. Tell us a little about the inspiration behind it. How does it stack up against SEVENFRIDAY’s other watch offerings? We launched the latest T Series in August, 2019 in France. The first two pieces, the T2/01 and T3/01 were inspired by our designer's upbringing in the Normandy region and reflected the definitive landscape and beautiful colours of the ocean. The third and latest piece, the T2/02 conjures the warmth of nostalgia and good times with friends. All of the watches are our smallest and lightest yet, which make wearing them a little easier, too. @SEVENFRIDAY

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w w w.melk a.c om

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One Thing Done Well

Lock & Co. Lock & Co. Hatters, the iconic, Royal warrant holders, depart from tradition with the Escorial Wool Bucket Hat words Will HALBERT

t’s a well-known fact that when it comes to hats, we all have our comfort zones. For some, that comfort zone finds its limit at the humble beanie. For others, it’s the pork pie hat. But the bucket hat? The bucket hat represents a challenge most unparalleled. Singular in its evocation of either fishing trips or music festivals, it's all too quickly and unfairly dismissed as unfit to make a serious sartorial statement. It’s high time the ol’ bucket hat was given a makeover. And who better to give it the contemporary treatment than Lock & Co.? Established in 1676, Lock & Co. is the oldest hat shop in the world, and one of the oldest family-owned businesses still in operation. If anyone has the design and style wherewithal to overhaul the bucket hat, it’s them. And overhaul it they have. The Escorial Wool Bucket Hat offers a novel, luxurious twist on a subcultural classic. For those that don’t know, Escorial is a rare wool from Maghreb sheep originating from the Spanish Royal flocks of El Escorial. Today, this particular breed can only be found in small numbers in Australia and New Zealand. Escorial offers an incomparable drape and resilience, all the while maintaining a distinctly soft handle. Bottom line? Lock & Co.’s Escorial Bucket Hat offers casual wear elevated to the Nth degree. Now, this isn’t the first example of classic sartorialism spilling over into streetwear territory, but it is, by far, one of the best examples. The Escorial Bucket Hat doesn’t just deftly tread the often precarious intersection between high fashion and street style, it confidently, unapologetically, gleefully two steps all over it. This is, for the want of a better term, sartorial steez for the modern gentleman. Lock & Co. have been on the scene for a little while now - 343 years to be exact. By all accounts, it’s little forays into the unexpected such as the Escorial Bucket Hat that keep the family-owned business feeling fresh and new after all these years. EJ

lockhatters.co.uk

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STYLE

Let it Snow Inspired by snowy nights and family gatherings, the John Smedley Christmas capsule collection is a winter-warming feast for the senses words Will HALBERT

he John Smedley Christmas capsule has a firm focus on the joy and wonder of family heirlooms. A visual ode to the well made and the long lasting, the collection harks back to a time when beautiful, quality garments were lovingly treasured and passed through generations of families. And why would it be any other way? As a family business, John Smedley itself has operated in very much the same manner for the last 235 years. The collection itself is designed to evoke memories of borrowing your father’s, husband’s, partner’s sweater, or wrapping your children in your own garment as they fall asleep in front of the fire, tired from all the festivities. Each piece in the collection features traditional jacquards taken from the Smedley archives which are then produced across extra fine merino garments and hand-knitted Alpaca pieces alike. Smaller, more intricate patterns replicating snowy window scenes from family photographs and the words ‘Let it Snow…’ round out the festive charm of the garments.

In Good Company Providing bespoke cocktails at each and every John Smedley 235 event this year,

'Smaller, intricate patterns replicating snowy window

Rémy Martin are kindred spirits when it

scenes from family photographs and the words

comes to all things craft

‘Let it Snow...’ round the festive charm of the garments. words Will HALBERT In a true celebration of Smedley’s family spirit, the campaign itself fixes its lens on three generations of the Smedley family, who boast an 80-year tenure at the company between them. ‘Nothing gives us greater satisfaction than knowing we are the 8th generation of so many families who have contributed to making The World’s Finest Knitwear over the last 235 years,’ says Ian Maclean, Managing Director of John Smedley. ‘My first memory of John Smedley is going round the factory when I was a small boy’ adds Non Executive Director, Robert Marsden-Smedley. ‘I am now very proud to sit in the same boardroom as my ancestors, and to play a part in this iconic business.’ The John Smedley capsule collection is one that sings of Christmas spirit and offers a true celebration of family warmth. Like the brand itself, the Christmas capsule transcends trends to create a timeless collection that will go the distance, year after year. By all accounts, the capsule offers a fitting visual metaphor for a brand that, for all its history, has its sights fixed firmly on the years to come. EJ

ver the arbiters of style and class, it’s only fitting that John Smedley should see fit to toast their 235th anniversary with a fine glass of Rémy Martin Cognac. As a matter of fact, the Cognac house has been heavily and heartily involved in John Smedley’s year-long celebrations. We feel that warrants a brief introduction. You see, countless producers make Brandy. Numerous Houses create cognac. But only one House specialises in Cognac Fine Champagne. The House of Rémy Martin. Created nearly three centuries ago, Rémy Martin was founded on the principles of craftsmanship, savoir-faire and dedication. Rémy Martin already understood the magical effects of time: how a company, just like a spirit, can develop and grow finer with age. The eaux-de-vie of Grande and Petite Champagne are particularly rich and delicate, requiring a greater number of years to fully express their true character. They have outstanding aging potential. Still a family-owned business to this day, it now boasts one of the greatest cognac eaux-de-vie reserves in the world. Rémy Martin comes with time and patience: the secret to true elegance. With all this in mind, it’s easy to see why John Smedley and Rémy Martin get on so well. EJ

johnsmedley.com

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STYLE

The Evolution of Outerwear Uniqlo’s Hybrid Down range is the perfect

'The Parka

working example of simplicity done perfectly

offers warmth

words Will HALBERT

he Parka sure has come a long way over the years. What was once a heavy, animal-hide, winter-ready shield for the Inuit has since become an enduring icon of both technical outerwear and contemporary British style alike. Uniqlo’s ‘Hybrid Down’ take on the humble Parka might just be one of the finest iterations to date. Joining a number of other coat styles as part of the Japanese-born brand’s ‘Hybrid Down’ range, the Parka offers warmth and style in equal measure. Now, I know what you’re thinking: When it comes to the tricky world of technical outerwear, form and function are the rarest and most reluctant of bedfellows. That’s because, with very few exceptions, the middle ground between form and function is, well, exactly that: middling. Mediocrity is, after all, the inevitable result of excessive compromise. Lucky for us, compromise doesn’t come easy for a brand like Uniqlo, who have designed a range of coats with all the warming winter protection you could possi-

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and style in equal measure. ‘

bly need, without getting bogged down in the usual, bulky heft of the winter coat. By expertly engineering an advanced combination of premium down filling and high-performance insulation padding, Uniqlo have created the perfect marriage of heat, mobility, and versatility. Designed in conjunction with professional snowboarder Ayumu Hirano, these down-padded winter coats boast a lightweight, flexible and incredibly warm design that never sacrifices on style. The Hybrid Down technology removes the need for any quilting, meaning the coat retains a sleek and bulk-free silhouette. An additional water-repellent coating repels light rain, while the moisture-absorbing and heat-generating cotton further reinforces the range’s top tier outerwear credentials. Light in their build, warm in their construction, and future-proof in their minimal styling. Uniqlo’s Hybrid Down range offer up some serious outerwear solutions for your winter wardrobe. EJ uniqlo.com

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STYLE stores should feel homely, they should never make people feel uneasy or uncomfortable. Luca Faloni offer a space where people feel that they can take all the time they need. Our stores are a place for conversation and discovery. Ultimately, we want our customers to enjoy being with us. We want them to learn a little more about the brand and, you know, maybe grab a coffee or an Aperitivo while they’re at it!

Cashmere Dreams We sit down with brand founder, Luca Faloni, to talk fashion, fabric and the age-old, Italian knack for style

Can you describe how you settle on new designs and the colour palette when designing the collection? In terms of new designs, our collection evolves in a very natural way. We carefully, slowly, add new products to an existing category, season by season, without forcing the issue or making a huge focus of it. The idea is that we are creating versatile products that can be worn for a number of different occasions. Dressed up or down. That said, we will be introducing new colours, and we’re challenging ourselves to be slightly bolder with our colour choices moving forward.

words & interview Will HALBERT

orn initially out of sheer frustration at the lack of well-crafted menswear pieces in the best fabrics and at the most competitive prices, the Luca Faloni brand has evolved considerably. Now in its sixth year of business, Luca Faloni has stores in London, Stockholm and New York, and has become widely recognised for luxury garments hand-crafted in Italy. Here, the man behind it all brings us up to speed on the story so far. EJ

Tell us a little about how Luca Faloni came to be? The brand, that is. What sets you apart? The brand was started in 2014. The idea came about after I’d been living overseas for some time, and would always buy my clothes when I was on visits back home to Italy. To put it simply: I couldn’t find the same quality and style that I wanted elsewhere else in the world. Whilst working in San Francisco in 2012, I came across the direct-to-consumer model. I learned why traditional clothing brands were so expensive in relation to their quality: It was down to the high mark-ups from third-party retailers. It seemed to me that the industry was calling out for a consumer brand selling the very best in Italian quality, selling it globally, and at a fair price.

ESSENTIAL LUCA FALONI

Business models aside, what is the primary focus of Luca Faloni’s offerings? The focus has always been to provide classic designs with contemporary fits using the finest materials. I have always appreciated quality fabrics since my days growing up in Italy. For Luca Faloni, I want the focus to be on those longlasting materials, which are luxurious to wear but retain functional properties. So naturally, cashmere knitwear sits at the heart of the brand, due to its superior qualities over regular wool.

We know you guys are big believers in slow fashion practices, but are there any plans to expand on your core offering? We’ve been doing a little research into trousers of late, with a few chino designs already available in store. We really want to do more in this sector, creating a collection that can offer solutions for both day and night occasions. In terms of materials, we are always researching new blends. Next summer, for instance, we’re looking to introduce silk-cotton and silk-linen in our shirting and polo categories. Do you have any personal favourites from the

So you must place a real emphasis on sourcing the very best in those materials. Anyone you can tell us about? Absolutely. We mostly partner with trusted family businesses based in Northern Italy. The people we work with are true artisans, the best in the world at what they do. In terms of fabrics, we source from across Italy. We’re always looking for the very best suppliers. The most prestigious yarn producer for cashmere, for example, is Central Italy’s Cariaggi. Over the course of three generations, the business has refined its yarn to be the very best in quality. We trust them implicitly. How did you gauge people’s reactions to your product in the brand’s early stages? I actually used to email customers randomly! I always wanted to know what they liked or disliked about the product, and how we might be able to improve. At the moment, I like to visit the store on Saturdays, as it’s the busiest day of the weekend and I can talk to as many people as possible to see how they feel about what we’re trying to achieve.

Cashmere Rollneck - Ivory current Faloni collections?

Oh, that’s a tough one! I’m a big fan of the chunky knit cashmere crew for when it gets really cold. It’s really comfortable, wear after wear, and extremely warm. I always wear it over a tee shirt. I can’t just pick one thing though, so the cashmere hoodie deserves a mention. It’s something I wear as much when travelling as when I’m in the office, as it has a natural style and it’s really functional. It’s elegant and can pass as a casual piece that fits a formal occasion. Our brushed cotton shirts are amazing as well. The cotton keeps me warm without adding too much weight. Cashmere Hoodie - Green

And last but not least, why is it that Italian gentlemen seem to have an almost genetic predisposition to effortless style? [Laughing] That’s another tricky one! But a compliment, all the same. I don’t know, maybe it’s something we have built in our DNA, or maybe it’s just something we learn from a young age. There are a lot of independent stores and artisans in Italy. So I guess that interest in cut, fit, fabric and quality is kind of pervasive! It rubs off.

It’s fair to say that Luca Faloni has been a resounding success. What do you put that down to? I think the success of, and warm reception to, the brand is down to the fact that it has remained focussed on getting the key elements right. Our designs don’t adhere to a seasonal time-frame, for instance. Instead, they focus on creating timeless styles at a fair price without any messy interference from third parties. That really resonates with people. Tell us a little about your brick-and-mortar stores. What can we expect when we step inside? Feeling relaxed and welcome is of the utmost importance for me personally. Our

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Brushed Cotton Shirt - Blue

lucafaloni.com

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Flashforward Ben Sherman’s SS20 collection is both a visual ode

THE LEGEND AMONG ICONS.

to the brand’s rich past and a testament to its unstoppable forward momentum words Will HALBERT

Flying the Flag As the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic games in 2020 come within striking distance, British menswear brand Ben Sherman has unveiled an exclusive capsule collection with Team GB words Will HALBERT

rom music, to art, to sports, Ben Sherman has long been the first and last word in Great British culture. With that in mind, their selection as an Official Supporter of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo (and beyond) is, by turns, truly inspired and totally logical. That’s right, Ben Sherman have been selected to support the nation’s finest competitors during the world’s greatest sporting event by creating exclusive looks to be worn by the British athletes during the official Opening Ceremony. And why would it be any other way? Being the bastion of British subcultural style and spirit that it is, it’s no surprise that Ben Sherman should find a kind of kinship in the selection of skilled Olympians that make up Team GB. There’s a shared respect here, a mutual reverence for those who carve their own path, for those who strive for greatness, and for those who generally take things one step further than most would even consider possible. Ben Sherman has always operated at the cutting edge of popular culture. It both fuels and thrives on its tides and trends. In this sense, the capsule collection is a respectful nod to that cyclical relationship. ‘We will use the brand’s heritage, authenticity and aesthetic excellence to inspire the very same athletes who inspire us with their dedication and sportsmanship,’ says long standing Ben Sherman Creative Director, Mark Williams. ‘The design elements will hold true to the spirit of the Olympics and Great Britain. We want the athletes to feel an immense sense of achievement and unity while representing the nation during the Opening Ceremony.’ Ben Sherman was a legend in his own right. Often described by his friends and peers as forever ‘embracing the new and the different’; he was a man in constant pursuit of the very best. 56 years on and it’s safe to say that the Ben Sherman ethos hasn’t changed one bit. As the British Olympic Association receives no annual government funding and is reliant on private and corporate sponsors, proceeds from the sale of Ben Sherman’s capsule collection will directly support British Olympians. The partnership is but one example of Ben Sherman’s uncompromising authenticity, its peerless heritage, and its enduring dedication to the myriad facets of Great British culture. EJ The capsule collection will be available to purchase at Ben Sherman standalone stores, online at bensherman.co.uk, and at select retailers.

ith so much fire at its back and fuel in its engine, it would be easy for Ben Sherman to simply sit back and casually coast on former glories. But from the look of the British heritage brand’s SS20 collection, Ben Sherman has absolutely no intention of taking its foot off the gas. The collection is a full throttle display that drives home exactly what it is that Ben Sherman do best: Offer unique and exciting twists on its vast, heritage-inflected repertoire. Building on the brand’s long-standing and inimitable menswear credentials, the SS20 collection itself is a picture perfect representation of a Ben Sherman summer of style and ease. All the staples are here, of course, but there’s a slight Californian vibe to the whole collection. Think long-standing, multi-season staples like the Harrington jacket, the Oxford shirt, and the fishtail parka, each updated in more summer-friendly fits and fabrics. In a celebration of the diverse, musical underpinnings that have always formed the foundations of the Ben Sherman brand, the latest collection calls on the vibrancy of the summer festival to create a collection that is effortlessly cool and endlessly wearable. EJ

Portugieser Perpetual Calendar. Ref. 5033: The daring expeditions of the Por tuguese seafarers

into human lifetimes, this model could be working on its legendary status for eternity. IWC . ENGINEERING DREAMS . SINCE 1868 .

held out the promise of everlasting glory. A worthy legacy of this heroic epoch is the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar. Timelessly elegant, it features trailblazing technology that includes a 7-day automatic movement with Pellaton winding and a power reserve display showing the date until 2499. So converted

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Mechanical movement · Pellaton automatic winding system · IWC-manufactured 52610 calibre · 7-day power reserve with display · Perpetual calendar with displays for the date, day, month, year in four digits and perpetual Moon Phase · Anti-reflective sapphire-glass · See-through sapphire-glass back · Water-resistant 3 bar · Diameter 44.2 mm · Alligator leather strap by Santoni

MANCHESTER – NEWLY DESIGNED SHOWROOM NOW OPEN LIVERPOOL ONE CANARY WHARF WWW.DAVIDMROBINSON.CO.UK

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30.10.19 10:55

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Tailored Thoughts On:

Christmas Shopping Unsure what to get that special (or not so special) someone this year? Huntsman cutter, Matthew Gonzalez, gives his two cents on the art of festive gift giving

A Cut Above How do you chill out with a no-days-off lifestyle? According to Ian Harrold, the key to relaxation isn’t in the day off, but in the art of the mini break

words Matthew GONZALEZ

ecember is often a socially busy time of the year. The run up to Christmas means there are work parties, frequent nights out at the pub, copious amounts of food and - unfortunately - Christmas shopping. Few things in our social lives are more stressful than having to buy a gift for just one person - let alone practically everyone you know - because there is so much pressure to ‘get it right’. To help alleviate some of that stress, especially for those last minute shoppers out there, here is a guide on how to select the perfect present for your friends, family and acquaintances. There are essentially two types of gifts; the obligatory gift and the meaningful gift. An obligatory gift is exactly what it sounds like, it’s a gift that you feel you need to give to someone, either because they unexpectedly gave you one, or because your connection to them socially dictates that you should. Meaningful gifts, on the other hand, are for people that are really important in our lives; family members, partners, and close friends. Obligatory gifts are actually pretty straight forward. How much you spend will depend on circumstance and your relationship to the person, but the methodology doesn’t change. First of all, when you’re out shopping, avoid tat at all costs. No one likes receiving it, and it’s a literal waste of money. As environmental issues increasingly influence how we live our lives, there is no reason we should go out and buy a smiling plastic cactus desk ornament that you saw on some gift guide. If it is bound for the bin or a charity shop immediately after opening, then you would have been better off giving cash or donating to charity. Obligatory gifts should not be, or at least appear to be, thoughtless. The best option for these kinds of gifts are consumable. Few people will be disappointed by receiving wine, whiskey, chocolate or a nice tin of biscuits. If you want to give food, make sure to find the right balance between quality and quantity. A box of celebrations are great, but not really an appropriate gift. Instead, a box of truffles from Charbonnel et Walker or Fortnum & Mason will add a luxurious feel to any present without breaking the bank. Buying a gift for a loved one is hard, especially after years of knowing the person. Eventually, all the great ideas have been done. Great gifts can carry some emotional weight and will hopefully be cherished by the recipient. We live in a world where we have too little time and too much stuff, so instead of giving just another physical present, consider giving an experience. With a little planning, you can easily book tickets to a show, exhibition or even a weekend city break that will be a moment that can be shared between the two of you, or as a gift to another couple. If a long weekend or tickets to Wilderness Festival are a bit too pricey, remember that meaningful gifts are given as a token of love, friendship and affection. Just like the obligatory gift, you can imbue an object with a lot of emotional weight and transform an otherwise pedestrian gift into something special by simply explaining why you chose it. For example, if you found and framed a favourite childhood photo and gave it to your parents explaining why that photo meant something to you, it will probably start to mean a lot to them as well. All of us have that one cherished object that means the world to us but is worthless to everyone else, and that is because objects do not possess value until we assign it to them. A great gift shouldn’t be about giving someone a thing that they did not already own. Instead, it should remind them about what they already have: A person in their life who cared enough to want to give them a present in the first place. MG

words IAN HARROLD

ellness is a funny one, isn’t it? For some, it boils down to a decent work/life balance. For others, it’s a question of keeping the concept of ‘work’ to an absolute minimum. Wellness can be an evening with friends, or a much-needed moment of solitude. For the more cynical amongst us, the term ‘wellness’ joins words like ‘mindfulness’ and ‘fitness’ in the long list of commodified fads from which people can make a quick buck. But it’s a term worth dwelling on, all the same. Wellness for me comes in the structural safety of a working week. Over the years, I’ve grown pretty accustomed to working a seven day week. I’m often met with looks of disbelief when I tell people that, as it seems like such an impossible tempo to some. I’m sure you’ve all stood at a train station at some point or another and seen a high-speed train rush by. From the perspective of the person on the platform, that train is a furious and frantic flurry of colour, noise and speed. But for those on the train? Well, things don’t feel so furious. They feel perfectly normal and comfortable. I live my life on that train. And I’m not alone, either. There are those on the (metaphorical) train with me. That’s not to say that I don’t get to relax, just that I relax in a very different way. To truly disconnect, I need a time and a place in which to truly switch off and do absolutely nothing. And would you believe it, a good old fashioned shave is just the ticket. It might sound odd at first, but being sat in a stranger’s chair with a razor against your neck is one of the most relaxing experiences out there. Think about it: You’re not only sat down, you’re reclined. There’s no temptation to look at your phone, and talking is almost impossible. And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s the promise of cold beer or a warm cup of tea too. Sure, it’s not a weekend away or a hot yoga session, but trust me: When a week is well and truly kicking your arse, 20 minutes in the barber chair can feel like a real win. Don’t believe me? Just swing by on any given day and see just how many guys fall asleep in the chair. IH @ianharrold1

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STYLE

YOUR CITY. YOUR RULES. Tessuti's AW19 New York City shoot welcomes you to the concrete jungle words Will HALBERT

An Essential guide to getting the lay of the land in New York City Coffee, Stumptown Originally opened in Portland, Oregon, Stumptown Coffee Roasters bring a whole new meaning to the idea of starting strong. From fresh espresso to ice cold nitro, Stumptown has everything you need to fuel your morning walk through the streets of Manhattan. Don’t just swing by for the coffee, though; their donuts and pastries also happen to be the stuff of legend.

Brunch, Dante A Greenwich Village institution since it opened its doors in 1915, there’s a good reason Dante was recently awarded World’s Best Bar. The only thing stronger than Dante’s food offering is its drinks menu. Which, I’m sure we can all agree, is a beautiful thing. Feeling guilty about drinking before midday? Order up a Garibaldi. It’s got orange juice in; it’s practically breakfast. Dinner, Spaghetti Incident When it comes to the age-old art of Italian-American cuisine, it really doesn’t get more authentic than Spaghetti Incident. It’s a no-nonsense, family-owned, cash-only business that makes its own fresh pasta in-house. For those in a hurry to cram more into their NYC visit, the fine folk at Spaghetti Incident even offer their pasta dishes in a cone to take away. How thoughtful.

here’s not a place on earth that has a rhythm quite like that of New York City. Each of its five boroughs is a wild and wonderful blurring of voices, faces, cultures and places, all caught up in a dizzy dance of light and sound. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city streets, menswear giants, Tessuti must have felt right at home. It’s a tough place in which to leave one’s mark, after all, but Tessuti are no strangers to standing out. The rooftops, fire escapes and steaming, street-level, subway grates all provided the picture perfect backdrops for Tessuti’s roll call of outerwear heavy-hitters. Boasting the utilitarian edge of Parajumpers, the razor sharp style of Moose Knuckles, the Alpine charm of Pyrenex, and casual cool of Stone Island, Tessuti’s AW19 collection represents a who’s who of menswear mainstays, perfect for helping you to stand out in the Big Apple and beyond. EJ

tessuti.co.uk

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Drinks, Attaboy Speakeasies don’t come cooler than this. Tucked away in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Attaboy serves up perfection by the glass and thrills by the shot. That is, if you can find the place. For those lucky few that do, leave your name and number with the doorman and he’ll get back to you when a space comes up. Trust us, it’s worth the wait. Sleep, The Ace Hotel The poster boy for staying in style, Manhattan’s Ace Hotel is a masterclass in modern design and the benchmark in hotel luxury. It’s edgy, it’s cool, and it’s a stone's throw from where the action’s at. And if you’re all partied out from a day of exploration then don’t sweat it: There are two bars downstairs ready and waiting to serve you.

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STYLE

High-flying Fashion

heritage kit fit for a fighter ace

here’s something quite wholesome to the spirit of collaboration, don’t you think? The idea of two creative forces coming together to make something that sings of both parties’ personalities, whilst still managing to create something truly unique. Take the Dehen X Rivet & Hide Flyer’s Club Jacket, for instance. A spin on a spin, if you will, this collaborative jacket from Portland-based, heritage knitwear company, Dehen 1920, and purveyors of rare denim, Rivet & Hide, offers up a solid example of what both parties do best. The original Dehen Flyer's Club Jacket takes its stylistic cues from the military flight jackets of yesteryear by harnessing the ruggedly utilitarian charm of both the MA-1 and the B-15 flight jackets. This exclusive Rivet & Hide variant, however, dials the luxury element up a notch by swapping out Dehen’s classic, cotton canvas outer for a hefty-yet-soft, 24oz Melton wool (sourced from the family-owned Pendleton Mills of Oregon, no less). A heavyweight, safety orange, satin lining adds a pop of colour, while a subtle Rivet & Hide logo - expertly embroidered on the jacket’s inner placket - offers up one final, custom flourish. A grail piece and then some, the Dehen X Rivet & Hide Custom Flyer's Club Jacket can be found turning heads and dropping jaws at Rivet & Hide’s Manchester and London stores. EJ

words Will HALBERT

rivetandhide.com | @rivetandhide

The Dehen X Rivet & Hide Flyer’s Club Jacket is a piece of

Image credits: John Phillips

A ‘ spin on a spin, if you will, this collaborative jacket from Portland-based, heritage knitwear company, Dehen 1920, and purveyors of rare denim, Rivet & Hide, offers up a solid example of what both parties do best.'

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COVER STORY

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS Widely recognised as one of the foremost flankers in the Premiership, it’s safe to say that Tom Curry has both the world at his feet and the country at his back. We catch up with the Rugby Union wonder kid himself to talk about the importance of family, the value of pressure, and the unimportance of self-preservation words Will HALBERT photography Colin DACK

itting down with Tom amidst the stalls of Sale Sharks' oldest training ground, Heywood Road, it’s easy to forget that Tom Curry is both the youngest player to start at flanker for England and the youngest England forward since 1912. At just 21, the Sale Sharks’ flanker exudes a level of clarity, composure, and professionalism that far exceeds his age. It also has to be said that, for a guy with a frame purpose-built for the hell-forleather endeavour of sheering people in half on the pitch, he looks right at home Interview Begins Overleaf in a turtleneck. EJ

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COVER STORY

COVER STORY It holds us accountable. On those off days when I can’t quite motivate myself to get that workout in, Ben will give me that much-needed nudge, and vice versa. It’s those gentle reminders that stop you from growing too complacent. So yeah, there’s a real positive to that sense of competition. It’s a healthy competition, for sure.

Talk us through the story so far. How did you get into rugby in the first place? I guess you could call it a family thing. My dad played up to 21. My uncle, too. He has a bit of a record, as it happens: He’s one of the most-benched players on the England team. He played at a time when you only got subbed on if the player you were subbing was injured. My uncle sat behind Brian Moore, a bit of a legend in his own right, who pretty much never got injured. Then there’s my brother Ben, who plays for Sale Sharks, too. It’s always been a very organic thing. We grew up around rugby, and a host of other sports, from a very young age. From the ages of 3 to 14, my dad saw to it that we were just playing for the sheer fun of it. And then come the age of 16 or 17, when Sale put a contract on the table, we started taking it more seriously. That’s when my dad kicked things up a notch. That’s a solid support network, all in all. Do you think it’s important to have that level of support in a profession like yours? Absolutely. Having both my dad and my brother taking similar paths has helped me enormously. There’s a huge element of relatability and understanding between us all. From a physical standpoint, everything my brother and I are is entirely down to him. That goes without saying. But my dad has been a tremendous pillar of emotional support, too. Without a doubt, neither myself nor my brother would be where we are now without him. Your brother is an accomplished player in his own right. What has it been like coming up in the game together? Is it a source of motivation or competition? Is there a friendly rivalry between you two? Oh, it’s certainly boiled over a time or two! We’re really competitive, we always have been. Even when we’d play cricket together as kids, there would always be a bat or two thrown about. As kids, we’d channel that sense of competition into just winding each other up. Now, it’s a major source of motivation for the two of us. That competitive edge helps us to push one another while we’re training.

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‘It often gets overlooked, but rest is often just as important as the exercise itself. You can’t go allin 100% of the time.’

Can you talk us through a typical day of training? To be honest, there isn’t really a typical day. Some days are more taxing by design. They’ll involve heavy upper body sessions. These can take on a more low-key tone if they need to, doubling up as rehab more than anything. Trying to isolate muscles as opposed to going for big, explosive lifts. You come to intuit what your body needs after a while. You know what it’s been lacking. So if I’ve not been doing much pulling, or firing up the deltoids for a while, for example, I’ll start getting small impingements in my shoulder. So I’ll try to isolate those areas to keep things ticking and sharp. The tougher sessions tend to be more unstructured. Once you get into the general play of things, you don’t really have too much organisation. Those less structured sessions tend to include a hell of a lot more running, so that ticks the cardio box quite nicely. There will be a physical element to it too, of course. It’s important, even in training, that you get a taste for contact. Not full-on, hell for leather stuff. We save that for the weekends. But just enough to keep the basics in line and the body ready. That all sounds pretty relentless. How do you offset that kind of intensity outside of training? I’ll usually get back and have a massive, two hour nap! I’m a big sleeper. I honestly don’t think I could cope without a good nap. It often gets overlooked, but rest is often just as important as the exercise itself. You can’t go all-in 100% of the time. It’s all about finding a balance that works for you. Aside from sleep, what do you do to relax after training? After that, I’ll socialise a little bit, grab a coffee over in Altrincham Market with my brother, maybe. It might sound a little counterintuitive, but I’ll usually round off a day of training with a lighter gym session with Ben. It’s not something I do with performance in mind, necessarily. It’s just something we’ve always done. It makes me feel good. People think it’s performance focussed, but it’s more than that. Sure, working out helps me keep that all-important weight on, but it also puts me in a good place mentally. A good gym session helps cut out any exterior stress. You can just concentrate on lifting as much as possible. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a sauna and a swim. Something low-key that you can still go all-in on and blow off some steam.

‘Having both my dad and my brother taking similar paths has helped me enormously. There’s a huge element of relatability and understanding between us all.'

How important is diet when it comes to your personal sense of fitness? Is maintaining that kind of mass ever a challenge? Keeping the weight on can be tough! Just think of the energy demands of the World Cup: 20 weeks of solid playing, week in, week out, with only a few days downtime in between. It sounds like an odd problem to have, I know, but the sheer amount of eating involved is staggering. But it’s not a question of eating everything in sight. It’s important to be eating the right stuff. If you don’t stay on top of your diet, then you’ll see your performance drop off dramatically. Surely you must have a guilty pleasure or two? Let’s just say that the McDonald’s in Japan does a mean Chicken Fillet Burger! But seriously, you have to allow yourself the odd indulgence every now and again. They’re good for the soul. They also help make keeping that weight on a little easier, too. Generally speaking, would you say you’re a relaxed person? Are you able to switch off after playing or training? I’ve given a fair bit of thought on this lately, and I’m definitely learning a lot about myself. As little as a year ago, I was racing back after training to go over recordings of my performance to see where I could tweak and optimise things. Recently, though, I’ve learned to mellow out a little more. I’ve found that your ability to switch off directly affects your ability to switch on. If you’re not capable of gearing down, you’re never going to be able to fire on all cylinders when the occasion really calls for it. As you get older I think that ability to adapt quickly and know when you need to chill out becomes more refined. But I’ve definitely learned a lot over the last few years. And pre-game? Do you still get any jitters before a match? Or is this all familiar territory to you now? I still get nervous. I think it’s important that you do. You learn to harness

‘I still get nervous. I think it’s important that you do. You learn to harness those nerves.'

those nerves, all that adrenaline, and use it to get yourself ready for the task at hand. You need it, to some extent. I’d honestly be more worried if I weren’t nervous! It’s not always pleasant at the time, but there’s no denying that it’s a useful energy if you can channel it effectively. Music helps with that: it sustains the excitement and anticipation right through to kick-off. Beyond that, the game takes care of the rest. For all the nerves you might have beforehand, you’re fearless on the pitch. Is there any element of self preservation on the field? Or do you just have to go for it? I think that’s one of the positives of getting into the sport at such a young age. That self-preservation really hasn’t kicked in [laughs]. Like I said before, I started playing for the sheer fun of it, and that really hasn’t changed. There’s an element of just letting go on the field. You don’t really hold on to that concern for yourself in the heat of it all. Which is pretty useful when playing the position I do, where you’re literally getting involved in just about every grisly aspect of the game. Do you have any pre-game rituals? Not really. I know a lot of people expect players to have rituals like this but I’ve never found them useful. Because you hear so much about it, don’t you? Omens and the like. Players insisting

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COVER STORY

Tom wears the Wool Blend Borg Collar Jacket and Roll Neck from M&S, denim by Jacob Cohen, and the Mansfield Chelsea Boot by Barker.

on putting their left boot on before their right otherwise it’s bad luck, and things like that. I’ve done a lot of reading around the psychology of it all, and I’ve found that you just get in your own way with thinking like that. You don’t want to go into a game with any of those superstitions. Because they’ll only distract you. You have to learn to roll with any and all variables before a game, otherwise you’re setting yourself up for distraction. That could see you really lose your edge. That said, you’re one of the youngest players to start an international in 90 years. You’re going toe-to-toe with older, more experienced players. Is that ever intimidating? It’s a learning experience more than anything. It’s great to hear of the experiences of the older lads and draw on their insights. There’s no real pressure in that sense, certainly not within the team. It doesn’t really matter if you have one cap or a hundred, everyone is playing with the same goal in mind. It’s a great experience. Has there ever been a point in your career when you’ve had your confidence knocked at all? Obviously, there are the times when you miss a tackle or you drop the ball. I think it happened to me in the South Africa final, in fact. It can feel pretty devastating at that exact instant. But one of the most brilliant things about rugby is the fact that the game gives you so many chances to redeem yourself. The game really doesn’t stand still, so you find yourself constantly pushing forward. So yeah, I dropped the ball in the World Cup final, but before you know it, you’ve got another scrum and you’re about to make another tackle straight away. So you put it out of your mind and you press on. So it’s really all about making that sense of pressure work for you, rather than being dominated by it? Totally, you’ve hit the nail right on the head. There are definitely games - like the New Zealand semi-final - where all you can think about is how important the game is. Not just for yourself, but for those around you, for England. In those cases, some players might tell themselves that it’s just another game. They play down the importance of it all to minimise that sense of pressure. But I prefer to appreciate it for exactly what it is. I like that sort of pressure, because it gives it all a real sense of purpose. Those moments don’t come around very often. They might never come around again. You’ve got to treat those moments of pressure with the respect they deserve. @thomascurry_7

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LIFESTYLE

Expert Help Barry’s Manchester trainers, Mark Ross & Amelia Smith, talk us through their time with Lucky 7 winner, Michael Atherton

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words Amelia SMITH & Mark ROSS

ichael was new to Barry’s when we started mentoring him for Lucky 7. It was important that he understood from the beginning that this was his personal journey and to not compare himself to anyone but himself in the Red Room. Barry’s is a workout designed for everyone, no matter your fitness level, but it can be frustrating for some when the mindset isn’t quite right. Wanting to be the best version of yourself versus trying to be the most fit in the room are two totally different things and we didn’t want Michael to experience this as he was building his fitness up. Instead of aiming to be as fast or as strong as the person next to him, we made him focus on the ‘mini wins’ in each class, which could be him controlling the weights better, having better form, or improving his own speeds by 0.2 here and there on the treadmill. Before we knew it, he was one of the best lifters in class because he only focussed on himself, he always felt great once finished, which was the goal. We had to work on Michael's mindset a lot towards his training, he had always thought that the motivation behind training was ‘just’ to look good, but we wanted to turn that around and show that taking a Barry’s class has so many more important benefits. After a while, he was getting up at 6am because of the way the class would make him feel after it and how it would set up his day to succeed in his job and life. We believe that most people go to the gym initially to look good, but they stay around long term for how it makes you feel. Michael has been no exception to this. Towards the end of the 8-week program of Lucky 7, Michael’s body was obviously fatigued and we just shifted his mindset to focus the last couple of weeks on his mental toughness, rather than it being about his physical strength. Sometimes you need to work out for your body, other times work out for your head. EJ

Wellness Redefined Barry’s Lucky 7 programme begs the question; why wait until the new year for the new you? words Will HALBERT

arry’s is a firm believer in the idea that there’s no time like the present to up the ante and kick things up a gear. Back in September, Barry’s Lucky 7 initiative gave people the opportunity to do exactly that. By offering seven individuals a holistic, once-in-a-lifetime, 8-week wellness package (consisting of five classes per week alongside expert nutritional advice and top tier psychotherapy) Barry’s has redefined the very notion of wellness. ‘The Lucky 7 programme is designed to transform you into the person you have always wanted to become,’ says Barry’s Bootcamp founder, Sandy Macaskill. ‘It will enhance both your physical and mental wellbeing and if you give us your commitment, we can guarantee that you will see change and feel better than you have ever felt before.’ Having run from 30th September to 24th November, Barry’s is now able to reveal the ultimate winner of the programme: Manchester’s Michael Atherton. ‘I can't thank everyone enough,’ says Michael. ‘The experience has, and will continue to, truly change my life.’ ‘For over four years, I have been trying to get in shape, but never managed to maintain any new plan I came up with for more than a week or two. Barry's has given me the excitement, enthusiasm and energy to enjoy exercise, to challenge myself and to actually be focused on achieving something. ‘You have given me the confidence, self-belief and a new attitude to carry forward on my journey and for that I can never thank you enough. I’ll see you in the Red Room.’ EJ

barrysbootcamp.co.uk

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WELLNESS

Let’s start off with a little story so far. Can you give us a little insight into your career, how and where you got started, who you've worked for, and the different jobs and roles you've had? Before I ever had a podcast, I had what you’d call a successful illustration career. I’d worked with the likes of Nickelodeon, Starbursts and Nutella. Lots of tasty clients [laughs]! I’d also worked with Google and Sony and a bunch of other people. Before that, I went to college in the UK and I lived there for five years. My first couple jobs came from connections I’d made in London. That’s kind of how I got my start. I turned a college project into a published book called The Indie Rock Colouring Book. That was kind of a side project that transformed into this viral, online project that then became a book that was featured in a lot of prominent places. That was a nice strong start, but then the recession hit. The fuel that propelled me as a fresh graduate went dry, and everything kind of went, well, crap. It all died down. Just a year after leaving school, I hit a huge roadblock of absolutely no jobs. I had to pick myself up. So, I did this project called NOD. It was a deeper dive into my true artistic voice and what I wanted to be about. It was a new character every weekday for a year. That was the true starting point for what my work is today. It slowly but surely kickstarted my career anew. I also took the time to learn about marketing and business through podcasts and books. I was able to build a much more thriving creative career, one that was fuller and more stable. Everything I learned through all of that is what I then turned into the podcast. Which is probably what I’m most well-known for now. Since then I’ve worked with clients like The New York Times, The Washington Post, Amazon and YouTube. It’s been fantastic! But I do love doing art for the Instagram side of things. I love working and making stuff for real people.

and pitfalls of a pursuit of wellness in the creative industry

Do you think the idea of wellness is more challenging in the creative industry? Are the boundaries between work and life harder to establish? I’ve given this a lot of thought over the years, and I think there are two big reasons why the idea of wellness is such a tricky thing for creative people. The first is that we have this idea of the tortured artist, and how suffering is necessary for great work. I don’t think we need suffering to make great art, I think that great artists are natural sufferers! In order to make great art, you must be extremely sensitive. Because I think great art is more about your sensibilities than your actual abilities. That sensitivity gives you a palette to work from. You can recreate recipes and you can recreate feelings in people, because you’re so in tune with you own sensitivities. And that makes wellness tricky! The second thing is, well, let’s just say my car is always messy! Because I could clean my car, or I could make more art. Or I could write a new story. I could record a new podcast. I could write a new kid’s book. Unlike regular nine-to-five jobs, where there is a finite number of things to get done in that day, art has no limit. The ultimate enemy of the artist is time. Not only does your car suffer, your self-care suffers. It’s so easy for me to throw out my jogging routine when I want to make stuff, you know? It's important to realise that your wellbeing is essential to you making your best work. I used to think that the best I could do was synonymous with the most I could do. What I now realise is this: If I’m doing the most I can do, then I’m simply not doing the best that I’m able to do.

words & interview Will HALBERT

How did the idea for your podcast, Creative Pep Talk, come about? I’ve always liked this quote from Gary Shandling. He said that ‘you should give what you didn’t get’. I like to think that I started Creative Pep Talk not so much because I’m great at giving creative pep talks, but because I had such a need for creative pep talks in the past, when they didn’t exist.

Creative Camaraderie We sit down with illustrator, podcaster, public speaker, and all-round nice guy, Andy J Pizza, to talk about the peaks

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WELLNESS

I’ve seen so many creative people suffering, people like my mom and my close friends, and I think that when you have all of these chunks dug out of your heart, you can either allow those chunks to create a hole, or you can use it as a well, a well of passion to help creative people thrive. I actually wanted to start the podcast in 2010, when I realised there wasn’t anything like that for creative people. But I was too scared of the tech, to scared to be the business guy, the career guy in the creative world. I thought I would be ostracized. So, it took a couple of years for me to pluck up the courage to make it happen. You recently published a completely unedited episode of Creative Pep Talk. What was the motivation behind that? Do you think we need to start living a little more unedited? That’s a good question! I try to do that about once a year, because I feel like the most essential thing for an artist is to get people connected to the authentic, truest version of yourself. I think it’s great to stylise that, to have an aesthetic and to make it palatable with whatever tools you have. But over time, there’s this build up that occurs. You add so many layers and so much veneer that you don’t realise you can no longer see the core. I like to do these unedited episodes because I feel like it gets people in touch with me in a more real way. And it also helps me be more myself and less produced as well. It’s kind of like a reboot.

'It's important to realise that your wellbeing is essential to you making your best work.'

The Creative industry can feel a little ‘every man for himself ’ at times. What compels you to help people in the way you do? Why is it important to talk about and share your experiences? Basically, I just don’t feel like the world is built to let creative people thrive. I don’t think the creative career path is something that we’re very familiar with. We don’t realise that there are a lot of patterns involved with success in this industry, and that there are a lot of things we can learn from one another. And so, I think my struggles, and the struggles of those around me, have compelled me to develop this deep passion for helping other people. Have you always been so into, and skilled at, public speaking? Was there ever a time when it was more challenging or came less naturally? I’m really interested in balancing this idea of growth mindset with the idea of a fixed mindset. Growth mindset is the ability to develop skills, while fixed mindset comes down to natural talent, these things that we have that we can’t change or grow. Public speaking is a real balance of those two factors. I’ve always enjoyed being on stage and in front of people. In high school, I would always ace oral book reports. Even for books that I hadn’t read! That was kind of a natural talent. The first couple of talks that I did in my creative career, I thought I could just get by with that natural talent. And as a result, I had a few opportunities early in my career where I well and truly bombed! It was horrifying! It almost made me never book another speaking gig. It was that painful. I had to supplement my natural ability with learning, practise and technique. I read a lot about public speaking, and I learned about storytelling outlines, story arcs and analogies; these ways of organising the things that I wanted to communicate. Over time, that combination of developed skills, techniques, and hacks, mashed together with a natural inclination, has made public speaking my favourite creative outlet.

Illustration Courtesy of Andy J Pizza

What really stresses you out, and how do you combat it?

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The things that stress me out the most are numbers. I hate numbers, I hate anything to do with numbers. I might even have dyscalculia, I don’t know. Honestly, I think it has something to do with my ADHD. I have a theory - I’ve no idea if this is true - that ADHD creates much more of a right-brained person. I’m very big picture. The left brain deals in detail, logic and order. I feel like those are things are more distant. I think of it as a store. The right brain stuff is in the window, while the left-brain stuff is way back in the storeroom. If anyone asks me a left-brain question, then I’m going to have to leave my position and go sifting way back there, in the depths of the storeroom. It’s going to take me forever, and it’s going to be stressful. So forms, taxes, bills, emails, all of that stuff stresses me out in a very over-thetop, abnormal sort of way. I’ve had the privilege to outsource a lot of these things. My

Creative Pep Talk is a regular podcast aimed at helping you build a thriving creative career

wife takes on a lot of that stuff at home. And my manager-agent, Ryan Appleton, handles a lot of it at work. I’m still in the process of fully outsourcing every possible aspect of that, because it de-rails any creativity. Every moment spent doing that stuff is a moment not spent doing something I love and excel at. It totally throws me off, it can ruin an entire day - or weeks when it comes to tax season! We always hear about the successes in people’s careers. I wonder if you could share a couple of experiences that really challenged you along the way? Right after college, I had this opportunity to work with a dream client and have my artwork featured on Nickelodeon. Through a mix of marketing and hustling, I had gotten this opportunity much sooner than I was ready for it. I sent over my final illustrations to the client, and their reply was that the rough drafts looked okay and that they couldn't wait to see the finals. And, of course, those were my finals! That was so devastating that I gave up on illustration altogether for a while. I took down my website and quit. Ultimately, though, it inspired me to take the creative career path more seriously. To go on a real journey of honing my gift and developing my craft. Those learning curves are always painful, but I’ve gotten pretty good at using a more observational part of myself, one that’s above the chaos and can see the opportunity for growth. Getting caught outside your comfort zone, after all, is just a part of expanding your territory. And finally, could you give us an unedited run down of your year? The good, the bad, and the ugly of Andy J Pizza in 2019, if you will. The things I’m most excited about I’m not actually allowed to talk about right now. They’re top secret! I’m working on several kids books with Chronicle Books, and that’s fantastic! I got to go to HITRECORD and interview Joseph Gordon-Levitt this year for the podcast, and we did a big collaboration with his company. That was a dream come true, because I’ve been a fan of his since his first indie films like Manic and Brick. It’s been a good year. Not a whole lot of ugly in there. The only challenge is that I made a bunch of shifts in my work that caused my business to change in terms of the type of clients I got. What I was communicating ended up changing my inquiries in ways I hadn’t planned for. When it comes to the different markets that you have your hands in - editorial, advertising, illustration, kids' books, whatever - there’s a set-it-andforget-it mentality, a tendency to think you break in and that’s that. But if you stop communicating every aspect of what you do then things can dry up in certain areas. There are some areas that I would have loved to work in more, but I quit putting that stuff out there, so those opportunities just sort of fell off. You have to be very careful when communicating what you actually do. In 2020 I’m going to try and fix that a little bit. EJ @andyjpizza andypizza.co.uk

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STYLE

What’s On The Bennett Winch S.C. Holdall is available from bennettwinch.com

January – March

For more on Bennett Winch follow: @bennett_winch

Wednesday 22 January 8pm Music Room A Theatr Mwldan Production

Office-ready Ruggedness Striking an expert balance between form and function, Bennett Winch’s innovative new Suit Carrier Holdall represents a timeless piece that’s perfect for the demands of modern life words Will HALBERT

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verlooked by most but never underappreciated by the truly initiated, there’s more to the humble holdall than meets the eye. This rings especially true when the holdall in question is The Suit Carrier Holdall from luxury luggage crafters, Bennett Winch. By all accounts, the S.C. Holdall is one of those ingenious, whydidn’t-I-think-of-that instances of design that doesn’t just improve on a classic, it blows it clean out of the water. The sharp, understated, look of the ensemble masks a holdall and a suit carrier in one, which can be used either together or separately. Designed to accommodate one jacket and one pair of trousers, the suit carrier wraps around the central bag, and is secured with magnets and fine leather straps. Crafted in England and developed over 18 months (in collaboration with our good friend and perpetual trend-setter, Permanent Style no less), the innovative, two-piece design of the S.C. Holdall is a must-have for any sartorially-inclined traveller. The outside of the suit carrier is made from the brand’s signature bonded waterproof canvas, while the holdall itself is made from a lightweight 18oz twill to ensure a solid structure without any added weight. Rugged yet elegant, understated yet boldly confident, the S.C. Holdall not only offers the perfect solution for formal occasions, business trips and weekend getaways alike, but also champions a truly inspired approach to the buy-once-buy-well philosophy. EJ

Catrin Finch and Cimarron 'The S.C. Holdall is a must-have for any sartoriallyinclined traveller.'

Saturday 1 February 7.30pm 60th Anniversary Tour

Thursday 20 February 8pm

Foil, Arms and Hog: Swines Monday 9 March 7.30pm Film

Brief Encounter (cert PG)

Joe Brown in Concert Monday 3 February 7.30pm

The Transatlantic Sessions Friday 14 February 7.30pm Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Songs from the Musicals for Valentine’s Day

Box Office 0151 709 3789 liverpoolphil.com LiverpoolPhilharmonic liverpoolphil liverpool_philharmonic Image Cimarron

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WELLNESS

Run with the Pack Struggling to look cool whilst breaking a sweat? The all-new Adidas x Universal Works collaboration carves out an intriguing intersection between sport and style words Will HALBERT

et’s be totally honest with ourselves: While we might work out to look and feel our best, we don’t often look and feel our best when we work out. We’re hot, sweaty messes, invariably clad in 3-year old band tees and ill-fitting shorts. Either that, or we’re wearing enough skin tight lycra to make the late, great

Adam West blush. While we can all agree that the truly important thing is turning up, clocking the miles, and going the distance, it can’t hurt to look good while we do it. To that end, the latest collaboration between sportswear giants Adidas and British, independent menswear brand, Universal Works, has us (literally and figuratively) covered. Having launched in November, the Adidas X Universal Works Run City Pack has all you need for the daily jog and subsequent coffee run. Fusing Universal Work’s iconic British design with Adidas’s famous athleticism, the Run City Pack leans into layers, plays with textiles, and embraces versatility. At its center are two new takes on the Ultraboost 19 sneaker, in neutral tones, and insulated apparel for any weather. And it all makes perfect sense, really. An avid runner himself, Universal Works founder, David Keyte, is no stranger to the more functional aspects of the legendary sportswear brand. ‘On a personal level, as the designer at Universal Works, adidas had been part of my life since a young boy,’ says David. ‘My first sneakers were Sambas, worn both on the five-a-side pitch and on the football terraces.’ A ‘ didas really wanted to collaborate with designers who were real runners and could bring that understanding of the sport into the project, and running has been a part of my life for over 30 years’ David goes on. ‘It was a chance to design something real from a genuine love of running, not just a cosmetic makeover.’ The Adidas x Universal Works Run City Pack is available for purchase in very limited numbers from UW’s Lambs Conduit Street Store online. EJ universalworks.co.uk 44

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The Adidas x Universal Works City Run Pack is available now THE ESSENTIAL JOURNAL

DRINKING

Dry Drinking Holes Being sober doesn’t mean you can’t have fun or enjoy a delicious drink when you’re out! Set your taste buds on a voyage of sober discovery as we round up a few of the best bars catering for the non-drinkers

DRINKING

High Spirits

Sober Sipping

The Whisky Exchange offers up its top tips for drinking in style during your dry spell

ccording to a recent YouGov poll, almost a quarter of us are cutting down on alcohol in the UK, whether in favour of a healthier lifestyle or to simply avoid a hangover. Going dry no longer means sugary soft drinks or, let’s face it, a dull lime and soda. Big names like Seedlip and Ceder’s - both made using blends of botanicals that are reminiscent of gin - have paved the way for plenty of other alternatives for us to try. Dawn Davies MW, head buyer at The Whisky Exchange, shares a selection of new, non-alcoholic spirits and aperitifs set to spice up any dry January. DD

Non-alcoholic spirits and aperitifs are available at whiskyexchange.co.uk

Redemption Covent Garden, London Situated in the heart of Covent Garden, Redemption is a pioneer – the world’s first alcohol-free bar at the time of opening. Now with three restaurants around London, its popular bar menu features non-alcoholic cocktails such as Coconut Rumish Martini and Back Magic, as well as non-alcoholic beers and plant spirits. On top of all that, a menu of delicious vegan dishes definitely make Redemption worth a visit. Hawksmoor Deansgate, Manchester Enjoy drinks in style at this former Victorian courthouse. It’s a steakhouse and cocktail bar that is serious about its non-alcoholic offering and wellknown for mixing up a fabulous range of drinks using innovative products like Real Kombucha’s Royal Flush. The Brink Ropewalks, Liverpool The Brink is the first dry bar in Liverpool and features a huge range of nonalcoholic cocktails which won’t break the bank. It’s also a revolutionary social enterprise whereby all of the profits go towards supporting the recovery of those who have suffered as a result of alcoholism and addiction.

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Three Spirit Non-Alcoholic Spirit 50cl / £24.95

Everleaf Non-Alcoholic Bittersweet Aperitif 50cl / £18.75

Atopia Wild Blossom 70cl / 0.5% ABV / £24.95

Senser Blend One Power 50cl / £22.95

A non-alcoholic spirit made with specially selected botanicals, this has a complex, rich character. Bitter cacao from Ecuador and yerba-mate from Brazil give it a herbal element to cut through the rich chocolate notes. It’s ideal for non-alcoholic cocktails, but we’ve been known to sip it on ice as an alternative to our whisky habit.

This non-alcoholic aperitif from Everleaf is flavoured with botanicals including vanilla, gentian and iris, giving it a bittersweet character. The palate is led by bitter gentian with sweeter, fruitier undertones. Everleaf recommended serving it mixed with tonic or soda water.

Atopia Wild Blossom is an ultra-low alcohol spirit, made using natural distillates from citrus, herbs and spices. This is delicate and fruity with notes of apple, lavender and just a hint of Applewood smoke. Try mixing this with a Mediterranean tonic for a delicious serve.

The first of three nonalcoholic spirits from Senser Plant Spirits. Power is a blend of bitter orange, cacao, vanilla and smooth caramel, with a smoky cardamom finish. This is delicious when mixed with ginger beer for a rich and spicy drink.

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DRINKING

Straight Up Christmas Spirit From the heavy hitting to the winter warming, we take a closer look at a few of our favourite BenRiach whisky expressions words Will HALBERT

ounded in 1898, the Benriach Distillery has long been the home of artistry and expertise in whisky distilling and cask maturation. After some careful and diligent deliberation (read: heavy drinking), we offer up a trio of recommendations for those looking to try out some seriously spectacular Speysides this holiday season. EJ

The Winter Highball

A little something something for those looking to wow guests this Christmas 50ml BenRiach Aged 10 Years 5ml Pimento Dram 5ml Scottish Honey 10ml Lemon Juice Top with Ginger Ale over crushed Ice Method: Add all ingredients to mixing tin and shake. Strain over crushed ice into a highball glass and garnish with some lively, festive fir needles.

WELLNESS

Sober as a Saint Moderation isn't the dirty word it once was.

easier it became as I got used to all the various social occasions and the inevitable questions. There are no rules anymore, I don’t consider myself a non-drinker, I just happen to drink a lot of alcohol-free. The harder moments remain when there aren’t any good nonalc options. Much of the motivation around not drinking for me now are energy levels and having a clear head to wake up and build Lucky Saint into what I believe it can be.

We sit down with founder of Lucky Saint alcohol-free beer, Luke Boase, to talk temperance and innovation in the drinks industry words Will HALBERT First off, tell us a little about how the idea for Lucky Saint came about. The idea for Lucky Saint came about because the proposition of a non-alcoholic beer always appealed to me but for some reason I never drank it. On paper, it seemed like the perfect solution: all of the flavour, all of the occasion, all of the ritual, but none of the alcohol. But, in practice, it never delivered. The products were never good enough to bring me in, or I found myself apologising for ordering it. So Lucky Saint started with an ambition to create a lager that would bring people into the category based on flavour, and to build a brand which would make people feel good about making that choice. There was a time when producing alcohol-free beer seemed pointless to most. What do you think has changed? Why are we finally seeing a greater demand for no/low ABV drinking options? It still seems pointless to many, I think, but that is changing fast. There are a number of things going on. Everyone is talking about Gen Z and the fact that they have a totally different attitude to drinking compared with previous generations. But the reality is that every age demographic is moderating, driven predominantly by health reasons. There is also a growing 'sober curious' movement, led by a consumer who is questioning a very ingrained social norm around alcohol.

Lucky Saint unfiltered 0.5% lager can be found at London drinking institutions The Connaught and Lyaness. Those looking for a quiet night in can also find in Sainsbury’s. @luckysaintbeer

Can you tell us a little bit about your own experience with a more moderate approach drinking? What were the benefits for you personally? I started 2018 by doing Dry January, and then one month turned into three, and three months soon turned into a year. Funnily enough, the longer it went on, the

HEAT AND SMOKE: PEATED BATCH 1

SWEETNESS AND SPICE: BATCH 2

THE PERFECT GIFT: BENRIACH 10 YEARS OLD

The first release from BenRiach’s Peated Cask Strength series, this rare and exclusive expression is made with whiskies drawn from Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon casks. As the name suggests, Batch 1 is a fantastic little foray into peated territory. Boasting some serious smoke and more than a little heat, Batch 1 makes for a perfect dram in front of the Christmas fire, while the added sherry and bourbon barrel maturation adds further, winter fruit flourishes on the nose. Bottled at a formidable 56%, this non chill-filtered, natural cask strength whisky represents a true example of BenRiach’s unconventional Speyside single malt process.

The last word in whisky decadence, Batch 2 is bottled at a whopping 60.6%, and positively sings of BenRiach’s refreshingly experimental style. The eclectic combination of bourbon, sherry, and virgin oak casks makes for an intense and spicy dram that’s intended to be sipped and savoured over time. Unlike Batch 1, this second expression is unpeated, meaning that any and all smoke takes a backseat to lighter, more approachable notes of fresh orange peel, burnt sugar and even a little raisin-forward sweetness.

Of course, it’s not all about the bold and bracing brawn of the cask strength whisky. The BenRiach 10 Years Old is three-cask matured in bourbon, Oloroso sherry and virgin oak barrels and offers the perfect introduction to the brand. Ideal for newcomers and connoisseurs alike, this flagship expression boasts the classic, fruit-laden style of BenRiach. And it just so happens that BenRiach are now offering this expression as part of a gift pack, which includes a 70cl bottle of the 10 Year together with two BenRiach tumbler-style glasses, should you wish to share. ‘Tis the season, after all.

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A lot of people seem to meet a lot of resistance from friends when they quit drinking for any period of time. Why do you think that is? The initial reaction is often one of disappointment because they think that you won’t participate any more, but unless you are in an environment where getting drunk is the aim, people soon forget if you have a (non-alc) drink in your hand. Funnily enough, I actually found it easier saying I wasn’t drinking for a year, than saying I don’t drink. The former garners a level of intrigue: ‘what’s it like? How do you feel? How well are you sleeping?’ The latter seems to make people more nervous because they’re not sure if they should ask why. Can you tell us about some of the challenges behind brewing a quality, alcohol-free beer? Wow, where to start? I spent two years working with six different brewers in three different countries. The biggest challenge is that alcohol carries flavour and creates body in a drink. So you have to figure out how to deliver flavour without the ABV. My lightbulb moment came when I found that the filtration process normally used in brewing lager robs the liquid of valuable flavour and substance, so we moved to an unfiltered recipe and it transformed the beer. Without giving away any trade secrets, what are some of the elements that come into play with your tailored brewing process? Sometimes it’s all-too-easy to overcomplicate things. At Lucky Saint we adhere to the highest brewing values, we don’t mess around with flavourings or additives, we choose ingredients carefully, we ferment and condition the beer for six weeks, and we leave it unfiltered to retain flavour and body. There are a few processes that are particular to us, but for the most part we just try to be true to the ingredients and the brewing process. And finally, do you have any plans to release any new styles of beer in the near future? Yes! In fact, I am travelling on a new product development mission today, so we hope to have something new to launch in 2020. EJ

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COLUMN

Addressing the Table with

Jake O'Brien Murphy What would Christmas be without the perverse yet pervasive charm of the prawn cocktail? Jake O'Brien Murphy ponders the myriad of traditions we joyfully and unapologetically make up as we go along words Jake O'BRIEN MURPHY

hat I love about Christmas, more than anything, are the tinsel-covered snippets of batshit nonsense we tack on under the infalible banner of ‘tradition’. Without fail, this exact thought runs through my mind with the same, year-on-year inevitability of my male pattern baldness, like an unwanted mortal sundial. The clockwork cue comes in the form of a sigh. An involuntary expulsion that breezes past my lips almost accidentally. Before I can even try to suck it back in, it escapes into the world; dangling over creased paper crowns. Luckily, no one ever seems to take any notice. It is brought about again by chasing translucent knots of limp, greypink cartilage around a languid spill of Marie Rose sauce. Prawn cocktail was invented by a drunk lunatic with too many cocktail glasses and not enough friends. It graduated from the school of 1990s hideousness, alongside fauxwood-paneled space heaters, comic sans, grown men with frosted tips, Deidre Barlow, the Joel Schumacker Batman films, Jellies sandals, avocado coloured bathrooms and the otherworldly chorus of screaming children made manifest into what the decade baptized ‘Mr. Blobby’. The only acceptable garnish for prawn cocktail during Christmas dinner is a nationwide blackout. Exactly when and where this crustacean-flavoured abomination broke into the canon of Christmas tradition, I couldn’t rightly say. I would be beyond fascinated to know the truth behind how the most ambitiously-ugly dish in human history snagged the recurring warm up act in the biggest show of the year.

' Crisp new pajamas, fresh socks, and novelty slippers I obligingly wear once before 'losing' - that's a great one. Watching The Mummy Returns on ITV2 while deftly avoiding toffee pennies - another personal favourite. ' Crisp new pajamas, fresh socks, and novelty slippers I obligingly wear once before ‘losing’ - that’s a great one. Watching The Mummy Returns on ITV2 while deftly avoiding toffee pennies - another personal favourite. The yearly descent into cheerful pandemonium, as more and more family members tumbled into my grandparents' front room (now a distant memory after my grandfather’s passing, the dull ache of absence in our collective inheritance). Dawdling home from the pub in the afternoon in the company of all-too-familiar stories, made sparkling and new by the greatest story teller I’ll ever know; I wouldn’t change it. The momentous snap of a wishbone echoing around heaving columns of dirty plates; the one I cherish most. The customary nods to neighbours and honest smiles at strangers. Pouring Baileys on cereal and proclaiming it “Irish Breakfast”; shamelessly frequent. JOM

@jakeobrienmurphy

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essential THOUGHTS on: wellness As the year comes to an end, The Essential Journal team sit down and reflect on their own, personal approaches to wellness. The findings are as alarming as they are illuminating words Elliot RAMSEY, Will HALBERT, Tom SUMNER, Jennifer SWABY

What does the idea of 'wellness' mean to you personally? Elliot Ramsey (Partnership Manager): Striking some form of balance. Looking after yourself and your health, but also remembering to live a good life. Will Halbert (Editor): Wellness, to me, is balance. Specifically, it’s about offsetting the crushing sense of guilt I feel when I forget to text someone back with the overwhelming sense of godlike superiority I feel when I manage to get eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. So yeah, balance. Tom Sumner (Creative Director): It’s being in a state of control. Not a power trip. It’s not about controlling other people, it’s being in control of yourself. It’s about being comfortable with who you are. It’s knowing you have a support network around you whether that’s one person or ten. And most importantly? It’s knowing a coffee shop that is never going to serve you an over extracted cortado in the morning. Jen Swaby (Lead Designer): Wellness to me, is a feeling. It’s when I feel strong and activated in all aspects of my body and mind. Wellness is having both of these elements lined up and in sync with one another. What do you do in your day-to-day to achieve a greater sense of wellness? ER: Consume an inordinate amount of pastries and other beige snacks, all the while contemplating doing yoga. WH: I get up early and I work out first thing. I know wellness isn’t synonymous with fitness, but I do think there’s a certain overlap. Hitting the bags, or lifting an arbitrarily heavy object and putting it back down again (preferably to the soundtrack of something loud and angry) really does help blow off steam and clear the mind for the day ahead. TS: I cook. It’s like the gym I guess, in that in the build up to actually cooking is daunting, but as soon as I get the chopping board out I’m in another world. I’m focused solely on making the best plate of food I can and absolutely nothing else. The same can be said for design. Although I’ve sat at my desk all day at EJ towers, I love to go home and illustrate a poster or sketch out a beer label. I constantly remind myself that I can only control the controllables. That’s something that allows me to feel a little reassured if something is taking a certain path that I don’t necessarily agree with and begins to stress me out. JS: I take time out to do the things that make me and my body feel happy. I eat and drink whatever makes me feel good, I sleep a lot. I need a lot of sleep to make me happy, and lots of yoga. Last year’s New Year's resolution was to give meditation a go. It’s been a hit with me, as it makes me feel more balanced and have a more positive outlook in situations. What do you do to combat any major, day-to-day, stress? JS: That really depends on the stress. I will either plug in a podcast and go for a long walk with my dog or pour myself a large glass of Malbec. WH: Roll with it as best I can. Then, once I’m home, I’ll crack open a beer and I talk to my dog, Ralph. He’s an awful, awful conversationalist (especially after a beer), but regardless of the day I’ve had, or the many ways in which I might have cocked something up, he greets me like I’m the absolute centre of his world. That's pretty wholesome. TS: Sleep. Everything seems a little brighter once I’ve slept. Unfortunately, I can’t nip off for a quick nap at 9:02 after receiving a stressy email having just arrived in the office. ER: Drink heavily and hope for the best. Is there anything, beyond the typical, that tends to stress you out more than it should? ER: Impending political and environmental doom. WH: Lost socks. Sure, unprecedented political turmoil and our inevitable drift toward environmental disaster are pretty scary. But walking around in odd socks all day? True nightmare fuel. JS: Forgetting to text people back. I have this terrible habit of reading people’s messages and replying to them in my head; completely forgetting to respond to their message. So then at the end of the day I look back and realise that I haven’t replied to anybody and stress myself out getting back to everyone. It’s my own fault really, I do it to myself. TS: You mean like when you can hear people chew? Or when people sluuuuurp their tea? Just sitting on the couch aimlessly watching the Hairy Bikers or re-watching Rick & Morty episodes has raised the anxiety levels in the past, as I feel I should be doing something creative or active. Perhaps wellness itself as it quickly becomes a commodity or marketing stratergy. I think it has the iPad effect on a lot of people - tell them what they need, not what they think they need. Is there anything else you'd like to try out in the new year to improve your sense of wellness? ER: The plan, as ever, is to be more active, push myself, and eat fewer snacks. WH: Yoga. I can’t stand the faux, snake oil, ‘namaste’ spiritualism behind it all. But as I get older, I can think of nothing better than a space to get bendy and clear my mind. Brushing up on my languages wouldn’t go amiss, either. Every day, I feel like more and more of a fraud for carrying a copy of Camus around with me. TS: I should get back to the gym and start making bread again - two things that got pushed aside as workloads increased at the back end of this year. Being creative is good for me, I get a real sense of achievement from making things. Having said that, I hope to take more breaks. I hope to chill out a little through exploration, maybe head over to Europe on more weekend breaks and further afield to Toronto or Tokyo, laptop free and mobile-lite. JS: You know, I’d love to join a running club. I’ve always said that one day I’d like to complete a marathon. My fitness is nowhere near that yet, but you’ve gotta start somewhere. THE ESSENTIAL JOURNAL

LIFESTYLE

visit la marzocco in london & leeds whether it's an espresso machine for your coffee shop, office or home; the doors at la marzocco uk & ireland are open to come and meet the team. contact us today: la marzocco uk & ireland 6 willow street london, ec2a 4bh t. +44 207 253 1644

la marzocco local suite l3.03, the leeming building, leeds, ls2 7jf t. +44 113 243 6672 info.uk@lamarzocco.com

The Northern Pop-up Pick-me-up Following a string of pop-up coffee shops in Tessuti’s northern stores, La Marzocco prove once again that the buzz of the coffee shop isn’t just down to all the caffeine words Will HALBERT

uk.lamarzocco.com 52

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@lamarzoccouk

For more information on the La Marzocco Home range, head to: uk.lamarzoccohome.com

hroughout October and November, we hit the road with our good friends La Marzocco to bring great coffee and even better conversation to the fine folk of Chester, Liverpool, Trafford, Manchester and Edinburgh in a series of Tessuti in-store pop up coffee shop events. With the award-winning design marvel that is La Marzocco’s Linea Mini in tow, we hosted some truly engaging little chit-chats with the movers and shakers of the fashion, creative and sporting industries. For all the technical sophistication and handmade, homely charm that the Linea Mini had to offer, by far the most impressive thing about La Marzocco’s pop-up coffee shop was its uncanny knack for striking up a conversation. Gathered around the espresso machine, coffees in hand, guests at each and every pop-up stop were treated to a series of panel discussions. From fashion designers to premiership footballers, brand founders to band frontmen, these panel discussions provided an all-important reminder that a truly great cup of coffee really boils down to the discussions it invites and fuels. By all accounts, the pop-up coffee tours were the kind of community-building events that could have only been put together with the conversational, convivial spirit that La Marzocco have carefully cultivated over the last nine decades. To their eternal credit, and to our continued amazement, La Marzocco has maintained the same calibre of company and conversation for almost a century now, and we can’t wait to see where it leads. EJ

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On the Pass with

Tommy Banks The road to creativity has no set path or pace. For Tommy Banks, innovation and inspiration come much easier when you simply take a moment to stop looking for them words Tommy BANKS

heffing differs from most creative outlets in many ways. To create something wonderful once is amazing. To create something wonderful to the exact same standard, time after time, is something else entirely. I don’t say this to belittle other creative industries, far from it. Creation is an incredible and multifaceted thing whichever way you cut it. But it’s not always consistent. And in the kitchen, consistency is key. But, of course, we already know that creativity and consistency don’t necessarily go hand in hand. In fact, trying to bring both together is a surefire way of burning out at some point. You can’t create full-throttle one hundred percent of the time. Nor should you try. Better to find something that lets you ease off the gas whilst also allowing those creative juices to simmer in the background. For me, that’s travel. I don’t know what it is, but travelling kick-starts my creativity almost immediately. Our holidays are full of food. I thoroughly research the trip beforehand to ensure that we eat well. Now, eating well doesn’t necessarily mean dining on Michelin-star meal after Michelin-star meal. Often, it’s as simple as a noodle bar or a pizzeria. It’s often in those simpler places where I’ll feel the most inspired. I’ll catch myself daydreaming about opening my own pizza restaurant, or the intricacies of making my own ramen. The point is, it’s often in your downtime - when you’re free from pressure and pretense - when the creativity really starts to flow. This past year I’ve learnt a lot through travelling. I’ve found most places aren’t trying to be cool, niche, or innovative. Most are simply showcasing some truly inspiring and authentic techniques. They’re not making anything innovative or game-changing, but what they are making, they’re making expertly. Innovation comes from true mastery of a subject, it all comes down to doing one thing extremely well. An aggressive hunt for novelty and originality all too often leads to gimmickry. I don’t want that. We don’t need to break the mould to move forward. Learning the know-how and skill that lies behind a craft - whatever that may be - will lead to a deeper understanding and a slower, more iterative (and more honest) road to reinvention. I’ve always returned from my travels with a newfound focus and enthusiasm. Moving forward at Black Swan and Roots, I want us to truly develop the concepts of depth, craft, and mastery. Back when I was starting out, it was all about finding something niche and developing a brand. The important thing was making something that was identifiably on brand. Everything I made was met with questions like: ‘it's nice, but is it cool enough?’ It’s been a steep incline, but I think we’ve achieved what we set out to do, and we’ve developed a seriously good palette and repertoire along the way. The idea isn't simply to build on that, but to look inward, at every minute detail of what we do, and truly master the craft behind it. Master the techniques of your craft and the world is your oyster. I’m reminded here of Chad Robertson’s Tartine, a book that revolutionised the way we make bread. He didn’t start out following someone else’s recipe. He began by saying he wanted a rustic looking loaf filled with bubbles. It took him a decade to master. Everyone can make an half-decent loaf if you follow a recipe. But Chad made truly amazing bread by honing his own technique and slowly adding his own creativity. We can all learn from that. In some respects, you could say 2019 has been the least creative year of my life, and I’d be totally comfortable with that. And the reason why I’d be comfortable with that is because I truly believe you need to live to create. If you try it the other way around, if you create to live, you’ll burn out, you’ll run out of honest ideas, and you’ll turn to the false promises of gimmickry. That gimmickry won’t see you push things forward. Quite the opposite. In a phrase that seems all too fitting as we approach 2020, gimmickry will only see you fall into the murky depths of ‘so last decade’. TB

Find out more about Tommy’s food online at: blackswanoldstead.co.uk | rootsyork.com

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WELLNESS

THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF HEALTHY LIVING Architecture has a long history with health - from the Romans’ vast spa complexes, to the high-modernists’ fetishistic relationship with white tiled interiors and wipe down furniture. Studio MUTT give their two cents on the links between design & wellbeing words Studio MUTT

Pictured Below: Wellness was brought to the foreground in Studio MUTTs rural Latvian spa retreat proposal

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ow much of your time do you think you spend in buildings? It’s probably more than you think. In a day, the average working person, whoever that is, may spend 2 hours outdoors, travelling to and from work and eating lunch. This leaves a whopping 22 hours of time spent indoors - that’s 83%! It should be clear, then, how important buildings are to us in shaping our days and filtering our experiences of the world around us; they are the spaces in which we live, work and play, and they have a huge impact on our health and wellness. Our immediate environments, just like the wider global environment, should be one of our utmost concerns. Surprisingly, despite this, current legislation in the built environment is thin on the ground when it comes to wellness. WELL Building Standard, recently devised in the US and endorsed by Leonardo DiCaprio, is the closest we get, and even then it is non-compulsory for clients, but at least it’s a start. It is, of course, difficult to quantify an objective set of criteria to determine ‘wellness’ for each individual. However, there are probably a few consistent truths, like being able to open a window for fresh air, or allowing natural light into a space. If a plant can’t survive in a given space, chances are it’s not great for humans either. A point proven, perhaps, by the emergence of ‘sick building syndrome’, where occupants of certain buildings begin to suffer from eye, nose and throat irritation, along with dizziness and fatigue. This is largely blamed on poor air quality and certainly became apparent with the introduction of the large open plan office. Where technological innovation allowed for huge (very economical) floor plans supported by artificial lighting and ventilation systems. Businesses are now beginning to take note of the improved productivity and reduction in worker absences when workspaces are designed with the wellness of the workforce in mind. And in regards to the home, the link between poor quality housing and mental health issues is becoming an increasing cause for concern. We’ve all spent time in bland, uninspiring offices, cold and dark workspaces, or damp and cramped homes. It seems simple to say that architecture is the way to address our wellness, but it is startling and deeply concerning to hear that only 6% of our newlybuilt homes in the UK are architect-designed. This is a product of our late-capitalist economy, first and foremost, but also is a result of the perception of the architect in society as egotistic, aloof, and arrogant. Like all caricatures, there’s probably an element of truth in this, but good architects could equally be painted as passionate designers who - through form, colour, ornament and light - are able to sensitively craft healthy places in which we may thrive. Our everyday life is impacted at almost every moment by the design of our built environment, from the material of a door handle to the makeup of our cities (which are rapidly changing and increasing in density). There is a common misconception that the increasing density of our cities is a negative, evoking images of Dickensian slums - but, in some instances, we believe density should be considered a positive. Firstly, we are living on a small planet where land is precious, and then consider that smaller, walkable cities would greatly increase exercise and reduce road born pollution. It could even help foster communities and support small, local businesses through sheer proximity. Design quality must play a critical role in creating spaces and places that people want to be in. At Studio MUTT, we think character in design can help with this by creating recognisable designs that are also relatable. Memorable but not alienating, familiar and yet peculiar; using colour, material and form to create spaces which improve the experience of our everyday life. For example, when tasked with designing a spa in rural Latvia, we worked with the unique landscape and functional rituals of the brief, whilst reinterpreting a very specific local architectural language. The result is an uncanny project, part landscape, part building, reminiscent of agricultural infrastructure, in which wellness is brought to the foreground. It’s time we all start taking our environment seriously, both on a macro level (the health and atmosphere of the planet), and a micro level (the health and atmosphere of ourselves and our immediate surroundings). Of course, both are intertwined, and every part of our surroundings can impact our physical and mental health. Our cities and spaces, if well designed, can force positive change in our everyday lives, adding joy and delight where there was once making-do and despair. SM

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Coffee & Counsel with

Adonis Michael Could good health be our most expensive hobby to date? Adonis takes a deep dive into the multi-trillion dollar industry that surrounds our daily pursuit of wellness

ow many Instagram posts have you seen this week extolling the virtues of the newest superfood smoothie? Did you go to a yoga class or a circuit perhaps? How was that ginger and turmeric shot you knocked back before lunch? It's inescapable, isn’t it? That’s because it influences everything we do, not just what we eat and drink, but the way we work, dress, socialise and travel. Like it or not, we’re all immersed in what is now considered to be the new trillion dollar industry. The health and wellness industry in retail sales for nutrition, food, and beverages alone have hit over $200 billion in industry worth. In fact, the global wellness industry is a $3.7 trillion market. Wellness is an easy word to say and gets bandied around freely, but let’s break it down, what do we actually mean when we say ‘Wellness’? Ah, my old friend the trusted old OED:

Wellness (Noun) - The state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal.

words Adonis MICHAEL It's basically the idea of giving the body what it needs to support optimal health and quality of life. I once heard someone say that most people have traditionally belonged to the sickness industry, as they would only take an interest in their health when they were unwell. Now, it's all about living well, it’s a way of life. I think that sums it up pretty well. But let’s explore this from an industry perspective. As always, Instagram is heavily involved, and that’s because it's as useful to brands as it is to consumers. For brands, it’s an invaluable insight into consumer behaviour, competitive analysis, and a clever tool for the evaluation of new and innovative ideas. It also allows them to very quickly communicate with millions of people, and then we get the hashtags #cleaneating #healthyliving #wellness. Off the back of this, Bloggers and instagrammers have subsequently become brands in their own right. The big names in wellness have launched themselves into the spotlight with online platforms, product collaborations, events, and in some cases, even physical retail outlets. Attracting fees for event appearances, endorsements, modelling contracts and ambassadorships, it is no surprise that wellness blogging has become a legitimate profession. These Wellness Gurus have also been looked at, gooey eyed, by publishers too. Think Joe Wicks and Ella Woodward, both with New York Times best-sellers and multiple book deals. Woodward’s debut recipe book ‘Deliciously Ella’ made history in the UK as the fastest selling debut cookbook of all time. And what about those adult colouring books? Sales of these have skyrocketed in the last few years. That’s because people are more tuned in, they acknowledge they need to wind down and tackle stress – what better to do this then to get the crayons out. Okay, so that’s digital and print ticked off. Workplace wellness was covered in an earlier column, and you should know all about it by now. Let's finish with wellness travel. The rise of the Wellness Hotel, in particular. Forget the groupon “spa” Hotel with 90 minute hot stone massage accompanied with a cucumber water and a side of Kiwi and pomegranate. Think bigger. Think holistic and transformational experiences in far flung destinations such as South East Asia. Yoga followed by hydrotherapy in salt water pools whilst we sip papaya and lemongrass smoothies. That’s where we are spending our hard-earned cash these days. And it's not just the hotels who have cottoned on, it’s the full shebang, and I can only see it getting bigger and better. Airports have chill out lounges, massage areas and even spas. In flight fayre is a big thing getting attention now – healthier, fresher and more variety. All whilst you sit back in your latest athleisure, wear scrolling through Instagram – and this is before you even get to the hotel! What a time to be alive. AM

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