BOROUGH & DOCKLANDS MARCH 2014

ABSOLUTELY

MARCH 2014 £3.95

BABES IN THE WOOD FABULOUS FLORAL FASHION

DESIGN FOR LIFE WAYNE HEMINGWAY'S WORLD OF INTERIORS

MARK SARGEANT TALKS KIDS AND COOKING

SPRING FORWARD Homes & Gardens Special

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Reaching new heights in Greenwich Following our rental success in Greenwich, we’ve just opened up our 11th London office in the area.

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Tel: 020 3440 7010

www.brlets.co.uk Dubai | Hong Kong | India | London | Malaysia | Singapore

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10/12/2013 17:15

ABSOLUTELY

CONTENTS 05 EDITOR’S LETTER 07 WHAT’S ON

LOCAL 10 WAYNE’S WORLD Wayne Hemingway’s interior life 16 SET SAIL The Kitsuné founders on steering Petit Bateau in a new direction

FASHION 19 GYM CLASS HEROES The sports luxe trend makes a vigorous comeback 20 BABES IN THE WOOD A floral fashion fi xation 27 FUTURE FASHION Absolutely eyes up the designers to watch out for in 2014

FOOD 47 PLUM JOB Mark Sargeant spills the beans on a career in cooking 51 FOOD REVIEWS Michael Nadra and Hixter

INTERIORS 55 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS Tripping the light fantastic with nine of the best quirky lights 58 HACKNEY EMPIRE The making of uber coool brand House of Hackney

Find us online @zest-media.com

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                                                     

       

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        

        

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MARCH 2014

EDITOR’S letter arch is an important month in the fashion calendar, as the new Spring/Summer collections start to pour in. And just as art and culture make much of an impression on the fashion world, so developments in fashion dictate many of the trends we see trickle down to interiors.

As far as the catwalk is concerned, we seem to be seeing a preference for evolution over revolution – previous years’ obsessions with muted shades and bold, athletic shapes return, pastel palettes predominate and the sports luxe trend gathers pace. Of course, this neck of the woods leads the way in the style stakes, as highlighted by our piece on the designers to watch in 2014. Naturally, alumni of both Central St Martins and Fashion East make up the majority, proving that our corner of London is the most exciting place in fashion right now: the creative hub of a city widely recognised as the style capital of the world.

That’s not to say we have a monopoly on all that’s cool, though, as the rise of French ‘affordable luxury’ labels shows. One Gallic brand bridging the divide between high street and high end is Petit Bateau, which recently made the leap from children’s clothing to adult fashion and hired Masaya Kuroki and Gildas Loaëc (of cult record label-cum-fashion house Maison Kitsuné) as Creative Directors. It seems Kenzo (which gave similar roles to Opening Ceremony’s Carol Lim and Humberto Leon) has started a trend; we talk to Kuroki and Loaëc about their vision for Petit Bateau.

Back on British turf, another familiar pattern – glocalisation – is exemplified in the career trajectory of local interiors gurus House of Hackney. The company name tells you all you need to know about their M.O., which is to win over the wider world with a product range defined by a distinctly Londonist (or Hackneyist) style and sense of humour. Fiercely independent and utterly unique, we chat to the founders about their latest venture – a clothing line.

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Have a stylish month.

Helen Baron, Editor

ON THE COVERS:

TWEET ME @absolutelyedhel Email: helen.baron@zest-media.com Follow us on Twitter @Absolutely_Mags Facebook ‘Absolutely Magazines’

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City & Angel & East: Kirsty Ward Borough & Docklands: Boden; boden.co.uk

13/02/2014 11:19

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PROPERTY MANAGER

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INTERIORS

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21/03/2013 16:25 10/02/2014 14:37

WHAT’S ON Tabac Rouge 25-29 MARCH: SADLER’S WELLS

MARCH

Circus performer turned master of theatrical spectacle James Thierrée brings his formidable vision to London for the first time in four years in his latest production, Tabac Rouge.

Plunging the audience into a distorted, dreamlike world of dance and movement, the show has already opened to acclaim in France, with Le Figaro newspaper applauding its ‘real power and dark beauty’. Now it’s our turn to enjoy. Rosebery Avenue, EC1; sadlerswells.com

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MARCH Prince Igor 1 MARCH: VUE ISLINGTON Composed by Alexander Borodin and subsequently finished by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Alexander Glazunov, the epic Russian Opera will be tackled by the New York Metropolitan Opera and streamed live to Curzon theatres throughout the country. Don’t miss the chance to see Dmitri Tcherniakov’s new production, described as ‘a brilliant psychological journey through the mind of its conflicted hero, with the founding of the Russian nation as the backdrop’. myvue.com

Rome, Open City 7-20 MARCH: BFI SOUTHBANK Roberto Rossellini’s neorealist masterpiece gets an extended run thanks to the film buffs at the BFI, who have been busy restoring the original print to its full glory. Set during the Nazi occupation of Rome, the movie tells the story of the ordinary people forced to endure privation and intimidation while supposedly free to go about their lives. A mesmerising and emotionally charged piece of cinema, and one that deserves to be seen on the big screen. Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1; bfi.org.uk

Joyce Pensato FROM 26 MARCH: LISSON GALLERY Joyce Pensato’s paintings show your favourite cartoon characters as you’ve never seen them before. Using a seemingly frenzied technique (that is in fact deliberate and highly methodical) Pensato builds ‘successive layers of bold linear gestures, rapid spatterings and frequent erasures’, and produces work that veers wildly between the humourous and the sinister.

Visitors may recognise Batman, the Simpsons, Mickey Mouse, Felix the Cat and Elmo from Sesame Street, all in a range of different, distorted forms... 52-54 Bell Street, NW1; lissongallery.com

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review BOOK BURIAL RITES

by HANNAH KENT his brilliant debut historical thriller is based on a true crime in an isolated part of Iceland in 1828, which led to the country’s last execution. A fire at an isolated farmhouse kills two people and leads to Agnes being charged with murder. Whilst the investigation and trial is taking place she is kept with District Officer Jónsson and his family in their home. Kent focuses on the time Agnes spends with Jónsson while awaiting her verdict, as well as studying the impact the impact of her stay on the local people. A book which oozes emotion, it’s sure to test your beliefs.

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300: Rise of An Empire

MUST SEE

IN CINEMAS FROM 7 MARCH Fans of the original 300 film, featuring the rippling biceps of Gerard Butler, will not be disappointed with Noam Murro’s followup effort. After the crushing defeat of the Spartans at Thermopylae, the Persians - their attempt to conquer Greece.

Rise of An Empire chronicles the events of the Battle of Artemisium, which saw a confederacy of Greek city-states take on the Persian forces in an epic sea battle. Entering the fray are newcomers to the franchise, Eva Green and Sullivan Stapleton; Green plays Artemisia, a general in the Persian forces set on dealing death and destruction to her Greek foes.

There to oppose her is Themistokles

Pan Macmillan (Picador), £7.99

(Stapleton), the man responsible for bringing Greece’s armies together. They are joined by 300 alumni Rodrigo Santoro and Lena Headey, returning as King Xerxes of Persia and Queen Gorgo of Sparta respectively.

Heartbroken over the defeat and death of her husband, Sparta’s king, Gorgo is initially reluctant to offer Themistokles her support. But gradually her desire for vengeance overcomes her grief, leading her to join the final stand against the Persian invaders. Breathtaking battle scenes and dramatic confrontations await in this highly stylised and gritty Greek epic, which looks set to satisfy all your action cravings.  Odeon Cinema Holloway

THIS BOY

by ALAN JOHNSON lan Johnson was Home Secretary during the Labour government and while he does focus on that period of his life, it is his honesty and matter of fact approach that is refreshing.

This book is not just about the author, but also two amazing women – his mother and his sister, both of whom were a major influence on him. The story moves from post-war austerity in pre-gentrified Notting Hill, through the race riots and school on the King’s Road in the Swinging Sixties, to the rock ‘n’ roll years when he made a record in Denmark Street and became a husband and father whilst still in his teens. A great read not only because of Johnson’s engaging style but also for its portrayal of London.

A

Transworld, £7.99

SHOTGUN LOVESONGS

by NICKOLAS BUTLER fell in love with the title of this book, then fell even deeper in love with it from page one.

It’s quiet, achingly sweet and melancholy, and breaks your heart to finish it. It’s the story of four friends whose lives have taken them so far apart that their friendships, in many ways, no longer make sense, but are still utterly essential to their sense of self and the lives they choose. The farmer, the country music star, the financial whiz and the injured rodeo cowboy; the book is full of the creeping Wisconsin cold and the bitterness and warmth of old friendships and secrets.

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Macmillan, £12.99

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WAYNE’S THE FOUNDER OF HEMINGWAY DESIGN ON A CAREER THAT’S BECOME ONE OF LONDON’S BEST-KNOWN CREATIVE SUCCESS STORIES

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he stereotype of the self-made success usually involves humble beginnings, big ideas and a healthy clutch of piein-the-sky dreams. In this sense, Wayne Hemingway is no different from many others, before or since.

And yet, when you look a little closer at the style supremo’s unorthodox rise to the top of the design heap, you can’t help but appreciate just how unlikely a route he has taken, and continues to take - even beside the boldest and best of his peers.

Hemingway’s journey began in the early Eighties, when he journeyed south from his native Morecambe and settled in a Camden rather more rough and bedraggled than it is today. He was twenty at the time.

‘Gerardine [Hemingway’s future wife] and I had just moved down to London,’ he tells me, ‘and I remember it being a really exciting time. Camden was representative of the positive attitude that young people 10

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WORLD

ABSOLUTELY PROFILE

had begun adopting after years of serious downturn. It was scruffy but cool… there was a revolution in optimism. Young people with ideas were starting ventures, and Camden seemed to be the place to be.’

It wasn’t long before the entrepreneurial couple were seeking ways to capitalise on their creativity and sense of style.

‘We heard about some space opening up on Camden Market,’ Hemingway says, ‘so we emptied our wardrobes, took the clothes we didn’t need, and added in a number Gerardine had made. And it just took off from the first day. Suddenly, second-hand clothes became something that everybody wanted to wear, and Camden became the centre of that movement. That meant we were at the centre of it as well, and soon we were making money we couldn’t have imagined.’

Sixteen stalls later and what would become the fashion label Red or Dead was born, with the pair shipping in huge amounts of second-hand clothes from abroad as well as creating their own. Hemingway says he ‘broke the rules’ by making and selling stock to the big businesses (including Dr Martens in London and Macy’s in New York).

The move worked; by the time he and Gerardine sold Red or Dead in the late Nineties, they were the latest in a long line of artistic Camden’s self-made millionaires.

Hemingway certainly hasn’t rested on his laurels since then, becoming as renowned for the eclecticism of his work as for its quality. He formed Hemingway Design in 1999, a company that specialises in every facet of design from homes and gardens to high street

fashion and graphic design. You name it, it seems Hemingway can do it - but what, you have to wonder, is key to his prodigious imagination?

‘We see a lot of things that don’t matter,’ he says. ‘We see a lot of things that do, but we also see a lot of things that are lazy... lazy graphics, lazy marketing and packaging, especially in supermarkets… and they’re not that important; they don’t engage. There’s laziness all around us, and when you come to housing and things like that, and public buildings, and public space, that’s when it rankles. So we try to be different.’

The move from second-hand clothing to high street fashion may seem natural enough, but the move from jeans and jumpers to urban regeneration is rather more unexpected. With the Staiths South Bank project, which involved Hemingway

designing an 800-property mass-market housing project on Tyneside, the designer showed the world he could turn his talents to rather more socially sensitive concerns.

‘I suppose it made it easy that we didn’t really plan to start in fashion or design,’ he says today, ‘because we never had a plan. So when you’re young and you’ve never thought what you want to be or what you want to do, you end up doing something that you find out is bloody good fun; something you’re alright at. And that leaves you very free, because if you’ve never trained to be a certain thing, you’ve never felt like you were stepping out of what you were supposed to be doing. As far as we were concerned, we were never supposed to be fashion designers who had a big company and won awards and became famous. So once we’d done that, I think it gave us the belief and the freedom to think “we can do anything really” - and that’s a great way to be.’ The awards of which he speaks run the gamut from fashion (three consecutive British Fashion Council ‘Streetstyle Designer of the Year’ gongs) to interiors (‘Best Large Project’ at the Housing Design Awards).

Are those specialisms as diverse as they appear on the surface?

‘There are certain shared principles, certainly – you have to make people happy as the end result,’ Wayne smiles.

‘Users have to feel comfortable and must enjoy using whatever it is you’ve created.

But if you make a mistake with clothing, it doesn’t fit properly or something goes wrong, it matters much less. At the top line, fashion can’t come into housing, 11

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ABSOLUTELY PROFILE

SHED OR DEAD

and three decades into what he admits is still a fascinating journey, Hemingway evidently cares about his work - and the people it impacts - as much as ever. In that vein, he promises to continue putting the product before profit.

‘There’s a certain level of design that we won’t do, no matter how much it pays. You’ve got to believe in it and there has to be an element of social justice, regeneration – something that makes people’s lives better rather than an individual’s life richer. We won’t work on just anything, it has to be something we believe in. We’re still doing that, after 30 years. Camden is still doing that, and I believe it always will.’

and housing can’t have anything to do with fashion. One has got to last over 100 years, needs to mature and get better. The other has an in-built and predictably short lifespan, and there is room for error.’

Such clear-sightedness is evident in the work itself, from the coolly contemporary interiors Hemingway’s team designed for the East Village housing development in Stratford (on the site of the 2012 Athletes’ Village) to their 2013 entry for the Chelsea Flower Show - an inspired re-imagining of the classic English garden shed, complete with printed tulip facade and quirky, Fifties-referencing interior. Now 52

‘‘

A contemporary take on G Plan’s mid century heritage

‘‘

- Wayne Hemingway MBE

G Plan Vintage

n collaboration with Hemingway Design, G Plan has now created G Plan Vintage, a stunning range of furniture inspired by the brand’s classic sofas and chairs of the 50s and 60s. It’s a collection that embraces the quality and craftsmanship of G Plan, along with Hemingway’s fresh and vibrant approach to vintage projects. With an outstanding design pedigree and as experts in all things vintage, Hemingway’s unique take on G Plan’s stylish designs has created a range of furniture that draws admiring glances.

HEMINGWAY SET UP SHACKUP IN 2005, BRINGING MULTI-FUNCTIONAL BUT CREATIVE THINKING TO OUR BACKYARDS.

THE HEMINGWAY DESIGNED ‘TULIP” PRINT SHED.

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THE NESTING BOX HEMINWAY DESIGNED IN AID OF THE RSPB’S NATIONAL NESTBOX WEEK IN CONJUNCTION WITH LONDON FASHION WEEK HEMINGWAYDESIGN.CO.UK

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‘A contemporary take on G Plan’s mid-century heritage.’

– Wayne Hemingway MBE

In collaboration with Hemingway Design, we married the iconic styling of our 50s and 60s furniture, with our renowned comfort and craftsmanship. Original inspiration.Timeless quality.

To find your nearest G Plan Vintage stockist visit gplanvintage.co.uk or call 01225

700880.

Image shows The Fifty Nine in Tonic Charcoal with Flying Saucer Orange scatter cushion.

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ABSOLUTELY FASHION

FOR HIM

PAUL SMITH

The godfather of British menswear nailed the trend for contemporary retro with his superb SS14 catwalk collection.

Lounge lizard prints and sheer fabrics called to mind laidback Hollywood glamour, while jet-black shoes and geometric blocking provided a sleekly modern edge.

The Courtyard at Royal Exchange, 7 Tower Royal, EC3; paulsmith.co.uk

HOLLYWOOD RESORT STYLE IS BACK WITH A BANG. ADD A PINCH OF PALM SPRINGS TO YOUR WARDROBE WITH OUR GUIDE TO THE NEW SEASON’S SLICKEST PIECES.

BABY BLUE

EYE-WARE

New kids on the block they may be, but eyewear specialists Sheriff & Cherry have come up trumps with a range of sunglasses that hark back to the golden age of statement shades. Stripes, block colours and jungle prints abound – and every pair is lovingly handmade. £105, available from matches.com

BAILEY’S STARDUST

Gents with an eye for effortless style will appreciate the latest tome from pop culture’s artist-in-residence. Bailey is the East End photographer whose snaps of young hopefuls like the Rolling Stones helped turn them into icons, and this incredible book (released to tie in with the National Portrait Gallery’s new retrospective) surveys some of the best work of his career. Not every face here is famous, but every picture is a lesson in aesthetic craft and that most indefinable of qualities: cool. Watch and learn. £45, available at Waterstones, 11 Islington Green, N1; waterstones.com

These handsome hot-steppers are a highlight of French label Ami’s new collection. Crepe rubber soles lend a swinging, old-school informality to a handsome blue leather upper. Lace up and let loose. £270, available from mrporter.com

PETIT BATEAU

The cult French brand shows it can do menswear just as well as the kiddie clothes with which it made its name – thanks in no small part to the vision of new Creative Directors (and founders of luxe label Maison Kitsuné) Masaya Kuroki and Gildas Loaëc.

Rolled hems, breezy shirts and lightweight knits make for perfect day-to-eveningwear – especially if you’re a screen star living la dolce vita somewhere hip and hot. Check out the Shoreditch pop-up, open for one month only.

64 Charlotte Road, EC2A; petitbateau.com

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ABSOLUTELY FASHION

SOUND& VISION

ICONIC FRENCH CLOTHING COMPANY PETIT BATEAU HAS HIRED TWO OF FRANCE’S MOST ADMIRED CREATIVES TO REVITALISE THE BRAND. GILDAS LOAËC AND MASAYA KUROKI ARE THE FOUNDERS OF CULT PARISIAN RECORD LABEL TURNED FASHION HOUSE MAISON KITSUNÉ – AND THEY HAVE BIG PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. Tell us the Kitsuné story; how and why did you found the record label?

At what point did you decide to expand into clothing?

Did you have any previous experience in fashion?

We started out as a Paris-based record label, with artists including Mark Ronson, Digitalism and Two Door Cinema Club, and it just felt like a natural progression to branch out into fashion. The emotion and dynamic of the Kitsuné music label provides a strong tempo for our clothing lines.

Maison Kitsuné has a very strong aesthetic – how would you describe or define it? Do you have a philosophy with regard to style and clothing?

We tend to describe the Maison Kitsuné aesthetic as everyday chic with a fresh street influence. We have an outspoken sense of style and we’re not afraid to make a statement.

How did the new working relationship with Petit Bateau come about?

Petit Bateau selected us as creative heads in 2013 because our style is extremely compatible. The brand

new design signature. It is key for us that the collection looks up to date and on trend.

What can we expect from the new Petit Bateau SS14 collection?

We have played with vibrant primary colours, tropical prints, playsuits and stylish sweats to create a collection that is infused with fun. There are still many Petit Bateau staples, but these are brought up to date with new colourways, styles and silhouettes. The new collection has a sports luxe feel to it, but stays true to its preppy heritage.

Why a pop-up in Shoreditch? Are there plans to go permanent?

Petit Bateau currently has nine shops across London, so by opening our first pop-up shop in East London we’re reaching a new audience who, we hope, will like the collaboration between Petit Bateau and Maison Kitsuné.

was also looking to communicate with a younger adult shopper and given that we create street fashion, it seemed like the perfect match. The collaboration marks a major new chapter for Maison Kitsuné.

Petit Bateau pop-up shop will be open until mid-March 2014; 64 Charlotte Street, EC2; petit-bateau.co.uk

Were you fans of the brand before you came on board (no pun intended) as Creative Directors?

Everyone loves Petit Bateau! In France it is the nation’s favourite brand, known for tradition, quality and style.

Petit Bateau is an incredibly enduring and much-loved label – do you intend to take it in a new direction?

One of our roles is to push the manufacturing process that little bit further to create collections that play to a younger market. We are using our knowledge of street fashion to give the Petit Bateau adult collection a fresh

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Concept Kitchens 40 Offord Road, Islington, London, N1 | 020 7700 1555 | www.conceptkitchensislington.co.uk

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TEN PILATES.indd 2

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ABSOLUTELY FASHION

1

S OR’ T I ED

8

K PIC

2

7 6 3

GYM CLASS 4

HEROES THE SPORTS LUXE TREND IS HERE TO STAY FOR SS14.

READY, STEADY, GO FORTH AND BUY

5

1. VIRGIN ROSE BRA, £38, AND BRIEFS, £25; playfulpromises.com 2. ALEXANDER WANG HILARY SLIP-ON SHOES, £568; matchesfashion.com 3. BALENCIAGA MULTI-BLOCK TRAINERS, £345; matchesfashion.com 4. MARC BY MARC JACOBS LEATHER TRIMMED CANVAS BACKPACK, £175; net-a-porter.com 5. J C DE CASTELBAJAC CANVAS CLUTCH BAG, £592; jc-de-castelbajac.com 6. JONATHAN SAUNDERS SILK-TWILL SHORTS, £395; net-a-porter.com 7. CARVEN APPLIQUÉD COTTON-JERSEY SWEATSHIRT, £180; net-a-porter.com 8. REED KRAKOFF SCUBA-JERSEY SWEATSHIRT, £895; net-a-porter.com 19

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BABES IN THE

WOOD COME OUT OF HIBERNATION WITH THIS SEASON’S PRETTIEST FLORAL FINDS

Photography Ian Harrison

Styling

Lynda Bell

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RED TARTAN COTTON SKIRT, NEW LOOK FLORAL SILK PRINTED TOP, CLEMENTS RIBEIRO BEADED STRAPPY SANDALS, DUNE BLACK LEATHER GLOVES, ZARA ENAMEL AND GOLD PLATED DROP EARRINGS, CH CAROLINA HERRERA

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PINK JERSEY PRINTED DRESS, MARY KATRANTZOU @ MATCHES CREAM MOHAIR SWEATER,

BY MALENE BIRGER ROCK CRYSTAL AND GOLD CHAIN NECKLACE, CH CAROLINA HERRERA SILVER DOUBLE HOOP EARRINGS AND SILVER FEATHER THREAD BRACELET, BOTH BY CAROLINA BUCCI

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GOLD WOOL COAT WITH FAUX FUR COLLAR, PAUL SMITH BLACK VISCOSE CRYSTAL EMBELLISHED TOP, BA&SH RED AND BLUE SILK RUFFLE HEM SKIRT, PETER SOM @ AVENUE32.COM BLACK LEATHER BOOTS, CH CAROLINA HERRERA SILVER DOUBLE HOOP EARRINGS AND SILVER FEATHER THREAD BRACELET, BOTH

BY CAROLINA BUCCI

Mar_B&C_Fash_Shoot.indd 24

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The Interior Mum: Personalise your gift with a Campagne photo heart frame from Butlers for £5.99.

The Foodie Mum: Pop in to The Glass Works for a natter over a glass of wine or catch up over a fresh coffee from Tinderbox. Treat her to delicious freshly prepared Japanese inspired cuisine at wagamama.

The Fashion Mum: Style your mother with this season’s trends at H&M, including these sparkly earrings for £6.99. Italian fashion brand Calzedonia has all the spring accessories mum needs including stockings, tights and leggings.

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The Glam Mum: Indulge her with a luxurious beauty gift from L’Occitane or select the perfect arm candy from Accessorize with this candy pink Bea Bowler bag for £29.00.

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n1shoppingcentreislington

(30TH)

Don’t forget a card!

From humorous to traditional, Paperchase has a card to suit every mum.

The Cosy Mum: These super chic pyjamas from Intimissimi are guaranteed to please.

From £20.

12/02/2014 16:06

12/02/2014 17:14

ABSOLUTELY FASHION

2 PAVANE PAVANE

1 RYAN LO FROM THE NEWLY EMERGING TO THE WELL ESTABLISHED, TEN YOUNG DESIGNERS WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE

WHO? Born in Hong Kong, Ryan Lo came to London to study fashion, where exposure to the likes of Charles Anastase allowed him to indulge his creative flair. Debuting at Fashion East, Lo’s bold artistry instantly captured the hearts and minds of London’s fashion elite. His accolades include a Dreamy Award from the Serpentine Gallery and a nomination for the Dazed and Confused x G-Shock Award.

WHO? The creation of two Aussie designers, Georgina Edmunds and Fiona Ransom, this London-based atelier boasts experience in some of the world’s finest fashion houses – from Marc Jacobs to Yohji Yamamoto. They favour understated luxury and an intelligent but sensual aesthetic.

‘These are pieces for a woman that maintains an allegiance to her own self-defined beauty. She is strong and willing to take risks; at once seductively austere and wittily opulent.’

WHAT? Pavane’s SS14 collection features sharp cuts tempered by soft drapes, creating voluminous geometric shapes that play with the body’s own form. Determinedly modern with just a hint of the ancient, their pieces exude confidence and elegance.

WHAT? Never much of a one for convention, Lo’s maximalist tendencies and DIY approach see him exploit any and every fabric, from tulle to tinsel, in his unique, handcrafted creations. His SS14 collection is true to form; playful, with a tongue-in-cheek, girly femininity, it features an explosion of colours and fabrics… not to mention a healthy dose of animal ears and tails! ryanlo.co.uk

RYAN LO

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ROKSANDA ILINCIC

WHO? Serbian-born Roksanda Ilincic has been super hot for the last year. Now in her eighth year of wowing the style pack with her London Fashion Week shows, her career began when the Victoria & Albert Museum invited her to exhibit at their prestigious Fashion in Motion show. She never looked back.

3

SIMONE ROCHA

WHO? Graduating Central Saint Martin’s in 2010, Dublinborn Simone Rocha was quick to make her mark on the London scene, debuting at London Fashion Week the same year. A darling of the global media, in 2013 Rocha scooped the Emerging Talent Award for Womenswear at the British Fashion Awards.

WHAT? Progeny of the world-famous John, Simone Rocha has firmly established herself in her own right. Famed for her minimalist style, her SS14 collection is bold and provocative. A rich mix of fabrics – clear PVC, matted silk, sheer nude veils and loose leathers – builds an aesthetic that is at once both classic and contemporary, elegantly feminine and yet fiercely assertive. simonerocha.com

WHAT? Ilincic’s designs have become a vital part of many A-listers’ wardrobes, with clients like Rooney Mara, Chloe Sevigny and Lady Gaga queuing up to sport her stuff. Her SS14 collection is an angular yet fluid and beautifully feminine mix of bright citrus colours and darker shades. In a word, gorgeous. roksandailincic.com

5

ANNA BYERS

WHO? Widely considered one of the UK’s top emerging jewellery designers, Anna Byers discovered a love for the ‘sacred geometry’ of religious art and architecture while studying in Jerusalem in 2010. Duly inspired, she returned to London and established her own brand at the tail end of 2012, specialising in ‘luxurious statement pieces’ that reference the symmetry and intricacy of the works that had fascinated her during her time abroad.

‘I love being a jewellery designer because it allows me to make little works of art that people can wear and interact with daily.’

6

SARAH STRAUSSBERG

WHO? Highgate-born Sarah Straussberg puts her background in sculpture to good use creating stunning jewellery. After an Art and Design foundation course at Central St Martin’s, she headed south to study Materials Practice at Brighton University. Now back in London, her jewellery business looks set to soar.

WHAT? Straussberg’s jewellery is inspired by nature and she names each collection after her closest friends. Her jewellery is far from ostentatious – the designs are simple yet complex, subtle yet eye-catching, making them the perfect accessory for any occasion. sarahstraussberg.com

WHAT? Of her ‘Interactive’ collection, Anna says, ‘It continues [my] exploration of geometric forms, featuring multilayered pieces that can be rotated and re-arranged into virtually endless combinations, inviting the wearer to create their own unique compositions.’

Byers is also fascinated

by Optical Art, and her ‘Hex’ collection plays with perceptions of depth and dimension. annabyers.com

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CHRISTOPHER KANE

WHO? One of modern fashion’s great success stories, Scottishborn Christopher Kane launched his label in 2006 in collaboration with his sister, Tammy. A slew of acclaimed collections followed, and in 2013 Kane was named Womenswear Designer of the Year at the annual British Fashion Awards.

Around the same time, his brand received the financial backing it needed to make the jump to the big leagues. 2014 looks set to be a milestone year.

WHAT? Kane’s SS14 collection blends sheer fabrics and cartoonish botanical prints in typically unfettered style.

Colours are vivid, lines sharp and references skilfully interwoven – a confident display from one of the world’s young leading lights.

SOPHIA WEBSTER

WHO? Barely a couple of years into her career and Royal College of Art graduate Sophia Webster is already popping up on fashion wishlists around the world. A former assistant

8

KIRSTY WARD

WHO? Another graduate of Central St Martin’s world-famous Womenswear course, Ward has a flair for both womenswear and jewellery design, which often fuse into one in her designs. She honed her chops working for Italy’s Alberta Ferretti for eighteen months after university, before returning to these shores to launch her own label in 2011.

WHAT? Ward’s woman is a thing of power, and her creations reflect this in bold lines and heavy embellishments. Ward’s feeling for form is often approvingly noted by the fashion press, as is the distinctive and striking nature of her aesthetic.

to shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood, she debuted her own first footwear collection in SS13 and immediately set tongues wagging with her effervescent, attention-grabbing (and always feminine) creations. A winner of the British Fashion Council’s prestigious NewGen award three years running, SS14 looks set to push her firmly into the frontline of UK women’s fashion.

WHAT? Classic silhouettes get plenty of modern sparkle in Webster’s designs, with everything from high heels to flats getting a dash of party dazzle. The keyword is fun, and for her ‘Supa Dupa Fly’ SS14 collection, Webster lays it on in spades. Insect emblems, botanical shapes and riotous summer colour make for a range poised in some odd, electric place somewhere between Alice in Wonderland and Nicki Minaj. We love. sophiawebster.co.uk

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ASHLEY WILLIAMS

WHO? University of Westminster graduate Ashley Williams is forward-thinking London’s designer of choice, whose shows are as much renowned for their grab-bag of esoteric ideas as they are for their on-trend front rows (Nick Grimshaw and Harry Styles are regulars). Already stocked in legendary Paris store Colette, it seems that for Williams, the only way is up.

WHAT? Her SS14 collection was leading edge in the best possible way: a fun, frenzied range of ‘80s-inspired printed swimwear, muted grey knits and a handbag shaped like a cute little hammerhead shark.

Yes, a bag shaped like a shark.

Trust us, fish bags will be on everyone’s wishlist a few months from now.

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ABSOLUTELY PROMOTION

PAUL DAY EXHIBITION 26TH MARCH – 19TH APRIL, 2014 PLUS ONE GALLERY, 89-91 PIMLICO ROAD

P

lus One Gallery artist Paul Day has spent over twenty years developing a highly personal approach to figurative sculpture with a particular interest in representing the figure in architectural space using high-relief, an art form that combines drawn composition and fully rounded sculpture.

Over the years he has developed a form of art singularly difficult to categorise in terms of contemporary artistic idioms. His high relief sculptures in terracotta, resin and bronze have been exhibited widely in Europe and are appreciated not least for their peculiarly

personal approach to perspective, as seen in Brussels, an urban comedy, a 25 metre long terracotta frieze in the Royal Galleries of SaintHubert in Brussels. His exhibitions attract considerable interest from both the public and media alike This appeal of an artist who is unquestionably of his time but whose world links up with a longstanding tradition is rare.

Day has the themes of urbanity and the City at the heart of his artistic practice and, in order to represent them, has elaborated a perspective of subjectivity.

Since his first solo show in Paris in 1995, Paul Day has undertaken many commissions and exhibitions in Europe, the United States and Canada. It was in 2001 that Paul Day was chosen to create a monument to the Battle of Britain, the completed work which sits on the Victoria Embankment. This was the first public monument to be sited in his home country.

Since then other monuments in London have followed, notably The Meeting Place in St Pancras International Station (a 9 meter tall sculpture) and The Queen Mother Memorial on the Mall.

Day’s pieces can be found in various important collections, including but not limited to Buckingham Palace, The Palace of Westminster, the Fine Art Museum of Houston, USA,

Arizona State University Museum, USA, The Gardiner Museum of Ceramics, Toronto, Brussels Regional Parliament and Mannheimer Versicherung, Germany. There is a permanent Paul Day exhibition in Musee des Beaux Arts, Beaune, France.

Paul Day lives and works in France and is represented by Plus One Gallery. The exhibition runs from 26th March-19th April.

Plus One Gallery | 89-91 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8PH Tel: +44 (0)20 7730 7656 Fax: +44 (0)20 7730 7664 info@plusonegallery.com plusonegallery.com facebook.com/plusonegallery Clockwise from above: I-people (woman), 63 x 50 x 28 cm, White coloured bronze, POA; Station Lovers, 51 x 110 x 28 cm, Bronze, POA; I-people (man), 63 x 50 x 28 cm, White coloured bronze, POA; The Viaduct, 55 x 105 x 30 cm, Bronze, POA.

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ABSOLUTELY KIDS

BOY MEETS GIRL

Creative kidswear label Boys & Girls have teamed up with East London street artist Malarky to create a limited edition range of sweat tops and tees for SS14. Bright, bold and summery to the max, the ‘urban beach’ collection is made from certified organic cotton and eco-friendly prints. boysandgirlsshop.com

ABSOLUTELY

KIDS HOW TO KEEP LITTLE ONES AMUSED

BISTRO BABY

Get training in early with this delightful Bistro Kitchen from the Great Little Trading Company. It’s neat, petite and sweet, allowing budding chefs to whip up a dish, bake a cake and then do the necessary washing-up. They can even do the laundry while they’re at it. All that’s left is to say bon appétit. £125; gltc.co.uk

NIGHTY NIGHT

Islington-based Atticus & Gilda make bedtimes magical with a range of children’s nightwear that seems to have leapt straight from classic storybooks. We’re talking dinky Chinese-style pyjamas and Peter Pan & Wendy nightdresses – add a sleepy tot or two for maximum cuteness. atticusandgilda.co.uk

PACK YOUR TRUNK Folding clothes will never be boring again with Anaiza’s Jacinto storage trunk. The brainchild of a Kensington mum, each item from this range of handcrafted wooden nursery furniture takes inspiration from a different African animal. £950; anaiza.co.uk

TOP COLLAR

With its velvet collar and cuffs and pretty pastel shade, this classic coat from Trotters will take little ladies seamlessly from winter to spring. £110; trotters.co.uk 31

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ABSOLUTELY EDUCATION

PAY YOUR WAY

Why struggle to get your child into an oversubscribed school when you can pay someone to do it for you?

Amanda Constance investigates the dark arts of the School Placement Service o you’ve got deep pockets and sharp elbows, but are they enough to get your child into the school you want? In the now hyper-competitive world of our most elite independent schools, the answer, probably, is no.

In the race for a place, high-octane parents are using a Schools Placement Service. For a sizeable fee, super-tutor agencies such as Holland Park Education and Bonas MacFarlane will not only identify the appropriate school for your child, they will assess and tutor the child for the examination and interview process, fill in any applications, provide personal references to the chosen schools and even arrange private visits to them. It is hand-holding of the highest order, with both agencies boasting they will look after your loved one’s every educational need ‘from cradle to career’.

S

And it doesn’t come cheap. Holland Park Education charges £5,000 for the service. But as William Stadlen, the Savile Row-suited founder and managing director of HPE attests, this is ‘investment insurance’. Many of HPE’s clients will be spending ‘500k per child over 10 years’ and ‘we get that investment right for a fraction of the cost’. Holland Park Education’s clients are mostly bankers and the global super-rich.

And they start early. Stadlen admits to meeting ‘a bizarre amount of pregnant women’; he recounts having to reassure the mildly hysterical parents of an 18 month-old girl that it was not ‘too late to get her into Cambridge’. Holland Park Education doesn’t carry out assessments on children under the age of five, but it does have an early years consultant who can place your baby in the nursery of

your dreams, part one of a ‘road map’, an educational strategy designed for your child that should see the apple of your eye waltzing into Oxbridge 15 years later.

The process starts with an initial consultation with Stadlen where he ascertains the family’s situation and what ambitions they have for their children. There follows an assessment; a quantitative analysis using a sophisticated computer program and a qualitative assessment with one of HPE’s specialist consultants, each of whom has more than 1,000 hours of preparing children for exams under their belt.

HPE create a longlist and then whittle this down to a shortlist of the most suitable schools based upon the family’s specific wishes, the child’s academic potential and extra-curricular concerns such as music or sport etc. The assessments will also highlight any areas where your child might need extra help to achieve the sky-high academic standard these schools require. If so, the agency has a battery of young Oxbridgey tutors who can make sure your child is ready for their entrance exams at 7+, 11+ or 13+.

Once a shortlist of schools has been decided, HPE will send on the assessor’s reports plus the agency’s own reference to the chosen schools. And this is really what you are paying for. Stadlen has spent the last decade or more building relationships with the registrars and heads in all of the best schools. His recommendation opens doors. As he explains: ‘There is currency to our word because we have successfully placed children before.’ The schools want the best pupils and know that HPE can deliver them. As Stadlen wryly adds, when it comes to the quid pro quo relationships between schools and agencies, ‘we’re not ahead of the curve, I think we created the curve’.

HPE refute the notion that 'there is one perfect school – this often only serves to increase the pressure on a child', says Stadlen. But how do you tell a Russian oligarch that his Evgeny isn’t a suitable candidate for Harrow? ‘It’s all about expectation management,’ says Stadlen smoothly. ‘In the cases where a family have their heart set on one or two particular schools, then our close relationships with these schools means we may be able open certain doors. If we want to get a child into Eton or St Paul’s, then we get that child into Eton or St Paul’s'. Sounds like good value for money. hollandparkeducation.com bonasmacfarlane.co.uk

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timeless

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Funktional Kitchens.indd 2

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ABSOLUTELY PROMOTION

MUM’S

BETTY & WALTER

Pineapple souffle cosmetic bag.£16, www.bettyandwalter.com

T HE W OR D

Designers Makers and Old Spitalfields Market bring you their top gift picks for Mother’s Day, Sunday 30th March.

ANNA WISCOMBE Mother and Baby Wallbirds £20 a set, annawiscombe.com

GABY GASSNER JEWELLERY

REO JEWELS

Swarovski Pearl Choker, £75, etsy.com/uk/shop/TheJewelleryFactory

Rose Thorn Hoops £65, reojewels.co.uk

COCONUT GRASS Bakers’ Macaron apron, £21, coconutgrass.com

Find the Designers Market at Old Spitalfields Market, London E1 6EW every third Saturday of the month. 11am – 5pm; designersmakers.com

ROSA & CLARA DESIGNS

Lavender Butterfly screen-printed by hand, filled with Yorkshire lavender. £10, rosaandclaradesigns.co.uk

BG DESIGN Silk Fox Brooch, £7

DEBORAH

BALLINGER ILLUSTRATIONS

Bumblebee Earrings £5.50, deborahballinger.co.uk

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RAZZLE DAZZLE In addition to being an all-round superstar and pregnant with her third child, Primrose Hill mumma Gwen Stefani has found time to design a limited edition nail range for O.P.I. Highlights include a bold red lacquer that pays homage to Gwen’s signature lipstick and a range of other striking shades named after her songs. We’re fans of the semi-matte satin finish in both black and gold. Is there no end to this woman’s entrepreneurial energy? £11.95 each, available at department stores and salons nationwide; opi.com

Beauty

NOTES

THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT

WE LOVE

There’s no better time than Spring to start donning orange satin lips, daring purple eyeshadow and a light, vernal blush. To work the look yourself, try NARS’ Timanfaya Satin Lip Pencil (£17.50), China Seas Duo Eyeshadow (£25) and Nã Pali Coast Multiple (£30) on your cheeks. Available from Space NK, 299 Upper Street, N1; uk.spacenk.com

THE BIG THREE

DUAL ACTION CLEANSERS

1 2 3

de Mamiel Brightening Cleanse & Exfoliate, £38; demamiel.com Urban Veda Rose Reviving Facial Wash, £8.99; urbanveda.co.uk Purifying Gel Cleanser, £9; bravuralondon.com

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ABSOLUTELY BEAUTY

LUNCHTIME FIX

Organic pharmacy health assessment hile I refuse to commit fully to any detox (the word sends a portentous shiver down my spine), I’m fully signed up to the idea of improving my overall health – so I was intrigued to read about the one-to-one consultation offered by The Organic Pharmacy, which promises to ‘reinstate the body’s balance, cleansing it on a deep, cellular level’. Such talk exerts a powerful draw at a time when New Year healthy-eating plans have flown largely off-course.

The process entails being interviewed about your general health and diet before being wired up to a high-tech Quantum QX machine. This enables your consultant to pinpoint any shortage of vitamins and minerals as well as any allergies or sensitivities you may have overlooked. The Quantum QX machine aids diagnosis by a mysterious reading of the body’s electrical currents, and the results are surprising: my allergy list seems endless and name-checks some of my favourite foods (cheese, chocolate, potatoes… lettuce I can handle). My pharmacist advises me that some of these sensitivities may be mild, almost unnoticeable or difficult to trace – but reminds me that it’s good to be aware of potential intolerances. I had expected my stress levels to be through the roof, but apparently my adrenals and ACTH hormone are normal. My Vitamin D levels are normal, too. The shock of it! I was hoping for a prescription holiday.

Treatment usually entails a 10-day diet plan (no family bag of Maltesers then?) and a bevy of supporting supplements. My diet is relatively healthy (before 4pm, anyway), so I’m more interested in the supplement bit and learning what foods I need to incorporate into my meals. As certain vitamins and minerals work together as a team, a deficiency in one often indicates the same in another, and the prescription (in my case anyway) is extensive:

W

I’m sent away with some essential fatty acids with B-complex, calcium and magnesium, as well as some probiotic and detox tablets, liver and kidney drops and Agnus Castus tincture to keep my fluctuating hormones under control. It’s quite an armoury and one I’m going to have to get used to.

Four weeks later, I’m no less tired (perhaps I do need that detox) but my skin is a lot clearer and unexpectedly, my general mood is better. My conscience is also clear – I don’t feel like a nutritionally-depleted mess. It’s hard to know whether I’ll be able to keep up with such a full-on regimen once the first batch of supplements runs dry, but I’m hopeful my better nature will win out and I’ll stay on the right track. HB

£150 for a 90 minute session, 23 Great Marlborough Street, W1; theorganicpharmacy.com

BRAIDY BUNCH qual parts dry shampoo, style extender and volume booster, this handy powder is the hairstylist’s new hero product. Enhance a blow-dry, create a messy braid or revive unwashed hair with a quiffed updo: here’s to good hair days, always. £21.50; bumbleandbumble.co.uk

E

IN HEALTH: Timed Fitness he team of on-call personal trainers at Timed Fitness provide results-driven training packages tailored specifically for you.

The Timed24 is a 24-hour body overhaul with guaranteed results, while the Timed48 aims to kickstart a lasting lifestyle change – and teach you all you need to know to keep fit going forward. Best of all, you can choose to train at home, at work, outdoors or at a private gym of your choice. Finally, a programme that’s free of obstacles and excuses: get to it.

020 3686 5008; info@timed-fitness.com

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ABSOLUTELY PROMOTION

AWARD MUM WITH THE

‘MOTHER OF ALL MEMBERSHIPS’

AT THE VIP BEAUTY

CLUB NW8

T

his Mother’s Day (30 March) award Mum with the ‘Mother of all Memberships’ at The VIP Beauty Club NW8 @ The Beauty Centre who bring you affordable pampering, revolutionising the beauty world!

Their popular ‘VIP Beauty Club’ membership scheme is a monthly membership that puts all other memberships to shame.

Never before has there been a membership like this. Offering unlimited usage of luxury beauty salon treatments especially created for grooming aficionados.

The three affordable ‘VIP Memberships’ are Gold (£199 per month), Platinum (£269 per month) and Black (£349 per month). Each is made-up of über-hip cult beauty VIP treatments and celebrity favourites including the must-have 3-week manicure, Red Carpet pedicure, A-Lift futuristic facial and the latest hair removal system, just to name

a few. Got an eye-lash dilemma? No problem: The VIP Beauty Club has the answer. Stressed out in the City? Don’t be! Becoming a VIP member will ease away your stresses and strains, you won’t even remember the pain! And that’s not all: becoming a member also allows you to take advantage of discounts on all of your must-have grooming products. The VIP Beauty Club culture is irresistibly infectious so much so, that the A-list (along with fashionistas) are queuing up to join

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ABSOLUTELY BEAUTY

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2014/01/10 4:44 PM

Personally for her, with love…

W

ith Mother’s day approaching, have you decided on what to give your dearest Mother, Wife or Mother in Law this March?

It’s a special day to express your love and appreciation but you don’t want to go down the traditional route of flowers or scented candles. You’re looking for something symbolic, something unique that will capture her style; and your appreciation for her. Well, Kizmet Designer Jewellery has a gift selection that is unique, symbolic and beautiful and we believe we can give you that one-of-a-kind adornment.

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12/02/2014 17:18

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTY ALBERTA FERRETTI SS14

Make-up insider Arabella Preston on defying the elements to stay fresh-faced

B

lustery winds, driving rain and radiators blasting hot air play havoc with delicate skin.

Nearly every client I see at this time of year has some kind of weather-related skin complaint.

Usually it's simply an overall dryingout of the skin, but in severe cases little red patches of eczema appear. Save for adopting the full-face-balaclava look, a change in skincare is usually the solution, but thinking carefully about your choice of make-up can also work wonders.

You need to feed and hydrate your skin to help protect against the elements. I'd encourage avoiding powder formulas and switching instead to hardworking balms, liquids and gels.

A natural oil is the best place to start: I cannot get enough of Decleor's Super Serum. Made with 100% natural oils it smooths the skin and hydrates beautifully. Following with a light BB cream or tinted moisturiser, such as the Dr Hauschka Translucent make-up, will give your skin a glow without drying it out. The Chantecaille Bio Lift concealer is particularly ingenious, containing an anti-wrinkle hexapeptide that smoothes fine lines as it covers them.

A rosy glow is essential and a gel or cream blush formula gives a gorgeous apres-ski flush. Topshop's formula is particularly clever, a cream blush that dries to a powder finish. Perfect if you prefer a slightly more matte look.

Lip formulas have undergone a striking evolution in the past few years with an explosion of lips butters, Chubby sticks and tints. It's all about perfecting while remaining eminently kissable. I rate the Bliss Fabulips lip balm for a perfect pink pout, or the NARS Satin Lip pencil: containing hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, it moisturizes and soothes whilst delivering fuller-looking lips.

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1. Bliss Fabulips Tinted Lip Balm, £12; blissworld.co.uk 2. Dr Hauschka Translucent Make-up, £20; drhauschka.co.uk 3. Chantecaille Bio Lift Concealer, £57; uk.spacenk.com 4. Decléor Hydra Floral Multi-Protection BB Cream 24hr Moisture Activator, £29; decleor.co.uk 5. NARS Satin Lip Pencil, £17.50; narscosmetics.co.uk 6. Hourglass No.28 Primer Serum, £62; uk.spacenk.com 7. Topshop Beauty Blush in Flush, £7; topshop.com 8. Decleor Aromessence Neroli Super Serum, £44; decleor.co.uk 9. Soap and Glory Cheek Mate, £8; boots.co.uk

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oor ahan

“Dream-weaver James Thiérrée is a master of theatrical spectacle” METRO

Finest

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The last 49 years Noor Jahan are serving traditional style north Indian food prepared using only fresh ingredients and ground spices, no artifical colourings or preservatives are added to the original Indian flavours.

Set on two floors with a terrace, also with a private party room. It is the perfect location for business lunches or romantic dinners.

26 Sussex Place, Hyde Park Estate, Paddington, London W2 2TH www.noorjahan2.com  020 7402 2332 / 020 7402 5885

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23/07/2012 14:14

The Highbury Barn

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Offering diners a new destination point for eating out, yet still maintaining the unique, iconic feel that makes the pub so well-loved.

With a theatre-style kitchen, a la carte menu and a whole new interior decor including our new coffee shop, the Highbury Barn makes good food worth going out for.

Fine ales, great beers and quality wines - you can still expect nothing less from Highbury’s favourite pub and restaurant.

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12/02/2014 16:04

12/02/2014 17:19

ABSOLUTELY FOOD

Pie Eyed STILL CHILLY OUT? TRY THESE WHOLESOME, WARMING RECIPES FROM GBBO’S WINTER KITCHEN COOKBOOK. FROM HEARTY PIES AND ONE-POT CASSEROLES TO STEAMING PUDS, THE DISHES ARE SURE TO WARM YOUR COCKLES.

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FOOD NOTES My Local

NEW OPENING

LARDER

We’re excited about this one. Oslo is a new venue set within a redeveloped railway station (always a winner), serving top-notch foodie bites of a Scandi bent plus a diverse range of beers and wines – and it boasts a truly exciting music programme. It’s smack bang in the middle of Hackney (beside Hackney Central station) and bound to become a thriving hub for the area’s many creatives… hubba hubba.

1a Amhurst Road, E8; oslohackney.com

by Neil Borthwick HEAD CHEF AT MERCHANTS TAVERN

here are some beautiful seasonal fruits and vegetables around at this time of year, with a couple of my favourites being British kale and beetroot. Kale seems to be having a real moment with everyone right now, and you can’t beat it cooked and buttered on the side of some roast pork or a rib of beef. Beetroot doesn’t seem to have the same universal appeal, but when you pair its sweet earthiness with a tangy, salty cheese like Wensleydale or with the strong gamey-ness of venison, trust me, it’s heavenly.

I live in Spitalfields and it’s not far to travel to Leila’s Shop on Calvert Avenue to pick up some of the best produce. It’s a real local treasure, all set out gorgeously, and it serves daily specials in the café part – sometimes just a stunning bowl of peas! Leila’s is just over from Rochelle Canteen, which is another place I regularly go to eat the best of the seasons. There are beautiful pies and stews from a daily changing menu by Margot Henderson – constantly proving that simple dishes can be the tastiest.

I share this philosophy of simplicity and quality ingredients and that’s what influences my cooking at Merchants Tavern. In March we’ll be considering spring vegetable salads, such as fennel with a ceviche of sea bream and apple, and I’m looking forward to the first of the asparagus arriving in the next month or so.

That said, there’re some great dishes in East London that I seek out all year round – Eccles cakes at St.John, charcuterie at Brawn... and I go to Androuet for some good British and French cheeses and the opportunity to practise my French with the employees. A bit further south, in Bermondsey, there’s the Ham and Cheese Company, where I while away weekends tasting the new charcuterie and chatting with the owner, Elliot – he is a true foodie and his shop is a peaceful haven amid the London madness.

I’m really into honey and the whole process of how it’s made and all the regional diversity, so while in the area I’ll drop in to the London Honey Company too.

I always think it’s funny when people talk about Britain’s negative culinary stereotype. In and around my little corner at least, there’s a real foodie treasure trove.

36 Charlotte Road, EC2; merchantstavern.co.uk

WE LOVE

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BUY OF THEH MONT

Book of the month

MIGHTY SPICE EXPRESS Hackney-ite John Gregory Smith’s latest book, Mighty Spice Express, is full of spicy recipes that only take 45 minutes to make, from fridge to table. It encompasses a range of easy but interesting dishes, from salads and soups to mains and even desserts, and all with a twist or hint of spice. £16, available at Waterstones, 11 Islington Green, N1; waterstones.com

BACON & EGGS

Ginger Pig are launching a limited edition Scotch Egg (free range egg of course) that comes wrapped in sausage meat and smoked bacon, coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried (not for dieters then). This breakfast number is fast becoming an all-day snack favourite… and just got a whole lot posher. £4 each, 99 Lauriston Road, E9 and Borough Market, SE1; gingerpig.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY FOOD

MAKE THIS>

ROAST HARISSA SALMON WITH LEMONY GIANT COUSCOUS Salmon is an oily fish that is packed with flavour, which makes it a great choice for partnering the chilli kick of harissa. Rose harissa has a more fragrant flavour than regular harissa but either would work well here.

The beads of giant couscous absorb their lemony dressing, making them little flavour bombs with an amazingly vibrant colour.

INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp coriander seeds, crushed 1 x 600g piece sustainable salmon fillet (skin on) a good drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil a large handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped a small handful of fresh mint leaves, chopped a small handful of fresh coriander, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix the harissa with the crushed coriander seeds and half the lemon zest.

Rub this mixture all over the salmon and lay it on a baking sheet. Leave in a cool place to marinate for 30 minutes.

1

Heat the oven to 170°C/325°F/gas 3. Place the salmon in the heated oven and roast for 10–12 minutes until just cooked through.

Meanwhile, bring the stock to a simmer in a large pan, add the couscous and cook for 6–8 minutes until tender. Drain and tip into a large bowl. Cool slightly, then toss with the remaining lemon zest, the lemon juice, oil and herbs.

Season well with salt and pepper. Flake the salmon over the top of the couscous and serve.

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The Great British Bake Off: Winter Kitchen (£20, BBC Books), available from Waterstones Islington, 11 Islington Green, N1; waterstones.com

ONE POT MEAL Say goodbye to boring breakfasts with Cuckoo’s new Bircher-style muesli. The clever pots come in five adventurous flavours including elderflower and cranberry, choco sour cherry and apricot & Madagascan vanilla. Each serving is less than 300 calories so they’re perfect for an on-the-go breakfast or an afternoon snack. £2.49 each; cuckoofoods.co.uk

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ARCHITECTURAL

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11/10/2013 12:23

ABSOLUTELY FOOD

long before opening and then there’s a couple of soft openings.

It must be nerve-racking as you approach opening night…

Well I’ve been involved with restaurant openings for my whole career, moving from restaurant to restaurant – the biggest move perhaps being from Aubergine to Restaurant Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital Road [Sargeant joined as sous-chef and earned a Michelin star within a year]. Obviously it wasn’t my name on the door but we were all on tenterhooks for that one. I opened Claridges, which was my own first opening back in 2001… so when it came to opening Rocksalt, although it was outside of London, I went through the motions again.

Would you say you’ve got opening restaurants down pat?

PLUM JOB

SUPERSTAR CHEF AND THE BRAINS BEHIND ABSOLUTELY FAVOURITE PLUM + SPILT MILK, MARK SARGEANT TALKS TO HELEN BARON ABOUT FOODIE ESCAPADES PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

You can never tell! You’re always working with new people, in a new area and demographic. In London, from Chelsea to Shoreditch, your customer base is completely different.

It’s never black and white. Plus, you have to account for freak accidents.

Our extractor fan broke down on the opening night of Royal Hospital Road, which was in August.

How have things been going at Plum + Spilt Milk?

I came to the party late last year, after the restaurant had already opened, but luckily got everything installed in time for a decent runup to Christmas – so it’s been very busy so far. The service was pretty slick before I arrived, the Head Chef is great... we’re not trying to do anything too clever with the food.

It’s been so well-received...

Yes… but you know, you’re only as good as your last meal!

How much planning goes into launching a new restaurant?

You have to come up with the concept, employ and train the staff. You work relentlessly on sourcing producers and suppliers and then on the dishes.

There’s a lot of menu-tasting going on

In June 2011 you opened two restaurants [Rocksalt and The Smokehouse] around the same time; was that stressful?

Well, we opened Rocksalt first because essentially The Smokehouse just does good-quality fish and chips, so its nowhere near the same scale.

Plum + Spilt Milk has played its part in the wider Kings Cross regeneration project. Do you remember the area before it began to gentrify? What do you think about its new lease on life?

Oh god, yeah. I used to spend my weekends there raving back in the old days. It was horrible. Although it’s surprising it took so long. I’m just glad it didn’t happen in the Nineties – can you imagine how awful it would have been? Some stupid developer would have gone in there and ruined it. Actually, Folkestone is a prime example of that. There’s a lot of

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ABSOLUTELY FOOD

Edwardian architecture here because it used to be a holiday hotspot, so you see a string of lovely buildings alongside these disgusting post-war apartment blocks.

I get the high-speed link into King’s Cross and it’s abuzz now – there’s Caravan, Grain Store, D&D are opening in the [German] Gymnasium... Google headquarters have pitched up; it’s just a great hub of restaurants, especially for out-oftowners.

What’s your favourite dish on the Plum + Spilt Milk menu?

We’ll do an amazing piece of fish or meat with a couple of garnishes; it’s not ‘Michelin’ dishes – I don’t go in for cooking those anymore. I wanted to design a timeless menu of food that I want to eat. There are several British classics. We’ve got a fantastic range of steaks on the menu – my favourite is the Porterhouse T-bone, which is for sharing. We’ve also got these amazing onion rings made with gluten-free flour, which makes them extra crispy.

So would you say you enjoy British cooking the most? Do you do the cooking at home? Do your kids like your food?

Well, what’s British cooking? We’ve got a prawn and butternut squash curry on the menu, which is a hybrid

my profession, I want my girls to grow up being aware of good food. I cook a roast every week and they love it.

What was it really like working with Gordon Ramsay?

FOR 13 YEARS I WORKED WITH GORDON, WHICH IN DOG YEARS IS ABOUT 100

of Indian and Thai, but what we prefer to push is British provenance.

Squid, for example, is thought of as a Mediterranean dish, but the English Channel is full of amazing fresh squid. Home is where I cook now – I no longer cook in restaurants. I’ve cooked professionally for over 20 years and been in kitchens since I was 13; for 13 years I worked with Gordon, which in dog years is about 100, doing 106-hour weeks, so when I opened my restaurants, I was adamant I wasn’t going to cook apart from at the soft openings. But it allows you to do a lot more in the time. I do a lot of consultancy work and am quite involved in the education sector. I’ve got a young family and this way of working allows me to be at home and cook for my daughters, Ivy and Pearl, every day. And while I’ll by no means necessarily encourage them to go into

My answer to this is always, ‘If it was that bad, I wouldn’t have stayed 13 years.’ I learned a hell of a lot and I definitely wouldn’t be the person I am today without that experience and I have no negative feelings about it.

He was a massive influence and we were together almost every single day. We’re no longer in touch; we cut the apron strings. In a way it was like having an overbearing father; you have to break away at some point and make your own decisions. But then the ‘90s were a bit overbearing.

Things are calmer now and it’s not all about Michelin stars.

Where have you lived in London?

I lived in Chiswick for a time. We lived on Devonshire Road, just a short stroll from the High Road. I used to drive from Chiswick to Claridge’s and it would take me an hour and a half – I can get to London quicker from Folkestone now. I’ve lived in Neasden, Wandsworth, Battersea, Clerkenwell, Greenwich – from where I started Rocksalt – then Sevenoaks and Folkestone. So I eased myself out of London slowly.

What are your plans for 2014?

I’m looking to possibly do Rocksalt London and potentially an Oxwell & Co – which is the restaurant I own in Singapore. I’m consulting for a new spa in Sevenoaks called Reynold’s Retreat and continuing my work with ISS [the International Schools Service]. I’ll be launching the Mark Sargeant Academy at East Kent College – Gary Rhodes is an old alumnus. Starting out is the hardest part of being a chef, so the education and employment side of things is very important to me. I don’t believe in keeping everything I’ve learned along the way to myself!

Plum + Spilt Milk, The Great Northern Hotel, Kings Cross St Pancras Station, Pancras Road, N1C; plumandspiltmilk.com

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To

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17/04/2013 13:49 14:08 01/06/2012

Now serving authentic Mexican BRUNCH on SUNDAYS BOHOMexica MEXICA.indd 2 Boho Sept12.indd 1

22/10/2012 18:39 14:26 23/08/2012

ABSOLUTELY FOOD

FOOD REVIEWS MICHAEL NADRA: Garret Fitzwilliam f you live in northwest London and haven’t yet visited Michael Nadra, I strongly suggest you make a reservation. A Primrose Hill institution of some years standing, the restaurant is a refined proposition, operating in elegant fashion on the more relaxed side of high-end dining. The tasting menu is indulgent and intricate without being cluttered. Every dish shares a sense of focus and clarity which reflects the expertise of the restaurateur behind it – and, in fact, Nadra himself was on hand at the bar to talk about his establishment and listen to our feedback.

Promisingly, he even walked us through a few of the dishes that we were interested in trying to make ourselves, such as the Scottish salmon ceviche with spiced crisp quinoa, fennel and dill purée. Beautifully fresh, the purée was complemented by a Picpoul de Pinet. Indeed, punchy purées and zingy sauces were a refreshing theme, the fennel and dill followed by ginger and sweet chilli, cauliflower and parsley, carrot and ginger and lemongrass bisque.

The quality was incredible; if I had to pick a dish to take with me to a desert island, it might well be Nadra’s herb-crusted hake. Not only did the hake melt in the mouth, it was accompanied by a leek and pearl barley risotto and florets of delicious romanesco. The Scotch fillet steak with braised cheeks and truffle mashed potatoes was the standout dish for my companion – the cheeks perfectly tender and well-matched by the richness of the truffled mash. The entire dish had a luxurious yet comfortingly familiar feel to it, like being wrapped in cashmere beside a winter fire. A decadent chocolate fondant and a sweet treacle tart rounded off the evening, accompanied by a tawny, apricoty Riesling.

In all, a pretty much flawless experience – and like I said, one you’d be well-advised to enjoy for yourself.

42 Gloucester Avenue, NW1; restaurant-michaelnadra.co.uk

I

HIXTER: Alan Huffington checks out the farmyard fare at Mark Hix’s latest evonshire Square’s Hixter is the eighth Mark Hix eatery to open in the last five years, and the second of the food writer and restaurateur’s offerings to focus squarely on chicken and steak (the first was the acclaimed Tramshed, up the road in Shoreditch). This new ‘meatery’ is slightly more understated than its big, ballsy brother. A cosier, more compact affair, it’s definitely better suited to intimate occasions.

There are inevitable similarities, however, not least the walls (and in the case of the Peter Newman piece, ceiling) adorned with works by emerging and established British artists. Hix is a famous friend to many in the art establishment; the Hixter logo was even designed by Tracey Emin. Food-wise, and as befits its status as a chicken and steak restaurant, the menu doesn’t deviate greatly from these farmyard favorites, and veggie options are almost entirely lacking; it’s safe to say Hixter is for the carnivores.

The pampered poultry on offer hail from the Wiltshire countryside, and can be ordered whole (impaled on a spike, no less, feet and all).

Sharing is encouraged, and while the rather

D

ghoulish mode of service is definitely a talking point, conversation soon moves on to the taste, which is so full-bodied and delicious, it will have you questioning what you’ve been eating all these years in your Sunday roasts. In a nod to the local area and its spicy heritage, the menu also offers a chicken curry – a nice touch.

The Glenarm ‘Mighty Marbled’ steaks are even better, served to your liking and in a range of cuts and sizes from 250g to a whopping 1kg.

My companion, something of a steak Nazi, declared his 500g of rare Sirloin to be the best he had tasted outside South America.

The dessert menu is the only place you’ll find refuge from the meat, with a range of lighthearted options including ‘Credit Crunch’ ice cream at £1.90 a scoop, jelly shots or a truly delicious Peruvian gold chocolate mousse. It’s all sumptuously indulgent and enjoyable, and can be followed (or preceded) by a cocktail or two in the darkly sophisticated Mark’s Bar. The espresso martinis in particular made a perfect start to our night of meaty treats – while ensuring the stuffing we gave ourselves didn’t leave us nodding in our seats.

9a Devonshire Square, EC2; hixter.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY HOMES & GARDENS

Nice Stems THOUGHT FAKE FLOWERS WERE AN ABSOLUTE NO-NO? THINK AGAIN; ABIGAIL AHERN’S LIFELIKE FAUX STEMS ARE LITTLE WORKS OF ART, AND AS CLOSE TO THE REAL THING AS YOU CAN GET (MINUS THE POLLEN).

137 UPPER STREET, N1; ABIGAILAHERN.COM 49 53

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ABSOLUTELY INTERIORS

BOTANICAL PRINTS

RHAPSODY IN BLUE

We’re rhapsodising about this blue sofa from Marks & Sparks. It’s dark and velvety hue is used to maximum effect in a light-filled room; heaviness averted, the mood is airy, bright and with more than a hint of beach-house chic.

P.O.A; marksandspencer.com

1. ASHLEY THOMAS BEE CUSHION, £28; debenhams.com

2. ANNABEL JAMES GARDENING GLOVES, £28.95; annabeljames.co.uk

INTERIOR

INSPIRATIONS AU NATUREL

This new collection from Graham & Green is completely inspired by the great outdoors.

Fall under the spell of dark botanical prints, natural wood carpentry and accessories that capture the fantastical and untamed allure of nature.

164 Regent’s Park Road, NW1; grahamandgreen.co.uk

3. PALMERAL MIDNIGHT GREEN OVEN MITT, £18; houseofhackney.com

4. WILLIAM MORRIS PRINT TROWELS, £9.95; bloomsburystore.com

5. WANDERLUST STORAGE BOXES,

BRIGHT AND BREEZY

The new season collection from Cath Kidston intends to brighten up our days with quirky illustrations of Brighton Pier and cartoonish home accessories and lighting.

And with such an adorable choice, we’re inclined to say that they’ve succeeded.

Cath Kidston, St Pancras International Station, Pancras Road, NW1; cathkidston.com

PORTOBELLO IN WORTOBELLO IN WATERFLOWER VELVET AQUA AND FORENZA VELVET PEACOCK FABRIC:

EDITO R’S

PICK

£792.00; johnsankey.co.uk

£21.95; bloomsburystore.com

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ABSOLUTELY PROMOTION

MH COSTA CONSTRUCTION Building up an enviable reputation for delivering outstanding levels of quality and customer service, MH Construction’s in-house team of skilled craftsmen produce beautiful projects to the highest standard of finish, often exceeding client expectations.

MH Costa Construction Ltd, info@mhcosta.com, 020 8450 7341; mhcosta.com

 EAST END PRINTS From her gritty, urban work space in Shoreditch, Helen Edwards runs the independent art printpublishers and online shop, East End Prints. Whilst entertaining her two year old son, she spends most of her time seeking out fabulous and talented emerging artists and illustrators to sell online and via art markets.

Local stockists of our prints include the East London Design Store and Tuk CIC; eastendprints.co.uk

MYHOME Put your spring cleaning in the hands of the professionals. Myhome’s cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client, so they will visit you at your property, assess your requirements and then prepare a personalised quotation.

All Myhome employees complete a comprehensive training programme and undergo a strict vetting process including police checks.

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Superior INTERIORS ABSOLUTELY’S TOP LOCAL PICKS FOR TURNING A HOUSE INTO A HOME

MIND THE CORK These beautifully crafted, fun and tactile cork placemats are designed and made by Mind The Cork, a small studio in London founded by designer-maker Jenny Espirito Santo, who creates contemporary and nature inspired cork homeware. All products use natural cork sustainably sourced from Portugal and made here in London. hello@mindthecork.co.uk, 07549667001; mindthecork.co.uk

ARCHITECTURAL FORUM Architectural Forum offers an eclectic mix of reclaimed flooring, furniture and pub fittings as well as stylish antique cast iron radiators and period chimney pieces.

Antique Victorian sash windows have been converted into mirrors providing the elusion of light and space – they’re eco-friendly and look exceptionally sophisticated too.

312 Essex Road, N1 3AX, 020 7704 0982; thearchitecturalforum.com

12/02/2014 16:06

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12/02/2014 11:09

THE HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM BEHIND ‘ACCIDENTAL INTERIORS’ BRAND HOUSE OF HACKNEY TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THEIR HIP HOMEWARES Tell us about the birth of the brand – where were you based before you opened the flagship Shoreditch store?

In April, we’ll have been going for three years. For the launch we did a three-day pop-up in an amazing Dalston townhouse.

My husband Javvy and I felt that there was a gap in the market for stylish, upmarket interiors which were neither cheap nor super expensive. We could never find furnishings we ourselves would want to buy; the aesthetic we had was for traditional pieces with a twist, with an emphasis on colour, texture and quality. A month into opening we were approached to do a clothing line for Opening Ceremony. The reaction to it was great and we realised the potential of our prints.

Hackney. When we launched we did a short pop-up with Wild at Heart florists and now we have an in-house garden room.

Was it always your intention to open a store?

Yes. To really showcase the quality of the product, it is important. The store is an experience and a magical world of House of

Do you feel that the brand embodies a typical Hackney resident? Is this who you design for?

We’ve very inspired by the local area

What drew you to designing home furnishings in the first place? Do you come from artistic backgrounds?

I was a buyer at Topshop, very much growing the design side of things. I come from a design family; there’s quite a few designers and architects among us. My husband Javvy did an MA in Fashion Studies and Product Design. We’ve always been interested in interiors and you get such a wide range of customers; with the advent of blogs, more and more people are getting into interiors and getting creative with the way they furnish their homes.

whether it be Dalston street-style or the colours of Ridley Road Market. Our first collection was influenced by Victorian-era Hackney, our Palmeral print is inspired by the largest old palm house in Britain that used to be on Mare Street and supplied Kew Gardens. There’s a Domino’s Pizza on that site now! We very much design for ourselves. We live for the brand! We furnish our home in the prints – some of our first press shots were taken at home.

Is it important to you that your products are manufactured in Britain?

Absolutely; we are 95% made in England – our t-shirts are the only things that aren’t, as they’re made from Italian silk.

Was it always the plan to apply your print expertise to fashion? Are there more collaborations in the pipeline following the success of the lovely capsule collection for ASOS? It was just based on customer demand. The fashion for us is very simple. We have got some

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ABSOLUTELY INTERIORS

STORE WITHIIN A STORE:

In Soho? Pop into the new HOH concession which will now be a permanent fixture in Liberty.

‘aspirational’. I think people have welcomed the fact that we try to keep our prices as low as we can and that we manufacture beautifully-made items on home soil.

What do you see as being the future of the company?

Mainly expanding our product areas to include kitchenware, more bed-linen, stationery... and in fact we’re already working on our Christmas decorations for our very own Christmas shop!

131 Shoreditch High Street, E1; houseofhackney.com

really cool collaborations with Puma, Terry de Havilland and Globe-Trotter luggage [in the pipeline].

You’ve just opened a concession in Liberty, too.

Exciting?

Liberty has been an amazing supporter of the brand all along, the store was our first stockist. The brands sit very nicely alongside each other.

Why do you think the brand has been so well-received?

For a few different reasons I would say. The aesthetic feels fresh in the face of a lot of dull, generic interiors options. I think there is a backlash against mass-production, highstreet goods and poor quality – and on the flip-side, what we’re offering is affordable luxury, rather than 59

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07/02/2014 10:46

Let Us Make

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MYHOME.indd 1

18/07/2013 10:04

ABSOLUTELY HOUSE & GARDEN

GARDENING NOTES Make like a tree

Celebrating the simple beauty of the most obvious but smallest part of a tree, Overleaf is a collection of 74 detailed paintings of leaves.

Accompanying sister-inlaw Susan’s sweetly simple illustrations, Richard Ogilvy writes a concise portrait of each tree and explains how it relates to its environment. £18 (Kew Publishing); amazon.co.uk

TALES OF A POTTER

Bringing Peter Rabbit’s cabbage patch to life, this book tells of how Beatrix Potter’s most famous tale arose from a series of letters to her former governess’s son. Old photos, seasonal studies of Hill Top’s garden and Potter’s own plant portraits only serve to make this book even more delightful.

Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life, £16.99 (Timber Press), available from Waterstones, 11 Islington Green, N1; waterstones.co.uk

GLASS HEART

You don’t need anything extravagant to make the most of pretty blooms; these sweet and simple hanging glass vases from Oscar & Eve will perk up any room. £4.95 each; oscarandeve.co.uk

KATE GOULD’S Plant of the month mphalodes cappadocica is an absolutely lovely low-growing perennial that flowers in March and April with really intense blue starry blooms and contrasting with the bright green, heart-shaped leaves.

This is such a great ground cover plant that grows rapidly in shady conditions where the soil is not too fertile or damp. It can outgrow

O

its allotted space when happy but can be thinned with ease, and this only needs to be done once a year, in the spring after flowering. These extra clumps take very easily when replanted or potted up. As a natural woodlander, Omphalodes looks best when combined with ferns, Helleborus and dark leaved Heuchera. In the summer its simple leafy form provides a foil for a multitude of more colourful plants

and will happily provide an understorey to larger shrubs such as Hydrangea and Euonymus.

Kate Gould is an award-winning garden designer with more than a decade’s hands-on experience transforming gardens of all sizes.

She’s also a regular exhibitor at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where she has been awarded three gold medals; kategouldgardens.com

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DE CASA.indd 2

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ABSOLUTELY INTERIORS

’S TOR EDI

PICK

1

THE LIGHT

FANTASTIC 9 OF THE BEST QUIRKY LIGHTS 2 3 5

4

6

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1. Memory Balloon Glass Ceiling Light, £145.95; shoponyourdoorstep.com 2. Jeeves Pendant Light, £175; frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk 3. White Rabbit Light, £78; whiterabbitengland.com 4. Grandma’s Lounge Multi Shade Pendant, £325; alexanderandpearl.co.uk 5. Abigail Ahern Edition Designer Pelican Lamp, £85; debenhams.com 6. Edison The Dog Lamp, £75; rockettstgeorge.com 7. Graham & Green lamps; grahamandgreen.co.uk 8. Droog Sticky Lamp, £30.95; dutchbydesign.com 9. G and M Graphic Lamps, POA; delightfull.eu 63

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BRAVE New WORLD

As a British colony, Hong Kong was an enduring reminder of former imperial grandeur. Yet today is a very different story. 20 years since her last visit, Broadcaster Sue Lawley returns to discover a city charging headlong into the future‌

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ABSOLUTELY TRAVEL

ong Kong has no room for the past. Its history lies buried beneath the crowd of skyscrapers that smother every inch of its surface, a constantly replenished jungle of stone, steel and glass. For a hundred and fifty years Hong Kong was a British colony.

Extracted from the mainland of imperial China at the end of the Opium Wars in 1842, it survived invasion and occupation by the Japanese in the Second World War and the upheavals of the Chinese Communist Revolution until we returned it to China in 1997. A stroll round Hong Kong today, however, reveals none of this. Only the Peak Tram, a dainty piece of Victorian engineering that trundles tourists by the wagonload from the centre of the city to its highest point, reminds you of its colonial past.

I hadn’t visited Hong Kong for more than twenty years – long before the handover to China. It may now be part of the People’s Republic of China but it has special status: it is still run on a capitalist system. And it’s growing at a colossal rate. However, residents can’t be certain what the future holds. ‘We have to be patient,’ I was told by a district judge. ‘We don’t know what will happen – but if you go to cities such as Shanghai, they are every bit as commercial as here. They don’t seem "communist" at all.’ Other residents are more sceptical. A distinguished British-born Chinese man told me that the unseen but controlling hand of the People’s Republic now infected all the major decisions about the government of Hong Kong.

Armed with these political thoughts, I set out to explore the world’s most vertical city. In the best areas, land is at a premium – apartments sell for about £3,000 per square foot, as much, if not more, than the swishest Knightsbridge properties – but beyond the city lie miles of untouched countryside, too steep and unforgiving to be developed. I was taken by boat around some of the hundreds of uninhabited islands and their beautiful beaches off the coast of the New Territories and shown nature trails that lead through miles of forest. Hiking, sailing and golf are now important Hong Kong activities: an essential escape from the suffocating crowds at its heart.

My own escape from the bustle lay in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the first luxury hotel to be opened in Hong Kong, which is this year celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. Here you can imagine what life in colonial days might have been like.

The place is immaculate: you feel like the governor (or the governor’s wife) as soon as you walk in. Doors are opened, lifts

H

It may be part of the People's Republic of China but it still has a special status

summoned, bags carried and tables booked by an army of staff, each one of whom treats you as if you were the only person who mattered.

It’s very addictive. The only thing that’s changed about this hotel is its location. It’s still in the same spot – but whereas it once stood almost on the waterfront near where the Star Ferry crosses from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon, it’s now five hundred yards back from the water. Land has been reclaimed from the harbour to allow more building. That’s Hong Kong for you. Although none of this appears to have affected the hotel’s views, and its restaurants, bars and rooms still offer a magnificent panorama of Victoria Harbour – one of the great maritime sights of the world. The Mandarin Oriental is still the epitome of Asian luxury. Such service does not come cheap, of course, but if you want a refuge from the enervating world of Hong Kong, it’s the place to be.

Since passing into Chinese hands, Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial activity has only increased. But something else seems to be happening too. The city has a more international feel – perhaps the result of the flood of Chinese who now visit from across the border. Kowloon, the home of Chinese night markets and tailors’ shops, is now also full of global shopping brands which jostle for space between the myriad of stalls and shops selling goods from all over the

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ABSOLUTELY PROMOTION

INSPIRING

KITCHENS t Concept Kitchens Islington, it’s all about Y-line from Pronorm – the name that set standards.

The sleek handleless range takes kitchen architecture to a new dimension with its purist design as well as being ergonomic and versatile in planning. The Y-line is recognised for its quality, is extremely popular with architects and designers and is fast becoming the brand of choice for Islington homes. Y-line’s materials, trendy colour shades, form, function and design combine successfully to create innovative designs for the most discerning kitchen and living areas.

Concept Kitchens stands for reliability in quality and service, as well as for visionary design ideas. The creation of a heavenly sanctuary is paramount. With a strong team of personable, talented designers who focus on exceptional design experiences, the finest fittings and most innovative products, the end user is provided with a design illustrated by CAD software and a unique but practical kitchen space.

The minimalistic design and carefully crafted workplace is planned to perfection by Concept Kitchens, and tailored to meet the needs and of the individual customer.

Finished to perfection and taking in every last detail, the Y-line is an aspirational kitchen that is made-to-measure and stunning in design. Concept kitchens will maximise potential with ingenious interior fittings that make full use of space.

A

Step inside the Islington showroom of Concept Kitchens to discover what they can do for you or telephone 020 7700 1555.

Concept Kitchens, 40 Offord Road, N1; conceptkitchensislington.co.uk

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world. On Hong Kong Island, a stroll along Hollywood Road – on what are called the Mid-Levels – reveals an endless parade of trendy art galleries and designer boutiques. In the old days you would never have thought of Hong Kong as an ‘arty’ place. That’s all changing now. But the essence of Hong Kong remains: its flood of trade is like the estuary of a great river fed by tributaries from many different places.

This new dynamism affects two of the things for which Hong Kong has always been famous – food and architecture.

You can still eat a sumptuous meal at any one of the hundreds of local restaurants, often choosing your seafood from a tank in the window (hairy crab, abalone – sea snails – and squid), but in recent years the international foodie army has arrived on Hong Kong’s shores, sprinkling stars and its little red forks on restaurants of all descriptions. Eating in Hong Kong has always been an adventure into a culinary jungle, but these days they give you a map. Making a decision about where to eat proved one of the most taxing parts of my visit.

And the buildings just get taller. The new International Commerce Centre which stands at the western end of Victoria Harbour is – at over 1,500 feet –

Language is just about the only element of Hong Kong's colonial past that's still in existence

now the tallest building in the city. They wanted to make it even taller, but that would have meant it was higher than Hong Kong’s highest natural point, The Peak, so the building was scaled back.

Nevertheless, it’s a towering reminder of the energy and power that Asia, and particularly China, is now unleashing.

Under the Basic Law that was enacted as part of the handover to China, English remains, with Chinese, one of the city’s two official languages – a status it will retain for the next thirty-four years at least. But language is just about the only element of Hong Kong’s colonial past that’s still in existence. Everything else has gone, obliterated by the city’s relentless march into the future, a metropolis stretching ever upwards in its search for commercial heaven. It is a twenty-first century phenomenon: a place where the world is changing fast. It’s this that makes Hong Kong a place that has to be seen.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL Five nights at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong from £1,595 per person including breakfast, flights and transfers booked with Audley Travel who offer tailormade itineraries throughout Southeast Asia (www.audleytravel.com/01993 838 100).

For further information on Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong please call +852 2522 0111 or visit www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong

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Smart is always the first to know.

Get instant property alerts

ZOOPLA_MARCH.indd 2 1 Zest Adverts_Jan2014.indd

12/02/2014 09:34 10:20 08/01/2014

MARCH 2014

ABSOLUTELY

PROPERTY

Strata, Walworth Road, SE1 This splendid 869 sq ft two bedroom, two bathroom apartment boasts views north over the City of London, including Tower 42, The Gherkin & The Shard. The apartment has been finished to a high specification and styled in keeping with the ultra-modern design of the Strata building.

ÂŁ575,000 Gordon & Co, Elephant & Castle | 020 7703 7088 | goandco.co.uk

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PFC_B+D_MARCH.indd 2

12/02/2014 15:05

Completely at home in South East London.

Our services Sales and Lettings Property Management Block Management Property Solicitors Chartered Surveyors Financial Services Visit kfh.co.uk

With a network of 17 branches in South East London and over 50 across the Capital, our local knowledge and London network will ensure we achieve the right property result for you.

Local branches include • London Bridge • Surrey Quays

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14:51 10/02/2014 13:39

03.1

Providence Square, Shad Thames, SE1 £950,000 Shared freehold London Bridge 020 3465 9230 Email sbo@kfh.co.uk

13:39

KFH_MARCH.indd 3 Docklands.indd 2 03.14 KFH Borough and

A generous fifth floor, two bedroom apartment set within this private gated development boasting direct river views, underground parking, residents gym and landscaped residents water garden.

• • • • • • •

Two bedrooms Two bathrooms Direct river views 1,021 sq ft Fifth floor apartment Underground parking EPC rating C

10/02/2014 15:24 14:51 06/02/2014

Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth North, SE1 £7,584 pcm Furnished London Bridge 020 3465 9240 Email lbo@kfh.co.uk

KFH_MARCH.indd 4 Docklands.indd 3 03.14 KFH Borough and

A stunning three double bedroom penthouse apartment boasting incredible city views, private balcony, 24 hour concierge, split level living space and off street allocated parking. This property is located minutes from Waterloo and Lambeth North underground station.

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Three double bedrooms Two bathrooms Stunning penthouse apartment Private balcony with incredible views 24 hour concierge Close to Waterloo EPC rating C

£210 tenancy agreement fee per property. Other fees apply, visit kfh.co.uk/lettingsfees

10/02/2014 15:24 14:52 06/02/2014

ABSOLUTELY Property

Property Development MERANTI HOUSE: THE LATEST COLLECTION OF LUXURY HOMES TO LAUNCH AT GOODMAN’S FIELDS, ALDGATE Goodman’s Fields, Berkeley’s landmark development in Aldgate, has launched its eagerly awaited next collection of apartments, Meranti House.

Goodman’s Fields will provide over 920 homes, three new urban squares, a central piazza with new high-end shops, restaurants, bars and cafés and a new hotel with access to over two acres of parks and open spaces. Meranti House is a 20 storey tower comprising 107 studios, one, two and threebedroom apartments and one duplex penthouse with views overlooking the City and towards Canary Wharf.

Prices at Meranti House at Goodman’s Fields start from £675,000. First completions are scheduled for 2017.

020 3217 1000; goodmansfields.co.uk

RIVERWALK: LUXURY RIVERSIDE APARTMENTS IN WESTMINSTER Due for completion in 2015, Riverwalk will be a collection of 116 highly specified one, two, three and four bedroom apartments and penthouses, with prices starting from £1.8m.

Ronson Capital Partners LLP, the real estate investment company, announced the launch of Riverwalk, a prime waterfront development on the north bank of the Thames in Westminster.

Spread across two organically shaped buildings of six and seventeen floors respectively, the apartments will be ideally located in an enviable riverside position at the heart of Westminster, an exclusive residential area in prime central London.

020 7828 3007; riverwalk.co.uk

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CLUBHOUSE APARTMENTS NOW LAUNCHED

the

BOATYARD LIMEHOUSE LO NDO N E 1 4

Introducing The Clubhouse - the next release at the successful Boatyard development The Clubhouse is a collection of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in a parkside location adjacent to Bartlett Park and close to the historic waterside frontage of the Limehouse Cut, just minutes from Canary Wharf and The City.

Prices from £290,000 * D ROA VE

HOXTON

BROMLEY -BY-BOW

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WHITECHAPEL OAD SHOREDITCH DR EN HIGH STREET M IL E WH

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CANARY WHARF

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SALES & MARKETING SUITE: Cotall Street, London, E14 6JL Open Daily: Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm • Sunday 11am - 5pm Contact us now: 020

3538 2341 www.theboatyardapartments.co.uk

Map not to scale. Computer generated images of the development.

Typical living room style shown. *Prices correct at time of going to press.

OBC TELFORD BOATYARD_MARCH.indd 2

10/02/2014 16:25

10

th

Year

Anniversary

Win d os an All-in clusive trip to Barba

In celebration of our 10 year anniversary we would like to offer 1% for all sales instruction

And to celebrate the opening of our new office, all instructions will be placed in a prize draw, where the winner will receive an

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020 7261 1103 | www.nelsonssales.com | 54 Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 0AR

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12/02/2014 12:17

IN THEIR OWN

WORDS CHRIS EARLY Sales Manager: Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward’s Surrey Quays branch Photography: Sebastian Barros

T

he landscape of SE16 has changed a great deal since I joined Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward back in 2006.

Like many, I assumed that the area had little to offer, as on face value there doesn’t appear to be much in the way of historical significance, famous landmarks or tourist attractions. If you scratch beneath the surface however, you’ll find a lot more than meets the eye. From The Pilgrim fathers to Arctic Whalers, the docks serviced London right up until the Second World War when they fell into decline after significant bomb damage. It was only in the mid 80’s that the area started benefitting from development and regeneration by the London Docklands Development Cooperation, and since then, Surrey Quays has slowly increased in popularity. Even today, almost thirty years later, the area is still growing and adapting to the demands placed on it by modern Londoners and community spirit is a key attraction for many living here. There are some great places to visit in the area such as The Surrey Docks Farm, Greenland Quay Water sports centre and The Brunel Museum. If you fancy a pint, The Mayflower, the oldest pub on The Thames or The Wibbly Wobbly floating pub are great to visit, after which you could go the cinema, bowling or a stroll down the Thames path.

History often repeats itself and much like when the docks were in full use in the mid-18th

century and home to cultures from across the globe, so too is that true today with many residents coming to Surrey Quays from a range of countries. Many locals find that the charm of the area lies in the variety of property available, and if you know where to look, there are a number of character filled converted warehouses, pump houses and factories, many of which offer stunning views. Prices in SE16 have gone from strength to strength, increasing by around 10% to 15% in 2013 alone, and we are now becoming as popular as other Docklands locations. As prices have increased, the yields on offer to buy to let investors have diminished slightly, increasing the opportunity for owner occupiers. The area has responded to this with a brand new library and planned improvements to the shopping centre, Decathlon site and Harmsworth Quay, which will benefit from large scale residential and commercial development.

Surrey Quays is currently experiencing an influx of young professionals who enjoy being able to access the City and Canary Wharf via the available transport links and Jubilee Line. This, combined with all of the ongoing regeneration, means that the future looks bright for SE16 and buyers should see a healthy return on their investment in a few years.

020 7231 3800; kfh.co.uk

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Does your managing agent always respond to you on time?

We do.

Contact Elizabeth Hurry on: 020 7231 3545 or email: e.hurry@currell.com

Currell Management www.currell.com

Unit 3 Lloyds Wharf, Mill Street, SE1 2BD

CURRELLS.indd 2

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Photography for illustrative purposes only.

DISCOVER | EXPLORE|CONNECT

CELEBRATING A RICH PAST CREATING A NEW FUTURE COMING SOON. Located moments from Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, St Katherine Docks and the City, in an area rich with history, London Dock is the capital’s most vibrant new place to live. Stylish apartments and penthouses, hotel-style residents’ facilities, beautifully landscaped squares, water gardens and boulevards lined with shops, bars and restaurants. Discover London Dock – a hidden treasure at the heart of the capital.

DISCOVER MORE | LONDONDOCK.CO.UK | +44 (0)20 7971 7880

www.stgeorgeplc.com Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

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PROPERTY

ROUND UP PROPERTY OF THE

MONTH

MARK WELLINGTON

Manager Benham and Reeves Residential Lettings, Canary Wharf 020 7517 6088; brlets.co.uk

STRONG COMPETITION

H

igh demand for rental accommodation in the City and Docklands is creating strong competition amongst tenants. There’s been an increase in enquiries recently, particularly from bankers, accountants and lawyers, which points to increasing recruitment levels and growing confidence in the economy.

Applicants continue to be drawn to areas like Greenwich where demand is high.

Young professionals are attracted to the high quality developments which provide great value for money. New transport links are also part of the equation, with apartments at developments close to the DLR letting quickly. Strong demand is moving out into areas such as Lewisham and Deptford and continuing to push up rentals due to their increasing popularity amongst City commuters.

TEMPUS WHARF, SE16 ÂŁ799,950 Leasehold

An 883 sq ft two bedroom warehouse apartment in a riverside development, with views of the river and communal gardens. Shad Thames is a desirable location, steeped in history. Residents walk across Tower Bridge into the City, there are also good transport links via London Bridge.

Hamptons, Tower Bridge 020 7407 3173; hamptons.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY Property LANDMARK, CANARY WHARF, E14 £1,450,000

This contemporary three bedroom flat is set within a sought-after development in the heart of Canary Wharf and boasts luxury living on the sixteenth floor.

The property benefits from a good-sized reception/dining room, stylish kitchen with integrated appliances, fabulous master bedroom with en-suite shower room, second bedroom with a sizeable walk-in-wardrobe, as well as a concierge service, communal gym and two off-street parking spaces. Landmark is surrounded by the shops, bars and restaurants of the Canary Wharf complex, while also being located close to dock-side attractions and the River Thames.

020 7133 7777; foxtons.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT ON:

E16

Average asking price: £330,402 Average asking rents: £1,510 pcm Average price paid: £295,042 Data provided by property website

PAN PENINSULA SQUARE, E14 £2,350,000

An exceptional & never lived in 1960sq ft 38th floor 2 / 3 bedroom premier apartment in the East tower of the sought-after Pan Peninsula development.

The apartment has been thoughtfully upgraded by the current owner to a higher specification than the developer’s standard. Valet parking for 2 vehicles included. Offered chain free with vacant possession.

Chesterton Humberts, Canary Wharf 020 7510 8300; chestertonhumberts.com

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Sacrifice never tasted sweeter.

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BLUE SKY LIVING The finest residences in the City.

Expansive living spaces. Exceptional specification.

First class amenities and unparalleled views across London.

Nothing else comes close‌ private viewing by appointment

developed by the heron residences llp

THE HERON_MARCH.indd 2

Prices from ÂŁ3.6 million 0844 544 4110 www.theheron.co.uk

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