NORTH BY NORTHWEST
ABSOLUTELY City & East North by Northwest
TOP COAT
JANUARY 2018 / £3.95
Fall in love with layers
RANKIN A photographer’s life through a lens
JAN UARY 2018
GOOD HEALTH
New
TRICKS
Life lessons with Liz Earle
Creative classes in the area
FRESH START
ZEST.LONDON
T I M E T O E M B R AC E N E W B E G I N N I N G S STYLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT
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The heart wants what the heart wants. Discover countryside homes with south facing gardens using keyword search.
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Visit our new farmers’ market Every Sunday between 10am and 3pm in the O2 Centre car park Come and discover an extensive range of fresh, long lasting produce from boutique, artisan producers at 255 Finchley Rd Market. Whether it’s winter chestnuts or summer strawberries, the market is perfectly placed for your everyday essentials plus much more! London’s best street food traders will also be there, with an eclectic mix of world cuisines such as authentic Greek Souvlaki kebabs and barbecued shellfish skewers. If you’re searching for a well-earned Sunday treat, you’ll be spoilt for choice with a selection of handmade cakes, pastries, pies and snacks.
Find out more and hear about the events and workshops the market has to offer by visiting o2centre.co.uk/255FRM 255 Finchley Road, London, NW3 6LU
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BEDS, SOFAS AND FURNITURE FOR LOAFERS LOAF.COM
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BATTERSEA
NOTTING HILL
SPITALFIELDS
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ABSOLUTELY
Contents JANUARY 2018
72
28 61
C U LT U R E 10 ABSOLUTELY LOVES
51 NEW RITUALS Ayurvedic-inspired beauty
14 AGENDA
FOOD & DRINK 56 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL
10 things we’re coveting this month
Diary dates for January
News from the industry
16 CREATIVE COURSES
61 FOOD REVIEW
22 HOT SHOT
INTERIORS 64 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS
Get crafty in 2018
Absolutely meets Rankin
FA S H I O N 28 FASHION CONFIDENTIAL This month’s hottest trend updates and brands to know
32 ART HOUSE Be inspired by the artist's palette with our
new year's fashion shoot
H E A LT H & B E AU T Y 42 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL
The month’s best beauty buys
Absolutely eats out at Suvlaki
News and views
T R AV E L 72 SPIRITED AWAY Tokyo: an alluring destination for any
traveller
77 VILLA ESCAPE Holidaying with the thinking traveller PROPERTY 84 LIVING THE DREAM
A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N The online guide to inspirational London living that helps you stay one step ahead of the crowd and gives you the chance to win exclusive prizes.
ON THE COVER HAIR BY: SASSOON INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE TEAM LED BY MARK HAYES MAKE-UP: DANIEL KOLERIC STYLING: LUCIE PERRIER PHOTOGRAPHER: BENJAMIN VNUK
The most luxurious London properties A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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EDITOR IN CHIEF PENDLE HARTE DIGITAL EDITOR HELEN BROWN FASHION & BEAUTY WRITER JOY MONTGOMERY LIFESTYLE WRITER MIRIAM CAREY EDUCATION EDITOR AMANDA CONSTANCE GROUP SALES DIRECTOR CRAIG DAVIES MAGAZINE MANAGER ROLLO DENNISON ACCOUNT MANAGER ANABELA KOLECI PROPERTY DIRECTOR JAMES FUSCHILLO ART DIRECTOR PHIL COUZENS SENIOR DESIGNER PAWEL KUBA
Window shopping Replacing beautiful timber windows and doors, beautifully
MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN DESIGNER CATHERINE PERKINS PRODUCTION MANAGER CHRIS COUCHMAN MARKETING MANAGER LUCIE PEARCE FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT PA TO DIRECTORS EVA LEHOCZKY For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com
First Floor, 197 City Road, London EC1V 1JN T: 020 7704 0588 F: 020 7900 3020 zest.london
www.ayrtonbespoke.com
020 8877 8920 enquiries@ayrtonbespoke.com
406 Merton Road, Wandsworth, London SW18 5AD 61- 63 Tottenham Lane, Crouch End, London N8 9BE
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Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.
Fo l l ow Us O n Fa c e b o o k @ABSOLUTELYMAGAZINES T wi t t e r & In s t a g ra m @ABSOLUTELY_MAGS We b si t e
a b s o l u t e l y. l o n d o n
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Editor’s
LETTER
I
n many ways January is a month of contradictions. On the one hand we’re enduring post-Christmas blues, bolstered by shrivelled bank balances and persistently gloomy weather. Yet, it is also a month of new gym memberships, alcohol-bans and green juices. All optimistic attempts to better ourselves. Although there's nothing wrong with a good old new year’s resolution (check out our’s below), we think January should be a month to show yourself some love. For starters, try settling down in a quiet, screen-free corner with this month’s Absolutely, where you’ll fi nd plenty of new year's inspiration. On page 44 we chat to wellness guru Liz Earle about her inspirational journey from beauty entrepreneur to magazine editor-cumTV presenter. Or, for a bit of mood-boosting pampering, turn to page 51 for our winter skincare tips. In this issue, we also look at the abundance of fun and creative courses available in your local area, page 16. From pottery throwing to fashion photography, they are ideal for those who want to take up a new interest or rekindle a forgotten hobby. So whether you set aside one evening a week for an illustration class, or have a long, luxurious bath on a Sunday afternoon, it’s all about snatching those little moments of joy. What better way to start 2018? Enjoy the issue!
ABSOLUTELY’S new year’s resolutions...
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WASTE NOT WANT NOT
In 2018 I am going to cut down on plastic. Without sounding smug, I haven’t used plastic bags for years anyway, but especially in the wake of Blue Planet II, everybody should be cutting down on waste. To start, I’ve got a lovely new keep cup for my morning flat white. PENDLE HARTE EDITOR-IN- CHIEF
NEW TRICKS
This year I’m going to make time for my forgotten hobbies. Drawing is a great pastime of mine and Central Saint Martins runs fashion illustration courses - I’ll be booking one ASAP. Fashion drawing for beginners, £560 for 1 week, arts.ac.uk MIRIAM CAREY LIFESTYLE WRITER
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MIRIAM CAREY EDITOR
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FACE THE DAY
This year I intend to put more effort into my currently non-existent skincare routine. The Ordinary have stripped back unnecessary packaging and misleading ingredients making it easy to curate a tailored regime. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%, £5,80; theordinary.com HELEN BROWN ARTS & CULTURE WRITER
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INSIDE STORY
My new year’s resolution is all about improving my gut health. Affecting everything from skin quality to sleep, I’ll be packing my shelves with fermented foods and probiotics Symprove will do the job nicely - for a happier and healthier 2018. Symprove 8 week program, £158; shop.symprove.com JOY MONTGOMERY FASHION & BEAUTY WRITER
SLEEP EASY
Rather than staying up to watch “just one more episode”, my new year’s resolution is to get to sleep at a reasonable hour. Neom’s Essential Sleep Kit is infused with blended oils to encourage relaxation. I’m looking forward to less blearyeyed starts to the day. Neom Organics, Essential Sleep Kit, £20; neomorganics.com
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GEORGIA MCVEIGH EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
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Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love COMPILED BY
H E L E N B R OW N
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F. R. S F.R.S For Restless Sleepers is a cutting-edge Milanese brand that champions the casual elegance of pyjama dressing. Embrace a bold collection of exquisite styles that are splashed with daring floral prints and chic details. forrestlesssleepers.com
Sleeping Beauty
This hero product has amassed a cult following for its formula that enhances your skin’s natural nighttime recovery process. Great skin guaranteed by morning. £38; kiehls.co.uk
DUVET DAY
Renowned for keeping the fashpack toasty during the coldest of spells, Moncler’s Salix jacket is lightweight and cut for a loose fit, making it perfect for layering over bulky sweaters. £660; net-a-porter.com
Diary Date
Get your yearly affairs in order with Smythson’s calf-leather W1 Diary. The largest in the collection and with a day-per-page layout, it’s the new stylish necessity for busy bees. £295; smythson.com
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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES
SHAKE N NOT STI RRE D
AMANDA WAKELEY
We’re vetoing dry-January in favour of Anthropologie’s charming glass cocktail shaker. Compact and effortlessly cool, it’s a must for the kitchen counter. £28; anthropologie.com
Amanda Wakeley is renowned for her “clean glam” style. The Winter 17 collection emphasises this with a focus on craftsmanship, forming a look that is full of richness, colour, pattern and texture. amandawakeley.com
S P EC S A P P E A L Pioneering eyewear brand, KITE has revolutionised the optical industry with the world’s fi rst eye bar. Head over now to fi nd the fashion-forward DORS specs, along with many others. £175; kiteeyewear.com
EDITOR’S PICK
Marmont Moment
Gucci’s iconic Marmont bag is dressed in a gorgeous blue velvet. Understatedly glam and with a versatile chain-strap, this wardrobe staple transitions seamlessly from day to evening. £1,350; farfetch.com
VELVET CRUSH
These On The Fringe boots from Stuart Weitzman are the perfect height for long days on your feet. With a fan base that includes Gigi Hadid and Suki Waterhouse, expect them to get snapped up fast. £450; farfetch.com
SWING TIME
Surprisingly lightweight, these silver Primrose earrings are woven with metallic blue silk threads and iridescent cobalt beads. Show yours off with a low ponytail. £265; net-a-porter.com
A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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presents
Picnic concerts 10 July
11 July
the
GIPSY KINGS
ft. NICOLAS REYES & TONNINO BALIARDO
13 July
14 July
15 July
“London’s hottest picnic concerts” Metro
Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra featuring Gilson Lavis with guest vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall
10 – 15 July 2018
kewthemusic.org tickets.amazon.co.uk Royal Botanic Gardens Raymond Gubbay
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CULTURE
© Archives Pierre Cardin
What’s On 14 • Theatre Round-Up 20 • Big Shot: Absolutely meets Rankin 22 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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The Agenda LO N D O N ’S H OT T E ST H A P P E N I N G S
BALLET
Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella From 9 December SADLER’S WEL LS
Following the sold-out success of The Red Shoes, New Adventures return with Matthew Bourne’s interpretation of Cinderell:, a thrilling love story set during the Second World War. Sumptuous costumes, award-winning sets and Bourne’s gripping vision for story-telling makes this truly unmissable. Rosebery Avenue, EC1R; sadlerswells.com
F E S T I VA L
London Art Fair 17-21 JANUARY • BUSINESS DESIGN CENTRE
The London Art Fair is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an extravaganza edition, showcasing exceptional modern and contemporary art from leading galleries around the world. 131 exhibitors will participate in this year’s fair, attracting galleries from across five continents to the capital. Expect a host of renowned artists including Andy Warhol, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, Banksy and Damien Hirst. 52 Upper Street, N1; londonartfair.co.uk
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F E S T I VA L
A Cappella Festival 24-27 January KIN GS PLAC E
The London A Cappella Festival returns with a star-studded lineup of international headliners and supergroups, bringing together the best vocal talent from across the world. Expect a jam-packed programme of events bursting with headliners, workshops, talks and more. 90 York Way, N1; londonacappellafestival.com
A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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CULTURE • TALKING TOPICS
Around Town
F E S T I VA L
London Mime Festival
SEASONAL
NEW YEAR’S PARADE
From 10 January VARIOUS LOCATION S
1 January
The London International Mime Festival is a unique event in the theatre calendar; a once-a-year chance to see the very best in contemporary and cutting-edge circus, dance, physical theatre, object manipulation and more. From Lynchian magic to juggling inspired by Indian dance, there is much to be amazed by. Various locations including Central Saint Martins, Barbican Theatre and Sadler’s Wells; mimelondon.com
GREEN PARK
Wrap up and join the Pearly Kings, acrobats, marching bands and more as they celebrate London’s 32nd Parade. See them float, twirl march and drum a 2.2 mile route around London's iconic landmarks in a showcase of contemporary performance, traditional pomp and ceremony. Green Park, W1J; londonparade.co.uk
EXHIBITION
THE LIFE OF JULIE COPE Until 18 February F I R STS I TE
T H E AT R E
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: OVO From 7 January ROYAL ALBERT H ALL
Cirque du Soleil returns with the UK debut of OVO. A colourful carnival of crazy crickets, amazing ants and flexible fleas, the show uncovers the ground at our feet. Rush headlong into an ecosystem teeming with life in this non-stop riot of movement and mindblowing, high-flying acts. Kensington Gore, SW7; royalalberthall.com
LANDSCAPE STUDIES OF A SMALL ISLAND F R O M 1 9 JA N UA RY • F LOW E R S GA L L E RY
F
or over a decade, Simon Roberts has photographed events and places across Britain that have drawn people together. Landscape Studies of a Small Island brings together his iconic images which are linked to the British landscape and the economic and political theatre that has helped define recent history. 82 Kingsland Road, E2; flowersgallery.com
EXHIBITION
CHARLES I: KING AND COLLECTOR From 27 January © SIMON ROBERTS COURTESY OF FLOWERS GALLERY LONDON AND NEW YORK
This Month’s Must See
This unique presentation consists of tapestries, woodcuts, ceramics and tiles designed by Grayson Perry for A House for Essex. The building was designed by the artist to serve as a secular chapel to the memory of a fictional Essex women, Julie Cope. The exhibition includes all four large-scale tapestries made for the house, as well as sketchbooks, drawings and photographs. Lewis Gardens, High Street, Essex, CO1; firstsite.uk
ROYAL ACAD EM Y OF ART
Aside from being the only English monarch to suffer the indignity of having their head chopped off, Charles I was also an avid art collector. This exhibition brings 90 pieces of his collection together and features everyone from Rubens to Titian. Burlington House, Picadilly, W1J; royalacademy.org.uk
A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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GET CRAFTY A round-up of courses to get your creative juices bubbling in 2018
SILVER MOON FLAMINGOS BY CLIFFORD RICHARDS PRINT CLUB LONDON
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CULTURE • CREATIVE CLASSES JUNGLE BOOK - WILD FLOWERS BY LUCILLE CLERC PRINT CLUB LONDON
Print Workshop Weekend Workshop
E
P RI N T C LUB LO ND O N
stablished in 2007, Print Club London has grown over the years into a renowned screen printing house. The technique first appeared in China during the Song Dynasty, and was popularised by Andy Warhol and other pop artists in the 1960s. Print club run beginners' workshops in their Dalston studio throughout the year. You will learn how to screenprint your own design, and the whole process from digital image to pulling the squeegee. 10-28 Millers Avenue, E8; printclublondon.com
Pop-up Painting Evening event
P
PA I N T JA M LO ND O N
aint Jam is for those wanting to get creative and have fun. They run pop-up workshops and events, previous venues have included the Ace Hotel and Truman Brewery, East London. In January they are holding a painting workshop in a secret Holborn location to honor the late David Bowie. A DJ will be spinning Bowie tracks, while paint and prosecco flow. In February look out for the Valentine’s Day special, celebrating the life long love affair of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Holborn; for more information visit paintjamlondon.co.uk
POP-UP PAINTING IMAGE CREDIT: PAINT JAM
Ceramics Workshop 12 weeks
T
TURN IN G EARTH
“A DJ will be spinning Bowie tracks while paint and prosecco flows” CERAMICS WORKSHOP IMAGE CREDIT: ARTUR RUMMEL
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urning Earth, Walthamstow opened in March 2017 following the popularity of its sister studio in Hoxton. They run courses all year round which cover both hand-building technique and wheel throwing. They are suitable for both beginners and intermediate level, and give students plenty of individual attention. They also now offer a three-hour throwing class on Monday evenings, over 12 weeks, in both studios. 11 Argall Avenue, E10; e10.turningearth.uk
A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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Clarity begins at home.
Mark Nicholas Design is an award-winning Interior design studio offering bespoke solutions to all interior and exterior projects. With expert design experience for over 40 years, MND offers a professional design package to help clients create their perfect home; whether you require a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, livingroom or garden. Our designers are able to offer consultation on every type of space, irrespective of size or shape and provide expert advice and guidence, overseesing the whole process from start to finish if required. Visit our new showroom in the heart of Islington at 32-34 Penton Street , Islington, London, N1 9QA MARKNICHOLAS.indd 1
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CULTURE • CHRISTMAS POP-UPS LIFE DRAWING IMAGE CREDIT: THE ROYAL DRAWING SCHOOL
MAKE A SILVER RING IMAGE CREDIT: THE BRICKS LONDONN
Make a Silver Ring Evening class
A
TH E B RI C KS LO ND O N
class for those interested in silversmithing. You will learn the the basic tools and techniques: sizing, cutting, forming, soldering, annealing, filing, pre-finishing and polishing. You will have fun getting creative in the process and walk away with your own silver band ring in the end. The class is held once a month, on Monday evenings, 6.30-9.30pm. The next dates are January 15th and February 5th. The Bricks London are situation just off Brick Lane, all tools are provided, the class is just for beginners, and holds a capacity of five pupils. 170 Brick Lane, E1; thebrickslondon.com
Life Drawing 10 weeks
ROYAL DRAWIN G SCHOOL
Fashion Illustration 10 weeks
C
C E N TRA L SA INT MA RTI NS
entral Saint Martins hold a range of evening, weekend, and short courses, ideal for those looking to progress their education, enhance their careers, develop a hobby, or try something new. Classes are taught in the same studios as full time and foundation students, by University of the Arts alumni and tutors. We love the idea of Fashion Illustration - book quick for January, or in advance for courses starting Easter. 1 Granary Square, N1; arts.ac.uk
FASHION XXXXXXXXXXX ILLUSTRATION IMAGE CREDIT: CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS
The Royal Drawing School offers in-depth, quality tuition in drawing from observation. In 2018 they add new daytime and evening life drawing courses to their programme. Students learn the intensive and imaginative aspects of drawing from a model; how to accurately represent the human body, and how to develop their own individual response. Charlotte Rd, EC2; royaldrawingschool.org
Portrait Photography One day course
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY IMAGE CREDIT: LEIGH KEILY
A
CIT Y ACADEMY
one day Portrait Photography course at City Academy will help you understand candid, urban, posed and naturally lit portraiture. Guided by a professional photographer, you will learn how to add drama, mood and texture to your portraits. Working with a model, you will receive hints and tips to help develop your personal style. This course is the next step in mastering the key principles of digital photography. Experience is not essential, but a welcome advantage. 38 Rosebery Avenue, EC1; city-academy.com
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CULTURE • THEATRE
ROUND UP
Best in
MUST SEE
SHOW Spend a cosy evening in Theatreland with our top stage picks for the month By H E L E N B R O W N
Girl from the North Country
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
★★★★★
Opens 29 December NOE L COWA RD TH E ATR E
In 1934 a Minnesota community is living on a knife-edge, huddled together in the local guesthouse. When a preacher and a boxer show up in the the night, things start to spiral. Conor McPherson weaves the iconic songbook of Bob Dylan into this new show full of hope, heartbreak and soul. 85-88 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N; noelcowardtheatre.co.uk
★★★★★ From 9 January HAROLD PIN TER THEAT RE
60 years since the play’s debut, The Birthday Party returns with a landmark production, directed by Ian Rickson. Stanley Webber is the only lodger at Meg and Petey Boles’ sleepy seaside boarding house until the unsettling arrival of enigmatic strangers, Goldberg and McCann, disrupts the humdrum lives of the inhabitants. Panton Street, SW1Y;
GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY
atgtickets.com
Belleville
Woman in White
From 7 December
Ongoing
DON M A R WA RE H O US E
C HA R I NG C ROSS THEATRE
High-flying doctor, Zack and his spouse, Abby are leading the expat highlife in bohemian Belleville, Paris. But it’s all a little too perfect. James Norton and Imogen Poots star in this story of a romantic dream gone sour, written by Amy Herzog who was recently praised as 'one of the brightest new talents in theatre.’ 41 Earlham Street, WC2H; donmarwarehouse.com
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tony and Oliver Award-nominated musical premieres with a revised score. The story follows Walter Hartright, a drawing teacher who runs into a woman in distress and desperate to share a secret with him. A truly haunting Victorian tale of love, betrayal and greed. The Arches, Villiers Street, WC2N; charingcrosstheatre.co.uk
★★★★★
★★★★★
White Fang ★★★★★
Until 13 January PAR K TH E ATRE
Set in 1898, Canada, White Fang follows a young girl's acclimation into an unknown society after she is rescued from a massacre by an old huntsman. Struggling to find her path in the world, she discovers hope in the friendship of an abandoned wolf. Can she reconcile who she once was with who she is now? Clifton Terrace, N4; parktheatre.co.uk WOMAN IN WHITE
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BELLEVILLE
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Life at your own pace.
Exceptional villas, local knowledge, personal service thethinkingtraveller.com +44 (0)20 7377 8518 S I C I LY •
PUGLIA •
IONIAN ISLANDS
SPORADES ISLANDS •
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BIG SHOT
Absolutely talks to photographer Rankin about his love of Britain’s beautiful places and quirky characters – and snapping The Queen, Kate Moss, Madonna, David Bowie and The Rolling Stones By R E B E C C A WA L L E R S T E I N E R
I
’m really inquisitive about people and like trying to get into their heads when I’m photographing them. People inspire me and the best models have lots of character. Outside work, I’m not incredibly social and used to be shy,’ the Scottish-born photographer Rankin tells me. As he is softly spoken, friendly and relaxed, it becomes apparent why people feel sufficiently at ease to enable Rankin to snap them in unguarded moments. He creates images which startle with their honesty, capturing something in his subject that no one has ever seen before - closer to portrait painting than photography Intensely private, Rankin often turns down interviews, but he was delighted to be interviewed about his new project. He has spent months putting together This is Britain to help raise money for BBC Children in Need - a coffee table book of 500 photographs of mainly British subjects, such as Big Ben, Britain’s windswept beaches and quirky seaside characters, taken by ordinary people, as well as celebrities’ to ‘hold a mirror up to ourselves and ask who we are in these testing times. From John O’Groats to Lands End we wanted to capture and celebrate the extraordinary spectrum of colours and characters that make up our multicultural society and bind us together as a country,’ says Rankin, who helps many charities. An internationally renowned photographer, Rankin’s instantly recognisable work includes some of the world’s most famous faces from HM The Queen to David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Madonna, Vivienne Westwood to Kate Moss and the Cool Britannia set of the 90s and has defined decades of fashion photography. He shoots in a rapid, informal way, steering away from the traditional,
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Photographs by R A N K I N
glossy approach favoured by many successful fashion photographers, preferring to be experimental and capture an original moment of truth. Born John Rankin Waddell, Rankin was raised in Glasgow, until his father’s job took the family to Yorkshire. He was 15 when he first travelled abroad. ‘My parents had no desire to leave England, although the family holidayed all over the country - at the seaside in Scarborough, Yorkshire, Cornwall, Scotland and the Lake District,’ he remembers. As a child he formed a deep love for ‘Britain’s magical, desolate places’ which have inspired so much of his photography. He inherited his industrious work ethic from his Scottish parents, who were in his words, ‘unimpressed by celebrity’ and brought him up to question everything. Photography wasn’t Rankin’s immediate choice for a career, as he first studied accountancy at Brighton Polytechnic but soon decided it wasn’t for him. He noticed the ‘art students having a more interesting time.’ ‘I had a friend back in my hometown studying photography and he lent me his camera. I knew the moment I picked it up that it was what I wanted to do,’ recalls Rankin. He decided to move to London to study photography. ‘It was during my year in Brighton that I first started taking pictures. I fell in love with the town, especially the glorious light and how it changes so rapidly, providing the viewer with a spectacular theatre of light. As a photographer, I’ve travelled to many different places, but I don’t want to live anywhere other than the UK.’ At the London College of Printing, Rankin met Jefferson Hack, with whom he forged a working partnership and in 1992 they launched the cult magazine Dazed & Confused, which published Corinne Day’s iconic photographs
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CULTURE • PROFILE
“Rankin prefers to be experimental and to capture an original moment of truth”
A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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11/07/2017 15:21
CULTURE • PROFILE
of the ‘gorgeous’, yet ‘natural-looking,’ young Kate Moss. To their astonishment the two found their Soho offices besieged by the world’s press, in May 1997, after President Bill Clinton denounced the ‘heroin chic’ photography in their magazine. Hack and Moss went on to date for four years, before splitting up - they have a teenage daughter together, Lila Grace. Rankin shot to fame and went on to snap royalty, rock stars, Hollywood actors, presidents and prime ministers who queued to be photographed by him, including Mikhail Gorbachev, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, whose smiling portrait helped him lose his image as a dour, anxious Scot. However, Rankin found the usually charming Tony Blair ‘distant’ and made him look devilish. ‘Who are his main influences?’ ‘Apart from David Bailey, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Cecil Beaton and lots of portrait photographers, I’m a great admirer of Andy Warhol and Malcolm McLaren who kept control of their own media. I met McLaren around four times and regret not photographing him. We had dinner a couple of times and he brought his ex-girlfriend, Vivienne Westwood, who was charming, funny, direct and didn’t suffer fools gladly.’ Rankin snapped Westwood, who used one of his images for her travelling exhibition. ‘Vivienne is such an inspiring woman. I’ve always had a great admiration for her as a campaigner and activist,’ he says warmly. Like Westwood’s anarchic clothes, with their trademark British-eccentric twist and humour, Rankin’s work questions social norms and ideas of beauty. ‘I was very influenced by the DIYness of Punk,’ he recalls. In the early 1980s, he photographed the fashion designer Bella Freud, who was then working for Westwood, on the roof of Freud’s house in Ladbroke Grove.
“Royalty, rock stars, actors, presidents and prime ministers queued to be photographed by him”
Another great inspiration was Rankin’s late father. ‘I have my dad to thank for my love of films. Although my parents weren’t cultured he encouraged me to watch the classics,’ remembers Rankin. ‘I used to sit in the back of the family car and imagine the window as a screen, and the outside world whizzing by as my own version of cinema, before I owned a camera.’ Fearlessly creative, Rankin constantly experiments with new ideas and ventures. He employs a large creative team and adopted multimedia early on. ‘We always had one foot in print and one foot in digital to reach a larger audience. I believe that you should always make the magazine that you want to read – it’s not an age specific thing,’ he explains. With over 30 books to his name, he continues to publish four magazines including his bi-annual magazine Hunger, and has directed television documentaries, commercials, music videos for Rita Ora and Cheryl Cole and global brands. Rankin is a pleasure to interview – the conversation whizzes quickly from idea to idea – as his brain never stops. His new book would make a wonderful present for an art lover as well as helping a very good cause. A very private man, Rankin has a 21-year-old son and lives in London with his wife Tuuili Shipster, a model and long-time muse.
T H I S I S B R I TA I N Compiled by Rankin, is published as a coffee table book by Photobox, priced at £25, all the profits of which will be donated to BBC Children in Need.
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NEW 2018 CATALOGUE OUT NOW Discover the new 2018 furniture and accessories collection in-store now. BoConcept is all about making design, furniture and colours fit seamlessly in your home. Whether you need help to design an entirely new home or don’t know which sofa to choose for a room, our professional and friendly interior designers are always on hand to help and will offer you a comprehensive free interior design service.
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FASHION
MIGHTY MUSES
KATE SPADE SHE From jounalist Gloria Steinem to celebrity activists, such as Lena Dunham, Kate Spade SHE is a tribute to the muses who inspired the designs we love today, featuring stunning photography alongside inspiring quotes and essays. katespade.com
Fashion Notes: Brogues and bags 28 • Fashion Shoot: Art House 32 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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FASHION NOTES
From brogues to bags - embrace new beginnings this January with these instant wardrobe updates B y J OY M O N T G O M E R Y
01 C L AU D I A S E B I R E
Dressing its loyal customers since 1987, eponymous Chelsea boutique Claudia Sebire is marking 30 years in fashion. A must for your Little Black Book. claudiasebire.com
02
5 OF THE BEST
BLAZERS
EDITOR’S PICK
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04
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CHECK MATE
1. Mango, Contrast seam blazer, £69.99; shop.mango.com. 2. Helmut Lang, Checked wool blazer, £895; net-a-porter.com 3. Isabel Marant, Laya smoking jacket, £675; farfetch. com 4. Khaite, Darla peak-lapel double-breasted wool jacket, £1,330; matchesfashion.com. 5. Toga, Moire double-breasted silk-blend jacket, £1,375; matchesfashion.com
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FASHION • NOTES
ARTS & CRAFTS
H OW TO
R AC H E L E N T W I ST L E X PAU L S M I T H
Nothing says post-Christmas pick-me-up better than some shiny new jewellery. This season, celeb favourite Rachel Entwistle has joined forces with Paul Smith to create a collection inspired by mid-century design. Layer the collection’s statement necklaces under a crisp white shirt for back-to-work cool. rachelentwistle.co.uk
Discover Your Personal Style SEEK INSPIRATION
MADE IN BRITAIN &DAUGHTER
BAG CHARM BY R E D O L E AT H E R COLLECTION
He’s the brains behind fragrance brand Byredo, but this season Ben Gorham has brought his notable aesthetic and creative skill to the world of accessories. Launching exclusively with Selfridges, the Byredo Leather Collection covers everything from bags to cosmetics cases in a range of timeless colourways.
With production centres in Donegal and Hawick, &Daughter is the knitwear label with deep roots in the British Isles. Founded by Buffy Reid, the brand produces updates on heritage classics: think chunky Aran jumpers and the softest cashmere. and-daughter.com
selfridges.com
BORROWED FROM THE BOYS
CHURCH’S Androgyny is very much the flavour of the season here at Absolutely. There’s nothing we love more than cocooning ourselves in a pair of tailored trousers and an oversized cashmere knit. All we need now is the perfect pair of flats. Church’s brogues offer all the clean-lined simplicity of mens’ footwear, just with a few stylish twists. J’adore; £585.
church-footwear.com
Looking to others for inspiration is a great way to get started. This can come from anywhere: from magazines and films, to history and Instagram. Avoid ripping off someone else’s style by identifying specific aspects or details you like. This could be an innovative approach to layering or a knack for incorporating vintage pieces.
KNOW YOUR BODY SHAPE Acknowledging your body shape is the bedrock of forming great personal style. There’s no use falling in love with a look if it doesn’t work with your figure. It’s better to forgo a hot-off-the-press look for a classic yet flattering style. You can always add fashion factor with accessories.
ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR LIFEST YLE Another important aspect to consider when building your look is acknowledging your lifestyle. Do you spend lots of time outdoors? Are you constantly running after an energetic toddler? Aim to pick pieces that harmonise with your life, even if that means buying the same piece in multiple hues.
“It’s better to forgo a hot-off-the-press look for a classic yet flattering style” CHOOSE PIECES YOU’LL WEAR AGAIN There’s nothing wrong with embracing a ‘uniform’ approach to your style. We can learn from Vogue editor Sarah Harris, who is never seen without a white shirt and jeans. Whether it’s a classic breton or leather biker, choose pieces that you know you will wear again.
SHOP SMART ACCESSORIES Accessories are the cherry on the cake - capable of transforming basics into a pulled-together ensemble. There’s no need to splurge on hundreds of shoes and bags, instead select an edit to suit your needs. We love this season’s mini bag, which packs plenty of personality and is ideal for elevating a white shirt.
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Capture the unique facets of your story with a one-off bespoke engagement ring
Coming Soon to Primrose Hill www.hkjewellery.co.uk Hertfordshire Jewellery Centre +44 (0)1462 790 565 hertfordshire@hkjewellery.co.uk North Barn, Fairclough Hall Farm, Halls Green, Herts, SG4 7DP
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London Shop & Studio +44 (0)203 886 0757 primrosehill@hkjewellery.co.uk 69 Regent’s Park Road, London, NW1 8UY
Cambridge Shop & Studio +44 (0)1223 461 333 cambridge@hkjewellery.co.uk 6/7 Green Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3JU
Bridal Jeweller o f t h e Ye a r
15/12/2017 10:18
ABSOLUTELY • PROMOTION
~ At Harriet
Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery it's never just about the jewellery
~
Diamonds are
FOREVER The storytelling power of bespoke jewellery
H
arriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery will be opening the doors of its new Primrose Hill Studio & Shop in February 2018. Located on the prestigious Regent’s Park Road, this will be the third location for the ‘Bridal Jewellery Retailer of the Year,’ UK Jewellery Awards, 2016. Primrose Hill’s idyllic Chalcot Square is where Founder and Chairman Harriet Kelsall lived with her husband Tim, Managing Director of Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, when the couple first met. They have always loved the community in the area and felt that 2018 was the perfect time to introduce it to the world of Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery.
Conceptualised by Catriona Mills at Lumsden Design, 69 Regent’s Park Road will offer a unique retail experience whereby qualified jewellery designers mingle with the public, offering them a “clean sheet” bespoke design service in a relaxed high street setting. The new London Studio & Shop will combine cutting edge retail with a working design studio. Renovations are nearly complete and what was once an empty, dilapidated space will be transformed into a beautiful retail environment where many stories will come to life in the form of beautiful bespoke jewellery. Primrose Hill has a strong community feel and is known as a place for specialists and experts. Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery was founded in
1998 and since then has grown to be one of the most highly regarded UK jewellery companies. With many national and international awards to its name, the company will fit in perfectly amongst the artisans of the area. At Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery it’s never just about the jewellery. Each location is staffed by a team of expert designers who have the privilege of capturing the unique story of every customer, with many one-off designs reflecting the stories and personal experiences of the people who commission them. The love storytellers take pride in the fact that they get to know their customers and use elements of their narrative to make jewellery that they will love for the rest of their lives.
Primrose Hill Studio and Shop, 69 Regent's Park Road, London, NW1 8UY 0203 886 0757 hkjewellery.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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ART HOUSE See life through an artist’s lens this season with a palette of rusted ochre, rich burgundy and pastel pink AW17 collection available from uterque.com
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ADVANCED STYLE
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HEALTH & BEAUTY
AGAINST THE GRAIN VIDAL SASSOON
This season Vidal Sassoon is celebrating individualism with the Mondaine Collection. Exploring the relationship between hair design and the couturier Cristobal Balenciaga, it is a celebration of bold colours and precision techniques. sassoon.com
Beauty Notes: Facial fuel & jelly skincare 42 ¡ Trend page: Ayurvedic beauty 51 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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BEAUTY NOTES
Start 2018 the right way with the best skin, hair and body revivers By J OY M O N TG O M E RY
New Faces E ST É E L AU D E R
She was the first Chinese model to appear on the covers of both American and Italian Vogue and now fashion icon Fei Fei Sun has been announced as Estée Lauder's newest face. Sun has kicked off the New Year with a stunning new campaign, featuring a bold pink lip look which is sure to brighten up the dark days. esteelauder.co.uk ESTÉE LAUDER
INDEED LABS
Nutritious MicroAlgae Pore Purifying Cleansing Jelly; £21 boots.com
Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Jelly; £24.99 lookfantastic
5 OF THE BEST JELLY-BASED BEAUTY
BIO-ESSENCE Miracle Bio Water Jelly Make Up Remover; £16 cultbeauty.co.uk
SHISEIDO WASO Fresh Jelly Lotion; £20.40 johnlewis.com
DIOR Glow Better Fresh Jelly Mask; £44 dior.com
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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES FITNESS REVIEW
HAPPY HAIR GHD
Cold weather and Christmas parties are a recipe for seriously unhappy hair. Press re-set this January with ghd’s advanced split end therapy, the heat-activated treatment which works to leave hair feeling sleek, smooth and shiny for up to 10 washes. Split ends meet your maker; £19.95
New Year, New Body
ghdhair.com
Get back into shape this January with Pilates Central Wo r d s ELIZA GREEN
EDITOR’S PICK
FACIAL FUEL LUMIT Y
Cocoa Crazy R A B OT 1 74 5 B E AU T Y
Hotel Chocolat might not be your first point of call when it comes to beauty, but this season the confectionary giant is expanding its oeuvre to a luxury skincare line. Covering everything from shower gels to thermal body masks, this beautfully-packaged range harnesses the antioxidant powers of the humble cacao bean; from £7. hotelchocolat.com
Contrary to what you might think, facial oil can be better for acneprone skin than harsh, oil-stripping products. Packed with a blend of 32 ingredients, Lumity’s Facial Oil will leave your skin feeling replenished and balanced; £60. lumitylife.co.uk
LIP SERVICE D R . PAW PAW
If there’s one thing you need in your beauty arsenal when the mercury drops, it’s a good lip balm. Because we all love a multi-taker, we’ve been searching high and low for the best tinted variety. Dr.PAWPAW comes up trumps with its lip-loving formula and flattering peach and raspberry hues; £6.95.
drpawpaw.com
O
verdid it on the minced pies and turkey this Christmas? Fear not, beacause Pilates Central, your local fitness studio, has your new year's exercise needs sorted. Pilates can really change your body and January is the perfect time to start. It is a uniquely precise form of exercise and body-conditioning, which provides a stronger back, flatter stomach, better posture and a leaner, suppler, more toned body. What more could you want? Pilates Central is a stunning, state-ofthe-art studio in the heart of Islington, boasting superb teachers and facilities. Their Pilates is custom-made, not onesize-fits-all. Many clients come to them through medical referral and find that Pilates is the answer to their bad backs, necks, shoulders or other physical problems. Open seven days a week, sessions start (almost) every half hour on the half hour and last for up to 90 minutes. You simply book whatever time suits you. Payment is strictly as-you-go, with no joining fee or monthly or yearly membership. You can pay for sessions either one at a time or in blocks of 10, 30 or 50. Private sessions are also available. So if you're craving physcially challenging exercise with a holistic twist, head down to Pilates Central this January.
PILATES CENTRAL
10-12 Gaskin St, N1. 020 7288 8080. islington@pilatescentral.co.uk. pilatescentral.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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LIZ EARLE - PHOTO BY GEORGIA GLYNN
She’s left her eponymous beauty brand behind and now she’s taking on the world of wellness. Absolutely meets entrepreneur and wellbeing guru Liz Earle By J OY M O N T G O M E R Y
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W
atching Liz Earle’s YouTube videos might lure you into a false sense of security. The surfaces of her immaculate kitchen gleam, her hair is perfectly coiffed, soft spa-like music tinkles in the background, her voice gentle and manner approachable. It’s a big steaming bowl of comfort TV - just without the calories. It would be easy to underestimate this lovely lady and her spelt flatbreads. But Liz Earle is on an important mission: a mission to take on the cult of wellness. This is serious business. We meet Liz Earle at her Battersea-based HQ on a crisp autumn afternoon. Located by leafy Battersea Park, the light-flooded space is more cosy country cottage than office, with warming fires crackling in each tastefully decorated room. In fact, this urban retreat is a veritable lab of Liz’s latest ventures, where everything from her new print magazine Liz Earle Wellbeing to her YouTube tutorials and podcasts are cooked up (quite literally, in some cases). When we arrive, the kitchen is a hive of activity, abuzz with women tapping away at laptops and chatting on phones. In the midst of the
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HEALTH & BEAUTY • INTERVIEW hubbub is Queen Bee Liz, a sea of calm, flawless skin framing delicate features and bright, softly lined eyes. For many, the Liz Earle name will be synonymous with the iconic skincare brand whose Hot Cloth Cleanser become a cult favourite of the nation’s beauty lovers. With its focus on naturally active ingredients and botanicals, Liz was arguably ahead of the curve when she founded the brand with friend Kim Buckland back in 1995. “I was very lucky when we started the company my business partner and I were at the same stage of life, we both had young children so understood each other,” Liz recalls. “I often say to young women who are thinking of going into business with a partner, make sure you each understand where you are in your particular stage of life.” After 15 prosperous years, which saw the brand go from strength to strength, the company was snapped up by beauty conglomerate Avon in 2010 and is now owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance. Fast-forward to 2017, and with an MBE and 35 best-selling books under her belt, this mother of five is again entering a new stage of life, leaving her eponymous brand behind and setting her sights on the big bad world of wellness. Fresh from filming in Europe for ITV’s This Morning, Liz’s natural warmth and eloquence make her a natural in front of the camera. “It’s been like coming home,” she says with a smile. “I started working on This Morning when I was 25 and then spent four years with Richard and Judy. I was thrown in at the deep end, doing live TV, phone-ins and outside broadcasts. You get real authenticity with live TV, it’s a very genuine way of communicating.” Invigorated by her return to the small screen, her new mini-series addresses the complexities of an ageing population, specifically the question of how we can live younger for longer. “It’s not just about the number of years on your life but the quality in your years,” she explains. “When I was filming in Greece and Italy there were all these 80 and
PANCETT AND ROOT VEG GRATIN - CREDIT LIZ EARLE WELLBEING YEARBOOK VOLUME 2
90-year olds and none of them wore glasses, had hearing aids or false teeth. But I think, overwhelmingly, there was this sense of community.” In many ways, Liz Earle is a delightful contradiction. She’s an author, TV presenter and old-school journalist with over 30 years experience writing about health and wellbeing. She was talking about kale long before Deliciously Ella was born. Yet she is entering the Millennial world of wellness, armed with a YouTube channel, podcast, website and glossy print magazine. How does she reconcile the two? “I’ve written about this area for 30 years and I haven’t changed my story. That’s what I’m pleased about. I was looking at a book I wrote 25 years ago called Eat Yourself Beautiful and in it I was talking about this strange things called ‘spelt’, a grain no one had heard of, and how almond milk is really hard to get hold of. Now you go into any garage forecourt and they’re selling it,” she says with a laugh. “But the great thing about being online is that there’s an amazing opportunity to have broader horizons, and at a flick
“I’ve written about this area for 30 years and I haven’t changed my story”
LIZ'S WELLBEING TEAM PHOTO BY GEORGIA GLYNN
A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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HEALTH & BEAUTY • INTERVIEW
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LIZ PODCASTING PHOTO BY GEORGIA GLYNN SMITH
“In amongst the deafening barrage of advice Liz is a calming and seasoned voice of reason”
of a switch you have access to so much more around the globe. It’s incredibly exciting to have that as a platform for sharing.” In amongst the deafening, and often conflicting, barrage of advice offered up by the ‘clean-eating’ crowd, Liz is a calming and seasoned voice of reason. The tagline for her print magazine is ‘wellness wisdom you can trust’. How can we, as consumers, separate fact from fiction? “I would say to anyone who is concerned, look at the credentials of who is writing, how long they’ve been writing for, what their background is and what their academic qualifications are,” Liz explains. “I was brought up pre-internet, so if I needed to do research I would sit in the British library and get out research papers. I say to my team here, you always have to go back to your sources.” When it comes to the gluten-free phenomenon, Liz is deeply sceptical. Far from being an exercise in deprivation, she insists that the secret to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is simply to go back to the gut, which is the subject of her latest best-selling book The Good Gut Guide. “I think we’ve missed the point. People say they feel so much better after cutting out gluten, but actually that’s just sorting out
the symptoms, whereas we need to address the cause. Let’s look at fixing gut health so you can go back to having wholewheat toast with lashings of butter and enjoying it!” Her career, she explains, started from this desire to pass on knowledge. Her mission now? To pass on new knowledge through the media available to her - whether it’s through a YouTube tutorial or TV series. So what does the future have in store for this entrepreneurial powerhouse? “I’ve spent the last couple of years getting the magazine right and opening new platforms. The next step is amplification. The whole area of wellness and wellbeing is a global phenomenon, and in some ways the UK lags behind, especially when you look at what’s happening in Scandinavia and Asia. That’s why we’ve decided to go global.” Watch out world, Liz Earle MBE has come to educate the masses and she’s got both style and substance. This is serious business.
READER OFFER
Absolutely readers can enjoy an exclusive £5 off the Liz Earle Wellbeing Yearbook Volume 2 using the offer code LIZ25. Available from lizearlewellbeing.com
A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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HELATH & BEAUTY • SCENT
PERFUME
The scents of
INSPIRATION Uplifting fragrances for the new year B y M I C H A E L D O N OVA N
H
appy New Year! I thought I would kick off 2018 with scents of energy and optimism. The most exciting collection to cross my path is from a Californiabased artist, Bruno Fazzolari. Bruno has a condition called synesthesia, a cross-wiring of the brain that results in experiencing something like scent with two different senses at the same time - in this case he smells in colour. The result is a collection so vivid, intense and vibrant that it acts like an olfactory pick-me-up. ‘Monserrat’ is a fantastical, fruity explosion, bursting with vigorous pink grapefruit, apricot leaves and jasmine with luscious, radiant osmanthus, carrot seed and a hint of setting plaster! At D.S. & Durga, the talented David Moltz has set himself the task of bottling the colour violet and the results are electric. Frosty wisteria and violet are blended with fizzing rhubarb and incense. The juxtaposition of warm and cool notes just adds to the excitement. James Heeley’s ‘Note de Yuzu’ takes Japan’s zesty fresh citrus fruit and layers of salty marine notes to conjure the scent of the traditional yuzu bath taken to celebrate the winter solstice. This is an intense, clean and uplifting scent. ‘The Writer’ by St Giles is ‘the scent of inspiration’ and was inspired by a recent scientific study that found that memory recall is improved by an average of 19% when the scent of rosemary is in the room. Consequently this fragrance will make you feel alert and will certainly raise your IQ. Rosemary absolute’s bitter-green intensity provides the focus for this perfume
~
“I thought I would kick off 2018 with scents of energy and optimism”
~
and it opens the scent with fresh ginger and the focusing sparkle of aldehydes. At the heart lies a leather/ frankincense resin mélange, while at the base lies an inky note achieved with castoreum absolute plus sandalwood, cedarwood from the Atlas mountains and driftwood. Independent British perfumer and yoga instructor Sarah McCartney has just released a new collection of completely natural fragrances entitled ‘Our Modern Lives’ each colour coded to match a mood or emotion. The scent of energy and vitality is ‘Yellow Sunset’ and this fragrance contains so many uplifting ingredients that you will dance to the office. Lemons, clementine and mandarin with blood and sweet oranges and the stimulating component of coffee absolute. Celebrating the crisp, cold embrace of her native Iceland, Andrea Maack’s latest fragrance ‘Birch’ is an atmospheric fragrance that transports the wearer to the Arctic tundra. An airy bergamot creates a cool breeze with lightly spicy ginger and pink pepper. The character of the scent lies in the meeting of dark guaiac wood and cypriol that capture the arctic woodland. Birch is gorgeously evocative, alternating between the fresh cold air and smoky, earthy woods. It’s one of those scents that you wear to breathe in deep and enter another world. Wishing you a fantastic and fragrant 2018. A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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3 Bennet Court, 1 Bellevue Road, London SW17 7EG
020 3475 6644 • anthonylabanhome.com
For latest news & offers join us @LabanHome
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Temperley London AW17
HEALTH & BEAUTY • PRODUCTS
SISTER & CO Oil Pulling Rinse with Spearmint; £16 sisterandcompany.com
SAMAYA Kapha Hydrating Cleanser; £69 samayaayurveda.com
NIOD Sanskrit Saponins Face Cleanser; £21 houseoffraser.co.uk
UMA
MAULI
Pure Rest Wellness Oil; £60 cultbeauty.co.uk
Reawaken Hand & Body Lotion; £23 maulirituals.com
ALCHEMY OILS Amla Hair Remedy; £26 alchemyoils.co.uk
NEW RITUALS Reconnect this January with these Ayurvedic inspired remedies B y J OY M O N T G O M E R Y
AVEDA Tulasāra Morning Awakening Ritual Kit; £65 harrods.com
FUSHI Really Good Cellulite Oil; £18 feelunique.com
RITUALS The Ritual of Ayurveda Hand Lotion; £8 rituals.com
ARK SKINCARE Conditioning Oil; £35 arkskincare.com
EVE LOM Time Retreat Regenerative Night Cream; £90 lookfantastic.com
EDITOR’S PICK
URBAN VEDA Soothing Facial Oil; £29.99 urbanveda.com
A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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020 8644 8523 www.annsdesignercakes.com
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YOU’RE AS YOUNG AS YOUR SPINE IS FLEXIBLE MONDAY JANUARY 1st. 2018. 12.00–15.30 PICCADILLY, TRAFALGAR Sq. WHITEHALL
“If, at the age of 30, you are stiff and out of shape, you are old. If, at 60, you are supple and strong, then you are young.” Joseph Pilates Get a stronger back, a flatter stomach and a suppler, younger body at our stunning studio
020 7288 8080
islington@pilatescentral.co.uk www.pilatescentral.co.uk 10-12 Gaskin St (off Upper St) London N1 2RY
Superb teachers. Superb facilities. Superb location.
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HEALTH & BEAUTY • ACTIVE
FITNESS NOTES
SixtyNinety The fitness brand to know now sixtyninety.com
WHAT IS IT?
● When two Brazilian model best friends joined forces with a female investor in January 2017, SixtyNinety Brazilian swimwear and activewear was born. Serious about creating a brand which praises the healthy female physique, the name SixtyNinety was inspired by the classic myth of 60-90cm as a woman’s ideal body measurements. Together, the partners want to bypass this limit and challenge the idea of beauty.
TOP TRENDS Founders of Move Your Frame, Joan Murphy and Pip Black share their thoughts on what to expect from the fitness industry this year
WHO IS IT FOR?
● SixtyNinety is a brand designed by women for women. The swimwear is smart, eco-friendly and sizzlingly sexy. The Amni Soul fabric and cool designs became an instant hit with influencers such as Arizona Muse, Millie Mackintosh and Lily Fortescue. Socially conscious, the brand uses the world's first biodegradable yarn.
LOW IMPACT CARDIO People are becoming more aware of the risk of injury from high intensity or high impact training and the long term effects on joints and the body, so mixing in training such as Rebounding gives you the cardio fix without damaging your joints. It’s key to future proof your body.
MINDFULNESS & LOW IMPACT TRAINING Mindfulness has been a buzzword for a while and has grown into a
massive trend over the past year; we predict it will come into the fitness genre. Combining HIIT with meditation has been proven to maximise the well-known benefits of the HIIT workout. Doing high impact workouts all the time can play havoc with your hormones especially if you're juggling a stressful job and life. At Frame we have created a new class called HIIT & Chill which is based around this theory. Keep an eye out for the workshops which are launching this month.
HIIT HIIT will continue to rise as people become more clued in and realise that training for longer does not equate to training smarter and won’t always give the best results. It ranked number 1 in the Crep Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2018, and we agree it will continue to be a big one.
FEEL-GOOD FITNESS Moving your body in a way that makes you feel good has always been our mantra here at Frame, and this is set to be a trend for 2018. Gone are the days of ‘no pain, no gain.’ Whether it’s a dance class or hike in the park, make sure you enjoy it and rack up those endorphins as you do. Check out the newest Frame studios open this month in Fitzrovia and Hammersmith; moveyourframe.com
SUPER SUPPLEMENTS
Supercharge your workout with these delicious and nutricious protein powders
WHAT’S NEXT?
● The three female SixtyNinety founders Aline Lima, Daniele Trece and Vanusa Fonseca are passionate about creating a niche in the lifestyle market for a growing female audience of affordable fashion consumers.
1. Healthista Lean Vegan Diet Protein, £24.99; wholefoodsmarket.com 2. Zaggora Protein Smoothie Chocolate Coconut, £38; uk.zaggora.com 3. Form Salted Caramel Chocolate Superblend Protein, £24; formnutrition.com 4. The Organic Protein Company Organic Whey Protein, £22; theorganicproteincompany.co.uk 5. Missfits Vegan Protein Multitasker, £18; missfitsnutrition.com
A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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DELICATESSEN & SPECIALITY FOODS FRESH TAKE-HOME PREPARED MEALS BAR AU VIN – CORAVIN WINES FINE & RARE WINES RANGE OF EVERY - DAY WORLD WINES FREE HOME DELIVERY FOR ORDERS BY THE CASE SEASONAL HAMPERS - GIFT VOUCHERS CURATED CRAFT BEER & SPIRITS RANGE TASTINGS & EVENTS - IN-STORE HAPPENINGS WITH OUR KNOWLEDGEABLE TEAM
Monmouth coffee – Borough Olives – Masseria Imports Brindisa – Neal’s Yard Dairy – La Fromagerie The Highgate Winestore
1 Hampstead Lane, Highgate Village, London N6 4RS 0208 341 5797 info@thehighgatewinestore.co.uk www.winestoreslondon.co.uk THE HIGHGATE WINESTORE_V2.indd 1
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FOOD & DRINK
WINTER DISHES WOLF
Paying tribute to the coldest season, Wolf has launched a winter menu. Expect homemade pasta and unique dishes like the baccala fritto with salted cod; 110, Stoke Newington High Street, N16 wolf-restaurant.co.uk
Wines of the month 56 • The best juice bars 57 • Eating out with children 58 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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WHAT TO DRINK
GRAPE news
Wine recommendations for the month
TASTING NOTES
London’s food news and delicious things to see you through January By MIRIAM CAREY
By BERRY BROS. & RUDD
The King’s Ginger £22.50 A great winter warmer – serve over ice, or mix with tonic. The Kings Ginger was specifically formulated by Berry Bros. in 1903 for King Edward VII. Rich and zesty, it was created to stimulate and revivify His Majesty. It has been appreciated by bon viveurs ever since.
2016 Berry Bros. & Rudd Good Ordinary White by Dourthe £9.25 A classic Bordeaux white, this 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc is made just for Berry Bros. & Rudd. Intensely aromatic on the nose, with ripe gooseberry and greengage fruit, the wine has wonderful lift and zest.
2015 Toreye Spätburgunder, Eymann, Pfalz £19.50 While it’s rarely acknowledged, Germany is the third largest producer of Pinot Noir (aka Spätburgunder) in the world. This is a wonderful example of an accessible, refreshing Pinot that offers an alternative to Burgundy.
BERRY BROS. & RUDD Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain's oldest wine and spirit merchant, having traded from the same shop since 1698. Today the company also has offices in Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong, a Wine School and an exclusive fine wine and dining venue in St James's.
bbr.com
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Sushi in the City D E VO N S H I R E C L U B
Fifties inspired private member’s club, Devonshire Club, has now launched its ‘Sushi in the City’ brunch menu. Dine between 11.30 and 3.30 on a Saturday and enjoy a spectacular six courses from Sushi Chef extraordinaire Victor Klomu. Guests will start off with an array of sushi and sashimi including crisp raw vegetables with truffle ponzu dip and a breathtaking closing dish of miso-blackened cod. 5 Devonshire Square, EC2; devonshire.club
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FOOD & DRINK • NOTES Our pick of the best
JUICE BA R S THE HIVE WELLBEING
A beautiful hideaway in Bethnal Green, The Hive Wellbeing offers weary travellers seasonal food, cold pressed juice, natural wine, and speciality coffee. Stop by after 5pm to try the ‘Aperitivo’ menu. We recommend the organic cheese and wine, a perfect aid to winding down after a busy day. 286 - 290 Cambridge Heath Road; thehivewellbeing.com
G R A N A RY S Q UA R E
CPRESS
Flavour varieties at CPress are so abundant they will make any health enthusiast feel like a kid in a candy shop. Choose the ruby red ‘Prime Number’ for a burst of anti-oxidants, or opt for the snow-white almond milk for your daily dose of protein and vitamin E. Fulham, Canary Wharf, Chelsea, Shoreditch; cpressjuice.com
JUICE BABY
SUBTERRANEAN DRINKING TT LIQUOR
The innovative Shoreditch drinking establishment, TT Liquor has opened its new subterranean bar. Housed in a former 18th Century police station, upstairs usually hosts supper clubs and events, but you can now venture down to the police cells and order a cocktail at the Cellar Bar. 17B Kingsland Road, E2;
ttliquor.co.uk
NUALA
Nuala is a slice of Ireland in the midst of East London. Opened by exchiltern firehouse Chef Niall Davidson, they’ll be serving the best Guinness outside Dublin and an atmosphere to match. Expect revelry, Irish music, and guests fuelling up on potted smokie and scampi-fried quail eggs. 70-74 City Road, EC1; nualalondon.com
STYLISH DINING A new restaurant from the team behind The Ivy Collection, Granary Square is a stylish space within a grade II listed building. The menu is bursting with great classics. Choose between the steak sandwich and shrimp and scallop burger for lunch. As the sun sets, grab an aperitif and snack of calamari or mussels. 1-3, Stable Street, N1C; granarysquarebrasserie.com
KNEES-UP
Juice Baby has it all: shots, smoothies, milks, and juices. The nut milks are naturally packed with iron, calcium and vitamin E +, while the powerful 30ml shots of wheatgrass, aloe vera, and ginger are brimming with health-boosting vitamins. 398 Kings Road; juicebaby.co.uk
JOE & THE JUICE
With locations all over the world, Joe & The Juice is a universal congregation site for freelancers and their laptops. As the brainchild of super cool Danish entrepreneur Kaspar Basse, it's no suprise Joe & The Juice finds itself the hipster juice bar of choice. Locations all over London; joejuice.com
MARGHARITA MAGIC WAHACA
Mexican chain, Wahaca, have recently opened the doors to their new testing kitchen in Shoreditch. The kitchen will act as a platform for innovative new ideas and recipes – with the ambition of taking dishes to Wahaca restaurants around the UK. 140, Tabernacle Street, EC2;
wahaca.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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Kick-start your food business with Leiths *Whether it’s a restaurant, coffee shop, supper club, meal box service, vegan cafÊ, boutique hotel, cocktail bar, lifestyle blog, street food stand, supermarket brand, microbrewery, wine consultancy, zero-waste pop up or the catering company that everyone will be talking about.
From writing a winning business plan to considering hidden costs, this weekend course will get you off to a flying start. Learn more at Leiths.com/FoodBusiness
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020 8749 6400 | info@leiths.com
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ABSOLUTELY • PROMOTION
“Broaden your culinary knowledge as well as your palate”
Feast your Eyes Foodies rejoice as an all-new Farmers’ Market arrives in North West London
W
ith Christmas now done with for another year and New Years’ resolutions being tried (and tested) everyone is on the look-out for something tempting. Gastronomes now have even more of a reason to descend upon the O2 with the launch of the 255 Finchley Road Market. Choose from an extensive range of fresh, long lasting produce from boutique, artisan producers which will deliver a feast for the senses. Whether it’s winter chestnuts or summer strawberries, the seasonal fare on
offer is perfectly placed for your everyday essentials, plus so much more. Some of London’s finest street food traders on site will be providing an exceptional spread of world cuisines to suit all tastes. Whether you desire the authentic taste of Greek Souvlaki kebabs and barbecued shellfish skewers or vegetarian; you will not be disappointed. Fancy something sweeter? Then head over on a Sunday where you will be spoilt for choice with a wide variety of handmade cakes, pastries, pies and snacks. We caught up with the 255 Finchley Road Market team who said, “This is the kind of project we love to be involved in as
we create another community hub, bringing the best in produce, street food and a fun environment to meet locals and likeminded foodies.” The market will broaden your culinary knowledge as much as it will your palate with cooking classes, demos, talks and tastings from industry specialists. The lively calendar of events includes Gin Week, butchery workshops and cheese and wine demos just to name a few. “We are delighted to have Aston’s Organic Bakery, Dee’s Pies, La Contrada, L’Ami Jac, Montadito, Mini Crops, Nonya Secrets, Pep & Lekker, Picks Organic Farm, Popina Bakery, The Olive Bar, Wild Country Organics, Woodlands Jersey Beef, The Mushroom Table, Quickes Cheese, Ede and Bibe, Fruiliamo, The 3 Little Pigs and Rocks amongst others in attendance – it reflects the variety and community perfectly.”
For further information and to hear about the forthcoming events and workshops at the market visit o2centre.co.uk 255 Finchley Road, NW3; open every Sunday between 10am and 3pm. A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW
ABSOLUTELY eats out… Westerns Laundry This new Holloway opening focuses on produce from the sea By HANNAH HOPKINS
P Suvlaki
rimeur fans should hotfoot it to Westerns Laundry, the second restaurant from duo Jeremie Cometto-Lingenheim and David Gingell. Housed in the last remaining part of a 1950’s building, a stone’s throw away from Highbury and Islington, it can be hard to spot, subtly hidden by a calming forecourt of Himalayan Birch trees. Make your way through its floor-to-ceiling crittall doors, and you’ll be rewarded with a pared back and practical space which steers clear of Instagram cliches. There’s a focus on seafood, often sourced from the British Isles, and dishes of the day are written up on a giant chalkboard.
Delicious Greek food that is full of surprises By PENDLE HARTE
B
rick Lane’s Suvlaki is small, dark and cosy and we are seated in the smallest and cosiest nook for two. It’s a good spot for a feast and Suvlaki’s untraditional menu, based loosely on Athenian street food, is varied and goes beyond the obvious. We order a large spread – too large for the table really – and it’s all delicious and full of suprises. Olive and citrus wood smoked eel, for instance, is not something you’d expect to see on a Greek menu. It comes in breadcrumbs, with balsamic and lemon rind, and it’s perfectly pitched, subtle and smoky. Taramosalata comes with anchovies, confit cucumber and crostini while courgette fritters come with smoked applewood cheddar and nigella seeds
which might sound unlikely but in fact makes complete sense. We had high hopes for roasted aubergine with pomegranate, feta and hazelnut but unfortunately the aubergine was a bit underdone and hadn’t released its full deliciousness – but skewers of lamb with chilli beets, couscous and herb sauce were soft and beautifully done. There’s an exclusively Greek wine list, which seems very brave; our Alpha Estate Malagouzia white’s flavours are described as ‘rose petal and sweet spices, melon and lychee’ and it is an unusual and lovely wine. To finish, we love the orange and almond cake with its slightly medicinal-tasting ice cream. Suvlaki is certainly a success.
Rooted in British flavours but with aspects of Southern Europe and Asian flavours, dishes range from tapas size to larger meals. Standouts on the fish side include sea bass and seaweed tartare, sardines (salted in house) and chargrilled mackerel served with miso and chilli, while meat dishes of pork loin, chopped greens, basil and capers, and beef rump with roast garlic butter and croutons hit the mark for carnivores. Our tip? Eschew the communal tables in favour of a cosy banquette or grab a counter seat overlooking the kitchen.
SUVLAKI 161 Brick Lane, E1; suvlaki.co.uk
WESTERNS LAUNDRY 34 Drayton Park, N5; westernslaundry.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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Tel: 01306 712 262 Email: info@iggi.co.uk Iggi Interior Design, The Old Parlour, Unit 6, Ockley Court Farm, Coles Lane, Ockley, Surrey, RH5 5LS
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INTERIORS
IN BRIEF ANNA BURLES
This beautiful master bedroom in a Grade II listed townhouse was designed by Anna Burles to maximise the light, create storage and stay within the bouds of listed consents. The results are beautiful. annaburles.com
Interiors Notes: Beautiful light shades from Dutch oragami experts 64 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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INTERIORS NOTES
Ideas, designs and styles for your home By PENDLE HARTE
Paper Craft STUDIO SNOWPUPPE
These Dutch origami experts produce a huge range of beautiful light shades in folded paper. High quality fabric cables and fittings come in contrasting colours for a stylish contemporary look. studiosnowpuppe.nl
WASTE NOT BRABANTIA
This new stylish bin looks too pretty and streamlined to be a depository for rubbish. As the Rolls Royce of bins, it comes with a flexible arrangement of one, two or three compartments for recylcling and in a range of colours to suit your kitchen. ÂŁ199. brabantia.com
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INTERIORS • NOTES F AV UR
OR
ITE
E C FA O
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KINSKA Various ceramics, from £38 kinska.com
PATTERN CUT KIT KEMP FOR WILTON
FERM LIVING Mrs Napkin, £4.50 cloudberryliving.co.uk
SHAPE SHIFTER KOTI & CO
xPolygon shaped placemats are ideal to set your table in a beautiful yet functional way. Silicone is naturally heat resistant that is also easy to wipe clean and store. We love the stylish range at this beautifully created site.
Wilton Carpets' new Kit Kemp collection features patterns and colourways that transport you straight into a Firmdale lobby Pictured is the Leaf Cut, straight from the Soho Hotel. The range is made in Wiltshire. wiltoncarpets.com
HOUSE OF RYM Seriously cereally bowl, £19 houseofrym.com
kotiandco.co.uk RUME Face It Throw, £180 rume.co.uk
PINK LADY ZANDRA RHODES
JONATHAN ADLER Utopia mugs, £32 uk.jonathandler.com
EDITOR’S PICK
ROSENDAHL Bjorn Wiinblad flower vase, £39.95 black-by-design.co.uk
The Zandra Rhodes/Floor Story rug collection features three pieces that reproduce work from Zandra’s fledging career in the 1960s. Wiggle, Mexican Star and Star Wars have been recreated to bring a piece of art to the floor. floorstory.co.uk
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‘ Enjoying childhood and realising our imagination.’ Challenge your preconceptions about Education. Give your child time to develop a love of learning and enjoy the academic successes that it brings. Dallington is a family-run co-educational independent school, with a nursery, in the heart of London. Personal tours each day of the week, except Wednesday. Next Open Evening: Thursday 3rd May 2018 from 6 to 8 pm
Email: hercules@dallingtonschool.co.uk Phone: 020 7251 2284 www.dallingtonschool.co.uk
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KIDS & EDUCATION
WASTE NOT MINI RODINI
Mini Rodini carries one of the most sustainable ranges on the market – with collections made with more than 99% sustainable materials. So if sustainability's on your list for 2018, here's where to go. minirodini.com
Small Talk: Flexible furniture, new books, and a shiny jacket 69 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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The Subscription
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KIDS & EDUCATION • NOTES
F O CU S
Let it grow B U N N Y & C LY D E
This Harrison toddler bed with its midcentury feel converts effortlessly into a stylish daybed that's just as much at home in an adult space as in a kids' room. bunnyandclyde.ie
LEATHER CRAFT Witloft
SMALL TALK Flexible furniture, leather aprons, a shiny jacket and some new books
EDITOR’S PICK
GOLDEN DOWN FINGER IN THE NOSE
If your tot is one of those that refuses to wear coats, dazzle them with this beautifully shiny quilted down jacket from stylish French label Finger in the Nose. Now see who's refusing.£151;
smallable.com
TOMB TALK E GY P TO M A N I A
This big, bold lift-the-flap book takes you straight into the heart of ancient Egypt. Learn what people wore, what’s inside a pyramid, how a mummy is made and much, much more. £18.99. laurenceking.com
L
aunched in Amsterdam in 2004, Witloft has become known for its leather aprons that have been worn and loved by the world’s most credible chefs. Jamie Oliver, The Hairy Bikers, Gennaro Contaldo and Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown have all been spotted in the stylish leather aprons, as have countless baristas, barbers and grill masters. And now they've launched a beautiful children’s collection mirroring the main collection. The colourful collection is available in five styles as well as a limited edition golden colour. These handmade leather aprons are perfect for showing off in the kitchen while preparing family Christmas treats together. The one-off golden apron makes the perfect gift for any chef of the house, or budding baker – and they're all equally good for outdoor pursuits too. wit-loft.com
SHELF LIFE SY LV I A B I S H O P
This story is about a little girl named Property Jones, socalled because she was left in the lost property cupboard of a bookshop when she was five years old. Her secret is that she can’t actually read... scholastic.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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7-11% 3 year ÂŁ7,000 IRR PA
Return
Investment
Minimum Investment
Buy2LetCars Car leasing funded by people for people
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TRAVEL
BEAUTY • PRODUCTS
OLD MEETS NEW TOKYO
A mega-metropolis of dizzying contradictions, Tokyo is both familiar and foreign. This month we explore this exciting city during the autumn season, when the leaves turn and create a spectacular panorama of colour.
Spirited Away: Past meets present in Tokyo 72 • The thinking traveller 77 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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Spirited Away Fusing past and future, Tokyo is an alluring destination for any traveller By HANNAH HOPKINS
A
mega-metropolis of dizzying contradictions, Tokyo is both familiar and foreign. Dystopian mega-malls, neon-lit streetscapes and soaring skyscrapers make it feel like a sci-fi cityscape, but you can still see traces of the shogun's capital, from ancient shrines and temples to plant-covered wooden houses and village-like lanes. One area particularly rooted in tradition is Nihonbashi, the birthplace of Tokyo. Originally a small fishing village named Edo, it became the capital when in 1604 a shogun named Tokugawa Ieyasu arrived and built Nihonbashi bridge, from which Mount Fuji could be seen in the distance. It was declared the centre of Japan and the starting point of five key routes across the country, and is today the capital’s financial and commercial hub. A steady flow of entrepreneurial merchants swept into the city to set up businesses, from kimono-making to seaweed shops. Fast forward more than four centuries and modern-day Nihonbashi is no less lively. Traditional shops are hidden behind contemporary buildings, dedicated to the continuation of special crafts. You could spend days discovering them, but particular highlights include Eitaro Sohonpo, a traditional sweetshop selling kintsuba (delicious flour-coated rolls of sweet bean paste), Yamamoto Noriten, selling nori seaweed and Ninben, selling dried fish flakes used in dashi stock. Ideal for souvenirs, Ibasen make handcrafted fans, while Yamada Heinado create beautiful lacquerware.
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“In the quiet alleys you’ll find anachronistic wooden shanty bars and raucous festivals”
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TRAVEL • WANDERLUST
TRADITIONAL JAPANESE (MATURI) FESTIVAL - PHOTO PHIL COUZENS
A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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The Subscription
FOR INTERIOR DESIGN ENTHUSIASTS Sign up to Readly for only £7.99 a month and read all back issues of Absolutely Home, as well as our entire portfolio, including Absolutely Mama, Absolutely Education and Absolutely Weddings. Readly Subscribers also enjoy unbounded access to over 2,300 top titles.
Readly offers the freedom to effortlessly glide between articles and features covering inspiration from London’s top interior designers and influencers.
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TRAVEL • WANDERLUST
THE ASAHI BEER HALL PHOTO HIROMI IGUCHI
SUSHI SORA
Nihonbashi is also the neighbourhood of the luxurious Mandarin Oriental hotel. Set high above the city, its combination of crisp, contemporary style, renowned spa, innovative restaurants, superb views (you can see Mount Fuji on a clear day) and of course, impeccable service, make it the perfect base from which to discover Tokyo. Tokyo is a nirvana for foodies, and has the world’s greatest number of Michelin star restaurants in any city. Three of them are in the Mandarin Oriental. Even without a Michelin star, Sushi Sora on the hotel's 38th floor cannot be missed. With an eight-seat dining counter fashioned from 350 yearold Japanese cypress and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Tokyo Skytree
– a twisting spire that draws on ancient building techniques - the setting is sublime. As for the food, the chef’s skilled hands elegantly transform the most simple nigiri or makimono-rolled sushi into a culinary masterpiece. Drinks at the hotel’s Mandarin Bar also offer a flavour of old Tokyo – order the Nihonabshi cocktail, a heady mix of vodka, yuzu and grapefruit juice. With a theme of wood and water, the hotel’s rooms are utterly tranquil, with nature motifs and pale bamboo wood floors. We stayed in a Mandarin Grand room, with views that stretch over Shinjuku towards Mount Fuji in the distance. The spa-like bathrooms, with rainforest showers and stand-alone baths, offer space to relax while the beds are made up with Egyptian cotton linens, resulting in the best sleep we’ve ever had in a hotel. This relaxation theme is continued in the spa, where you can soak sky high in vitality pools with soothing body jets or get a restorative treatment based on the five Japanese elements - green tea, pine, bamboo, rice hulls and plum. Shopping is a highlight of any trip to Tokyo. It’s worth bringing an empty suitcase to fill with hard-to-resist gadgets, trendsetting garments and treasures from craft and design stores. Right by the hotel is the Mitsukoshi, the oldest surviving department store chain in Japan. The grand building of Renaissance architecture has an entrance guarded by a pair of lion statues and stocks everything from luxurious kimonos to weird and wacky culinary delights. In the same area, you’ll find Ozu Washi, which sells traditional Japanese washi paper - you can even have a go at making it yourself at their experience studio - and Tokyu Hands is packed with unique Japanese products that will make beauty and stationery junkies very happy.
SUSHI SORA
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Many associate Japan with its famous cherry blossom season, but its autumn foliage, when the leaves turn, is also spectacular, rivalling even New England’s celebrated range of colours. At the Meiji Jingu Gaien a golden tunnel is created by the area’s 146 ginkgo trees, which extend from Aoyama Dori to the Jingu stadium, while Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden offers a rainbow of autumn foliage panoramas and plenty of fresh air. After snapping the stunning vistas, head to the nearby quiet alleys where you’ll find anachronistic wooden shanty bars, raucous traditional festivals and lantern-lit yakitori (grilled chicken) stands. Even though Tokyo has a population of 13 million-plus, trains run on time, there is no public litter and street crime is near non-existent. Getting around is pretty easy and it’s worth heading to the backstreets of Harajuku - known for its colorful street art, fashion scene and quirky vintage clothing
“Traditional shops including kimono makers and seaweed stores are hidden behind modern buildings” stores and Shibuya, where you can witness its vast crossing and giant video screen, projecting images of the hottest pop stars. Nearby is the Meiji Shrine - the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken, and first-timers to Tokyo should also tick off the Tokyo Imperial Palace primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. To view the city from the water, follow in the footsteps of early Edo business pilgrims and take a 45-minute limousine boat tour, where you can take in the vast number of bridges, skyscrapers and water-side restaurants. To really see Tokyo you need to head up high, where you can look over the city at night. See it blinking like the control panel of a starship, stretching all the way to the horizon, and take in its intoxicating mix of old and new, familiar and unfamiliar.
M A N DA R I N O R I E N TA L Tokyo Rates start from JPY 49,000 per room per night (approx. GBP 330). For more information or to make a booking, call +81 03 3270 8800 or visit www.mandarinoriental.com/tokyo
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Support the Head Held High appeal and provide quality education to Africa's most vulnerable children #HeadHeldHigh
Donate before 23rd December 2017 and your donation will be matched by the UK Government
Discover more at www.hope-for-children.org Reg. Charity No. 1161729
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TRAVEL • COMPANY FOCUS
Home from Home
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
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he Thinking Traveller seed was sown on the crest of Stromboli, where Rossella and Huw Beaugié were holidaying in 2000. The couple's innovative start-up filled a void in the Sicilian travel market, making available to discerning travellers a collection of highly covetable rental villas. Now in its 17th year, The Thinking Traveller’s property portfolio includes villas in Sicily, Puglia, the Ionian Islands, the Sporades Islands and Corsica, and the company has garnered an impressive assortment of accolades. Here's why a villa holiday with The Thinking Traveller should be your summer getaway this year.
Each villa has been handpicked with a focus on beauty and location. Many are within walking distance to shops, restaurants and the ocean, while many have private pools. For those looking to be nestled in the heart of the countryside, the hilltop villas offer unbeatable views.
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE
You won’t miss the convenience of a hotel with a serviced villa from The Thinking Traveller. Cooks, maids and gardeners are all on hand so you need not lift a finger. Service levels from start to finish exceed expectations, guaranteeing utter comfort and total bliss.
“Each villa has been handpicked with a focus on beauty”
Discover the benefits of a villa holiday with The Thinking Traveller
PRIVACY
Whether serviced or not, every villa offers complete privacy. Make a splash in the pool, cook up a storm in the kitchen and roam the gardens freely; all are yours to discover and enjoy during your stay.
INFORMATION AT HAND
So that every guest has the ultimate holiday experience with The Thinking Traveller, each booking comes with a smart travel bag containing a map, detailed house guide and area guide book. Local managers are also on-hand to ensure your holiday goes smoothly. Part-concierge, parttroubleshooter, they can help you with everything, from sourcing the best ice-cream to discovering the area’s hidden gems.
MAKE YOUR OWN RULES
With The Thinking Traveller there are no dress codes and no set meal times. It’s your house and your holiday so you call the shots. The bar never closes and the fridge is always open. On arrival you’ll find it fully stocked, while the wine-to-villa delivery service means you can enjoy a beverage on stepping through the threshold. Additional shopping can be pre-ordered and delivered to suit specific needs, or for those looking for that extra touch of luxury, a local chef can be organised to cook your evening meal. For more information visit thethinkingtraveller.com or email info@thethinkingtraveller.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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ABBEY ROAD
FRAMING
Picture Frames, Mirrors, Prints, Cards & Gifts
020 7328 6915
67 Abbey Road St John’s Wood London NW8 0AE
ABBEY ROAD FRAMING.CO.UK ABBEY ROAD FRAMING NXNW.indd 1 AbsolutelyNorthByNorthWest-1612-AbbeyRoadFraming.indd 1 _CITY&EAST_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 3
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PROPERTY LIVING THE DREAM
ROSELEIGH AVENUE E2
£1,250,000
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LONDON'S FINEST
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FAMOUS PLACES
stunning three bedroom maisonette on the upper floors of a Victorian terrace in Highbury. Offering over 1,300 square feet of accommodation, the property is beautifully presented, balancing original period detailing with sleek contemporary touches. Roseleigh Avenue is a quiet and charming residential street and to the rear of the house is an attractive west facing shared garden.
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Knight Frank Islington 020 3657 7340 knightfrank.com
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Elmore Street, Islington N1 A fantastic two bedroom maisonette A stunning two bedroom early Victorian conversion that has been renovated to a high standard by the current owners. The property benefits from a private entrance and a beautiful garden. 2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and a reception room with two large sash windows, allowing in plenty of natural light. EPC: C. Approximately 88.22 sq m (950 sq ft). Leasehold: approximately 102 years remaining
Guide price: £950,000
KnightFrank.co.uk/islington islington@knightfrank.com 020 3657 7340
@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk
KnightFrank.co.uk/ISL170258
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Wellesley Terrace, Islington N1 Outstanding three bedroom penthouse apartment near Angel A stunning three bedroom penthouse on the eighth floor of a contemporary development. 3 double bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a large and bright open plan living room/dining room/kitchen and large private roof terrace with panoramic views across central London. Additionally, there is lift access and secure parking for two cars. EPC: C. Approximately 197 sq m (2,116 sq ft). Available furnished Guide price: £1,500 per week
KnightFrank.co.uk/islington islingtonlettings@knightfrank.com 020 3657 7360
KnightFrank.co.uk/ISQ281719 All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. There will also be a £48 charge to register your deposit with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme if applicable. Please ask us for more information about other fees that will apply or visit www.knightfrank.co.uk/tenantfees. Knight Frank is a member of the ARLA Client Money Protection Scheme and our redress scheme for consumers is Ombudsman Services: Property.
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Absolutely Lettings December - 26, 2 Wellesley
@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk
13/12/2017 19:11
11/12/2017 12:06:05
PROPERTY • FEATURE
KNIGHT FRANK 2018 Market Insight "Once the Brexit deal is completed, we forecast rising momentum"
JAMES MARSHALL, ASSOCIATE, OFFICE HEAD
L
ooking at the forecast for selling in 2018 we expect prices to remain muted overall next year amid increased economic and political uncertainty in the runup to Brexit. Once the Brexit deal is completed, we forecast rising momentum across the market with price growth reflecting this. Data produced by Rightmove does suggest that the Borough of Islington has been hit the hardest with an annual price fall of 10.1% over the last 12 months. To be successful with selling your property in 2018, realistic pricing is key.
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There is a lot of good available stock on the market at the moment which is giving buyers more choice, and the upper hand when offering. Pricing correctly from the outset creates more competition on your property and limits the dreaded price reduction on the web portals. For investors and property owners alike it is important for us to help establish their expectations for the London rental market in 2018. When it comes to predicting the property market, it is best to look at the things we know. There were 4 major factors affecting rental values over the last 18 months and that was firstly, the additional 3% stamp duty surcharge on additional homes in 2016. This lead buyto-let investors scrambled to buy properties before the 31st March deadline. As a result, we saw a glut of properties hit the market, which helped to keep rental value growth low.
DAN FOX, LETTINGS MANAGER
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econdly, tenant’s affordability is affecting rental values over the longer term. Historically, rents have grown largely in line with wages. However, recent wage growth in the UK has been stagnant as Brexitwary employers try to limit their costs. With rising levels of employment, this is forecast to change, with incomes set to head back to real growth by 2019. Thirdly, London’s vibrant economy and the international nature of the businesses based here means there is always demand from companies for short and long-term term rental properties. However, we have seen corporate relocation budgets gradually shrink as companies scale back costs?
Lastly, technological developments such as Uber and City Mapper have allowed applicants to have much more accessible to a variety of transports types. This has meant that more traditional central locations are completing with different ‘more affordable’ areas. In summary, the market seems to have accommodated this new supply of properties and rental values have stabilised. London will always be attractive to employers and employees however corporate applicants and local applicants are now looking for excellent value for money. With the increase in accessible technology this added value may be the property itself as opposed to how centrally located it is.
To follow what James and his team are up to on Instagram please follow: james.islington1 KNIGHT FRANK 020 3657 7340 knightfrankco.uk/Islington
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KING’S CROSS N1C AVAILABLE NOW A collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments to rent. Residents will benefit from a daytime concierge and a beautifully landscaped terrace with views over the tranquil Jellicoe Gardens. Located within a few minutes’ walk to King’s Cross and St Pancras International.
For more information or to speak with our lettings team please contact us on +44 20 3589 2840 | kingscrosslettings@knightfrank.com Knight Frank, King’s Cross
Unit 1, 9 Handyside Street, Art House, London N1C 4AY Knightfrank.co.uk/kingscross
Images are computer generated
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LIVING THE
DREAM The most luxuriously appointed properties on the market
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GAINSBOROUGH HOUSE N W 3 , GUIDE : ÂŁ8 M I L L I O N
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unique penthouse apartment located within Hampstead's premier development, 'Mount Vernon'. Extending to approximately 3,267 sq ft this stunning home is arranged over three floors and offers excellent entertaining space enjoying spectacular views over central London. A bright, spacious apartment that has recently been refurbished to a high standard that enjoys triple aspect views. KNIGHT FRANK
Hampstead, 020 7317 7960 knightfrank.com
ONSLOW GARDENS N 1 0 , ÂŁ1,19 9,95 0
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stunning three bedroom apartment, with two reception rooms. This property is split over two levels, and you can enjoy 1,576 square foot of indoor space along with a large private garden. Situated in a period property on the Highgate side of Muswell Hill, a sought after North London suburb, you will love being a short walk from excellent schools, good transport links and independent shops. MARTYN GERRARD Muswell Hill, 020 8444 3388 martyngerrard.co.uk 1
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PROPERTY • NEW TO THE MARKET
THORNHILL ROAD N 1 , £9 9 5 ,0 0 0
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WINKWORTH
KNIGHT FRANK
Islington Office: 020 7354 2480 winkworth.co.uk
Islington,, 020 3657 7340 knightfrank.com
n outstanding upper maisonette in a Georgian building on Thornhill road in Islington. Having been extensively remodelled and renovated, the flat has been finished to the highest standard and boasts generous proportions and fantastic views in all rooms. The property is perfectly positioned for numerous transport links and the amenities of Upper Street.
WELLINGTON ROW
AUBERT ROAD
handsome family five bedroom home in Highbury. The property has wonderful proportions, high ceilings and retains a wealth of period features including original fireplaces and extensive decorative ceiling cornicing. Aubert Road is an extremely popular residential street within a short distance of the cafes, shops, delis, and rail links.
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his property is an immaculately presented Victorian house, boasting an eclectic mix of period charm with a contemporary finish. The property has two bedrooms, is mid terrace, and measures approximately 961 square feet. The location is just moments from Columbia Road and a variety of restaurants and boutique stores. The property is also close to Shoreditch and The City.
THE LOCATION IS JUST MOMENTS FROM COLUMBIA ROAD AND A VARIETY OF RESTAURANTS AND BOUTIQUE STORES
STIRLING ACKROYD
Shoreditch, 020 7749 3838 stirlingackroyd.com
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from
Management I Maintenace I Lettings I Sales Working for you and your property
020 8781 9599 or info@daveys.co DAVEYS.indd 1
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Move into your parkside home
Visit the Fenman House show apartment today Now complete, Fenman House is available to move in. Set amongst the manicured parks and gardens of King’s Cross, it is just a few minutes’ walk to the most well connected train stations in the city, meaning all the benefits of central London are on your doorstep. 2 bedroom apartments from £1,425,000*
Marketing suite 14-15 Stable Street London N1C 4AB.
Book your appointment: 020 7205 4961 fenmanhouse.co.uk *Price correct at the time of going to press.
FENMAN.indd 1 0747 Argent Absolutely City_297x210_03.01.18 ART.indd 1
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407-409 Holloway Road, London, N7 6HP
020 7607 5001 drivers.co.uk
SALES
Ashburton Triangle, Drayton Park, N5 | £375,000 One double bedroom apartment in pristine condition with wood flooring in most rooms. Located in a modern development on the fringe of the Emirates stadium in the heart of Drayton Park, near to shops and transport links. Private Balcony | 2nd Floor (Level 4) with Lift | Secure Block with Concierge | Chain Free | EPC Rating: Band C
Marlborough Road, Upper Holloway, N19 | £1,450,000 Six bedroom Victorian period mid-terraced house arranged over four floors. Key features include a reception with a bay window and a modern fitted kitchen/dining room. Shower Rooms | South-East Facing Rear Garden | Close to Underground, Shops & Buses | Freehold | Chain Free | EPC Rating: Band D
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LETTINGS
Holloway Road, London, N7 | £465 per week A newly built penthouse apartment with two double bedrooms. Featuring a modern kitchen with stone counter top and integrated appliances and a spacious open plan reception room with sliding doors onto a private roof terrace. Gas Central Heating | Double Glazing | Ensuite Bath/Shower Rooms | Guest WC | Available Now | Furnished or Unfurnished | EPC Rating Band D
Parkhurst Court, London, N7 | £370 per week Newly refurbished two double bedroom apartment situated in a private development on Warlters Road. Benefits include a modern separate kitchen, spacious reception room and tiled bathroom with bath and shower attachment. Keys held for immediate viewing. Underfloor Heating | Laminate Wood Flooring Throughout | Close to Shops & Transport | Available Now | Furnished or Unfurnished | EPC Rating Band E
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PROPERTY • FEATURE
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CURZON STREET £ 1 1 .9 5 M I L L I O N
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M AY FA I R
duplex penthouse at 37 Curzon Street in Mayfair built above the famous cinema that bears the street’s name. The 3,469 sq ft property has four bedrooms and offers views from its wrap-around terrace over the local area as well as the House of Parliament, London Eye and Shard. The property was also formerly the home of 1960s pop star Dave Clarke. More information from Savills on +44 (0) 20 7578 5100 or www.savills.com
LONDON'S FINEST The Capital’s Premium Locations
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ondon’s Despite fears over Brexit London’s super prime house prices are yet to tumble, even if they’re not selling as fast as they used to, as these properties which have been on the market since August show. London’s quiet and highly valuable central prime streets have endured a rollercoaster ride over the past 12 month as various economic and political headwinds have dampened enthusiasm for their multi-millionpound properties. But the UK’s capital remains an incredible place to buy a home. A square foot of property in historic and desirable neighbourhoods such as South Kensington, Notting Hill, Belgravia, Mayfair and Holland Park costs over £2,000 while values in other areas nearby such as Earls
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Court and Chelsea aren’t far behind. In the most expensive areas this means a medium-size 1,600 sq ft or 148 sq metre Victorian or Georgian house will cost £3.7 million. And according to data firm LonRes, property worth £3.6 billion is set to be sold in the three key prime areas of central London this year, despite Brexit and higher property taxes. Within them 47% of all properties are sold for £2 million more although the average price per property sold is £1.72 million, this ranges from a £57 million Regency house in The Boltons to £350,000 for a small studio apartment in Bloomsbury. But what really makes London famous around the world are its super-prime properties. Here we highlight some of the most notable ones currently for sale for £10 million or more – and sometimes… a lot more.
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THE BISHOP ’S AVENUE £22 MILLION
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or those who want period looks, a modern interior and an address on the possibly the world’s most famous road then agent Glentree has this four-storey, seven-bedroom house on The Bishop’s Avenue, better known as Billionaire’s Row. For more information, call 020 8458 7311 or Glentree.co.uk
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CURZON STREET £25 MILLION
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W E ST M I N ST E R
f you want to claim one of the – if not THE – most amazing views over London as you own then this two-floor penthouse at the top of the Riverwalk new homes development in Westminster overlooking The Thames. The property, which has five bedrooms, a kitchen on each floor, offers 360-degree views of the capital capturing iconic landmarks including the City and the South Bank, the Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Shard and St Pauls. More information from Knight Frank (020 7828 3007).
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1 5 0 Y E A R S I N T H E M A K I NG APARTMENTS UNVEILING THIS JANUARY
B e come ne ig hb ours with Ce n tral S ain t Mar tin s, Lou is Vu itton , Eve ry ma n C ine ma an d th e n ew Th omas H e ath e r wick d e sig n e d s hop p ing d e stinati on , Coal Drop s Yard . B e p ar t of Lon d on ’s b e st con n e cte d n e ig h b ou r h ood .
Studio apa r tm e n ts from £ 8 1 0,0 0 0 * Book an appointment +44 (0)20 7205 2107 gasholderslondon.co.uk
View our new show apartments. Meet with a member of the team at 14-15 Stable Street, London, N1C 4AB
*Prices correct at time of going to press.
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RICHMOND ROAD, E8
£2,350,000 A simply stunning and well-proportioned five bedroom Victorian terraced house with driveway in the heart of t London Fields. Packed with original features including sash windows and fire places. FREEHOLD Hackney Office 020 7749 3807
EAGLE POINT, EC1
£1,650,000 Set within this handsome art deco inspired building the apartment has been upgraded from the original specification by the current owners to create a truly one off bespoke apartment of the highest calibre. LEASEHOLD Shoreditch Office 020 7749 3838
THE STRAND, WC2
£2,800,000 This spacious apartment has floor to ceiling windows and opens out to a private balcony. The open plan kitchen, made for entertaining is fitted with stainless steel Miele appliances, marble counters and bespoke kitchen cabinets. LEASEHOLD West End Office 020 7256 3244
Stirling Ackroyd Residential and Commercial Agents in East London and City Fringes for over 30 years. For Commercial enquiries call 020 7729 7763. www.stirlingackroyd.com
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LEXINGTON APARTMENTS, CITY ROAD, EC1
£1,250,000 Set on the 9th and 10th floors of this sought-after development on the edge of the Square Mile is a superb three bedroom, south-facing penthouse with a private terrace overlooking historic Bunhill Fields and the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company. The apartment intersects the boundaries of the City of London and fashionable Shoreditch and Clerkenwell.
Leasehold • Approx. 1170Sq Ft • EPC= E • 2 storey penthouse • Three bedrooms
• Private terrace • Stunning City views
Stirling Ackroyd Clerkenwell 020 7549 0606 106 St. John Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4EH
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PROPERTY • FEATURE
CASSIA HOUSE GOODMAN'S FIELDS "Situated at the heart of The City’s premium residential district"
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erkeley Homes (North East London) Ltd is preparing to unveil a new show apartment at Cassia House - the final phase of homes at its award-winning development, Goodman’s Fields in Aldgate, E1. Situated at the heart of The City’s premium residential district, amidst a new network of luxury facilities and leisure opportunities, Goodman’s Fields embodies one of the finest lifestyle offerings in the capital, in easy reach of Shoreditch High Street and Spitalfields Market, while Aldgate East Tube is a two-minute walk away. Occupying a 22-storey tower, Cassia House will be home to 40 one and twobedroom apartments and penthouses. With interior design by acclaimed practice, Scott Brownrigg, the new, twobedroom, 900 sq ft show apartment reflects the stylish, urban lifestyles that are set to play out at the scheme. Intelligent floorplans are brought to life, with generously proportioned indoor and outdoor spaces arranged to showcase the flexibility and potential of each home at Cassia House. With a soft interiors palette of greys and neutral tones, the kitchen/living area enjoys accents of rich gold and emerald green – two of this year’s most popular interior trends.
“Intelligent floorplans are brought to life, with generously proportioned indoor and outdoor spaces” 94
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Floor to ceiling windows and a balcony welcome the inflow of natural light, and will provide an uninterrupted outlook over the new public park - Chaucer Gardens - on completion. The high specification kitchen is fitted with HD back lighting, integrated Siemens appliances and a wine cooler, as well as a breakfast bar for additional practicality. The master bedroom and second bedroom have been designed as havens of comfort, with a plush array of soft furnishings and contemporary art on the walls, as well as spacious dressing areas, luxury carpeting, and glass sliding doors. A hotel inspired bathroom and en-suite off the master bedroom complete the high specification that resonates through the show apartment. Beyond the show apartment, Goodman’s Fields is immersed in an enviable social scene, which now comprises a 250 bed hotel, a Sainsbury’s Local, an Urban Fitness gym, a 12x3 boxing gym, a Geronimo Inns
gastropub – the Leman Street Tavern, a Pilpel Falafel Bar, a Pastry Parlour café, a Pizza Union, and a boutique Curzon Cinema. A new Mosaic pub called the Running Horse will open this October, with The Amber Café and Escape Rooms due to open in time for the new year. On site, five-star hotel-style facilities set a new benchmark in luxury living, with an opulent health club, which includes a heated indoor 18m swimming pool and spa, a state-of-the-art gym, and a dedicated spin studio, and a 28-seat private screening room provides entertainment for all the family. An onsite business lounge enables residents to work or host meetings from the convenience of Goodman’s Fields, while a 24 hour concierge is on hand to deliver a tailor-made service. The imminent arrival of Crossrail at nearby Whitechapel Station and Liverpool Street Station from December 2018 makes Goodman’s Fields one of London’s best connected new build schemes, reducing journey times to Canary Wharf to six minutes, Bond Street to seven minutes and Heathrow Airport to 35 minutes. Residents also benefit from easy access to Aldgate East in two minutes, Aldgate Underground Station in five minutes and – via the underground - Liverpool Street in five minutes, and St Pancras International in 14 minutes. Prices at Cassia House at Goodman’s Fields start at £1,040,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. First completions are scheduled for Q2 2020.
For more information and prices please contact the marketing suite on 020 3217 1000 or please visit: www.goodmansfields.co.uk or contact Knight Frank 020 7861 5499 or visit www.knightfrank.com or contact JLL 020 7493 4933 or visit www.jll.co.uk
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THE FINEST RIVER VIEW IN LONDON WATERFRONT PENTHOUSE COLLECTION ARRANGE A VIEWING TODAY Simply stunning: the new penthouse collection at Waterfront is the ultimate in luxury, with breathtaking views up and down the river to Canary Wharf, the City and the Thames Barrier. Royal Arsenal Riverside is an amazing destination. Residents can relax in the sumptuous spa facilities of The Waterside Club, and enjoy on-site dining, riverside walks, shopping, and a forthcoming Crossrail station.
A limited collection of 2 and 3 bedroom duplex penthouses available Prices from ÂŁ1,295,000 Viewing by appointment only - call 020 3733 7325 to register your interest Sales & Marketing Suite open 10am to 6pm (Thursdays until 8pm) Imperial Building, No. 2 Duke of Wellington Avenue, Royal Arsenal Riverside, Woolwich, London SE18 6FR Photography is indicative only. Prices and information correct at time of going to press.
www.royalarsenalriverside.co.uk Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies
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FA M O U S P L AC E S by N I G E L L E W I S
London hides a plethora of celebrity homes. These are the most recent to come on the market
COMES WITH BAGGY TROUSERS
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SPITFIRES AND PIANOS
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his extraordinary building was originally the home of a famous piano manufacturer that made instruments for Beethoven as well as Strauss and Sibelius. Then, during the Second World War the factory is where canopies and propellers were made for the iconic Spitfire fighter. After the war its owner Chappell & Co returned to making pianos but by 1970 had lost out to cheaper instruments made in the Far East. During the 1970s and 1980s the premises became a studio complex for photographers and modelling agencies and it’s here that many famous photo shoots for Vogue, Tatler and Harpers & Queen
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magazines were completed. During the late 1990s the property, which is in the fashionable area of Camden in London, was bought by developer Hallmark Property Group which, in 2013, began a four-year conversion of the building into ten loft-style apartments. That has now been completed and the penthouse has already been sold. Buyers of the remaining properties will enjoy a shared residents’ Club Lounge which includes a bar, cinema, 17-metre long pool, a spa area and a gym. Its history and luxurious surroundings do not come cheap. Prices at Chappell Lofts start at £3.25 million and rise to £8.5 million. More information from joins agents Savills (020 3425 5615) or Aston Chase (020 77214 4724).
op band Madness is still going strong despite 37 years having passed since their first hit album, One Step Beyond, was released. The band’s mix of ska, thoughtful lyrics and outrageously silly videos has given the band a loyal following across the generations, helped by a relentless gigging schedule and regular album releases. Much of its ‘nutty boys’ persona is down to lead singer Suggs who, as well as regular appearances on TV, writes much of the band’s material. He, like the rest of Madness, hails from Camden in North London and despite fame and fortune hasn’t wandered far. And now one of his early homes in the area is for sale. It’s a mews house lived in by Suggs during the early years of Madness. Bought by the current owner off the singer during the late 1980s, it has subsequently been expanded and now includes a fully fitted kitchen, large reception room, three double bedrooms and three bathrooms. Camden Mews is a highly sought after location just off Camden Square. This cobbled mews is famous for its diverse architecture and onward travel links to the City and Kings Cross St Pancras. Suggs bought the property in 1981 and in his autobiography, recalls how he “finally arrived at my newly purchased house in Camden Mews. It had been part of the stables for the bigger houses at the back. It was pretty, but tiny.” It’s for sale at £1.95m. Call Savills on 0203 428 2900 for more information.
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PROPERTY • STAR HOMES
THE DUNKIRK BEACH STAR
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unkirk, this year’s blockbuster about the rescue of British troops during WWII, marked the acting debut of One Direction singer Harry Styles. But the film enlisted some much older talent. One of the rescue boats hired by Dunkirk’s producers was Xylonite, a Thames sailing barge. The 86ft long and 18.5ft wide barge was built in 1926 and worked the waters off the East Coast of England until 1977. What viewers won’t have known is that Xylonite is a four-bedroom luxury home normally moored at St Katherine’s Dock in Tower Bridge. As well as being certified to be sailed at sea she has a wealth of original maritime features plus all the modern fixtures you’d expect of a luxury home. She is being sold via Riverhomes.co.uk for £395,000.
"One of the rescue boats hired by Dunkirk's producers was Xylonite, a Thames sailing barge"
BAKEWELL EXITS PRIMROSE HILL
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oan Bakewell is one of the nation’s best-known writers and broadcasters and has a remarkable track record in campaigning journalism under her belt. Despite all her work, for which she was made a Baroness in 2011, Bakewell is also well-known for her relationship with Harold Pinter. Throughout Joan's career, she has lived in the same house in Primrose Hill, north of central London, which she bought in 1963 when the area was a bohemian neighbourhood. Neighbours since have included playwright Alan Bennett, poets Ted Hughes and his wife Sylvia Plath, TV presenter Jon Snow and Robert Plant, lead singer of Led Zeppelin. But now Bakewell is downsizing and has put her home on the market for £6.25 million. Overlooking a pretty green, the large Victorian house includes a selfcontained two-bedroom flat, a garden and four bedrooms.
More information from David Birkett Estate agents, 020 3641 2618.
A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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50 years of fulfilling dreams
...for all generations GOLD
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2016
me dium agency
WOODSOME ROAD, DARTMOUTH PARK, NW5
2016
me
d i u m a g en c y
£1,950,000 FREEHOLD
A five bedroom family home, arranged over three floors, located moments from Parliament Hill Fields. THE OWNERS LOVE
WE’VE NOTICED
“Being 5 minutes from our kids schools, 30 seconds from the Heath, and 10 seconds from the Bull and Last is all I can say about the location”
Highgate Village is at the top of Highgate West Hill with a varied selection of independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
“The kitchen/dining extension even though north facing has great balance of light that feels bright and airy even in the winter months” “The large rear roof terrace is so great to dine and drink cocktails on a summers evening as it’s bathed in sun until dusk”
• Five bedrooms • Two bathrooms • Two reception rooms • Kitchen/breakfast room • Private garden • Roof terrace • Close to schools • EPC Rating - E
Contact Mark Newton at our Kentish Town office on 020 7267 3737 MG_NXNW_DPS.indd 1
www.martyngerrard.co.uk 13/12/2017 17:22
50 years of fulfilling dreams
...for all generations GOLD
silver
london lettings agency
london estate agency
2016
me dium agency
THE BELL TOWER, PRIORY PARK, HA8
2016
me
d i u m a g en c y
£1,650,000 SOF
The Bell Tower is a brand new luxury three bedroom, two bathroom apartment located in Priory Park, Edgware. THE OWNERS LOVE…
WE’VE NOTICED…
“The property is conveniently located whether you are travelling by train, tube or taking the car”
Bedrooms two and three share a Jack and Jill bathroom, while the master bedroom has an en suite.
“There is a high specification kitchen and interior brickwork is painted throughout, to streamline with the stone window ledges and give the internal environment an updated, contemporary feel”
The living area extends over eight metres in length and has high arched windows on both walls.
“A restored fireplace with unique pillar features to either side creates a focal point”
• Three bedrooms • Two reception rooms • Two bathrooms • High ceilings • High specification kitchen • EPC Rating - TBC
Contact Jatin Shah at our Mill Hill office on 020 8906 0660
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WE ARE NORTH LONDON WE ARE MARTYN GERRARD
We know where all the hidden gems are, let us find yours.
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Faster. Sell or let with Knight Frank. Our understanding of the ever-changing market enables us to price properties accurately. So whether you’re looking to buy or sell, let or rent; you can rely on Knight Frank to get you moving. Knight Frank Islington 353 Upper Street London N1 0PD 020 3657 7340 @KF_NorthLondon islington@knightfrank.com
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