February 2010 by ABSOLUTELY Magazines

YOUR PREMIER GUIDE TO LUXURY LIVING

FEBRUARY 2010

TRUE FAITH

THE RISE OF LOCAL GIRL PALOMA FAITH

DESIGNER FOOD

SIR TERENCE CONRAN GOES BACK TO BASICS

STYLE IT UP

CELEBRITY STYLIST ZOE LEM SHARES HER FASHION KNOWLEDGE FAMILY FOOD & DRINK LOCAL SPOTLIGHT GADGETS INTERIORS FASHION SHOPPING PROPERTY

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CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2010

FEATURES 7 12 29 38 40 51 60

EDITOR’s PIcK The must-see events of this month

KEEP THE FaITH Paloma Faith talks fashion, performing live and the number 38 bus

sTyLE IT UP

Stylist to the stars, Zoe Lem shows Jenny White how to dress to impress

FIvE OF THE BEsT THEmED NIGHTs Keep yourself entertained every night of the week with the top five themed nights in north London

HEaD OF THE TaBLE Sir Terence Conran shares his secrets to the perfect lunch

my DEsIGNER LIFE Local interior designer, Abigail Ahern, reveals why she loves to create the perfect home for her clients

LOcaL TaLENT City and Islington College students exhibit their photography work of Islington with a little help from the locals

40 REGULARS n EDITOR’s LETTER n FamILy n HEaLTH & BEaUTy n FasHION n FOOD & DRINK n INTERIORs n GaDGETs n mOTORING n aRT n PROPERTy

Editor’s l et t er

CITYLIFE MAGAZINES

February can be a bit of a ‘blah’ month. The weather is still freezing cold, the skies are grey and everyone is still suffering from the winter blues. However, here at the City and Angel we have made it our mission to find you a whole host of fun things to do and see in your area. So, let’s make February worth getting out of bed for!

Editor Lesley Ellwood Editorial Director Kate Harrison Deputy Editor Jenny White Motoring Editor Matthew Carter Fashion Editor Lucie Dodds

For those of you who may have forgotten – it’s Valentine’s Day this month – shame on you! So we have found you lots of gift ideas and beauty products to help you look hot for that allimportant date. If you want something fun to do on the night, whether you are coupled-up or single, then check out the Five of the Best Themed Nights, for something a little bit different. If you are looking for a Valentine’s present that beats the standard bunch of roses and box of chocolates, then read our interview with local graffiti artist, Andy Seize. Chatting about how he turned a teenage hobby into a successful career, Andy explains how he has started running graffiti lessons for the public, showing how fun it is to be creative.

Senior Designers Laddawan Juhong/ Hiren Chandarana

Production Manager Dan Hyde Sales Director Eren Ellwood P.A. to Sales Director Ella Kilgarriff Group Advertising Director Sherif Shaltout PR & Marketing Manager Rebecca Walton Managing Director Giles Ellwood Finance Manager Annette Habel

Moving on from Valentine’s Day, I chat to rising star, Paloma Faith about her up and coming tour and how she is dealing with her new found fame. A multi-talented songbird, who still uses public transport, Paloma divulges her life ambitions, how she tries to live up to fan expectation and using fashion as a form of escapism. On the subject of fashion, check out my styling session with celebrity stylist Zoe Lem; see how the local owner of My Sugarland boutique can help you dress for your body shape. Zoe’s words of wisdom will help you look fabulous without having to give up eating out; meaning you can head to Ziloufs to see what our Foodie, Carrie Mitchell, is raving about this month. Enjoy!

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FEBRUARY 2010

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Jenny White TRUE FAITH

THE RISE OF LOCAL GIRL PALOMA FAITH

DESIGNER FOOD

SIR TERENCE CONRAN GOES BACK TO BASICS

In partnership with

STYLE IT UP

CELEBRITY STYLIST ZOE LEM SHARES HER FASHION KNOWLEDGE FAMILY FOOD & DRINK LOCAL SPOTLIGHT GADGETS INTERIORS FASHION SHOPPING PROPERTY

THE CITY & ANGEL MAGAZINE Photography by Marcin Gulbicki from City and Islington College

CONTRIBUTORS Carrie Mitchell is a writer and editor who previously worked for InStyle and Elle magazine, writing about fashion, beauty and lifestyle. She is currently features and travel writer for Wedding magazine.

Matthew Carter is a London-based freelance journalist who’s been writing about cars for most of his working life. A former editor of Autocar magazine, Matthew is a serial car owner, who currently has five in his stable, including a couple of classic Alfas and an awesome 550hp Ford GT.

Jamie Carter is a freelance journalist specializing in gadgets and technology, Jamie has written for the likes of T3, Home Cinema Choice and The Guardian as well as a number of websites.

Image Sarah Hyndman. Almeida Theatre registered charity no 282167. *Tickets are subject to availability you will need to show proof of address. Eligible postcodes are EC1, N1, N4, N5, N6, N7, N19.

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Dance

danza contEmporanEa dE cuba at sadlEr’s WElls Tuesday, 23 February until Saturday, 20 March 2010

www.sadlerswells.com Described by The Guardian as ‘one of the world’s most exciting dance groups’, Danza Contemporanea de Cuba bring their first major UK tour to Sadler’s Wells. World famous, but rarely seen outside of Cuba, Danza Contemporanea de Cuba celebrates its 50th anniversary with a show that sees the company of 21 dancers bringing the heat and passion of Cuba to the stage with an eclectic mix of contemporary dance fused with AfroCaribbean and Spanish styles - breathtaking!

photography by city and islington studEnts www.islington.gov.uk Spot the photography talent of the future at an exhibition of commercial work produced by first year photography students from City and Islington College. With pictures of local landmarks and the Islington area, course tutor, Terry Sims explains that it is a great opportunity for the students to showcase their work. “This competition has recognised their hard work and introduced some of them to the arena of commercial photography for the first time.” Sponsored by Hugh Grover Associates, the exhibition is at the Islington Central Library from 1 February until 8 February and culminates with an award for the best project.

exercise

yoga at my sugarland info@mysugarland.co.uk, 020 7841 7121 Vintage boutique, My Sugarland is collaborating with award-winning yoga teacher Naomi Reynolds to offer dynamic yoga classes at the shop to help you get healthy this new year. With a lively and ever-evolving space, My Sugarland is always striving to respond to the varied needs of its customers’ lifestyles. So rather than the usual boring white walls of a gym, why not surround yourself with beautiful and inspiring clothes and trinkets as you align your body and take a few deep breaths.

LITTLE Black Book This month’s best deals, bargains and must-haves – get your pens at the ready!

l lo C a l l a r o f t n D i s C o ue s s e s OQO ton Green, busin nable Isling

the fashio teriors with Situated on bines rich in m co e Showing g n u bar and lo ue cocktails. l, OQO iq n u d an fresh ithin Ange outstanding businesses w l customers l ca lo f o rt its suppo s bills for al ampagne 5% of drink excludes Ch is offering 2 is h (t n to g Islin graffiti who work in are also hosting a live reakz on hey h Graffiti B and food). T it w g in n e ce ev ks, chic and breakdan , with discounted drin So J bar, erground D 20 February. d n u e th d to head to ent an nly the place entertainm ai rt ce is O OQ Frankenbar, . th n this mo n Green,

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EnTErTaInIng EaTIng

Never heard of Teppanyaki-style eating? Then head to Sen Nin Teppanyaki Restaurant on Upper Street to experience a fun and entertaining evening. Guests share tables surrounding a large hot plate where theatrical Japanese chefs whirl, twirl, juggle, flip and flame raw ingredients into delectable meals. Offering 50% off their New Year set menu, which includes five Japanese starters, three main dishes and a choice of two desserts, this is an experience not to be missed. For the discount voucher see website: www.sin-nin.com

Cheap getaway

You may only live around the corner but why not indulge in a romantic night at the Hoxton Hotel in Shoreditch, in one of their fabulous rooms – for just £1! The Hoxton Hotel £1 sale offers 1,000 bedrooms up for grabs via their website, with 500 rooms at £1 and the other 500 at £29 from the 1st February until 30th April. It is the perfect romantic getaway without the travelling – but be quick! www.hoxtonhotels.com/offer

Website of the month

If you are searching for something special to wear this Valentine’s Day then don’t fret as theLBD.co.uk is the answer to your problems. Showing that black is back this month, theLBD.co.uk offers an unmatchable selection of stylish and stunning black dresses from some of the UK’s hottest independent designers. Why not give your other half something to smile about… www.theLBD.co.uk020 7354 9993 www.theoldqueenshead.com

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their familie itions: Entry is open to residen s) of Smal ts of the UK l Luxury Ho printers an tels of the except em d agents, World (SLH ployees (a the supplie with the co ) and RunW nd rs of the pr mpetitions ild Media izes and an . The editors Gro y other co decision is mpanies as up, its final. sociated The winne r will be dr awn at ra winner mus ndom on t be aged 28 Februa 18 or over of a false ry, 2010 an . Pr name or ad d notified dress will re oof of identity and directly by by email. age may sult in disq the person The be require ualificatio entering th availability d. Use n. All entri e competit at the tim es must be e of book io apply) are n. Th e prizes ar made ing (standa not transfe e as rd Se stated, su rable to an will be offe bject other individ rvice Provider book red. Winne ing conditio to rs are resp ual and no specifically onsible fo ns cash or ot included in r ex he passports pe the prizes, r alternative nses and ar and visas. including s rangemen any nece Prizes are and cond ts not ssary trave subject to itions. The l, travel do availability promoters competitio cuments, and the pr reserve th ns and reje ize e right to suppliersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ct entries competitio amend terms from n. by email by The winner will be ch entrants not enterin or alter the terms of g into the osen from the closing spirit of the all correct must be re date state entries subm deemed be d Reasonab fore Januar within the promotio itted to SL H nal mater le efforts w y 31, 2011 ial and the ill be mad . Winners w provide an e to contac prize ill be confi address fo rmed in w t a winner. r delivery, result in fo rit in Fa or failure to rfeiture of g. ilure to resp the prize. with these ond and/ If they cann meet the eligibility or terms and requiremen ot be cont co the next el ts may acted, or igible entra nditions, the Promot are un er reserves nt drawn judges is fi at ra the right to able comply nal of will be ente based on the criteria ndom. Where appl icable, the fer the prize to red into ov set out in decision of the promot er this deci at any tim the e. The Serv sion. Com ion and no pe ic correspon e Provider promotiona tit dence and contac ions may be modifi l material. ed or with t details ar drawn e specified within the

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COUNCIL MINUTES

A ROUND UP OF WHAT ISLINGTON COUNCIL IS DOING FOR THE BOROUGH…

CAUGHT IN THE ACTION Special decoy bikes are being left in the cycle theft hotspots around Islington in a bid to catch thieves. Islington Council and Islington Police are teaming up to help cyclists avoid falling prey to criminals. “Some simple security steps, like good bike locks, can make all the difference and we want to help cyclists to keep their bikes safe,” says Councillor Barbara Smith, Islington Council’s executive member for community safety. If you want to enquire if cycle stands can be installed near your home/work in Islington

SAVING THE

then email: volkan.ulucay@islington.gov.uk

PENNIES

IT’S A SLIPPERY MATTER Ruth Polling, Islington Council’s leisure chief was seen pitching in and helping sweep away the borough’s fallen leaves. The huge clearance operation is currently under way in parks, states and open spaces in the area. Clearing the leaves away will help prevent paths from becoming slippery, as well as damaging grass and allowing plant’s the sunlight needed to grow. “This is an important job and it was great to see first hand how hard our dedicated teams are working across the borough,” explains Ruth. “What’s more, it’s a green operation because all the leaves get recycled and come back as handy compost.”

Fancy saving around £100 on bills while helping to cut carbon emissions? Well, thanks to a new free energy-saving package put together by Islington Council and Homes for Islington you can. Offering reflective radiator panels, draught excluders and electricity monitors, The Warming by Degrees project will see British Gas carrying out the programme from January until the end of March. “We want Islington’s homes to be the greenest in London, and also to save our residents money,” explains Councillor Greg Foxsmith, Islington Council’s executive member for environment. “This practical package should succeed on both fronts.” For more information, call the council’s Green Living Centre on 0800 953 1221

GREEN FINGERS Gardener’s World presenter, Joe Swift joined students at St. Aloysius College to launch an allotment and food growing business funded by the Islington Council. ‘Delicious @ Aloysius’ was founded by

www.islington.gov.uk

14 Year 10 students studying a Diploma in Business and Finance after they applied for a grant from the council’s Edible Islington food growing fund. Having set up an allotment in their school grounds, they plan to sell the produce they grow to the school and the local community.

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TRUTH + FaITH Paloma Faith is on the brink of becoming a star and as the North Londoner prepares for her tour, she talks to Jenny White about Amy Winehouse, her fans and taking public transport

t seems that Paloma Faith, pop’s newest showgirl songstress, and I have a few things in common. Born in Hackney and brought up in Stoke Newington, Paloma can often be found riding the number 38 bus; as can I. It stops right outside my house in Islington, which is, incidentally, near to where she was educated at Islington Green School.We chat about the area and how it is still very much her home. “I always think I am so much a product of where I come from. I am really proud because it isn’t on the map at all and I think I have come really far,” she says in her wispy North London accent. “It was really sweet the other day, I got off the 38 at Dalston Junction and this girl came up to me and was like, ‘Are you Paloma Faith?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah.’ And she was like, ‘I can’t believe you’re on the 38.’ And I was like, ‘I have been on the 38 my whole life!’” Our other similarity is to do with matters of the heart. Her track New York, from her debut album, Do You Want The Truth or Something Beautiful, is about how, a now ex-boyfriend went to work in New York and fell in love with the city, choosing life there over their relationship. I explain to Paloma that my boyfriend also moved to New York for work and how at the time I worried that I may have lost him to the bright lights. However, unlike Paloma, my tale wouldn’t have made

the top 20, as it had a happy ending and as we know, happy endings never sell. This however, is where our similarities end and the fairytale begins. A former magician’s assistant, Paloma trained in contemporary dance before studying for an MA in Drama at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design; funding her studies through part-time work in Agent Provocateur. Singing in cabaret and burlesque clubs, she at first mimicked the blues and soul singers she admired; Etta James, Billie Holiday, PJ Harvey and Edith Piaf. Eventually finding her own voice, she sings with a raspy insouciance and a distinctive high-pitched quality that has lead to descriptions such as: “Bjork meets Roisin Murphy while possessed by the ghost of Billie Holiday.” She has been compared to Amy Winehouse and

interview xxxxxxx

Duffy, a comparison that is easy to see but not necessarily as clean cut. “I think they are both incredibly talented and so in that respect it doesn’t annoy me to be compared to them but what I would say is that those two albums (by Amy and Duffy), were more of a pastiche of that era of music, whereas I would say that I am a soul singer who is influenced by the past but I have presented it in a contemporary way,” she explains. “Just because they came first doesn’t mean that I suddenly learnt how to do it, I was already doing it, but in media terms they came first.” Winehouse and Paloma’s paths crossed years ago when Paloma turned down a place in Amy’s backing band, and although they share the same soul voice, unlike her fellow north Londoner, she has no addictions. Her first single, Stone Cold Sober talks about staying

straight while those around you are boozing and taking drugs and her song, 0, is the soundtrack to that alcohol awareness advert. “I am really proud of Amy because she is proper north London girl and has done so well. I hope she gets passed her troubles,” Paloma says with true sincerity. Performing since the age of four, Paloma has certainly been waiting for her break for quite a while. Her name has been tossed around in underground arts circles in London for some time and with her background in dance and her desire to conquer the film world – she played Andrea, the grungy Emo rocker in the first St Trinian’s and had a cameo in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Heath Ledger’s last film before his death) – she has been mixing media throughout her career. When she is performing on stage she

interview

uses props such as oversized dominoes, huge white balloons and tiny chairs to create a mad, Alice in Wonderland feel to her performance and never does the same show twice. “I am very lucky to say this but I do have some of the most wonderful fans in the world, they are so adorable and very caring. They are very patient and smiley, so when I am on stage I like to make it quite intimate,” she says. “I have quite a few people who follow me around on tour and who have seen the show more than once and so I aim to give them something different every night.” Paloma has the greatest laugh; a sort of cackle that makes you want to laugh along with her. At only 24 she looks like she was born to play the fame game. Her style is Hollywood pin-up with a slightly kooky edge; red lips, magenta ringlets and big Bambi eyes. She explains how her inexorable rise to stardom took a sudden leap forward when the release date of her debut single had to be brought forward a month because UK radio had leapt on it with such zeal. Although ‘exciting,’ it has been a little bit of a shock to the system. “The thing that is so unexpected is the shear amount of work. Unfortunately, in the current society music is not just music, it is interviews, the way you dress, you have to be seen at certain events and you have to have a personality. It is all very full on,” she says, explaining that she understands what is expected of her. “I have a love, hate relationship with it because on occasions I am like, ‘Yay, this is the best thing, I am having so much fun.’ And then other times I am thinking how sad that it is not just about music.

For me it is not about the fame but obviously I get that it is part of it. I guess I just find it funny because I am still getting the bus and tube everywhere, its just now my journey has been extended by a minimum of 20 minutes every time to stop for autographs.” And does she mind being stopped? “It is reassuring that at least people know who I am, which for a long time they didn’t and it has been a slow climb. However, the actual stopping to do autographs, when you are not expecting it is quite a weird thing,” she flusters, not wanting to seem rude or ungrateful. “It is sweet and I never ever want to be nasty to anybody. I am always trying to be nice and not generic because I know that it is nice when you meet someone to feel like you have made a connection with them and not just been palmed off. That is important to me to treat people as individuals and human beings but if I am honest and I had a choice it is something I would rather not do. Only because I feel embarrassed and I feel that I have to live up to an expectation that personally, I feel I am only able to live up to when I am on stage.” It is interesting to discover that someone who is so bold and with such a strong sense of self, could ever be embarrassed or somewhat fearful of not living up to expectations. Taking inspiration from her own life and adding ‘flavours and twists’ from books and films when writing songs, it seems that Paloma frequently uses her music as a way to escape.You only have to look at the title of her album or take note of her fashion sense to see that she likes to create a magical world to immerse herself in. “The way in which I dress is all about reinvention and escapism. I dress like this every day because I think it is important to have a sense of occasion and I think every day I live is something that I should celebrate,” explains Paloma. “Since I have become a pop star the way that I dress has been much more accepted but in the past people would always laugh at me and slag me off. I still have friends who get that treatment, who dress exactly the same as me, but because they are not celebrities they still get it. It’s really ‘orrible.” Whatever autograph hunters expect from Paloma, there is doubt they will always find a down-to-earth, north London girl, who like us all, has a long list of lifelong ambitions which she is yet to achieve. “I have ticked off appearing on Later…with Jools Holland and now what is left is to get a bigger selling album next time around, maybe get in the top ten a bit more often and I would like to duet with Paolo Nutini,” she says with a cheeky giggle. “I would like to pay homage to my influences, with big bands and orchestras and just keep going. Also, I am very broody, so in the future I would like to have children. But for now my main ambition is to buy my own a flat, in Dalston.” It’s nice to see that Paloma Faith is a true north Londoner, who has no plans to move away from the number 38 bus route any time soon. n www.palomafaith.com

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PAUL A. YOUNG What better way to say ‘I love you,’ then with a beautiful box of handmade chocolates from award winning chocolatier and patissiere Paul Young. Based in Camden Passage, this beautiful high-class shop oozes rich chocolate aromas and opulent décor, immersing you in a world of indulgence. Once inside you are surrounded by Paul’s amazing and exciting chocolates that are hand made on the premises, every day, in the specially designed chocolate kitchen, using only the finest ingredients. Paul and his team complete the final stages of preparation and decoration in full view, creating a personal gift, that is stunning and not to mention tasty! 33 Camden Passage, N1 8EA, www.paulayoung.co.uk

LOCAL LOVE Your guide to the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for that special someone in your life

LESLEY CRAZE GALLERY If you want to buy your loved one something they can cherish this Valentine’s Day then Lesley Craze Gallery in Clerkenwell Green is the ideal place to browse. With a reputation as one of the foremost contemporary jewellery galleries in Europe, Lesley Craze Gallery showcases contemporary collections of unique jewellery, metalwork and textiles. The gallery promotes work by more than 100 international designers exhibiting work from both established names to recent graduates. The gallery hosts four major exhibitions a year always including at least one featuring international artists. As well as their permanent collections there are currently hosting a solo show by Australian jeweller Felicity Peters which runs 5 to 27 February 33 - 35a Clerkenwell Green, EC1R 0DU 020 7608 0393, www.lesleycrazegallery.co.uk

city&angelpromotion

KIMANTRA

Kimantra Urban Spa, 1 Kings Cross Road, WC1 0207 6984039/ 0207 226 8860 5 Camden Passage N1 8EU 020 7226 8860 / www.kimantra.co.uk

Photographer: Karen Fuchs

Five years ago saw the first Kimantra Urban Spa open in Camden Passage much to the delight of Islington locals. Known to many as the doorstep to heaven, owner, Kingsley Ogedengbe, has decided to share the Kimantra delights with the residents of King’s Cross. The new Kimantra Urban Spa is located inside the newly refurbished Ozone health and fitness club, at the Holiday Inn hotel.You can now indulge in spacious and contemporary surroundings which is equipped with a luxury swimming pool, whirlpool, in house gym, sauna and steam room. As always the treatments on offer are carried out by trained professional who provide a fantastic self indulging service. Gift vouchers available for your loved one on Valentine’s Day.

BORDELLO Want to surprise your Valentine this year by getting her a little sexy number that she will love? Then chaps, Bordello is on hand to help you make the right decision. On the 11 February Bordello is offering all men a shopping SOS where the friendly Bordello girls are ready to turn this chore into a truly pleasant experience. Come on in, hang up your coat, enjoy a drink and watch a bright young thing shake her plumes, as you let the professionals help you choose the perfect gift for your Valentine. Visit the Bordello website and click on the Valentine’s Gifts page to check out the ultimate gift ideas. 7pm – 9pm Entry is Free 55 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HP 020 7503 3334 www.bordello-london.com

If you are planning the most romantic day of your life, then Angelica Bridal is the boutique to head to for the perfect dress for the big day. With bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, veils, feather boleros and other bridal accessories, Angelica Bridal offers contemporary and elegant collections. A new collection from leading US Bridal Designer, Priscilla of Boston, is now in store offering timeless and sophisticated dresses. Situated in the heart of Islington, hidden away down Camden Passage, Angelica Bridal provides a friendly and personal service that will help you find the ideal and unique look for your special day. For appointment call 020 7226 7823 18 Camden Passage N1 8ED www.angelicabridal.co.uk

Photographer: Jodie Talbot www.jtalbotphotography.co.uk Assistant: Viesturs Gross www.v-photo.co.uk

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nown for being one of London’s most vibrant areas, the borough of Islington is a unique example of ‘village London’. A haven for shoppers, theatre-goers and diners, it houses many fashion and lifestyle boutiques, designer furniture stores, health and beauty specialists, unique gift shops, interior design businesses and plenty of bars and restaurants serving cuisine from all around the world. A prime example of this charming and distinctive vibe can be found on Cross Street, situated just off Upper Street. A mix of historic Georgian homes, specialist craft firms and unique boutiques makes this street a fashionable and charismatic shopping parade in the heart of Islington. Cross Street can be easy to overlook thanks to the buzz of the N1 centre and the main high street. However, linking Upper Street to Essex Road, the street combines the fashionable ambiance of Upper Street and the cool vibe of Essex Road making it a quirky shopping area. WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK: Leaving the main areas such as Upper Street and Essex

Road to cater for food lovers and bar crawlers, Cross Street is mainly about unique boutique shopping for your wardrobe, abode and family, however there a few must visit eateries. A new face to the street is Piero Maurizio an Italian Delicatessen which brings a taste of Italy to the locals. Selling antipasti to pasta and everything in between this is a new favourite with the locals that is a must to browse at the weekends. Along with Café Inn, which does a lip-smacking Full English, Zaffrani is the only other restaurant on the street. Blending customary Indian dishes and authentic flavours of South East Asia, Zaffrani brings a much needed traditional Indian restaurant to Islington with style and great service. WHAT TO DO AND SEE: If you are looking for something pretty this Valentine’s Day for that someone special, then the boutiques housed on Cross Street are certainly the place. Tallulah Lingerie is Islington’s first and finest lingerie boutique. A sumptuous treasure trove of luxurious and stylish garments, owner Tallulah has created a lavish and relaxing atmosphere that has made her the Mecca

localfocus for the Glitterati. She offers personal appointments to help find the perfect underwear and a newly launched Brides Boutique – perfect for all your corsetry needs. In keeping with the bridal theme, Cross Street is the must-go-to for brides to be. Not only will Tallulah kit you out in the perfect sexy underwear but MorganDavis is the ideal boutique to find the dress of your dreams. With designs from the finest British and European designers, Morgan-Davis is a small but established shop that offers brides a personalised, appointment only service which aims to achieve the all important individual look. Across the street and above Tallulah you can finish off your outfit with the perfect wedding shoes from Emmy. A contemporary collection of shoes, Emmy offers a variety of shape, heel height, material and detail to provide you with the ultimate in choice. Want some jewellery to add the final touches? Head to Dinny Hall for award-winning jewellery pieces. Not planning on walking down the aisle any time soon and just fancy a bit of shopping? Then there is fashion boutique InTheory and close by, Wild Swans which both offer stunning collections of ladies wear and accessories. Owner of Wild Swans, Caroline van Luthje, named the shop after the fairytale “The Wild Swans” by Hans Christian Anderson as she felt it perfectly describes the range of designers seen in the shop, as well as the customers – beautiful, gracious birds with a bit of an edge! At the corner of Cross Street and Upper Street is where the Old Parrs Head pub once stood but it has now, much to some locals disappointment been turned into a Jigsaw shop, offering more fashion options to keen A MIX OF HISTORIC GEORGIAN shoppers. However, if you HOMES, SPECIALIST CRAFT FIRMS can’t find the outfit you are AND UNIQUE BOUTIQUES MAKES looking for then why not have THIS STREET A FASHIONABLE AND CHARISMATIC SHOPPING PARADE IN it made. Joe Allan, tailor to The Royal family, is situated THE HEART OF ISLINGTON mid way up Cross Street and has become a bit of an institute in the Islington area, with a reputation as a top class tailor. If you are looking for something for the kids then One Small Step One Giant Leap, will kit your kids out in the most stylish and fashionable footwear. Cross Street is very much a place where small independent shops have come together and set up shop in the surroundings of beautiful residential homes. It seems that whenever a new place takes residence there is always lots of support from the local community and this was very much shown when Nail Girls took residence on the street in 2009. Run by two sisters Lynda-Louise and Joanna Burrell, Nails Girls is a spa that not only offers affordable luxurious treatments

“

”

but also a good gossip with the girls. Now with a loyal customer base, the nail spa has become a favourite fixture to the street. Other established businesses in the street are a host of interior shops which make Cross Street an ideal place to head to if you are looking for quality and specialist home furnishing. Funktional Kitchens has been a fixture on Cross Street for many years and offers cleverly designed, high quality German kitchen furniture in over 100 different colours and finishes, giving customers complete design freedom. Owner Victoria Shudell is an expert in kitchen design and is always happy to help and advise customers when they pop into the shop. Other interior design shops on the street are places such as Coexistence which specialises in the assembly and installation of comprehensive furniture packages. Then there is At Living Space which has been around for the last ten years and with a new store opening this month in central London, this contemporary furniture company are true experts in their customer’s needs. WHILE YOU ARE THERE: Learn a new skill and take up knitting. Create something personal for your loved one this Valentines or make something for your home. Loop is not only Islington’s local yarn shop, stocking gorgeous knitting and crochet patterns and yarns from all over the world but it offers knitting classes. Run by expert knitters it is the perfect place to meet the locals and create something you can be proud of. For enquiries about classes, please call 020 7288 1160  Photographer: Sacha Schweda mail@sachaphotography.com

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery

Islington n Located in the tranquil setting of Amwell Street in Islington n 2009 overall Ofsted rating - Good n Open 51 weeks per year from 7.30am - 6.30pm n £160 monthly deduction on congestion charge fees n Free places funded for 3-4 year olds n Highly qualified and well motivated staff n Fully equipped indoor and outdoor play areas

“Providing a secure, caring environment for children aged 3 months to 5 years” Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Islington 27-29 Amwell Street, Islington London EC1R 1UN

To arrange a viewing at your convenience call Katerina Tel: 020 7833 4785

www.monkeypuzzlenurseries.com

kids

KIDS

HAVE A SPLASHING TIME

CORNER

Make bath time go with a splash with this natural and gentle bath wash for your baby’s hair and body. With a hint of relaxing camomile and lavender, it guarantees a perfect evening ‘splish-splash’, followed by a peaceful nights sleep. www.mamababybliss.com 01462 632 499

A STYLISH COLLECTION

A TIDY BUY

If your New Year’s resolution was to be more organised then here is a little helping hand. This storage bench is the ideal piece to add your child’s bedroom, with secret storage space under the seat, it is stylish yet practical. www.funkykidsfurniture.co.uk, 01531 650 974

Renowned for its great variety of outfits for parties and charming day-to-day clothing, Room Seven’s Autumn/Winter collection is utterly gorgeous and a must-have this February. We love this eye-catching dark blue net skirt teamed with a stunning knitted dress – perfect for a winter play date. www.roomseven.com

STYLE IT UP WINTER WARMER

Keep your little ones extra warm this winter with these fab legwarmers. Worn as a second layer under trousers or for extra warmth on their arms, they are suitable for children from three months to six years old. It is the perfect garment to encourage your child to dress themselves. www.kiddymania.co.uk, 01455 615 804

The festive party season may be over but it doesn’t mean that it is time to ditch the party look, especially just because you are pregnant. This striking strapless top by Seraphine, is flattering yet stylish and perfect for a romantic Valentine’s dinner with that special someone. www.seraphine.com 0870 609 2602

CITY & ANGEL FORMAT (OFSTED SAYS IT ALL) JAN2010 Size: 140mm deep x 100mm wide

Little Angels – Ofsted says it all.

“Children are happy and thoroughly enjoy their time at the nursery” (Latest Ofsted Highbury) And there’s good news for busy parents too. Short day option for 3 – 5 year olds, a choice of normal start times between 8.00 and 9.00 a.m. and, for a little extra, a half an hour extention before or after the standard daytime 8.30am – 6.00pm is also available. For full details of all Little Angels services for children from 3 months to 5 years to reception, contact Caroline Thompson now: Tel: 020 7354 5070 (Highbury) Tel: 020 7281 3514 (Highgate) Email: littleangels@btconnect.com www.littleangelsdaynursery.co.uk

How singing, dance and drama create a manysided child Here’s a way to spend weekends that’ll have

For a prospectus and to find out about your nearest Stagecoach call now on:

020 7460 1809 www.stagecoach.co.uk islington@stagecoach.co.uk

4-18

year olds buzzing. Enrol them in your local

Stagecoach Theatre Arts school where they learn to act, sing and dance. The skills they learn aren’t just for the Stage. Our students grow in confidence and self-esteem …..Skills for Life! There’s no audition – all they need is enthusiasm.

Little Angels Day Nursery and Pre-prep Schools 217 Blackstock Road, Highbury, London N5 2LL • 70 Bredgar Road, Highgate, London N19 5BF

Registered charity number 1123122

From homes to gnomes, how public transport shaped the suburbs 15 October 2009–30 April 2010 ltmuseum.co.uk

Brought to you in association with

Warmly accepted throughout London

health&beauty

BEAUTY NEW ROMANTICS

Sugar Cookie Lipstick

se Valentine’s Day as an excuse to invest in some of this season’s most romantic make-up must-haves. Get that flushed, in-love glow with just a few essential products – no man necessary

by Benefit Pucker up! Add a pop of colour to your lips and create a silky-finish for a natural amorous look that will get you in the mood for romance.

Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow by Bobbi Brown This sell-out product is the latest musthave from Bobbi Brown and will create a lightweight, velvety finish to your eyes. Available in eight dreamy shades, it will guarantee your other half won’t be able to stop staring into your eyes this Valentine’s. Available from: most department stores, £16

Available from: Benefit shops and department stores, £13

Accentuating Colour Stick (in Rosy Flush) by Shiseido Get that in-love flushed look with this colour stick. Creating a natural burst of colour and radiance in your cheeks, it is the essential product to create the perfect romantic make-up look.

Pink Number 8

Available from: most department stores, £23.50

by Nail Girls Created by local Islington nail spa, Nail Girls, this fabulous pink polish is perfect for adding a girly feel to any date outfit. If you don’t fancy slaving over your own nails then why not head to the salon for a pampering experience that will leave you refreshed and feeling glamorous. 50 Cross Street, N1 2BA www.nailgirls.co.uk, £10

Dior Poudre Dentelle, Illuminating LaceEffect Powder by Dior Create a natural, radiant complexion with this shimmering face powder. Look healthy and happy just by blending across your face – stunning! Available from: most department stores, £39

Look out for...

our new Health and Beauty News page next month - keeping you up to date with the latest health and beauty trends. Brought to you in association with The Wellington Hospital, one of the world’s leading private hospitals.

www.thewellingtonhospital.com

city&angelpromotion

HealtH & BeaUtY

Photographer: Jodie Talbot www.jtalbotphotography.co.uk

Angel Chiropody Chiropody is an essential treatment for the general well being of your feet. Without professional treatment it can be difficult to treat certain foot conditions. At Angel Chiropody our highly qualified and experienced podiatrists offer treatments for a wide range of foot conditions ranging from routine chiropody to nail surgery.

Mosquito Bikes The best way to get healthy this month, is by getting on your bike. So, head to the UK’s premier bike store, Mosquito Bikes on Essex Road. Established in 1984, Mosquito is known for stocking interesting and exclusive ranges of bikes, clothing and accessories. Whether you want a town bike or a racing machine, Mosquito Bikes should be your first stop. www.mosquito-bikes.co.uk

www.angelchiropody.com

hikAri sAlon

shine on the green

We believe that every person that walks into our salon deserves the greatest hair and beauty treatments. Our professional staff offer cuts to suit everyone, in a happy and friendly environment built around a passion for hair and beauty. Whether it is a new look or a regular treatment, you will feel comfortable the moment you arrive and leave feeling great about yourself.

Want to feel and look good this month? Shine on the Green is the ideal salon if you fancy a bit of pampering for both your hair or body. There are many offers running through the month of February at Shine on the Green and Shine Holistic. For more information check out the website.

www.hikarisalon.co.uk

www.shineholistic.co.uk

BeAuty With-in

the perfeCt sMile

Beauty With-in offers a variety of treatments for male and female clients, ranging from Botox, Dermalogica facials, Biosculpture and many more, all within a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Please mention the city and Angel magazine to receive 25% off facials between Tuesday and Friday.

B Dental is a luxury dental practice in Islington that offers the full range of specialist dental services. All specialists are in-house so even the most complicated treatment plans can be coordinated and carried out under one roof. What’s more they’re open seven days a week, perfect for the busy city professional.

www.beauty-within-n1.com

www.bdental.co.uk

fashion

FASHION NEWS

THIS MONTH’S LATEST TRENDS

MUST-HAVE ITEM

THE VIP HANDBAG LINER The VIP Handbag Liner from Quirkybags is a simple yet brilliant idea. For any woman with a selection of handbags (so that’s all of you reading this!) the liner is the ideal accessory allowing you to change bags simply by taking the liner from one bag and placing it in another. Available in four styles, each model features a selection of nine zipped and mesh pockets offering space for all of those necessary items. www.quirkybags.co.uk

CELLULITE BUSTING KNICKERS Peachy Pink is a new range of slimming and cellulite combating underwear that is taking the UK by storm! The slimming and shaping anti-cellulite pants and leggings are now on sale in Debenhams stores across the UK and have been flying off the shelves over the festive season. The Peachy Pink range ‘PeachyBody’ works with the natural movements of the body to help combat orange peel thighs. They are made with a 3D wave weave knit designed to massage the skin whilst releasing its micro-encapsualted active natural ingredients (including peaches, green tea and coffee beans) which work together with the wave weave knit to flush toxins from the body. While the active ingredients in Peachy Pink garments last for a minimum of twenty washes, the patented 3D wave weave continues working for the lifetime of the product, giving wearers that perfect ‘peachy bum’ shape! www.peachy-pink.com

FASHION QUOTE:

Luxury must be comfortable... otherwise it is not luxury

COCO CHANEL

CLUTCH CONTROL A stylish website specialising in gorgeous clutch bags, Lily Wigglesworth boasts a vibrant collection ranging from leading brands to quirky emerging designers. From chic and understated to bold bright prints, they have it all. The team keep you updated every month with an ‘ontrend’ style blog and can direct you the perfect choices for cocktail parties, weddings or gifts. In a supporting role, don’t forget to check out their beautiful selection of jewellery and hosiery too! EXCLUSIVELY FOR OUR READERS, LILY WIGGLESWORTH IS OFFERING A NEW YEAR DISCOUNT OF 10%; JUST TYPE CWLW10 WHEN YOU REACH THE ONLINE CHECKOUT!

www.lilywigglesworth.co.uk

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH: Wintour are just a handful of women 60&sensational is a new website for women of the baby-boomer generation who are not prepared to become invisible when they hit 60. Lulu, Twiggy, Jane Birkin, Betty Jackson, Helen Mirren, Jil Sander and the editor of American Vogue, Anna

who are proving that 60 is the new 40. The website is an online fashion, beauty and lifestyle magazine for women in their 50s and 60s seeking out wardrobe must-haves and super seasonal trends suitable for their ‘look’. www.60andsensational.co.uk

Major specialties include: - Acute Neuro Rehabilitation - Bariatric Surgery - Cardiac Surgery - Critical Care - Dermatology - Interventional Cardiology - ENT - Gastroenterology - General Surgery - Gynaecology - Liver and Hepatobiliary Medicine

The Wellington Hospital is one of the world’s leading private

- Hip Surgery

hospitals with an international reputation for the excellence

- Knee Surgery

of its medical care. It is part of HCA – London’s No 1 private

- Neurology

hospital group. It provides a wide range of acute medical services

- Neurophysiology

supported by the very latest diagnostic, imaging and treatment

- Neuropsychology

technology, enabling fast and accurate diagnosis of complex

- Neurosurgery

conditions. State-of-the-art facilities include:

- Ophthalmology - Orthopaedics

• 6 4 slice CT scanners able to provide images of the heart and its associated blood vessels with higher definition than before • t he latest MRI scanners; the full range of x-ray and ultrasound, angiography & fluoroscopy plus a cardiac research centre • e ndoscopic ultrasound facilities enabling gastroenterologists to employ the latest diagnostic & treatment techniques, including capsule endoscopy

- Plastic Surgery - Speech Therapy - Spinal Surgery - Urology - Vascular Surgery

• a range of minimally invasive surgical procedures that are performed through one incision in the belly button, which is virtually scarless surgery • a 45-bedroom Acute Neuro Rehabilitation Unit, which is the best equipped and most extensive in the UK • the largest Critical Care facility in the private sector The hospital has a dedicated GP Liaison service giving GPs and patients easy, fast access to the hospital’s extensive services & facilities. For further information please contact the Helpline:

Tel:

020 7483 5148

Fax:

020 7483 5618

Email: wellington.enquiryhelpline@hcahealthcare.co.uk www.thewellingtonhospital.com Wellington Place, St Johns Wood, London NW8 9LE

5266 HCA Well Canary Wharf advert.indd 1

21/12/09 13:25:53

health&beauty

STYLE AND THE CITY behind Islington based boutique, My Sugarland. Having been a freelance stylist for over ten years, styling celebrities such as Robbie Williams, Myleene Klass and Cat Deeley, Zoe Lem knows a thing or two about making her clients feel and look good. Following a degree in Fashion Design and Marketing, Zoe realised her love was in creating a look rather than creating a garment, thus her styling career was born. In 2006, Zoe was controversially exposed as the Fashionista behind Trinny and Susannah’s BBC1’s ‘What Not To Wear,’ and although she is not prone

Jenny White discovers a new found body confidence without having to sweat it out in the gym, thanks to celeb stylist, Zoe Lem

very year I am always a bit slow on the uptake. While everyone is fanatically keeping to their New Year’s resolutions of hitting the gym and losing the extra Christmas pounds in January, I am slowly coming out of a festive food induced coma and counteracting the January blues with a bottle of Prosecco in a bid to keep the merriment going. My intentions to hit the gym and devise a new me are always honest but when the snow is up around my ankles and the mornings are dark as night, I find it hard to motivate myself out of my warm bed. Then, as February rolls around, all my friends start to come out of hibernation and hit the social scene again, all looking great after their month of a ‘new year, new me’ routine. It’s not that they have necessary lost loads of weight, it’s just that they are looking fresh and have a new found confidence that I seem to be lacking. So, this year, although still slow on the uptake, I discovered a new way of getting me looking, and more importantly feeling, good about myself. My secret weapon; Zoe Lem, stylist to the stars and the lady

LEARN THE TRICKS OF THE TRADE AND GET STYLED BY ZOE LEM… My Sugarland is a unique store which houses a product range of exquisite clothes, accessories and objects from around the globe. Deciding to utilise the shop, Zoe had the idea to use the shop for internal events such as private shopping evenings and even yoga classes (see Editor’s Pick). This month sees the exclusive launch of a ‘Personal Styling Evening with Zoe Lem’. The evening will offer the chance to hear Zoe’s secrets of what to and what not to wear, as well as the chance to do some discount shopping on the night with a glass of fizz, while Zoe and her stylist team will be on hand to give you their pearls of wisdom. 7.00pm – 9.30pm, 3 February and 7 April. Tickets are £25 per person and spaces are limited. www.mysugarland.co.uk

health&beauty

to squeeze client’s bosoms - à la Trinny and Susannah Zoe is very knowledgeable, not only about trends and fashion but about what suits individuals. So, with Valentine’s Day looming, I looked to Zoe to help give me the wow factor that I felt I was missing when I looked at myself in the mirror. On the day of my styling appointment, I was dreading it. The thought of all my body hang-ups being pointed out and securitised sounded like pure torture. Shaking in my boots as Zoe looked me up and down, I was straight away put at ease by her exclamation that I had a small waist and that my hourglass figure is the most sought after body shape – interesting. Half an hour in and I am already looking at my body differently as Zoe teaches me to stay clear of high necklines and make sure to balance out my hips with my shoulders. Instead of only seeing my big thighs and stubborn muffin tops, with every item Zoe was dressing me in, I was beginning to see that what I already have isn’t that bad. By the end of our session, I decided on a beautiful purple outfit that accentuated my bosom and

FINISHING TOUCHES… With the wardrobe side of things all sorted, I headed to uber cool hair salon, The Chapel, to get my hair style and a little lesson in updating my make-up. Having spent years growing my hair I didn’t want any cut off, so instead my ‘hair team’, Kim Lomax and Katie Fellows suggested I opt for extensions. Having always been a bit wary of extensions due to the extra work needed to take care of them and the fact they can often look unnatural, it was suggested I try Wefts extensions. Adding volume and length, Wefts take minutes to attach to your own hair and last up to four weeks. The results were natural and just added a slightly dark shade to my hair. Once the extensions were securely in then the stylist created a messy up-do, giving me a completely new, fresh look. Not one to wear lots of products on my face, my make-up artist Billy Crago opted for a subtle evening look that would be perfect for a dinner date. Focusing on bringing out my eyes, she created a simple but effective look that, with the hair, was the perfect combination, giving me that extra bit of confidence. 394-396 St John Street, EC1V 4NJ 020 7520 0460

skimmed nicely over my hips to give me a very tailored but glamorous look – perfect for a date night or cocktails with the girls. So, now while all my friends have let their New Year’s resolution fall by the wayside, I am equipped to make myself look good every day and it seems that starving myself and sweating it out in the gym is not the only answer to feeling and looking fabulous – a little stylist knowhow and a big confidence boost can go a long way.  Photographer: Alan Thomas www.alanthomasphotography.com

Body shape tips HOUR GLASS – Hips and shoulders are balanced with a relatively small nipped in waist

DO Enjoy your curves rather than hide them. Go for tops that sit on the hips rather than longer or shorter. DON’T Cut into the body with too many lines – instead you need to lengthen your upper body using clothing.

PEAR SHAPE – Bigger

hips relative to smaller shoulders and upper half

DO Balance out your

shoulders so that they appear in line with your hips. Stick to detail around the top half of the body rather than the hip area.

DON’T Wear strappy tops – they will increase the size of the hips and imbalance the body.

STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN – A straight figure with no curves and an undefined waist

DO You need to create a waist. Layer tops to reduce the length of the body and create the appearance of a waist. DON’T Avoid hipster trousers, as they will lengthen the body further.

Hair & Beauty Hair & Beauty 171 Upper Street Islington N1 1RG 020 7354 3733 www.171hairandbeauty.com open 7 days a week

48 Exmouth Market London EC1 020 7833 2424 020 7833 5588 www.exmhairandbeauty.com

• Colouring • Brazilian blowdrys • Facials • Nails

• Electrolysis • Massage

• Gift vouchers • Make-up

• Mens specialist treatments

• Waxing

BotH salons open till late

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Please mention the Highbury Directory when responding to adverts

52 Stoke Newington Church Street N16 0NB 0207 241 5033 0207 249 9671 shineholistic.co.uk

20 Newington Green London N16 9PU 020 7241 2065 020 7812 9306 shineholistic.co.uk

To advertise call 0845 217 8044 or email sales@highburydirectory.co.uk â&#x2013; 13

health&beauty

SCARRED FOR LIFE? NOT ANY MORE... There was a time when medical surgery resulted in noticeable and permanent scarring; but as Josephine O’Donoghue discovers, surgery can be virtually scarless

For doctors all over the world, carrying out surgery on a patient is a last resort and an experience that the medical world is constantly striving to make both less invasive and less traumatic. Many people find the thought of major surgery to be extremely stressful and frightening – and it has long been the hope that a simpler method could be developed. While keyhole or laparoscopic surgery has been a popular alternative in recent years (involving 3-4 smaller cuts), Mr Barry Paraskeva (based at The Wellington Hospital in London) has been pioneering a new and very effective method of scarless single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) for over two years. “I have been using and developing an almost scarless and innovative option, using a single incision in the belly button to access the body, since early 2008,” he says. “The beauty of this kind of surgery is that it uses an existing hole in the body. Furthermore, the patient takes the same time to heal and the scar is buried, so surgery is virtually scarless, which they love.” Mr Paraskeva was the first surgeon in the UK to perform a gallbladder removal and appendix removal using the SILS approach. He is also regularly performing removal of the colon through the belly button alone. “I recently removed 40 centimetres of colon containing an 8cm tumour through a 3cm hole in the belly button,” Mr Paraskeva said last month. This is especially revolutionary for cancer patients as this method means that people can have major surgery for a colon cancer through one cut and stay in hospital for only a few days. The SILS method of surgery can be used to remove the appendix, gallbladder, kidney and ovaries, repair hernias and remove cancers in the colon. Over 100 SILS procedures were carried out by Mr Paraskeva in 2009 alone, all of which were very well accepted by patients and he hopes to complete many more in 2010. Single port laparoscopic surgery is certainly the next big step in less invasive surgery, and signifies a positive change in modern surgical medicine. Presenting a new and exciting set of options for patients, Mr Paraskeva and his team expect a rapid increase in demand for this type of treatment. For more information or appointments, visit www.thewellingtonhospital.com or call 020 7483 5148

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE talking to the daily mail last month, one of mr paraskeva’s patients said: “I had the operation under general anaesthetic last year and [it] took an hour-and-ahalf. When I came round, I was very tender round the belly button area, but I was still able to leave the hospital by 6pm that day. The bruising lasted a few weeks, although I could move around OK. Even after a week, it was difficult to see the scar on my belly button. We’d had to postpone a holiday, so three weeks after the operation we went to Majorca. It was so wonderful to lie on the beach in a bikini and no one could tell I’d had an operation. Five months on, I feel fantastic!”

THE FACTS Can surgery be performed with no sCar? Over the last few years, doctors have started to consider using patients own orifices to access the inside of the body and this method is called NOTES (natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery). However, this approach is controversial and as yet, untested. Single port surgery offers an alternative to traditional keyhole surgery, which leaves no scar and is available now. The umbilicus or belly button area can be used as a point of access for surgery for many common conditions of the abdomen and the procedures can be safely executed through these areas. After the wound has healed, there will be no visible scar. Common procedures performed with regular keyhole surgery can be performed through the belly button such as gallbladder removal for gallstones, appendix removal, ovarian cyst treatment and even removal of portions of the colon for both benign and malignant conditions such as colon cancer. how is the surgery performed? The patient preparation for a single port/SILS laparoscopic procedure is the same as for the regular laparoscopic equivalent. A special port device is inserted into the belly button; through this long instruments (which have the ability to bend and carry specialised heads) can grab, dissect, cut and clip tissues. The operation is performed completely internally, and the gallbladder or appendix can then be relieved in a purpose designed bag so it can be removed. The belly button is repaired using dissolvable stitches and heals with no scar visible. Many patients can have their procedures as day cases.

SurLa

Plage Photographer:

Peter Zownir Fashion Editor:

Lucie Dodds

Shearling coat, £1,290, cream knit v-neck jumper, £320, tan leather open-knit vest, £650, all Joseph, 020 7590 6200

White cotton shirt, £125 and cream cotton cardigan, £295, both Dunhill, 0845 458 0779, www.dunhill.com Cream cashmere v-neck jumper, £235, Joseph as before

Black bra, £34, Calvin Klein, 020 3100 2880. Cream boyfriend-wide rib slouch jumper, £65, Celtic Sheepskin, 01637 871605, www.celtic-sheepskin.co.uk

FILM WATCH

THE HANBURY ARMS Fancy watching an old 80s movie in the comfort of your local? With a pint in one hand and popcorn in the other, settle into The Hanbury Arms free weekly Sunday Cinema Club. Head upstairs to the function room, where you’ll find the ambience just right with the lights dimmed, nibbles on every table and plenty of seating to get comfy in.What’s more the upstairs bar is open throughout, so you can order as much drink and food as you like without missing a second of the action. Look out for... ...Another themed night. Every Tuesday night is Pub Quiz night.

33 Linton St Arlington Square, N1 7DU, 020 7288 2222 www.thehanburyarms.com

OF THE BEST…

THEMED NIGHTS The best bars in North London that offer the best alternative nights out

TOP PERFORMANCE

Want to listen to live music by young talented musicians, while sipping on a mouth-watering cocktail? Then Thursday and Sunday nights at Ziloufs is where you should head.With an ever-growing range of performers, you are guaranteed to be wowed by the talent on display. Providing a homely environment that is relaxed and friendly, Ziloufs also serves delicious west-meets-east style cooking which makes this the perfect place to spend an evening with good company. Look out for... ...Ten selected cocktails £4 each until 9pm every day. 270 Upper Street, N1 2UQ, 020 7226 1118, www.ziloufs.com

Photographer: Jodie Talbot www.jtalbotphotography.co.uk Assistant: Viesturs Gross www.v-photo.co.uk

ZILOUFS

events

QUESTION TIME

THE COACH & HORSES Get ready to flex those brain muscles and start revising your general knowledge, as it is quiz time at The Coach & Horses in Stoke Newington. Sunday nights are always packed with punters ready to win the cash prize and show off their brain power. A relaxing traditional pub, you can enjoy a little competitive banter while sampling their large selection of real ales, wines and spirits. If you are feeling hungry then choice from their delicious Thai food menu, or try the doorstop sandwiches, home-cured charcuterie or opt for some good-value Sunday Roast. Look out for... ...Live music every Thursday night from the Bonfire Band.

178 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7JL, 020 7254 6697

JAZZ HANDS

ROUND MIDNIGHT

Get your ‘jazz hands’ at the ready and head to Islington’s first and only dedicated jazz and blues bar. Round Midnight, provides the perfect setting for their live shows with music ranging from New Orleans brass bands to acoustic songwriters, to Bebop jazz and Chicago Swing.With a large stage, tremendous sound and lighting rigs, everything in this venue has been designed to entertain. Make a night of it by picking from their classic pub menu and washing it all down with a choice of beers, wine and spirits. Look out for... …The legendary guitarist Preston Reed who will be performing there on 18 February. 13 Liverpool Road, N1 0RW, 020 7837 8758 www.roundmidnightbar.com

DIRTY DANCING If you are looking for fun, romance and a good time, then head to The Winchester on Essex Road to join in the new phenomenon of Salsa Speed Dating. Held on the last Monday of every month at 8pm, it’s the first speed dating night where it’s fine to be lost for words and have two left feet – it’s all about the taking part! If all that dancing and flirting leaves you a little short of breath then why not relax on one of the many comfy sofas and enjoy one (or two) of their unique cocktails or specially selected wines. Look out for... …Live football coverage on the big screen in the basement bar. 2 Essex Road, N1 8LN, 020 7704 8789 www.thewinchester.com

Photographer: Jodie Talbot www.jtalbotphotography.co.uk Assistant: Viesturs Gross www.v-photo.co.uk

THE WINCHESTER

Pushing the Celebrating the first birthday of The Boundary Project, Sir Terence Conran talks to Jenny White about the inspiration behind the restaurant and his fondness for a nap after lunch

Boundaries

ou can see, just from looking at the location of The Boundary Project, why Sir Terence Conran rediscovered his love of the restaurant business. A looming Victorian warehouse situated on Redchurch Street in Shoreditch, the building sits across from Shoreditch House, the fashionable member’s club, in what has become one of the most voguish streets in London. The former light industrial building has been turned into an exceptionally stunning café, restaurant, hotel combination that was born out of a collaboration with Conran’s former operations director Peter Prescott. “Peter rode passed the building on his Vesper and said to himself, ‘Now there is a building Terence would like.’ So, I came and looked at it and like it I did,” explains Terence. “The reason that we chose Shoreditch was because of the building. I just loved it; the tough brick, Victorian industrial building. It is something that I have always loved and the fact that it was in Shoreditch was even better.”

food&drink

Having celebrated its first birthday last month, the beautifully restored building adds a stylish juxtaposition to an otherwise dishevelled-looking Shoreditch. The ‘project’ is split into distinctive areas: the Albion is the ground floor café-type eatery, food shop and bakery; the Boundary is the smarter French restaurant in the basement. The rooftop bar-grill, Boundary Rooftop is the pièce de résistance thanks to its magnificent 360 degree views from Canary Wharf to the City’s Gherkin, and Barbican to the spires of East London. And if the breathtaking views are too much for you and you’re in need of a lie down, then there are 12 large guestrooms to choose from. Terence is one of Britain’s best-loved designers, having brought high-quality, modern furniture and home furnishings to the high street over 50 years ago, his surname has become shorthand for a chic, yet welcoming ‘style of life’. With more than a dozen books, which have sold over 20 million copies and his much loved restaurants and stores situated throughout the world, the 78 year old has made a glorious empire simply out of the things he loves in life. “I love this terrible word ‘lifestyle’, I don’t love the word but I love constructing a situation. I like productivity,” explains Terence. “The concept for The Boundary Project came from realising the possibility of space, especially if we built three additional floors, which we did. I am absolutely thrilled with the outcome and I hope that we make a contribution to the London scene – that is important to me.”

When the management-buy-out of Conran Restaurants happened in 2006 – handing over 30 or more of Conran’s much-loved restaurants such as Quaglino’s, Blue Print Café, and Orrery to the stewardship of D&D London – many thought it spelt the end of Terence Conran as a restaurateur. But, how wrong there were. “I had really lost my passion for restaurants because there were so many and it had all become so complex and too financial. I wanted something where I could get my hands in the dough again, the dough being the bread variety. I wanted something that was much more personal,” explains Terence from the comfort of his country home. “When I originally setup places like Quaglino’s and Le Pont de la Tour, I had been deeply involved. I knew all the staff, had chosen them all myself and I was on friends terms with all of them. Whenever I saw a picture or object that I thought would suit one of those restaurants, I would buy it. It was almost like a home, constantly tweaking it. That is what gives me personal pleasure and what customers recognised. That is the thrill for me, that it is recognised and is not just some kind of corporate design work.”

“

I am absolutely thrIlled wIth the outcome and I hope that we make a contrIbutIon to the london scene – that Is Important to me

”

It is perhaps these recognised personal touches which make Conran’s restaurants so successful. Even in the midst of economic turmoil, Terence still manages to do well. In fact, Terence seems to have the Midas touch when launching businesses in tough times. During the last recession, in the 1990s, he brought Quaglino’s and curved it into one of the most successful and fashionable eateries in London. This time around is no different. The Boundary Project is a growing success that is helping in the regeneration of the area and making it into what Terence sees as ‘the new Soho.’ “It has been a fantastically good year and I couldn’t have asked for anything better. It is extraordinary how well it has done in such a difficult

food&drink

climate but I think the development of Shoreditch has helped it in many ways. The Albion has been so successful and particularly appeals to my democratic idea of eating. There is nothing on the menu that is over £10 and there is a simplicity and freshness about it,” gushes Terence, who claims the Albion has been the single most exciting aspect of the build due to the bakery and his love of making food on site. “The Boundary is certainly not a cheap restaurant but it is good value for money and I think people recognise that. There is also a choice of good classics and we take a huge amount of effort getting the raw materials that are of the highest quality and that comes out in the food we are serving.” From being hands-on with the design of the guestrooms, the art work on the walls (the majority of which belongs to Terence) and the food on the menu, Terence is very much involved with the running and maintaining of the original concept. The menus are based on classic French and English recipes, sampling seasonal food and offering a selection of crustacea. “The food reflects my very first trip to France all those years ago, going to lots of restaurants in market towns and seeing and eating the sort of traditional but gutsy French food that related to the produce of that particular area,” smiles Terence. “I have always loved

“

Making it green waS very Much the idea behind it and wanting to be aS environMental aS we could waS a MuSt

”

the idea and, while in France, have often stopped at a restaurant for lunch and after having too much to eat and drink, booked into room and spent the afternoon in bed. That is the ideal lunch.” Reflecting not only the change in the area but also the change in climate – or climate change to be more precise – Terence made a very concerted effort to make The Boundary Project eco-friendly. Being green is a subject which the designer is so avid about that he wrote a book, Eco House Book, looking at the practical ways to create a sustainable, green interior design. So passionate in fact, that he sent a copy to Barack Obama, Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy prior to the UN Climate Change conference in Copenhagen. “Making the building green,” Terence exclaims, “God, almighty, it almost killed us all! There are two 150 metre deep wells where we bring up water which runs the refrigeration and the air conditioning and then you have to take that same water and put it back again. Making it green was very much the idea behind it and wanting to be as environmental as we could was a must.” With a penchant for food, wine and cigars, it seems that Terence is back where he belongs. Creating beautiful dining experiences out of his own personal experiences, he seems to have found the key to a successful restaurant - long may he continue. n www.theboundary.co.uk

Steak au poivre

(serves 4)

METHOD:

IngrEDIEnTs: 4x 200g fillet steaks 50g white peppercorns crushed 50g black peppercorns crushed 100ml brandy 100g butter 50ml veal stock

1 Sieve the crushed peppercorns to remove the fine powder, place one side of each steak into the peppercorns and press down firmly to attach the pepper to the steaks. 2 In a hot pan, with a little oil, seal the steak placing the peppered side into the pan first. 3 Once sealed all over, add the brandy and flambé. Reduce and then add the butter. Reduce again and regularly baste the meat with the foaming butter. Finally, add the veal jus, during this process you are still cooking the steak - remove from the pan when they are cooked to your required degree. 4 Reserve the steaks to one side and finish the sauce by reducing to a consistency that just coats the back of a spoon. 5 Serve and enjoy!

restaurantlistings

FEATURED restaurants THE OTTOMAN ADDRESS: 107 Upper Street, N1 1QN 0207 226 5333 www.theottoman.co.uk

OPENING TIMES: Set Valentine’s Day menu £19.95, sittings on the 14 Feb from 12:30 - 3.30 / 4 - 7 / 7.30 - 10.30

Situated on Upper Street this gem of a restaurant captures the buzz and atmosphere of Islington. Having just been refurbished and boasting bags of character, this Turkish restaurant is certainly the place to head to for good, authentic food. Their menu offers a wide variety of traditional cuisine from hot and cold Meze to Charcole Grill dishes made freshly on the premises. The Ottoman is a family run restaurant, where the staff dress code is traditional Turkish clothing, giving the restaurant a fun vibe. On a Friday and Saturday night there is a belly dancer who is so mesmerising and entertaining, she is guaranteed to have everyone tapping their feet and clapping along with the music. This Valentine’s Day, The Ottoman will be offering you the option of not just celebrating your affection for one day but keeping love in the air with their Valentine’s Day menu running on the Friday and Saturday before (12 and 13). If you are a fan of The Ottoman’s Sunday Lunch then fear not as they will still be serving this on the Sunday.

ALMEIDA FRENCH RESTAURANT & WINE BAR 30 Almeida Street N1 1AD ☎ 020 7354 4777

DI MONFORTE 70 - 72 Liverpool Road, Islington, London, N1 0QD ☎ 020 7226 1475

PROJECT A Gainsborough Studios West 1 Poole Street N1 5EA ☎ 020 7033 7880

BROWNS 9 Islington Green, Islington N1 2XH ☎ 0871 971 7661

FIG & OLIVE 151 Upper Street N1 1RA ☎ 020 7354 2605

SAKI 4 West Smithfield EC1A 9JX ☎ 020 7489 7033

French

British

Italian

European

Thai

Japanese

CAMINO 3 Varnishers Yard, Regents Quarter, King’s Cross N1 9FD ☎ 020 7841 7331

LE MERCURY 140a Upper Street N1 1QY ☎ 0871 332 7745

CLUB GARCON 57 West Smithfield EC1A 9DS ☎ 020 7796 0600

MAGHREB RESTAURANT 189 Upper Street London N1 1RQ ☎ 020 7226 2305

SMITHS OF SMITHFIELD 67-77 Charterhouse Street EC1M 6HJ ☎ 020 7251 7950

DOLLAR GRILLS AND MARTINIS 2 Exmouth Market Farringdon EC1R 4PX ☎ 020 7278 0077

MERCADO BAR & CANTINA 26-30 Church Street Stoke Newington N16 0LU ☎ 020 7923 0555

ST. JOHN BAR & RESTAURANT SMITHFIELD 26 St John Street EC1M 4AY ☎ 020 7251 4090

FIG RESTAURANT 169 Hemingford Road Islington N1 1DA ☎ 020 7609 3009

MORGAN M RESTAURANT 489 Liverpool Road N7 8NS ☎ 020 7609 3560

THE PEASANT 240 St John Street EC1V 4PH ☎ 020 7336 7726

FIFTEEN LONDON 13-15 Westland Place N1 7LP ☎ 020 7251 3909

OISHIII 67 Stoke Newington Church Street N16 0AR ☎ 020 7254 3488

Spanish

French

American

British/ Scandanavian

Italian

French

Moroccan and Mediterranean

Mexican

French

Japenese

SABOR RESTAURANT LTD 108 Essex Road N1 8LX ☎ 020 7226 5551

Pan American

Modern European

British

ZILOUFS 270 Upper Street N1 2UQ ☎ 020 7226 1118

Gastro Pub

Pan-asian

barlistings

FEATURED bars THE HANBURY ARMS

Linton Street, Islington, London, N1 7DU ☎ 020 7288 2222 DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE

30 St Peter’s Street Islington N1 8JT ☎ 020 7359 3066 KESTON LODGE

131 Upper Street Islington N1 1QP ☎ 020 7354 9535 THE FELLOW

24 York Way London N1 9AA ☎ 020 7837 3001 THE LONDESBOROUGH

36, Barbauld Rd, N16 0SS ☎ 020 7254 5865

EMBASSY A north London favourite, The Embassy is one of Islington’s most vibrant and stylish bars, situated on the trendy Essex Road. With two bars, a large dance floor and an excellent roster of hosted nights, this place positively hums with good fun vibes. The music swings across a broad spectrum with an emphasis on Urban cuts and Hip Hop, and plenty of recognisable club favourites to get that dancefloor packed. Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays host Embassy Student Nights, while Thursday to Saturday offers a selection of top DJs to get the weekend started, finishing off with Lazy Sundays. If all that dancing leaves you a bit peckish, then the bar serves a selection of modern dishes to wet your appetite, and with a wide range of cocktails on offer it is the ideal place to spend a fun filled evening.

ADDRESS: Embassy Bar 119 Essex Road London N1 2SN 0207 226 7901 www.embassybar.com

OPENING TIMES: Mon-Thurs - 5pm - Midnight Fri & Sat - 5pm - 2am Sun - 5pm - Midnight

BIG CHILL HOUSE

THE REGENT PUB

257-259 Pentonville Road London N1 ☎ 020 7427 2540

201 Liverpool Road Islington, N1 1LX ☎ 020 700 2725

LOUNGELOVER

ALBERT & PEARL

1 Whitby Street Shoreditch E1 6JU ☎ 020 7012 1234

181 Upper St Islington N1 1RQ ☎ 020 7354 9993

VINOTECA

THE WINCHESTER

7 St John St EC1 ☎ 020 7253 8786

2 Essex Road, N1 8LN ☎ 020 7704 8789

GREEN & RED

LEXINGTON

51 Bethnal Green Road Shoreditch E1 6LA ☎ 020 7749 9670

96 Pentonville Rd Islington N1 9HS ☎ 020 7837 5371

COTTONS

SHAKESPEARE

70 Exmouth Market Farringdon EC1R 4QP ☎ 020 7833 333

57 Allen Road Stoke Newington N16 8RY ☎ 020 7254 4190

WENLOCK ARMS

ANAM BAR

26 Wenlock Road ShoreditchN1 7TA ☎ 020 7608 3406

3 Chapel Market, Islington, N1 9EZ ☎ 020 7278 1001

THE COACH & HORSES

AULD SHILLELAGH

178 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7JL ☎ 020 7254 6697

105 Church Street Stoke Newington N16 0UD ☎ 020 7249 5951

BAR MUSIC HALL

THE LORD CLYDE

134 Curtain Road, Shoreditch EC2A 3AR ☎ 020 7729 7216

340-342 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 3PB ☎ 020 7288 9850

food&drink

RESTAURANT REVIEW

HOME COMFORTS

Carrie Mitchell discovers a snug restaurant and bar that leaves her feeling right at home

ntering Ziloufs feels a little like walking into an old friend’s living room – the type of old friend whose cool and quirky taste you’ve always envied! From the oxblood leather Chesterfield couches and grand chandeliers to the antique sewing machine and piano-come-DJ-booth, the décor is at once traditional and cutting edge, but most importantly, cosy and welcoming. After hovering by the door for a second, I realise the restaurant area is situated to the rear of the lounge space, so we slip past the sofas - currently occupied by some uber-trendy looking folks sipping uber-trendy looking cocktails – and are quickly greeted by a cheerful waitress who whisks us to our table. Given that the first thing our server brings to our attention is the two-for-one cocktails on offer, the food menu is temporarily abandoned in favour of the lengthy cocktail list, where we find all manner of delightful sounding concoctions whipped up with fresh fruit purées and unique recipes.

We settle on two pear, ginger and lemongrass Collins, in the hope that they’ll be the perfect compliment to what has been described to us as a Pan-Asian menu. They do not disappoint – a fact that is not so surprising when I later discover that the head barman has been acquired from one of my own (and indeed Prince William’s) favourite Edinburgh drinking dens, Opal Lounge. But back to the food. The menu at Zilouf’s is impressively diverse featuring hearty British classics such as pork belly and chicken supreme, with a Thai twist. My starter of seared carpaccio of venison is topped with a uniquely smoky-tasting salad, which is the perfect foil to the silky texture of the meat and the bite of the horseradish dressing. While over the table, the Thai fishcakes go down a treat – three sizeable specimens with chunky flakes of fish and a sweet, spicy Vietnamese dipping sauce. We’re off to a good start and it only gets better. Every bite of my main course, of monkfish fillets with bok choi, beans, and butternut purée, is divine. The delicate flavour of the fish makes the freshness of the greens zing, and the butternut puree adds a smoothness that rounds it all off nicely. While my dining companion’s red curry blows any other Thai curry I’ve seen out of the water, substituting the usual lumps of greying chicken for confit duck leg with chunky bites of mange tout, baby corn, and water chestnut. Finishing off with needlessly indulgent (yet impossible to resist) desserts of sticky toffee pudding and candied ginger chocolate brownie, and another wholly unnecessary cocktail, we leave with smiles on our faces and happy tummies. And best of all, with two courses for £15 and those two-for-one cocktails, our wallets are feeling pretty perky too!  270 Upper Street, N1 2UQ 020 7226 1118, www.ziloufs.com Photographer: Jodie Talbot www.jtalbotphotography.co.uk Assistant: Viesturs Gross www.v-photo.co.uk

sale

Advert-Angel

25/1/10 3:06 pm

Page 1

The best Italian Tiles are here in Crouch End Direct Import ensures FACTORY GATE PRICES.

ITALIAN PORCELAIN & NATURAL STONE wall & floor tiles for WET ROOMS, KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, CONSERVATORIES....

in fact anywhere. OPENING TIMES MONDAY-FRIDAY 8.00 - 5.30 SATURDAY 9.00 - 5.00 SUNDAY FROM 10AM - 4.00

Also at: 1-7 Moxon Street, Barnet EN5 5TY Tel: 020 8441 7070

141 Crouch Hill, Crouch End N8 9QH Tel: 020 8347 0396

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all with easy parking, browsers welcome

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interiors

InTeRIORs news

Ella Gillmor takes a look at this month’s must haves for the home…

aCCeSSoriSe, aCCeSSoriSe!

Looking to update your sofa? Then why not add these fabulous and fun cushions, giving your settee a contemporary and humorous twist. Just by accessorising with these printed canvas cushions you can create a whole new vibe to a room without breaking the bank.

SupporTing loCal TalenT Islington interior designer, Kia Sunda has been picked as one of the finalists for furniture company Dwell’s national “pimp my sofa” competition. Designs were narrowed down from hundreds of possible designs to only eight and the winner will have their design showcased in one of Dwell’s stores. The competition has brought out Kia’s creative side and she is now designing her own bespoke ‘up-cycled’ furniture range.

£35 each, www.hunkydoryhome.com

Kia Designs Ltd www.kiadesigns.co.uk www.dwell.co.uk

Three of the best…Alternative

Beds

Blazing!

Folding Bed

Warm up this February with this gorgeous portable fireplace. Hankering back to the swinging sixties this retro design with a contemporary twist will add a touch of sophistication to any interior. Free-standing and environmentally friendly it is ideal for any home or office.

Gloss 24 hr Room range

www.ecosmartfire.com

www.nevillejohnson.co.uk

SoFa Bed

Tara range in fig www.johnlewis.com

The glow oF love

Chaise/sofa bed in Felt Range

If you want to add a little romance to your home this Valentine’s then why not adorn your room in these dazzling, handmade fairy lights. With each tiny shade finely cut with its own unique design, they are perfect to create the ideal amorous atmosphere. Personalised designs are also available.

www.heals.co.uk

From £110, www.hannahnunn.co.uk

Swing ChaiSe

DESIGNER TILE

SALE 50% OFF SELECT RANGES

interiors

DESIGNER

LIFE

practice and they hired my on the spot! Somehow it was lost in translation that I didn’t actually design the spaces and that I had just found the pictures!” Abigail now runs a quirky interiors boutique on Upper Street, Atelier Abigail Ahern, and when it comes to thrifty household renovations Abigail knows her stuff. Having written a book on the subject, she gives pointers on how to create a stylish home on a budget.

BUSINESS

Local interior designer, Abigail Ahern, reveals her thrifty tips and style knowledge on how to create the perfect home on a shoestring budget

aving started her career working on the picture desk for Terence Conran’s publishing house, it took relocating to America to kick start Abigail Ahern’s interior design career. “When my husband and I relocated to America I took a number of the books I had sourced images for to an interview with an architectural

Atelier Abigail Ahern offers an eclectic mix of products that have been sourced globally. I like to think of the collection as an Aladdin’s cave of gorgeousness – items that are unique and with a twist. Atelier means studio in French so it seemed a perfect pairing to couple it with my name. The shop has been based on Upper Street for four years and we also have a concession At the Shop At Bluebird on the King’s Road. My design background is completely back to front crazy, but it all worked out. I studied interior design in the States having previously gotten a job as an interior designer for an architectural practice. My interior style is eclectic with a huge dose of colour. I see myself as a mixologoist combining different periods, scales and designs but with a laid back tongue-in-cheek twist.

INSPIRATION My love of colour is inspired by Matisse. Designers who influence and inspire me at the moment are Kelly Wearstler and Jonathan Alder. I source my materials from all over the globe – one of the perks of the job! My interior peeve is people’s love of pale

interiors

colours, whites, creams and taupes. It may be gracious but to me it is not sexy and I want sexy! My interior tips are don’t stop decorating too early. Walls need shelves and oodles of pictures, ornaments and stuff to bring them alive and play with scale. Also, put small bits in big rooms (think tub chairs in large large rooms), and large items in small rooms. It feels very Alice in Wonderlandish but it makes things look grandiose and more My interior style is eclectic impressive than they with a huge dose of colour. i see Myself as a Mixologoist coMbining really are. What I love about different periods, scales and being an interior designs but with a laid back designer is the tongue-in-cheek twist challenge. One minute I am working on the largest spa to hit America – the Ritz Carlton in Palm Beach Miami – the next a private residence in Islington. It never gets boring and I am always discovering new ideas. My future plans are to open in New York. I have whittled down the area now I just need the economy to get a little better Stateside and its all systems go.

“

”

Home I couldn’t live without my puppy, Maud. She has only been with us four months but it feels we have been together a lifetime. The last book I read was the Wind Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami – I love, love, love his work. My favourite artist is Howard Hodgkin because I love his use of colour. I also love hip new artist, Russell Lewis, whose work we have just started showing in the store. It’s pop art with a twist. Although I am not much of a spirits girl, I do love a smidge of whisky. I particularly enjoy it on cold winter nights. I work like crazy and have very little me time so when I do I like to spend it at home. On my George Smith mohair sofa with a view of the garden, some magazines and a glass of wine is my ideal way to relax. When I’m not working I am working I hate to say.

We have never been so busy and every day for the last year has been long - but fun. My personal interior style very much mirrors the store. I wouldn’t have anything at home that I wouldn’t sell in store. So eclectic, boho but also glamorous and sophisticated is my style. My favourite room in my home is the lower ground floor. It houses the open plan kitchen, dining room, relaxation nook with double height glass doors out to the garden. n 137 Upper Street, N1 1QP, 020 7354 8181 www.atelierabigailahern.com

22/01/2010

15:36

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N EW Pe nt NO SHO on W W Lo St O RO nd re PE O on et, N M N Isli 1 ng to n,

AN_Jul Mark Nicholas.qxp

Fine fitted kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms

3,200 Square feet of contemporary kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms from Italy and Germany. Mark Nicholas Design one stop shopping for the finest home interiors on display in London. Why not call today to arrange a consultation to find out what we can do for you.

48 Penton Street, Islington, London N1 Tel: 020 7278 7573

Fax: 020 7833 2273

Email: enquiries@marknicholasdesign.com

www.marknicholasdesign.com

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gadgets

GADGETS Jamie Carter presents this month’s hottest gadgets

PAGE TURNER

There’s something familiar about the iRiver Story. Unlike the unique Amazon Kindle, which wirelessly links to a website and downloads books and newspapers in seconds, all other ebook readers rely on you buying books on a computer and transferring them to the device. But aside from the lack of a 3G module, the Story apes the Kindle; its Qwerty keyboard and slim white design being the main similarities. A shade cheaper, this is still a high-end ebook reader that’s well-made and easy to use. Able to display PDF, TXT and RTF files, as well as the dedicated EPUB e-book format you can buy online from almost any book shop’s website, the Story also displays JPEG, BMP and GIF images, and even plays MP3 files out loud while you read. iRiver Story ebook reader, £229 www.advancedmp3players.co.uk

THIN END OF THE WEDGE

If you’re after a small laptop for the commute and a Mac just isn’t for you, how about Dell’s latest – and the world’s thinnest? Available exclusively from John Lewis, the Adamo XPS is just 9.9mm slim, despite including a proper aluminium-capped keyboard, touchpad and a 13.4-inch widescreen display. Able to show high definition movies, the Adamo XPS has all the usual laptop features; a twomegapixel web camera, WiFi and Bluetooth. At £1,750 it’s not a purchase to be taken lightly, although its 1.4GHz Intel ULV processor and 128GB hard drive are reassuring. As always with super-slim laptops, battery life could hamstring its practicality – on the Adamo XPS it stretches to 2.5 hours, though an optional battery pack does double its life. Dell Adamo XPS laptop, £1,750 www.johnlewis.com

COMEBACK KID

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

Head to the high street and you are unlikely to find a flatpanel TV that provides any kind of 21st century style. But in this commodity market dominated by low prices, you do have options; spend twice as much and you can get your hands on this delectable LED TV from Philips. The brand’s flagship set, this 46-inch screen is fitted with myriad features you just don’t find on most TVs. The most important is LED backlighting behind the entire screen (most so-called LED TVs only have LED lights around the edges), which helps create stunning contrast-heavy pictures. Add Philips’ signature Ambilight – which covers your walls in constantly changing coloured lights that match the dominant hue on the screen – and you’ve something quite unique. Philips 46PFL9704 LED TV, £1,800 www.philips.co.uk

Before most of us had even heard of Blu-ray, there was another hi-def disc format called HD-DVD. Developed by Toshiba, it’s now gone the way of Betamax – and its maker has since swallowed its pride and issued its first Blu-ray player. And it’s a decent first effort. Clocking-in at under £200 (if you look online) the BDX2000 is as slim as any DVD player and even connects to the online BD Live service for downloading extras like directors commentaries, trailers and interviews. Unfortunately there’s no WiFi so the BDX2000 will have to sit near your broadband router, while a SD card has to be inserted into the machine’s front to take BD Live downloads. Inconvenience aside, this is one of the best budget Blu-ray decks around, playing hi-def movies, DVDs and CDs in spectacular quality. Toshiba BDX2000 Blu-ray player, £200 www.toshiba.co.uk

NOTHING NEW

UNDER THE SUN Despite the claims Audi makes for the new A5 Sportback, it’s been done before, says Matthew Carter. Doesn’t make it a bad car, though…

t’s not exactly reinventing the wheel, but the German car makers, bless ‘em, do believe they are reinventing the car. It all started with Mercedes and VW who reckoned they ‘created’ the four-door coupé. The M-B CLS and Passat CC bought undeniable style to the traditional saloon car market, but as for creating a new type of car… well, let’s just remember the Rover P5B Coupé of the late 1960s, shall we? Now Audi and BMW have got in on the act. According to its press bumph, the BMW 5 Gran Turismo has “an understated coupé-like silhouette, the luxurious interior of a 7 Series and the functionality of the 5 Series Touring.” Audi says much the same about its A5 Sportback: “It has the emotion and elegance of a coupé, the comfort of a sedan and the practicality of a station wagon.” So, something new then? Well, not really. Remember the Rover SD1? That had five doors and

a sporting silhouette. In fact, all these ‘brand new’ concepts from Germany serve to remind us how far ahead of its time Rover really was and what a crying shame it’s no longer around. But I digress. Let’s put the spotlight on the new Audi Sportback, the car the company claims ‘is setting new trends on car design.’ It’s called the A5 to link it more closely to the A5 Coupé and A5 Cabriolet, though under the skin they all share much hardware with the familiar A4 range. The Sportback, obviously, offers more interior space than either existing A5, but despite being longer and lower has less space, though a good deal more style, than the A4 Avant or estate. If Audi is worried the Sportback is simply going to cannibalise sales from its existing range, it doesn’t show it. Yes, some buyers might move from Coupé to quasi-coupé but most, it believes, will be newcomers to the brand. Audi reckons the Sportback will appeal to the emotions by offering a sporty drive at the same time

motoring

as being surprisingly spacious. There’s no denying it looks good – though, as ever with Audis, it’s hard to distinguish which model it is at first glance – and it is roomy inside, notwithstanding the

fact that it only has four seats. But does it have an emotional and sporting appeal? Hmm, that’s a more difficult question. As ever with Audi it pays to choose your model carefully. The range is huge with three petrol and three diesel options plus S, SE, Sport and S-line variants and the choice between two- and four-wheel or quattro drive. And there’s a hot S5 version to come. It’s a personal opinion, but the lowered, stiffened suspension of the S-Line models really don’t work on our pock-marked roads and while the quattro models might anesthetise the handling somewhat, Audi’s fourwheel drive chassis is sure-footed and less prone to steering tug than the front-drivers when accelerating hard. And since we’re talking personally here, my engine of choice would be a diesel. The petrol engines are advanced, and in 2.0-litre form at least, feel light and nimble. But for real-world driving the huge reserves of torque – not to mention the fuel economy – from the six cylinder diesel means I’d go for the 3.0-litre 240bhp TDI. SE trim, meanwhile, would spare me big wheels and stiffened suspension, but would provide leather trim, upgraded climate control and a half decent sound system. I’d still have to spend extra on Audi’s excellent information and entertainment package called Multi Media Interface (MMI), mind you.

Then I would have a handsome, practical car that rides well, handles acceptably and pulls like a train. I would also specify Audi’s seven-speed S-Tronic automated manual gearbox in place of the standard six speed manual, and enjoy one of the world’s best transmissions. It would have a beautifully appointed interior with top drawer build quality and, provided I ticked enough of the option boxes, plenty of toys to boot. I might even specify Audi’s drive select system which allows electronic control of the damping and the steering to adapt the car’s driving dynamics to suit my mood. The result would be a genuinely versatile machine ready to eat miles for breakfast. As a machine for hacking across Europe, I can think of nothing better. But what I wouldn’t have is any emotional attachment to the car whatsoever. In that respect Audi has missed the boat completely. n

IN BRIEF CaR: Audi A5 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro SE PRICE: £32,600 ENgINE: 3.0-litre V6 diesel PowER: 240ps DRIvE: Four-wheel drive

Seize The MoMenT From illegal graffiti to a successful career as an artist, Andy Seize has turned a childhood hobby into a profession that pushes the boundaries and inspires communities

o typecast Andy ‘Seize’ Quammie as just a graffiti artist would be wrong. It would be ignoring the fact that he combined his reallife training with a fine art degree at Saint Martin’s and is influenced not only by his fellow graffiti contemporaries but by artists such as Jeff Koon, Frank Stella and James Rosenquist. His ‘real-training’ involved being a former member of legendary 80s graffiti outfit World Domination Crew, amongst others, hanging out in Islington and following the graffiti movement of the

time by tagging trains. Andy admits that back then, his crew would, ‘run around the area terrorising and doing vandalism, tagging our names where ever we could.’ After being arrested a few times and finally being taken to court and fined, Andy realised that this was not where he wanted to end up. Deciding to try and turn his talent into a career, he spent from the age of 17 to 23, attempting to make a living from graffiti, until he shocked everyone by gaining a place at Saint Martin’s. Now, having successfully turned his teenage talent into a thriving career as an artist, Andy is very careful not to forget where he came from, sticking faithfully to the vibrant cartoon and caption style from graffiti’s heyday and still living near to where he grew up, ‘just off Kingsland Road.’ “The graffiti thing was one of my best experiences and I am so glad I got into it when I did. I owe everything to that experience, God knows what I would be doing now,” says Andy with a knowing smile. “I come from a really good family but when you are surrounded by negative things you fall into bad things. I am not ashamed of my past and what I did.” Painting his first piece on a wall on the Popham Estate, Islington, Andy was given his tag name, ‘Seize’ by his sister. “It is to do with seizing someone. At school I used

interview to fight a lot and my older sister gave me it because of that,” he explains. “When I was doing the illegal graffiti I would just use ‘Seize’ but when I went legal I changed it to ‘Andy Seize’ and used a different tagging style.” Today, Andy has been commissioned by the likes of Disney, ITV’s This Morning, as well as creating work for many art exhibitions around London. He has done documentaries for Channel Four, and his work can often be seen in the area, with murals such as the one on the shutters of Barrio North bar on Essex Road. Although very much focused on his own work and developing his career, Andy is aware of his legacy and how his experiences can help give back to the community, as well as dispel the prejudices that come with the word graffiti. “I think there will always be some king of prejudice towards my work. But if you look at it and just see graffiti then you are blind. I am a painter first and foremost, and I bring graffiti to my work but to call me just a graffiti artist is silly,” says Andy with a serious face. “The reason I still do a lot of graffiti is to show the younger ones what is possible. I think it is important to make kids in this country feel proud and make them aspire. If graffiti is done well, it can be amazing but the reason it isn’t being done well is that the local council isn’t allocating legal spaces for them to paint; therefore it is always going to be illegal, on the side of tracks and defacing private properties. In Europe these kinds of schemes are supported, embraced, funded. Why doesn’t that happen here?” Andy has run many youth projects, handing down his knowledge and experience and now has a sideline business which offers graffiti lessons to anyone who fancies having a go at expressing themselves on a wall. He hopes to employ and train up young budding graffiti artists to take over the business and give them a chance to make some money and feel positive about something. Besides being head strong and determined, Andy is very positive and it is clear to see from just his personality how he has gone from his gritty beginnings to a rather more glitzy lifestyle; although he is still very much down to earth. “I have not been brought into this world to be a failure. I am

not here to claim the dole and nobody is going to give me nothing and when you know that, you have to go out there and be somebody,” says Andy, who has a teenage daughter he claims is his motivation. “I have a kid looking at my career and it is important that I am positive. It is not important that I am rich, I don’t measure my success on money; I measure it by my happiness.” With dreams of designing a customised furniture range for men, and making his work globally recognised, this 40 year old, north Londoner isn’t about to rest on his laurels. “When I look at my career it has been alright. It has been a battle; it has been up and down. I am not comparing myself to anyone but I think I have been quite lucky and why have I been lucky? Because I believe in myself,” smiles Andy. “I believe in being independent and in control of my life because this is my life, it ain’t nobody else’s.” n

www.andyseize.co.uk

Graffiti Lessons Want to learn the basics of being a graffiti artist? If you are looking for an interesting present for a friend or fancy a bit of team bonding with your work colleagues, then Andy Seize’s graffiti classes are the perfect activity. With one hour group classes to learn the basics (lines, shading, spraying) or the more intense three hour session to get you spraying your name, using different nozzles and control techniques, these classes are both fun and liberating. Classes take place on a playground in Hackney and are suitable for both children and adults with a photographer capturing you in all your badass glory. But don’t worry: it’s all totally legal. Contact Andy Seize 07967 879421, www.graffitilessons.co.uk

IslIngton’s got

TalenT

This month sees photography students from City & Islington College reveal their work of local Islington life in an exhibition that shows not only great talent but how local support can help inspire

ne of the many distinctive traits of Islington and its surrounding environs is the constant emergence of artistic talent. A hub for young creatives, there is never a shortage of exhibitions and pop-up galleries to wet our creative appetite. A prime example of this can be seen this month at the City & Islington College Exhibition, where first year foundation degree photography students will be exhibiting their work. The exhibition features commercial work on the theme of Islington and is not only part of their first year camera control project but also sponsored by Hugh Grover, of local estate agent Hugh Grover Associates, who will use some of the images for commercial use. “My association with the college and this exhibition has been going for four years and every year I find it very interesting to see what the students come up with,” explains Islington born, Hugh. “I think Islington has some interesting architecture and lends itself well to a project like this. I am not an expert by any means but I think because I was born in the area and I have seen an awful lot of change that I can see when a picture really represents the area and what the people are about.” The exhibition culminates with an award of £250 in equipment vouchers for the best project. Both Hugh and Keyphoto have donated the prizes, with the runner up receiving £100 in vouchers. “I choose the winner but I look at it in a much more commercial way. The course tutor, Terry Sims helps to guide me, looking at the photos with a much more creative eye,” explains Hugh. “Apart from wanting to get involved within the community and give something back, it is also a way for us (Hugh Grover Associates) to stand out from the others in Islington. We have always been quite creative in what we do from our window displays to the lighting in the shop and this is just another aspect of that.” For the students this is not just an opportunity to develop their camera skills and exhibit their work, but to experience what it is to work in the commercial world. “City & Islington College prides

itself on the links we have with employers and the opportunities we can provide our students,” explains Terry. “This competition has recognised their hard work and introduced some to the arena of commercial photography for the first time. Foundation degree photography is just one of our many successful Higher Education courses blending skills and knowledge that are highly valued by employers and universities.” The commercial aspect of the project is ideal handson experience very much valued in the ‘real world,’ but it seems for the students there are other more creative beneficial elements that make all the hard work worthwhile. “The benefits of exhibitions like this are that you have a goal to aim for. It makes the photos you take much more meaningful if they culminate in an exhibition and if you are able to see them in large print, unshackled from the computer screen,” explains Sacha Schweda, a first year photography foundation student. “For me I have discovered that I enjoy architecture photography more than I thought I did but that I sometimes take too long – I need to speed up!” n The exhibition will be held at Islington Central Library 1 - 8 February www.islington.gov.uk/leisure/Libraries/Local/Central.asp For course information: 020 7700 9200 photography@candi.ac.uk www.candi.ac.uk

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1, 2, 7 - Marcin Gulbicki 3 - Hussein Maamo 4, 6, 8 - Sacha Schweda 5 - Lauren Blue 9 - Thomas Farnetti 3

Our guide to this month’s top events

3 - 4 February

12 February - 10 April

EVENT

THEATRE

BANFF FILM FESTIVAL

MEASURE FOR MEASURE

The infamous mountain festival has finally arrived in the UK and this year it’s bigger than ever. Enthusiasts will have access to some of the most exciting and exhilarating films in the world, all of which highlight the best of adrenalin sports (think kayaking, alpine skiing and mountain expeditions!) and explore the remotest cultures on Earth.

Vienna is in a disruptive state and the Duke desperately needs to return it to order. Pretending to leave the City he appoints the strict Lord Angelo in his place, returning in disguise to keep a watchful eye. What follows is a play of revelations, blackmail, sexual scandal and political intrigue - Shakespeare at his best.

Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, London, N1 2UN, United Kingdom www.banff-uk.com

Almeida Theatre, Almeida Street, London, N1 1TA www.almeida.co.uk

Until 7 February

13 - 27 February

EXHIBITION

DANCE

VISIBLE INVISIBLE: AGAINST THE SECURITY OF THE REAL

FLAMENCO FESTIVAL This vibrant and passionate festival returns for a seventh year with it’s finest flamenco dancers and musicians to date. Performances include a blend of contemporary and traditional styles from award winning duo Angel Rojas and Carlos Rodrigue, and new work Autorretrato inspired by the artistic process of creating a self portrait.

A showcase of contemporary art, this exhibition brings together the works of five distinguished artists who revel in the challenge of creating abstract and figurative art. Each composition attempts to interpret the unseen within the visible, resulting in a stunning exhibition. Parasol unit, 14 Wharf Road, London, N1 7RW www.parasol-unit.org

what'son

Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN www.sadlerswells.com

10 February

14 February

EVENT

MUSIC

ARTISTS AND REGENERATION

VALENTINES DAY CLASSICS

Regeneration projects always include design and development experts. But what happens when an artist is brought into the picture? Architecture Centre Network has invited three speakers to answer just this, explaining the benefits for urban renewal and the difference it can make to a community.

Valentine’s Day is upon us and what would be better than treating your loved one to a romantic evening of classics, beautifully played by the London Concert Orchestra. Debussy’s mesmerising ‘Clair de lune’ and Tchaikovsky’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ are just some of the scores included, topped off with a free rose for every couple.

The Building Exploratory, 8 Orsman Road, Hackney, London N1 5QJ www.buildingexploratory.org.uk

Barbican, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS www.barbican.org.uk

10 - 14 February

14 February

THEATRE

EVENT

OLD MOTHER HUBBARD

GIRLS NIGHT AT THE WINCHESTER

Garlic Theatre are the brains behind this humorous puppet show of our favourite nursery rhyme classic. Suitable for ages 3-6 years, watch Old Mother Hubbard as she takes you on a journey of singing teapots and musical treats whilst her dancing dog sniffs out all kinds of trouble. Baby friendly performances are available on Thursday and Sunday. The Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, Off Cross Street, Islington, N1 2DN www.littleangeltheatre.com

Whether you are single or fancy boycotting Valentine’s Day and spending it with the girls, The Winchester has the perfect evening planned. With a Cosmo in one hand and a cupcake in another, this will be the ideal ‘girl’s night in’. Providing chick flicks, a chocolate fountain and masseuses. The Winchester 2 Essex Road N1 8LN www.thewinchesterbar.com

events

Love your Bio Sculpture Gel Nails

15 February MUSIC TABOO-BE-DOO! Guitar duo Something Happened presents this hilarious celebration of politically incorrect music spanning the last 100 years. Joined by special guest Victoria Hart, you’ll be listening to various genres whilst enjoying a relaxed atmosphere and side splitting performance. All profits will go to the English PEN charity, promoters of literature and human rights.

Discover the difference of an advanced nail treatment, a coating to your natural nails to strengthen and condition them…

Kings Head Theatre, 115 Upper Street, Islington N1 1QN www.kingsheadtheatre.org

17 February COMEDY COMEDY GOLD The UK’s rising comedic genius’s will be sure to raise the roof at this months Comedy Gold, keeping you entertained for a good few hours whilst you enjoy a drink with friends or a delicious evening meal. Keep your eyes open for Simon Brodkin, tipped to be the next big thing. 44 Essex Road, Islington, London, N1 8LN www.theoldqueenshead.com

• Chip-free and long lasting • Dries instantly under UV lamp • Soaks off with no damage to natural nails • Over 100 colours, French and Clear • Learn new skills - Nail Courses available for beginners and experienced nail technicians For your closest salon and information on training courses call 0845 331 2347 www.biosculpture.co.uk

18 February - 10 March EXHIBITION

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SUTTON TAYLOR - CERAMICS Often described as one of Britain’s greatest potters, Sutton Taylor has been creating lustre ceramics for most of his life, all of which have gained international recognition and critical acclaim. This exhibition will give you the chance to see both his latest pieces, some of which are for sale, and his earlier works.

12/18/09 8:22:16 AM

'Purveyors of natural stone' Porcelain, Glass, Mosaic, Resin, Bespoke Stoneware

The Hart Gallery, 113 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 1QN www.hartgallery.co.uk

Monday EvENT SALSA SPEED DATING If you are looking for a chilled and fun way to meet that special someone, then why not try moving your hips a little. The Winchester is hosting Salsa Speeding Dating on the last Monday of every month and it is the perfect opportunity to meet new people in a unique way. Dance your way around the group of hopefuls and when the music stops flirt away. The Winchester 2 Essex Road, N1 8LN www.thewinchesterbar.com

Specialising in the professional installation of bathrooms and wet rooms All aspects of tiling carried out All tradesmen in-house 25 years experience

Galleria CeramiCs 77 essex road, islinGton n1 2sF tel: 020 7226 2010 e-mail: Galleria.CeramiCs@virGin.net

www.runwildmedia.com

CITY& ANGEL