Vantage

Please savour resPonsibly

t h e l a s t w o r d . 

w t h e m a c a l l a n . c o m 

f a c e b o o k . c o m / t h e m a c a l l a n 

@ t h e m a c a l l a n

Leading luxury lifestyle store store ACHICA offers 

Leading designer luxury brands lifestyle at great great store prices store ACHICA for for the the home offers 

designer Leading luxury brands lifestyle at great great store prices store ACHICA for for the the home offers 

and and a a wide wide variety of of gift gift ideas for for all all the the 

and designer and a a wide brands wide variety at great of great of gift prices gift ideas for for for the for the all home 

family. 

all the the 

family. and and a a wide wide variety of of gift gift ideas for for all all the the 

family. 

Whether you you are are looking for for something to to 

Whether spruce up you up you your your are are home looking in for in preparation for something for to for to 

spruce Whether up you up you your your are are home looking in for in preparation for something for to to 

Christmas guests, decorations to to adorn your your for 

Christmas spruce up up guests, your your home decorations in in preparation to to adorn your for your for 

halls halls or or the the perfect gift gift for for a a loved one, one, halls Christmas halls or or the the guests, perfect decorations gift gift for for a a loved to to adorn one, one, your your 

can can be be sure sure to to discover something special on 

on 

can halls halls can be or be sure or the sure the to perfect to discover gift gift something for for a a loved special one, one, you you 

ACHICA. 

on on 

ACHICA. can can be be sure sure to to discover something special on on 

ACHICA. 

Our Our Buyers work work hard hard to to secure offerings of of 

Our big Our big name Buyers designer work work hard hard brands to to secure as as well well offerings as as plenty 

of of 

big Our Our big name Buyers designer work work hard hard brands to to secure as as well well offerings as as plenty 

of of 

of of newer up up and and coming ones. Their Their 

of big big of newer name designer up up and and brands coming as as ones. well well as as plenty Their 

discoveries are are your your treasures, all all available 

Their 

discoveries of of newer up are up are and your and your coming treasures, ones. all all available 

Their Their 

at at up up to to 70% 70% off off the the high high street prices. 

at discoveries at up up to to 70% 70% are off are off your the your the high treasures, high street prices. all all available 

at at up up to to 70% 70% off off the the high high street prices. 

Daily Daily sales sales run run across furniture, lighting, 

Daily kitchen Daily sales sales & & dining, run run across bed bed furniture, & & bath, bath, lighting, 

home 

kitchen Daily Daily sales sales & & dining, run run across bed bed furniture, & & bath, bath, lighting, 

furnishings, garden & & pets, pets, art, art, baby baby & home & child, 

furnishings, kitchen & & garden dining, & & bed pets, bed pets, art, & art, & baby bath, baby bath, & home & child, 

fashion accessories and and food food & & drink. We We 

fashion furnishings, accessories garden & and & pets, and pets, food art, food art, & baby & baby drink. & & child, 

also also have have a a specially dedicated Christmas 

We We 

also fashion also have have accessories a a specially and and dedicated food food & & drink. Christmas 

We We 

shop shop on on the the site site which will will cater cater for for all all your your 

shop also also shop have on have on the the a site a specially site which dedicated will will cater cater for Christmas for gifting and and decorating needs in in the the run all run all up your up your to to 

gifting shop shop on and on and the the decorating site site which needs will will cater in cater in the for the run for all run all up your up your 

the the festive season. 

to to 

the gifting the festive and and season. decorating needs in in the the run run up up to to 

the the festive season. 

With With new new events starting every every day, day, popular 

With products With new new are events are often often starting sold sold out out every before every day, day, the the popular end end of of 

products With With new new are events are often often starting sold sold out out every before every day, day, the the popular end the the sale, sale, adding a a touch of of urgency end of to of to 

the products the sale, sale, are adding are often often sold a sold a touch out out before of of urgency the the end end of to of 

matters! 

to 

matters! the the sale, sale, adding a a touch of of urgency to to 

matters! 

Come and and plan plan your your festivities with with ACHICA; 

Come we we are are and here and here plan to plan to help your help your festivities you you discover with with ACHICA; and and save save 

we Come we are are and here and here plan to plan to help your help your festivities you you discover with with ACHICA; and more this this Christmas. 

and save save 

more we we are are this here this Christmas. here to to help help you you discover and and save save 

more this this Christmas. 

ACHICA.com 

ACHICA.com 

SAVE UP UP TO TO 

SAVE UP UP TO TO 

UP TO 

SAVE UP TO 

70% 

OFF 

OFF 

OFF 

RRP 

ON RRP 

ON RRP 

LEADING 

ON LEADING 

BRANDS BRANDS

“I FOUND “I FOUND THE 

THE 

perfect presents 

FOR EVERYONE WORKING FOR EVERYONE WORKING LATE” 

LATE” 

Great brands at at amazing prices, every day, 

Great brands anywhere 

at amazing you 

prices, can get 

every online. 

day, 

anywhere you can get online. 

DISCOVER MORE @ DISCOVER MORE ACHICA.COM 

ACHICA.COM

contents 

76 

Scene 

10 mother’s pride 

Matthew Rhys steps into 

literature’s most aloof riding 

boots as Mr Darcy 

15 through the 

looking glass 

The late fashion editor Isabella 

Blow’s unique style legacy 

18 a stitch in time 

Bespoke dressing for the party 

season with Joel & Son Fabrics 

24 decemBER DIARY 

From grottos, fêtes and markets 

to fairs, exhibtions and plays, fill 

your festive calendar 

26 art of the matter 

Regent Street’s art revolution 

Style 

33 Wishlist 

Damien Hirst goes 

kaleidoscope crazy 

for McQueen 

34 Style Update 

Burberry’s white hot Regent 

Street-store exclusives and 

Vivienne Westwood’s ‘Matches’ 

made in heaven 

36 silent night 

Step out of the shadows and into 

the sparkles 

44 if the choo fits 

In a rare interview, Jimmy Choo 

OBE talks life philosophies and 

rising above a media storm 

48 paint the town red 

Decedent gift ideas in this season’s 

hottest hue 

52 Beauty Update 

Clarins Christmas crackers and 

Estée Lauder compacts 

54 WHAT DREAMS ARE 

MADE OF 

Marilyn Monroe’s beauty secrets 

59 jazz hands 

Join the jet-set with a sensational 

lesson in pampering 

Interiors 

61 Wishlist 

Hang up your stocking with Toast 

62 Interiors Inspiration 

Cool quirky concepts and 

celebratory scents 

64 the art of the soirÉe 

From the industry’s most esteemed 

etiquette and style advisors 

Collection 

69 Wishlist 

50 years of David Morris 

71 Watch News 

IWC’s limited edition pilot’s watches 

75 Jewellery news 

Miranda Kerr dazzles as the new face 

of Swarovski 

76 heart of stone 

Her price was greater than rubies 

78 let’s get personal 

Harry Winston’s bespoke Ultimate 

Bridal Collection 

Health & Family 

85 Wishlist 

Hans Christian Andersen’s mystical 

childhood fairytales 

76 Nursery News 

Adorable Asprey collectables and 

Marni’s imaginary world 

Food & Drink 

93 Wishlist 

Discover the pleasures of Harrods’ 

bulging hampers 

96 JE T’AIME MON SHERRY 

Bubba’s favourite tipple makes a 

fashionable comeback 

Travel 

99 wishlist 

Louis Vuitton’s Parisian art 

of packing tutorials 

100 travel news 

Zaha Hadid meets Blohm + Voss 

96 54 44 

102 the great british escape 

Rural hideaways on your doorstep

BOODLES 

BOUCHERON 

BUCCELLATI 

BVLGARI 

CARTIER 

CHANEL FINE JEWELLERY 

CHAUMET 

CHOPARD 

DE BEERS 

DE GRISOGONO 

DIOR JOAILLERIE 

FABERGÉ 

FARAONE MENNELLA 

GARRARD 

H.STERN 

HARRY WINSTON 

HERMÈS 

MIKIMOTO 

PIAGET 

THEO FENNELL 

TIFFANY & CO. 

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS 

TIMELESS FINE JEWELS 

THE FINE JEWELLERY ROOM 

+44 (0)20 7730 1234

COVERING ST JOHN’S WOOD, MAIDA VALE, PRIMROSE HILL, MARYLEBONE, REGENT’S PARk AND THE SURROUNDING AREA 

issue 041 : £3.50 

COVERING ST JOHN’S WOOD, MAIDA VALE, PRIMROSE HILL, MARYLEBONE, REGENT’S PARk AND THE SURROUNDING AREA 

issue 040 : £3.50 

BEhind thE sCEnEs at 

thE hErmès atELiEr 

Erin O’COnnOr: 

thE viEw frOm thE tOp 

GEOrdiE GrEiG On 

LuCian’s Last yEars 

Dear Resident , 

‘There is no sincerer love than the love of food.’ – George Bernard Shaw 

Food, glorious food occupies our attention this month as we celebrate a few of the most excellent chefs in Belgravia; 

people who whet our appetite with their innovative concoctions, before satisfying our hunger with delectable 

offerings. Henry Hopwood-Phillips steps into the kitchen to meet Anton Mosimann of Mosimann’s, Sophie Michell 

of Pont Street and Sergio Sanz Blanco of Ametsa with Arzak Instruction at The Halkin by COMO. They discuss the 

Managing Editor 

Katie Randall 

Assistant Editor 

Lauren Romano 

Main Editorial Contributor 

Henry Hopwood-Phillips 

Editorial Assistant 

Jennifer Mason 

Editorial Intern 

Kara Wright 

importance of having good food, as well as fire, in your belly and Belgravian cuisine (p. 6). 

I had the pleasure of meeting Jo Malone of Jo Loves, a woman with an exceptional nose for scent and an 

unbreakable spirit. Read about her fascinating life journey on page 21 and pop down to her new ‘fragrance brasserie’ 

on 42 Elizabeth Street. The Journal also speaks to Matthew Parden, the managing director of Duncan Lawrie Private 

Bank (p. 14) and to local resident and international plastic surgeon Cap Lesesne (p. 18). 

Please do not hesitate to get in contact, email belgravia@residentsjournal.co.uk. 

Editor-in-Chief 

Lesley Ellwood 

Managing Director 

Eren Ellwood 

Senior NDesigner 

O V E M b E r 2 0 1 3 Client • I s sRelationship u E 1 8 Director 

Sophie Blain 

Felicity Morgan-Harvey 

General Manager 

Communications Director 

Fiona Fenwick 

Production 

Hugo Wheatley, Alex Powell, 

Oscar Viney 

Publishing Director 

Giles Ellwood 

Associate Publisher 

Sophie Roberts 

Loren Penney 

Head of Finance 

Elton Hopkins 

Above / Interior of Mosimann's 

private dining club (p. 7) 

Proudly published & printed in the UK by 

Member of the Professional 

Publishers Association / ppa.co.uk 

Written for the residents of 

Battersea, Balham, Clapham & Wandsworth 

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 3 • I s s u E 9 

Written for residents by residents 

n o v e m b e r 2 0 1 3 • I s s u e 7 

From the editor 

This time of year is a 

consumerist free-for-all. 

Jewels, furs, accessories; 

food, drink, yuletide 

decadence. And while I 

covet the vintage Chanel studs on our front 

cover as much as the next woman (see our 

December gift shoot in its full glory, p. 48), 

I’m brought down to earth by a man whose 

name embodies the word luxury, but whose 

philosophy, I am soon to discover, is a 

byword for humility and respect. In our exclusive interview with 

Jimmy Choo Obe, he challenges the notion of his own success and 

is humbled by those to whom he attributes his status as a proverbial 

fashion deity (p. 44). “In Chinese philosophy we say ‘one mountain 

is always higher than another mountain,’ says Choo. “There will 

always be someone who is better than you.” 

Matthew Rhys (of Brothers and Sisters and The Americans 

fame) is to play Mr Darcy in the bbc’s Death Comes to Pemberley 

adaption this month. He’s ditched the toupée and the us drawl... and 

is still in want of a wife (p. 10). And as the career of Maryleboneborn 

fashion editor Isabella Blow is honoured in the Fashion Galore! 

exhibition at Somerset House, Gabrielle Lane speaks to the curators 

cementing her unique style legacy (p. 15). 

Get in the mood for party season with our guide to a successful 

soirée. Banish off-the-rack frocks to the back of your wardrobe and 

head to Joel & Son Fabrics on Church Street: from a sculptural 

shift in claret-hued silk-satin to a fun voluminous frock in multicoloured 

prints, fashion illustrator Sairah Hicks showcases the 

bespoke cloth and cuts that will work for you (p.18). Elsewhere, 

Debrett’s – a British bastion of taste – guides us through throwing 

a memorable festive gathering (p. 64). And sherry, once the reserve 

of bubas and Santa, makes an unexpected comeback to cool: Gavin 

Haines, and the Vantage team, can drink to that (p. 96). 

Ho. Ho. Ho. And happy Chanukah. 

Editor 

Kari Rosenberg 

Deputy Editor 

Gabrielle Lane 

Collection Editor 

Annabel Harrison 

Contributing Editor 

Richard Brown 

Sub Editor 

Jasmine Phillips 

Feature Writers 

Georgia Barnett, Olivia Sharpe 

Senior Designer 

Grace Linn 

d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 3 i s s u e 4 1 

Production 

Alex Powell, Hugo Wheatley, Oscar Viney 

Proudly published by 

7 Heron Quay, Canary Wharf, London E14 4JB 

020 7987 4320 rwmg.co.uk 

Editorial Director 

Kate Harrison 

Brand Consistency 

Laddawan Juhong 

General Manager 

Fiona Fenwick 

Client Relationship 

Director 

Felicity Morgan-Harvey 

Communications 

Director 

Loren Penney 

Head of 

Finance 

Elton Hopkins 

Managing Director 

Eren Ellwood 

Members of the Professional Publishers Association 

Follow us on Twitter @VantageNW 

Paint the Town Red, p. 48 

Photography by Ian Walsh 

Styling by Boo Attwood 

the town 

DecaDent gift iDeas 

Kari Rosenberg 

Editor 

Va ntage 

Paint RED 

Runwild Media Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, 

manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are 

subject to change and Runwild Media Ltd. takes no responsibility for omissions 

or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved. 

DISTRIBUTION 

Vantage magazine is distributed throughout Hampstead, Highgate, 

Primrose Hill, St John’s Wood, Maida Vale, Marylebone and the surrounding 

areas. For complete maps please visit our website. 

Va ntage 

HIGH 

PROFILE 

FREUD 

Confidential 

ACCESS all 

AREAS 

BELGRAVIA 

Resident ’ s Journal 

Residents 

JOURNAL 

Residents 

JOURNAL 

Runwild Media Group 

Publishers of: 

Canary Wharf, The City Magazine 

The Kensington & Chelsea Magazine 

The Mayfair Magazine 

If the 

Choo 

exclusive: king of sole Jimmy on his 

inspiring life philosophies 

fits

From the Honeycomb Eternelle Ring Collection 

33 Albemarle Street - Mayfair, London WIS 4BP - Tel. 020 7629 5616 

MILANO, VENEZIA, FIRENZE, CALA DI VOLPE, CAPRI, PARIS, M ONTE CARLO, LONDON, 

MOSCOW, NEW YORK, CHICAGO,ASPEN, BEVERLY HILLS, TOKYO, OSAKA, HONG KONG, SIDNEY 

WWW.BUCCELLATI.COM

Mother’s 

Pride 

He’s not American. He’s not a lawyer. And despite his mum’s efforts, is still 

in want of a wife. Any takers for Matthew Rhys? asks Kari Rosenberg 

For ladies of a certain generation (and the 

majority of the population), there is only one 

Mr Darcy. Colin Firth, a white shirt clinging 

to his perfectly buff torso, emerging sodden 

from the lake, is one of the most famous 

moments in British TV history. While many have played 

the haughty Austen lead before (Laurence Olivier, David 

Matthew Macfadyen), brave is the man who has since 

dared to step into literature’s most aloof riding boots. The 

problem, according to Matthew Rhys – of Brothers and 

Sisters and The Americans fame – who will be doing just 

that for the BBC Christmas adaption of PD James’s 

Death Comes to Pemberley novel, is twofold: 

“Firstly, an enormous number of people have an 

incredibly personal relationship with Mr Darcy, as they 

do with many of literature’s great characters, because 

it has been fantasised so many times in their heads,” 

he mumbles down the phone while battling against 

the background noise of a Manhattan cafe. “Secondly, 

Colin Firth came along and not just immortalised him, 

but created some kind of national foundation [around 

the performance], so that the character will always be 

immediately associated with him.” 

With that in the back (or forefront) of his mind, 

Rhys, 39, hasn’t actively tried to make his Darcy 

different – but he can’t escape from the obvious 

comparisons, either. “I didn’t go back to Colin’s 

performance and look at it, to be honest. As memorable 

as it is for many, sadly, I don’t really recall the specifics. 

Ultimately, Darcy is a fictional character with some very 

specific traits. There will be similarities [between our 

interpretations] as we are both playing the same man; 

one that is incredibly complex and sensitive. 

But I won’t be impersonating Colin.” Rising star Anna 

Maxwell-Martin (The Bletchley Circle, South Riding) 

will be playing his co-star Elizabeth, though he cites 

Audrey Hepburn or Kylie Minogue as his all-time 

leading ladies: “I’ve had the longest crush on Kylie.” But 

to his mother’s disappointment, he’s still on the hunt for 

a real-life match. “She has totally given up.” 

A ‘kind of sequel’ to Jane Austen’s Pride and 

Prejudice, Death Comes to Pemberley fuses Austen’s 

characters and backstory with James’s crime fiction 

genre, in three one hour episodes. Following six years of 

marital bliss, Elizabeth and Darcy are living with their 

family at Pemberley, Darcy’s imposing estate (filmed in 

Derbyshire’s Chatsworth House). Jane and Bingley are 

just around the corner, Georgiana’s marriage prospects 

are looking positive and preparations for the annual 

autumn ball are well under way. But on the eve of the 

soirée, Lydia, (Elizabeth’s disgraced sister who, with her 

husband Wickham, has been shunned from the home 

since their elopement), announces in a fit of hysteria that 

her spouse has been killed, at which point the reader 

is plunged into a ‘whodunnit’ murder mystery. I can’t 

help but wonder what Austen’s take on the book would 

have been (in this, the 200th anniversary year of the 

first publication of Pride and Prejudice) – seeing her 

exquisitely crafted period characters thrown from their 

cerebral comfort zones. “I think she would have got a 

kick out of it!” Rhys laughs. 

With television going through a golden-age, even 

viewers that miss TV premiers are consuming box-sets 

in weekend marathons – dipping their fingers in a 

never-ending buffet of glossy American hit shows. The 

medium is attracting all the big names today; from 

10

interview xxx 

Photography by Pip, bypip.co.uk 

Clothing courtesy of matchesfashion.com

I find posh English quite 

hard to do. I always feel like 

I’m impersonating a Harry 

Enfield character 

writers to directors and producers to actors. Born and 

raised in Cardiff, Welsh is Rhys’s first language, so his 

Gaelic lilt (and humour) may come as a shock to those 

who discovered him on the US networks; following his 

six seasons as the gay attorney Kevin alongside Calista 

Flockhart or as the apathetic Russian spy – and master 

of the spoof disguise – Phillip. 

Currently in New York, filming a much-anticipated 

second season of The Americans, it was Brothers and 

Sisters that made his face a welcome and familiar TVroom 

presence; appearing in 109 episodes over five years 

of filming (and the same number of seasons), it was 

nominated for four Golden Globes, and attracted an 

unprecedented cult-following of women. 

“People come up to me and talk about Brothers 

and Sisters and say ‘Oh my God!’ (cue faux American 

accent) I can’t believe that you are not American! Or 

gay! A lot of people don’t even know where Wales is. 

They give you a blank look. But I do enjoy trying to tell 

them where it is on the map. When you say between 

England and Ireland, they say: isn’t that the sea? 

“Strangely enough, I struggled a bit with Darcy’s 

posh accent more than the American ones I’ve done. 

I find posh English quite hard to do. I always feel like 

I’m impersonating a Harry Enfield character – or Lord 

Snooty.” Does he ever get so into the character that he 

ends up talking in their accent after the camera cuts? 

He cackles. “No. I’m definitely not a method actor. 

No danger of that.” More instantly recognisable in the 

States than at home, Rhys finds the idea of screaming 

fans, chasing him down the street even more hilarious: 

“I’m still waiting for that rock and roll moment.” 

But was he overwhelmed by the response to the 

show? “I was actually!” he laughs. “I think ultimately 

when you deal with something as accessible and 

everyday as a family drama with universal themes, you 

are going to get fans. The show was all about people 

dealing with relationships. But to be honest, I was 

surprised at the level it got to.” 

The Americans on the other hand is less feel-good 

family drama, more Tinker Tailor with an unrequited 

love thread, focusing on two Soviet intelligence agents 

posing as a married couple to spy on the government. 

We discuss the rise of the loveable TV anti-hero (the 

Nicholas Brodys and “Nucky” Thompsons), and 

while Phillip can certainly pack a well-timed punch, 

his character lacks the evil depths to put him quite in 

the same league. Let’s face it: a Heisenberg pork-pie 

hat is one thing, but you’d never see Tony Soprano 

in such a ridiculous toupée. Picturing raiding the 

colourful costume cupboard, I’m sure there are plenty of 

opportunities for laughs on set. 

12 

Death Comes to Pemberley 

Photography by Robert Viglasky 

Courtesy of BBC/Origin

interview 


Photography by Robert Viglasky 

Courtesy of BBC/Origin 

Photography by Pip, bypip.co.uk 

Clothing courtesy of matchesfashion.com 

“Well, when I auditioned for The Americans I 

had to do a ‘chemistry read’ with Keri Russell (who 

plays his partner in crime and matrimony, another 

Elizabeth) to see if we gelled. In the scene we did, 

she had to slap me, and the director told her to 

wallop me hard, unbeknown to me. She smacked 

me so vigorously that I didn’t know what day it 

was! I was shocked. As a consequence of that, Keri 

now thinks it’s hilarious to slap me just before they 

shout ‘action’. During the last series you can see a red 

handprint on my chin in a few scenes. She thought it 

was hysterical.” 

I tell him I wouldn’t be able to resist sliding a wig 

or two into my handbag when nobody was watching. 

“Oh I take everything,” he laughs. “I used to nick all 

sorts, anything to do with the film or show that I was 

on. It used to be so much easier back in the day but 

now they are on to you about anything and everything. 

When we were doing Brothers and Sisters in LA, they 

were filming one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies 

in the studio next door. Late one Friday afternoon, 

security came in saying Johnny Depp’s hat had been 

stolen and everyone’s car would be searched on the way 

out. There was uproar!” I assume the punch line ends 

with his admitting to the theft (what a scoop!) but I’m 

disappointed to learn that an extra is to blame. I vent 

my frustration at the anti-climax of this nugget. “I don’t 

really have any good stories. I do apologise,”he says. 

Rhys finds the time to watch Breaking Bad and 

Homeland along with the rest of us, but he can’t bear to 

watch himself on screen. “I stopped doing that as it didn’t 

do me any favours. I got too caught up in the bullsh*t. 

You start worrying about the way you stand, the way you 

walk; and those thoughts become a little too loud in your 

head, which doesn’t help [in the long run].” 

Presuming he’ll be avoiding the TV over the festive 

season for dread of seeing his own face smiling back, 

Rhys will be going home to Cardiff, helping out in a 

local soup kitchen with his whole family. He gets back 

home three or four times a year, usually combined with 

a stint in London. “You can’t get decent fish and chips 

in LA so I gorge on it when I come home.”A truth 

universally acknowledged… • 


BBC One, December 2013

l o w n d e s s t r e e t , l o n d o n , s w 1 , 0 2 0 3 5 3 9 8 7 3 8 , n e v e n a . c o . u k 

b y a p p o i n t m e n t o n l y

feature 

Through the 

Looking 

gLass 

As the life, work and wardrobe of Marylebone-born fashion editor Isabella Blow 

is honoured in the Fashion Galore! exhibition at Somerset House, 

Gabrielle Lane speaks to the curators about why the project is so unique 

15

At some moments 

the exhibition seems 

very recent, at some 

moments it seems 

like it’s from another 

age — I find that 

very interesting 

In 2010, three years after the 

suicide of fashion editor Isabella 

Blow, Daphne Guinness halted a 

Christie’s auction of her late friend’s 

belongings in an effort to preserve 

her style legacy in its entirety. At the time 

of personally purchasing the 98 outfits and 

two photographs, she spoke of her desire 

for the collection to one day be regarded as 

a work of art, telling The New York Times 

“It’s Issy – it’s her DNA – it should not be 

scattered to the four winds. I want it to 

remain as a monument.” 

On 20 November of this year, 

Guinness finally got her wish: Somerset 

House opened its doors to the Fashion 

Galore! exhibition in association with 

Central Saint Martins and The Isabella 

Blow Foundation. It’s an installation – 

curated by fashion historian Alistair O’Neill 

and Shonagh Marshall – which is unlike any 

other in its contemporary significance. 

Firstly, there is the fact that Blow’s 

untimely death exposes her surviving 

wardrobe at an earlier point in time than 

one would normally expect. “To suddenly 

be looking at this wardrobe in 2013, is 

unusual,” O’Neill explains. “As a fashion 

historian you wouldn’t expect to see this 

wardrobe for 25 to 35 years after the subject 

has lived out their natural life. It means that 

a lot of the things we’re examining are no 

more than a decade old. At some moments 

[the exhibition] seems very recent, at some 

moments it seems like it’s from another age – 

I find that very interesting.” 

Then, there is the challenge that editing 

the selection of relatively modern pieces 

presents: “Obviously, fashion moves at a 

very fast pace, but the way in which fashion 

becomes fashion history is a slower process. 

Things need to bed down in history before 

we can look at them objectively, so the idea 

of qualifying some of the designers that 

Isabella supported, and some of the pieces 

designed by them, is trickier,” says O’Neill. 

It is precisely the relationships that 

Blow had with the designers whose clothes 

she wore that made her notable in an 

industry which she helped to nurture, 

but would eventually struggle to find 

comfort in. Spotting the potential in 

emerging creatives such as Philip Treacy 

and Alexander McQueen when they were 

penniless artists, Blow wore their debut 

pieces to high profile events and devoted 

spreads in Tatler and The Sunday Times 

Style to supporting their work, long before 

her peers expressed an interest. “I’m not 

sure if people realise how important she was 

to some of the biggest designers this country 

has ever produced,” says O’Neill. “I hope 

people take away from this exhibition a 

greater sense of what she contributed to the 

culture of creativity.” 

It’s a sentiment echoed by co-curator 

Shonagh Marshall who adds: “There’s a 

huge celebratory element to the exhibition 

– Isabella the fashion editor, the shoots 

and the styling, the way she had an eye 

for talent before anyone else could even 

imagine [their success].” It was Marshall 

who was asked to archive the clothing 

collection by Daphne Guinness upon 

acquisition. Having catalogued and stored 

each garment individually, Fashion Galore! 

gave her the opportunity to contextualise 

Blow’s dress history: “You can really trace 

a life lived through the clothes; I feel like 

we’ve brought each piece to life. It’s about 

thematic sections – ranging from Isabella’s 

ancestry and grandmother, Lady Vera Delves 

Broughton and how Isabella was fascinated 

by her, to the designers she discovered. My 

favourite bit, being so close to the clothing, 

has been working with [set designer] Shona 

Heath on the mannequins. We went through 

a process of looking through archival images 

16

feature 

at social events on the red carpet, through 

that we built up outfits from the collection 

and whenever really key pieces were 

missing, we went out and found them.” 

Not only does the serendipitous nature 

of the project lend this fashion exhibition 

an authenticity often said to be lacking in 

the retrospectives staged by some brands 

(both Chanel and Armani have been cited 

as creating purely commercial displays in 

recent years) but the omissions and the 

imperfections of Fashion Galore! will 

leave visitors with a new understanding of 

Blow’s character that cannot be gleaned 

from biographies. She wore her clothes 

irreverently, with a sense of fun. Inside a 

hawthorn-print coat from the Alexander 

McQueen MA collection (which Blow 

famously purchased upon his graduation) 

is a cigarette burn. The label of another 

velvet belle-époque style piece reads 

‘Isabella McQueen 2003’ as it was made 

especially for her. “Isabella had quite an 

unusual relationship with the items in 

her wardrobe,” O’Neill laughs. “She was 

always trapping the hem of her dress in a 

car door; she often lost things, she’d leave 

things in cabs and hotel rooms. When we 

were looking at photographs of Isabella, 

we’d see things and think ‘that’s not in the 

wardrobe – what a shame.’ But I think it’s 

part and parcel of the life story that we’re 

trying to tell.” 

Take, for example, the famous ‘lobster 

hat’ Isabella Blow was photographed 

wearing in 1998 to a Julien Macdonald 

fashion show in London. Having 

discovered the iconic headwear was 

nowhere to be found, O’Neill spoke to 

its designer, Erik Halley, who had the 

item in his workshop and an anecdote to 

share: Blow was being driven to a fashion 

Isabella Blow’s character cannot be 

gleaned from biographies. She wore her clothes 

irreverently, with a sense of fun 

show in Paris by the 

photographer Sean Ellis, 

when he braked hard at a 

junction. The fascinator, 

a brittle shell, had hit 

the roof of the car and 

smashed into innumerable 

pieces. Undeterred, Blow 

had gathered up the 

fragments and sent them 

back to Halley for repair, 

who had not had time to 

return the design before 

her death. As a result of 

the curators’ detective 

work, the finished article 

will, however, be on 

display this winter. “It’s 

things like that – bringing 

it all together – it [feels] amazing,” says 

Shonagh Marshall. “I always think of 

Isabella Blow as being like a character 

from a novel. I hope visitors to the 

exhibition will also feel that her story 

is really there.” • 

Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore! 

Until 2 March 2014 

Somerset House, WC2 

somersethouse.org.uk 

Isabella Blow Collection, with 

photography by Nick Knight, edited by 

Alistair O’Neill with Professor Caroline 

Evans, Alexander Fury and Shonagh 

Marshall will be published by Rizzoli, 

£40, available to buy at the Somerset 

House book shop 

First page: 

Net dome hat, Philip Treacy, c. 2004 ; White fur coat, 

Louis Vuitton, A/W 2004 ; Black silk draped low cut dress, 

Wunderkind, S/S 2006, worn to the premiere of ‘The 

Phantom of the Opera’ in London, 6 December 2004 

Model: Liberty Ross at Storm Models 

© Nick Knight 

Opposite page: 

Shocking pink sheer burka with printed teddy detail, 

Undercover by Jun Takahashi, S/S 2003, worn to Christian 

Dior Haute Couture S/S 2003 in Paris, January 2003 

Model: Alexia Wright 


This page, clockwise from top left: 

Black frock coat with feather stand up collar and 

embroidery detailing, silk and feather, Alexander 

McQueen, S/S 2003 



Duchess satin jacket, Alexander McQueen, Central Saint 

Martins MA Fashion Collection 1992 ; Underwear, Rigby 

& Peller; Shoes, Manolo Blahnik 



Isabella Blow and Philip Treacy, Vanity Fair 2003 

© Donald McPherson

A stitch 

IN TIME: 

Bespoke DRESSING 

Vantage probes the archives of esteemed 

fabric supplier Joel & Son in the quest for 

party-perfect dresses 

ILLUSTRATIONS / Sairah Hicks 

WORDS / Gabrielle Lane 

The Bohemian 

With its wall-to-wall displays of Italian couture, 

metallic lamé, Chantilly lace and Swarovski 

crystal trims, it’s difficult to believe that one 

of north west London’s best-loved fabric 

emporiums began life as a stall selling surplus 

WWII army parachutes for shirt material. Today, more than 60 

years after Hyman Bull’s son Joel embraced 2am starts to run the 

family’s textile business, his name sits above the door of Joel & 

Son Fabrics in Church Street, NW8 and the company has forged 

relationships with some of the industry’s most notable design 

houses and suppliers. Case and point? Jakob Schlaepfer, the 104- 

year old manufacturing firm providing Louis Vuitton with its 

tortoiseshell sequins, Prada with its cotton guipures – or decorative 

lace – and Chanel with several, undisclosed fantasy fabrics. 

‘Undisclosed’ is the word for much of Joel & Son’s business 

due to the prestigious nature of its clientele: there are rumours of 

Bond film costumes and whispers that ‘Madam Malkin’s Robes 

for all Occasions’ (of Harry Potter fame), might lie close to home. 

Then of course, there is the undeniable fact that Joel & Son holds 

a Royal Warrant for services to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

However, Coby Bull, e-commerce director, is too discreet to confirm 

the details and charmingly, tells me of a more inclusive aim: “Joel 

& Son Fabrics gives anyone the opportunity to create whatever 

they wish with the finest materials,” he says. With this in mind, the 

Vantage team selected its favourite fabrics for festive wardrobes, 

alongside bespoke dress designer Sairah Hicks. 

The Exotic Beauty 

The international crowd straddles the style categories of 

‘show-stopping’ and ‘demure’. Created by Jakob Schlaepfer of 

Switzerland, Sairah Hicks was immediately drawn to a couture 

fabric featuring silver sequins embroidered onto white gold lace, 

18

feature 

The Exotic Beauty 

The Traditionalist

feature 

which gives immediate impact to cocktail and evening 

dresses, without the need for plunging necklines or 

statement accessories. For the most high profile of events, 

the fabric can be lined with tulle to add fullness to the 

skirt of a feminine, form-fitting, maxi-length gown. 

Sequin Embroidered Lace by Jakob Schlaepfer 

£889.90 per metre 

The Traditionalist 

Almost as easy to wear as the colour black and infinitely 

more interesting, a deep violet cocktail dress has all the 

attributes of an unlikely wardrobe hero. The rich hue 

has been commandeered by the likes of Miu Miu and 

Roksanda Ilincic in recent years, but is classic enough 

to transcend style seasons while remaining relatively 

conservative. For a designer, a single wool crepe such 

as this material is lightweight and simple to work with, 

making it a favourite for dresses with draping or ruching 

which can help to contour curvier silhouettes. For this 

reason, voluminous sleeves can also be created, before 

the finishing touches are added – jewelled-tones will 

work as well as metallic pieces. “A wool crepe is also a 

very comfortable fabric to wear,” Coby Bull tells us. 

Deep Violet Silk Marocain Crepe, £109.90 per metre 

The Occasional Entertainer 

For those whom festive events serve as a once-a-year 

opportunity to relinquish domesticity and relax – only 

‘glad rags’ will do. We’re in the camp that believes red – 

or deep claret – represents ultimate glamour. Joel & Sons 

Fabrics stocks doublefaced 

silk-satin of 

exceptionally 

high quality from 

Italy, which comes 

in more than 250 

colours including 

Deep Bordeaux, 

Grape and Burgundy. 

“I’d use this to create a 

sculptured knee-length 

cocktail dress,” explains 

Sairah, who suggests 

pairing it with an Art Decoinspired 

crystal belt. More is 

more in this case. 

Deep Bordeaux Silk Satin 


The Occasional 

Entertainer 

The Bohemian 

If there’s one look that will resonate with north west 

Londoners it’s a bourgeoisie interpretation of ‘hippie 

chick’. Forget muted tones, languid trapeze style shapes 

should be worn in bright colours for a festive twist. This 

being the most opulent fabric boutique around, a nod to 

the outdoors comes courtesy of Liberty of London, or 

fabric embedded with gold Lurex leaves. The majority 

of options in this category are vintage, including silks 

from Ken Scott. 

Multi-Coloured Green Silk on Lamé 


The Socialite 

The Socialite 

Imagine discovering a range of Gianni Versace Fil 

Coupe Printed Silk in the attic. It happened here. Those 

wanting something very special for a party can now 

choose exclusive cuts of fabric busting with blooms and 

colour, for a dose of fun. Sairah Hicks chose to run 

with an image of the ‘golden girl’ imagining an apricot 

and gold fabric worn in a glitzy, puffball style which 

will guarantee the wearer is the centre of attention at 

any event. 

Gianni Versace Fil Coupe Printed Silk 

£80.90 per metre • 

Joel & Son Fabrics, 73-87 Church Street, NW8 

joelandsonfabrics.com 

020 7724 6895 

Sairah Hicks, 07876 776585 

sairah@sairahhicks.com 

20

Swiss movement, English heart 

Calibre JJ03 modification (Patent pending) of ETA 2893 self-winding movement / 

Personally assembled by Master Watchmaker, Johannes Jahnke and team at 

CW’s Swiss atelier / 2 x 24 hour time-zone display / 24 airport code identification 

and simultaneous world map indicator / 43mm, marine-grade, 316L polished 

steel case with sapphire crystal and transparent case-back / Ethically sourced, 

midnight blue, Louisiana alligator strap with Bader deployment

Just a couple 

of hours from home. 

And yet a world away. 

w w w . a u s t r i a . i n f o 

Yo u r p e r s o n a l H o l i d a y I n f o r m a t i o n L i n e : 

0 8 4 5 1 0 1 1 8 1 8 ( c a l l s c h a r g e d a t l o c a l r a t e s )

scene 

LOCAL Update 

Covering the whole of north west London 

23

WARHOL’S MUSE 

Proud Camden presents the rare exhibit Warhol’s 

Muse by David McCabe this month: a photographic 

diary charting the rise of the iconic artist’s best 

known subject, US socialite, model and all-round It 

girl, Edie Sedgwick. Having been invited by Andy 

Warhol to document life at The Factory between 

1964 and 1965, McCabe soon became part of 

her considerable entourage and took more than 

2,500 photographs, serving as a pivotal moment 

in art history. Viewers can browse through David’s 

photographic works that document Sedgewick’s 

meteoric rise within the world of film; an exceptional 

display for the festive calendar. 

11am-5pm, 11 December – 2 February 

The Horse Hospital, Stables Market, NW1 

roll up, roll up 

With grottos and fêtes, markets and fairs 

springing up all over north west London this 

month, we’ve narrowed down the high street 

parties not to be missed. 

Photography © David McCabe 

YULETIDE TREATS 

Revive the tradition of homemade gifts 

and spend a morning getting creative 

with Fiona Cairns at the Waitrose 

Cookery School. Learn top tips from 

the cake decorating queen, as she shares 

her ultimate chocolate celebration cake 

recipe, and demonstrates her impressive 

skills. Fiona will also be signing 

Christmas gifts, and copies of her latest 

book Seasonal Baking, which will be 

available to purchase on the day. 

£45, 3:30 - 4:30pm, 12 December 

199 Finchley Road, NW3 

St John’s Wood welcomes its high street 

Christmas grotto with a rather special twist. 

During the first two weeks of the month, 

children are invited to take part in Santa’s 

workshops and to meet the man himself. There 

will also be a lucky dip for family members of 

all ages with the star prize being the chance to 

become a zoo keeper for the day at London Zoo. 

Visit stjohnswoodnw8.com for dates 

Camden Lock Market is hosting a season 

of festive late-night shopping, giving eager 

customers a chance to browse more than 300 

unique stalls for special gifts and trinkets, as 

well as delicious treats. 

6-10pm, 14-16 December 

Maida Vale presents its Christmas bazaar 

with The Homeworks, a talented team of local 

designers displaying a curated mix of seasonal 

collections. Purchase exclusive, bespoke items 

including homewares, clothing and jewellery. 

10-2pm 1 and 8 December, Queen’s Park 

Farmers’ Market, Salusbury Road, NW6 

24

scene 

DRAWING THE LINE 

Hampstead Theatre will showcase playwright 

Howard Brenton’s new masterpiece, inspired by 

real-life conversations during a visit to India in 

2009. Drawing the Line exposes the chaos of the 

Partition of India – an act that has shaped the 

modern world. The story unfolds in India in 1947, 

as the audience is exposed to a dangerous whirlpool 

of political intrigue and passion in a country full of 

religious and racial turmoil. The lead role will be 

played by acclaimed British actor Tom Beard most 

recently well-known for his role alongside Ewan McGregor and Emily 

Blunt in the film Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. 

Tickets from £15, 3 December – 11 January, Eton Avenue, NW3 

family values 

From Brick Lane 

to Essex, Hendon 

to Ruislip, Jewish 

Londoners talk family 

feuds and crossed 

wires (with a bit of 

pornography and 

mental illness in 

between) in Listen 

We’re Family. Set to 

be a hilarious new 

play from actor and 

writer Kerry Shale, 

alongside Peep Show’s 

Isy Suttie, it is the 

first theatre commission to open the new Jewish arts 

centre, JW3. Directed by Matthew Lloyd, a 91 yearold 

barber recalls a racist punch-up, a 25 year-old gay 

man is embraced by his family and an Orthodox rabbi 

recalls wartime family secrets (among other stories) – 

all taken from interviews with families about modern 

Jewish life. 

Until 24 November, 341-351 Finchley Road, NW3 

CHRISTMAS AT KENWOOD 

The stunning Kenwood House has reopened; enjoy an exclusive 

first look at the completed Caring for Kenwood project 

during a grand tour of the house, as the project’s 

curator takes you through the extent of the impressive 

renovations. A lavish drinks reception completes the 

evening’s unique activities on 28 November. 

winter’s 

tale 

William Shakespeare has 

been an inspiration for every 

possible art form. Here, the 

students of the Musical Theatre 

Company, accompanied by the 

Musical Theatre Orchestra, 

will take the audience on an 

entertaining journey through 

some of the pieces he’s inspired. 

Shakespeare the Showtunes 

will include fun favourites from 

West Side Story, The Lion King 

and Kiss Me Kate. Something 

different, at least... 

Tickets £12, 7.30pm 

30 November and 

1 December 

Royal Academy of Music 

Marylebone Road, NW1 

FROM JEANS 

TO ART 

Photography by Emil Langvad 

“Jeans are for everybody and art 

should be the same.” These are the 

words of British creative artist Ian 

Berry, also known as Denimu: Berry 

has cut, stitched and glued thousands 

of pairs of charity shop jeans for his 

newest collection displayed at the 

Catto Gallery. He was recently voted 

as one of the 30 most influential 

artists under 30 by Art Business News 

magazine, and has sold his work across 

the US, Europe and Australasia. The 

local exhibition will include many 

familiar London scenes: from a packed 

summer afternoon on Primrose Hill 

to drinkers in the Holly Bush pub in 

Hampstead. His largest installation 

piece was inspired by magazine covers, 

and displays many famous faces 

made from denim such as Kate Moss. 

Pictures start from £2,000 

£25, 5pm-7.30pm, 28 November 

Hampstead Lane, NW3 

Photography courtesy of English Heritage 

21 November – 10 December 

100 Heath Street, NW3

Art 

of the Matter 

Rebecca Wallersteiner explores Regent 

Street’s exciting art revolution 

111 Strand, façade by Langlands and Bell. Commissioned by 

Modus Operandi for City and West End Developments Ltd. 

Image © Morley von Sternberg 

In the decadent 1890s, Regent Street 

was the place to be – with all the 

literary and art glitterati of the day, 

including Aubrey Beardsley, HG 

Wells and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 

flocking to the Café Royal to dine on oysters 

and Champagne, and dance until dawn in 

its mirrored ballroom. Owned by the Crown 

Estate, Regent Street owes its curved shape 

and elegant buildings to the genius of the 

architect John Nash, who conceived it in the 

early 1800s. 

Bombed during World War II, it lost 

some of its sparkle during the subsequent 

grim years of rationing. Optimism and 

confidence returned to the area in the 1960s, 

when nearby Carnaby Street became the 

centre of swinging London and attracted 

exciting young musicians and fashion 

designers, like the Rolling Stones and Mary 

Quant. In the 1970s, David Bowie created 

his iconic album cover for The Rise and Fall 

of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, 

at 23 Heddon Street. He ‘retired’ his alter 

ego Ziggy with a starry party at the Café 

Royal in 1973. 

During the late 1970s and 1980s Regent 

Street began looking tired again and needed 

the vision of a new Nash to revive it. The 

Crown Estate stepped in and engaged the 

hottest architects, artists and art experts 

around to give the area a major facelift. 

They approached visual arts curator Vivien 

Lovell, the director of Modus Operandi, 

who finds and matches contemporary artists 

with public spaces. She has organised several 

award-winning, high-profile art projects 

around Regent Street, including the new BBC 

Broadcasting House; Vital Signs by Spencer 

Finch, Timelines by Daniela Schönbächler 

for the Quadrant and the stunning new 

East Window by Shirazeh Houshiary for St 

Martin-in-the-Fields. 

When I arrive at the BBC to interview 

Vivien Lovell, I immediately spot her as 

26

scene 

Timeslines, by Daniella Schönbächler at Wilder Walk 

she looks like a sculpture herself. Elegant 

and whippet-thin, she wears eye-catching 

sculptural jewellery, which sets off her 

chiseled features. “Art enlivens public 

places and buildings and causes us to 

think about the world differently,” says 

Lovell. She points out that we are standing 

on World, a new public piazza by Mark 

Pimlott, one of three new permanent 

artworks commissioned for the Beeb and 

engraved with place-names evoking the 

distant, often remote reaches of the World 

Service. “World offers a place to meet, 

listen to music, observe radio and television 

personalities and be part of the building on 

a casual day-to-day basis,” explains Lovell. 

The lights set in the surface can be imagined 

as stars or cities. As we stand in Portland 

Place, Lovell also draws my attention to 

the sculpture Breathing, an inverted steel 

cone, by Jaume Plensa, set high up on the 

roof of the new East Wing of the BBC 

building. At 10pm every night a vertical 

beam of light projects upwards from the 

sculpture connecting it to the night sky, like 

a beacon – offering a poignant memorial to 

news journalists tragically killed in action. 

She then takes me on, what turns out to 

be, a fascinating two-hour walk around 

Regent Street and, although I know the area 

well, Lovell reveals a number of unfamiliar 

artworks to me. 

Given the number of fashion brands 

on Regent Street, including Burberry, 

Vital Signs by Spencer Finch

scene 

John Nash’s Regent Street curve 

St George Street/Maddox Street, Stream of Spectrum by 

Antoni Malinowski. Commissioned by Modus Operandi for 

Scottish Widows Investment Partnership Ltd. 

Image © Modus Operandi. 

Optimism and 

confidence surrounds the 

future of Regent Street 

Guy’s Hospital Haematology Unit, Chasing Good Fortune 

by Ori Gersht. Commissioned by Modus Operandi for 

Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity. Image © Nick David. 

Guy’s Hospital Biomedical Research Centre 

LABORATAROBAL by Simeon Nelson. Commissioned 

by Modus Operandi for Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity. 

Image © Simeon Nelson. 

Longchamp and 

Aquascutum, it isn’t 

surprising that many of the 

leading contemporary art 

dealers who have recently 

moved their bases into the 

area are women. Pippy 

Houldsworth, Sadie Coles 

and Victoria Miro have 

all opened contemporary 

art galleries around 

Regent Street. Lovell 

guides me to Victoria 

Miro’s new gallery on 

George Street and points 

out Stream of Spectrum, an exquisite 

hand-crafted, modern Venetian mosaic, by 

Antoni Malinowski, set into the soffit of 

the building. We pass David Bowie’s old 

studio at 6 Heddon Street, where Pippy 

Houldsworth has represented Rachel 

Goodyear, Martin Kobe, Neil Farber and 

Daniel Arsham, since 2011. “A month 

ago, ultra-cool Sadie Coles, who represents 

leading cutting-edge contemporary artists 

including Sarah Lucas and Mat Collishaw 

opened a vast 60,000ft gallery space on 

Kingly Street, running parallel to Regent 

Street,” Lovell tells me. Two other vast 

international galleries, Blain|Southern and 

Hauser & Wirth have also recently chosen 

the area as their base – which is bound 

to establish Regent Street’s position as an 

international art mecca. 

We amble past the re-furbished Café 

Royal, which still retains its famous 

original Grill Room, though the hotel now 

offers levels of opulence that would even 

dazzle the pleasure-loving Oscar Wilde. Its 

famous wine cellars stretch underground 

beneath Regent Street. Lovell draws my 

attention to Vital Designs, a stunning large 

light sculpture on the external wall of 

MASH restaurant and part of the Dixon 

Jones development of the Quadrant: 

Don’t forget to look up at it when you 

walk past. She then shows me another 

exciting light installation called Timelines 

by Daniela Schönbächler, which bathes 

Wilder Walk, a covered walkway which 

connects Glasshouse Street to Sherwood 

Street through light. “If you look carefully 

you can see the light effects gradually 

changing.” In a few years this block has 

been completely transformed for the better 

and I am intrigued by the new speciality 

shops we pass, which still retain elegant 

original facades. “The Crown Estate 

encourages small businesses, which are the 

lifeblood of the city, to thrive,” says Lovell. 

“They are concerned to preserve, wherever 

possible, features of historical importance 

and maintain the romance and character of 

the area,” she adds. Another iconic local 

institution, The Arts Club on Dover Street, 

an old haunt of Charles Dickens, Kipling, 

Monet and Rodin, which was facing 

bankruptcy a few years ago is now also 

flourishing again. 

Thanks to The Crown Estate’s 

foresight, a surge of optimism and 

confidence surrounds the future of Regent 

Street. These projects are part of a wider 

regeneration of the area which will 

completely revamp this part of London. If 

art-loving Wilde were alive today he would 

no doubt enjoy all the pleasures Regent 

Street offers and agree with Lovell that “art 

has the power to transform an area.” • 

Akerman Road Health Centre. Façade by Daniel Sturgis 

and interior wall painting Anthocyanin by Paul Morrison. 

Commissioned by Modus Operandi for Guy’s and St 

Thomas’ Charity. Image © Ioana Marinescu. 

28

preview, © Cyril © Cyril © Lagel, Cyril Lagel, Lagel, 123RF, 123RF, 123RF, Getty Getty Getty Images, Graphic Obsession. SCP SCP © SCP © Garath © Garath Garath Hacker. Bosa Bosa Bosa © © Tiziano © Rossi. Rossi. Rossi. Soonsalon © © Michiel © Cornelissen. © Cinna. © Cinna. © Cinna. © © Sentou. © SAFI SAFI SAFI organisation, a a subsidiary a of of Ateliers of d’Art d’Art de d’Art de France de France France and and Reed and Reed Reed Expositions France France France 

Open house 

24-28 JAN. 2014 

24-28 PARIS 24-28 JAN. 

JAN. NORD 2014 

2014 VILLEPINTE 

PARIS www.maison-objet.com 

PARIS NORD VILLEPINTE 

www.maison-objet.com 

NORD VILLEPINTE 

www.maison-objet.com 

International home design exhibition 

International Trade International only home design exhibition 

home design exhibition 

Visitors: Trade only Promosalons UK 

Trade 

Tel. Visitors: +44 

only Promosalons 208 216 3106 UK - mathilde@promosalons.co.uk 

Visitors: Tel. +44 Promosalons 208 216 3106 UK - mathilde@promosalons.co.uk 

Tel. +44 208 216 3106 - mathilde@promosalons.co.uk

Guestlist 

Mr Peabody and Sherman 

themed Christmas lights 

The big switch on Emma Bunton and Melanie Chisholm Leona Lewis 

Launch of the Regent Street Christmas Lights, 

Regent Street 

9 November 2013 

An all day event marked the unveiling of the Regent Street 

Christmas lights: the installation depicts the new DreamWorks 

animation film Mr Peabody and Sherman and costumed characters 

welcomed shoppers to Regent Street, before Heart Breakfast 

presenters Jamie Theakston and Emma Bunton hosted feel-good 

musical performances from the likes of Passenger, Eliza Doolittle, 

Gabrielle and Leona Lewis. It was the latter who had the honour of 

switching on the lights alongside Emmy Award Winning actor Ty 

Burrell and Hollywood film director Rob Minkoff. 

Regent Street, W1 

Crowds gathered to watch the show 

Tamsin Egerton Molly King Mary Charteris Portia Freeman Jodie Kidd GIllian Anderson and Vanessa Kirby 

Louis Vuitton Townhouse opening party, Marble Arch 


Louis Vuitton recently opened its doors to its new urban retail destination: The 

Townhouse, set within Selfridges. Built over three inter-connecting floors, the 

magnificent interior, which includes a revolving glass elevator, was designed by 

French-born, Japan-based designer Gwenaël Nicolas. On the opening night, 

visitors marvelled at the stunning new collection of leather goods, accessories and 

travel items as well as the Maison’s iconic monogramming and bespoke service. 

Tamsin Egerton, Portia Freeman, Mary Charteris and Jodie Kidd were among the 

crowd of eager shoppers delighting in canapés and bubbly refreshments. 

The monogramming service in action 

160 New Bond Street, W1 

louisvuitton.com 

30

scene 

We also attended… 

An Evening with Amanda 

Wakeley, Fulham 

24 October 2013 

Amy Molyneaux 

Quintessentially Weddings Atelier launch party, Marylebone 

29 October 2013 

Hugo Burnand 

Noelle Reno 

Kimberly Wyatt 

The launch of the Quintessentially Weddings Atelier was a huge success, as many glamorous 

guests arrived to celebrate in style at the stunning venue of 29 Portland Place. The unique 

event welcomed the world’s finest artisans to present every element needed for the ultimate 

wedding. Among the crowd of VIPs merrily basking in the white wonderland were Natasha 

Corrett, Noelle Reno, Amy Molyneaux and even Roland Mouret who stopped by to delight in 

a Quintessentially’s Wedding cocktail and delicious canapés courtesy of Harrods. Lavish gowns 

by Oscar de la Renta and Jenny Packham were on display to lure potential brides. 

Following on from the Vantage 

interview with Amanda Wakeley 

in November, the team joined 

clients, friends and the lady 

herself at the fashion designer’s 

Fulham Road boutique in 

support of CHIVA Africa. Guests 

were able to observe Wakeley’s 

foray into rocking horse design 

ahead of the wooden steed’s 

arrival at Christie’s, where it 

was to be auctioned in aid of 

the charity. The event enabled 

those gathered to hear first-hand 

about CHIVA Africa’s efforts to 

provide guidance to healthcare 

teams managing antiretroviral 

programmes in South Africa. 

starsrocking.com 

29 Portland Place, W1B 

quintessentiallyweddings.com/atelier 

Andrea Morgante Miles Aldridge and Caitlin Curran Gerry Calabrese and Sara Rourke 

Davide Quayola 

Opening night at the House of Peroni, Marylebone 


As a month-long pop-up celebration of modern Italian 

culture got underway in Portland Place, the House of Peroni 

invited selected guests to enjoy an evening of entertainment 

and enlightenment. DJ Riva Starr hosted a lively music 

set, while the Michelin-starred Costardi brothers provided 

contemporary Italian cuisine and well-known mixologist 

Gerry Calabrese created drinks infused with Peroni Nastro 

Azzurro. Until 30 November the House will run a series of 

events aimed at exploring film, fashion and food. Tickets 

for exclusive screenings, exhibitions and supper clubs are 

available to the general public from its website. 

Arthur Arbesser 

The Costardi Brothers 

41 Portland Place, W1B 

thehouseofperoni.com 

Robin Pawloski 

Andrea Riot 

Gabriela Hersham

26 th octoBER - 16 th FEBRuaRy 

canada SquaRE PaRk, canaRy WhaRF 

In association with: 

IcERInkcanaRyWhaRF.co.uk 020 7536 8400 

Proudly sponsored by: 

Media Partners:

style 

wish list 

A 

STYLE 

SYNERGY 

Ten years after the launch of a skull-print 

scarf that saw Alexander McQueen give Hermès 

competition in the accessories stakes, the label has invited 

artist Damien Hirst to create 30 anniversary editions, inspired 

by his series of Entomology paintings. A kaleidoscope of butterflies 

and other bugs swirl across the now famous skull motif in the designs, 

which are available in silk, twill, chiffon and pongé. 

From £135, scarf boutique at Alexander McQueen, alexandermcqueen.com 

33

STYLE 

Update 

50 Shades of Nude 

Christian Louboutin may be renowned for its patent, creamy-coloured stilettos 

but the tone was never intended to become as distinguishable as its lacquered 

red soles. Mindful that the art of ‘added oomph’ lies in heels that extend the leg 

seamlessly, the brand has re-imagined a Nudes collection of five styles including 

pumps and platforms. Its colours – from blush to cocoa – will also be applied to 

sandals come next year and iPhone users are invited to download the Louboutin 

Shades app to instantly match their skin to a complementary hue. 

christianlouboutin.com 

White Hot 

To celebrate a year of 

sophisticated design 

and technological 

wizardry from its 

flagship London 

store, Burberry is 

releasing a capsule 

collection of unique 

ready-to-wear pieces 

and accessories. The 

Exclusives, launching 

solely in the Regent Street 

outpost, consists of just 13 

individual garments alongside 

complementary versions of its 

popular Crush bag and shoes. 

Christopher Bailey has 

overseen a 

contemporary 

and majestic 

white theme; 

a vinyl caban is 

embellished with 

rocks of gunmetal 

crystal, a mink stole 

is hand-embroidered 

with 4,000 glass beads 

and sweeping gowns are 

given their own cascades 

of gemstones, just in time 

for the most opulent of 

festive gatherings. 

121 Regent Street, W1 

uk.burberry.com 

34

style 

Address Book Essential 

With eight stores in the Far East and a French designer at the helm, 

Les 100 Ciels is an international affair. Not least, as its first London 

store in St Christopher’s Place, Marylebone has just opened. High 

quality cashmere and linen yarns from Mongolia underpin the concept, 

for a look which quite literally must transcend continents. There are 

skinny sweaters, jumper dresses and the cosiest leggings you’ll find 

anywhere, in store now. 

18-19 St Christopher’s Place, W1U 

les100c.com 

perfect match 

While Dame Vivienne Westwood may have been 

one of the few designers not to hark back to her 

punk-themed days for the S/S14 collections, she has 

re-visited her so-called ‘squiggle’ print of Autumn 

1981, especially for Matchesfashion.com. The 

boutique has received a delivery of four exclusive 

dress designs, each with built-in corsetry. While 

asymmetric hems and draping may lend the 

gowns a quirky, almost bedraggled appearance, 

Vivienne Westwood is known for flattering the 

female form – highlighting busts and cinching 

in waists for the perfect hourglass figure. 

From £2,125, 87 Marylebone High Street, 

W1U, matchesfashion.com 

Hello Halston 

Heritage 

As the quest for a winter 

wardrobe ensues, Halston 

Heritage has launched its 

very first e-commerce site 

just in the nick of time. 

Known for its wearable 

aesthetic since the 

1960s – consisting of 

silk shirts, jumpsuits 

and fuss-free cocktail 

dresses – the brand 

finds fans in all 

age brackets. Its 

collections will now 

be available online 

in 80 countries: 

For Autumn/ 

Winter, highlights 

include tailored 

leather shift 

dresses and 

pencil skirts 

in plum hues. 

Street Style 

for DVF 

Continuing its tradition for 

off-the-wall releases, DVF has 

partnered with New 

York DJ Harley 

Viera-Newton 

to produce a 

feline-inspired 

fetish bag 

and set of 

similarly styled 

headphones. 

With music and 

fashion increasingly aligning, the fun 

collaboration is set to appeal to a 

whole new generation of Diane von 

Furstenberg shoppers. 

Feline Fetish Bag, 

£292 and Feline 

Headphone & Play 

Button, £72 

dvf.com 

halston.com

Silent 

night 

Step out from the shadows this party season with modern 

statement sparkles and dynamic silhouettes 

Photographer: Roberto Aguilar 

Stylist AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Francesca Barrow 

Diamond cluster line earrings set in platinum, POA, diamond Sunflower necklace set in 

platinum, POA, diamond cluster bracelet set in platinum, POA, all Harry Winston, 171 

New Bond Street, W1S; White diamond two part floral ring (total diamond weight 5.07 

karats), POA, David Morris, 180 New Bond Street, W1S; 18-karat white gold diamond 

lace ring, £2,980, NOA Fine Jewellery, noafinejewellery.com

Paris Nouvelle Vague earrings in white gold and diamond, £48,000, Cartier, 

175-177 New Bond Street, W1S; 18-karat rose cut variation necklace with 

round white diamond micro-set surround, POA; 18-karat nine-row illusion 

necklace with marquise white diamonds, POA, both David Morris, as before

Diamond cluster earrings set in platinum, POA, Harry Winston, as before; Five-line bracelet, white diamonds set in white gold, 

POA, De Beers Arpreggia, 50 Old Bond Street, W1S; Rose ring in white gold set with 107 brilliant-cut diamonds 0.40 karat, 

£5,050, Limelight pendant in white gold set with 192 brilliant-cut diamonds 2.33 karat and three pear-cut diamonds 0.73 karat, 

£18,100, both Piaget,169 New Bond Street, W1S; Necklace from the Pushkin collection featuring interlaced diamonds and 

pearls set in white gold, POA, Chopard, 12 New Bond Street, W1S 

Diamond cluster earrings set in platinum, POA, Harry Winston, as before

White diamonds butterfly and flower tiara (total diamond weight 16.24-karats), POA, David Morris, as 

before; rings (far left and right), POA, and necklace, POA, both Buccellati, 33A Albemarle Street, W1S; 

White gold and diamond lace ring, £2,980, white gold and diamond Starlet ring, £2,150, white gold 

diamond lace earrings, £4,490, all NOA Fine Jewellery, noafinejewellery.com

Necklace, ring and bangle, POA, all Buccellati, 

as before; Diamond Queen bracelet from 

the Ultimate Adornments Collection set in 

platinum, POA, Harry Winston, as before

Adonis rose line necklace in white diamonds set in white 

gold, POA, De Beers, as before; Diamond 13-row Carpet 

bracelet set in platinum from the Ultimate Adornments 

Collection, POA; Diamond cluster ring set in platinum, 

POA, both Harry Winston, as before; Triple bar drop 

diamond earrings set in platinum, £12,600, Tiffany & Co., 

25 Old Bond Street, W1S

Panthère de Cartier necklace in white gold, diamonds, emeralds and onyx, £70,500, Panthère de Cartier Massai bracelet in white gold, diamonds, 

emeralds and onyx, POA, Paris Nouvelle Vague necklace in white gold, onyx, lapis lazuli and diamonds (worn around ankles), £44,900, Paris 

Nouvelle Vague ring white gold, black lacquer and diamonds, £87,000, all Cartier, as before; 18-karat Illusion marquise white diamond four-section 

drop earrings, POA, David Morris, as before 

Fabric courtesy of Sahco, 020 7352 6168; Underwear by Rigby & Peller and Triumph 

Creative Director & Stylist: Francesca Barrow (at faconner.co.uk) styling assistants: claudia 

marcelletti, ines simoes Photographer: Roberto Aguilar 

hair stylist: Maria Kovacs for Tigi Haircare using Catwalk by TIGI, Firm Hold Hairspray, Wet Look Gel, 

Weightless Shine Spray make-up: lan nygen-grealis using mac Model: Joy at Models1 

Location: With special thanks to Bed Head Studio

If the choo 

Fits 

44

style 

Photography by Mark Seymour 

markseymourphotography.co.uk 

For wedding photography 

call 01628 668 283 

Jimmy Choo OBE is the less vocal 

co-founder of the world-famous shoe 

brand that bears his eponymous 

moniker. As his former business 

partner shares her musings on their 

tumultuous relationship, Jimmy talks 

life-affirming mantras and inspiring the 

next generation with Kari Rosenberg 

Jimmy Choo 15th anniversary advert 2010 

Photography by Marilyn Minter 

Taken from Jimmy Choo XV, Rizzoli, rizzolibookstore.com 

“ 

Remember: he Jimmy Choo de man, no Jimmy 

Choo de bran’!” barks the shoe designer’s 

lawyer/minder/formidable heavyweight. Reps 

and escorts are all in a dither: “Jimmy’s near 

the building!” “Jimmy’s walking through 

the building!” “Jimmy’s… still in the building!” I’m half 

expecting him to enter on a stiletto-shaped rickshaw, his 

fawning disciples touching their battered pumps to his 

prophetic cobbler’s hands. “Don’t mention the sale of 

Jimmy Choo! Don’t mention the future of Jimmy Choo!” 

the lawyer continues to howl, as I wait for Jimmy to pass 

through the room and my allotted interview slot (Jimmy 

sold his 50 per cent stake in Jimmy Choo Ltd, which he 

co-founded in 1996, in 2001, for around £10 million; but he 

signed a strict confidentiality agreement on the matter.) 

“How about Tamara Mellon?” I can’t help but 

volunteer (the former Vogue accessories editor with whom 

he made the initial partnership), half expecting to be 

escorted from the premises by the scruff of the neck. She’s 

been in countless magazines and newspapers over the 

past few weeks, promoting her new self-named brand and 

slating Jimmy in her biography, In My Shoes: “He didn’t 

design a single shoe,” she told the Daily Mail. But (after

a very long, slightly nerve-wracking pause) the lawyer 

cracks an unexpected smile, lowering his eyes, and his 

voice. “Yes. Nooo mention Tamara Mellon!” 

We are in the Czech capital for the Mercedes-Benz 

Prague Fashion Weekend; organised by CZ models, it 

is gaining prominence within the industry for bringing 

world renowned fashion designers to support local 

talent. There’s an opening party at The Augustine Hotel, 

where we will both be luxuriating for the long weekend 

(and subsequently breaking bread together for the next 

three days) accompanied by his family, friends, and 

entourage of handlers. I’ve yet to get to know Jimmy 

and his crew at this point – who after our first meal 

together later that evening, I soon came to see as warm, 

generous and down-to-earth. 

I’d seen pictures of Jimmy before, but I couldn’t 

help but notice that he’s even more petite in person as 

we sit down to talk in the beautiful Tower Suite at The 

Augustine. His delicate hands are those of a skilled 

artisan; his frame small, inconspicuous, yet somehow 

majestic; his skin gently lined, though not as much as 

you may expect for a man of his 60 years. 

Jimmy Choo (de man), original name Chow (it was 

spelt wrong on his birth certificate) has a flowery way 

of speaking. I’m engrossed, hanging onto every word he 

says, as he drifts from philosophy to education, though 

his answers are more spiritual ponderings than featurefriendly 

sound-bites. He doesn’t break eye contact once, 

and is incredibly tactile; complimenting my hand bag (as 

I try to hide my Judas Louboutin-ed feet) and doing his 

best to lighten the atmosphere as we are surrounded by 

nearly a dozen of his people for the interview, poised to 

jump in should I say something irksome “(Don’t mention 

the war!)”. 

British Vogue, February 2010 

Photography by Raymond Meier 


He’s still grateful to the woman and industry 

that discovered him, despite what may have been 

said. “I believe that you have to have a smart head 

and that you have to treat everyone very nicely,” he 

says. “But I do believe [success] is also about luck. 

After Vogue saw my show in Italy they called me 

up and wanted to see my shoes. If it wasn’t for the 

eight page spread in the magazine that followed, I 

wouldn’t be here today.” 

Growing up in a “shoe designing family,” his 

father was a cobbler in Malaysia. “When I was 

young, I worked with him after school,” he says. “I 

would watch him design and make shoes. It was from 

there that my interest began. Shoes are so important; 

they are art pieces... I have a quick hand that I learnt 

from him. I love designing shoes, not because I make 

money from it, but because they are very special. 

They make people happy. I am always designing in 

my heart. I also train young students that [go on to] 

work with me, hand in hand together.” He made his 

first pair aged 11 for his mother – some sandals “as 

it’s so hot in Malaysia!” And yes, he still has them. 

From Malaysia he moved to Hackney, working part 

time as a cleaner and waiter to fund his education at 

the Cordwainers Technical College, from where he 

graduated in 1983. 

I complain about the comfort factor of some 

designer shoe brands and mention a recent interview 

with Tom Ford where he stated that such fripperies 

have no part to play in fashion. What’s his opinion? 

“Tom is a top designer and a great friend of mine, 

but that is his own opinion. [Comfort] is different 

when it comes to clothing; if clothes are a bit too 

tight or too loose it is OK, but it’s a different story 

with shoes. You can’t have them too tight or you will 

kill yourself! They have to be comfortable.” 

Jimmy Choo Couture, based in Paddington 

(where he designs bespoke footwear) will be closed 

for the next two years so he can focus on other 

projects. So when he’s not at his London abode 

in Hyde Park (next door to his good friend Jasper 

Conran) he’ll be travelling the world looking to 

inspire, and be inspired. “I’ll be bringing education 

to students and to aspiring young designers. That is 

why I’m here today. I’m always looking for talent. 

I want to give ambitious designers a platform,” he 

says. He has an apprentice with him for the weekend; 

a young Malaysian designer named Phuna, (who 

doesn’t have as full a grasp of English as she does the 

emoticon keyboard), who’s creations cause a storm 

on the runway. 

There are tons of awards which he keeps 

between his UK and Malaysian homes: “I appreciate 

it when I get my awards. It represents how people 

worked in the old days. My whole team is so 

important. They are my teachers, as well as my late 

parents. We all need a good team to support us. 

Without my team I’m nobody. I must remember that 

as a designer, I can design at any time, but I need my 

family and team around me to hold my hand; to keep 

me going and to give me energy.” 

It’s all very zen,“doing mantra” every day. 

Though incredibly, he doesn’t believe he is successful 

yet: “I tell my students ‘you are never the best, there 

46

style 

Vogue Espana, October 2010, modelled by Elena Melnik 

Photography by Victor Demarchelier 


is always someone better’. In Chinese philosophy we say 

‘one mountain is always higher than another mountain’. 

That is my philosophy.” Jimmy even thanks me for 

the privilege of being interviewed; not something a 

journalist hears every day. 

I’m determined not to ask him about the late Princess 

Diana, as so many have in the past. He made her last 

pair of shoes – gold pumps – just before she died, which 

he planned to deliver personally, though sadly, he never 

got the chance. But he brings up their relationship on his 

own: “If it wasn’t for Diana, I wouldn’t be here today. I 

worked with her for seven years. When Prince William 

and the Duchess of Cambridge went to Malaysia, and 

Kate told me she was wearing my shoes, it meant a lot. 

“If you look at why London is so strong today, it has 

a lot to do with the royal family; they play a big role as 

people want to follow them. My sister used to dress like 

Lady Di, but now everyone wants to dress like Kate!” 

My time is up and I’m ushered out the suite. But 

I get to dinner a few hours later to find Jimmy, along 

with the aforementioned posse, in tow. He does the 

rounds, making small talk and checking everyone’s 

happy. He talks proudly about his children; his 

daughter Emily has trained as a pastry chef while his 

son Danny is huge in the animation world. A few 

glasses of wine later and the lawyer is YouTube-ing 

away, showing us with pride Danny’s huge following 

and his own penchant for the Japanese style comics, as 

Jimmy beams: “I love Manga!” 

Following a jam-packed weekend, Jimmy and 

his family wake up especially to say an early morning 

farewell, all smiles and outstretched arms. While I didn’t 

touch on Tamara’s claims, which have gained momentum 

since our interview took place, it’s impossible, having met 

him, to believe a bad word against his character or work 

ethic. Admittedly, I “no mention” the dirty details, but 

one thing’s for sure: Jimmy Choo de man. • 

Prague Fashion Weekend was sponsored by 

Mercedes-Benz, Stars Communication and CZ 

Models with Jimmy Choo as the guest of honour. 

For more information on the Mercedes-Benz 

Prague Fashion Weekend visit fashionweekend.cz 

To book through CZ Models visit czmodels.cz 

With thanks to our hosts The Augustine Hotel, 

theaugustine.com

Red 

Paint the town 

Photographer: Ian Walsh | Stylist: Boo Attwood 

3 

15 

16 

2 

14 

1 

17 

1 Dentelle hamper, £26.50, La Maison du Chocolat, lamaisonduchocolat.co.uk 2 Lagoula Resille heels, £525, Christian Louboutin, 0842 227 4322 3 Pearl necklace, £985, Lanvin, 

harrods.com 4 Silk scarf, £270, cartier.co.uk 5 Chinese Ink scented candle, £65, Baobab, amara.co.uk 6 Valisette etolie case, £4,680, Maison Goyard, 020 7478 9900 7 Ardent Red 

luxury smartphone, £17,400, Savelli, savelli-geneve.com 8 Swarovski crystal cuff, £245, Kenneth Jay Lane, net-a-porter.com 9 Wafer notebook, £45, Smythson, smythson.com 

48

style 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

13 

9 

12 

10 

11 

10 L’acquarossa fragrance, £62, Fendi, johnlewis.com 11 Supremÿa La Nuit, £465, Sisley Paris, sisley-paris.com 12 Rockstud rouge clutch bag, £2,250, Valentino, 020 7235 5855 

13 Clic Clac H bracelet, £455, Hermès, 020 7499 8856 14 Rouge Pur Couture The Mats Rouge Rock, £25, yslbeauty.co.uk 15 Earrings, £375, Chanel at Susan Caplan Vintage 

giftvault.com 16 Datejust watch, £17,450, Rolex, thewatchgallery.com 17 Le Vernis in Pirate, £18, Chanel, 020 7493 3836

style 

best of 

BEauty 

December 1 

1. Both Asprey and Boucheron have partnered with Crème 

de la Mer to produce special gift cases this Christmas – 

and only ten of the latter will be available worldwide. 

The beautiful mother-of-pearl case, which includes a 

100ml pot of moisturising cream, is finished with a blue 

cabochon stone to represent the sea. 

2 

£12,550, Crème de la Mer, harrods.com 

2. Derived from The Crown Perfumeries of 1872, you 

could be forgiven for thinking the precious fragrances of 

Clive Christian (with their price tags of up to £2,700 for 

30ml) are heady and old-fashioned. In fact, the collection 

is tangy and crisp with each of its core range possessing a 

unisex quality. A travel kit containing X, 1872 for Women 

and No. 1 is available in time for Christmas, serving as a 

great introduction for discerning scent shoppers. 

£185, Clive Christian, clive.com 

3 

3. Beauty releases are being inspired by the East of late: The 

Slim Cera Roller 24kt gold is favoured by Japanese women 

to administer a facial massage for three minutes, three times 

a day in the pursuit of youthful skin. The head of the device 

contains ten different minerals and is said to stimulate 

muscles and refine pores. 

4 

£245, Slim Cera, urbanretreat.co.uk/beautique 

4. Both of the limited editions from Yves Saint Laurent 

Beauty make our December wishlist. First is a 

metallic-wrapped design of Opium Eau de Parfum 

– the brand’s well-known bergamot, jasmine and 

mandarin fragrance which has been popular for 

more than 30 years. The second is Palette Rue 

de Babylone, a two-tone blush compact to sculpt 

and add colour to wintery complexions, available 

to those who purchase Touche Éclat. 

Opium Eau de Parfum, £66 and Blush Collector 

Palette, £29.50, Yves Saint Laurent Beauty 

yslbeauty.co.uk 

5. There are thousands of nail colours you could choose for 

this festive season, but Diorific Vernis in Minuit is a good 

5 

place to start. Channelling the tone of mulled wine (so we 

like to think) with a shimmering finish, this is a rich and 

long-lasting lacquer from its Golden Winter holiday range. 

We’d like to find it under our tree. 

£20, Christian Dior, selfridges.com 

51

eautyUpdate 

A Love Letter to Paris 

With the reopening of Guerlain’s 68 Champs Élysées boutique scheduled for 

this winter, the beauty house’s Holiday collection is suitably themed. Named 

Crazy Paris the make-up pigments are brighter, the finishes more shimmery 

and the compacts lacquered in neon and black, to represent the vibrant 

social scene of the city by night. The easiest way to wear the collection is 

with a swoosh of its Crazy 68 Terracotta Bronzer and the most fun with a 

little dust of Météorites Pearls – a purple, white-gold and pink edition of its 

famous highlighting powder. 

selfridges.com 

generation x 

Twice in one issue we’ve raved about 

the arrival of CACI (see Spa Review). 

The non-surgical face-lift technology 

uses low frequency electrical impulses 

to retrain the facial muscles to 

lift and firm the skin, but until 

now has only been available 

in salons. Whilst, relying on a 

therapist may be more relaxing, 

the very first hand-held device 

has recently launched, priced 

at £350, negating the need for 

an appointment. It offers the 

same anti-wrinkle and toning 

programmes at the touch 

of a button. New users are 

recommended to kick off 

with three ten minute 

sessions per week. 

£350 

cacimicrolift.com 

Five years of 

Foot Care 

Until we visited the 

Margaret Dabbs clinic in 

Marylebone we thought 

a humble moisturiser was 

a sufficient antidote to the 

visible signs of stiletto wearing. 

Yet, with its medical approach and 

team of trained podiatrists, the brand 

has succeeded in making full-service 

chiropody more accessible and fashionable. 

This year the clinic celebrates half a decade 

of tackling Londoners’ foot care woes 

and if you’ve not yet visited for a 

pedicure, joint movement analysis or 

a combination of the two, now is the 

time. You won’t look back. 

7 New Cavendish Street, W1B 

020 7487 5510 

margaretdabbs.co.uk 

52

style 

Fast Fixes in 

Marylebone 

The Chuan Spa at The Langham has 

become renowned for its leisurely and 

indulgent oriental rituals which restore 

harmony to the mind and body. However, 

in the lead up to the festive period, the spa 

has partnered natural beauty brand Oskia 

to offer several new remedies. Clients can 

now schedule brilliant facials and express 

head, neck and shoulder massages inspired 

by the elements of Chinese philosophy. 

1c Portland Place, W1B 

020 7973 7550 

Christmas with the girls 

The Clarins take on Christmas crackers gives six lucky party guests the 

opportunity to sample its hero products, including Beauty Flash Balm, 

Gentle Refiner, Eau des Jardins fragrance and Wonder Perfect Mascara. 

Available exclusively in Selfridges, wrapped in vibrant pink and gold 

packaging, the thoughtful table surprises offer beauty enthusiasts a rather 

glamorous alternative to tape measures and paper clips, and the host a 

certain amount of social favour. 

£39, Clarins, selfridges.com 

A Neckline 

Wonder 

Treatment 

Finally – an answer to the creping 

of the neck and décolletage 

that often occurs with age: EF 

Medispa on St John’s Wood 

High Street has targeted new 

techniques at combatting the 

wrinkles and pigmentation 

that form in this area 

over time. Neckline 

Define peel uses a topical 

application of pyruvic 

and lactic acids and 

acetyl glucosamine, as 

well as a facial roller, 

to stimulate skin cell 

renewal. Four treatments 

over an eight week period 

are recommended for 

optimal results with minimal 

recovery time. 

Celestial Trinkets 

As one year ends and another begins, Estée Lauder has reissued 

its line of zodiac compacts in translucent pressed powder form. 

Each has a sculpted motif to represent a star sign and has 

been finished with a metallic wrap and a liberal application of 

crystals. Presented in a velvet pouch for easy gifting, the designs 

are also refillable to make them a worthy keepsake. 

£65, Estée Lauder, harrods.com 

69 St John’s Wood High Street, 

NW8, 020 3468 5260

eauty 

Dreams 

What 

are made of 

As Marilyn Monroe is unveiled as the ‘new’ face of Chanel 

No5, Gabrielle Lane discovers the secrets of the screen 

icon’s beauty routine 

Intangible. Other-worldly. 

December 1959, she ordered six 

Unattainable. It was the 

bottles of Rose Geranium Eau de 

American director and drama 

Toilette by Floris London to be 

coach Lee Strasberg who once 

sent to the Beverley Hills Hotel 

said of Marilyn Monroe: 

in the name of her secretary, 

“Her quality when photographed is 

Dorothy Blass. The delivery 

almost of a supernatural beauty.” 

note was renamed upon arrival 

While one could not hope 

and the bill for bottles of the 

to capture the allure of one of 

fresh and woody blend – now 

cinema’s most enduring icons with 

available only as a bath essence 

cosmetics alone, the pillar-box 

– was settled in the following 

red lip, halo of golden curls and 

January with a payment from 

fluttering eyelashes which became 

Monroe’s personal trust. 

Monroe’s signature look have inspired 

Elizabeth Arden was 

countless copycats and become 

another of her favourite brands. 

synonymous with glamour and 

In 1999, 37 years after her death, 

‘the essence of femininity’. So says 

many of Marilyn Monroe’s 

Chanel (among others), which in the 

personal effects were auctioned 

autumn announced that an image of 

at Christie’s in New York, 

Monroe would appear in the latest 

under authorisation from Anna 

advertisements for its No5 perfume, a 

Strasberg, the third wife of the 

fragrance that the actress admitted to 

aforementioned Lee, who had 

favouring in an interview with French Marie Claire magazine inherited much of the star’s estate. Amidst the 529 lots 

in 1960, when she told editor-in-chief Georges Belmont: was a travelling make-up case containing two Elizabeth 

“You know, they ask me questions. Just an example: Arden cream eye shadows in Autumn Smoke and 

‘What do you wear to bed? A pyjama top? The bottoms Pearly Blue and two Eye Stopper Eye Liners in Brown 

of the pyjamas? A nightgown?’ So I said, ‘Chanel N°5’, and Black. Photographed regularly entering Elizabeth 

because it’s the truth… And yet, I don’t want to say ‘nude’. Arden’s Red Door salon on Fifth Avenue, New York 

But it’s the truth!” 

throughout her career, a receipt from 1961 suggests 

Yet there were other beauty secrets, shared between her treatments of choice were a manicure and pedicure, 

the young Marilyn Monroe and her make-up artist Allan costing $15. 

‘Whitey’ Snyder, that have remained less well-known. 

Although the Elizabeth Arden company today 

Not least, that Monroe also wore another scent: On 14 suggests that Marilyn Monroe was also an early user 

54

A receipt from 1961 

suggests her treatments of 

choice were a manicure and 

pedicure, costing $15 

xxx

eauty 

Norma Jeane was transformed 

into a platinum bombshell over 

an eight-month period 

of Eight Hour Moisturising Cream, this would have 

supplemented her regular use of products formulated 

by Dr Erno Laszlo, a Hungarian skincare specialist who 

also advised Jacqueline Kennedy and Greta Garbo. Pots 

of his Active Phelityl Cream were seen on Monroe’s 

nightstand in photos of her deathbed released in 1962 

but his eponymous Institute confirms that it is the 

Phormula 3-9 range, including a repair balm, serum 

and eye cream that most closely resembles the bespoke 

remedy Dr Laszlo produced for the actress to heal an 

appendix scar. Marilyn Monroe was also prescribed the 

Black Sea Mud Soap for her dry skin. 

In addition to listing two items from Erno Laszlo 

and the Elizabeth Arden eye make-up, the 1999 

Christie’s auction was able to shed light on a beauty 

routine which included false lashes courtesy of Glorene 

of Hollywood to achieve a seductive gaze and Day Dew 

Make-Up from Anita d’Foged, now known as Anita of 

Denmark, for suitably radiant skin. With three Max 

Factor lipsticks in the five-drawer travel chest, alongside 

two Revlon nail polishes titled Cherries à la Mode and 

Hot Coral, Marilyn Monroe was also able to vary the 

use of colours in her look in an instant. 

In contrast, Monroe’s coiffed blonde hairstyle came 

about through a gradual transformation. A jobbing 

model in 1946, Marilyn – then using her own name, 

Norma Jeane Dougherty – was encouraged to refine her 

image by the Blue Book Agency in Los Angeles with a 

visit to Frank & Joseph’s Salon. Initially looking for a 

straighter version of her kinked light brown hair ahead 

of a series of shampoo advertisements, Norma Jeane 

was transformed into a platinum bombshell over an 

eight-month period having been told that blonde models 

photographed well in any light. Handily, she became 

friends with stylist Sylvia Barnhart for several years 

afterwards, withstanding her starry ascent: Barnhart is 

often quoted as saying that Marilyn was always late for 

her appointments which she scheduled for 1.30pm on a 

Saturday – and given that Monroe had a self-confessed 

reputation for tardiness, this is not difficult to believe. 

Alas, over-bleaching and perming of Monroe’s hair 

would lead to breakage and in 1958, popular hairdresser 

Kenneth Battelle was drafted in to revive her head of 

soft curls. He would go on to accompany Marilyn 

Monroe for both the Some Like It Hot premiere in 

1959, and to President Kennedy’s 45th birthday rally 

at Madison Square Garden in 1962, two of her most 

memorable public appearances. 

So to Marilyn Monroe’s famously voluptuous 

figure, and perhaps the icon’s most desired beauty secret 

of all. Disclosing her lifestyle plan in the September 

1952 issue of Pageant magazine, Monroe wrote: “When 

it’s hot, I break two raw eggs into the milk, whip them 

up with a fork, and drink them while I’m dressing. I 

supplement this with a multi-vitamin pill. I doubt if 

any doctor could prescribe a more nourishing breakfast 

for a working girl in a hurry.” But a close-knit team of 

beauticians and advisors coupled with her (black and 

white checked) make-up bag of essentials ensured she 

always looked immaculate. • 

chanel.com 

56

A sanctuary away from 

the hustle and bustle of 

the busy city life. 

Bespoke treatments using high 

quality products with a Holistic 

attitude. We are the very first - 

and only - Spa in the UK to offer 

exclusive Avène treatments. 

THE DAY SPA 

COURTENAYS 

info@courtenaydayspa.com 020 7722 6700 

3 St John’s Wood High Street, London, NW8 7NG

Captivate Your Senses 

The first internationally-acclaimed Chuan Spa in Europe is now open at The Langham, London. 

Rediscover your source with luxurious treatments inspired by the philosophy 

of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

The Langham, London 

1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London W1B 1JA 

T 44 (0) 20 7973 7550 tllon.info@chuanspa.com 

www.chuanspa.co.uk 

A U C K L A N D • B O S T O N • H O N G K O N G • L O N D O N • L O S A N G E L E S • M E L B O U R N E • S H A N G H A I

style 

Jazz 

HANDS 

Gabrielle Lane joins the jet-set at a beauty salon like no other 

If you are to believe the hype, London is in the 

grip of an international renaissance; the prime 

property market is booming, there are lime 

green Lamborghinis on every street corner and 

Nobu is no longer interesting enough – it’s all 

about a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine, called 

Nikkei (as I discovered last month). What does this 

mean for beauty? It means the formerly humble Aveda 

in Great Cumberland Place was transformed at the 

beginning of the year into a beauty salon Liberace would 

be proud of. Called Beauty & Melody and complete 

with a white baby grand piano in the corner, it is topped 

off with obligatory bottles of Möet. 

For those desiring just a nail shape and polish, it’s 

intimidating at first. The treatment menu is vast, the 

space even more so – and it bubbles with activity. Don’t 

be alarmed if another therapist tiptoes into the room 

mid-facial, seemingly looking for caviar and diamonds. 

However, look beyond the razzmatazz and the 

treatments are excellent. My therapist Paris, the third 

generation of a family of Persian beauticians, could not 

have put me any more at ease or been any more skilled; 

request appointments with her personally. 

I opted to try the Karin Herzog chocolate body 

wrap which uses cocoa and coconut milk to cleanse and 

soften the skin. Surprisingly, it’s mess-free (hot towels 

are used to remove the residue) and although not an 

immediately obvious choice, I would now book this 

over a traditional massage in an instant. As the oil is 

applied, stresses and strains are pummelled away, while 

clients are offered 

either reflexology 

or a facial as the 

wrap takes effect. 

Paris has a gift 

for the latter 

and if you only 

have a couple of 

hours to spare 

in a month, this 

is the kind of 

combination 

pampering that 

will make you 

feel surprisingly refreshed, rather 

than tired, and improve your skin tone simultaneously. 

In fact, Beauty & Melody is the place to go for all 

kinds of beauty revelations. The team are up to speed 

on the best techniques for relatively new services such as 

individual eyelash extensions, HD brow enhancements 

(boosting over-plucked arches) cellulite-busting 

mechanical lipomassage and microdermabrasion while 

the on-site stylists are becoming renowned for their 

bespoke hair extensions; it’s difficult not to emerge 

looking (consensually) like a china doll, such is the lure 

of its offering. If Chopard did Essex-imported bikini 

waxes, it would do them here. • 

19 Great Cumberland Place, W1 

020 7723 5028, beautyandmelody.co.uk 

59

interiors 

wish list 

RAISE A 

TOAST 

We plan to spend Christmas 

morning cocooned in Toast’s 

long shearling wrap coat and 

alpaca slippers, as we open 

our presents around the 

fire. As well as its Railwaychildren 

style pyjamas (in 

a good way, of course) we 

think you’re never too old 

for a sleigh or stocking, 

both of which can be found 

in store. Add hand-painted 

cappuccino cups, beautifully 

coloured glass tumblers and 

posh decorations (think 

felt snowflakes and luxury 

crackers) into the mix, and 

you could have the whole 

festive season sorted before 

you can even think ‘Ho’. 

44 Marylebone High 

Street, W1U 

61

Interiors 

inspiration 

COOL CONCEPTS 

British design gurus Established and Sons are known for their unpredictable and innovative creations. 

This month they’ll present a range of Japanese minimalist style furniture by renowned designer Jo 

Nagasaka who utilises traditional techniques to transform everyday objects into striking works of art. 

To create his range of original Udukuri tables, he manipulates the flat surface in order to expose the grain 

and produce an uneven surface before applying brightly coloured epoxy resin treatments, fashioning an 

elegant, smooth texture and bold, funky finish. They’re sure to be a dinner party talking point. 

£10,950, establishedandsons.com 

CELEBRATORY SCENT 

To mark 50 years of the brand’s iconic candle, Diptyque 

has teamed up with Liberty London to create a 

sophisticated new scent: Insolite. The fragrance oozes 

refreshing citrus notes, warmed by ginger, clove and 

flowers. Adorning the candle’s charming packaging is 

Liberty’s iconic Needingworth and Peacock fan print, 

intertwined with Diptyque’s Paladin and Basile motif. 

£40, Regent Street, W1B 

MIRROR 

MIRROR 

The deluxe mirror 

collection from designer 

interiors brand The 

Longest Stay offers 

stylish statement 

accents for every room. 

One particular piece that 

has taken our fancy is this 

limited edition Stellar design. 

Embodying an air of elegance and 

glamour, it takes inspiration from 

raw cut diamonds and changes colour with 

the ambience of its environment, creating an ever-changing focal point to 

the room. Talented designer Jake Phipps, whose clients include Harvey 

Nichols and Selfridges, has created only 25 models, making it a truly special 

collectors’ item. 

Limited edition Stellar £6,105 

thelongeststay.com 

62

interiors 

SERVICE WITH STYLE 

Who would have thought that receiving an 

exquisitely hand-wrapped gift from Jo Malone 

London could get any more special? Now the store 

is offering an exciting same-day delivery service for 

all purchases. So sit back and relax this Christmas, 

as your present is whisked away to a friend or loved 

one, by custom-made van or vintage Vespa on the 

very same day. That’s what we call service. 

£15 delivery fee 

jomalone.com 

URBAN DESIGNS 

After calling its Marylebone address 

home for ten years, Urban Living 

Interiors has moved to a brand new 

studio and design room on Great 

Portland Street. The bright and 

welcoming store has some stunning 

pieces for your abode this winter amidst 

a maze of luxurious treasures including 

Italian furnishings, plush sofas and 

accessories from some of Europe’s 

leading designers. If you need a little 

guidance, the team of expert designers 

is on hand to offer inspiration and 

decorating ideas. 

85 Great Portland Street 

urbanlivinginteriors.co.uk 

DESTINATION KIDSTON 

QUAINT/ 

QUIRKY 

If bespoke is what 

you’re after, then 

Papillon is the place 

to go. This boutique 

and gallery is tucked 

away on a quaint street 

behind the famous 

Abbey 

Road 

and inside you will find an array of 

beautiful accessories, textiles and 

vintage finds, along with owner and 

talented designer Roxana Alamouti 

who creates every one-off piece. Our 

favourite keepsakes are a collection of 

delicate butterfly lamps. 

1A Nugent Terrace, NW8 

roxanaalamouti.com 

To celebrate the launch of the brand new flagship store in 

Piccadilly this month, Cath Kidston has created an exclusive 

print across the interiors and accessories collections. The 

sixtieth outpost in the UK (and the biggest yet), it will also 

boast ‘Cath’s caff’, a treasure trove of vintage furniture and 

mismatched tables and chairs, upholstered with her iconic 

patterns. Think baked treats that would do Mary Berry 

proud as well as deli-style sandwiches and CK branded teas. 

178-180 Piccadilly, W1J 

cathkidston.com

THE art 

of the 

soirée 

Want a seasonal gathering to remember? Gabrielle Lane speaks to the industry’s 

most esteemed etiquette and style advisors about the fine art of entertaining 

64

entertaining 

In his blue gardens men 

and girls came and went like 

moths among the whisperings 

and the Champagne and 

the stars 

the great gatsby 

While Oscar Wilde held court at many 

a society dinner with his dry wit – 

and Hemmingway with his wisdom 

– it is F Scott Fitzgerald who most 

evocatively captured the spirit of a 

glittering party in The Great Gatsby, the 1925 novel with 

extravagance and intrigue at its heart. However, as anyone 

who has read the classic will testify, such lavish displays of 

wealth do not guarantee success – or happiness. Indeed, 

a memorable festive gathering owes nothing to fountains 

and showgirls and everything to forward planning. That 

is, according to the foremost authority on the subject 

– Debrett’s – which, with its influential directories and 

training programmes, has acted as a British bastion of 

taste and sophistication for the last two centuries. 

“A good host prepares well in advance, allowing 

them to relax and enjoy the actual party, while of course 

remaining attentive to people’s needs throughout,” says 

Lady Celestria Noel, the in-house etiquette consultant. 

“The host should send out invitations several weeks in 

advance, even longer if it is a very busy time. You may 

send save-the-date cards or even emails with a card to 

follow if it is a big party.”

entertaining 

The secret to the perfect guest list is said to lie in 

inviting two less close acquaintances for every friend 

or relation, enabling people to circulate and meet new 

individuals of interest. Each invitee should be informed 

of the dress code (to save any embarrassment) and at 

Christmas-time when events are likely to coincide, Lady 

Celestria suggests indicating whether guests should expect 

nibbles, a buffet, or substantial canapés – with emphasis 

on the substantial. “Be generous and always over-cater on 

both food and drink,” she says. “You can never predict 

how much, or of what, people will want. Remember, not 

everyone drinks alcohol so offer a range of soft drinks. 

Whatever you decide, be it nibbles or something else, 

make sure you have plenty to go around.” 

I seize on the mention of a buffet, and feel brave 

enough to broach the ‘p’ word [which as every novice 

chef will know, means professional catering]. “Yes it 

is acceptable,” comes the reply. “Having some help, 

even at smaller gatherings, frees you to look after your 

guests and spend time with them, not in the kitchen, 

which is what it is all about.” Nervous is the host who 

is unintentionally distracted because they are worried 

about the drink lasting or the food spoiling. 

When it comes to the setting for such an event, 

simplicity and elegance are key. Having overseen festive 

displays for Claridge’s, Candy & Candy at One Hyde 

Park – and the Christmas tree in Bethlehem in 2012 – 

Clark Bearman, director of The Christmas Decorators, 

recommends focusing on select pieces in the home such 

as dressed banisters and doorways. Natural decorations 

are regarded as particularly stylish: “Pine cones, dried 

oranges, red berries and traditional trees with warm 

white lighting help to capture memories of Christmas 

past,” he explains. While a team of professional stylists 

can help a host to realise all kinds of adventurous 

ambitions, from inverted trees to dyed black ferns, if 

one must opt for a colour theme, a deep red and gold 

décor is considered appropriately timeless, with many of 

Bearman’s discerning clientele favouring these tones. 

For the full decoration of a home including a tree, 

roof lighting and indoor garlands, he recommends 

allowing half a day to perfect a display, noting that the 

advantage of enlisting professionals is that pieces are 

usually bespoke and therefore already tailored for the size 

and style of one’s home. In addition, assembly will usually 

occur before the decorations arrive – saving any fuss. 

“Décor is very personal but a host should keep a 

balance between the practical and the purely decorative,” 

agrees Lady Celestria. “Lavish but not cluttered is the 

ideal. The table needs to be elegant but with enough 

elbow room; people need to be able to see one another 

over the flowers and do not want to have to remove 

glitter from their food. The venue needs to be the right 

size, a good temperature and feel instantly welcoming: the 

secret to hosting a good event is attention to detail and 

making sure that people are comfortable.” 

Should you be fortunate enough to receive an 

invitation to such a meticulously thought-out gathering, 

there are some failsafe ways to make a good impression, 

which, while not revolutionary in their thinking, will 

reassure the nervous ‘plus one’ in your life. Step one – 

according to Debrett’s – is arriving with Champagne or 

chocolates. Not an outdated move, just a crowd-pleaser. 

And the same sentiment goes for sending a handwritten 

thank you card afterwards, which is described, by Lady 

Celestria, as “essential”. 

Whether or not you assist the host with the drinks, 

nibbles or aforementioned canapés once you have 

arrived, is said to depend entirely on the set-up: “If 

the host is struggling, then of course offer,” says Lady 

Celestria. “Although, sometimes the most helpful thing 

may be to look your best, be on good form, talk to 

everyone and enjoy yourself.” 

At a drinks party, thinking of interesting opening 

questions will quickly strengthen interactions with 

strangers. “I often ask people what forthcoming plans 

they are excited about,” reveals John-Paul Flintoff, 

conversation coach and part-time interviewer for the 

Financial Times. “Be mindful of what people enjoy 

talking about.” 

In contrast, the ideal way to excuse yourself from 

a long, arduous or otherwise awkward encounter with 

a fellow guest is not a pleading glance at your fellow 

companions: the most charming of sorts know to praise 

the conversation before stating a wish to circulate, while 

at a seated dinner, it is good form to politely turn to the 

person on each side at the end of each consecutive course. 

Ensuring the etiquette is adhered to and a good 

time has been had by all, how and when should a guest 

exit a party? 

“You can leave a large drinks party before the 

end, as long as you have stayed a reasonable amount of 

time, probably about an hour,” is the general consensus. 

“Otherwise, follow the lead of others and when you see 

them making a move, follow suit, having thanked the 

host. If it is a big party you do not need to go round 

saying farewells to everyone in the room,” says Lady 

Celestria. The best advice for the host is of course, the 

simplest. “Watch what you drink, and try not to be too 

ambitious. It’s all for fun, not a contest.” • 

Debrett’s is widely regarded as the modern 

authority on all manners of etiquette, taste and 

achievement, debretts.com 

The Christmas Decorators Ltd have been 

designing festive installations since 1999 

thechristmasdecorators.com

collection 

wish list 

Diamonds 

are Forever 

From humble beginnings as an apprentice 

diamond-cutter to becoming an esteemed 

luxury British jeweller, David Morris has 

come leaps and bounds over the past 50 

years. After winning the ninth De Beers 

Diamonds International Award in 1963, 

the jeweller’s fame further escalated 

when he was commissioned to design 

the jewellery for the James Bond motion 

picture, Diamonds Are Forever. Since 

then, his pieces have featured in a total 

of 14 Bond films, the most memorable 

being the diamond necklace and 

earring set worn by Teri Hatcher 

in Tomorrow Never Dies. 

Driven by a desire to tell her 

grandfather’s story in full, this 

year sees grand-daughter Phoebe 

Morris pay tribute to his legendary 

career in her book, Celebrating 

50 Years of David Morris. 

davidmorris.com 

69

INSIDE TRACK 

The Street 

Westfield Stratford City 

E20 1EJ 

0208 534 3446 

info@insidetrackshop.com 

@InsideTrackShop 

MCLAREN & ASTON MARTIN COLLECTIONS 

AT WESTFIELD STRATFORD 

VIP SHOPPING EVENINGS 

Register now for more information on one of our 

VIP shopping evenings (availability limited) 

info@insidetrackshop.com

collection 

watch news 

Bond Street 

welcomes Vacheron 

SalonQP 2013 

The good, the bad and the downright 

bizarre of the watch world descended on 

the Saatchi Gallery this November for the 

fifth annual SalonQP event. Downstairs, 

industry heavyweights Jaeger-LeCoultre, 

Jaquet Droz and Vacheron Constantin 

represented the historic face of fine 

watchmaking while upstairs, the likes 

of Meridian, Schofield and (debutant) 

Pinion highlighted the burgeoning state 

of British watchmaking. 

TAG Heuer dazzled with its 

impossibly innovative MikroPendulumS; 

Jaeger-LeCoultre had people reaching for 

the microscopes with the world’s smallest 

mechanical wristwatch; but it was the 

Germans who impressed Vantage the 

most. A. Lange & Söhne presented a 

lesson in class, Mühle Glashütte married 

precision engineering with functional 

design and MeisterSinger’s Paleograph 

reminded us of our love for single-hand 

watches. And if you’re listening, Mr 

Claus, we wouldn’t mind waking up to 

Zeitwinkel’s gloriously elegant 273° or 

Schofield’s masculine, glow-in-the-dark 

Blacklamp Carbon, come Christmas 

morning, either. 

salonqp.com 

For a company so dedicated to the 

promotion of the arts, it was fitting 

that performances by The Royal Ballet 

School and Glyndebourne Opera House 

should mark the opening of Vacheron 

Constantin’s Old Bond Street boutique. 

After the official ribbon-cutting in 

October, a temporary heritage exhibition 

was unveiled, which included a pocketwatch 

from 1755, the year that the 

Maison was founded. While that 

particular watch no longer resides at 

the store, other heritage timepieces do, 

which, as well as antique watch-making 

machines, are available for purchase. 

37 Old Bond Street, W1S 

vacheron-constantin.com 

A Literary Tribute 

Next in IWC’s seemingly never-ending run of 

launches come two limited edition pilot’s watches. 

Designed to celebrate the 70th anniversary of 

aviator/novelist Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Le Petit 

Prince – France’s favourite and most translated book 

– the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition 

‘Le Petit Prince’ (right, £36,500) comes in gorgeous 

red gold and is limited to 270 pieces. The equally 

arresting Pilot’s watch Mark XVII Edition ‘Le Petit 

Prince’ (£3,900) in stainless steel is limited to 1,000 

pieces. “Your task is not to foresee the future, but to 

enable it,” de Saint-Exupéry once wrote. In keeping 

with his sentiments, part of the proceeds from sales 

will support the fight against illiteracy. 

Available at the IWC boutique in Harrods 

An Italian Affair 

Of all the motoring collaborations in the 

watchmaking industry, perhaps none come 

as authentic as that between Chopard and 

Italian endurance race Mille Miglia. While 

racing, Chopard’s Karl-Friedrich Scheufele 

met Andrea Zagato, owner of the Italian 

bodywork specialist. As Chopard celebrates 

25 years as the official timekeeper, the brand 

gives us the Mille Miglia Zagato. Zagato 

helped create the bodywork; a 42.5mm steel 

case with an all-black (£5,230) or rose gold 

bezel (£6,390). 500 of each will be made. 

chopard.com 

71

collection 

1 

2 3 

4 

11 

Black 

Tie-bound 

5 

Stylise your cocktail and Christmas 

party accessories to ensure you stand 

out from the crowd 

6 

7 

10 

8 

9 

1 Admiral’s Cup AC-One 45 Chronograph, POA, Corum, corum.ch 2 Silk lapel velvet jacket, £1,195, Burberry Prorsum, matchesfashion.com 3 Leather notepad with pen pod, 

£110, Graf von Faber-Castell, cultpens.com 4 Lace and silk bowtie, £110, Marwood, marwoodlondon.co.uk 5 Travel watch roll, £125, Daines and Hathaway, 

dainesandhathaway.com 6 Telescopic umbrella with black maple crook, £65, Turnbull and Asser, turnbullandasser.co.uk 7 Leopard head cufflinks, £350, Holland and Holland, 

hollandandholland.com 8 Vernice patent-leather monk-strap brogues, £395, O’Keeffe, okeeffe-shoes.com 9 Polka-dot silk pocket square, £60, Charvet, mrporter.com 

10 Spot-print silk braces, £130, Alexander Olch, mrporter.com 11 Leather Weekender bag, £1,400, Dom Reilly, domreilly.com 

72

promotion 

DRIVE OF YOUR LIFE 

Race for a chance to join the Exclusively Performance Car Club and seize 

the title of Performance Driver of the Year 

As Ron Dennis CBE famously said: “Second place 

simply makes you the first loser.” With the search 

to find London’s star performance car driver going 

full throttle, entrants will be given 12 minutes to 

complete as many laps of the Monaco Grand Prix 

course as possible, for a chance to join the Exclusively Performance 

Car Club, run by Ultimate Car Control. The definitive prize for the 

most serious petrol-head will be a series of exhilarating automotive 

adventures, worth up to £25,000. 

The challenge will kick-start with simulated qualification 

heats in the City of London at City Golf, where would-be 

Hamiltons and Buttons can qualify between 9.30am and 9pm, 

Monday to Friday before 25 April 2014. The minimal £50 

qualification entry fee includes single entry into the qualifying 

stage of the London Performance Driver of the Year Challenge, 

two complimentary tickets to either Canary Wharf or Broadgate 

ice rink, a complimentary drink and a personal tour of the City 

Golf facility and a free trial lesson at City Golf. 

After moving onto the Monaco Grand Prix course, the top 

200 drivers with the best qualifying times will be invited to join the 

Exclusively Performance Car Club, with a membership worth nearly 

£1,000, which includes the Track Day Challenge to compete to 

become the Performance Driver of the Year. The challenge will take 

place at the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) road research 

test track facility in Berkshire. After an instructional briefing, 

members will take the Ultimate Track Day Driving Challenge on the 

pre-designed performance circuit using all aspects of the TRL test 

facility. A two and a half mile track circuit will provide a non-stop 

driving challenge incorporating speed, precision, reaction, handling 

and control phases over a number of distances and surfaces. The 

winner will be the driver who completes the course in the fastest 

cumulative time once penalties have been factored in. 

On top of the track day, Car Club members will also be the 

first to hear about new driving experiences, ticket information and 

special promotions to new and existing car events, invitations to 

all Exclusively Events throughout the year and an invitation to join 

the Exclusively Privilege Club to receive amazing luxury lifestyle 

privilege offers. Or for just £2,195 per person you can join the 

Exclusively Performance Car Club for a year and hire a supercar 

of your choice to drive to and from the Track Day Challenge. 

The overall winner will be named (London) Performance Driver 

of the Year in May 2014, and will receive a year-long package of 

experiences, events and activities for 12 months they’ll never forget, 

introducing the winner to every aspect of the driving world. They 

will get to drive exotic cars, single seat racers, cars of the future, 

all-terrain vehicles, go-karts, rally cars and many more during their 

ultimate automotive year. 

Beyond that, the winner of the title, and prizes worth more 

than £25,000, could go to the Monaco Grand Prix, drive around 

the Nürburgring in Germany, take part in the Goodwood Festival 

of Speed, be a guest at the Top Gear TV show, visit an F1 Factory 

or drive a luxury supercar for a week. In addition, former racing 

car driver Robb Gravett will provide personal tuition to take the 

winner from novice driver to prepare and enter him or her for 

a proper amateur car race. Gravett says: “Ultimate Car Control 

is delighted to be supporting the groundbreaking quest to find 

London’s premier driver. It will actively support the most exciting 

and innovative driving concept to emerge in recent years.” • 

Terms and conditions and rules apply. The official event 

qualifying venue is City Golf, Coleman Street, London EC2R 

5EH, 020 7796 5960, info@citygolfclubs.com. You can book a 

pre-arranged qualifying time slot at City Golf by contacting 

event organisers Ultimate Car Control on 0845 459 1002, 

admin@ultimatecarcontrol.com. 

Visit performancedriveroftheyear.com for more information. 

Partnered by Ultimate Car Control, ultimatecarcontrol.com, 

Exclusively Events, exclusivelyevents.co.uk, Runwild Media 

Group, rwmg.co.uk, City Golf, citygolfclubs.com, Breast 

Cancer Care FAB1, fab1million.co.uk. Sponsored by SCH Car 

Hire, seasoncars.com, ExFex, exfex.com 

73

C O N T E S S A 

To own a rare Argyle pink diamond 

is to own a truly magnificent heirloom. 

Contessa, beautifully handcrafted in 

Platinum and 18ct Rose Gold, features 

an exquisite combination of stunning 

craftsmanship and the rarest of 

Australian Argyle pink diamonds. 

Simply, they are the rarest diamonds 

in the world and are revered for their 

unique provenance and intrinsic beauty. 

U N I T E D K I N G D O M 

The Royal Arcade, 

Old Bond St, Mayfair 

London W1S 4SW 

A U S T R A L I A 

S y d n e y 

G o l d C o a s t 

calleija.com

collection 

jewellerynews 

Garden of Roses 

Miranda Kerr dazzles as the new face of 

international crystal house Swarovski. Having 

forged relationships with luminaries from the 

milieu of fashion and jewellery, the supermodel 

was the perfect choice to represent the luxury 

brand. Shot by Nick Knight, the world-renowned 

British photographer has enhanced the modern 

component of Swarovski jewels; the youthful, 

fresh-faced Kerr is set against a backdrop of 

English garden roses and the accompanying TV 

advert features music by singer Pharrell Williams. 

Commenting on the campaign, creative 

director of Swarovski Ronnie Cooke Newhouse 

said: “Mix Miranda Kerr with home-grown 

English garden roses, Swarovski jewellery, Nick 

Knight photography, original Pharrell Williams 

music and you get beauty, warmth, coolness and 

desirability. Things we love…” 

And we love it too. 

swarovski.com 

Members 

Only 

Cutting Edge 

As of 25 November, Tiffany & Co.’s 

Mayfair store has been transformed 

into a Santa’s Grotto, overflowing 

with the house’s most popular gifts 

including the Tiffany Locks, Keys 

and Atlas collections 

Tiffany & Co. 

25 Old Bond Street, W1S 

tiffany.co.uk 

Taking centre stage this 

year is a festive Christmas 

cracker filled with Jazz Ageinspired 

pieces, including 

a pearl tassel necklace 

and pink tourmaline ring, 

which no doubt celebrate its 

involvement with this year’s 

hit film, The Great Gatsby. 

On 14 and 15 December, 

a spectacular bespoke 

mistletoe chandelier will 

cascade down the store’s 

spiral staircase, a sight not 

to be missed 

The world’s first jewellery 

club, Lulu’s, has arrived in 

Belgravia. While the founders 

Desiree Fixler and Ian Wilson 

only began buying and 

selling their collection of 

pre-sold jewellery in the UK 

last year, their reputation has 

rapidly spread with British 

celebrities Laura Whitmore 

and Jade Parfitt endorsing 

their pieces at this year’s 

London Fashion Week. As 

well as announcing its new 

outlet in Beulah London 

on Elizabeth Street, the 

company also heralds its 

unique membership schemes; these offer 200 

members exclusive access to its range of 

fine jewellery (including heritage Art 

Deco pieces and contemporary 

luxury brands such as Tiffany 

and Rolex, which have 

been previously sourced 

from collectors, dealers and 

individuals and then restored), 

for an annual fee. 

lulusestatejewellery.co.uk 

75

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Heart 

of Stone 

While her price may be far above rubies, these 

precious jewels are certain to win over her 

heart this Christmas 

8 

7 

1 SJ Trio earrings, £25,440, Shamballa Jewels, shamballajewels.com 2 Royal bracelet with a white diamond pavé in white gold, POA, Shamballa Jewels, as before 

3 Limited-edition white stag art pendant, £2,850, Theo Fennell, theofennell.com 4 Rose pendant in white gold set with diamonds, £3,970, Piaget, piaget.com 

5 Multi-shape ruby and diamond necklace, POA, Graff, graffdiamonds.com 6 Why Not earrings in white gold set with oval-cut Burmese rubies and diamonds, POA, 

Adler, adler-joailliers.com 7 Lattice 18-karat yellow gold and diamond rose earrings, £11,500, Annoushka, annoushka.com 8 Rhodium-plated cubic zirconia brooch, £195, 

Kenneth Jay Lane, net-a-porter.com 9 1890s silver diamond rivière necklace, £24,000, Olivia Collings, net-a-porter.com 10 Gatsby necklace, £89,700, Messika, harrods.com 

76

collection 

9 

10 

11 12 

13 

21 

20 

19 

18 

14 

15 

17 

16 

11 Trencadis earrings, POA, Adler, adler-joailliers.com 12 Phenomena crest bracelet, POA, De Beers, debeers.com 13 Aurora necklace, POA, Adler, as before 

14 Ruby chandelier earrings, POA, Graff, graffdiamonds.com 15 Ruby and diamond line bracelet, £17,000, Asprey, asprey.com 16 Diamond swirl ring, £2,650, Astley 

Clarke Diamonds, astleyclarke.com 17 Phenomena Glacier 7 row bracelet, POA, De Beers, as before 18 Ruby half-band eternity ring, £4,600, Asprey, as before 

19 Limelight ring in white gold set with diamonds, £11,100, Piaget, piaget.com 20 Oval-cut ruby ring with brilliant and marquise cut diamonds in platinum, £250,000, 

Asprey, as before 21 Como cushion maxi-drop earrings in 18-karat white gold, £2,500, 77 Diamonds, 77Diamonds.com

Let’s Get 

Personal 

From Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis to Richard Burton and 

Elizabeth Taylor, Mr Harry Winston has played a leading role in 

some of the greatest romances of our time. Following in this tradition, 

the American jewellery house has introduced its bespoke Ultimate 

Bridal Collection. Olivia Sharpe reports 

78

collection 

When Marilyn Monroe sang the 

immortal line “diamonds are a girl’s 

best friend,” she could easily have 

substituted ‘diamonds’ with ‘Harry 

Winston’. During the hit song 

featured in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, the 

actress goes on to refer personally to the jeweller: “Talk 

to me, Harry Winston, tell me all about it.” 

Harry Winston has always been the most personal 

of jewellers. Beginning his career in the business at 

the tender age of 12, when he unearthed a two-carat 

emerald in a pawn shop which he bought for 25 cents 

– and later sold for $800 – Winston made a name for 

himself in 1926 when he acquired American socialite 

Arabella Huntington’s vast jewellery collection, worth 

a colossal $1.2 million. Soon after, he was called upon 

by Hollywood producer David O Selznick to design 

an engagement ring for Jennifer Jones. Falling in love 

with the diamond and pearl ring, Jones subsequently 

adorned herself in Harry Winston diamonds when she 

won the 1944 Academy Award for Best Actress. From 

then on, his fate as jeweller to the stars was set in stone, 

creating Farah Diba’s bridal tiara for her marriage to 

the Shah of Iran and the legendary 40.42-carat Lesotho 

III engagement ring, purchased by Aristotle Onassis for 

bride-to-be Jacqueline Kennedy. 

The 69.42-carat flawless pear-shaped diamond cut 

by the master jeweller from a piece of rough diamond, 

which was then purchased by Richard Burton for his 

wife Elizabeth Taylor, is also part of the Harry Winston 

hall of fame. Costing $1.1 million, the Taylor-Burton 

diamond was the most expensive of its day and it 

received worldwide publicity for its size and value when 

worn by the actress at Princess Grace of Monaco’s 40th 

birthday celebrations in 1969. 

Although Harry Winston has a long history of 

tailor-making jewels for its clients, this year sees the 

company’s first formalised service; the Ultimate Bridal 

Collection. The initial stage of the process involves 

a private consultation between you and a bridal 

specialist who determines what style of ring you prefer 

from the curated collection of five classic engagement 

ring designs, each one bearing the Harry Winston 

trademarks of flawless diamonds and timeless settings. 

The designers then create a gouache of the ring for 

you – and only once you’re completely happy will the 

team of expert gemmologists and craftsmen make it 

up. As a jewellery company committed to offering 

the highest quality, only diamonds from the top three 

colour grades (D,E,F) and clarities (IF-VS2) are used 

and all central diamonds start at three carats. Taking 

approximately eight weeks, the end result is the perfect 

marriage between the Harry Winston aesthetic and 

your own taste; a truly one-of-a-kind ring. 

With an increasing number of personalised 

services cropping up in the luxury industry, from madeto-measure 

tailoring to customised engravings and 

monogrammed leather, it seems there was no better time 

for Harry Winston to jump on the bespoke bandwagon. 

And, since engagement rings are the most personal of 

gifts, they no doubt warrant an extra special touch. 

While current marriage statistics would suggest that 

fewer people are investing in long-term relationships, 

this has by no means affected the market for engagement 

Wearing a beautifully displayed million 

dollar diamond and low-cut gown, 

actress Elizabeth Taylor presents the 

Oscar for the best movie to the winner 

in the 42nd Annual Academy Awards at 

the Music Centre © Bettmann/CORBIS 

rings. A close friend and professional jeweller puts this 

down to good, old-fashioned love. “Since the dawn of 

time, men have wanted to show women just how much 

they love them and the engagement ring became the 

perfect way to express this emotion without actually 

having to say the words,” she explains. 

Although it has become socially acceptable for the 

21st century man to have a sensitive side, you’ll often 

find that most men (unless they happen to be Tom 

Cruise) aren’t in the habit of expressing their emotions 

The shah of Iran Mohammed 

Reza Pahlavi and his wife Farah 

Diba are seen during their 

wedding ceremony in Tehran, 

Iran, 21 December 1959 

© AFP/Getty Images

collection 

verbally so the ring acts as a prop during the marriage 

proposal. The first man documented for using a 

diamond ring in his proposal and to fashion the trend 

was Archduke Maximilian of Austria in 1477 upon 

his betrothal to Mary of Burgundy. However, this idea 

dates back to the time of the Ancient Greeks who wore 

betrothal rings. It is also to them that we attribute 

wearing the ring on the fourth finger; they believed 

that it contained a vein which led directly to the heart. 

While we now know this isn’t true, the engagement 

ring remains to this day an emblem of eternal love. 

The second reason is, of course, tradition. In the 

mid-seventh century, the Visigothic Code required 

that: “even when the ceremony of betrothal has been 

performed... and the ring shall have been given or 

accepted as a pledge, although nothing may have been 

committed to writing, the promise shall, under no 

circumstances be broken.” The gift of an engagement 

ring is the same as any other except it carries with it 

an unwritten promise of commitment. Because of this, 

some feminists would argue that it is an outdated and 

sexist symbol, signifying men’s former ownership of 

women due to their financial superiority. However, at 

the risk of sounding behind the times, I would argue 

that it is in fact a time-honoured custom representing 

two people’s promise of love. 

There’s also a third, slightly less romantic, 

explanation for investing in this particular piece of 

jewellery. Although engagement rings have been 

around for centuries, it was only during the 20th 

century that diamond engagement rings flooded onto 

the market, thanks to De Beers. During the Great 

Depression, the diamond company attempted to 

boost sales by bringing out the slogan, ‘A Diamond is 

Forever’ which accompanied a campaign promoting 

diamonds as indispensable commodities. A commercial 

success, by 1990, 80 per cent of engagement rings had 

diamonds (having rocketed from 10 per cent in 1939). 

During the second half of the 20th century, diamond 

engagement rings became as much as an investment as 

a token of love. In explanation of his bejewelled love 

affair with Elizabeth Taylor, business savvy Richard 

Burton was quoted as saying: “Diamonds are an 

investment. When no one wants to see me on screen 

we can sell them on.” 

With diamond prices expected to soar in roughly 

four years (according to a recent article published by 

Forbes), there’s no better time to buy, and investors 

have already begun capitalising on this trend through 

diamond-backed investment funds. So even if the 

marriage doesn’t last, the diamond sure will. 

Harry Winston’s name has become synonymous 

with the greatest love stories of the 20th century and 

this is set to continue with the company’s latest bridal 

service. While there can never be total guarantee that 

your marriage will last, a Harry Winston engagement 

ring is the best insurance you’re ever going to get. As 

Shakespeare once said: “My bounty is as boundless 

as the sea / My love as deep; the more I give to thee / 

The more I have, for both are infinite.” 

And when it comes to matters of the heart, like the 

English poet, Harry Winston can always be trusted. • 

Harry Winston, 171 New Bond St, harrywinston.com 

Above, from top: 

The former Jacqueline Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis leave the chapel on Onassis’ 

private island following their marriage there, 20 October 1968 © Bettmann/CORBIS 

Round brilliant solitaire diamond ring with marquise-cut and pear shape 

diamonds; Toi et Moi, two marquise-cut diamonds set on a diamond band; 

Cushion-cut diamond solitaire ring with tapered baguette-cut diamonds 

All from the Harry Winston Ultimate Bridal Collection 

80

www.bachet.fr

Christmas at 

CANARY WHARF 

It’s nearly that time of year again, when festive lights twinkle, the ice rink at Canada 

Square Park comes to life and Canary Wharf’s shopping malls transform into a 

Christmas paradise for all the family. Here’s how to enjoy the festive season. 

SANta’s Grotto 

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit 

from Santa, and this year Mr Claus is 

taking up residency at his wonderfully 

whimsical Grotto in Jubilee Place every 

weekend throughout December and 

during the week before Christmas. 

Children and families will be thoroughly 

entertained by the cheeky elves and 

Santa’s helpers as they wait excitedly in 

line to tell Santa Claus all their Christmas 

wishes. Pre-booking is not required, but 

you are advised to arrive early to avoid 

disappointment. 

30 November & 1 / 7 & 8 / 14–24 December 

11am – 5pm 

Jubilee Place 

£2 (donated to charity) 

Children’s Festive 

Activities 

Families are invited to enjoy a programme of 

free, fun packed children’s activities from face 

painting to cookie and cupcake decorating. 

Kids can ensure they look the part by having 

their face painted in any of Canary Wharf’s 

shopping malls, before decorating a delicious 

cookie or cupcake courtesy of Sweet Couture 

Cake Boutique. Before the end of the day, 

make sure you visit Enchanted Mirrors in 

Jubilee Place’s lower level where you can 

marvel at yourself in all sorts of bizarre shapes 

and sizes. 

30 November & 1 / 7 & 8 / 14 & 15 / 21–24 December 

11am – 5pm 

Throughout Shopping Malls 

Canary Wharf 

FREE

SHOPPING 

Your one stop shop 

for christmas gifts 

Christmas shopping means fully embracing the 

experience. Shopping online will never be as 

festive as visiting any one of Canary Wharf’s 

stores, from modern men’s and womenswear 

at the brand new Banana Republic, to luxurious 

homeware and adorable kidswear from The 

White Company and heirloom timepieces at 

David.M.Robinson. For unique fragrances and 

desirable presents, think Jo Malone, Rituals and 

Molton Brown. For keep-forever gifts, Tiffany & 

Co. and Monica Vinader are a must. For playful 

jewellery, Cadenzza’s beautiful collection of brands 

including Mawi London, Versace and Oscar de la 

Renta, are sure to be a delight to unwrap. 

© nito 

Santa’s Showtime 

This annual spectacular sees Santa and friends perform a special show for 

families to enjoy. BBC CBeebies presenter and children’s favourite Alex Winters 

will join the cast for the second year running to thoroughly amuse people of 

all ages. Entertainment is ensured as Alex, Santa and co take you through a 30 

minute journey filling the air with plenty of Christmas cheer. 

Christmas at Boisdale 

Bringing the glamour of Las Vegas to London, wonderfully 

atmospheric jazz, cigar and steakhouse Boisdale of Canary 

Wharf promises to replicate the sounds of the golden age 

of Sin City itself at their Las Vegas Show for New Year’s 

Eve. From Wednesday 4 to Saturday 21 December, their 

ninepiece big band (led by music patron Jools Holland’s sax 

star Pete Long) will conjure classics from The Rat Pack, 

Louis Prima and, of course, Elvis Presley. Dive into the 

decadence with a perfectly-cooked steak, glass of Glenlivet 

and finish the night with a cigar on the terrace. Viva Boisdale! 

Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 December, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm 

East Wintergarden, 43 Bank Street 

£4 for adults 

£2 for children and concessions 

All proceeds will be donated to Tommy’s, the baby charity. 

canarywharf.com 

Showtimes: 

Monday – Tuesday 8.30pm 

Wednesday – Thursday 9pm 

Friday – Saturday 9.30pm 

Boisdale of Canary Wharf, Cabot Place 

020 7715 5818 / Boisdale.co.uk 

www.canarywharf.com 

@yourcanarywharf

ph. Andrea Pancino 

www.vgnewtrend.it 

VG Studio at 

inspirations 

vision style design 

www.idesign-int.com 

info@inspirationsoftickhill.co.uk 

Tel: 01302 760040

family 

wish 

list 

The Old Man Is 

Always Right 

Few could imagine their childhoods without 

Hans Christian Andersen’s magical fairy tales The 

Steadfast Tin Soldier and The Princess and the Pea. 

In a beautiful new compilation of his world-famous 

stories, translated by Jean Hersholt, the fables are 

accompanied by stunning illustrations by the likes of 

Kay Nielsen, Arthur Rackham and Tom Seidmann- 

Freud, as well as dozens of all-new specially 

commissioned silhouette sketches. The tome also 

contains a brief presentation of Andersen’s legacy, 

historical introductions and extended artists’ 

biographies, which will appeal as much to dinnerparty 

guests as it will the little ones at bedtime. 

The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen, 

edited by Noel Daniel, £24.99, taschen.com 

The Steadfast Tin Soldier 

Illustration by Kay Nielsen, 1924 

Courtesy of Private Collection 

85

nursery news 

WINTER WARMERS 

Delightful children’s boutique ilovegorgeous has 

unveiled a winter collection consisting of soft knitted 

dresses, jackets, cardigans and jumpers in high 

quality cashmere and angora blends. Continuing 

the brand’s fondess for pastels and ditsy prints, the 

new range is likely to be as successful as previous 

collections which found favour with the daughters of 

Kate Moss, Stella Tennant and Sam Taylor-Wood. 

From 0-13 years, ilovegorgeous.co.uk 

CHILDHOOD 

CHEER 

Designer clothing 

brand Marni 

has launched 

the results of 

a special project 

entitled Children’s 

Imaginary World, 

celebrating youth 

and childhood. Little 

ones from around 

the world were 

invited to co-design 

a range of cute jersey 

T-shirts patterned with bright, optimistic and 

whimsical images. Proceeds will go toschools 

and associations with a wish to encourage 

learning, explore creativity and raise hopes 

for a wonderful future. The limited edition 

tees are available online now. 

marni.com 

BEARY SPECIAL 

There is nothing quite as nostalgic as your first teddy bear companion. 

Designed to last a lifetime, beautiful Taunina bears are an investment in 

luxury. Taunina is a sustainable brand synonymous with artistry and 

social impact. Based in Cape Town, artists are employed from 

disadvantaged communities to lovingly handcraft heirloomquality 

decorative collections. Each piece is one of a kind, 

embellished with exquisite embroidery and appliqué 

detail, and sculpted with opulent heritage fabrics from 

iconic textile houses such as Liberty of London and 

Sanderson. Bespoke bears and bunnies are also available to 

order. Purchase online from Taunina or from Selfridges. 

From £180, taunina.com 

86

family 

Pet’s corner 

TALL STORIES 

The magical, musical stage adaptation 

of The Gruffalo returns for a sixth West 

End season, just in time to provide a 

festive treat for the whole family. The 

performance of this timeless tale promises 

an evening filled with music, fun and 

laughter in the adaptation of the awardwinning 

picture book. Ticket prices range 

from £14.65 for a standard single ticket 

to £60 for a family of four. 

20 November – 12 January 

Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 

nimaxtheatres.com 

PARTY 

PAWTIONS 

Fresh ingredients including 

turkey, goose, organic 

potatoes, beans and 

cranberries are amongst the 

ingredients in the festive 

range from Lily’s Kitchen; 

provider of natural and 

organic pet foods for dogs 

and cats. The collection 

is available online or in 

Waitrose stores. 

lilyskitchen.co.uk 

ADORABLE ASPREY 

Asprey, renowned for its iconic silver jewellery and homeware collections, has this year created a 

beautiful selection of collectables for young boys which are perfect for popping in their Christmas 

stocking. The collection includes delightful, hand-painted silver money boxes, cars and planes. 

All Items in the collection are £165, asprey.com 

TURNITABLE 

Look no further than the TurniTable 

from The Secret Play Company, as a 

source of holiday entertainment for 

children. The multi-functional play 

table provides young ones with their 

very own creative zone that can be 

neatly tucked away after playtime 

into one single unit. Ideal for small 

spaces, the award-winning design 

safely folds out into a double size 

table, seating up to four children, 

and is available in a choice of 

natural wood or white lacquer. 

CALMING 

CUPPA 

As the party season 

commences, no doubt with 

a firework or two, Woof & 

Brew has issued a selection 

of herbal tea blends for 

dogs, containing skullcap, 

which is famed for its 

ability to relieve anxiety 

and promote calmness in 

our canine friends. The 

veterinary approved teas are 

available in both large and 

travel sized pouches, 

for convenience. 

woofandbrew.com 

From £311.95, turnitable.co.uk

Hitting 

the 

slopes 

can hurt 

Regardless of skill level, muscles can become 

tired and fatigued whilst skiing, with the 

third day of a ski holiday being the most 

common time for an injury to occur. 

If you return home and continue to 

suffer pain, speak to your GP who 

can refer you to see a specialist to 

manage the condition. 

Led by eminent consultants, 

The Wellington Hospital offers 

a range of orthopaedic services 

to help you regain your health 

and return to the slopes. 

Call us today 

and get that injury seen to 

020 7483 5000 

www.thewellingtonhospital.com

health&fitness 

health & fitness 

BODY 

BLUEPRINT 

A fitness and 

lifestyle plan 

for busy 

women, The 

30/30 Body 

Blueprint 

forces you 

to set aside 

just half an 

hour a day, 

for 30 days. 

Tim Drummond and 

Phil Hawksworth have created a 

unique ‘five pillars’ approach, for 

those who are just about to give up, 

and have not seen results from past 

fitness and diet fads. Be inspired. 

£14.99, rethinkpress.com 

COURTENAY dAY spa: review 

Like most hidden gems, Courtenay Day Spa, tucked below 

Courtenay Chemist in St John’s Wood, won’t stay secret for long. 

Its shelves are stocked with some of the most exclusive and hard-tocome-by 

products in the country, and the delightful therapist Suki 

is on-hand to work them into your pores and muscles. Experience 

the wonders of the Swiss cell spa experience with Cellcosmet and 

Cellmen Spa Professional high-tech cosmeceutical skincare products 

(the spa and chemist is the brand’s only UK stockist) through the 

Lightening Elasto-Collagen Therapy Facial (£127), designed to 

attenuate skin discolouration and pigmentation spots, recovering an 

even and naturally lighter skin tone as well as elasticity. While we 

noticed a difference after one treatment (including a bespoke pretreatment, 

mask, facial and décolleté massage) with our skin feeling 

fresh, bright 

and bouncy, 

Suki says that 

the best results 

are achieved 

through 

a series of 

treatments and home-care. The brand is 

becoming world renowed for its anti-age revitalisation and body 

contour definition properties: you heard it here first. 

3 St John’s Wood High Street, NW8 

courtenaydayspa.co.uk 

JUMP FOR JO 

Luxe leggings brand Hey Jo has three new 

bold shades especially for winter; Amarinthe, 

Militaire and Ocean – which is red, green and 

blue, to me and you. Designed and produced 

in the UK, they’re both key wardrobe staples 

and work-out essentials, boasting high-tech 

breathability and excellent shape retention. The 

‘Classic’ provides a chic look for a high-octane 

workout while ‘Cassini’ is ideal for Pilates and 

walking the dog. With Sienna Miller and Cara 

Delevingne already huge fans, you can count 

Vantage as a dedicated follower. 

Classic, £105, Cassini, £145, hey-jo.co/store 

89

xxx 

Safety on the slopes 

Mr Chinmay Gupte, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at The Wellington Hospital, discusses the 

causes and treatments for ski related injuries 

Ski resorts across the world attract hoards of tourists each year, from 

experts to first timers, seeking the thrill of the piste. Yet there are a 

number of obstacles that can get in the way of having a good time. 

Of the estimated 1.2 million Britons that head to the snow annually, 

between two and four in every thousand sustain a ski-related injury. 

There are many defining causes of injuries including: 

• skill level / lack of experience 

• pressures to stick with a group of friends who vary in experience 

• weather conditions 

• terrain 

• fitness levels 

• incorrect or faulty equipment 

• reoccurrence of old injuries. 

Skiing is a high-impact, physical activity during which the knees 

withstand tremendous stress. This is due to the length of the skis 

together with the constant turning motion, generating large twisting 

forces on the knee joints. These forces are normally resisted by the 

reflex contraction of the muscles around the knee joint and the 

stabilising ligaments. Injuries usually occur when the forces are so 

great that they overcome the resistance, or when weakness in the 

muscles, or ligaments, reduces the stability of the knee. 

Although there have been improvements to ski wear and courses, 

resulting in a drop in the number of ski injuries, the most common 

type of accidents remain to the knee ligaments. 

Knee injuries can be divided into: 

• injury of the knee ligaments (usually resulting in immediate 

swelling and difficulty weight bearing) 

• injury of the shock-absorbing cartilages or menisci (swelling can 

occur gradually, sometimes after a few days) 

• damage to the bones of the knee (bone bruising or fractures) 

• injury to the knee cap and its associated structures 

90

health promotion 

Which treatments are available? 

a keyhole operation. A torn meniscus can either be stitched back 

If you are injured while out skiing, you should stop skiing immediately together or the damaged cartilage removed altogether. Recovery after 

and request medical assistance. Remember RICE (rest, ice, compression removal is much quicker than if the meniscus is repaired. 

and elevation), using a brace, if available, to keep the knee still. Make 

sure you keep warm and hydrated until medical assistance arrives. Injuries to the knee cap 

Injuries to the knee cap are most often managed with physiotherapy 

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) 

and a period in a brace. However, recurrent dislocation may 

MCL injuries are among the most common and 

require an operation to stabilise the knee cap. If a 

generally recover without operation. The injury 

serious injury is suspected, or pain and instability 

Meet 

usually occurs with slow twisting falls or 

persist for more than two weeks, you should go 

maintaining the snowplough position for the consultant 

and see your GP or an orthopaedic specialist. 

long periods of time, causing stress on the 

In many cases, surgery can be deferred until 

Mr Gupte’s main interests are in the 

ligaments. A period in a knee brace and 

you return home. 

diagnosis and treatment of sports knee 

crutches may be required in order to help 

injuries and knee arthritis. He helps run a 

the ligament heal. 

How to prevent a knee injury while skiing 

research programme in ACL reconstruction and 

There are a number of steps that can be 

meniscal surgery at Imperial College London 

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) 

taken to help reduce the risk of injury when 

and is also director of training for Orthopaedics 

Another common injury is the anterior 

on the slopes. It is important to optimise 

for north west London. He is past president 

cruciate ligament (ACL), which is found 

the condition of the muscles around the 

of the Royal Society of Medicine 

near the centre of the knee and helps to 

knee joint before taking part in any ski 

Orthopaedics Section and is an ex 

stabilise it during twisting activities. Surgery 

activities. The best pre-ski exercises include 

professional cricketer. 

to reconstruct the ACL is usually considered 

cycling to strengthen and condition the buttock 

if the injured skier intends to return to contact 

and thigh muscles, teamed with classes such as 

or ‘twisting type’ sports such as football or squash. 

Pilates to build up the abdominal core. These exercises 

Some ACL injuries can be managed without operation if there is no will ensure that the muscles are strong to resist the twisting forces 

intention to return to high-stress activities and the knee feels stable and reduce reaction time when the knee feels like it is going to be 

after a period of physiotherapy. However, there is a higher chance of moved out of position. 

subsequent meniscal tear if the ACL is not reconstructed. 

For those who have suffered previous injuries to the knee, it may 

be worth considering using a short hinged knee brace when skiing. 

Meniscal injuries 

This will provide additional support and ensure that the risk of injury 

This type of injury is unlikely to heal without surgery and usually requires is kept to a minimum. 

GP SESSIONS: Medical reaSONS for tiredNESS 

Private GP at The Wellington Hospital, Dr Lisa Anderson explores the possible medical reasons 

behind chronic exhaustion 

Tiredness is a common complaint, with many unaware that as well as 

physical exhaustion, there can also be medical reasons. If you sleep 

for eight hours a night and still suffer from progressive continuous 

tiredness, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. 

Possible causes of excessive tiredness could include: 

• Anaemia 

• Coeliac disease 

• Underactive Thyroid • Diabetes 

• Depression 

• Anxiety 

• Glandular Fever 

• Sleep Apnoea 

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome • Restless Leg Syndrome 

Symptoms that indicate that excessive tiredness could be more than 

just poor sleep include weight loss/gain, dizziness and blurred vision, 

headaches, confusion, hair loss and abdominal pain. These signs 

could signal something more serious and require medical guidance. 

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) 

OSA is a condition often undiagnosed but very easily treated. 

During sleep apnoea, the throat narrows or closes during sleep 

and repeatedly interrupts the breathing pattern. This manifests 

itself with heavy snoring and a drop in the blood oxygen levels. 

The individual wakes often in the night and, as a result, feels 

exhausted the next day. 

It is most common in middle aged, overweight men where 

the prevalence is about four per cent. The most common age 

onset is 35-54 years, with 60 per cent of people over the age of 

65 suffering. 

OSA is treated by lifestyle changes such as weight loss, 

reduction in alcohol consumption, stopping smoking and 

sleeping on your side. Severe cases are treated with continuous 

positive airways pressure CPAP which involves using a breathing 

apparatus to assist with breathing whilst sleeping. 

For further information, or if you’d like to arrange an appointment at The Wellington Hospital, contact the hospital Enquiry Helpline on 

020 7483 5000 or visit thewellingtonhospital.com

{ 

{ 

fine cooking, with 

exuberant panache. 

alluring, honest, thoughtful and interesting 

231 Ebury Street 

London SW1W 8UT 

www.pouleaupot.co.uk 

020 7730 7763

food&drink 

wish list 

BASKET CASE 

For £20,000, you’d hope to be able to reuse the 

Tupperware. Known for its lavish produce, Harrods’ 

limited edition Decadence hamper is filled with the most 

distinguished and extravagant goods from around the 

world. With fresh elements including caviar, fine cheeses 

and charcuteries to top-quality Champagnes, wines, 

confectionary and puddings, it comes complete with 12 

embellished crackers and a beautiful presentation trunk. 

For a less, well, decadent choice, there’s also the Opulence 

hamper for half the price, containing an edited version of 

the former – plus there’s a range for under £100. 

Pictured: cheddar and wine hamper, £55 

harrods.com/hampers 

93

Foodie favourites 

NOW YOU SEE IT 

Nothing creates a stir quite like a pop-up. 

Making its (temporary) home in Marylebone until April next year, Pieds Nus (translated 

as bare feet) uses a ‘less is more’ concept with traditional dishes stripped back to their 

main components. David Moore, restaurateur and owner of Michelin-starred restaurants 

Pied à Terre and L’Autre Pied, is behind the concept, which champions simple sharing 

plates at its core. Expect a multitude of ceviches and tartares from beef and veal to 

yellowfin tuna and Cornish mackerel, to slightly warmer winter dishes like braised short 

rib and the obligatory slow cooked ‘pig’ belly. 

19 Blandford Street, W1U 

our FAVOURITE 

THINGS 

Paying homage to restaurateurs Ed and 

Ben Robson’s Austrian heritage, Boopshi’s 

combines the guys’ penchant for spritz 

cocktails, with the recipes recorded in 

their grandparents’ diaries. Having spent 

their childhoods requesting their ‘Oma’s’ 

schnitzels, they’ll be cooking up a modern 

interpretation of Viennese dishes: breaded 

cuts of veal, bratwurst sausage, and of 

course, apple strudel. With a lack of central 

European cuisine on the market, this new 

outpost will have foodies laying down their 

lederhosen for the first slice of sachertorte. 

THE SICILIAN 

DIM SUM 

THING FOR THE 

WEEKEND 

For those whose Sunday lunch means 

eight courses of Chinese food over a 

roast with all the trimmings, Hakkasan 

(Hanway Place) has launched a fourcourse 

set dim sum feast, good enough 

to lure us from our traditional haunt 

– sorry Good Earth. A lobster salad 

with white truffle, chive dumplings with 

prawn and crabmeat, crispy smoked 

duck and Jasmine tea-smoked organic 

pork ribs are just some of the restaurant’s 

famous concoctions to be enjoyed in a 

more relaxed, weekend-lunch friendly 

atmosphere than the busy evening buzz. 

You had us at har gau. 

8 Hanway Place, W1T 

31 Windmill Street, W1T 

Recently opened Ballaró, in the heart of 

Belsize Park, is set to become a local gem 

for fine Mediterranean home cooking, 

and a generous cut above the high street 

chains threatening to engulf the tree-lined 

pavements. While the décor combines 

modern furnishings with rustic comforts, 

top chef Carmelo Carnevale’s menu pays 

tribute to his native Sicily and its famous 

Ballaró market in Palermo. Starters 

include red wine marinated organic eggs 

with pecorino cheese while mains are 

kept authentic with whole sea basses and 

veal cutlets to share. 

154 Haverstock Hill, NW3 

94

food&drink 

Restaurant Review 

COMING HOME 

As the fine diners of Marylebone cry out for the return of their favourite Italian 

restaurant, Il Baretto reopens its doors as the paint is still drying, 

writes Kari Rosenberg 

Il Baretto is back, having closed its doors for a timely 

refurbishment after acquiring the neighboring premises. 

The Italian restaurant is another of Arjun Waney’s mouthwatering 

foodie hotspots (along with La Petite Maison, 

Coya, Zuma and the The Arts Club) which survived the 

Parma ham guillotine of Banca and Aurelia, both of which once 

also boasted fine Mediterranean fare. The paint was still wet when 

we paid a visit, but that didn’t stop the crowds filing in (with some 

reservation-less novices being turned away ahead of us), having been 

parted with the eatery’s crisp-bottomed burrata pizzas for too long. 

The re-development was overseen by acclaimed interior 

designer David D’Almada; dark mahogany tables fill the noisy, 

buzzy space, surrounded by leather banquettes and an open, glass 

wine cellar, all set against white walls and exposed brickwork, 

peppered with black and white ‘old country’ photography. The 

upstairs bar, which now extends into the site next door, features 

low tables and communal seating. And sit we did – with a glass 

of Sauvignon Blanc. Arriving 15 minutes late, due to Halloween 

traffic, our slot had been given away (despite phoning ahead) 

which didn’t see the evening off to a good start. 

Finally seated, and making our way through the menu, we 

decided to follow in Arjun’s 

usual tradition and share a 

couple of starters, opting for 

the steak tartare and tuna 

carpaccio, both of which were 

delicious, as expected. To 

follow I went for a ‘primi’ – 

pasta for mains, how uncouth 

– a thin, eggy angel hair 

taglietele smothered in delicious 

fresh white truffle, which was 

weighed at the table, prompting 

a resounding “enough!” mid-way through the tenth brush with the 

grater. The other half went for the tuna steak from the Robata grill 

(a feature from Zuma and Roka) served with rocket and fennel, 

which was perfectly tasty and cooked medium rare. I can’t help 

but imagine the duck breast and leg confit, or the salt-crusted sea 

bream, may have been a more exciting choice, but all suggestions 

were thwarted with cries of “diet”. Around me diners were gorging 

on pizzas, which looked incredible, but I’m just not a pizza person, 

especially not when faced with a menu as broad and inviting as the 

one here. Next time I’ll be trying out the calves liver with butter and 

sage or the chicken Milanese. 

For dessert we ordered the pineapple soufflé, but were served 

a fig version in the Caribbean fruit’s absence, which suited just fine 

as I prefer figs anyway. The best course of the three, it tasted like a 

sugary, jammy, airy doughnut, and all beach-body concerns went 

straight down the pan after the first taste. Despite the wait, and 

the wet paint, I’m happy to welcome Il Baretto back into the fold, 

with the food and atmosphere better than ever. And it may just 

tempt me into ordering pizza yet… • 

43 Blandford Street, W1U, 020 7486 7340

Je t’aime 

mon sherry 

The sherry business is booming in London – and not just because 

of our ageing population. Gavin Haines charts the rise of this 

fortified wine from the newest – and coolest – sherry bar in town 

When he was under our roof, Santa 

drank whisky. I’m sure that had 

nothing to do with the fact my dad 

dislikes sherry, which I understand 

is what most other households 

leave out for Father Christmas. But the bearded bringer 

of joy isn’t the only one partial to a drop of sherry 

during the festive season. The fortified wine has long 

been the yuletide tipple of choice for grannies, which 

was certainly the case in the Haines household. Every 

Christmas we rummaged around in the cupboards for 

a dusty bottle of Harveys Bristol Cream, which hadn’t 

seen the light of day for precisely one year, when gran 

last had a little snifter. 

But slowly a revolution has taken place; sherry has 

been wrestled from the wrinkly hands of pensioners to 

become one of the most fashionable drinks in town. It 

didn’t happen overnight, despite early endorsement from 

Heston Blumenthal, who put his celebrity head above 

the parapet in 2007 with an awkwardly titled book 

The Perfect Marriage: The Art of Matching Food and 

Sherry Wines from Jerez. Copies can be bought online 

for 1p. I’m not even kidding. 

Was Britain just not ready for a sherry renaissance? 

Or did it just need a different approach? Cue 

restaurateurs Sam and Eddie Hart, who have been 

attributed with, amongst other more impressive 

accolades, helping London rediscover its taste for sherry. 

Typically, they have won hearts through stomachs; while 

diners quaffed top-class tapas in the siblings’ Charlotte 

Street restaurant, Fino – named after a type of sherry – 

96

food&drink 

they were being surreptitiously introduced to the drink. 

And they liked it. 

“When we opened there were aficionados who 

already understood sherry, but [generally] if someone 

ordered a glass in front of their mates they might have 

looked like an old fuddy-duddy,” says Eddie Hart, who 

also owns Quo Vadis in Soho. “Most people thought 

sherry was something dark and sweet that was on their 

grandparents’ sideboard, but now there’s a relatively 

sophisticated cachet to it.” 

However, there’s still work to be done.“A lot of 

people seem to like the drier styles of sherry – the Finos 

and Manzanillas – but some of the 

richer, more complex styles are a 

harder sell,” admits Hart. “It’s still 

a work in progress.” 

But progress is being made. 

According to Graham Hines, UK 

director of the Sherry Institute 

of Spain, sales of the wine are 

continuing their steady upward 

trend and have risen by 2.2 per 

cent in the last year. Meanwhile, 

sherry bars are thriving in London. 

Standout establishments including 

Bar Pepito in King’s Cross, which 

opened in 2009 and won Time Out 

Bar of the Year in 2010, and Tim 

Luther’s Soho successes, Barrica 

and Copita, which he is hoping to 

emulate with his new sherry tavern, 

Drakes Tabanco, in Fitzrovia. 

“Nigel, my business partner, 

and I are on a mission to get 

people to understand how good 

sherry is,” enthuses Luther. 

“Sherry is one of the world’s great 

drinks and in my opinion the 

greatest ‘food wine’ in existence.” 

Sherry, an odyssey 

So, big statements coming from 

Drakes. Taking its inspiration 

from the sherry taverns of Jerez 

– known locally as tabancos – it 

serves simple Andalucían dishes 

with sherry from the barrel. The 

décor is modest with white washed 

walls, dark wooden furniture 

and portraits of men propping 

up tabancos. The tavern is 

dominated by wooden barrels and 

a charcuterie, where legs of cured meat hang temptingly 

from hooks. The smell of jamón lingers deliciously in air. 

“This association with food is the key to converting 

people to sherrydom,” explains Luther, who has charged 

his assistant manager, Idaira Rodriguez, with guiding 

me through their sherry selection. We start with a Fino, 

served, as it should be, in a chilled glass. 

“In Andalucía, Fino is like water – they drink it all 

the time,” she says. “For me it is a bit dry, I have to have 

it with some olives or almonds.” 

I agree about it being a tad dry, but served with 

mackerel pâté and soda bread it is perfect, cutting 

Sales of the wine 

are continuing their 

steady upward trend 

beautifully through the fishy flavours and refreshing the 

palate. “If you like dry white wine, Fino is a good place 

to start,” says Rodriguez. She then brings over a glass of 

Amontillado, which, typically, has a darker colour because 

it has been ageing in barrels for 20 years (the light and 

crispy Fino is a mere child at two). 

Sherry good pairings 

We’re venturing into medium dry territory with the 

Amontillado, which is noticeably sweeter on the nose and 

nuttier on the palate. It has a smooth finish and lingers 

longer than the Fino. Served with smoked scallops and 

avocado, this pairing makes me wonder 

whether Luther’s grand statements are 

as wild as some might believe. Next we 

move onto a glass of Oloroso, which 

is the base ingredient for Bristol 

Cream. Unadulterated this is not a 

sweet wine, but after the Harveys 

treatment it is sicklier than a Cliff 

Richard Christmas carol. 

Oloroso is a more complicated 

sherry; the kind Hart finds a “tougher 

sell.” They are hazelnutty, slightly 

oaky and have nuances of dried fruit, 

which goes well with meat dishes, 

particularly game. But if Oloroso is 

not your tipple then a glass of Porto 

Cortado – a kind of halfway house 

between a Fino and Amontillado – 

also works well with meaty dishes 

(although this being my fourth glass, I 

have become decidedly less fussy). As 

the tapas dishes and empty glasses are 

cleared, I have an awkward question. 

In fact, I have two. Firstly, why can’t I 

see any Manzanilla on the menu? 

“We only sell sherry from Jerez 

and Manzanilla is made on the 

coast,” explains Rodriguez. “There’s 

not much difference between a 

Manzanilla and Fino, but because of 

the sea air, Manzanillas have a slight 

salty flavour.” 

And my next; can I have some of 

the sweet stuff? Rodriguez responds 

by bringing two dark glasses of 

sherry over. One is a Pedro Ximenez, 

which is named after a grape that 

was named after a Frenchman, who 

brought the variety to Spain. 

“His name was actually Peter 

Siemens but people called him Pedro Ximenez,” says 

Rodriguez, as I drink the wine with a bowl of vanilla ice 

cream. Guiltily, I admit this is one of my favourites. 

“Just like grandma,” she laughs, before inviting me to 

try her favourite, Rare Old India. This sherry is exclusive to 

Drakes, I’m told, and was discovered by accident when the 

Spanish were shipping sherry to East India. 

“It started as a Fino but along the way it changed 

because of the salty air and climate,” she says. “It is sweet 

to start with but then it becomes dry on the palate. I can 

drink this with everything and nothing.” 

And frankly, I can drink to that. •

In Safe 

Hands 

The wetter weather can 

make hand and wrist 

injuries hard to avoid. 

If you have a hand condition or injury, 

and need expert care and treatment, 

the London Hand and Wrist Unit offer 

The London Hand 

and Wrist Unit 

direct access to world renowned hand 

surgeons and highly skilled therapists. 

We have expertise in the management of: 

Acute trauma including Hand Fractures 

Specialist multi-disciplinary service 

for upper limb conditions and injuries 

and Sporting Injuries; Carpal Tunnel 

Syndrome, Arthritic and Rheumatoid 

Conditions, Dupreytren’s Disease and 

work related hand and wrist injuries. 

Call our 

team today 

020 7483 5000 www.londonhandandwristunit.com

travel 

wish list 

FASH PACK 

Shoes at the bottom or wedged in at the top? 

Tetris style stacking or pastry-thin layering? 

Whatever your holiday packing style, it’s no 

doubt très méfait: just think of all the extra 

bikinis you could fit if only you could master 

the chore? Before pioneering one of the world’s 

most decadent brands, Louis Vuitton started out 

packing trunks for the French court more than 

150 years ago. In honour of this regal heritage, 

Louis Vuitton specialists at the travel pop-up shop 

L’Aventure in Paris will be educating shoppers on 

the fabled packing methods of Monsieur Vuitton 

in its Art of Packing tutorials, including how to 

fold expensive garments to maximize luggage 

space. A collaboration with Monocle founder 

Tyler Brûlé, it will also offer the brand’s updated 

city guides, as well as on-site customisation 

and repairs. 

Until 31 December, 22 Avenue 

Montaigne, +33 01 44 13 22 22 

Photography by Stéphane Muratet 

99

TRAVEL in style 

HOT SPOT in December 

CapeTown, SOuTH africa 

Chase the sun with a scenic, ocean-front break 

why 

As we brace ourselves for a typically bleak UK winter, the 

sun is shining in South Africa’s beautiful city of Cape Town, 

at the dawn of its summer season. From the rugged slopes 

of Table Mountain to pristine sandy beaches and glistening waters, this 

remarkably beautiful city is the perfect destination for a winter vacation, 

whether you are a wild animal lover in search of a real African adventure or 

simply in need of some serious relaxation. This city ticks all the boxes for 

any discerning traveller. 

stay 

The Ellerman House is an elegant Cape Edwardian mansion 

renowned for having one of the most spectacular ocean views 

in South Africa. Just ten minutes from the heart of the city, 

the one-and-a-half acre property features a panorama of scenic Atlantic 

coastline. With shaded verandas, tiered gardens, stunning interiors, and a 

celebrated art collection spanning three decades, guests can delight in the 

combination of opulence and impeccable service that this getaway offers. 

ellerman.co.za 

100

travel 

CALIFORNIA-CATION 

Those planning a last minute festive break should 

take note of San Ysidro Ranch, a charming 

hideaway nestled in the Montecito foothills of 

Californian wine country. The hotel provides a 

blend of historical charm and comfort; guests can 

enjoy nights curled up by their very own stone 

fireplace, and revel in the refreshing country air 

from the comfort of their private outdoor deck 

before exploring the winding vineyard trails. 

sanysidroranch.com 

PHOTO winter ALBUM 

MOMENTS 

winners 

SHORT HAUL: European 

culture 

Specialist travel company Grand 

Tourist has teamed up with The 

Dorchester hotel to bring travel 

enthusiasts a tailor-made European 

adventure over Christmas. For 

12 days, guests will city-hop by 

helicopter, classic car and limousine 

while experiencing the true delights 

of Paris, Geneva, Milan and Rome. 

The tour departs from London after 

a luxurious three night stay at The 

Dorchester. 

Available all year round 

From £12,500 per person 

grand-tourist.com 

EURO triP 

Eurostar has announced 

a new direct train service 

between London and 

Amsterdam that will 

commence in December 

2016. Passengers can look 

forward to a convenient 

alternative to flying with 

journey times of around 

four hours long. There 

will be two services a 

day between London 

and Amsterdam running 

via Brussels, with stops at Antwerp, Rotterdam, Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Central, 

enabling customers to access a range of destinations in mainland Europe. 

eurostar.com 

YACHts AWAY 

Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid DBE has collaborated with the 

renowned Hamburg-based shipbuilders Blohm + Voss to design a 

new 90 metre super yacht. The impressive James Bond-esque concept 

pushes the boundaries of technology and innovation for naval 

architecture. The mesh-like structure connects together the decks of 

six other yacht designs drawn up by the architect, ranging from a 

128-metre Mothership to this smaller version named Jazz. Dame 

Hadid is famous for producing elongated curved forms, such as the Aquatics Centre for 

the London Olympics last year. 

LONG HAUL: Golden 

sands in the Seychelles 

For many, Paradise is epitomised by 

the unspoilt islands of the Seychelles 

and its glamorous resorts. Set on 

the northern tip of the archipelago, 

Raffles Praslin is as photo-worthy 

as they come. The tropical resort 

offers an array of amenities for 

the whole family, from deep sea 

fishing and giant turtle spotting to 

state-of-the-art spa treatments next 

to your private pool. On Christmas 

day this year, Santa Claus will arrive 

at the resort by paddleboard, with 

presents in abundance. 

raffles.com/praslin

The Great 

BRITISH ESCAPE 

After a jam-packed month of festivities, it can’t hurt to take a few days breather, with or 

without the family in tow. With a multitude of untapped rural hideaways on our doorstep, 

Vantage explores some of the best British retreats, perfect for a short weekend respite 

102

travel 

Highland fling 

As you approach the imposing Cameron House hotel 

on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, its grand turrets 

protruding from the cotton wool-like mist, it’s hard not 

to get swept away in the eerie Highland charm. With 

preconceived images of a majestic world of heather-dappled 

glens, Cameron House does not disappoint, and is ideal for 

watching the theatre of the Scottish Highlands unfold. 

Despite the blustering chill outside, the interior of 

the castle provides a cosy and inviting refuge from the 

elements. Mixing an elegant blend of contemporary design 

with a definite nod to the Loch’s wild and baronial past, 

grand antlered deer heads adorn the walls, while plush 

velvet chesterfields are draped in a multitude of checks and 

tartans. Most of the rooms follow suit on the luxurious 

décor; dark, cosy and sumptuous, and there will always be 

someone on hand to impart the age-old tales of clansmen. 

And if you thought Scottish dining was all fried 

Mars bars and haggis, you’ll soon be blown away by the 

Michelin-starred culinary experience that awaits you, 

courtesy of Martin Wishart. As you relax in the elegant 

surroundings, head chef Stewart Boyles works away in his 

kitchen creating new ideas and signature dishes. Sample 

the delicious langoustine ravioli with braised endive and 

orange, or the mosaique of foie gras, confit chicken, cèpe 

and ham in a walnut, sour cherry and raisin vinaigrette. For 

main courses, there are a number of fresh game options to 

sample, including a mouthwatering roast saddle of Borders 

roe deer. For sweets, the banana soufflé with caramel ice 

cream is worth a trip to the Highlands alone. 

A visit to Scotland wouldn’t be complete without 

taking to the great outdoors. Rising early for a Champagne 

breakfast as we cruised the lagoon – albeit huddled under 

a tartan throw – the view was stunning, despite the climate 

wavering slightly on the chilly side. Nature has been at play 

here for millions of years. A weekend of golfing, quad biking 

and cruising on the loch should be enough for starters, but as 

well as sailing the still waters on a yacht, nature enthusiasts 

can choose from clay pigeon shooting, mountain biking, 

archery, fishing and tennis, plus much more. 

Nearby towns just across the river offer knickknacks 

and irresistibly buttery shortbread, though there is little on 

the outskirts of the Cameron House grounds worth leaving 

the estate for. A tranquil getaway for a weekend of nature 

and nurture, the bonnie hills of Scotland offer just the right 

amount of breathing space and perspective. Kilts, of course, 

are optional. 

From £145 per night including breakfast. For more 

information visit devere-hotels.co.uk

Just lake heaven 

Feeling more like the family country 

mansion (that you’re hoping to inherit) 

than a top hotel, Gilpin Lake House, part 

of the Gilpin Lodge Hotel, embodies luxury 

without decadence, class without aggressive 

brashness and tranquillity without 

stuffiness. And two months later, I still can’t 

stop talking about it. 

Just two and a half hours from London 

(by train) we arrived late on a Friday 

evening, and so it wasn’t until sunrise on 

the Saturday morning that the beauty of 

the Knipe Tam lake filled our bedroom 

from every vantage point. Staying in the 

beautiful ‘Maud’ suite, the view extends 

fully across the Lake House grounds, while 

the décor fuses kitsch country quirks such 

as feline doorstops with modern Far Eastern 

furnishings; silk-embroidered cushions 

and black lacquer elephants. The beautiful 

feature fireplace straddles both the old and 

new, a charm the Lake House masters at 

every romantic turn. 

Stocking up on a traditional English 

breakfast of locally bred sausages and 

home-baked sourdough (You’ll have to 

ask for bagels –“the bread with the hole 

It’s hard not to 

be pulled in by the 

household charm and 

backstory 

in?” asks the waitress – just to cement how 

far from London you are) we set off on 

our Jetty Spa Trail experience; exclusive 

to guests staying at Gilpin Lake House 

(costing £300 for two people). Starting 

with an aromatherapy lesson, we chose 

our oils for the forthcoming treatments. 

Opting for a mix of lavender and orange, a 

half hour private dip in the inside pool was 

followed by a stint in the sauna, spritzing 

our custom-made concoctions and rubbing 

in our scented salts. Next followed a full 

and dreamy head-to-toe massage in a glass 

treatment room – it’s designed with couples 

in mind, overlooking the lake. 

If we weren’t already totally indulged, 

a high tea in the private boat house 

cemented our serene country smugness. 

Nestled under an electric fur blanket, our 

wellington boots poking out underneath, 

we drank flowering green tea and devoured 

hot scones, banana cake and a variety of 

small sandwiches as we left the door ajar so 

the fresh country air filled the room. Last 

on the trail was a dip in the outside hot tub, 

with just the bubbles – and the Champagne 

– to keep us warm. 

The restaurant is situated in the main 

hotel and attracts both locals and tourists. 

A complex menu allows a choice between 

‘fancier’ set courses and simpler grill 

options, but we decided, at the waiter’s 

suggestion, to merge the two, for a tasty 

best of both. Greeted by Barney, whose 

family owns the beautiful establishment, it’s 

hard not to be pulled in by the household 

charm and backstory. A stunning, 

memorable getaway; leave the kids at home 

and soak up all the District has to offer, 

whether you leave the Lake House, or not. 

Suites at The Gilpin Lake House from 

£485 per room per night including 

a five course dinner, full English 

breakfast and VAT, plus complimentary 

chauffeur to and from Gilpin Hotel for 

dinner, based on two sharing. Gilpin 

Lake House is two miles from Lake 

Windermere and a short distance from 

Oxenholme Train Station. 

For further information visit 

thegilpin.co.uk 

104

travel 

The game-changer 

Set within 240 acres of parkland just 

outside Ascot, Coworth Park is the 

Dorchester Collection’s newest country 

house hotel and spa – and whichever 

bright spark decided to rework the concept 

and make it slightly more contemporary, 

deserves a pay rise. If you’re tired of sifting 

through rural retreat brochures (oh what a 

chore) book this one. 

Perfect for the city slicker playing at 

country life, the estate has its own stables 

and equestrian centre enabling guests of 

all abilities to take to the saddle and enjoy 

the scenery escorted by guides. Of course, 

you can go for a bracing walk instead 

amongst the woods and wild flowers; it’s 

vast, quiet and picture perfect on a crisp 

winter’s morning. 

However, if you decide to embrace 

the country air, it’s likely you’ll end up at 

the spa with its heated indoor pool, steam 

room and relaxation areas. Alternatively 

you’ll find yourself at The Barn, a rustic 

lounge restaurant offering hearty homecooked 

dishes paired with glasses of Veuve 

Clicquot, where you can leave your muddy 

boots on. As darkness falls, golf buggies are 

available to take guests across for steaks, 

burgers and fresh fish, but the mansion 

house also has a fine dining restaurant 

rustling up immaculately presented Sunday 

lunch and seasonal fare. 

Throughout, the hotel is chic and 

serene. Mismatched French antique tables, 

Venetian mirrors, Art Deco lamps and 

butter-soft throws are in keeping with the 

style here. In the suites, there’s a big white 

marshmallow of a four-poster bed, a bronzelacquered, 

free-standing bath set upon a 

heated marble floor, floor-to-ceiling double 

doors which open onto a dining room with 

deep-set, squashy sofas, plasma TVs and 

views of the meadows beyond. 

Its real USP is that Coworth Park 

caters for families as well as couples. This 

There’s a big 

white marshmallow of 

a four-poster bed 

means scheduled childrens’ times in the pool 

and riding facilities for all ages, without 

compromising on luxury. In practise, the 

estate is so vast and the service so slick, 

if you’re child-free you probably won’t 

notice, but if you want to bring ‘Henry’ and 

‘Fenella’ this is the ideal place to do so. • 

From £354 per night for a standard 

room including breakfast and evening 

meal in The Barn. For more information 

visit dorchestercollection.com

listing 

See below for estate agents in YOUR area 

Arlington Residential 

8 Wellington Road, NW8 9SP 

020 7722 3322 

arlingtonresidential.co.uk 

Jones lAng lAsAlle 

30 Warwick Street, W1B 5NH 

020 7087 5557 

joneslanglasalle.co.uk 

Property Divas Limited 

34a Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead 

NW3 1NH 

020 7431 8000 

propertydivas.com 

Aston Chase 

69 / 71 Park Road, NW1 6XU 

020 7724 4724 

astonchase.com 

Knight Frank 

5-7 Wellington Place, NW8 7PB 

020 7586 2777 

79-81 Heath Street, NW3 6UG 

020 7431 8686 

55 Baker Street, W1U 8EW 

020 3435 6440 

knightfrank.co.uk 

Savills 

7 Perrin’s Court, NW3 1QS 

020 7472 5000 

15 St John’s Wood High Street 

NW8 7NG 

020 3043 3600 

savills.co.uk 

Bargets 

16 Park Road, NW1 4SH 

020 7402 9494 

bargets.co.uk 

Laurence Leigh 

020 7483 0101 

laurenceleigh.com 

Hamptons International 

99 St John’s Wood Terrace, NW8 6PL 

020 7717 5319 

21 Heath street, NW3 6TR 

020 7717 5301 

hamptons.co.uk 

Marsh & pArsons 

35 Maida Vale, W9 1TP 

020 7368 4458 

marshandparsons.co.uk 

Hanover Residential 

102 St John’s Wood Terrace 

NW8 6PL 

020 7722 2223 

hanover-residential.com 

Parkheath 

208 Haverstock Hill, NW3 2AG 

020 7431 1234 

8a Canfield Gardens, NW6 3BS 

020 7625 4567 

192 West End Lane, NW6 1SG 

020 7794 7111 

parkheath.com 

If you would like to appear within the property pages of VANTAGE, contact Felicity Morgan-Harvey, property 

manager, on 020 7987 4320 or f.morgan-harvey@runwildgroup.co.uk

Va ntage 

PROPERTY 

showcasing the finest hoMes & PROPERTY from the best estate agents 

Elegant & 

exclusive 

The latest prime 

properties 

Image courtesy of Laurence Leigh Residential

Randolph Avenue L 

ittL e Venice W9 

five bedroom home 

on randolph avenue 

Situated in a prominent position in the heart of Little 

Venice, a truly exceptional five double bedroom flat 

with a private rear garden, leading onto magnificent 

communal gardens. 

• 5 Bedrooms • 2 Reception Rooms • 5 Bathrooms • Balcony 

• Communal Garden • Approximately 315 sq m (3,391 sq ft) 

guide price £6,500,000 

share of freehold • epc rating d 

joint sole agents

KnightFrank.co.uk 

Hamilton Terrace, St Johns Wood NW8 

Exceptional period house with parking in St John’s Wood 

An exceptional semi-detached period home offering excellent entertaining space and an 

unusually large 112 ft rear garden with a double width garage. 6 to 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 

3 reception rooms, garden, private parking. EPC rating D. Approximately 410 sq m (4,414 sq ft) 

Freehold 

Guide price: £11,500,000 

KnightFrank.co.uk/st-johns-wood 

stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 

020 7586 2777 

(SJW130066)

Regent’s PaRk Road 

PRimRose Hill nW1 

guide PRice £13,500,000 Freehold 

A unique stucco fronted residence (578.5sq m/6,227sq ft) located in this enviable position directly opposite Primrose hill. This elegant family 

home, which is the only fully detached property with a substantial private garden and views of Primrose hill & regent’s Park on the road, 

has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment and remodelling programme to provide spacious and contemporary accommodation, 

whilst retaining much of its period charm. 

There is exceptional entertaining space on the ground floor level with direct access to the rear terrace and beyond to the outstanding 

62.6ft landscaped garden. on the first floor level, there is an opulent principal suite with his and her dressing rooms, en-suite bathroom and 

terrace overlooking the rear garden. on the second floor there are four further bedrooms. There is also a media room and a staff suite. 

ACCoMModATIoN ANd AMeNITIeS 

Principal Bedroom with his & her en-Suite dressing rooms, Bathroom, Separate WC & Terrace, 4 Further Bedrooms, Family Bathroom, 

Fully Fitted Kitchen/Breakfast room, reception room, dining room, Media room, Staff/Guest Bedroom with en-Suite Bathroom, Utility 

room, 2 Guest Cloakrooms, Store room, Vaults, landscaped Front & rear Gardens. ePC/e. 

Joint sole agent


reGent’S ParK oFFice 

69–71 ParK road 

london nW1 6Xu 

t–020 7724 4724 

F –020 7724 6160 

Hamilton terrace 

St JoHn’S Wood nW8 

Guide Price £11,500,000 Freehold 

An exceptional semi-detached period home (447.4sq m/4,815sq ft) offering excellent entertaining rooms and an unusually large 112ft rear 

garden with a double width garage. 

hamilton Terrace is ideally located within close proximity to the extensive shops, boutiques and restaurants of little Venice (Clifton Gardens) 

and St John’s Wood (St John’s Wood high Street), transport links including Maida Vale Underground Station (Bakerloo line) and St John’s 

Wood Underground Station (Jubilee line) providing easy access to the West end, City & Canary Wharf whilst the open spaces of Primrose hill 

and regent’s Park are also within walking distance. 

ACCoMModATIoN ANd AMeNITIeS 

Principal Bedroom with dressing room, Study and en-Suite Bathroom, 4/5 Further Bedrooms, 2 Further Bathrooms (1 en-Suite), office with 

en-Suite Bathroom/Bedroom 6, Fully Fitted Kitchen/Breakfast room, reception room, drawing room, dining room/Conservatory, Staff 

Bedroom with en-Suite Shower room, 2 Guest Cloakrooms. Store room, Utility room, Gymnasium, Front Patio Garden, 112ft rear Garden, 

Garden Shed, double Garage. ePC/d. 

PrinciPal aGent

HARLEY HOUSE 

MARYLEBONE ROAD NW1 

£2,495,000 L/H: 900 YEARS 

An immaculately presented apartment (164m/1,761sq ft) set within this well regarded purpose built block. The 

apartment, which is finished to an extremely high specification throughout, features excellent entertaining space 

and a large principal bedroom suite. Further benefits include secure off-street parking for one car (available by 

separate negotiation) and a 24 hour porterage service. 

Harley House is superbly located, equidistant between Regent’s Park and Marylebone High Street and within 

close proximity to both Great Portland Street and Baker Street Underground Stations (Hammersmith & City, 

Circle, Metropolitan, Jubilee and Bakerloo Lines). 

ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES 

Principal Bedroom with Dressing Room & En-Suite Bathroom, 1 Further Bedroom with En-Suite Shower Room, 

Fully Fitted Kitchen, Double Reception Room incorporating Dining Area, Allocated Secure Off-Street Parking 

for 1 Car (Available by Separate Negotiation), 24 Hour Porterage, Monitored CCTV. EPC/D. 

SOLE AGENT


REGENT’S PARK OFFICE 

69–71 PARK ROAD 

LONDON NW1 6XU 

T–020 7724 4724 

F –020 7724 6160 

THE CARRICK VILLA 

REGENT’S PARK NW1 

£6,950,000 L/H: 123 YEARS 

A charming newly built detached house (311sq m/3,355sq ft) located on the north eastern peripheral of Regent’s Park. 

The property, which is presented to a very high standard, features well planned living accommodation on the ground floor 

with each room opening directly onto the delightful landscaped gardens. There is also a double garage with additional 

off-street parking set behind a gated driveway and access to Regent’s Park Outer Circle via a private passageway. 

The property is conveniently situated within close proximity to the boutique shops and eateries of Primrose Hill and 

Marylebone, whilst providing easy access to Oxford Street as well as London Kings Cross and St Pancras International 

Stations. 

ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES 

Principal Bedroom with En-Suite Dressing Room & Bathroom, 2 Further En-Suite Bedrooms, Staff Bedroom/Living Room 

with En-Suite Bathroom & Kitchenette, Fully Fitted Kitchen, Drawing Room, Dining Room, Study, Media Room, Utility 

Room, 2 Guest Cloakrooms, Terraces, Landscaped Garden, Double Garage, Further Secure Off-Street Parking. EPC/D. 

JOINT SOLE AGENT

Willoughby Road NW3 

£2,100 per week 

In the heart of Hampstead Village, 

a superb three storey family 

house featuring an elegant double 

reception with period fireplaces. 

Presented in excellent condition with 

high end fixtures and fittings, and 

solid wood flooring throughout. 

2016sq ft/187 sq m 

5 bedrooms 

4 bathrooms 

27’ period reception 

Patio garden 

Contact Belsize Park Office 

020 7431 3104 

South Hampstead 

Sales 020 7625 4567 

Lettings 020 7644 0800 

nw6@parkheath.com 

West Hampstead 

Sales 020 7794 7111 

Lettings 020 7794 7111 

192@parkheath.com 

Belsize Park 

Sales 020 7431 1234 

Lettings 020 7431 3104 


Property Management 

Tel 020 7722 6777 

pm@parkheath.com 

www.parkheath.com

Maresfield Gardens NW3 

£3,500,000 

At a prime Hampstead address 

a unique triplex garden apartment 

featuring a magnificent 30ft 

galleried reception. 

Flexible interior accommodation 

with planning permission possible 

to alter and extend. 

2816 sq ft/261 sq m 

3 receptions, 25’9 dining area 

4 double bedrooms 

Large private patio and garden 

Off street parking 


020 7431 1234 


Sales 020 7625 4567 

Lettings 020 7644 0800 



Sales 020 7794 7111 

Lettings 020 7794 7111 


Belsize Park 

Sales 020 7431 1234 

Lettings 020 7431 3104 



Tel 020 7722 6777 


www.parkheath.com

Belsize Avenue NW3 

£4,250 per week 

In an elevated position in prime 

Belsize Park, a spacious family 

house offering nearly 6,000 sq ft 

of internal accommodation. 

Refurbished throughout, the house 

has retained a wealth of period 

features and has the benefit of 

private parking. 

5972 sq ft/554 sq m 

3 receptions 

6 bedrooms 

7 bathrooms 

OSP + garage 


020 7431 3104 


Sales 020 7625 4567 

Lettings 020 7644 0800 



Sales 020 7794 7111 

Lettings 020 7794 7111 


Belsize Park 

Sales 020 7431 1234 

Lettings 020 7431 3104 



Tel 020 7722 6777 


www.parkheath.com

Belsize Square NW3 

£1,650,000 

Sumptuously refurbished top floor 

maisonette within a signature stucco 

Belsize villa. 

Quietly positioned in one of Belsize 

Park’s most favoured locations 

between Belsize Village and 

Swiss Cottage. 

1601 sq ft/148 sq m 

25’ open plan reception 

20’ master bedroom 

2 further double bedrooms 

South-facing balcony 


020 7431 1234 


Sales 020 7625 4567 

Lettings 020 7644 0800 



Sales 020 7794 7111 

Lettings 020 7794 7111 


Belsize Park 

Sales 020 7431 1234 

Lettings 020 7431 3104 



Tel 020 7722 6777 


www.parkheath.com

St John’S Wood 

LONDON NW8 

A neWly conStructed three bedroom penthouSe ApArtment employing the fineSt mAteriAlS And moSt exActing 

building StAndArdS, locAted Within A moment'S WAlk of St John'S Wood high Street. the flAt feAtureS 

Wonderful vieWS from itS WrAp-Around bAlcony, And benefitS from direct lift AcceSS And pArking for 

one cAr. 

3 bedroomS, 3 bAthroomS (2 en Suite), double reception room, kitchen, bAlcony, 

Secure pArking SpAce for 1 cAr, 24 hour Security/porter, epc: d. 

LEASEHOLD ASKING PRICE £2,600,000

St John’S wood 

LONDON NW8 

Set on the firSt floor of a purpoSe built block a three bedroom apartment, preSented in good decorative 

condition with wooden floorS to all principal roomS, Secure underground parking for one car and 

porterage. the property iS located on marlborough place, a Sought after Street between abbey road 

and hamilton terrace. 

3 bedroomS, 2 bathroomS (1 en Suite), large reception room, kitchen/breakfaSt room, 

Secure underground parking, porter, epc: c. 

LEASEHOLD ASKING PRICE £1,375,000

102 St John’s Wood Terrace, 

St John’s Wood, 

London NW8 6PL 

t: 020 7722 2223 

e: info@hanover-residential.com 

w: hanover-residential.com 

Collection Place, St John’s Wood, NW8 

Collection Place is a landmark development created by award-winning architects PKS. This stunning five bedroom, five bathroom contemporary house (3,228 

sq ft / 300 sq m excluding integral garage) is offered in immaculate condition and benefits from secure underground parking for two cars. Luxury features 

include comfort cooling, Crestron Automation, underfloor heating, limestone and timber floors, decked roof terrace, 24-hour concierge and CCTV. 

Sole Agent £3,650,000

Marlborough Hill, St John’s Wood, NW8 

A spacious five bedroom townhouse (2,264 sq.ft/210 sq.m) located on the West Side of St John’s Wood. The property would benefit from cosmetic 

updating and has the advantage of a single lock-up garage and a west facing rear garden. Marlborough Hill is situated within walking distance to The 

American School as well as the amenities of St John’s Wood High Street and St John’s Wood Station (Jubilee Line). 

Sole Agent £2,850,000 

hanover-residential.com




t: 020 7722 2223 



Prince Albert Road, St John’s Wood, NW8 

A three bedroom apartment (1,820 sq ft / 169 sq m) situated on the first floor of this prestigious block opposite Regent’s Park. This bright and spacious 

apartment boasts a double reception room offering fantastic entertaining space, a good sized balcony with views towards Regents Park and a private 670 

sq ft rear patio. Consort Lodge is located on Prince Albert Road being well located for the wide open spaces of Primrose Hill and Regents Park as well as the 

boutiques and cafes of St John’s Wood and Primrose Hill. Further benefits include 24 hour porterage, allocated off street parking for one car, passenger lift and 

a recently appointed luxurious entrance lobby. 

Joint Sole Agent £2,950,000

Avenue Road, St John’s Wood, NW8 

A stunning, interior designed four bedroom, three bathroom apartment (1,796 sq ft / 167 sq m), located on the sixth floor of this sought after modern 

block in St John’s Wood. This bright, contemporary apartment has undergone an extensive refurbishment programme to provide spacious luxury 

accommodation including an impressive 37ft reception/dining room with access to a private terrace featuring outstanding views towards Regent’s Park 

and the London skyline beyond. Additional benefits include secure parking for two cars, passenger lift and 24 hour porterage. London House is located 

on Avenue Road, within close proximity of St John’s Wood High Street, Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill Park. 

Sole Agent £3,900,000 

hanover-residential.com




t: 020 7722 2223 



Redington Road, Hampstead, NW3 | £1,650 per week 

Marlborough Hill, St John’s Wood, NW8 | £1,600 per week 

A stunning three bedroom ground floor apartment with garden and parking 

offering stylish and contemporary living. This luxury apartment features high 

ceilings, solid wood flooring and its own 100ft rear garden with decked patio 

areas and also includes a landscaped front garden. Accommodation comprises: 

3 Double Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms (1 En-Suite), Double Reception Room, 

Kitchen, Separate Utility Room, Store Room, Front Garden, Large Rear Garden 

& Patios, Off Street Parking Space. 

An impressive four bedroom house on a popular residential street in St John’s Wood, 

noted for its proximity to The American School. Featuring a west-facing garden and 

secure garden, the property additionally features four bedrooms, three reception 

rooms (one of which can be utilised as an additional fifth bedroom) and Guest WC. 

Marlborough Hill is located in the heart of residential St John’s Wood, running parallel 

with Finchley Road and close to the shops and transport links of St John’s Wood 

and Swiss Cottage. 

Hill Road, St John’s Wood, NW8 | £1,195 per week 

Hall Road, St John’s Wood, NW8 | £1,150 per week 

A fabulously presented apartment set over two floors of this period property on a 

popular residential street in St Johns Wood. Comprising 1355 sq ft of living space, 

the property has just undergone a complete renovation and boasts a double 

reception room, fully fitted kitchen, study/bedroom, master bedroom with en-suite, 

further double bedroom, and luxurious bathroom. Located just moments from the 

American School in London as well as the shops cafés and amenities of St Johns 

Wood High Street and Underground Station (Jubilee Line). 

Set over two floors of this period property on a popular residential street in 

St Johns Wood and comprising 1355 sq ft of living space, this first and second 

floor property has just undergone a complete renovation and boasts a double 

reception room, fully fitted kitchen, study/bedroom, master bedroom with 

en-suite, further double bedroom, and luxurious bathroom.

property 

A Vintage Year 

As 2013 draws to an end, Hanover Residential director Jason Goldstone 

looks back at a sterling year for the company 

Jeremy Rosenblatt and 

Jason Goldstone 

How did Hanover Residential 

come into existence? 

My business partner Jeremy 

Rosenblatt and I were friends 

and colleagues for six and a 

half years. We both had our 

grounding in St John’s Wood’s 

corporate estate agencies 

but had always felt a more 

independent, open approach 

was lacking in the area. As we 

grew more experienced, and 

when the appropriate time 

came, we decided to set up our own business embodying those 

exact characteristics. Taking our name from the long history and 

association it has with the area, Hanover Residential was founded 

in the basement of a shop on Boundary Road in November 2006, 

and by February of the next year, we had already completed on 

the sale of a £13m house in Hanover Terrace, Regent’s Park. That 

summer, we launched our lettings department and the company 

has grown exponentially since, culminating in our relocation to St 

John’s Wood Terrace in April 2012. 

What bespoke services do you offer? 

Our business was founded and has expanded because our greatest 

strength is ourselves. Hanover Residential’s size has allowed it 

to avoid the constraints of the corporate agencies we tried to 

differentiate ourselves from in the first place. Essential to our 

business and the way Jeremy and myself work on a daily basis is 

our accessibility; I don’t believe you can walk into any agency in St 

John’s Wood and be greeted in equal measure by either a member 

of staff or a company director. We’ve always maintained an 

experienced core staff, and this consistency and experience sets us 

apart. This approach has allowed us to keep our ears to the ground 

and understand the movements of the market. Additionally, we 

understand the need for discretion, and now approximately 30 per 

cent of our sales are done as ‘off market’ transactions for properties 

and buyers who do not want to be on the open market. 

to overseas buyers who look to London to be a multicultural, 

international city with a stable and growing economy. 

How would you sum up 2013? 

We’ve had a fantastic year; we have expanded our brand and sold 

some fantastic properties at record prices. We feel that we are now 

an integral part of the St John’s Wood property landscape with a 

growing reputation for honesty, integrity and results. Our lettings 

team has had a record-breaking year with a growing number of 

embassy and corporate clients, which have countered what has 

otherwise been an unsteady rental market this year. 

What are the key things people are looking for in the area? 

It’s all about location. Most of our clients want to be close to the 

West End but with the amenities of a more residential area; in St 

John’s Wood, we find clients note an all-too-rare combination of an 

active and populated high street, lots of green open spaces, superior 

quality properties and excellent schools. 

What advice would you give to potential buyers in the area? 

In my 15 years in the industry, the value of properties in this area 

has increased at a rate far in excess of the national average. The 

old saying is “safe as houses” and that’s certainly true of investing 

in property in St John’s Wood – you don’t even need to look for 

a ‘deal’ in this area; buying at market value will still produce a 

significant return in time. 

How will you be raising your profile within the local community? 

We are sponsoring the JW3 Baby Fair on 24 November in its new 

state of the art building on Finchley Road as well as the St John’s 

Hospice Christmas Fayre on 1 December, which is taking place on St 

John’s Wood High Street. Be sure to come and say hello! • 

102 St John’s Wood Terrace, NW8 

hanover-residential.com, 020 7722 2223 

How has the property market here developed throughout 2013? 

The volatility and unpredictability of the market has been the 

biggest adjustment we have had to make. What could be termed 

‘optimistic’ as an asking price today looks like the appropriate 

market value tomorrow; where houses are valued predominantly 

on their ‘price per square foot’ and there is a defined method to 

determine values, these values are becoming ever harder to arrive 

at. Industry competition has always artificially inflated prices but 

the St John’s Wood market is now moving at such a pace that even 

factoring in these conditions, we are constantly surprised at what 

values are achieved, and we’re now being pushed closer to the price 

levels of Knightsbridge and Belgravia. 

Have you seen an increase in foreign investment this year? 

It’s certainly on the rise; the exclusivity of St John’s Wood is alluring 

125

www.laurenceleigh.com / 020 7483 0101

Priory Road, South Hampstead, NW6 

An immaculately presented period house, comprising 3915 sq ft / 363 m 

of internal accommodation. The house is arranged over four floors and 

includes a self contained three bedroom apartment on the garden level 

with its own private patio. The property, which has retained many period 

features, boasts a wonderful kitchen/breakfast room, with a bay window 

and double doors opening on to a terrace with access to a delightful 65ft 

west facing private rear garden. There is an elegant master bedroom suite 

occupying the entire rear of the house on the first floor. The house also 

benefits from off street parking for 2/3 cars. 

Freehold 

Asking Price: £4,595,000 

Sole Agent 

020 7483 0101 / www.laurenceleigh.com

Finding you the perfect property 

www.laurenceleigh.com / 020 7483 0101

property 

hot property 

Space and Style 

With north west London known for its attractive greenery, this sevenbedroom 

double-fronted property is an idyllic family home. Featuring 

a large south-facing rear garden with an outdoor swimming pool and 

offering views of the neighbouring playing fields, the detached house 

also provides an abundance of living space over 548 sq m / 5,900 sq ft. 

The grand master bedroom incorporates a dressing room and 

bathroom, while a second suite has a sitting area and en suite. A 

kitchen/breakfast room, drawing room and dining room are the 

heart of the home, with a family room and games room providing 

for younger family members. There is also the added luxury of a 

sauna on the lower ground floor. 

With two guest cloakrooms, a further bathroom, kitchenette, 

store room and utility room, the house also works on a very 

practical level and would suit those looking to accommodate guests 

or staff. Parking is available in the form of a double length garage 

and an additional off-street area. • 

RANULF ROAD, NW2 

Guide Price £5,000,000 FreeHOLD 

Arlington Residential 

arlingtonresidential.com 

020 7722 3322

We believe that every building is one-of-akind. 

Every design is created to a unique, 

specific and personal vision. And every 

project requires individual understanding, 

research and planning. 

Blending architectural flair with building 

surveying professionalism. Collaborating with 

clients, suppliers, engineers and builders. 

Together we create original and beautiful 

bespoke houses. We are experienced and 

pragmatic, fresh thinking and innovative; 

we are Pennington Phillips. 

Pennington Phillips 

16 Spectrum House 

32–34 Gordon House Road 

London NW5 1LP 

t: 020 7267 1414 

f: 020 7267 7878 

design@penningtonphillips.co.uk

“On the first day of Christmas The 

Divas sent to me… a preferential 

one percent fee” 

1% plus vat fee for new sole agency sales instructions 

throughout December and January 2014. 

Property Divas - supports breast cancer charities. 

Follow the Divas on Twitter @propertydivas I Facebook PropertyDivas 

for new property alerts and topical tweets 

Property Divas Limited, 34a Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead, NW3 1NH 

020 7431 8000 info@propertydivas.com www.propertydivas.com

Your reward for all the lonely dinners at your desk.

City Penthouse Sky Room 

THE POWER OF 

TRITON 

With panoramic views over the city and Regent’s Park, the Triton Building 

Penthouses bring luxury sky living to the heart of London 

134

property 

Signifying British Land’s move into 

the high-end residential market, the 

Triton Building Penthouses in Regent’s 

Place, on the edge of Regent’s Park, 

comprise stunning, high-specification, 

four-bedroom penthouses, situated on the 22nd to 

25th floor, ranging from 3,506sq ft-4,053sq ft. The 

Triton Building itself contains 94 striking residential 

apartments in total, of which 94 per cent are sold. 

Bringing one of the primary offerings of sky living 

to the heart of London, with panoramic views over 

the city and Regent’s Park, the lateral apartment and 

two triplex penthouses boast spectacular architecture 

by Stephen Marshall Architects and Tate Hindle, while 

the exquisite interior design is the vision of Douglas 

Mackie. The three penthouses The City Penthouse, 

The Park Penthouse and The Panoramic Penthouse 

have been conceived as pieces of sculptural art, as well 

as desirable residential towers, with a large woven 

pattern of aluminium that both defines the façade of 

the building and creates an architectural presence. All 

of the impressive penthouses offer sensational outside 

balcony and terrace areas as well as 24-hour concierge 

services provided by the impressive and multilingual 

Harrods Estates. 

Mackie’s vision for the penthouses has been 

realised in the 4,053sq ft City Penthouse and is 

an artistic response to the key elements of the 

building’s bronze-coloured, aluminium, stone 

and glass structure. Working with the timber and 

marble interiors, Mackie incorporates the best parts 

of American and Italian post-war design, whilst the 

scale of the interiors carries a strong horizontality, 

appropriate to the penthouse. The attention to detail 

and colour is carried throughout the penthouse to the 

landscaped roof terraces and two rooftop sky rooms. 

These have been styled conversely as a bar, and the 

other as a gym. 

The sky boxes allow activities to occur at roof 

level, where residents can enjoy the extensive views 

to the north and south, either in the open, or under 

glazed shelter. Located under a colonnaded structure, 

the inside/outside sky rooms and terrace give a sense 

of shelter. The structure is illuminated at night, adding 

to the wow factor of the space. Whilst Stephen Marshall 

designed the building, delivery was completed by design 

and architecture practise Tate Hindle. 

Ross Walker-Love, asset manager at British Land, 

says: “The penthouses at The Triton Building are among 

the most spacious in the West End. They set the benchmark 

for British Land’s forthcoming residential projects in the 

heart of the capital as the company takes on more mixed 

use projects and creates a new niche of premium property 

in this world cultural and financial centre.” 

Alex Finch, from global real estate service Jones 

Lang LaSalle, says: “Regent’s Place NW1 is now an 

established and prestigious address. The fact it is 

managed by British Land attracts both commercial 

tenants and residential buyers alike, because they know 

it will be looked after for the long-term. London has 

a limited number of high-rise property homes for sale 

with exceptional views. These are provided by the 

location; the Triton Building’s penthouses overlook 

the architectural highlights of central London, the City 

tower skyline and Regent’s Park.” 

Cassandra Elliott, partner at Knight Frank, says: 

“Regent’s Place has emerged as a very successful 

combination of exceptional architecture and clever 

landscaping, which combines the right mix of corporate 

and retail tenants to create a real sense of place. 

This blend of business and leisure means residents 

will live in a buzzy central London hub, yet one that 

is close to the leafy spaces of Regent’s Park and a few 

minutes walk from the West End.” • 

Prices for the penthouses at The Triton Building 

start from £6.25m, thetritonpenthouses.com 

Alex Finch, Jones Lang LaSalle, 

alex.finch@eu.jll.com, 020 7993 7397 

Cassandra Elliot, Knight Frank, 

cassandra.elliot@knightfrank.com, 020 7861 5499 

British Land, a FTSE 100 property company, 

britishland.com

Local know-how. Better results. 

Our offices: 

Battersea 

Chelsea 

Fulham 

Kensington 

Mayfair 

Pimlico & Westminster 

Balham 

Bishops Park 

Clapham 

Hammersmith 

Little Venice 

North Kensington 

South Kensington 

Barnes 

Brook Green 

Earls Court 

Holland Park 

Marylebone 

Notting Hill 

Warwick Avenue W9 £1,350,000 

This stunning and spacious maisonette, situated on the upper floors of an imposing period conversion, has been beautifully and 

sympathetically refurbished. The exceptional apartment offers superb accommodation comprising a spacious dual-aspect reception 

room with a feature fireplace, a separate kitchen/breakfast room with integrated appliances, a master bedroom with a sumptuous 

en suite bathroom, two further double bedrooms and a beautiful shower room. Leasehold. EPC=E. Joint Sole Agent. 

LITTLE VENICE: 020 7993 3050 sales.lve@marshandparsons.co.uk

See all of our properties online: 

marshandparsons.co.uk 

Join us on Facebook: 

facebook.com/marshandparsons 

Follow us on Twitter: 

twitter.com/marshandparsons 

Visit our YouTube channel: 

youtube.com/user/marshandparsons 

SALES 

Elgin Avenue W9 £700,000 

A beautifully refurbished raised ground floor, flat with high ceilings in a pretty Victorian house. Recently renovated throughout this 

stunning flat comprises an open plan kitchen/reception room with fitted kitchen units and integrated appliances, two large double 

bedrooms with fitted wardrobes and a smart new bathroom. Elgin Avenue is within walking distance of the fantastic local amenities 

of Lauderdale Parade, Clifton Road and Formosa Street. Share of Freehold. EPC=D. Joint Sole Agent. 

LITTLE VENICE: 020 7993 3050 sales.lve@marshandparsons.co.uk

Local know-how. Better results.

Vantage

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?