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Welcome to Lifestyle I was asked one day, how Lifestyle differs from any other high quality magazine. What more does it offer? This is a subjective question, so it’s hard to answer objectively. I don’t believe a magazine should be assessed by comparing it to others; most have their own “je ne sais quoi” that makes them attractive to their readership. At Lifestyle, we aim to be authentic. This is our core value. Authenticity is often confused with being unique, but there is a fine line between the two. Authenticity implies being different, but the opposite doesn’t always apply. This is why we aren’t trying to identify what makes us different or better. Lifestyle is what it is, on its own journey. Quite simply, we want to share our readers’ aspirations and passions and we hope that in turn, you will enjoy our musings. To put this edition together, Lifestyle sought to identify people, companies and peers who share the same passion and encourage them to work together. We enjoy seeing these partnerships create beautiful things from a common understanding. This is why connecting with our community is so important to us. It is not solely about the final destination. The journey starts with artisans who are doing what they are best at: creating handcrafted pieces. It is about the photographer who captures every moment; the car that takes you to the hotel; the hotel that welcomes you into its world; the restaurant that offers you a delightful dish with local produce; and the artisan who cultivated that produce. As writers, our role is to put this into words, so that you can share the experience. We are delighted to have worked with fascinating personalities spanning the travel, food, drink, fashion and design industries, each contributing a part of themselves to build this edition of Lifestyle. We hope you’ll find the seventh edition down to earth and approachable, connecting people and concepts, and creating points of conversation. It has been our pleasure to share the work of so many committed people. Please visit the Contributors page on adastra-lifestyle.com to meet our partners. Also, feel free to meet us on our social media platforms, whether it’s to comment on the articles, to share your thoughts, or to ask for more information. I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Lifestyle.
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Giselle Whiteaker Editor Publisher
Editor
Deputy Editor and Production Manager
Creative Designer
Peter Coyle
Giselle Whiteaker
Amélie Arras
Sebastian Hartland
Contributors Demelza Craven, Gabriella Southwell, Harry Sherrard, Julien Miquel, Sabine Donnai, Saskia Ward, Tom Shaxson, Vicki Edgson For a complete listing of brands featured in this edition, please turn to our Listing on page 64. For more content, visit www.adastra-lifestyle.com. For comments, questions or enquiries, please email us at Lifestyle@adastrauk.com. Cover Image courtesy of Tom Shaxson. For editorial and advertising inquiries, please contact: editorial@adastrauk.com advertising@adastrauk.com +44 2032890460
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Contents adastra-lifestyle.com
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05 The America’s Cup
The America’s Cup represents excitement, challenge and a visual sailing feast.
09 Setting the Record
Here’s how Goodwood Motor Circuit is being brought to amateur enthusiasts.
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29 All-Year Resolutions These simple tips from Vicki Edgson put your health in focus.
We present a selection of pieces connected to nature through wood and stone.
We explore some wardrobe must-haves, from cuff links for him to dresses for her.
Samuel Dougal, is injecting a fresh yet classical look into haute couture.
Johny Midnight paints from his life’s adventures. You may have been to the same places.
64 Collection Obsession We explore the ‘thrill of the find’ through collectors’ curiosities.
37 Alone in Paradise
67 United in Art
20 Olive Oil Immersion
43 Spa Daze
71 Stitch by Stitch
23 Beyond Champagne
47 A Thai Retreat
73 Eco Insight
17 Beyond the
Restaurant Kitchen
Chefs are moving creativity out of the restaurant kitchen.
The word “Tuscany” is akin to a sigh of satisfaction. What makes this region so favoured?
We take a look at which areas of the world are climbing the sparkling ranks.
27 Sleep. Just a Waste of Time?
Dr Sabine Donnai discusses what disrupts our nights.
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55 Designed by the River
31 Desperate Romantics 58 Close to Midnight
13 Who’s at the Controls? 33 A Rising Star Is flying to work a realistic option? We take a look at the training implications.
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he Maldives are well-known T as a romantic escape, but what about those travelling alone?
The runnymede-on-thames in Egham, Surrey is an ideal choice for a little indulgence.
A glimpse of palatial luxury in Chiang Mai.
Meet André C. Meyerhans, the man behind some of the UAE’s architectural treasures.
In Vietnam and Cambodia, many live in poverty. Mekong+ is changing this.
We celebrate new initiatives that could help the planet on the road to health.
49 Photoessay: Road Trip 74 Putting Aside Road-tripping in a classic Mazda MX5 between West Sussex and Cornwall.
Riding Astride
We discover side saddle’s niche reach in equestrianism.
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Up Next 05 The America’s Cup is a visual sailing feast 09 How amateurs set records 13 A flying commute
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The
America’s Cup The America’s Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy, but it’s so much more than that. It represents excitement, challenge and a visual sailing feast.
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ne August day in 1851, a radical-looking schooner ghosted out of the afternoon mist and swiftly sailed past the Royal Yacht stationed in the Solent, between the Isle of Wight and the south coast of England, on an afternoon when Queen Victoria was watching a sailing race. As the schooner, named America, passed the Royal Yacht in first position and saluted by dipping its ensign three times, Queen Victoria asked one of her attendants to tell her who was in second place. ”Your Majesty, there is no second,” came the reply. That phrase still encapsulates the spirit of the America’s Cup, and how it has come to represent the singular pursuit of excellence.
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That day, the yacht America, representing the young New York Yacht Club, would go on to beat the best the British could offer and win the Royal Yacht Squadron’s 100 Guinea Cup. This was more than a simple boat race however. It symbolised a great victory for the new world over the old, a triumph that unseated Great Britain as the world’s undisputed maritime power. The America’s Cup was born. Fast forward to modern times and the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series has turned into a premier racing circuit that forms part of the 35th America’s Cup sailing programme. The Series began in the summer of 2015
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Three events were hosted in 2015 worldwide, including a three-day festival of racing in Portsmouth, the first of its kind for the city. It proved a worthy venue, with close to a quarter of a million people visiting to watch the six America’s Cup teams battle it out at break-neck speeds on high-speed 45-foot catamarans.
Zealand and Oracle Team USA. When the action moved to Bermuda, the Swedes, denied of victory in their home event, had a point to prove. Under the Bermuda sun Sweden’s Artemis Racing just had the edge over the Emirates Team.
Portsmouth’s inaugural America’s Cup event generated an atmosphere like no other. The excitement was palpable as Friday’s preview races got underway. Spectators were treated to great views of the racing from all along the waterfront, the teams almost within touching distance as they flew past, spraying the faces of the crowd in their wake. Saturday saw the start of the competition proper, the tall slender frames of the racing craft forming striking silhouettes against the pale blue horizon as they sliced through the water with a snap of winged sails. Even in July, the Great British Summer could not be relied upon for long, and by Sunday severe weather was closing in. Organisers brought forward the second day’s racing by 90 minutes to avoid the worst and the wind buffeted the spirits of the crowd somewhat as they followed the action under umbrellas or on the big screens in the visitors’ areas. But as the grey skies and dark waters of the Solent seemed to merge into one and wind speeds reached beyond the safe limit, racing was eventually abandoned. Despite being cut short, the Portsmouth event was hailed as a resounding success, the sure highlight being a jubilant win by Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing in front of a delighted home crowd. The subsequent race saw a warm Swedish welcome to the teams in Gothenburg, where this time the Land Rover BAR team was beaten into third place behind Emirates Team New
However British sails soon sang with success once again as the Oman race saw another triumph for the Land Rover BAR team in February 2016. At the time of writing, we are now two races into the 2016 calendar and Emirates Team New Zealand hold the current overall lead ahead of Oracle Team USA and Land Rover BAR. But anything could happen as we look forward to the rest of this year’s dramatic itinerary. America’s Cup World Series racing is set for an exciting return to New York in May, for the first time since 1920. It will then be the turn of Chicago to host proceedings where breathtaking speeds are assured if the windy city is to live up to its name! Before France says “bienvenue” to the final event of the year in Toulon this most spectacular show in sailing returns to Portsmouth on 21-24 July 2016. This year, organisers promise to deliver an even more unique visitor experience, enabling British sailing fans another helping of adrenalinfuelled drama, up close and personal. If last year is anything to go by, The America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth 2016 event is guaranteed to deliver an incredible four days of world class sport and action-packed entertainment for all the family. Just don’t forget your brolly – who knows what the British weather has in store this year.
For more information see: lvacwsportsmouth.com
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and will culminate in the America’s Cup finals in 2017 in Bermuda. This circuit is an early opportunity to put points on the board which carry forward into the next stage of the competition. Overall ranking position in the series determines the starting point-score of the teams in the America’s Cup Qualifiers in 2017.
Historically, not everyone has had the chance to race at the Goodwood Motor Circuit. Now, Goodwood, in all its glory, is being brought to amateur enthusiasts. Here’s how.
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With motor racing discontinued at Goodwood from 1966 until the Revival in 1998, the Clark/Stewart lap time at Goodwood was unbeaten for decades. When I raced at the Revival in 2012, it was still quoted in the programme as the circuit record. Eventually, however, the record fell to a competitor in the 2015 Revival. I was a little sad to witness the passing of that unique motor-racing legend. The 1 minute 18 second lap time achieved in 2015 was impressive and I was thrilled to shatter this mark in December the same year and lower the Goodwood lap record to 1 minute 15.065 seconds. However, some cheating was involved. First, I was driving a contemporary Formula 3 car with advanced aerodynamic downforce, slick tyres and some 240 horsepower. Second, I was not really driving at all.
As you may have deduced, I was at the wheel of a highly sophisticated racingcar simulator. The creation of French former racing driver Julien Abelli, it is considered to be the most advanced and realistic racing-car simulator accessible by the public. Indeed, few Formula One teams, as far as is known, can match it. Julien’s company, Simumotion, is located in southern Paris and offers driver development and training facilities to professional racers and teams. Additionally, enthusiastic amateurs can take their turn at the wheel. The key to Julien’s creation is an advanced and unique hydraulic system that sits beneath the fullsize replica of a Formula One car. Competitors in the industry offer electrically powered simulators, which can’t react as quickly as the hydraulics. This results in a more realistic racing sensation. The vehicle moves up to a metre forwards and backwards during acceleration and braking and can move up to five metres left and right during cornering. This creates an almost authentic driving experience, with the car moving around under you as it reaches the limits of adhesion. Having been a Goodwood instructor, and racing at the Revival in 2012, I was keen to try the simulator on the famous Sussex circuit. The graphics
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A
remarkable event took place at Goodwood Motor Circuit in Chichester, UK, on Easter Monday, April 1966. It was to be the last top-level international motor race at the circuit, and competing that day were the two great Scottish champions, Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart, in a Lotus and a BRM respectively. Somewhat poignantly, the pair jointly established a new outright circuit lap record of 1 minute 20.4 seconds, an average speed of 107.46 mph.
I managed to break the Goodwood lap record
were sensational on the 11-metre wide, two-metre high wraparound screen. A laser scan is taken of the circuit, a process that can take up to three days, and the detail is impressive. All of Goodwood’s tarmac patches and kerbs, so familiar, are faithfully reproduced and the circuit is laid out in its Revival regalia, with grandstands, spectators and marshals. I would have preferred to have been able to drive a car comparable to the Sunbeam in which I competed in the Revival, or at least an historic vehicle of some description, but adding these to the system is still on Julien’s to-do list. So, I took to historic Goodwood in a modern Formula 3 vehicle, by far the quickest car I have ever driven. The downforce, cornering speed and braking power are unbelievable. I was absolutely flat out in sixth gear – about 160 mph – around Fordwater and the “No Name” corner that follows, before braking for the left-hander at St Mary’s.
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Whilst the simulator gives an entirely authentic representation of a Formula 3’s capabilities, in reality, such speeds would not be attained on the circuit today, given Goodwood’s limited run-offs and other dangers. And so it was, despite being nowhere near the limit of the car, I managed to break the Goodwood lap record. My visit to Simumotion would not be complete without a run in a Formula One car as well. I chose Spa because the circuit is familiar to me and it is generally regarded as the best circuit on which contemporary Formula One competes. If the Formula 3 was challenging, the Formula One was on another level. Most impressive was the braking power and consequently the shortness of the stopping distances. When all my instincts were telling me to brake for an approaching corner, I was still hard on the throttle, braking impossibly late.
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Julien continues to develop and improve his systems, which he offers for sale to private and commercial customers. He can build and install a complete system for EUR 120,000, and he’s also developing a smaller, mobile version of his creation, which is available for EUR 75,000. To try before you buy, time on the full-size simulator is available for EUR 120 an hour, including coaching from Julien’s team, who speak fluent English and will discuss your driving data with you afterwards. If you’re tempted, the location is conveniently close to Orly airport. Time spent on the simulator does genuinely develop driving skills and it’s an exhilarating, challenging and realistic experience, at only a fraction of the cost of doing it for real.
If the Formula 3 was challenging, the Formula One was on another level
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Flying to work, is it a realistic option? We take a look at the training implications. “Roger Papa Charlie, clear take off, wind two-five-zero, fifteen knots”
C
ould this be what we get used to listening to on the radio, rather than the traffic report informing us of a five-mile tailback on the M25? With the proliferation of vehicles on the roads, the commute to work is becoming ever more tiresome. Public transport has its place in the mix, but
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often the flexibility of being in your own vehicle is a necessity. With the conundrum of how infrastructure can keep pace with the growing need for mobility, we look up to the wide blue yonder and muse on the possibility of flying to work as an option in the future. Our imaginations flew, but we stopped before considering the possibility of a DeLorean hovering off the road, tucking its wheels in and zooming over the traffic at subsonic speeds. So, back from the future, we forced ourselves to only consider current technology.
contents We’re a long way from making flying an option for our daily commute – if nothing else, parking would be a nightmare – but for some people, it is a realistic option to get between sites. In certain professions it is perhaps the only option; jockeys, for example, need to rush between racecourses to meet their tight schedule of races. For others, there is a need to commute between company sites spread across vast areas on a regular basis. Do they need a professional pilot to take the controls or could they fly themselves?
military. Military flying training is clearly not an issue at stake here.
There are many considerations in this airborne future, but the most important is safety. Should pilot training remain the reserve of professionals and enthusiasts or is there a middle ground for the semiprofessional pilot to get real value from their prized pilots licence?
This first stage allows you to fly in good weather conditions in a small, single-engine aircraft. The licence can then be progressively extended through further training, to allow you to fly in worse weather conditions and progress to larger aircraft and multiple engines.
There are three levels of flying training: private, commercial and
If you wish to fly and get financial reward, you need a Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL). This allows you to carry fare-paying passengers, but not to fly airliners. To obtain a CPL you must have gained your PPL and have at least 150 hours of flight time logged. You will then have to complete 13 theory exams and 25 hours of further flying training.
The Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) allows action as a pilot in command in non-commercial operations, with licences for aeroplanes PPL (A) and helicopters PPL (H). To obtain a PPL for either aeroplane or helicopter, you need to complete theory training in flying, navigation, metrology and air law. Then there is 45 hours of flight instruction, five hours of which can be in a flight simulator. Overall, the flight instruction must include at least 25 hours of dual flight instruction and 10 hours of supervised solo flight time. Once completed, there is a flying skills test. Pass this and you’ll be presented with your coveted wings.
If more people were to using aircraft for their business, the skies would
be more crowded, especially around airfields and at lower levels, away from the control of the airways.The sky provides the ultimate in flexible space, but for aviation to be used more extensively, perhaps there needs to be more regulated airspace to create greater infrastructure in the skys and this would in turn require additional air-traffic control measures. Current technology in vehicles makes driving safer and similar technology could be used to make a busier sky safer, too. So is a basic PPL sufficient for people taking to the air on a regular basis and carry non-fare-paying passengers? Should there be an enhanced PPL, almost to the level of a CPL, to meet this scenario? Whatever the future brings, we should never lose the ultimate freedom of unrestricted airspace for the pure enjoyment of taking flight.
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Up Next 17 Chefs new projects 20 A taste of Tuscany 23 The best bubbles beyond France
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The Flavour of Absurdity Serious about food, but inspired by the colours and flavours of London’s street food movement, Absurd Bird matches the bohemian utopia of style, edge, taste, art and design with the Southern flavours from America, all with a twist. From expertly crafted cocktails to creative soul food like these Dirty Buns, which marry fried chicken, pickle and spicy mayo with Asian-style bread, Absurd Bird is so new on the scene that it’s a hidden London gem.
www.absurdbird.com
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BEYOND THE RESTAURANT KITCHEN Tony Valentino Locke Chef
Chefs are the new celebrities. But now these food stars are moving out of the restaurant kitchen and finding new means of bringing creativity to cuisine. We chat to Chef Tony Valentino Locke, a man with his finger in many pies. Where did your love of cooking come from? It was really thanks to my Italian grandma. When I was at school, my brother and I used to go back to her house and she would cook dinner for us. Every single day was something different, often old recipes from her mother. One Christmas dinner she needed help in the kitchen. From then on, I worked in the kitchen with her and fell in love with it.
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Have you worked in a variety of restaurants? After my diploma, I went to Italy and worked in a restaurant for three years [and then I] went into London restaurants. I wanted to mix up the cuisine, so I worked in Japanese cuisine at Nobu; I was head chef in an Argentinian steakhouse for a while; and an American smokehouse called Big Easy. I didn’t want to stay in one restaurant. I wanted to do six to eight months and move on, then eventually put it all together and do something with it.
What made you move out of permanent restaurant work? The unsociable hours and the work that goes into it – and it’s never really your own menu. An opportunity came up with La Belle Assiette, where I could cook for people in their houses, and I thought it was a refreshing angle. You can be more creative – you make your own menu and get the ingredients yourself. With private cheffing, you can dictate when you work and how often, so the hours are better. It’s a more relaxed atmosphere, all small dinner parties, not like a restaurant doing 200 covers. There’s a lot more time to focus on each element on the plate and make it look really nice.
What are some of the other ‘non-traditional’ projects you’ve done? Recently, I’ve had a few opportunities to do some filming. I did an episode of a YouTube show called In My Kitchen, where I had a challenge to prepare for six guests. I had to cook two courses with only the ingredients I found in the host’s house. I could take one special ingredient – I chose a Pecorino cheese from Sardinia – and I had a few hours to come up with a main course and a starter. I made a chicken and chickpea casserole and a butternut squash and asparagus risotto. It was great fun.
What was the hardest part? Probably getting used to being in a random kitchen and not knowing where everything is, but a chef should be able to adapt to where they are – as long as the stove is working and there’s a knife to chop veg.
What’s your most recent project? I’m doing a bit of filming in my apartment. I met the director and he said: You live by the River Thames, let’s do a programme themed around the river; what used to come in, what used to be traded, and what ingredients are used in the surrounding areas. I’m working on a 10-episode series. It’s out on the Community Channel and who knows where it’ll go from there.
Follow Tony on Twitter @tony_locke labelleassiette.co.uk inmykitchenuk.weebly.com
What do you do in each episode? We have a theme, like the Cutty Sark, the tea clipper that’s parked up in Greenwich. We’ve incorporated tea into recipes, such as tea-smoked salmon. I also made some pulled pork infused with tea and tea cocktails. Every episode has a theme: tea, the meat trade, the frost fair from when the Thames froze over. A lot of the dishes are quite original and a bit crazy. We do the research, look at what was about, and try and modernise it to make it more appealing and accessible.
What would you like to do in the future? I’ve got the feel of filming. Being on screen is quite daunting, but it’s exciting and I’m enjoying it. I’d like to carry on doing stuff like this. Click to go forward
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The perfect coffee-cup
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Olive Oil Immersion O The word “Tuscany” is akin to a sigh of satisfaction. But what is it that makes this region so favoured? The answer lies in the soil.
nce upon a time, back in 714 AD, there was a small hilltop village in Tuscany, known as Pieve. Throughout the Middle Ages, Pieve was the setting for violent conflict between Siena and Florence, but in the 18th century, the village became the property of a noble family from Siena. They resided in a beautiful manor house in the heart of the settlement, surrounded by charming narrow streets, squares and picturesque Romanesque churches and chapels. There they lived happily ever after. While there may be somewhat more to the story, it’s hard to deny that Pieve, which was renamed Borgo San Felice in 998, retains its fairy-tale aura. Located between mountain ridges and valleys, the village embodies all of the aspects of the
traditional Tuscan charm. The silverygreen leaves of olive trees rustle in a mild breeze and vineyards march across the undulating landscape in orderly rows, framed by a backdrop of rugged green hills, topped with oak and chestnut trees. Immaculate stone-built farmhouses and castles dot the countryside, glowing golden in the afternoon sun, while wispy white clouds drift across the cobaltblue sky. San Felice is in the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany and driving into the quaint village, it’s easy to see why this area has been a source of inspiration for painters and writers. Hues of dappled gold and green contrast with a tangle of blood-red ivy that clambers up the towering wall of the manor house, now the centre of a charming diffused hotel, a Click to go forward
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member of the Relais Chateaux hotel group. The hotel and the village are synonymous; the former village houses are now guest rooms, a wellness centre, meeting rooms and a wine cellar. The rooms and suites are infused with Tuscan authenticity, with handcrafted antique furniture and opulent fabrics. It’s romantic and alluring in its simplicity. But I’m not here to relax. I came to eat. Traditional Tuscan food has long been recognised as some of the best regional cuisine in Italy, with a focus on elegant simplicity, packed with the robust flavours of local produce. While the concepts of seasonality and provenance are on the lips of every restaurateur these days, Tuscany has lived it for centuries and even the most humble trattoria regularly serves dishes made from produce that is locally grown, in season and at the peak of ripeness. Borgo San Felice promises the taste of Tuscany through authentic recipes tied to the territory and composed primarily of homemade local products, paired
with wine from the San Felice Estate. Even a simple lunchtime sandwich at San Felice embodies these flavours, the creamy mozzarella complementing the cured ham, wedged between light, crispy slices of focaccia-style bread. Chef Francesco Bracali, who originates from Tuscany, heads up the kitchen. Francesco grew up working in his family’s restaurant, the two-Michelin-starred Ristorante Bracali, where he found his love for
the rustic, home-style flavours of the region. “Since I was a little boy, I was working in the trattoria of my family, so as you can imagine, it was a natural thing.” Naturally Chef Bracali considers Tuscan cuisine to be his specialty. “Definitely meat,” he declares, “…and anything coming from the woods. Those are my roots, so I start from there, but I don’t limit myself to that.” The cheerful chef believes it is the fragrant Tuscan ground that provides the flavours in the bountiful produce of the region. At San Felice’s signature restaurant, Poggio Rosso, with a mouthful of tender, heavily-scented braised veal cheek, I fancy I can taste those soilbirthed earthy flavours. The velvety, melting richness is offset by a sharp celeriac and black cabbage polenta, grounded by caramelised Maremma’s onions, hailing from the coastal region of Tuscany that extends from Livorno to the border between Tuscany and Lazio. A scattering of pomegranate kernels contributes to the lush forest imagery. The theme continues, with parmesan and pigeon ragu risotto, the opulence
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Game meat also features in the olive-wood home-smoked pheasant breast, served with sausage and chestnut stuffing, a foie gras sauce and an enormous porcino mushroom, cooked wrapped in vine leaves. This is a dish that could easily be overwhelming, but fresh grapes bring levity to the woodsy flavours, hinting at the vineyards on the doorstep.
It’s impossible not to be inspired here. And the 650-hectare farm estate and winery, Agricole San Felice, ensures that not only the wines, but also the extra-virgin olive oil, embody that same inspiration. Freshly-baked bread dipped in golden-yellow fresh olive oil is the perfect accompaniment for a bottle of Poggio Rosso Chianti Classico Classico Riserva – it is the Pogio Rosso label that has brought recognition to the Chianti Classico region – or perhaps a glass of Vigorello Toscana, the first wine produced exclusively through the use of Chianti Classico red grapes.
While Francesco won’t commit to a preferred dish to prepare, he favours the Fall, which is apparent in the dessert, entitled Autumn in a Jar. Reminiscent of a perfect tiramisu, the blend of cocoa powder, marscapone froth, chestnuts, green apples, puffed cereal and rosemary granita is light yet full-bodied, rounding out the meal.
On a visit to an olive mill in nearby Montalcino – and the best way to do this is in a retro Fiat – it’s easy to see how the food embodies the land. The dishes reflect the landscape, both in their Autumnal livery and their earthy flavours. It’s so fragrant that I want to luxuriate in it. At Borgo San Felice’s wellness centre and spa, I can.
“The menu always reflects my personality,” says Chef Bracali. “My Inspiration is the most difficult thing to explain. I never copy anything. I transform it with my own personality.”
Located within the old village oil mill, Dr. Paolo Vranjes oversees the spa. The treatments here are based on a “Tuscany pleasure” concept, connecting to the land through
of the game meat softened with a hint of sweetness in the form of port jelly brunoise. The dish is creamy and sweet, with waves of flavour stimulating the palate.
products derived from olive oil and wine. Part massaged, part marinated, I emerge revitalised into the aromatic air of dusk to see what’s for dinner. Francesco is supervising his disciples in the subtly rustic La Terrazza, offering further flavourful treats in homage to authentic traditional fare. The menu focuses on simplicity. A thick pomodoro soup offers up the very essence of the humble tomato and a mound of al dente spaghetti topped with cheese, despite its wan colouring, warms both palate and belly. A light molten chocolate cake drizzled with strawberry sauce and topped with spun sugar is the flawless finale. Drifting to the elegant Gli Archi lounge, the talk is all of fine fare. Francesco’s Michelin stars are a testament to his flair. “I can’t deny that it is an ego factor,” he admits, “… but more importantly, for someone like me who believes that simplicity and clarity is the way to proceed, it’s a real achievement.”
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“I can’t deny that it is an ego factor”
Who doesn’t think of champagne at times of important celebrations and bubbly delights? But the Champagne region is seeing some competition. We take a look at which areas of the world are climbing the sparkling ranks.
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he French region of Champagne, some 90 miles (140 kilometres) north-east of Paris, arguably produces the best sparkling wines in the world and certainly the most famous ones. So much so, that the word “Champagne” has become synonymous for sparkling wine in many languages. But the world of wine, and its people, is diverse, passionate and perseverant. Since wine-worthy grapes have been planted all around the globe, all wine-producing countries have been in a quest to find soils and climates able to produce subtle and elegant wines reaching the quality of the best French examples. The task is complicated. The region of Champagne benefits from a combination of unique factors that
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are difficult to find elsewhere: limestone soils, a very cool climate, a long history of sparkling winemaking and three delicate grape varieties that thrive in the area: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Sparkling wine is now successfully produced in all major wine-producing countries, from New Zealand and Australia to the West Coast of California, all over Europe, and even in China and India. But only a handful of regions have succeeded in reaching refinement and quality to compete with French savoir-faire. Surprisingly, three lesser-known regions stand out for the excellence of their premium sparkling wines: the best in the world… beyond Champagne.
Franciacorta Franciacorta is Italy’s most prestigious sparkling wine, but its fame has extended little beyond the Italian borders and the elite circles of sparkling wine connoisseurs. In Northern Italy, on the hilly slopes near lake Iseo in the Bescia province of Lombardy, Franciacorta grows Chardonnay and Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir), but also up to 50% Pinot Bianco (Pinot Blanc). Vine-growing in this small wineproducing area dates back to Roman times, but the region has seen an increasing dedication to producing premium sparkling over the past 50 years. It is only since 1995 in fact, that the local regulations have stipulated that Franciacorta must be sparkling.
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The world of wine, and its people, is diverse, passionate and perseverant
Vineyards: Henners
Today, what makes Franciacorta stand out is that all wines are made using the metodo classico or methode champenoise. This is the same process as in the Champagne region, with a second fermentation inbottle giving wine its effervescence, followed by prolonged bottle-ageing on lees between 18 and 30 months, depending on the style. Despite its small size, covering less than a tenth of the area of Champagne, the region counts 64 different soil types that have all been precisely mapped. Local producers have plenty of blending options on their hands to produce the most refined and balanced wines and achieve great consistency. Like in Champagne, Franciacorta wines come in a variety of styles including Non-Vintage and Rosé. For the finest examples, look for the Millesimato (vintage) and Riserva (Reserve), where selected wines from the best years are aged in-bottle for longer to develop greater complexity. Satèn is an additional style unique to the region, trademarked in fact, where
wines are bottled with less pressure for a smoother feel on the palate. Franciacorta counts over 100 producers producing quality sparkling wine with surprising consistency. To try renowned wines, two historic wineries in the area – Bellavista and Ca’ Del Bosco – give birth to arguably the most iconic Italian sparkling wines: Bellavista Cuvée Vittorio Moretti and Ca’ Del Bosco Cuvée Anna-Mari Clementi.
England England has been the home of sparkling wine for a very long time, at least in terms of consumption. In fact, despite the common belief instilled by marketing campaigns that Dom Perignon invented the méthode
champenoise in France, production of sparkling wine was first perfected in England early in the 17th century. This superiority was for two simple reasons. At the time, English glass was much stronger and could stand bottle pressure better that French glass. In addition, the English knew about cork stoppers, while the French had forgotten about it after the Roman imperial times. Since that time, England has been one of the biggest sparkling winedrinking countries in the world, importing most of it from France and the New World. On the production front, things have changed recently and steadily over the 1990s and 2000s with more and more small producers producing bubbly around the country. England benefits from limestone soils, sometimes even chalky, rather similar to the ones of the French Click to go forward
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The Cosortium for the Protection of Franciacorta
Champagne region. With global warming, the cool English climate has become an advantage in preserving acidity and subtlety of flavours. With winemakers in England drastically increasing their technical expertise and now using French grape varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, English sparkling wine competes in quality with the best in the world. Historic and acclaimed producers of top-quality English sparkling wine include Nyetimber and Ridgeview in the south-eastern Sussex area, Chapel Down in Kent and Camel Valley Vineyard in the south-western Cornwall region.
California It is well-known that California is a warm and sunny state of the USA. For a long time it was believed to be too hot to produce grapes suitable for the production of refined sparkling wine. The Napa Valley is certainly more famous for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon than sparkling. But several areas have been found to receive enough of a cooling effect from the Pacific Ocean to compete on the international sparkling wine scene. The Carneros in the very south of Napa Valley, the Russian 25
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major Spanish Cava houses also swelled the ranks, with Freixenet at Gloria Ferrer winery and Codorníu at Codorníu Napa, both located in the Carneros region of Napa Valley. There are plenty of local historic sparkling wine producers as well, producing world class wines such as Schramsberg in Napa and Korbel and J Vineyards & Winery in the Russian River Valley.
River Valley in Sonoma County, and the Anderson Valley in Mendocino all receive cold air from the nearby cold ocean stream. Cool and dense fog comes up from the coast into the valleys at night and dissipates slowly in the morning. This enables great temperature variations and allows the grape to ripen slowly, preserving the essential freshness of both the fruit and acidity. Many renowned international sparkling producers have invested, settled and brought their expertise to California, French Champagne houses in particular. These include Moët & Chandon in the Napa Valley, Mumm Napa in the Carneros, Taittinger at Domaine Carneros and Louis Roederer in Anderson Valley’s Roedere Estate. The two
Acclaimed California cuvées ranking as some of the best sparkling wines outside French Champagne include Le Rêve by Domaine Carneros, Napa Valley DVX by Mumm Napa and Anderson Valley l’Hermitage by Roederer Estate. So, next time you think of sparkling wine, why not think outside the Champagne wine box? Surprise your guests with a world-class premium sparkling wine from one of the three best regions beyond Champagne: Franciacorta, England or California. Julien Miquel is a French winemaker, wine writer, and founder of the Social Vignerons website, which was awarded 2015 Best New Wine Blog in the Wine Blog Awards.
socialvignerons.com
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Up Next 27 The value of a good night’s sleep 29 Every day health tips 31 Romance in the wardrobe 33 The new face of haute couture
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SLEEP
JUST A WASTE OF TIME?
The act of sleep consumes much of our time, yet many people suffer from a lack of it. Dr Sabine Donnai discusses what disrupts our nights and what can be done.
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f you’re like most people, you’re probably not sleeping enough, and the consequences go far beyond just feeling tired and sluggish the next day. Lack of sleep is becoming a public health epidemic and has been linked to a wide variety of health problems. Getting less than five hours of sleep per night may double your risk of heart disease, heart attack or stroke. Additionally, a strong link exists between lack of sleep and weight gain, insulin resistance, and diabetes. We sleep for three main reasons: restoring energy, crucial hormone release and memory consolidation. If sleep is not long enough, not deep enough or of poor quality, one or all of these functions will be compromised. New cutting-edge clinical technologies allow clinicians to measure not only the different sleep stages, the depth of sleep and oxygen saturation during sleep, but also whether the relevant important hormones have been released and whether energy has been restored during the night. There is a misconception that if you have been “asleep” that you have achieved what is needed during the night. Unfortunately, you can be asleep and yet not recover energy. We see this often as one of the main reasons why people struggle to lose
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weight, despite controlled calorie intake and sufficient physical activity. Technology and alcohol are largely to blame for many people’s sleep problems. Exposure to excessive amounts of light from light bulbs and electronic gadgets at night hinders your brain from winding down for sleep, by preventing the release of melatonin. Melatonin is not only your sleep hormone, but also an extremely important antioxidant. This explains why people that have been sleep deprived are more vulnerable to infections and other immune system challenges. Electromagnetic radiation can also have an adverse effect on your sleep, even if it doesn’t involve visible light. This means the television in the bedroom is not good news. Alcohol, often seen as a relaxant, is in fact a stimulant for the brain and will prevent restorative sleep for several hours and often the whole night, even after just one glass. Alcohol relaxes the muscle tone and hence gives people the impression of being more relaxed, whilst actually stimulating the brain. This delays the onset of sleep recovery. Maintaining the natural rhythm of exposure to bright daylight during the day and darkness at night is also an essential component of sleeping well, as it serves to synchronise your master clock, which in turn influences
Photograph courtesy of Marshall & Stewart Luxury Beds
other biological clocks in the body. This becomes particularly relevant when travelling across different time zones. Not only is the bio-rhythm disturbed, but also the combination of lack of daylight exposure during the flight, and often increased electronic usage during this time, is an ideal combination to disrupt the sleep cycle, with the known consequences. For frequent travellers, it becomes crucially important to manage sleep in a positive manner. Taking a sleeping pill on the flight is definitely not the correct approach to avoid long-term health problems. A more appropriate tactic is to avoid electronics and alcohol during the flight, use techniques such as meditation or mindfulness to genuinely relax and restore, and for across-time-zone flights, use a low dose melatonin supplement to regulate your biological clock – even if you normally manage to sleep on the flight. So is sleep just a waste of time? Indeed it can be, but only bad sleep. Regular lack of quality sleep is one of the fastest ways of speeding up the ageing process. Now, have a good night.
Dr Sabine Donnai viavi.com
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F I N E E N G L I S H H AT S AND HEADPIECES
By appointment T: + + 4 4 ( 0 ) 1 7 2 5 5 1 2 9 8 3 W W W. V I V I E N S H E R I F F. C O . U K
HARRODS FORTNUM & MASON FENWICK BOND STREET
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Health-related resolutions shouldn’t be saved for the start of the year. Here are some simple tips from Vicki Edgson on how to put your health in focus.
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e’re heading towards swimsuit season and New Year resolutions are but a distant memory possibly leaving you wondering why you made the in the first place. I have always recommended that you make choices for the future, rather than a resolution at the beginning of the New Year. A choice. You choose what,
where and when to eat, but there are some easy ways to make beneficial changes that are small but profound. Here are five choices that are simple to make that will have a profound effect on your health, energy and overall well-being.
Hydrate yourself With the winter weather wreaking havoc on your skin, central heating drying you from the inside out and winter travels necessitating airline excursions, not to mention the excesses of alcohol during the festive season, you are parched. Make the decision to consume plenty of green tea, which is packed with polyphenols – potent anti-oxidants that heal and repair damage at a cellular level – and pass on coffee at least twice a day. Drinking water infused with lemon and ginger will give you the same lift as caffeine, without the jitters. Make up a large tea-pot in the office, and keep topping it up with boiling water throughout the day.
Choose locally-grown options
When you are on holiday, part of the joy of being abroad is to sample the foods grown locally, so why not choose locallysourced food when at home? Supporting local farmers and growers helps support efficient digestion. After all, your digestion works best when it is fed the foods it is used to. Eat exotic foods when in exotic countries only, where the produce is ripened naturally.
Use your jaw
Chewing is fundamental and a basic action that modern-day food often no longer requires, as it is so processed. Take time to enjoy your meal or snack, rather than multi-tasking, and grabbing something on-the-go. Chew your food until it is a thick liquid in your mouth, rather than munch-munchswallow. Your digestion will be far more efficient, and you will be able to extract the nutrients from your food rather than simply filling your stomach.
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Quit sugar – love cinnamon
This is the new must do, as scientific research is highlighting sugar’s links with diabetes, obesity, heart disease and most inflammatory diseases, but it’s easier said than done. You only need one replacement ingredient – the ancient spice traded for years across the continents – cinnamon. Used in powdered or stick form, you can add it to your poached fruit, daily latte (if you really can’t give it up on your way to work), curries, juices or popcorn. It helps regulate blood sugar levels, preventing the highs and lows we have become so familiar with throughout the day, as well as reducing inflammation in the gut, which is associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating and wind. It’s a simple solution to an age-old problem.
Boost immunity – and breathe This is especially important if you travel frequently and are subjected to bugs and bacteria whilst flying, cruising or simply visiting foreign countries. Take a good quality probiotic to nourish the natural immunity in your gut. Take a vitamin C and zinc supplements daily to ward off winter evils and get fresh air daily, especially when you have travelled by plane. Breathe deeply to inhale fresh air and expel stale air from your lungs. This simple act alone will enhance your health immeasurably, as most people only breathe into the top third of their lungs, barely moving their diaphragm. Deep breathing helps the heart to pump regularly – a sort of natural massage for the torso.
If you can master these five simple tips, you will be amazed at the almost-immediate health improvements. Go on, spoil yourself. Vicki Edgson has been at the centre of nutritional therapy for the last 20 years, running retreats worldwide, and clinics in various locations in London, from Kensington to Harley Street.. She earned her reputation as a co-founder of The Food Doctor and Honestly Healthy businesses, appeared on television in Fat Nation, Diet Doctors and many other popular food-related programmes, and has written columns for many national papers and magazines. She now devotes her time to writing books, the latest of which, Broth, published by Jacqui Small/ Quarto publishing, extols the virtues of home-made bone broth to create the foundation of many favourite dishes, supplying all the essential nutrients required for health and vitality.
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DESPERATE ROMANTICS Romance abounds this season and we explore some wardrobe must-haves, from cuff links for him to dresses for her. Light up a tea light, pop the cork on a bottle of champagne and remember… roses are red, violets are blue. Play the romantic heroine in this barely-there magnolia dress. Evoke pre-Raphaelite romance with a smattering of rose detailing and a delicate pleated neckline The off-the-shoulder design makes a feature of your collar bones – an asset that can be embraced regardless of age. The romantic bell-jar sleeves and nipped waist work together to createa timeless silhouette with a fantasy edge. Think Alice in Wonderland meets Shakespeare’s Ophelia.
Junko Shimada Stuart Weiztman
Junko Shimada
Bina Goenka
If your date has plans to whisk you off to a surprise romantic venue, this chic boot covers all bases. Classic mod bootie meets Western-style in this runway hit, with the sharp lines of the block heel and pointed toe softened by the tactile camel suede and lace detailing. Versatile enough to carry you throughout the seasons, on chilly winter evenings these can be paired with fitted trousers and a sumptuous faux fur-trimmed wrap for a sophisticated look. As the weather turns warmer evoke dreamy bohemia with layered beaded necklaces and floaty chiffon.
Stuart Weiztman
Bring the allure of the ancients to your date by wearing a piece of statement jewellery that wouldn’t look out of place around the neck of an Egyptian Queen. Bina Goenka’s collection is the equivalent of wearing a piece of art. Her cool contemporary designs incorporate something of the orient. With the signature usage of bold gems set in twisted, daring settings, Goenka will help you set the scene for a romance to rival Cleopatra and Mark Antony. 31
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Bina Goenka
Thierry Colson
Thierry Colson
Trianon Jewellery
Lexington Company
It never hurts to do a little peacocking on a first date, and what better way to do so than by letting your sharp style do the talking? These beautiful jewel-encrusted shell cufflinks by Trianon are an instant conversation starter. With the delicate curvature of nature’s workmanship celebrated in the shell, alongside faceted sapphire, pink tourmaline, citrine, and peridot, all set in 18-karat yellow gold, your date will be instantly charmed. One thing that won’t be in question is your taste.
The Lexington Collection for men offers great variety and style, bound to impress, ranging from classic Oxford pinpoint shirts to oxfords and flannel. The jackets feature classic tailoring with a modern fit, many made in wool. Lexington’s classic colours; blue, white, beige and pink; are mixed with black, berry shades, yellow, and green. The pattern template is inspired by ethnic elements and ikat patterns and the materials that are used for Lexington Clothing are of distinct high-grade quality – cotton, wool, silk, and cashmere are the basics, along with poplin, oxford, flannel and a variety of knits.
Trianon Jewellery
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The sky is the limit in this beautiful sky blue blouse. The loose billowy structure allows comfort while being effortlessly sensual in soft-to-the-touch silk. Inspired by the Persian flamboyance of the court dress of Louis XiV, the blouse can be paired with statement fitted trousers and spiked heels or tucked into a high-waisted skirt for maximum impact. Add a touch of instant bohemian luxury, whilst indulging in the sensuous brush of silk against your skin. What could be more evocative of romance?
A Rising Star T
ailoring is one of the oldest professions of all time. Originally born from necessity, it flourished during the Renaissance with the introduction of fine imported textiles and fabrics, such as Italian velvet and silk, which represented great wealth. Later, under the reign of Louis XIV, who was renowned for his predilection for grandiose parties and festivities for the nobility, fashion emerged as a form of competition, to see who would best dress the Monarch. This may be responsible for society’s obsession with appearance and attire and it raised the profile of the tailoring profession, with the Sun King dictating luxury clothing trends. With its reputation as the world’s fashion centre, France was the natural birthplace of much, yet the French owe haute couture to the passion of a young English fabric salesman. Charles Frederick Worth went to work in Paris, and during his 11 years of employment with distinguished textile supplier Gabelin, gathered experience before opening his own fashion business in 1958 and becoming the first man to work in lady’s dressmaking. This was the humble beginning of haute couture and many of the world’s renowned couture houses followed in his footsteps, including Coco Chanel, Pierre Balmain, Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy.
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Roll out the red carpet for young couture designer Samuel Dougal, who is injecting a fresh yet classical look into haute couture for women. While the fashion business has expanded exponentially, there are still bespoke tailors perpetuating the profession, such as Samuel Dougal. Despite his tender age of 26, Dougal is making a splash on the fashion scene, his meteoric rise putting him firmly in the spotlight. Dougal was brought up in Cornwall, England and claims he was not particularly sociable as a child. ”Growing up, I was always making things with my hands and spent more time doing arts and crafts than out playing with my friends.” Quizzing the young designer on the origin of his passion for design, it becomes clear that he fell under the tailoring spell early. At the age of six, he would spend hours sitting next to his grandmother and quietly knitting. “On a Saturday, my mum used to drop me off at hers and I would just knit. She taught me everything. I think all grandmothers have that crafty element about them and that got me interested and made sewing and knitting cool for me”.
This passion led the young tailor to choose craft-related subjects as he progressed through the education system. He undertook a variety of extracurricular courses outside college, despite not always being the intended audience. “I was the teenager and there would always be a lot of older ladies learning to sew.” The women in his life have had a profound influence on Dougal, and perhaps it is this sensitive understanding of the female psyche that explains the level of his success in tailoring for women. Dougal is down-to-earth, inspired by the world around him. Recently he visited the Isles of Harris and Lewis to see how tweed is made, impressed that everything is done by hand. The thought of someone spending hours on a loom creating something inspires him and the designer aspires to incorporate this sentiment in every piece of his work. “I get a lot of satisfaction knowing that the fabric I am using will be supporting individual artisans,” he says, pleased with the concept that everything is interlinked. My clients want hand-crafted clothes and I want those to be made from hand-crafted fabric. Dougal is aware of bespoke tailoring and couture’s links to tradition, although he is also aware that while the couture industry is of great
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a little risk.” The collection consists of 30 pieces and 25 looks, reflecting the craftsmanship and colours that Britain produces. Inspired and created from the designer’s travels in the UK, Dougal makes use of Harris tweed from the Outer Hebrides, silk from Suffolk, 100% alpaca from Somerset, English worsted wool and Mohair from the north of England.
importance in France, apart from Savile Row in menswear, there is little in the way of bespoke tailoring in England. “It is nice that I can say I have carried on a tradition because it is close to my family and to my heart,” he says. His grandmother’s thimble sits on his desk as a reminder of this. Like Worth on that initial foray to Paris, Dougal forged his experience working for major fashion house Alexander McQueen, while continuing to work on his own designs. At a young age, he was dressing iconic international celebrities, such as the Black Eyed Peas and fashion queen Rhianna, much as Worth did back in his day for Empress Eugenie. He has since taken the reins and set off in his own direction. “Having my own business is a passion and doesn’t feel like work”. 35
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Dougal’s style is aesthetically simple and elegant, naturally with impeccable tailoring. He stresses that it is not designed in any egoistical way. His understanding of the female form makes each piece a celebration of shape. When creating a piece, he has in mind the feeling of space. “I am not throwing everything at each look, there is a simplicity,” he says, alluding to the clean, uncluttered lines and formal balance in his designs. “My designs are a mixture of simplicity and subtle drama.” His secret though, is in his dedication to his clients. “I get to know my clients and what they already know about how they like to look and what works for them.” He has even dedicated time to learning Russian, ready for potential clients in Russia, a country in which he would like to see is future collections. This year, Dougal launched his ready to wear collection, developed on a similar premise as the 2015 bespoke collection. It was designed for “...clients that I have and clients I want to work with”. According to Dougal, these women are “...inspiring, love life, exude confidence and elegance and are not afraid to take
The tailor has already made his mark on the fashion industry with his couture collection and the new collection builds on this. Simple but elegant, featuring refined cuts made from the highest quality British fabrics, the collection was launched during London Fashion Week. Dougal is on a clear path to being one of the most influential designers of the decade. He’s certainly one to watch. Kelly Hoppen, interior designer and Dragon’s Den mentor is one of Dougal’s clients and recently invested in his business. “His ability to mould a fabric around your body to create a piece that makes you feel a million dollars is an amazing talent. It comes to Sam so naturally. I feel totally at ease when I know he is designing a piece for me. His cut and his skill is so precise, it resembles Savile Row in many ways, which is extremely inspiring”.
samueldougal.com
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Up Next 37 Going solo in the Maldives 43 Time out by the Thames 47 Palatial style 49 From West Sussex to Cornwall
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ALONE IN PARADISE
The Maldives are well-known as a romantic escape, but what allure do they hold for those travelling alone? Giselle Whiteaker dips her toes into paradise. 37
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s the plane emerges from the clouds, several of the 1,000plus islands that make up the Maldivian archipelago come into focus, looking for all the world like a photoshopped image of paradise. Green palm trees are encircled by ice-white sand, lapped by turquoise water that slowly darkens, the further it stretches from the shore. The bleached tan of wooden jetties jut into the water like fingers, reaching out to the boats that slice across the calm ocean as they carry tourists to their temporary haven of choice. It’s literally and figuratively miles away from the grey drizzle that waved farewell when I left London yesterday. I know where I’d rather be. Click to go forward
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The humid air clings to my skin as I exit the arrivals area, greeted by a glut of drivers and guides holding passenger names at chest level. The appellations are all in twos: Mr and Mrs, husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, his and hers. Who travels to an island idyll alone? Well, me. I booked the trip on a whim, at short notice, unlike the honeymooners milling around in post-wedding euphoria. I wonder if they see me as a sad single? Then I see the beaming grin of my guide and feel the sun kiss my face as we walk across the road to board the private speedboat. It stops me caring. “Gili Lankanfushi is about twenty minutes away,” explains the guide, gently removing my shoes as I lounge diagonally across the couch-style seat for two. “No news, no shoes,” he says, echoing the resort’s philosophy of leaving your worries at home as he slips my flip flops into a canvas bag. He sprays my feet with a soothing, scented lotion and brings me cool water to quench my thirst. “First time to the Maldives?” It’s my third time here, but my first to Gili Lankanfushi and my first alone. The weather forecasts predicted rain, but today there is not a cloud in the sky. The balmy air flitters through my hair as we speed across the water, docking at a jetty made of plantation teak. I’m handed a cool towel as I’m escorted onshore and introduced to my Mr Friday, named after
Robinson Crusoe’s loyal friend. Only she’s a Miss. Miss Friday is at my beck and call; my own personal butler. She starts by whisking me along the jetty to my over-water villa. My mouth drops open when we enter the open-air lounge space, which feeds onto a deck, replete with sun loungers and oversized cushioned 39
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sofa-style chairs. Wooden stairs lead straight from there into the shallow water and the sun is sinking, tinging the sky a million hues of pink and orange. “There’s a deck upstairs,” gestures Miss Friday, as if I need more. Off to the right is an enormous semi-enclosed bathroom, the bath perched in an alcove by the window. A walkway leads to the shower,
clouds drift along the
Gliding out of the spa some time later, it’s hard I feelhorizon completelyand refreshed. Rather thanto tear my eyes away
from the brilliant turquoise of the sea
soothing me into a stupor, as so often happens, the massage has revived my circulation, smoothed the worry from my brow and left me drifting on cloud nine. It must be dinner time. There’s a daily changing menu at the Main Restaurant, which like every other guest building here, is set over the water. Tonight it’s the Maldivian Fisherman’s Grill and I have a plethora of oceanic options. I order a mixed seafood plate from the main menu and nibble my way through the buffet starters, featuring local ingredients and tropical flavours.
enclosed by glass bricks and there’s a porthole in the centre of the room to allow for marine-life spotting. On the opposite side of the villa, the bedroom is fully enclosed, white netting draped over the posts in a heavenly picture. Altogether, I have a generous 210 square metres at my disposal and unfettered access to
the lagoon.
Leaning back into the plump, cushioned booth, a glass of crisp New Zealand white wine in hand, I survey the other guests. As expected, there are a lot of couples. Unexpectedly, there are also a number of families and groups of friends. No-one is staring at me as I dine solo. The “no worries” attitude is in full force.
“Are you ready for your spa appointment?” asks Miss Friday. I certainly am. I’ve taken up the offer of a restorative Jetlag treatment at the Meera Spa. Suddenly, I realise that for the next five days, unlike Miss Friday, I am at no-one’s beck and call. It’s been so long since I’ve had a
Lulled to sleep by the sound of lapping water, I wake up to what promises to be a gorgeous day. A few puffy white clouds drift along the horizon and it’s hard to tear my eyes away from the brilliant turquoise of the sea. Only the allure of a beachside breakfast could spirit me away. Click to go forward
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proper break that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to truly relax. Gili Lankanfushi few puffy white is theAperfect reminder.
“No news, no shoes,”
Sand scrunching between my toes, I make my way along the beach to the cluster of tables set up under bowed palm trees. I select an Ayurvedic tonic to continue the spa’s rejuvenation work and watch while one of the chefs deftly slices up a mango, dripping with sweet juice, for my delectation. I make a selection from the 16 cereals, six yoghurt flavours, 16 honey varieties, 15 dried fruit and nuts and the house-baked bread and order an indulgent Eggs Benedict to finish with. Sipping on my café latte, I feel a pair of eyes seeking mine. A few feet away, a large crane is eyeing the leftovers on my table. He struts along the row of diners, beseeching people with his eyes until someone share’s their tuna sashimi. Fishing completed, he flies low along the sand into the distance. It’s Miss Friday’s time to whisk me into the distance. I’ve asked to see The Private Reserve, perched in the middle of the lagoon. This secluded 1,700-squaremetre abode is the ultimate in luxury, sitting 500 metres from the shore and 300 metres from the nearest villa. It’s accessible only by boat and with its private cinema, pool, private spa facility and plethora of dining spaces, it’s easy to imagine a family or group of friends happily ensconced here with no reason to leave. The water slide winding from the upper deck into an enclosed area of the lagoon is another sure way of ensuring children, and the odd childminded adult, are kept entertained. 41
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While The Private Reserve is impressive, I’m happy to head back to my own private space to make the most of the glorious sunshine. I while away the afternoon with a book, sipping locally bottled water and dipping in and out of the water, catching glimpses of the crabs lurking on the villa’s beams, just above the water line. They’re shy creatures, scuttling into the shadows whenever I venture near.
Come evening, I’m ready for some adventure. I make my way to the Marine Sports Centre, where several guests are congregating, ready to immerse into the underwater world. Donning wetsuits as the sun sets, we’re briefed on some of the wonders we might see on the Blue Light Night Snorkelling experience. With torches dangling from our wrists, we ferry to One Palm Island and slip into the water. The thrill of searching for aquatic nightlife with a beam of white light is exhilarating in itself, but even more intriguing is pulling the yellow filter over the mask and switching the torch to the special blue light setting. The corals glow in neon green, with strands of bright yellows and reds woven in and tiny snowflake-shaped anemones glitter from the sandy sea bed. It’s spectacular, as is the phosphorescence in the water that,
After a rinse off, I venture to the Mediterranean buffet, set up on the beach, where I’m instantly transported into a spice souk. There is such a vast quantity of choice, from barbecued seafood of your choice to fresh made-to-order pasta and French Cassoulet, that no-one walks away hungry. The desserts alone cover an area the size of my London apartment and are so colourful that it’s like walking into an art gallery. Over the next few days, my most difficult decision is where to eat. The tapas lunch menu at the Overwater Bar features an array of delectable temptations, like bacon-wrapped pork with maple syrup and lamb tenderloin satay. There’s delicate sashimi, salads and light bites at the
pool bar. In an act of self-kindness I book a private dining experience, feasting on Thai fare delivered to the upper deck of my villa. Would it have been more romantic with a partner? Certainly. Was it lovely doing it alone? Absolutely. Then there’s By the Sea, Gili Lankanfushi’s intimate Japanese restaurant that dishes up fantastically fresh sushi, as well as fare ranging from tempura to flavour-packed miso soup and Japanese nibbles. During the day, I sign up for a daytime snorkelling adventure, seeing a different world from the nighttime experience. I watch dolphins spin and dance around the bow of the boat on a Dolphin Cruise, a glass of champagne in hand. My taste buds are put to the test with a wine and cheese tasting in the island’s subterranean Gourmet Cellar, as I learn about the complementary flavours, and I take a stroll through the extensive herb garden. I lie in a hammock in the middle of the lagoon,
rocking gently with the tide and spot a stingray following in the wake of a reef shark as the pair play under the jetty. There’s so much more I could do – there’s all manner of water sports on offer, tennis courts, the Jungle Cinema, sunrise yoga and more – but there’s also the simple delight in doing very little; of letting the ocean soothe my soul and quieten my mind. It’s with some reluctance that I leave paradise, dragging my feet in the silky sand before I re-board the private speedboat. For the first time in five days, I’ll be donning shoes and dressing in more than a swimsuit and sarong. I’m already planning a return to Gili Lankanfushi. Only one question remains: do I share the experience or do I come alone?
For more information about Gili Lankanfushi’s superb offering, see: gili-lankanfushi.com
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without lights, glitters around our hands like fairy dust. Emerging from the water we bask in the shared experience, chattering all the way back to shore.
Spa Daze
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We all need a little time for pampering. From a fantastic spa to fabulous food in a relaxing river-side setting, the runnymede-onthames in Egham, Surrey is an ideal choice.
“Your shoulders are so tense,” says Becky, the
therapist at the runnymede-onthames spa, who has been tasked with loosening the tautness created by the combination of an overly intense gym workout and a heavy backpack. So far, she’s doing a fantastic job, her firm fingers smoothing the knots into mere wrinkles, while aromatic ESPA oil wafts in the air. It’s not just a scent, either. The oil we selected has muscle relaxant properties and will continue Becky’s work once my session here is over. I don’t want that time to come, though, as Becky uses one hand to loosen my lower back and the other to push into my shoulder. I bet she’s one of those people that can pat her head and rub her stomach at the same time. By the end of the 55-minute massage, I feel like I’ve melted into the warm massage table. My joints are loose and my mind has been lulled into a peaceful state, my scalp enervated by a delicious head massage. Often, spa treatments leave me heavy and
fatigued, but today I feel rejuvenated. Becky has put the bounce back into my step and I’m immensely grateful. I don’t want to prevent the oil from completing its work, so I forgo the swimming pool and sauna. There’s always tomorrow. Instead, I head through the buzzing lobby lounge up to my lovely room, decked in shades of chocolate and tan, which overlooks the River Thames. This part of Surrey, moments from Egham’s High Street, is a watery wonderland. Watching the river swirl by, it’s easy to see why artists and writers, such as Turner, Dickens and Constable have been so inspired by its presence. It exudes a mystical sense of wonder, as it cleaves the countryside to create an aquatic path across the land. The presence of the river and its accoutrements lends the runnymedeon-thames’ restaurants their names. And it explains the extensive collection of rubber decks in the hotel lobby. Leftbank restaurant features floor-toceiling windows facing the waterway,
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as well as an outdoor dining option for the warmer months. Here, the meals are buffet style and guests can sample English fare with international influences. It’s all freshly prepared, with the wood-fired oven, rotisserie and hobs always in action – a theatre of cooking before your eyes. The Lock bar and kitchen is beside the Bell Weir Lock and offers a cosy, homestyle ambience. The gastropub menu is geared towards straightforward, hearty dishes featuring seasonal produce, with a pinch of flair. I settle into a booth where, to my right, I can see the bustle in the open kitchen, the mirror on my left reflecting the same, making me feel like I’m surrounded by chefs ready to whip up my favourite dishes. The hardest part is making a decision from the delectable offerings. Along with the regular menu, a miniature blackboard on the table lists the daily specials. Luckily, my friendly waiter Simon is a knowledgeable and decisive chap. I’m more than happy with his choice of Panko fried duck with pomelo, cucumber and homemade plum sauce. The trio of duck-balls are simply delicious, the tang of pomelo lightening the rich game flavour. For mains, I’ve succumbed to subliminal advertising. A poster in the elevator shows a medium Surrey farm rib-eye steak served with chunky chips, grilled tomato, watercress salad and a choice of béarnaise or green peppercorn sauce and that’s exactly what appears in front of me, as picture-perfect as the 45
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advertisement, the succulent flavours exactly as promised. I’d like to say I denied myself dessert, but who can refuse a classic hot treacle sponge pudding with butterscotch sauce and a light, creamy vanilla custard? To assuage my guilt, I negotiate a small serving, which is the perfect size and sweetness to round out the meal. I’ll be back tomorrow night to sample the rosemary-honey encrusted rack of lamb and the seared scallops and artichoke puree, not to mention the chocolate gateau. Or perhaps one of The Lock’s towering beef burgers? The next morning, my friend Lily arrives, keen to dodge her hectic workload. We spend much of the day in the spa, ducking between the pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, taking time out to chat in the spa lounge over coffee and fresh juice. It’s a lovely way to spend a drizzly day and it’s just what Lily needs to relax. We’re too early for the opening of the riverside Jacuzzi, and the HotTugs, the only ones in the UK, are being serviced. These wood fired boat-cum-hot-tubs are the brain child of Dutch designer Frank de Bruijn and use a specially developed wood-burning stove to keep the water a balmy 38°C, while a silent electric engine sends up to six soakers merrily downstream on a mobile bathing experience. Their unavailability simply begs another visit. Before dinner, we sign up for one of the spa’s studio classes, wondering if Pilates will enhance our inner calm. We bend and stretch and breathe for a full hour, gently urging our muscles
into submission. It’s rare to find a form of exercise that achieves a balance between hard work and relaxation. Pilates is it. The legs, bums and tums class the next morning is a much harder workout, undoing the damage from our indulgent breakfast at Leftbank, where a full English breakfast with all the trimmings is just part of the offering. Mounds of smoked salmon, a selection of cereals and fresh fruit, homemade compotes and smoothies, melt-in-the-mouth pastries and eggs cooked to your liking complete the repast, all taken while gazing at the river. There’s much to explore in this part of the world. Windsor Castle is almost a next-door neighbour as is Windsor Great Park with the charming Saville Gardens; Roman ruins can be found at Virginia Water; Thorpe Park provides thrills for families; Legoland is a 15-minute drive away; and Dorney Lake just a little further. If you can drag yourself away. Lily and I settle for a stroll along the river towards the Magna Carta, serenely contemplating the views. That is more than enough.
To book your stay at the runnymede-onthames, see runnymedehotel.com
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C
ulturally rich, Chiang Mai is the most significant city in Northern Thailand and an unmissable destination for Siam enthusiasts. Now in its second year of welcoming guests, the refreshing Sireeampan Boutique Resort and Spa offers time out in this Thai city in a lavish and secluded Thai manor. Intrinsically designed to incorporate modern luxury with traditional Siamese culture, the hotel has a peaceful, serene atmosphere that permeates the entire resort. Reminiscent of a Thai palace, with architecture inspired from the Rattanakosin era, the boutique resort’s 11 exquisitely designed suites are named after traditional Thai gemstones and finely decorated in the hues of their respective names.
Abundant green oases, running fountains and terracotta tiled floors with rattan outdoor furniture, paired with the relaxing sound of water running into the koi pond are just some of the indications of the nature of the resort, where rich Siamese heritage meets modern luxury. In the welcome area, guests are greeted with a specialty drink made from Clitoria ternatea, a natural blue flower, which grows in Thai mountains. The range of facilities include the spa and sauna, a piano lounge, and a karaoke suite, with complimentarily transfers to the exciting Chiang Mai nightlife for those wanting a faster pace. True Thai hospitality comes to the fore at this charming haven.
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Photographer Tom Shaxson and Saskia Ward, a freelance model and journalist, roadtripped in a new Mazda MX5 between Elsted in West Sussex and the Nare in Cornwall. This is what they found.
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contents CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: Driving along the Cornish coast in the MX5; adding some style with a Vivien Sheriff hat; arriving at the Nare Hotel; the delights of a Cornish Cream Tea at the Nare Hotel; coffee break in St Mawes; entering the gorgeous dining room of the Nare Hotel; winding through Veryan village, Cornwall.
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contents OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM: Sea front view from the Mazda MX5; En route to the Lost Gardens of Heligan; the Nare Hotel swimming pool; preparing to leave; Saskia Ward at a beach in Cornwall wearing a Vivien Sheriff hat. THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: Sunset on the Cornish Coast; Saskia Ward in Nare Hotel gardens wearing a Vivien Sheriff Troy Feather hat; making a splash in the Mazda MX5; The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall at the entrance to the Spider Web Bridge; Saskia Ward on the Spider Web Bridge at The Lost Gardens of Heligan wearing a Vivien Sheriff Augustus hat.
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Up Next 55 Designed by the river 58 Close to Midnight 64 Colection obsession 67 United in art
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DESIGNED BY THE RIVER This year, marble has made a comeback in our homes, leaving our minds open in regards to the contemporary use of this material. Here we present a selection of pieces from around the world, all connected to nature through wood and stone, reviving the beautiful colours present in a river landscape. 1. Add an elegant touch to your bookshelves with this geometric object which can also double as a paperweight by west elm. Available in three different shapes, the items in this collection are eye-catching, fashioned from a combination of marble and wood. West elm was launched in Brooklyn and since 2002 has offered a range of handcrafted objects to generate personalised style within the home, offering work to artisans who use traditional handcraft techniques. This contemporary object made of solid mango wood and marble allies design novelty with traditional design through the use of marble.
West Elm
1. Geometric Objects
2. A striking seat design from authentic Italian Enzo Berti, this piece aesthetically combines the luxury core materials of genuine Italian Cararra marble and wood. The Pave Stone boosts intrigue in the living room, with its individual seating system and organic nuance. It consists of two overlapping natural layers, replicating the design of beach rocks: a marble base and a wood seat in bleached or aged larch. The Pave Stone can be used inside or outside by the swimming pool for a natural river rock effect.
Enzo Berti
2. Pave Stone 3. Designed by Brabbu, the Apache Lamp is an authentic representation of the landscape of Colorado. The contemporary lamp takes its name from the word that defines a collective of Native Americans, the first to inhabit the wild areas of Colorado, whose unique landscapes mingled with the color of their skins. Its body characterises, and is inspired by, the power of nature in the emerging rocks in the Grand Valley and their natural layers of colours. The layers are made from white marble and matte walnut wood and have a twisted visual effect. The lampshade is made from white satin, filtering the light to create a warming ambiance in the evening.
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contents 4. Boca Do Lobo’s Portuguese creative heritage is embraced and portrayed in all their designs. The Avenue Folding Screen is a stimulating combination of vigour and sumptuousness. Avenue is a striking piece that attracts attention in any space. Its unique characteristics allow it to become a work of art by itself, or it can serve a functional purpose as a room divider. It is composed of six rotating panels finished in gold leaf with a high gloss varnish, black high gloss lacquer, and a geometric mosaic of walnut veneer and a book matched ebony veneer covered with high gloss varnish.
Boca Do Lobo
4. Avenue Folding Screen
5. “I have always thoughts of accessories as the exclamation point of a woman’s outfit,” says Michael Kors, and the same can be said of interior style. Bring light and warmth to rooms with the sustainable luxury handcrafted American Oak or genuine grey-veined Italian marble candle vessels. The marble vessel is finished with a light hand polish, accentuating the natural features of the marble. The American Oak vessel displays clean lines and naturally occurring knots. Both can be paired with candle inserts filled with premium all-natural soy wax, with cotton wicks and The Luxuriate’s finest blend of aromatic fragrance oils. The Luxuriate is an Australian brand, which combines patented infinity candles with the beauty of artisan-made vessels to elegantly enhance interior design.
The Luxuriate 5. Luxury Carrera Candles Holders
6. Webwood, whose creator, Fabrice Ausset, seductively transforms spaces to embody a stylish French ambiance, is a modern piece of furniture ingeniously and creatively designed. The heavy, polygon, sculpted marble base forms the single foot of the coffee table. The flat surface is made from native North American Oregon pine, which is subtly allied with the strength of the marble to bring an element of lightness. The original piece had the Oregon pine stained darker, but was edited by Maison Philippe Hurel, to make a lighter coloured version. This coffee table brings to light the traditional French spirit, considering the different elements and essences of nature and elegantly combining them in a single piece. Webwood is a complex and thoughtful architecture, with an aura of simplicity and elegance. Its unusual shape makes you wonder how the table can be stable and it is bound to be the centre of the attention in your living room.
Fabrice Ausset
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The Ultimate African Experience SkySafari is a bespoke blend of incomparable game-viewing opportunities, luxurious accommodations, intimate dining choices and a unique aerial perspective courtesy of Elewana’s very own executive-class Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft. SkySafari showcases the very best of East Africa’s wondrous landscape, encompassing both Kenya and Tanzania’s iconic parks and conservancies, the big cats of the Masai Mara, the endless plains of the Serengeti, and the spectacle of the Ngorongoro Crater. SkySafari delivers the ultimate African experience – without exception.
Your Safari ExpEriEncE
ThE ElEwana collEcTion
Your SkYSafari ExEcuTivE aircrafT
Game Viewing of the Highest Standard
Iconic Lodges, Camps & Beach Hotels
Travelling in Comfort and Style
For more information about SkySafari, please contact your local African specialist or email us at info@skysafari.com www.skysafari.com
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Close to
Midnight
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Johny Midnight paints from his own life’s adventures, so if you connect with his work, it is probably because you have been to the same places, sailed the same oceans or skied the same mountains.
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y attention was held for more than a moment, when walking past Johny Midnight’s stand at a ski show. His work resonated with me, not only because I have sailed the same oceans and skied the same mountains, but because I could picture myself in the scenes. A work that typifies this is the one he calls The Board Room Meeting; I’ve been on that ski lift, with those people, having the same discussions. A print of that now adorns the wall of our boardroom. Johny’s work has been described as “abstract on reality.” His paintings are easy to understand, as there is no hidden agenda – he just asks you to look at things in a new way. A photo can only ever give you a snapshot in time, but Johny’s work can give you the changing light on a mountain from sunrise to sunset, all in one picture. The draw of the mountains was strong for Johny and he settled in the French Alps resort of Chamonix, beneath Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi. At the time, there were no galleries for him to show his work, so he opened his own. The first was a small shed-like affair in the car park of the Grand Montets. Eight years later, Gallery Midnight was an established and welcomed part of downtown Chamonix life. In fact, après ski at the gallery was often busier than some of the local bars and it was the only place in the Alps to find modern fine art of the Alps themselves. “I can only paint what I have been a part of, so part of my job was to go skiing every day,” declared Johny.
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The gallery had to close for a year to allow the landlord to make some repairs, so Johny sought pastures new and ended up on the Caribbean island of St Lucia. He spent the year portraying local life, as well as the expat community. “My aim was to find the colours of the Caribbean without painting a coconut tree,” said Johny. The light and colour in his island work is incomparable with his alpine paintings, so much so that you would be forgiven for thinking it was a different artist. This is where Johny’s paintings come into their own. “With each new subject I look for another way to paint. Everything has its own secret way it wants to be portrayed. Uncover that secret and the subject allows you to paint it in the most favourable way,” he explains. The year in the Caribbean was topped off with a sailing trip from St Lucia up to Anguilla and back down to Trinidad. This revived his love of the ocean, which started when he was a
young boy growing up in Malta. He now sees marine pictures becoming as much a part of his life as the mountains. On Johny’s return to the UK, he set up Gallery Midnight London, in Balham. Although there is no après ski, he maintains a party atmosphere in his gallery. He has brought elements of the Alpine and Caribbean lifestyle back to southwest London and if you look at his paintings of the Tooting Lido or Balham tube station, it’s easy to see that he can find the fun and beauty in everything around him.
“ If you can hold someone’s attention for more than just a few moments then you have achieved as an artist. On lengthier inspection they may love it, they may hate it and they may or may not understand it. But the thrill is to make them stop and stare.” says Johny.
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You’ll always find a warm welcome at Gallery Midnight, 12 Ritherdon Rd, London, SW178QD
If you are facing in the right direction, all you need to do is keep on walking
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Buddhist saying
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ike any
passionate relationship, finding that exquisite piece to complete a collection comes with a tumult of emotions. It begins with flirtation, when you see the item you desire, whether in an auction house or an antique shop and it seems to be making subtle eye contact. This soon leads to stage two. You get to know each other, you read the description, you hold the piece in your hands and before you know it you’ve reached stage three. You’re in love. This item has to be yours. By stage four you
have consummated your love and you walk away with heavier bags and lighter pockets. This is the ultimate endorphin rush; your life is complete now that you possess your heart’s desire. Until phase five. You were in love but now you’re struggling to keep the spark
alive. Your love has become usual, reassuring. It doesn’t thrill you like it used to and full circle comes stage six. You find yourself seeing what else the marketplace has to offer. That previous item satiated your desire for a while but now you’re lusting after something new. This is the turbulent relationship of the collector – always hungry, never satisfied. It tends to be the hobby of the rich and famous, those with the means to indulge in a love just for the sake of loving it. Click to go forward
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At the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Art’s startling exhibition Magnificent Obsessions: The Artist as Collector we discovered the noble art of collecting. Anecdotes come with the vocation of collector- that much is apparent. The sleek white lines and airy proportions of the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts creates the perfect blank canvas for the explosion of personality that is sequestered away in sections of controlled chaos at varying points of the exhibition. Each exhibit is so far removed and individual from the next that it is quite like walking through a hundred mini exhibitions in one room. But of course in many ways that is exactly what we are doing. These collectors have curated the objects in their
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makes your guests gasp and looks fabulous on your mantel piece! In a society that is entrenched in the manmade and the mass produced, the exhibition confronts the public unapologetically with the tastes of others, forcing them by extension to consider their own. There’s no Ikea to be found here… but if there were and it was because someone genuinely loved it then that would be just as much in the spirit of discovering personal taste. The owness is on the individual being unafraid of the opinions of others and instead embracing their own unashamedly. At its very heart is self-acceptance. That and the funds to support such a past time. Although of course one can choose to collect anything from post cards to Fabergé eggs. One such narrative attached to a collector at the exhibition was the rather ingenious invention of the ‘gambling wallet’. The man in question would sell items from his collections so that the money raised could be entered into his gambling wallet, Once money found its way into the wallet, it was expected to disappear and magically reappear, meaning that he was never heartbroken by a loss. It is this approach to the love of an object that must be adopted to collect “well”. This should be seen as not about making money, but rather willfully losing it, depending on the object of collection.
When it comes to starting a collection, the world is your oyster. One thing that is made clear is that collecting can be as simple as train tickets or as luxurious as fine art. But what is truly important and distinct are the items choose you. True collectors don’t collect with the intention of those things becoming art; the very thing that makes them art is that they are collecting unaware and are intuitively creative. Collecting becomes an art when it is instinctual. It is all about falling in love. This is what united all of the collectors in the exhibition, from Howard Hodgkin to Edmund De Waal, from Hiroshi Sugimoto to Sol LeWitt, from Andy Warhol to Peter Blake. All were in love with their collections and it is that love that turned it into art. The exhibition truly inspired us. The message that so exquisitely pervaded the entire exhibition was that anyone could be part of it. The only thing standing between the audience and the artists is taking the time to pursue a love and surrounding yourself with it. The art of collection is not about making art, but rather life becoming art. What could be more appealing than that?
“One pays £800 for the piece itself, but then £1000 for the conversations.”
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lives like a museum and now they are finally open to the public. Among them there are everything from 70s kitsch to priceless African masks. But more exciting and unexpected than this are the conversations they provoke in the onlookers. It is instantly clear that the art of collecting is as much about the conversation surrounding the piece as it is the piece itself. As one onlooker exclaimed “One pays £800 for the piece itself, but then £1000 for the conversations.” When a piece is submerged in narrative it is hard to resist amalgamating that narrative with your own. Particularly if it
United in Art W
Meet André C. Meyerhans, the Swiss National behind some of the United Arab Emirates’ architectural treasures. Meyerhans is blazing trails through his architecture, art and jewellery design. 67
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hen we first came across the exquisite Mario Uboldi jewellery collection, we were spellbound. Our burning curiosity led us to make contact with its creator, André C. Meyerhans. That’s when we discovered that jewellery design was not Meyerhans’ first specialty and that he is better known for his architectural work in the Middle East and for his art. The artist embodies something special; his creativity is not limited to a form, but rather the conception is free of materialisation, allowing the designs to cross bridges between art, architecture and jewellery-making, incorporating influences from both Europe and the Middle East.
We were keen to discover more on how the holder of a Master’s from the Swiss Federal Institute of Architecture in Zurich became involved in the development of the architectural culture in the emerging Middle East. Meyerhans passed through London affording us the opportunity to
meet in person. The first impression the artist-architect exudes is of spontaneity and positivity, expressed through a warm smile and a firm handshake. Dressed casually in a t-shirt and jeans, his only concession for the British weather was a substantial red raincoat.
Perhaps the most fascinating element of Meyerhans’ work is the dynamic between the transfer of design – there are few all-round designers with such broad portfolios. “The connecting part is the design and how it finds its way from the inspiration to the form and materialisation,” he explains. All of his work uses a starting point, which can be anything, whether “an object, an occurrence or an observation”. The artist confesses to having a high affinity to abstract design, which is evident in all of his work. Meyerhans runs contrary to Robert Rauschenberg, the American painter and graphic artist who shaped the
contents Architects from around the world, including Meyerhans, have had huge influence in the development of the cities in the UAE into contemporary metropolises.
Abstract Expressionism movement during the post war, who said: “You begin with the possibilities of the material.” Meyerhans describes pushing the boundaries and the exploration of form by thinking in an opposite manner and starting from an idea, rather than with the capability of the material. “This frees the design process of physical restriction and industry specifics. Ideas can be developed further before they are frozen again in the material world”. Meyerhans is fervent when expressing his affinity with abstract design, which he believes “helps in crossing borders”. Like an explorer, his eagerness to discover new things led him to establish himself in Dubai, during the UAE’s architectural boom. Viewing his stunning jewellery collection, we fancy we can see elements of the artist’s personality embodied in the design. “One’s
personality always influences one’s actions;” he says, explaining that in his case his “…joyful, investigative thinking proves to be the key to blurring boundaries”. Meyerhans is clearly an adventurer, expressing a life-long desire to live abroad and experience something new. “I encourage people to do so, regardless of their background.By doing so, one experiences that there are different ways of living that makes one equally happy and have the same right of existence as one’s own.” An interesting statement from a man nominated as the twenty-fourth most influential architect of the region in 2015 by Middle East Architect magazine. The desire to travel prompted Meyerhans to choose between Shanghai and Dubai, which were both in the midst of a construction boom. Ultimately, he chose the UAE as he already had a brother in China, which to him, meant it already provided a travel destination. He studied Arabic and read Middle Eastern literature in preparation, made the move, and has never looked back.
Modern architecture has flourished in the Gulf, and the speed at which the UAE has expanded has resulted in one of the most spectacular building booms of modern times. Access to finance and the widespread availability of large plots of unused land in Dubai and Abu Dhabi conspired to provide blank slates on which architects could draw – and then see their drawings take shape. The region boasts a clutch of modernist masterpieces, as well as some superb urban architectural ensembles, including Meyerhans’ work, such as the new Al Garhoud Bridge in Dubai and Al Nadi Tower in Abu Dhabi. There is little doubt that the dual influences of culture have positively impacted Meyerhans’ designs, resulting in their unique character. Consequently, many of his designs have won awards and accolades. “When isolating the culture factor only, I would see three different phases I went through. The first phase was enthusiastic indulgence where everything was new and the aspect of discovery served as source inspiration.
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The second phase can be described as egalitarian coexistence which basically embraced finding ways to combine opposites and to accept things outside one’s grid. The third phase I name reflective contemplation and this takes a more investigative approach combined with a personal stand.” While he believes the transition may not be visible in the design itself, it is an integral part of the design process and as such, somehow present. Design is in many ways a representation of culture and we wondered whether Meyerhans’ felt that his designs could help create a positive impression of Islamic culture in the Western world. “Much fear and negative feelings
in ignorance rather than in conscious disliking or disagreeing,” he responds enigmatically. Meyerhans observes his surroundings and incorporates his findings into his work, often creating objects that have an oriental character. He professes to naturally introducing his thoughts to others through his work and ideas, “...giving them a point of connection with the potentially unknown.” It is in this sense that he builds bridges between cultures and he seems pleased with the effect, despite the fact that his intention lies more in “…the direct examination of the world around and to embed the findings into a design”. Before parting, we asked the artist if, after blending architecture, art and jewellery, he could see his creativity taking a new form of expression. He revealed that there is indeed a new project in the pipeline; one that pursues a different direction. He remained tight-lipped, only describing it as a combination of “…reality and virtuality, being interactive and informative, location specific yet cyber-based”. The only thing that is certain is that coming from Meyerhans, there will be a sumptuous twist.
To discover more on André C. Meyerhans’ designs and ventures see root 69
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Up Next 71 Tackling poverty in Vietnam 73 New environmental initiatives 74 Is side saddle the way forward?
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Stitch by Stitch
Vietnam and Cambodia may be modernising, but much of the country’s population remains below the breadline. Mekong+ is hoping to change this.
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gaggle of women sit on a woven mat outside a small concrete house in Rumdoul, in rural Cambodia, while children run around in the yard, dust swirling in their footsteps. There’s a low hum of chatter, but the women are intent on sewing tiny stitches into the quilts spread across their laps. Their livelihoods depend on it. The women are part of a quilting collective under the auspices of nongovernmental organisation, Mekong Plus, which operates in villages across Cambodia and Vietnam. The goal of the organisation is to create sustainable employment for under-privileged women in remote and rural regions in these two countries. Quilting is the perfect craft for employment generation. It requires low initial investment and the women can work from home, so they stay close to their families. Making a quilt is a detailed process requiring patience, dedication and a whole lot of time, assets that the women in poor rural regions possess in abundance. Mekong Plus has been able to harness these attributes into a sustainable
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income for these women, with flow-on benefits to their communities. But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. It took time to train the first group of 35 Vietnamese women and the quilts were initially sold from Thanh Truong’s house, the founder of the project. Friends who could forgive the imperfections of a hand-crafted product were the target market, but as the women’s skills grew, so did the sales. Eventually, the decision was made to invest in a shop in Ho Chi Minh City. Now, the organisation runs a total of six shops in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An and Hanoi in Vietnam and Siem Reap and Phnom Penh in Cambodia. The downside is that the initiative relies heavily on tourism. When visitor numbers dip, so do sales. Co-founder Bernard Kervyn says the streets of Siem Reap are quiet now. His fingers are crossed for a market recovery. In the villages, quilters work in groups managed by a group leader, whose house is the base of operations. “The group leaders choose their quilters. Quality and skills are key, but also how needy they are. They should be in the neighbourhood of course,” explains
Nguyen Thi Dao, 48, was one of the members of that first group. Now she is a group leader in Duc Linh, 135 kilometres or so north-east of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Before quilting, she was looking after her children at home and doing occasional tailoring work. Her husband’s salary as a rice farmer was seasonal and it was difficult to make ends meet. Dao was part of a women’s credit group run by Mekong Plus when she heard about the quilting work. She immediately asked to join and started work the next day. She hasn’t looked back. “At the beginning I didn’t understand where it would go or what my job would be, but I wanted to make money, so I decided to try,” explains Dao. “I received a lot of support and day by day, as I learnt how to do the work, it became easier and I started to enjoy it.” Dao’s team quilt in the middle room of her house. “If I didn’t have this job, my children would not have been able to go on to university. They would have stayed in the village and looked for work,” she says.
The social enterprise now employs over 340 women in Duc Linh, Tanh Linh and, Ham Thuan Nam (Binh Thuan Province), Long My (Hau Giang province) in the Mekong Delta and Rumdoul (Svay Rieng province) in Cambodia. Besides the direct economic benefits for the women and their families, all profits are channelled back to the NGO and used to support the wider community through development initiatives such as microfinancing, scholarships, and health, hygiene and agricultural education programmes. “This is key to maintain and develop strong solidarity in the villages,” says Bernard. Visiting the families who have been assisted is humbling. The pride in the eyes of the villagers as they display the livestock they have purchased through micro-financing or the toilet they built with assistance from Mekong Plus is a reward that goes well beyond the purchase of a quilt. “The impact in the villages is really big and the people are grateful. We would just like to do more, much more,” comments Bernard.
to create innovative accessories and gift items. Products range from lightweight bamboo bicycles to tote bags and children’s toys. Recently, Mekong Quilts and Mekong Creations merged, working together as a unified identity, Mekong+. In addition to this, Mekong Plus raises funds through government sources, foundations and from private donors. Groups regularly visit the projects and events such as cycling trips between Vietnam and Cambodia are arranged with participants supporting the project. One thing is certain: come rain or shine, the villagers involved in each endeavour put their all into what they do. And that alone is inspiring.
Five years ago, Mekong Quilts gave rise to a new concept, Mekong Creations, which was established to diversify the product range. The brand combines the use of environmentally sustainable raw materials such as bamboo, water hyacinth and papier mache with traditional hand craftsmanship
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Bernard. Despite the ever-present heat and humidity, the women sit on the floor with the quilts spread over their legs, creating works of art with incredible detail. They chatter and laugh as they stitch and collaborate to solve problems and children drop in to the house on their way home from school.
ECO INSIGHT A Green Hideaway Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa Maldives, a five star all-suite resort situated on the second largest island of the region, has recently started producing and bottling its own drinking water on-island. Tucked away in the heart of the resort, a desalination plant is producing 400 litres of drinking water daily, saving the importation of around 12 tonnes of drinking water each month, while reducing the number of plastic bottles needing disposal in a country that’s still working on refining its recycling capabilities. This initiative is expected to eliminate 3,000 kilos of plastic bottles annually as the water is served in glass bottles, which are returned to the bottling plant for washing and re-filling. Sitting on the lowest country in the world, the resort is taking vital steps towards preservation of the islands, which could be completely under water by 2100. Future eco-plans include organic herb gardens, recycling rain water and increasing the use of solar power.
hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Flat-packed Filaments Flat pack designs are known for being easy to transport, assemble and disassemble and Swedish company Kovac Family is offering the 25 Lamp design that starts out flat and fans out into a lovely, organic form. Made from 25 curved pieces, the ribs of the lamp open up into a stunning fanned shell-shape. Made from Forest Stewarship Council – certified oak, ash or birch wood, all proceeds from the lamp go toward the company’s biomimicryrelated project, which aims to produce light without electricity in a wallpaper thin, flexible material, using a biomimetic method. While the 25 Lamp still needs a bulb for illumination, it’s one small step toward the idea that one day our lighting may be made by design inspired by nature, without the need for a power source.
store.kovacfamily.com
Zero Emissions Hotel ICON in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong features breathtaking public spaces, a beautiful vertical garden, comfortable modern rooms and vibrant dining spaces that are a sophisticated blend of Asian and Western contemporary style. Beyond this, the hotel is focusing on making the guest experience greener. The ecofriendly hotel is working to reduce its carbon footprint with the introduction of a Green Limousine Service by Tesla. Tesla is a market shaper in its field, delivering an all-electric, silent, smooth and emission-free drive in the quickest-accelerating four door vehicle to have ever been built. Guests staying for two nights or more in an Above & Beyond ‘Club’ guestroom or suite can avail themselves of the complimentary Tesla airport transfers. It’s a bonus for guests and the environment. 73
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Putting Aside Riding Astride
Join us as we have a bit on the side and discover the growing trend for riding side saddle. As the influence of the vintage trend sweeps through people’s wardrobes and interiors, we discover its niche reach into the world of equestrianism. Click to go forward
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n the world of horseplay it seems that everyone is trying to get their leg over. No, you haven’t just walked into a Jilly Cooper novel; we’re talking about the elegant art of side saddle. Once considered the stuff of dreary manor house hunting prints, side saddle is making a comeback in the sphere of equestrianism and with it, all of the trimmings and trappings of whinny whimsy. The world of the horse has been a steadily evolving place over the last hundred years. While it might be one of the last Olympic sports where a smart jacket and stiff collar is still modern attire for elite athletes, it has been infiltrated by the likes of blingy brow bands and Katie Price’s raspberry and sequin range. So it should come as no surprise that while the livery-yard ponies are turned out in their Barbie pink rugs, others are driven back to the tweedy velvet days of riding past. To discover whether equestrians are moving forwards or backwards requires personal experience. I’m ready to have a bit on the side and see what it’s really like to ride side saddle.
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It’s a crisp winter morning, my breath is floating in a cloud before my face, and I’m bundled up like a parcel. I’m sat atop a large cob called Corporal, reins in hand and legs precariously placed to one side. For those uninitiated in the world of side saddle, to assume that this is a sport for girls would be a gross misjudgement. The saddle itself is twice the size of the standard variety. The seat is raised high off of the horse’s back, so much so that the sensation can only be described as perching on a very small stall, standing on the back of a massive horse. Holding on is done by wrapping the legs around a large double pommel – one “fixed” at the top, for the right leg and the additional “leaping” at the side, which your left leg hooks behind, with a single stirrup dangling beside it for the spare foot. The term balancing act does not quite do it justice. The words “good seat” are often bandied about as a sign of a competent rider, but the true test of this phrase comes when riding sideways. If you haven’t got a good seat, you’ll soon know it. Once you’ve perfected the act of sitting, there’s the small task of controlling the rather large beast
with both legs on one side. Your hands will be kept full – literally – with the traditional double reins and whip, while your body is contorted to ensure you are elegantly facing forward as your lower half turns to the side. When competing, side-saddle riders are expected to be all-round horsewomen, with competitions ranging from showing to dressage and show jumping. Such grit is required to master this discipline that it’s of no surprise that it evaporated with the change of ladies’ riding styles, yet there are a growing number of people eager to not only save the dying sport, but also embrace it. Cantering along on Corporal, it’s not hard to understand the appeal. Susanna Forrest, author of If Wishes Were Horses, sums up side saddle as “the equestrian equivalent of high heels”. But like high heels, schools of opinion are split as to whether this is fun and liberating or uncomfortable and outdated. For many, side saddle is a world of Downton Abbey glamour, flattering habits and sly half smiles, for others it is an outdated, expensive and time-consuming to master.
contents This was the only thought that inhibited my excitement at discovering this ancient riding form for myself and one that was almost completely extinguished as the truth became clear when trotting through the meadow grass. Side saddle is much harder than riding astride. It incorporates the same basics but requires greater balance and an unnatural posture. This art form has allowed for generations of women to enjoy the wind in their hair and the endorphin rush that is the gallop of pounding hooves. In short, side saddle is an emblem of liberation. Famous riders
of old, such as Baroness Jenny de Rhaden, who practiced Haute Ecole dressage side saddle, and Alice Hayes, an author and missionary who was the first woman to ride a zebra and did so side saddle, personify the enduring female spirit. Contrary to those who feel it is outdated, the fact that riding astride has become the usual riding style means that woman are now free to reclaim the side saddle, and have a jolly good time whilst doing so. I am instantly enamored. It can be a little hair-raising as a beginner, and it is far from conventional, but the rewards of mastering such a skill are
boundless. As Corporal and I slow to a walk, I feel every bit as glamourous as Downton’s Lady Mary and while it might take a while to muster that characteristic poise, I can understand the increase in women compelled to give it a go. If you’re keen to put aside the pink jodhpurs and glittery whip and instead hedge your bets, make your great grandparents proud, and try side saddle in the UK, contact the National Sidesaddle Association for more details.
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L i f e s t y l e Brand Listing Art and Culture:
Fashion & Jewellery:
André C. Meyerhans – www.acmeyerhans.com Gallery Midnight – www.gallerymidnight.com The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Art – www.scva.ac.uk
Bina Goenka – www.binagoekna.com Junko Shimada – www.junkoshimada.com Lexington Company – www.lexingtoncompany.com Noel Asmar Equestrian – www.asmarequestrian.com Samuel Dougal – www.samueldougal.com Stuart Weiztman – www.stuartweiztman.com Thierry Colson – www.thierrycolson.com Trianon – www.trianonjewelry.com Vivien Sheriff – www.viviensheriff.co.uk
Aviation & Aerospace: Goodwood Aerodrome – www.goodwood.com/aviation Thales – www.thalesgroup.com
Business Services: AEVI – www.aevi.com MJ Cleaning Services – www.mjcleaningservices.com Payroll People Solutions – www.payroll-hr-co.uk Sherrards Resourcing – www.sherrards-resourcing.com Sherrards Occupational Health – www.sherrardsoccuptationalhealth.com
Charity: Mekong + – www.mekong-plus.com
Design: Boca Do Lobo – www.bocadolobo.com Brabbu – www.brabbu.com Enzo Berti – www.enzoberti.it Fabrice Ausset – www.fabriceausset.net Heritage Antiques – www.heritage-antiques.co.uk Kovac Family – www.store.kovacfamily.com The Luxuriate – www.theluxuriate.com West Elm – www.westelm.co.uk West Sussex Fireplaces – www.westsussexfireplaces.com
Destination: Adler Spa Reorts – www.adler-thermae.com Borgo San Felice – www.borgosanfelice.it Gili Lankanfushi – www.gili-lankanfushi Gondwana Game Reserve – www.gondwanagr.co.za Hideaway Beach Resort and Spa – www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com Hotel ICON – www.hotel-icon.com Keyonna Beach Hotel – www.keyonnabeach.com Sireeampan Boutique Resort and Spa – www.sireeampan.com Sky Safari – www.skysafari.com The Kulm Hotel St Moritz – www.kulm.com The Lost Gardens of Heligan – www.heligan.com The Nare Hotel – www.narehotel.com The Runnymede-on-Thames – www.runnymedehotel.com
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Food & Beverage: Absurd Bird – www.absurdbird.com Armand de Brignac – www.armanddebrignac.com Bella Vista – www.bellavistawine.com Ca’del Bosco – www.cadelbosco.com Camel Valley – www.camelvalley.com Chapel Down – www.chapeldown.com De Viehl London – www.deviehl.com Freixenet – www.freixenet.com In My Kitchen – www.inmykitchenuk.weebly.com J Vineyards and Winery – www.jwine.com Korbel – www.korbel.com La Belle Assiette – www.labelleassiette.co.uk Louis Roederer – www.louis-roederer.com Moët and Chandon – www.moet.com Mumm Napa – www.mummnapa.com Nyetimber – www.nyetimber.com Ridgeview – www.ridgeview.co.uk Schramsberg – www.schramsberg.com Taittinger Domaine Carneros – www.domainecarneros.com The Social Vigneron – www.socialvignerons.com
Leisure, Health and Education: Adventure Central – www.adventure-central.co.uk Portsmouth Strength and Fitness – www.portsmouthstrengthandfitness.com Seven Summits Performance – www.rebeccastephens.com The National Side Saddle Association – www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk Vicki Edgson – www.vickiedgson.com
Motoring & Motoring Services: Mazda MX5 – www.mazda.co.uk/MX-5 Simumotion – www.simumotion.com Taking Part – www.taking-part.com Tesla – www.teslamotors.com TS Garage Services – www.ts-garage-services.co.uk
Events:
Yachting:
Coast to Coast Catering – www.coast2coast.co.uk Goodwood – www.goodwood.com Zest Events – www.zest-events.co.uk
Landrover BAR – www.land-rover-bar.americascup.com Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series – www.lvacwsportsmouth.com
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FIRST CLASS FL I G H T T R AI NI NG AT G O O DWO O D
G OODWOOD AE ROD ROM E 01 24 3 755066 ticket. offi c e @go odwo o d .c o m www. go o dwoo d. co m / av i a t i o n
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