Absolutely North & East June 2019

NORTH & EAST

ABSOLUTELY North & East JUNE 2019 / £3.95

LIBERTY PRINTS New designs, new designers

ALDO ZILLI

JUNE 2019

The authentic Italian chef

Holiday SPECIAL Summer activities in London and beyond

Days at the

RACES FA B U LO U S FA S H I O N S F O R A S C OT

ZEST.LONDON North_June19_Cover.indd All Pages

ST YLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT 21/05/2019 18:50

We’ll just put the television in the bedroom

PRIME LOCATION.indd 1

19/11/2018 16:48

The heart wants what the heart wants.

Discover rural homes with sea views using keyword search.

PRIME LOCATION.indd 2

19/11/2018 16:49

1540_boconcept_absolutely-dps_RC_05-19.indd All Pages BC.indd 1

20/05/2019 16:44

BC.indd 2

20/05/2019 16:23 16:44

Best of BOTH Considering a bilingual education? Lycée International Winston Churchill is an ‘Outstanding’ option

OFSTED GOOD PROVIDER & IB WORLD SCHOOL “100% of Russell Group university applicants received an offer” Independent school 5-18 years old (Y1 to Y13) English International Programme for English speakers Bac Français Bilingue for French speakers • • • • • •

Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ for sixth form provision and wellbeing International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) Excellent exam results and elite university destinations Full immersion bilingual teaching in Primary Rich after-school programme Beautiful campus only 15 minutes away from central London

absolutely education JUNE 2019 PAGE 1.indd 1 LYCEE.indd 1

NEXT OPEN DAY SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER 2019 See our website for registration: www.lyceeinternational.london For a private visit: admissions@lyceeinternational.london +44(0)20 3824 4906

20/05/2019 20/05/2019 16:04 17:45

ABSOLUTELY

Contents

60

JUNE 2019

116 C U LT U R E

10 ABSOLUTELY LOVES

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

68 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL

14 AGENDA

71 THE JET-SET

10 things we’re coveting this month

Diary dates for June

17 ROLL UP, ROLL UP

Giffords Circus is back in town

This month's best beauty buys

Must-have holiday products

INTERIORS 80 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

FOOD & DRINK 28 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

34 RECIPES

72 HOUSE IN BLOOM

Lovely vases for summer bouquets

News from the industry

Vibrant dishes from Andalusia

FA S H I O N 48 AFRICAN SOUL

The Shop at Bluebird celebrates African design

59 UTTERLY CHARMING Decorative jewellery for summer

32

News and views from the world of design

86 PATTERN CUTS

The latest from Liberty's Open Call

T R AV E L 112 THE WILD WEST

Adventures in Arizona

K I D S & E D U C AT I O N 123 SMALL TALK

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N The online guide to inspirational London living that helps you stay one step ahead of the crowd and gives you the chance to win exclusive prizes.

ON THE COVER ROYAL ASCOT STYLE GUIDE Hat: Julian Garner Headwear, juliangarner.com, £290; Dress: Katya Katya, katyakatya.co.uk, £935; Shoes: Jimmy Choo, jimmychoo.com, £550

All your tots could ever want

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

N&E_June19_Contents.indd 7

7

22/05/2019 18:40

Replacing beautiful timber windows and doors, beautifully EDITOR IN CHIEF PENDLE HARTE DIGITAL EDITOR HELEN BROWN EDUCATION EDITOR AMANDA CONSTANCE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT FLORA THOMAS GROUP SALES DIRECTOR CRAIG DAVIES MEDIA CONSULTANT JAMIE GOGGIN SENIOR DESIGNER PAWEL KUBA MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN MARKETING MANAGER LUCIE PEARCE FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTOR JAMES FUSCHILLO

Make an entrance

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT PA TO DIRECTORS EVA LEHOCZKY

For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 3397 8706 or email: craig@zest-media.com

First Floor, 197 City Road, London EC1V 1JN T: 020 7704 0588 F: 020 7900 3020 zest.london Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors.

We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters.

All rights reserved.

www.ayrtonbespoke.com

020 8877 8920 enquiries@ayrtonbespoke.com

Fo l l ow Us O n Fa c e b o o k @ABSOLUTELYMAGAZINES T wi t t e r & In s t a g ra m @ABSOLUTELY_MAGS We b si t e

a b s o l u t e l y. l o n d o n

Wandsworth | Crouch End | East Dulwich

June19_Flannel.indd 8

22/05/2019 18:41

PRINT RUNS

Editor’s

Liberty's new fabric designs and their designers page 86

LETTER ABSOLUTELY’S June issue highlights

1

J

une is here and the summer is officially underway. Everyone is ready for the new season's fashion – many people have been braving the bare leg for some time already, but really the bare leg only legitimately starts now. One place where legs take on added significance is at Ascot, specifically in the Royal Enclosure, where skirt length is of huge importance and you won't be allowed in if you get it wrong. The message is: not too much leg, effectively.

Even trouser-wearers need to be careful, since ankles are frowned upon: trousers must be full length and not cropped. And then of course there are the hat requirements. At Absolutely we are fascinated with Ascot fashion – in this issue we look at trends for 2019 as well as the history of outfits for the races. More style in this issue comes from Liberty, which has launched a new collection of prints chosen from thousands of entries to an open call. The new designs are varied and distinct, yet each fits with the distinctive Liberty aesthetic. We look at the prints and their designers in this issue – plus we have an interview with Aldo Zilli (who has taught me how to make pasta), a travel report from Arizona, a roundup of summer holiday activities and some ideas for upgrading your bedroom.

Enjoy the magazine.

5 4

TASTES OF SPAIN

Andalusian recipes from Jose Pizzaro. page 32

CHARMED LIFE

Pretty charms are our current obsession. These tiny shells are by Harry Rocks. page 59

GIFFORDS CIRCUS

Our favourite circus is back with a new show: Xanadu page 17

PENDLE HARTE EDITOR

2

3 IN THE MIX

Celebrating 100 years of KitchenAid with a new mixer in glossy red. page 80

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ED_LETTER_June19.indd 9

9

22/05/2019 18:48

Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love COMPILED BY

LITER ARY SOCI ET Y Chinti & Parker’s AW19 collection takes inspiration from Charleston House, a country retreat frequented by The Bloomsbury Set. The colour palette is taken directly from the house, while monochromatic looks in rich pink, purple and emerald green showcase new tailoring. chintiandparker.com

EYE SPY Coral has made it into our cosmetic bags with Nars’ limited edition Skin Deep palette. Go from subtle to smoky with rich mattes, lustrous shimmers and smouldering metallic shadows. £56; selfridges.com

LOVE S EAT Make a statement with the Païpaï loveseat. This stylish, modern lounge chair is inspired by the delicate art of Origami and features generous proportions and plush upholstery.

Wonderfully comfortable, it fuses Japanese ideologies with effortless French styling. POA; ligne-roset.com

GEOMETRY CLASS Inspired by early 20th century Kubism, Nicholai Wiigh Hansen transforms geometrical shapes into functional everyday objects like this pottery collection in vibrant orange. From £75; raawii.dk

H E L E N B R OW N

10

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_May19_Loves 1.indd 10

22/05/2019 18:52

ABSOLUTELY • LOVES COT TO N TALE S Johnstons of Elgin fabrics and woven accessories showcase exceptional craftsmanship and unique finishing techniques. Made from Sea Island cotton and cashmere in light pastels, it’s our go-to for spring and summer’s hero basics. johnstonsofelgin.com

G L A S S WO R KS For 2019, Pantone’s Colour of the Year is the gorgeous Living Coral; dip a toe into the trend with the subtly-hued Rowan glass pendant light. £469.60; bespokelights.co.uk

S AT I N T O U C H Miista founder Laura Villasenin adheres to an algorithm of sculptural shapes, rich colours and understated detailing in each design. Pair these burnt orange satin mules with a patterned midi skirt. £175; harveynichols.com

EDITOR’S PICK

STYLE ICON A dress instantly recognisable, not only for the iconic logo, but for the sophisticated silhouette and contemporary design we love from Fendi. £1,190; farfetch.com

TA S S E L F E V E L Use Beaumonde’s tasseled coral cushion to add a gradient effect in the living room. £59; beaumonde.co.uk

SHUT EYE Catch your Zzz’s in style with the Peachy Keen silk eye mask from Slip.

The elasticated band is gentle and covered in fabric so you won’t wake up with creased hair. £50; net-a-porter.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_May19_Loves 1.indd 11

11

22/05/2019 18:53

MULBERRY HOUSE.indd 1

21/05/2019 13:43

C U LT U R E

LIMITED-EDITION ART DECO POSTER BY PULLMAN EDITIONS. OVER 100 DESIGNS AT £395 EACH. PULLMANEDITIONS.COM

What’s On 14 • Giffords Circus 17 • V&A Illustration Awards 18 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

N&E_June19_Culture_Opener.indd 13

13

22/05/2019 18:54

The Agenda

LO N D O N ’S H OT T E ST H A P P E N I N G S

E XH I BI T I ON

Three times a lady From 7 June V I C TO R I A M I R O GA L L E RY In association with The Great Women Artists, Victoria Miro presents a summer exhibition featuring María Berrio, Caroline Walker and Flora Yukhnovich. The three young artists will rethink traditional genres to touch upon themes of migration, the workplace and the gendered language of painting.

16 Wharf Road, N1; victoria-miro.com

E X H I B I T I ON

INTROVERSION IMMERSION O NGO I NG • H A NG- U P GALLERY

In his second solo exhibition at Hang-Up, artist Tim Fishlock questions our information-saturated age and asks us to confront what the deluge of opinion, narcissism and image overkill is doing to our society. With playful irreverence, Introversion Immersion tackles the dreaded compulsions of social media and our own existential plight by way of a series of light box installations.

81 Stoke Newington Road, N16; hanguppictures.com

14

F I L M

Movies on the River From 4 June TOW E R M I L L E N N I U M P I E R Cinematic viewing is turned on his head as Time Out Live joins forces with City Cruises to present London’s first ever cinema on the Thames. Each night throughout June and July, a movie boat will offer a food and drink-fuelled sunset cruise, playing all manner of classic movies on the open-air top deck. Tower Millennium Pier, EC3N; city cruises.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

NE_June19_Culture_Agenda.indd 14

22/05/2019 19:07

CULTURE • TALKING TOPICS E XH I BI T I O N

Lee Krasner:

LIVING C O LO U R From 30 May BARBICAN A key figure in American art and a pioneer of Abstract Expressionism, Lee Krasner’s energetic work reflects the spirit of possibility in post-war New York.

Discover Krasner’s spirit for invention – from striking early self-portraits to her acclaimed ‘Little Image’ paintings from the 1940s to a selection of her most impressive large-scale abstract paintings. Explore nearly 100 works, many of which are being presented for the first time in the UK. Silk Street, Barbican, EC2Y; barbican.org.uk

AROUND

TOWN T H E AT R E

TORUK THE FIRST FLIGHT 26-30 June O2 ARENA Based around the record-breaking film Avatar, TORUK - The First Flight takes audiences on an odyssey through a new world of imagination, with cutting-edge visuals, puppetry and stagecraft buoyed by a soaring cinematic score.

Greenwich Peninsula, SE10; cirquedusoleil.com

T H E AT R E

T H E AT R E

THE HUNT

This Month’s Must See

17-25 June A L M E I DA T H E AT R E In a small town in northern Denmark, the children celebrate Harvest Festival.

In the forest by the water, the men of the lodge stand naked in the cold.

This is their country. This is their song.

In the shadows a lonely child gives a strange man her heart. The hunt begins.

Almeida Artistic Director, Rupert Goold directs The Hunt by David Farr (The Night Manager, Spooks), based on the critically acclaimed Danish cinematic thriller Jagten.

Almeida Street, N1; almeida.co.uk

E XH I B I TI ON

SMOKE & MIRRORS

FEEL GOOD FESTIVAL 1 JUN E • GEFFRYE MUSEUM

T

he Geffrye Museum's summer festival returns, this year with a theme of wellbeing. Tuck into delicious cultural foods, explore your creativity with Origami or Turkish marbling and relax in one of the chill-out deckchairs. The event celebrates Turkish, Cypriot and Vietnamese culture, working in partnership with the local community.

136 Kingsland Road, E2;

Ongoing W E L LC O M E C O L L EC T I O N Smoke and Mirrors: The Psychology of Magic is the first exhibition of its kind to focus on the relationship between magic and psychology. With artefacts from the world of magic, the exhibition asks how bias and suggestion affects our senses and explores what it is that makes us believe in magic.

183 Euston Road, NW1; wellcomecollection.org

E XHI B I TI ON

SECRET RIVERS From 24 May M U S E U M O F LO N D O N DOCKLANDS The Thames is one of the most iconic features of the capital, shaping the city and the people within it. The history of the river and the art that it has inspired are the focus of Secret Rivers, a fascinating exhibition that reveals stories of London’s waterways.

Hertsmere Road, E14; museumoflondon.org.uk

geffrye-museum.org.uk

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

NE_June19_Culture_Agenda.indd 15

15

22/05/2019 19:08

Model-making • storytelling • drawing • tours • lego

London’s FREE architecture festival for children and their families 22-23 June

4 Festival Headline Hubs jam packed with 30+ activities!

GASHOLDER PARK, KING’S CROSS

HERE EAST, STRATFORD

Activity Highlight

Activity Highlight

Mini Golf “PAR-TEE” • Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 June • 11am – 4pm • Drop-in • Suitable for ages 7+ Orms brings London town to the world of mini crazy golf! Families can enjoy putting around town with obstacles such as Big Ben, the London Eye, the Gherkin and Tower Bridge. Families will also be tasked with making their own obstacles to add to the course. Happy golfing!

Light and colour play • 11am – 4pm • Drop-in • Suitable for ages 5+ Love colour? Transform Here East with architects Hawkins\Brown by creating patterns and skylines on the ground floor glazing of the building to project colourful sunlight and shadows into the space!

CANARY WHARF SUNDAY 23 JUNE Activity Highlight

CONTACT @OHFamilies @openhousefamilies @OHFamilies #openhousefamilies 18 Ensign Street, London E1 8JD 020 3006 7008 Open City is a registered charity no. 1072104

open-city.org.uk

OPEN CITY.indd 1

30 ST MARY AXE (THE GHERKIN) Activity Highlight

Canary Crooners • Ages 0–15 month 11-11.30am • Ages 15 months+ 12–12.30pm, 1.30–2pm, 2.30–3pm, 3.30–4pm • Families should attend at the start of each 30-minute session Chirp like the birds in Jubilee Park and bring the buildings to life through musical storytelling.

High-rise LEGOTM Challenge!

• Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 June • 11am – 4pm • Drop-in • Suitable for all ages Get the whole family involved to build the tallest LEGOTM structure in the city! Can you construct a tower as high as the Gherkin?

20/05/2019 10:08

CULTURE • CIRCUS

RO L L U P

Drumrolls please… Giffords Circus is back with a new show Wo r d s P E A R L B OY D

G

iffords Circus is back and 2019’s show Xanadu takes its name from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s famous romantic poem Kubla Khan, where Xanadu is a mythical garden of bliss where anything can happen.

Nell Gifford and Cal McCrystal have set their vision of Xanadu in the psychedelic 1970s, creating a garden full of joy, freedom and flowers where the flower power

movement is at its height. Hippies, hipsters, rock stars, musicians, wild women and global nomads with Shamanic horses gather to play, sing, dance, protest and perform in a psychedelic pleasure dome.

“I’ve wanted for a while to put on stage the love that our circus community has for each other,” says director Cal McCrystal.

“Xanadu is one big party and we want audiences to engage with their inner hippie and be wowed by the amazing feats of human strength and achievement and be part of something really special.”

“We want audiences to engage with their inner hippy” The pleasure dome has been created by acclaimed production designer Takis and draws heavily from 60s and 70s influences. The music is hypnotic and exciting and acts as a device to lure the audience into the show, the finale is a psychedelic spectacle, and will have everyone dancing in the ring in true Giffords tradition.

Xanadu is a welcome and clever antidote to a political backdrop of unease in the UK and provides audiences an opportunity to forget

GIFFORDS CIRCUS Xanadu comes to Chiswick House from 27 June to 8 July.

The show continues until 29 September in 13 venues across the UK; tickets start from £10 children and £15 adults. giffordscircus.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_ GIFFORDS.indd 17

17

22/05/2019 19:17

N D R AW I N G B OA R D Nora Krug has been named Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year at the V&A Illustration Awards.

Absolutely admires her winning work Wo r d s P E A R L B OY D

D I A RY DAT E All the winning artworks will be on display in Gallery 88a on the third floor of the museum until Sunday 25 August 2019 vam.ac.uk

18

ora Krug has been awarded the Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year and Book Illustration prize at the V&A Illustration Awards 2019, for Heimat (Particular Books). Her work will be displayed alongside the award winning artworks from each of the four categories and the commended student shortlist in Gallery 88a on the third floor of the museum until 25 August 2019.

Krug’s book on the lives of her German family members under the Nazi regime explores notions of identity and home. The judges praised her decision to blend almost childlike illustrations alongside photographs of her family and life in Germany during WWII. It was commended by the judges as brave and unique, for offering a new perspective on a sensitive, complex and painful subject.

The Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year Prize is named in memory of the late Moira Gemmill, the V&A’s former Director of Design, and the competition has been running since 1972. Judges this year were Olivia Ahmad, Curator at the House of Illustration and Editor of Varoom Magazine, Nicholas Coleridge CBE, Chairman of the V&A Trustees and Chairman of Condé Nast and Jessica Voorsanger, Artist and Academic. The Student category was judged by Suzanne Dean, Creative Director at Vintage, Penguin Random House and Book Cover Winner 2018 and Cat O’Neil, Illustrator and Editorial Winner 2018.

Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A said: “The V&A’s mission has always been to promote creativity, ingenuity and imagination. The V&A Illustration Awards perfectly encapsulate our founding purpose, celebrating some of today’s most talented artists and helping to inspire future

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_JUNE19_V&A ILLUSTRATION AWARDS.indd 18

22/05/2019 19:19

CULTURE • FOCUS 02

Childlike illustrations are blended with photographs of her family and life in Germany during WWII

03

generations. We are delighted to welcome such an exciting range of skilful works into our galleries as we celebrate this year’s award winners.”

The prize money for each of the four awards is £3,000, and the Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year Prize is worth an additional £5,000. The student runner-up prize is worth £2,000. This year’s shortlist was drawn from almost a thousand entries.

Previous winners of the Illustration Awards include John Vernon Lord, Sir Quentin Blake, Ralph Steadman, Posy Simmonds, Sara Fanelli, and Yasmeen Ismail.

Other winners 01 Winner of Book Cover Award: Yehrin Tong for Their Eyes Were Watching God (Virago). The judges felt this was a luscious, evocative and appealing cover that made you want to pick up the book and buy it. “It was so beautiful that you would be proud to be seen walking around with it and reading it. It was good to see re-issues of classic literature with covers that had been created so beautifully, especially when it’s a book you love and want to see treated with respect”.

02 Winner of the Student Illustrator of the Year Award: Sophie Burrows for Crushing (Anglia Ruskin University).

“Burrows' tender illustrations in graphic novel format are both darkly amusing and wryly observed. Her shrewd use of just two colours conjures a quirky dreamlike atmosphere as well as evoking the essential loneliness of the central character”.

03 Student Illustrator of the Year: Runner Up: Yanyin Xu for One by One (University of the Arts London, Camberwell College of Arts). “One by One images are sculptural and atmospheric. The characters contort like curling paper in inexorable mazes and confined enclosures: their seeming simplicity hides a complex vision of humanity. Yanyin’s thoughtful and imaginative manipulation of traditional book formats were particularly engaging”.

01

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_JUNE19_V&A ILLUSTRATION AWARDS.indd 19

19

22/05/2019 19:20

CULTURE • FOCUS 05

04

The V&A’s mission is to promote creativity, ingenuity and imagination 06

20

04 Highly Commended Student: Harry Woodgate for Invisible Cities (University of Hertfordshire). “Invisible Cities are a frenetic psychedelic joy.

The vibrant colours and free-form complexity are refreshing and original”.

05 Highly Commended Student: Junli Song for Dance (Anglia Ruskin University). “Dance, by Junli Song, is a joyous rendition of an anthropomorphic rabbit world that is replete with humour and charm. The use of simple blocks of restricted colour is entirely engaging and effective”.

06 Highly Commended Student: Ying Wang for Food Journey in London (University of the Arts London, Camberwell College of Arts). The judges thought it was good to see a student engaged in issue-based illustration. “The work exhibits a really strong level of research and a desire to engage an audience in its central and imperative themes of sustainability”.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_JUNE19_V&A ILLUSTRATION AWARDS.indd 20

22/05/2019 19:24

King’s Cross N1C has it all.

Eclectic, creative, historic, centrally located and connected to the world, it’s the epitome of modern city living. Homes available from £825,000* Our Residential Marketing Suite is open Monday to Saturday.

Call +44 (0) 20 7205 4268 14-15 Stable Street, N1C 4AB kingscross.co.uk/n1c-homes *prices correct at time of going to print

CD6356_Argent_N1C Print Ads_Absolutely_NXNW_297x210mm_AW_f.indd 1 KINGS CROSS LIVING.indd 1

20/05/2019 14:58 16:49

tiles etc. www.tilesetc.com | angel@tilesetc.com | 020 7607 2700 4 Shillingford Street, London N1 2DP

TILES ETC.indd 1

18/09/2018 13:07

CULTURE • THEATRE

ROUND UP

Best in SHOW Get the most out of London’s theatre scene with our top stage picks for the month

By H E L E N B R O W N

MUST SEE

PRESENT LAUGHTER From 17 June OLD VIC

Matthew Warchus directs Andrew Scott in Present Laughter, a giddy and surprisingly modern reflection on fame, desire and loneliness. It follows the colourful life of star actor Garry Essendine as he prepares to embark on an overseas tour. Engulfed by an escalating identity crisis, Garry’s few remaining days at home are a chaotic whirlwind of love, sex, panic and soulsearching.

The Cut, SE1; oldvictheatre.com

SWEAT From 7 June

GIELGUD THEATRE

The Pulitzer Prize-winning Sweat by Lynn Nottage transfers to the Gielgud Theatre for a limited six week run.

Centred around the friendships of factory workers and set in an American bar, the play explores the relationships, resentments and fears of a community left divided by de-industrialisation.

Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D; sweattheplay.com

ON YOUR FEET! From 14 June

LONDON COLISEUM

On Your Feet! is the inspiring true love story of Emilio and Gloria, charting their journey from Cuba, through the streets of Miami and finally to international superstardom. Audiences can expect some of the most iconic pop songs of the era, including Rhythm is Gonna Get You, Conga, Get On Your Feet, Don’t Want To Lose You and 1-2-3.

St Martin’s Lane, WC2N; onyourfeetmusical.co.uk

EUROPE

SWEAT

HANSEL AND GRETEL 14-22 June

REGENT ’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE

Following the success of last season’s The Turn of the Screw, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre continues its work with the English National Opera to present Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. In the unique environment of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, experience the Grimm Brothers’ fairytale anew in this operatic retelling, sung in English. Regent’s Park, NW1; openairtheatre.com

From 20 June

DONMAR WAREHOUSE

Something has changed. The trains no longer stop at the border and no-one knows why. The station master has two new arrivals to deal with; arrivals that will divide the local population. David Greg’s prophetic early masterpiece explores our complex relationship with Europe - as a continent, a refugee, an idea.

41 Earlham Street, WC2H; donmarwarehouse.com

HENSEL AND GRETEL

EUROPE

Abs_June19_Theatre Roundup.indd 23

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

23

22/05/2019 20:04

AFTER SCHOOL LEARNING.indd 1 ASL.indd 1

20/05/2019 17:42 17:53 12/09/2018

CULTURE • THEATRE

ABSOLUTELY reviews…

A N NA

An East Berlin surveillance drama at the National's Dorfman Theatre

By PENDLE HARTE

E

ast Berlin, 1968. Life behind the Iron Curtain involves surveillance and an awareness of being watched, as individualism goes against the spirit of socialist endeavour. Loyalty to the Party is rewarded, while dissent carries a heavy penalty. Anna is a domestic drama set within a claustrophobic climate where state comes before privacy and conforming is top of the agenda.

At just over an hour with no break, it’s an intense piece of theatre, technically clever and gripping. The stage is separated from the audience with a glass barrier and we listen to sound through headphones, which clearly makes us the spy. The set, Anna and Hans’ flat, opens in darkness. Anna enters and doesn’t immediately turn on the

light – life adapts to the constant possibility of being spied upon. And then the sounds we hear – the sounds that must have been heard by countless Stasi officers listening to countless people living their lives at home – are mundane, the lighting of a cigarette, the turning of a tap, the closing of a door.

Anna (Phoebe Fox) and Hans (Paul Bazely) are expecting guests: Hans has been promoted at work and has invited his new boss and some colleagues for drinks to celebrate. Elena, a neighbour, appears, complaining that her flat is cold – since her husband’s removal none of the neighbours has helped her fetch coal from the cellar.

It emerges that the disappeared husband is the predecessor of Hans’ new boss Christian. When he arrives, Anna believes he is her old friend Max, who denounced her mother to invading Russian troops 20 years

Life adapts to the constant possibility of being spied on earlier, but he says she is mistaken.

From there, the slightly tangled story is about trust and obedience to a system.

Though gripping and technically intriguing, there are problems with the production. We are left lacking any sense of the characters’ Germanness. The conversation seems too English and too contemporary, the infusion of socialism that should be present in the language mostly missing. But despite this, Ella Hickson's play is ambitious and makes for intense, impressive viewing.

VERDICT

Gripping and intriguing ★★★★★ D O R F M A N T H E AT R E , SOUTH BANK SE1 UNTIL 15 JUNE,

nationaltheatre.org.uk

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_ Thearte.indd 25

25

24/05/2019 10:16

TK.indd 1

16/04/2019 14:57

FOOD & DRINK

ROOF GARDEN ALLEGRA

Situated in Manhattan Loft Gardens in Stratford, and with Patrick Powell (Chiltern Firehouse) at the helm, Allegra opens this month. Expect an expansive terrace and large garden overlooking the London skyline, allegra-restaurant.com

Food notes 28 • Food review 31 • Recipes: A taste of Spain 32 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_JUNE19_Food_Opener.indd 27

27

22/05/2019 19:32

WHAT TO DRINK

GRAPE news Wine recommendations for the month

TASTING NOTES

London’s food news and most exciting openings this June

By FLORA THOMAS

By BERRY BROS. & RUDD

2018 Domaine Félines Jourdan, Picpoul de Pinet, Coteaux du Languedoc  £11.95 Domaine Félines Jourdan is on the coast in Mèze; its 40 hectares of vines make soft reds and crisp whites. The 2018 vintage produced high-quality fruit, leading to concentration and freshness. Salty and citrus aromas define this wine.

2018 Flysch, Bodega Gorosti, Getariako Txakolina, Spain  £14.95 You can’t get much more refreshing than this. At only 11% alcohol, made from 100% Hondarrabi Zuri in the DO of Getaria this is deliciously saline with classic tiny, delicate bubbles of a Basque Txakoli. A great option for summer picnics.

2017 Reuilly Rouge, Les Pierres Plates, Denis Jamain, Loire  £14.95 With its explosive red berry and floral aromas, this wine is a paean to Pinot – and to the vineyard’s Kimmeridgian clay-limestone soils. The palate is fine-boned and exceptionally refreshing.

A great match for salmon, white meat or curries.

BERRY BROS. & RUDD Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain's oldest wine and spirit merchant, having traded from the same shop since 1698. Today the company also has offices in Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong, a Wine School and an exclusive fine wine and dining venue in St James's.

bbr.com

28

Breakfast of

CHAMPIONS DISHOOM

Dishoom has taken its breakfast menus to the next level. Lovers of the cult-favourite bacon naan rolls will rejoice in the upgrades which feature, basically, more bacon. Vegans aren’t forgotten - some of the signature dishes have undergone a plant-based makeover. Plus, a brand-new weekend sharing menu is set to bring together their best loved dishes and those who love them.

7 Boundary Street, E2 dishoom.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

N&E_June19_Food_Notes.indd 28

22/05/2019 19:34

FOOD & DRINK• NOTES Our pick of the best

ROOFTOP HANGOUTS

ROOF FEST

Dalston's latest

Shop till you drop, then head upstairs... Roof Fest promises comedy, street food and cocktails.

Set on top of John Lewis, high above the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, complete with boho flower dens, a caravan stage and a lively garden feel throughout. johnlewis.com

CASA FOFO

NEGRONI TURNS 100

STRAZZANTI

For four nights only expect an Italian feast of epic proportions to mark 100 years of the Negroni at drinking den TT Liquor. Strazzanti’s Sicily inspired supper club will take the form of an exclusive four-course dinner, with cocktail pairings and bespoke installations from McQueens Florist.

17B Kingsland Road, E2 strazzanti.co

The lastest edition to Dalston’s burgeoning restaurant scene, Casa Fofo launched in April. The menu is eclectic, paying homage to the chef's Italian heritage, and to his international culinary background: you can expect European and Asian influences. The set menu can be enjoyed at the communal table or in the garden.

158 Sandringham Road, E8 casafofolondon.co.uk

SKYLIGHT Famous for its panoramic and uninterrupted views across the city’s skyline and unique urban lawn games and bar offering, the expansive rooftop venue has become one of London’s favourite summer hot spots.

It's back with a bang with seasonal cocktails for summertime sipping. skylightlondon.com

COME DINE with CHRIS EMBER

Eastern vegan MAO CHOW

Initially a pop up, Mao Chow has found a permanent home, just behind London fields. The Chinese restaurant's playful menu is exclusively vegan and features dishes including 'smacked cucumber', a fiery garlicy salad; dumplings and various noodle plates.

The small space seats only 8, it's BYOB and everything is available for takeaway.

159A Mare Street, Hackney, E8 mao-chow.com

PERGOLA PA D D I N GTO N Pergola Paddington has removed the roof in hope of sunnier days. With an entirely new lineup of food vendors including Smash Patty, An Choi and Salvation in Noodles, alongside a refreshing cocktail menu, Pergola is set to bring the Med to W2. pergolalondon.com

Chris McApline’s first foray into food was on Channel 4’s Come Dine With Me. Now, he’s opened a restaurant in Shoreditch.

The menu is split into earth, land, sea and the drinks celebrate his Scottish and South African roots with a selection of whiskies and South African wines.

202 Brick Lane, E1 ember-restaurant.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

N&E_June19_Food_Notes.indd 29

29

22/05/2019 19:34

FUNKTIONAL KITCHENS.indd 1

21/05/2019 13:47

FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

Ox cheek melts in your mouth and the spicy horseradish is as fresh as you like

ON THE UP Carefully considered, exciting and playful food on Upper Street

FOOD Speaks to Cochran’s dual Scottish/ Carribean heritage

B y F LO R A T H O M A S

J

ames Cochran left his eponymous restaurant last year, and soon afterwards announced a new venture called 12:51. The restaurant is a world away from fine dining in the city; baby pink features and soft lighting make for a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a small space, boasting downstairs, upstairs and al-fresco seating, each space offering a marginally different feel.

In keeping with the current trend, 12:51 serves snacks, small and large plates, with a tasting menu available in the evenings. Long gone are the days when menus like this confuse the

DECOR average punter - we’re used to it now - and the best approach is to order what you like the sound of and trust that the waiter will tell you if you’ve ordered enough to constitute a meal.

What they won’t usually do is tell you that you’ve ordered too much - which we did. No problem, though, as it’s all very good.

A singular malt cracker with blue cheese and a sprinkling of seeds is just what you want to accompany a pint (or, in this case, a trendy can of IPA), it’s a creamy mouthful of crunch. Our other ‘snack’ is a pretty little onion tartlet - nothing to call home about but tasty all the same.

Casual

PRICE Small plates around £10, large from £22

Curried cauliflower with smoked yoghurt and lime pickle mayonnaise is served as a small plate. It’s interesting, accompanied by slices of orange, it happily encourages you to really consider each flavour. The other vegetarian small plate arrives with mayonnaise too, this time smoked. I’m not entirely convinced by the idea of a slow-cooked egg with mayonnaise on the side, the best thing on the plate is the asparagus - it’s a little al dente as it should be, bright green and made even more delicious by the bright yolk spilling all over it.

The most enjoyable (and most expensive) dish is ox cheek with mushrooms, pickled carrots and horseradish. The ox cheek melts in your mouth and the spicy horseradish is as fresh as you like. It’s rich and, as our final order, well worth the wait.

Meringue with yoghurt sorbet and pink pepper for pudding is deliciously sweet, the meringue is more of a sheet which you can use to scoop up the creamy sorbet in a playful move. It’s a generous portion, too, which makes it great for sharing. We leave very full and, as locals, excited to return.

12:51

VERDICT

by JA M E S CO C H RA N

Cochran’s best yet

107 Upper Street, N1

1251.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

N&E_June19_FOOD REVIEW.indd 31

31

22/05/2019 19:36

Tastes of

SPAIN Andalusia is one of Spain's most gastronomically rich areas Wo r d s J O S E P I Z Z A R O Photographs EMMA LEE

32

A

s the southernmost region of Spain, Andalusia, with its wealth of fertile farmland, vertiginous mountain ranges and rugged yet abundant coastline, is one of the most gastronomically unique, and rich, areas of the country. I have travelled here more times thanI can remember; from my very first childhood holidays at the beach, to explorations of the restaurants of Seville and beyond.

During the research of this book, I learnt so much about the culture and its strong Moorish and Roman heritage, which you see reflected in everything from architecture to everyday food.

But I learned a lot about the people, too – it seems to me that everyone is always happy, and most have an incredible sense of humour. The wonderful light and good weather have an effect on the mood, of course, but I tend to think it has something to do with the unquestionably good food, too.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

Abs_June19_Recipes_3pp.indd 32

22/05/2019 19:38

FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

CHICKPEA & SPINACH STEW Serves 4

B

efore and during Easter, Catholic people don’t eat meat on Fridays, so this vegetarian stew, traditionally eaten during this period, has a long history, with distinct nods to the Moorish culture that predated Catholicism. According to some historians, this religious prohibition was merely a way for the church to control the consumption of an essential product by the masses, as meat was still on the table for the rich. Regardless, this stew is warming, filling, and wonderful to eat at any time of the year.

• 5 black peppercorns • 1 onion, finely sliced •3 garlic cloves, crushed •6 00 g (1 lb 5 oz) ripe tomatoes, chopped • s ea salt and freshly ground •b lack pepper •7 00 g (1 lb 8 ½ oz) jar chickpeas (garbanzo beans) •2 large handfuls of baby spinach •4 slices of bread • 1 00 g (3 ½ oz) manchego, grated

add the chickpeas along with their liquid from the jar. Add the bread and almond paste and bring to the boil, then simmer for a few minutes to thicken before adding the spinach and letting it wilt. Check the seasoning and keep warm.

To serve: •e xtra-virgin olive oil

4 Spoon the stew into individual bowls and serve with the cheese toasts and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

1 Pour a little oil into a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the stale bread chunks for 3–4 minutes, until lightly browned. Add the almonds and spices and toast for 1 minute, then tip into a food processor and whizz with a splash of water to form a paste.

• olive oil, for frying • 100 g (3 ½ oz) stale bread, cut into chunks • 60 g (2 oz) blanched almonds • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds • good pinch of cayenne pepper

2 Heat a little more oil in the pan and gently cook the onion for 10 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and tomatoes and season well. Bubble for 20 minutes, then

3 Heat the grill to medium-high. Drizzle the bread with oil and toast on one side, then flip over and lightly toast the other side. Top with the cheese and return to the grill to melt.

CLAMS WITH CHORIZO Serves 4

I

love clams, whether served with jamon or just on their own with a splash of sherry or white wine. I always thought that chorizo would overpower the delicate sweetness of the clams, but to my delight, I was wrong – this is a must-try.

The crispy chorizo adds a lovely texture and the smoky flavour from the pimenton de la Vera is a perfect match for fino sherry.

INGREDIENTS 1 kg (2 lb 3 oz) clams 75 g (2 ½ oz) chorizo picante, chopped into 1 cm (½ in) cubes 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, finely chopped large sprig of thyme 100 ml (3 ½ fl oz/scant ½ cup) fino sherry To serve: crusty bread 1 Place the clams in a bowl under cold running water for 5 minutes. Discard any that won’t close.

2 In a lidded saucepan over a high heat, cook the chorizo in a little olive oil for 6 minutes, until caramelised. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chorizo from the pan and place in a bowl.

3 Add the onion, garlic and thyme sprig to the chorizo fat in the pan and fry for 10 minutes, or until softened. Increase the heat, add the clams and chorizo back to the pan, pour in the sherry, then cover with a lid. Cook for three minutes, or until all the clams have steamed open, discarding any clams that haven’t.

4 Tip into a large bowl and serve with crusty bread to mop up the juices.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

Abs_June19_Recipes_3pp.indd 33

33

22/05/2019 19:38

ABBEY ROAD

FRAMING

Picture Frames, Mirrors, Prints, Cards & Gifts

020 7328 6915

67 Abbey Road St John’s Wood London NW8 0AE

ABBEY ROAD FRAMING.CO.UK ABBEY ROAD FRAMING NXNW.indd 1 AbsolutelyNorthByNorthWest-1612-AbbeyRoadFraming.indd 1

• North/East_ADVERT PLACEMENTS copy.indd 1

13/12/2016 14:13 07/12/2016 16:01

20/05/2019 17:56

FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

The region's Moorish and Roman heritage is reflected in everything from architecture to everyday food 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F/ Gas 6).

3 In a medium bowl, mix the mango with the red chillies and a pinch of salt and pepper. Squeeze over the lime juice, orange zest and juice and a drizzle of olive oil. Toss with the coriander and set aside while you cook the prawns.

3 Mix the salt, egg whites, coriander seeds and orange zest together in a medium bowl and tip half into a baking dish.

4 Place the prawns on top of the salt, brush them with a little oil, then completely bury them with the rest of the salt. Bake in the oven for 8–10 minutes, until just cooked.

5 Remove the prawns from the oven and gently uncover them to check they are all cooked – if not, put them back in the oven for a minute or two.

5 Scrape off the salt and serve the salsa with the hot prawns, or let them cool to room temperature, then serve.

PRAWNS BAKED IN SALT WITH MANGO, CHILLI & CORIANDER SALSA Serves 4

I

always use Andalusian mangoes when I make this dish, and chilli perfectly balances the sweetness of the fruit and shellfish. Carabineros are very popular in Catalonia and, in my opinion, the best ones come from Palamos. This type of prawn (shrimp) has a very intense flavour and vivid red colour that only intensifies once cooked.

INGREDIENTS • 3 mangoes, peeled, stone removed and cubed • 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper • juice of 1 lime • extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling • zest and juice of ½ orange • 1 small bunch of coriander (cilantro), chopped For the prawns • 850 g (1 lb 14 oz) coarse sea salt • 2 egg whites, lightly beaten until frothy • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds • zest of 1 orange • 12 raw carabineros or large king prawns (shrimp) • extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing

A N DA LU S I A : RECIPES FROM SEVILLE A N D B E YO N D Recipes taken from the new book by Jose Pizarro (Hardie Grant, £26.00)

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

Abs_June19_Recipes_3pp.indd 35

35

24/05/2019 09:45

CUTLASS.indd 2 WHITLEYNEILL-range_297-210.indd 1

22/11/2018 12/11/2018 14:57 14:13

FOOD & DRINK • NOTES

DRINKS CABINET

What to drink and how to drink it

fabulous

FIZZ

By PENDLE HARTE

THREE OF THE BEST CHAMPAGNES B y T H E C H A M PAG N E G U R U

LIGHT TOUCH

Champagne Gosset Grande Reserve, £40 Gosset is the oldest wine house in champagne. The Grande Réserve is the House cuvée, a blend of several vintages, with 46% chardonnay, 44% pinot noir, 10% pinot meunier.

The winemaking style preserves freshness with low dosage of sugar. The aroma is full and intense, with apple, peach and notes of brioche.

S E S S I O N PA L E

With bright citrus aromas, tropical zesty notes and a mouth-wateringly juicy taste, Session Pale is a beer made for summer. It’s the latest addition to the family of beers below 2.8% ABV produced by Small Beer Brew Co.; so you can enjoy the taste without having to endure the haze of a hangover. It boasts vegan credentials, plus it’s sustainably brewed in the world’s first dedicated small beer brewery in Bermondsey. theoriginalsmallbeer.com

Champagne Ayala Blanc de Blancs 2012, £55 Ayala is one of the oldest champagne houses. Since 2005 Ayala has been under the ownership and guidance of Bollinger.

The champagne great value for money. Ayala Blanc de Blancs is made of 100% chardonnay from the best crus of the Côte des Blancs. Delicate, fresh aromas, with notes of lemon and white fruits.

SPIRIT OF JAPAN H A K U VO D K A

Not only has House of Suntory mastered the art of whisky, they also make exceptional vodka which is newly available in the UK. The Haku Vodka represents the nature and spirit of Japan, with the delicate aroma of rice on the and a smooth and lingering sweetness. £35 waitrose.com

Bollinger Rose NV, £195

PICNIC PERFECT THE UNCOMMON

The first and only English sparkling wine in a can is easy to carry and quick to cool; it's perfect for a picnic. The 2018 bubbly rosé is made from pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes, and promises a vibrant fruity taste.

It's locally made, too, each stage of the process happens within 25 miles of the headquarters in Peckham.

One of the last remaining independent champagne houses, Bollinger can trace its roots back to 1585. The rose consists of 62% pinot noir, 24% chardonnay, 14% meunier with only 5 to 6% red wine added due to its power. A beautiful consistency of style, structure and complexity.

THE CHAMPAGNE GURU The Champagne Guru is a champagne and food pairing expert, specialising in hosting special champagne events in luxurious surroundings.

thechampagneguru.com

wearetheuncommon.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_JUNE19_Drinks.indd 37

37

24/05/2019 09:48

38

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_June19_chef.indd 38

24/05/2019 09:52

FOOD & DRINK • PROFILE

Authentic

I TA L I A N Absolutely takes a lesson in making pasta with Aldo Zilli

Wo r d s PENDLE HARTE

D

o you put garlic in your bolognese? If you’re a British person making spaghetti bolognese, you probably do. No offence, but you’re doing it wrong. Besides, spaghetti bolognese isn’t even an actual dish anyway, because bolognese sauce always belongs with tagliatelle, never spaghetti. So says the mayor of Bologna, who has been complaining loudly in recent months about the global misrepresentation of his city’s cuisine.

Chef Aldo Zilli agrees with him. When he spoke unguardedly on This Morning recently, he was criticised for saying that Italian food needs to be cooked by Italian chefs in order to be authentic. “You grow up in Italy, you grow up with those flavours and I don’t think anyone else from outside that country is going to understand that food,” is what he said. This was in the wake of Gordon Ramsay being ridiculed for cultural appropriation and inauthenticity in his new restaurant Lucky Cat. And now I’m in the basement kitchen at San Carlo

with Zilli, apron tied, about to embark on a masterclass in making pasta. The proper way. “Of course I didn’t mean I wouldn’t employ anyone who wasn’t Italian,” he says, gesturing around his kitchen which, it is true, isn’t exclusively Italian (only mostly).

And anyway, he says, “Italian food doesn’t exist. It’s all about the regions.” But his own cooking, like that of many Italians, owes so much to his mother (who had nine children to feed – more of this later) that it is in his blood. “My mother would get up at 5am to start the sauces - a ragout should cook for five or six hours really.”

Zilli is charming and enthusiastic.

Making pasta is easier than I imagine. 200 grammes of 00 flour (a very fine grain), two eggs, olive oil, salt. We tip the flour onto the counter, scoop out a hole in the middle and put the eggs in it, whisk them up a bit then start pushing the flour towards the eggs. It’s all done with our hands. Knead it, then roll it. When we are left with a thin rectangle, Zilli produces a wooden thing that looks like a basic zither, strings pulled tight over a wooden box. In fact it’s a chitarra (guitar) and the technique is A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_chef.indd 39

39

24/05/2019 09:53

AWARDED DOUBLE GOLD AT THE SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION 2018 marylebonegin

CUTLASS.indd 1 Marylebone_210-297.indd 1

22/11/2018 21/11/2018 14:57 16:22

FOOD & DRINK • PROFILE

Aldo Zilli’s

AUTHENTIC S PAG H E T T I CARBONARA Serves two This simple recipe derives from the Carbonari, coal miners outside Rome.

They kept pigs and chickens, which provide the ingredients. It’s important to have a mix of cow’s cheese (parmesan) and sheep’s cheese (pecorino)

Zilli was the first person to put mushroom risotto on the menu in London simple – stretch the dough over the strings, trim the edges, then push down so that the strings cut through the dough like an egg slicer, and immediately you have fettuccini, ready to cook. I feel quite proud, and almost Italian. This is when Zilli breaks into a speech about authenticity, and what we are all doing wrong with our bolognese.

The garlic, for one thing. Onions and garlic are in different families, so it’s either/or, he says. A real bolognese should start with onion, carrot, celery, all chopped small and thrown into a pan with olive oil. Gradually we add pork, beef and veal, and a splash of milk to ‘loosen it up’, plus some red wine (‘quite a lot’) and then tomato passata (this is made by roasting tomatoes with olive oil and lots of basil, then blitzing it). Throw any remaining celery stalks in (fish them out later) and leave it all to reduce for a while – ideally for about five hours for the full intensity. And when you serve it, always add the pasta to the sauce and make sure

it’s all covered. “An Italian would never just spoon the sauce over the pasta. And never serve it in a bowl; always a plate. You need to be able to see the pasta.”

Zilli really did learn all of this from his mother. Growing up on a farm in Abruzzo, he was the youngest of nine children (eight boys and a girl) and started making pasta when he was eight. “We grew up with all this fantastic organic produce, but we didn’t care. It was always to sell anyway; our father wouldn’t let us eat any of it. Our mother was always in the kitchen – feeding a family as big as that is a bit like running a restaurant.” She had a “very simple” kitchen and always made her own pasta, while her husband would kill a pig and cure it in the loft for the year ahead.

When Zilli arrived in London in the 1980s, he came straight to Soho (“from a village in Italy to another Italian village – at the time there were three Italian delis, an Italian butcher and Bar Italia”) and opened a restaurant in Dean Street, Signor Zilli, in 1983. Here he claims to have been the first person to put mushroom risotto on the menu in London, and the first to cook with truffles. London’s food was famously terrible in the 1980s, and diners used to parochial meals of overcooked vegetables and stodge were delighted to discover Zilli’s fresh, creative dishes.

The restaurant was a huge success. “It’s different now - people are much more demanding,” he says. “And nothing’s new any more. Still, Italian food is in a good

INGREDIENTS 100g thin strips of cured pig’s cheek or pancetta (bacon as a last resort) • Handful of grated parmesan • Handful of grated pecorino • 2 egg yolks • 1 whole egg • Handful of chopped parsley • Ground black pepper • Spaghetti (Aldo Zilli prefers Garofalo, from Naples) METHOD Set the spaghetti to boil. 2 Whisk together the egg, egg yolks and cheese in a large bowl and beat fiercely to a paste. Add lots of chopped parsley and lots of pepper. 3 Fry the pig’s cheek lightly in its own fat and when the spaghetti is just cooked, add it to the pan, keeping a cup of the cooking water. 4 Tip the spaghetti and pig’s cheek into the bowl with the egg mix and briskly mix together, adding some cooking water to loosen it up. 5 Return the whole thing back to the pan to finish it off, making sure to remove it from the heat before the eggs scramble. 6 Serve immediately.

1

place in London now.” At one point, Zill was running six restaurants at once, which takes its toll, especially on someone who finds it hard to delegate.

Now he’s head consultant for the San Carlo group, whose shiny, glamorous eateries have enormous menus of authentic Italian fare. So he’s not slowing down, then. “Definitely not. It’s been three decades of rock and roll and I would do it all over again if I could.”

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_chef.indd 41

41

24/05/2019 09:54

BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY BEAUTIFUL FRUIT

A Taste of South Africa Grown and ripened under the South African sun for the most delicious tasting fruit. Helping to develop the Rainbow Nation

www.beautifulcountrybeautifulfruit.co.uk

BEACH CAFE.indd 1

23/05/2019 10:26

FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

“Whipped potatoes are oozing with butter ”

Smith and Wollensky American-style dining in the heart of London

G

B y LUCIE PEARCE

reeted warmly on arrival, we’re lead downstairs to the Gatsby-esque dining room.

Comfortable and stylish, it’s a gorgeous space to spend a few hours enjoying a leisurely meal.

I start with a S&W Sling cocktail, which is sweet and refreshing. Once we’ve ordered, we’re served some delicious warm bread and beef tartare aperitifs, served slider-style,

tender and fresh. We then tuck into our starters - scallops, which are served with pork belly and cauliflower puree, they’re meaty and juicy. We also have a generous serving of delicious seared chilli and garlic prawns, which have a bit of a kick without being too overpowering.

After the starter, during a tour of the space, it becomes clear that the staff here really believe in the ethos of the restaurant.

As someone who likes their meat served with the ability to walk off the plate, I opt for a fillet steak, served blue. It is cooked to perfection

FOOD Steak and seafood

DECOR Art-deco style

PRICE Steaks from £36

– too many times I’ve ordered a steak cooked rare, but a lack of consideration or confidence means I’m served a steak medium rare at best.

Not so here, the steak is a delight, incredibly tender and a complete treat. My friend opts for the lobster, which again is sweet and fresh.

The sides are delicious. Whipped potatoes are creamy and light, oozing with butter and a good sprinkling of chives. Our lovely waiter voices his approval when we opt for the creamed spinach, and it does not disappoint. Incredibly rich and moreish, it’s to die for - definitely order this. We also order a Waldolf salad, which is crisp and adds a refreshing element to the meal.

We share a pudding, and plump for cheesecake – if you’re going to a traditional New York restaurant, why not choose the dessert they are most famous for?

Armed with a doggy bag, complete with a bone for the dog, we roll out of the restaurant. Unfailingly friendly staff, teamed with good food and a buzzy atmosphere, S&W is testament to good, old fashioned American charm.

VERDICT

S M I T H & WO L L E N S K Y

Swish American dining in the West End

The Adelphi Building, Covent Garden Riverside, 1-11 John Adam Street, WC2N

smithandwollensky.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

PCL_June19_FOOD REVIEW.indd 43

43

24/05/2019 13:45

ABEL & COLE ON THE MENU

E A S Y

E AT S We road test five meal delivery services Words CA R LY G L E N D I N N I N G AND HELEN BARON

44

Organic food suppliers Abel & Cole refresh their seasonal recipe box menu with 15 new options each week. I’m offered nine different categories including ‘foodie’, ‘speedy’ and ‘light’ but opt for veggie.

There’s six recipes to choose from and a further three that are vegan. They all look great, but could be a bit limited if I decide to eat plant-based all week as I sometimes do.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX Everything I need to cook three different meals is delivered to my door early on a Monday morning and I love having my weekend freed up by not having to do a big grocery shop. I unpack all of the ingredients for: Coconut & Tomato Lentil Curry; Roast Squash, Walnut & Feta Couscous; and Lentil & Mushroom Cottage Pie. There’s quite a lot of packaging, but Abel & Cole reassure me that everything is recyclable and returnable to them.

THE RESULT? I really enjoy cooking something new without having to plan it. The recipes themselves are easy to follow and don’t require chef-level cooking skills. Each

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_Spring19_MEAL_DELIVERIES.indd 44

24/05/2019 09:56

FOOD & DRINK • HOME COOK

one takes me around 40 mins to an hour to cook, which feels quite long after a day in the office so another time I might try something from their ‘speedy’ section.

Ingredients are all seasonal and fresh. The veggie meals I cooked were wholesome and healthy, and tasted delicious. The recipes were things I tend to make myself (curries and cottage pie etc), so it might have been nice to see something different.

I found the portions to be quite generous, which is great if you’re sharing your meals with little ones. from £6 a meal ableandcole.co.uk

MINDFUL CHEF ON THE MENU Touted as the recipe box if you’re trying to eat healthily, I’m excited to see that the menu from the Mindful Chef is 100% gluten and dairy-free as well as being nutritionist-approved. There are 16 recipes to choose from each week, under the categories of ‘protein-packed’, ‘balanced’, ‘pescatarian’ and ‘plant-based’. As I’m eating vegan this week, I choose from the six options in the latter.

“I love having my weekend freed by not having to do a weekly shop”

WHAT’S IN THE BOX It’s great to receive my box on Sunday, a day of the week I definitely don’t feel like putting too much thought into cooking.

I’ve chosen two meals: Lentil Moussaka & Creamy Coconut Bechamel and HawaiianStyle Poke With Crispy Tofu. Again there’s a lot of packaging, but you can return everything to Mindful Chef to be reused / recycled every four weeks.

THE RESULT? Both of my meals took about half an hour to 40 mins to make (although they do offer 15 min options). They were quite simple, although the poke bowl required you to cut the carrots into ribbons, which may have been a faff if I didn’t use my blender.

Unfortunately I was missing sesame oil to fry the tofu, something I didn’t have on hand in my cupboard and one step in the moussaka recipe was omitted, although it

wasn’t difficult to figure out. Mindful Chef source their award-winning produce from local suppliers and I was really impressed with the quality of the ingredients. I also loved how their plant-based options were a bit different (I wouldn’t usually cook a poke bowl and the moussaka was topped with coconut yoghurt bechamel with nutritional yeast flakes). from £4 a meal. mindfulchef.com

with plenty of vegetarian, vegan, dairy and gluten-free dishes and options under 400 calories. You can also order for one person or two, which is great for reducing food waste.

BY RUBY

THE RESULT?

ON THE MENU Founded by a chef and a gourmet food shop owner, ByRuby delivers healthy and convenient frozen food with absolutely no additives or preservatives to your door.

I’m excited to choose from over 40 meals,

WHAT’S IN THE BOX My frozen meals are delivered packed in ‘WoolCool’, which is 100% biodegradable and compostable, releasing valuable nitrates back into the soil.

ByRuby offers the luxury of a homecooked meal without having to do any of the work. The meals taste amazing and hearty and all you need to do is take them out of the freezer and pop them straight in the microwave or oven. from £3.50 for a side dish byruby.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_Spring19_MEAL_DELIVERIES.indd 45

45

24/05/2019 09:56

TEL. 01798 344481 07831 886402 A L A N _ C O R D E RY @ YA H O O . C O . U K

SP.indd 1 SilentPoole_Dancer_GI_SP_222x297_AW.indd 1

C L IE N T BRAND DAT E DO C U M E N T P R IN T P RO C E SS

S I LEN T PO O L D I S T I LLERY S I LEN T PO O L LO G O 04. 11. 2016 S PG _ LO G O _ W H I T E. a i x

CYAN

MAGENTA

Y ELLOW

BLACK

23/05/2019 14:27 18:49 26/04/2019

FOOD & DRINK • DRINKS

FOREST DISTILLERY Earl Grey gin, £55 theforestdistillery.com

ROKU GIN

CAORUNN

Japan craft gin, £30 waitrose.com

Scottish raspberry gin, £21 caorunngin.com

BERRY BROS & RUDD Orange & Thyme; Gooseberry & Elderflower; Pink Grapefruit & Rosemary distilled gins, £26.50 bbr.com

KYOTO DISTILLERY

EDITOR’S PICK

KI NO BI Navy Strength gin, £75 harveynichols.com

TARQUIN'S Tarquin's Cornish gin, £3.95 tarquinsgin.com

ISLE OF WIGHT DISTILLERY

That’s the

Mermaid Gin, 39.50 isleofwightdistillery.com

SPIRIT

GIN LANE 1751 Small batch Victoria pink gin, £19.99 selfridges.com

All the best gins of the summer

By P E N D L E H A R T E

ELEPHANT GIN London Dry Gin, £30.90 elephant-gin.com

AUDEMUS Pink pepper gin, £36 waitrose.com

GREENWOOD DISTILLERS Theodore Scottish gin, £39.95 scottishgin.com

SIPSMITH

ABS_June19_SUMMER GIN.indd 47

LARIOS

SILENT POOL

Rose gin, £21.50 drinkfi nder.co.uk

Silent Pool gin, £37 silentpooldistillers.com

Raffles 1915 Gin, £44.99 selfridges.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

47

24/05/2019 10:15

BEACH CAFE.indd 1

22/05/2019 11:35

FASHION IN ASSOCIATION WITH

SWIM TIME

MARIE JO AT AMÉLIE’S FOLLIES

Bustling scenes in 1970’s France and Italy were the inspiration behind Marie Jo’s exciting swimwear collection. With minimalist lines and classic shades, this is swimwear to suit all shapes and ages. We’ll be taking pieces from the Monica Range away with us this summer. ameliesfollies.co.uk

MONICA RANGE BY MARIE JO: BANDEAU TOP £87, SMALL PANT £49, BIKINI TOP £87, HIGH PANT £49

Ethical style with Aspiga's Lucy Macnamara 51 · The shoot 52 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

June19_Fashion_Opener.indd 49

49

24/05/2019 10:17

SS.indd 1

19/02/2019 11:34

FASHION • Q&A

Q&A

Sandal

STO RY Lucy Macnamara founded Aspiga in 2005, after falling in love with some Kenyan sandals Interview P E N D L E H A R T E

Q Aspiga is an ethical brand. How did you come to set it up and what difficulties did you face?

A I was in South Africa in holiday and the lodge I was staying in sold sandals, and I fell in love with them. So I spent the next two years trying to source them from Kenya and then launching to the trade in 2005.

There have been non-stop difficulties over the past 12 years – choosing to manufacture in developing countries comes with its challenges. Big deliveries have been stolen in transit within Kenya and delivery dates are never kept to (even 12 years on). It’s all worth it in the long run, but at times it’s super frustrating and the reason I have some sleepless nights and so many wrinkles.

Q Is it possible to be environmentally sound at every stage of the business? What are some of the things you can’t do?

A It’s not easy in many areas. We are trying not to send our garments out in plastic (even though the plastic we use is recycled), so we’re looking at potato starch bags. But they’re unsuitable for storing in our warehouse because they don’t last long enough – so this one is still a work in progress.

Q Where do you source products?

A From Kenya and India.

pieces and stunning occasion wear, as well as stylish day to day linen staples.

Q Tell us about the Kenyan sandals.

A They are our DNA and how the brand

Q What are your best-sellers?

A Our leather beaded belts and sandals

made in Kenya and our cotton Harem trousers and dresses from India.

Q Who is the Aspiga customer?

A She is between 30-60, stylish and wants

something different and cares about the story and where her products come from.

Q What is the brand’s style?

A Our style can be described as soft

femininity with a bohemian spirit, with unique and pretty dresses, embroidered

started, they are super comfortable and last for ages – we get such great feedback from our customers about their longevity. Each pair is individually hand-beaded and the leather is cut by hand. The beading alone for one pair can take up to five hours. From now until July we are collecting one basket full of plastic from Kenya’s Malindi Beach for every pair sold.

Q What’s hot for summer 2019?

A Our linen collection is flying, maybe

because it’s one of the most sustainable fabrics you can buy at present. Our maxi dresses are doing really well too. aspiga.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_FASHION Q&A SANDALS.indd 51

51

24/05/2019 10:26

ABS_June19_Shoot.indd 52

24/05/2019 10:41

OUT OF

AFRICA

THE SHOP AT BLUEBIRD TOOK INSPIRATION FROM LAGOS FASHION WEEK TO SHOWCASE ASHA ELEVEN'S SS19 COLLECTION A S H A E L EV E N .CO M

ABS_June19_Shoot.indd 53

24/05/2019 10:42

ABS_June19_Shoot.indd 54

24/05/2019 10:43

ABS_June19_Shoot.indd 55

24/05/2019 10:43

ABS_June19_Shoot.indd 56

24/05/2019 10:44

ABS_June19_Shoot.indd 57

24/05/2019 10:44

Discover the home of gift lists.

Townhouse now open, 312 Fulham Road.

WEDDING.indd 1

23/05/2019 14:29

FASHION • JEWELLERY

Charmed Life Decorative jewels and charms

HARRY ROCKS

LOQUET

NADINE AYSOY

Lago shell earrings, £120;

14k medium round locket, £1,600;

Celeste yellow sapphire and jade hoop earrings, $4.896;

loquetlondon.com

nadineaysoy.com

harryrocks.com

SUZANNE KALAN

MONICA VINADER

RACHEL JACKSON LONDON

18-karat gold, sapphire and diamond bracelet, £1,865;

Alta Capture and Atlantis Pendant Charm Set, £550;

Mother of Daughters birth star bracelet, £45;

net-a-porter.com

monicavinader.com

racheljacksonlondon.com

ASTRID & MIYU

LOQUET

HARRY ROCKS

Shell huggies in rose gold, £60;

Beetle charm, £260;

Spike and star hoop earrings, £89;

astridandmiyu.com

loquetlondon.com

harryrocks.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

Abs_June19_Jewellery.indd 59

59

24/05/2019 10:45

A C E S D a y a t t h e R 60

THE ROYAL ENCLOSURE Hat: lockhatters.co.uk £895 Simone Rocha, 020 7629 6317 Jacket: POA Shirt: POA Shoes: gianvitorossi.com £680 Ring: garrard.com, POA

2019 is set to be a great year for fashion at Ascot. Absolutely looks at its new style guide Wo r d s P E N D L E H A R T E

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_June19_ASCOT STYLE GUIDE_v2.indd 60

24/05/2019 13:47

FASHION • FOCUS

TOGETHER WITH STYLIST PRUE WHITE, ASCOT HAS CURATED LOOKS THAT WILL BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF FASHION THIS JUNE

THE ROYAL ENCLOSURE Hat: sallyannprovan.co.uk £650 erdem.com Top: £1,260 Skirt: POA Shoes: malonesouliers.com £475

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_ASCOT STYLE GUIDE_v2.indd 61

61

24/05/2019 13:47

01

OTHER RULES INCLUDE THE BANNING OF MIDRIFFS, ABOVETHE-KNEE SKIRTS, HALTER NECKS AND CROPPED TROUSERS

A

re you confused about what to wear to Ascot?

You’re not alone. Not only are there actual rules that need to be followed – involving strict measurements for skirt length, shoulder straps and headpiece diameter – but there’s the even more pressing issue of style. What will people be wearing this year?

Getting it wrong is unthinkable.

Thankfully, the Royal Ascot Style Guide is there to help, predicting key trends for the summer season and providing inspiration to racegoers keen to dress in style while toeing the line dress code-wise. Working closely with experienced stylist Prue White, Ascot has curated looks that will be at the forefront of fashion this June. Featured looks this year include designs from Emilia Wickstead, Zimmerman, Victoria Beckham, Simone Rocha, Katya Katya, Suzannah and Mary Katrantzou, and the guide features suggestions for all four enclosures, with their varying dress codes.

It’s the Royal Enclosure that has the most fierce guidelines. Here, for instance, not only must a hat, fascinator or headpiece be worn at all times (this applies to the slightly more liberal Queen Anne enclosure too) but its base must measure at least 10cm.

This is to avoid any misunderstanding about whether your accessory is really a fascinator or simply a clip. Girls aged 10 to 16 are exempt from this in that fascinators, headpieces and hats are permitted but not compulsory (does this mean they can wear

62

ones of less than 10cm?) Other rules include the banning of midriffs, above-the-knee skirts, halter necks and cropped trousers – though “visitors from overseas are welcome to wear either the formal national dress or service dress of their country.” (What if your national dress features a very small hat?) It’s much simpler for men, who simply need to wear grey or black morning dress with a grey or black top hat, a waistcoat and tie and black shoes. For men, the Royal Enclosure rules focus mostly on where they are allowed to take their hats off. Only in restaurants and private spaces, essentially – in all public spaces, top hats must stay on.

Juliet Slot, Chief Commercial Officer of Ascot Racecourse, explains: “Fashion and style are an integral part of the Royal Ascot experience. The annual Style Guide provides valuable support and inspiration when deciding what to wear for a day at the Royal Meeting.”

01 THE VILLAGE ENCLOSURE She wears: Hat: justinebradley-hill.co.uk, £595; dress: Zimmermann, mytheresa. com, £995; belt: soniapetroff.com, £965; shoes: russellandbromley.co.uk, £225; He wears Jacket: hackett.com, £675; shirt: chesterbarrie.co.uk, £125; tie: favourbrook.com, £75; pocket square: richard-james.com, £55; trousers: tmlewin.co.uk, £79.97; shoes: jimmychoo.com £475.

02 THE WINDSOR ENCLOSURE She wears: Hat: camillarose.co.uk, £315; top: riverisland.com, £35; skirt: riverisland.com, £35; shoes: riverisland.com, £40; He wears Hammond & Co. by Patrick Grant at debenhams.com Blazer: £130 Waistcoat: £50, Shirt: £40, Chinos: £40 Belt: russellandbromley.co.uk £95 Shoes: johnlobb.com £970.

03 QUEEN ANN ENCLOSURE Hat: beverleyedmondsonmillinery.co.uk, £200; Dress: alessandrarich.com, £2,545; Shoes: jimmychoo.com, £695; Earrings: garrard.com, POA. 04 THE VILLAGE ENCLOSURE Hat: edwinaibbotson.co.uk, £1,655; Dress: osmanlondon.com, £895; Bag: louisvuitton.com, £1,190; Shoes: whistles.com, £149.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_June19_ASCOT STYLE GUIDE_v2.indd 62

24/05/2019 13:50

FASHION • FOCUS 03

R OYA L A S C OT Royal Ascot will be held from 18 to 22 June. For further information and to book visit ascot.co.uk or call 0344 346 3000

04

1900s

 One of fashion’s most iconic images; that of Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady was inspired when costume designer Cecil Beaton saw images of Black Ascot, The 1910 Royal Ascot meeting was in full mourning over the death of King Edward.

1920s

 Hemlines were shorter and cuts were smaller in the 1920s reflecting a post-war generation’s rebellion against old traditions. Pearls and furs were the accessories of the day.

1950s

 Christian Dior’s New Look, a small waist and full skirt, was proving popular however it was when the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth and her stylish sister Princess Margaret wore the style at Royal Ascot that it was cemented in history.

Ascot fashion

THROUGH THE AGES

1700s

 Beau Brummell, a close friend of the Prince Regent, decreed that “men of elegance should wear waisted black coats and white cravats with pantaloons” and this set the tone for the dress code that is still adhered to by men in the Royal Enclosure.

1830s

 Queen Victoria’s visit to Royal Ascot saw her arrive in a pretty lace dress with a full bell skirt and shawl.

She also started a craze for the porter bonnet, shielding the wearer from male eyes.

1890s

 As the dawn of a new century arrived, fashion took on an almost celebratory tone. Skirts were less full, but silhouettes made a greater statement with angular hips and puffed sleeves. Hats were large and full of feathers and adornments.

02

1960s

 Royal Ascot’s glamorous profile elevated when Italian actress Sophia Loren was photographed in the Royal Enclosure. In modern times some of the biggest names in Hollywood and fashion have attended.

1970s

 Trouser suits became more popular following their introduction to the dress code in 1971. Gertrude Shilling, the Ascot Mascot, delighted press with her extravagant outfits.

One year, her son David’s design outgrew the Shilling’s long-wheelbased Rolls Royce, so the hat had to follow in a van behind.

1980s

 Sharp lines and bright colours took centre stage during this decade. With statement hats and pointed heels, there was little room for floaty florals in 1980’s glamour.2012 – Royal Ascot officially launches its Style Guide to racegoers outlining dress code regulations for the Royal Enclosure and Queen Anne Enclosure (formally known as Grandstand).

2017

 The jumpsuit is formally accepted in the Royal Enclosure dress-code and the Queen Anne Enclosure dress code is extended to the new Village Enclosure.

2018

 Royal Ascot introduce Style Guides for the Village and Windsor Enclosures.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_ASCOT STYLE GUIDE_v2.indd 63

63

24/05/2019 13:51

KANDIMA.indd 1

24/05/2019 11:58

FASHION • SUMMER 3 O B …

P I

F E O E

FASHION

T H E S T N E C E S

IN FOCUS

By P E N D L E H A R T E

S U I T S YO U ?

OCEAN ALLEY

Absolutely’s advice on shopping for swimwear

One shoulder swimsuit in Tangelo, £90 Beachcafe.com

ABOVE AND RIGHT: VIOLET LAKE

VIOLET LAKE

Bibi in emerald, £150 violet-lake.com

YAMAMAY

blue one-piece, £49.95 yamamay.com

I

s it advisable to buy swimwear online? And what should we be wearing on the beach this summer?

Swimwear poses a lot of questions. Especially when shopping online, which might seem like a risky business when you’re after a bikini. Will it fit?

Will it suit me?

If you’re totally unaware of what might work for you, you’re probably best off with an actual real life consultation, such as the service offered at Heidi Klein.

Here, a personal bikini expert will actually come into the fitting room with you and provide constructive advice on shape, colour and style (or if you’re technically minded: underwiring,

“IS IT ADVISABLE TO BUY SWIMWEAR ONLINE? WILL IT FIT ME?”

cups, padding, boning, power mesh, silicone tape). You’re pretty much guaranteed to come out with something that not only fits but also stays put, which is important with a bikini. Who wants to ruin an elegant dive off a yacht into crystal clear waters with the embarrassment of emerging topless and with pants around your knees? Nobody who shops at Heidi Klein, for sure.

But if you’re slightly more experienced and you have an idea of what works for you, try violet-lake.com. This clever website features a nifty Bikini Mixer section, where you can choose from a variety of different bikini tops and bottoms and see how they look together. You might want a larger pant and a skimpier top, or a supportive bra and smaller bottoms – or you might need completely different sizes for both. Violet Lake’s many shapes come in five sizes, with clear size

guidance online. Uniquely, all the bikini tops (and four styles of bottoms) have tie fastenings so that you can really fit them to your body and make them as supportive as you need them to be. The colours are all designed to harmonise with at least two others in the range, so you don’t have to conform to wearing the same coloured top and bottom.

Everything’s made from Italian Jersey Lomellina, which is very soft and has an elegant matt finish. If you’re in the market for a holiday bikini, you really can’t go wrong here.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

Abs_June19_SWIMWEAR.indd 65

65

24/05/2019 11:27

Beautiful skin from the inside Skincare innovation in a drink

Skinade has been a game changer for skin hydration “My hair and nails look healthier as well. Even my Dermatologist noticed the improvement in my skin”.

Joelle - March 2019

2 weeks to Wow! “The difference was clear after 2 weeks!

I am now in my 2nd month of Skinade and the suppleness in my skin is incredible. I have noticed a marked difference in the hydration and texture in my face. I am hooked!”

Andrea - March 2019

The brand trusted by professionals, and loved by you...

The inside-out approach to skincare is becoming an increasingly appealing and effective way to achieve visible results.

As we age, our collagen production slows down, affecting the appearance of our skin. Skinade’s active ingredients work together to produce a daily drink aimed at nourishing and supporting the skin from the inside for beautiful skin on the outside.

Love skinade “I just started my third month and see a great difference in the texture, elasticity and brightness of my skin highly recommend to everyone”.

Claudia - February 2019

skinade.com

SKINADE.indd 1

#BelieveTheHype

24/04/2019 15:40

HEALTH & BEAUTY IN ASSOCIATION WITH

BEAUTY MUSE CHANEL From fashion muse to beauty extraordinaire, Margo Robbie is the newest ambassador for Chanel fragrances. The brand has remained tight-lipped on which fragrances Robbie will be fronting, but she’s in good company alongside fellow actors Keira Knightley and Kristen Stewart. chanel.co.uk

Beauty notes 68 • Treatment reviews 72 • Perfume 75 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

June19_Beauty_Opener.indd 67

67

24/05/2019 11:34

BHH.indd 1

27/03/2019 10:32

HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

BEAUTY NOTES

Hair protection, shimmering shades and a stylish sonic toothbrush B y H E L E N B R OW N

THE REVIEW

Colour SHOP

FOREO’S ISSA 2

R I TA H A Z A N

If you’re making the effort to get your locks professionally coloured, you want it to last. Rita Hazan of the eponymous haircare brand has created a True Colour collection that promises to keep your colour as bright and vibrant as the day you step out of the salon. It comprises three products - shampoo, gloss and conditioner - that make maintaining your colour a breeze.

The most stylish sonic toothbrush B y PENDLE HARTE

ritahazan.com

EDITOR’S PICK

Sun TRAP SunTRAP GUERLAIN

Guerlain has captured the radiance of summer in a dazzling new collection. Cult favourite, the Météorites Perles de Satin reveals two shimmering shades, while the new Bubble Blush proves itself to be the latest object of desire. Simply swipe the dome over skin and blend with fingers for an instant radiant flush. £25.65; escentual.com

URBAN HAVEN MASAJ

First-of-its-kind urban retreat MASAJ has set up shop in east London with a heavenly menu of massages designed to combat the negative effects of city living.

With everything from deep tissue treatments to post-natal care, the eco-friendly studio is our go-to when we're in need of some R&R. £70 for 60 minutes;

F

oreo’s Issa toothbrush, in its candy colours and soft plastic, may look and feel like a child’s toy but in fact it’s a serious piece of tech. Feeling comfortable in your hand, the toothbrush is sonic rather than the standard electric, which means it emits sonic waves, which massage the salivary glands to increase saliva flow and leave teeth even cleaner. The Issa is unusual in that its brush, like the handle, is made of silicone, and it hardly feels like a separate attachement at all. The bristles don’t feel, well, bristly at all – they feel soft. But this doesn’t mean they’re not cleaning your teeth, and it does mean that they’re gentler on the gums. The Issa comes in a surprising black as well as pastel blue, lavender and pink, while the slightly smaller kids’ version comes in a vivid yellow (this one has a handy indicator to tell you whether the brush has actually been used in the past 12 hours, in case your children are of the fibbing kind).

At £149 this isn’t a cheap brush though the heads don’t need replacing very often , and the battery claims to last a year after a single hour's charging.

And for the initial outlay it, will make a stylish addition to your bathroom and an upgrade to your toothbrushing regime. And as far as we know, it's the only toothbrush stocked at Net-a-Porter, which confirms its status as a fashionforward piece of kit.

Issa 2, £149, foreo.com

masaj.me

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

June19_ Beauty Notes.indd 69

69

24/05/2019 11:40

Reduced prices are for a course of treatments

POPUL AR AREAS INCLUDE Buttocks & Back of Thighs (60 minutes) Was £240, Now £180 (save £60) Stomach and Waist (30 minutes) Was £180, Now £100 (save £80) Buttocks (30 minutes) Was £180, Now £100 (Save £80)

CLINICALLY PROVEN FOCUSED FAT REDUCTION

• Cellulite improvement • • Long term circumferential decrease • • Skin tightening and firming • • Lifting, toning and firming of muscles • • Detoxification and improved drainage • • Enhanced blood circulation and oxygenation • Treatments are from: • £100 for body • £30 for face

Book your complimentary consultation today

0207 243 1113 bookings@coconailbar.com @coconailbarlondon

COCO NB.indd 1

26/04/2019 09:39

BEAUTY • PRODUCTS VERSO Travel Kit, £48; cultbeauty.co.uk

LIXIRSKIN Universal Emulsion, £29 for 50ml; lixirskin.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

COOLA Travel Size SPF 30 Pina Colada Sunscreen Spray, £22; cultbeauty.co.uk

JO MALONE LONDON Fragrance Combining Palette, £52; jomalone.co.uk

ESTÉE LAUDER Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Mask, £38 for four; esteelauder.co.uk

SARAH CHAPMAN Skinesis Skin Insurance SPF30, £22 for 10ml; sarahchapman.com

PACK LIGHT

TRINNY LONDON All About Skin Stack, £145; trinnylondon.com

The genius multi-tasking beauty products and miniatures you need for your next holiday B y H E L E N B R OW N

DE MAMIEL Altitude Oil, £30 for 10ml; spacenk.com

ROSIE FOR AUTOGRAPH Lip & Cheek Colour, £12.50; marksandspencer.com

AESOP Arrival Jet Set Travel Kit, £29; aesop.com

DRUNK ELEPHANT Pekee Bar, £24; cultbeauty.co.uk

SOL DE JANEIRO Coco Cabana Cream, £18 for 75ml; cultbeauty.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_Beauty_Prod.indd 71

71

24/05/2019 11:44

Some of London's finest beauty spots, reviewed by the Absolutely team

TO P T R E AT M E N T S

STILL LONDON

72

STILL LONDON

STILL LONDON

LUXURY ICELANDIC PEDICURE

S

Wo r d s F LO R A T H O M A S

TILL London opened earlier this year. It joins a burgeoning string of trendy establishments (like PRICK the cactus shop and Brilliant Corners, the sushi-selling bar and nightclub) which populate this stretch of Hackney’s Kingsland Road. The interior decor is thoughtful and creative, the walls are millennial pink and the countertops pale marble. Teamed with velvet-covered chairs, carefully placed cactuses and pendant lighting, the salon is a world away from Dalston’s more rough-and-ready competitors.

I’m here for an Iceleandic Arctic ocean soak/massage and gel pedicure using Orly 12-free nail lacquer. ‘12-free’ refers to the 12 hard-to-spell chemicals, (most notably formaldehyde which is a

known carcinogen) which are not used to produce the polish. Plus, Orly 12-free isn’t tested on animals so it’s entirely vegan. The same can be said for all the products used at STILL - cruelty-free, sustainably sourced and packaged with waste-reduction in mind.

My appointment begins with the pedicure. Influenced perhaps by my surroundings, I make a departure from my regular red and find myself enjoying a rose gold glittery polish.

It’s an immaculate job and with an upcoming trip to warmer climes I’m happy with my light, summery choice.

Initially I’m concerned that the polish’s virtuous credentials will mean it won’t last as long as its harsh, chemical-laden counterparts. However, at the time of writing we’re two weeks down the line and my toes look as lovely as they did then. Next is the luxurious sea salt soak, followed by an exfoliating scrub infused with ‘Icelandic moss, Arctic thyme and Nordic birch’. Everything smells divine.

Finally, I enjoy a foot massage using organic botanical oil made from red clover, rosehip and sea buckthorn.

My feet feel thoroughly conditioned, they’re impossibly soft and particularly pretty. For a price similar to that of a normal pedicure, it seems extremely good value. I’ll be back.

450 Kingsland Rd, Dalston, E8; Still-london.com

GINA CONWAY

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_June19_BEAUTY REVIEWS.indd 72

24/05/2019 11:54

HEALTH & BEAUTY • REVIEWS

GINA CONWAY

RW PERIO

CUT & COLOUR

T

Wo r d s P E N D L E H A R T E

here’s something appealing about having short hair in summer, and I am ready to take the plunge. Having had long, straggly hair for my entire adult life, I have begun to covet neat, blunt bob cuts. Lovely Eleanor at Gina Conway’s Westbourne Grove salon agrees, and she’s enthusiastic about my plan to lose the length. I’m also looking for some summery blonde tones, so rather than colouring needlessly, she starts by casually snipping about 10 inches off my length before turning her attention to my grown-out highlights.

We’re happily discussing everything from our working lives and families to house prices in Dublin while she effortlessly brushes three shades of mid-blonde through my locks and wraps my strands in strips of foil. When it’s time to wash the dye out, I’m treated to a luxurious head massage and beautifully scented Aveda products before the proper cutting begins.

Eleanor expertly shapes my thin (but no longer damaged) hair and a new look emerges: somewhere between my chin and my shoulder, this is a long, blunt bob with flattering blonde strands and an easy feel. She arms me with tactics for disguising the frizzy short hairline strands (rub a bit of hairspray into them) and shows me how to blow dry my new length quickly. In all, I’m delighted: my hair feels fresh and summery and I’m wondering why I never cut it short before.

62 Westbourne Grove W2; ginaconwaysalons.co.uk

GUM SPECIALIST

I

Wo r d s H E L E N B R OW N

t’s been around for a decade but balayage is making a come back.

Long-favoured by the likes of Gisele and Chrissy Teigen, this freehand hair colouring technique delivers a blended, natural look with no harsh regrowth. It’s a timeless technique, perfect for those wanting a colour update. I’m at Inanch London thinking that I want a subtle refresh, some summery blonde-caramel ends to my brunette locks and a quick chop, perhaps. My brilliant stylist, colourist and extensionist, Hasan, however has other ideas. To cut a long story short, I leave the salon with a volumised head of ashy waves that still catch me off guard in any mirror. That’s not to say I don’t love it, I really do. Hasan liberally paints peroxide and uses a phenomenal amount of foil which leaves me unsettled as he shampoos, adds a toner and applies a treatment, but once unveiled, I see that my dark roots blend incredibly seamlessly into a gorgeous and glossy, silvery blonde. It’s a triumph to think that this is achieved in one sitting. It bounces around my shoulders as I bounce out of the salon. For serious style updates, Inanch is a winner.

GINA CONWAY

P

Wo r d s F LO R A T H O M A S

FULL-HEAD BALAYAGE

220 Great Portland Street, W1W; inanch.com

GINA CONWAY

RW PERIO

INANCH LONDON INANCH LONDON

olish and perfect is a 45-minute treatment with gum specialist Dr Reena Wadia in her clean and bright clinic on Wimpole Street.

The appointment begins with an in-depth consultation to establish any specific concerns. I don’t have any, although I do think about my dental health often and genuinely look forward to appointments and the peace of mind they afford me. After an initial check I’m told, alarmingly, that I'm in the early stages of gum disease. Apparently it's common, and treatment - especially when caught early - is non-surgical and predictable. While I feel reassured I can’t pretend not to be concerned and promptly make another appointment to treat the disease. Dr Wadia gives me tailored advice based on her observations: she tells me how I should be brushing my teeth, which toothpaste I should use and, as I’ve often thought, that mouthwash is fairly pointless. I proudly tell her that I regularly use a tongue cleaner, and I’m encouraged to start flossing twice a day.

Now for the main event. It aims to remove stains that traditional scaling might miss by using a combination of fine powder particles, compressed air and water. I’m offered a choice between lemon and cherry flavour, and Dr Wadia gets to work. I experience no discomfort whatsoever, not even on my fairly sensitive back teeth. After a quick rinse, I examine the results - and I’m pleased.

My teeth look marginally whiter, but very much shinier and I leave with a bag full of interdental apparatuses, and a mouthful of squeaky clean teeth.

Lister House, 11-12 Wimpole Street, W1G rwperio.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_BEAUTY REVIEWS.indd 73

73

24/05/2019 11:55

Curiosity.

Integrity.

Compassion.

Respect.

“Through TASIS I’ve had the opportunity to learn about other people and cultures, and become a member of a global community.”

Current TASIS Student

We are an international school and community near London where the aspirations and potential of every student are fostered, nurtured, and challenged. Discover more at www.tasisengland.org Coldharbour Lane, Thorpe, Surrey TW20 8TE Call us on: 01932 582 316 Email us at: ukadmissions@tasisengland.org

THE AMERICAN SCHOOL IN ENGLAND

TASIS.indd 1

24/05/2019 13:56

HEALTH & BEAUTY • SCENT

PERFUME

Feeling Fruity Update your perfume wardrobe with the intoxicating scents of summer fruits B y M I C H A E L D O N OVA N

S

ummer officially arrives this month with the solstice - the longest day of the year - and this always puts me in celebratory mode.

There is something distinctly joyous about this time of year and I believe that the euphoria is fuelled by the smells of summer. From warm earth to mown grass, the rich, honeyed perfumes of the season conjure a languid, arcadian idyll; perhaps the most intoxicating of these are the scents of summer fruit.

The sharp bite of rhubarb and blackcurrants, the luscious sweetness of strawberries and raspberries and the pendulous, ambrosial flesh of peaches, cherries and plums. These are fragrances to raise the spirits and quicken the pulse.

San Franciscan Bruno Fazzolari’s fruity masterpiece, ‘Monserrat’, opens with a mouthwatering burst of juicy peach which is dusted with green leaves and then spritzed with a delicate, indolic jasmine. An utterly delicious cornucopia, so indicative of summer that you can hear the bees humming.

I have been wearing a new fragrance from Ineke, also based in San Francisco, called ‘Idyllwild’ and am totally hooked. This fragrance smiles, with rays of sunshine delivered by rhubarb and grapefruit over a vivid, green heart of sagebrush, fir needless and cypress. The warm spice base of oud and cardamom is the icing on the cake. Thrilled with this one, it lasts overnight - which is hard to do with rhubarb - so I smell lovely when I wake up. Another slice of California dreaming is Ineke’s ‘Evening Edged In Gold’, a beautifully refined woody, oriental fragrance of opulent extravagance. The scent opens with vibrant, revitalising top notes of ripe plum and apricot scented golden osmanthus. A luxuriously spiced heart of cinnamon and precious saffron is lent curious sweetness with the inclusion of

angel’s trumpet, before a bold, distinctive base of leather and hard wood notes closes out the scent. Utterly magical, I swear this fragrance utters sighs of contentment as it emerges for the bottle.

A gourmand fragrance of exquisite depth and refinement, Linari’s ‘Angelo Di Fiume’ is a skilful blending of fresh fruit notes with gorgeous florals and lush sweet notes. Perfumer Mark Buxton worked with Linari to create a fragrance that speaks of sensuality and sublime mystery. Edged in 22 carat gold plating, the bottle hints at the luxurious olfactory experience within. In the opening, rich notes of cherry, raspberry and orange are cut with bright bergamot, before a show stopping floral heart of rose leaves and jasmine sweeps in, bringing its voluptuous elegance to bear. In the base notes, creamy Madagascan vanilla entices, mingling with sweet patchouli for a sumptuous effect. Resinous benzoin is backed by milky sandalwood against a classic musk, making for a warmly addictive dry down.

Sweet and slightly fruity, ‘Miss Charming’ from Juliet Has A Gun is a playful fragrance that blends the delicate, summery notes of strawberry and vibrant wild rose with a mellow base of dark musk to create a beautifully balanced fragrance that is perfect for everyday wear throughout the warmer months. One of the longest running fragrances in the Juliette Has A Gun range, Miss Charming is a firm favourite amongst the team here at Roullier White.

‘Tel Aviv’ from Galivant is a bright, sunny, floral fruity fragrance.

Fresh head notes of clementine, bergamot, and blackcurrant bud wash over a floral heart of jasmine sambac absolute, Comoros’ ylang ylang, rose oil and freesia.

A warm, musky base with sandalwood, musks, Deer’s Tongue absolute (liatrix) and benzoin add a gorgeous radiant glow.

I would like to raise a glass to these succulent fruit cocktails; their relaxed, elysium musings are the olfactory equivalent of a hammock.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_Perfume.indd 75

75

24/05/2019 11:56

H EASY

Breathe Bad breath - it’s more than just embarrassing. But Sparklysmile's Bernadette, Esther and Tracey can help you freshen up during Smile Month.

By PHIL EISENBERG

76

alitosis (from the Latin halitus (exhalation) and the Greek osis (a disease-causing process), oral malodour and fetor oris are terms for what you and I know as just plain old bad breath. Bad breath has a significant impact both personally and socially on those who suffer from it, as well as those on the receiving end. And bad breath may have serious long-term effects on your quality of life. There’s even a term for people who believe or fear they have bad breath: “halitophobia.”

Each year we spend large amounts of money on fresh breath remedies and coverups, including gum, mints and mouth rinses and bad breath is one of the main reasons people visit their dentist.

Over 2000 years ago, Hippocrates suggested the use of a rinse made from herbs and wine for sweetening breath and unacceptable bad breath is found in

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

_USE_ABS_June19_Sparkly Smile Advertorial.indd 76

24/05/2019 11:57

HEALTH & BEAUTY • PROMOTION

Sparklysmile’s about 50% of middle-aged and older adults.

Sparklysmile is ideally placed to help you find out whether its cause is serious and how best you can manage it, as modern rinses may just hide a potentially serious problem leading to the loss of your teeth or worse.

IS MORNING BREATH NORMAL?

Because your mouth is dry during the night, mouth odour is usually worse upon awakening. This normal halitosis — morning breath — is universal in adults, affecting 85% or more of people.

The intensity of bad breath differs during the day as a function of oral dryness due to stress, fasting or eating certain foods (garlic, onions, meat, fish and cheese, the most likely culprits), along with smoking and alcohol consumption. When fasting, you start to metabolise more fats within your body and there may be a distinct acetone smell of ketones on your breath. In addition, if no food is ingested, the tongue coating increases and this may make the odour more intense.

This type of bad breath may be transient, often disappearing after eating, brushing one’s teeth, flossing, or rinsing with mouthwash.

Bad breath may be persistent or chronic though, which is a more serious condition.It can negatively impact your personal, social and business relationships, leading to poor self-esteem and increased stress. This is usually caused by the activity of certain types of oral bacteria and less frequently by underlying medical problems.

TIPS TO COMBAT BAD BREATH

World class oral hygiene regimes using toothbrushes, interproximal brushes and/or dental floss • Tongue cleaning with the gentle use of a tongue scraper or brush if coated • Denture hygiene if needed • Periodontal (gum) therapy with their hygienists cleaning difficult areas to reach • Removal of tooth-decay and repair of defective or broken fillings • Extraction of third molars with debristrapping gum flaps • Treatment of candidiasis (yeast infections) • Then, maybe a mouthwash

ORAL CAUSES OF CHRONIC BAD BREATH

Most unpleasant odours are known to arise from proteins trapped in the mouth that are processed by oral bacteria. There are over 600 types of bacteria found in the average mouth — yet only a dozen or so types produce foul odours and these are often found in people suffering from gum problems that may lead to losing teeth.

Another common cause of bad breath is bacteria at the back of the tongue which is relatively dry and poorly cleansed. Bacteria here thrive on remnants of food deposits, dead skin cells and post-nasal drip and the odours are characterised by the “rotten egg” smell of volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs).

Other hard-to-clean parts of the mouth may contribute to the overall odour such as broken teeth and inter-dental and sub-gingival (under the gums) areas.

Complicated or faulty dental work, , abscesses and unclean dentures may also affect your breath.

Xerostomia (dry mouth) may leave a bad odour too and this may be caused by mouth-breathing and certain medications.

Occasionally, antibiotics that suppress the normal mouth bacteria can lead to an easily treatable yeast infection called candidiasis

Bad breath may have serious long-term effects on your quality of life MEDICAL CAUSES

There are a few medical conditions that may cause halitosis, but these are much less common. Conditions that can contribute to bad breath include liver disease, lung infections, diabetes and kidney infections. However, if you suffer from halitosis you should not immediately conclude you suffer from these – it is most likely caused by something much more common.

TREATING BAD BREATH AT SPARKLYSMILE

Sparklysmile and their hygienists, Bernadette, Esther and Tracey are very experienced at finding out what types of bad breath you may have. Their advice and treatment depends very much on the causes and as most are mouth-related, they are then in a very good position to help you out. Treatment may be as simple as oral hygiene instruction, or more involved techniques such as scaling and deep cleaning with their team followed by regular maintenance visits. The aim of treatment is to create a healthier mouth by promoting more protective bacteria and showing you how to keep it as clean as possible.

If the halitosis originates from additional tooth-related problems, then their dentists can help correct these problems too for example with new fillings or removing damaged wisdom teeth.

If Sparklysmile believes your halitosis is of systemic origin (from other parts of your body), a team of specialists is easily contactable and, in such cases, treating a case of bad breath may just be a lifesaver.

Don’t delay – if you think you have bad breath then visit Sparklysmile’s team and freshen up.

PHIL EISENBERG D E N T I ST AT S PA R K LY S M I L E 19 Montpelier Vale, SE3 0TA 020 8852 0442, info@sparklysmile.co.uk sparklysmile.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

_USE_ABS_June19_Sparkly Smile Advertorial.indd 77

77

24/05/2019 11:58

View the full collection and shop online at www.lucypittaway.co.uk | E: info@lucypittaway.co.uk | T: 01748 810 965

LUCY PITTAWAY.indd 1

22/05/2019 11:26

INTERIORS

SOFT TOUCH T H E RU G CO M PA N Y

The Rug Company has launhced a new range of accessories with designer Luke Edward Hall. The quirky collection includes these lobster cushions, £135. therugcompany.com

Interior inspirations 80 • New designers at Liberty 86 • Bedroom upgrades 101 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

June19_INTERIORS OPENER.indd 79

79

24/05/2019 12:00

INTERIORS NOT E S Ideas, designs and styles for your home

By PENDLE HARTE

EYE KNOW QUENTIN JONES X HABITAT

Illustrator and mixedmedia artist Quentin Jones' first capsule collection for Habitat features a radical curation of original artworks reimagined across textiles. Structured typography, bold primary colours, fluid freehand lines and figurative elements are reworked by hand into rugs and cushions. habitat.co.uk

DISH UP HAY

Hay's enamel collection comprises an extensive series of everyday plates, dishes and kitchenware. Featuring a distinctive speckled design on a contrasting background, it is available in a wide variety of colours, shapes and sizes. hay.dk

80

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_June19_Interiors_Notes.indd 80

24/05/2019 12:06

INTERIORS • NOTES

RED ALERT Bright red pieces for the home

DARLINGS OF CHELSEA Enzo chair in leather, £871 darlingsofchelsea.co.uk

RADIO HEAD RUARK AUDIO X LINLEY

B E A N TO CU P DENBY

Denby's new Brew collection includes cups and mugs in a range of sizes plus large and small jugs, teapots, cafetieres and coffee drippers, all in Denby's stylish Studio Blue and Halo glazes. The collection is durable, practical and versatile. denbypottery.com

MARIMEKKO Oiva red teapot, £69 cloudberryliving.co.uk

The Tempo combines exquisite Linley marquetry with Ruark's award-winning technology and sound, making it probably the most collectable and desirable radio available. Each features marquetry inlays composed from four different veneers with solid sycamore front and rear edges and a soft goatskin-clad front panel. ruarkaudio.com

EDITOR’S PICK

KITCHENAID Limited edition Queen of Hearts stand mixer, £699 kitchenaid.co.uk

DYBERG LARSEN Haipot pendant light, £135.50 limelace.co.uk

B LO C K

PARTY VARANA

MADE Graphix desk in walnut and red, £149 made.com

Founded by designer Sujata Keshavan, Varana is the first stand-alone luxury retail space dedicated to artisanal expertise and the handmade from India.

Beautiful carved wooden pieces and block printed textiles are some of the beautiful pieces on display. varanaworld.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_Interiors_Notes.indd 81

81

24/05/2019 12:07

INTERIORS • TREND

FAB HAB Outdoor rug in coral, £49.95 cuckooland.com

MADE Layla cocoon bean bag, £149 made.com

MADE Friar earthenware gnome, £22 made.com

EDITOR’S PICK

MARNI Moon Walk animal stools, £568 luisaviaroma.com

LECHUZA Cube self-watering planter, £12.99 lechuza.co.uk

LECHUZA Cascada stacking planter, £19.99 lechuza.co.uk

OUT THERE INTERIORS

GARDEN PARTY

ROCKETT ST GEORGE Lavish gold ice bucket, £90 rockettstgeorge.co.uk

Outdoor garland lighting, £175 outthereinteriors.com

Decor for your outdoor spaces

By P E N D L E H A R T E

MADE Rika small woven hammock, £25 made.com

ROCKETT ST GEORGE Faux monstera plant, £36 rockettstgeorge.co.uk

MARNI Moon Walk chaise longue, £665 luisaviaroma.com

GARDEN TRADING Hampstead hanging nest chair, £350 gardentrading.co.uk

ROCKETT ST GEORGE Bamboo side tables, £160 rockettstgeorge.co.uk

82

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_June19_PRODUCTS - GARDEN.indd 82

24/05/2019 12:15

S RE R O FE ST OF IN E K NC AS INA F R

FO

Affordable choice.

Naturally.

- Stunning solid oak kitchens made in the UK - Choose from the complete range of Farrow & Ball paint colours, to ďŹ nish the look of your kitchen - The largest range of solid timber worktops in the UK

www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk 70 CHALK FARM ROAD, CAMDEN, LONDON, NW1 8AN

Fabric Mag 8th March.indd 1 DOS.indd 1

02074 857203

13/03/2019 09:06:20 21/03/2019 17:04

RD.indd 1

24/05/2019 14:59

INTERIORS • BOOKS

BOOK CLUB Five of the best new interiors tomes Words P E N D L E H A R T E

PA LLET ST Y LE Pallet Style captures the growing trend for DIY furniture made from wooden pallets, one of the most searched for items on Pinterest. An introductory section explains the different kinds of standard pallets – many of which can be sourced for free as they are so readily available. Full instructions for deconstructing a pallet are provided, together with ideas on how to source them. So, whether you want to make something in a weekend or embark on a more complex bespoke piece for your home, these projects are stylish and sustainable, from Scandiinfluenced urban apartments to rustic retreats. £20, kylebooks.com

W E AV I N G Weaving is a centuries-old craft with a fascinating history, and one that continues to evolve.

It is being revitalized today by designers, artists and modern craftspeople all over the world: from wall-hangings and

N O R TH E R N CO M FO R T carpets to art installations and technological tours-de-force.

Weaving – Contemporary Makers on the Loom presents a survey of this vibrant revival, with profiles of over twenty contemporary weavers.

Author Katie Treggiden’s essays explore the craft’s relationship with themes such as emancipation, migration and new technologies. £30, ludion.be

K ITC H E N LI V I N G Kitchen Living delves into the space where we now spend most of our time, lookgin at current technology and trends that have allowed these spaces to become more experimental.

From kitchen designers to food writers to photographers, this is a voyage through the kitchen interiors that inspire the people who have made food their life.

Draw inspiration and learn life hacks on how subtle touches can create mighty solutions. £40, gestalten.com

Scandinavian design and creativity are synonymous with cozy homes and architecture that combine style with tradition, indoors with outdoors, natural materials with rich colors, and playfulness with clarity. Northern Comfort – The Nordic Art of Creative Living brings together the people, endeavors, and ideas that best embody this way of life, focusing on interior design while also venturing into the outdoors, the kitchen, and the atelier. £40, gestalten.com

M I D - C E N T U RY

M O D E R N LI V I N G

Written by Keith Stephenson and Mark Hampshire from Mini Moderns, the renowned interiors brand which specialises in applied pattern across a varied range of products, this is a comprehensive guide to mid-century pattern and style. It's a beautifully photographed book in which Keith and Mark delve into the cornerstones of mid-century style and share their secrets on how to bring together the things you love to create your own look. They also include inspirational case studies, to demonstrate particular looks such as Beatnik Beach House and Scandi Rustic to Ocean Blue and Studio Townhouse.. £20, octopusbooks.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS june 19_Books.indd 85

85

24/05/2019 12:22

PALACE GARDEN ELEMENTS BY CATHERINE ROWE

PAT T E R N C U TS How 2019’s Open Call resulted in four fabulous new additions to the Liberty fabric collection Wo r d s P E N D L E H A R T E

86

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_June19_LIBERTY OPEN CALL.indd 86

24/05/2019 12:31

INTERIORS • SPOTLIGHT

L

ast September, Liberty launched a mission to find the next big artistic talent in the UK, inviting artists, creators and designers to upload a photo of their work to Instagram using #LibertyOpenCall for the chance to have it immortalised in iconic Liberty fabric. From digital drawing to illustration, over 5,000 incredible entries rolled in across a widerange of artistic mediums.

By encouraging the design and craft community around Liberty to directly contribute to the designs they wanted to see in store, the well-loved Liberty fabric collections will be shaped and moulded by the people who love them the most.

With over 7,600 votes the judging panel selected four incredible talents: Natasha Coverdale, Duncan Grant, Emma Hill and Catherine Rowe, who now take their place alongside a lineup of design icons to sell their prints exclusively in Liberty for Spring/Summer 2019.

Using social media to tap into art and design communities across the British Isles, more people than ever were able to submit their creations. Through this, Liberty has grown its customer community by involving them in design, decision-making and ultimately investing in the very fabric of Liberty.

This year’s Liberty Open Call prize also puts the winners at the center of their print’s journey, including time spent developing the print alongside the design team, as well as a trip to Liberty’s fabric mill in Italy, where they will watch as the winning fabrics are printed.

GRAFFITI SUMMER BY EMMA HILL

The winners, in their own words...

Emma Hill

I

’m self-taught: my art education is based on eight years of intensive searching for art and culture during my days travelling worldwide as cabin crew for British Airways. I am an art instructor at Arthouse Unlimited, a charity working with adults with complex epilepsy and learning difficulties. In between juggling my work and family life, I paint pictures.

My artwork is created with acrylic paint on canvas. My abstract paintings are raw, self-expressive and contemporary, blurring the lines between impressionism and graffiti. They are spontaneous and intuitive, expressive and emotionally charged. While my artworks are large, they give a sense of freedom. Liberty Open Call found me, randomly appearing in my instagram feed.

My winning entry was a painting that I completed the day before the entry opened. This painting’s starting point is inspired by the sea and the sky, it reminds me of the moment at the end of a storm, as the wild forces of nature embrace calmness and beauty. It is called Graffiti Summer because it takes me back to last summer and my daughter’s 14th birthday. I took

“Liberty Open Call found me by randomly appearing in my Instagram feed”

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_LIBERTY OPEN CALL.indd 87

87

24/05/2019 12:31

NATASHA COVERDALE

“Recognition by Liberty is like winning gold in the desigin Olympics”

MIDNIGHT IN JUPITER GARDEN BY NATASHA COVERDALE

photos of her with graffiti in Camden and although the painting doesn’t look like any of the graffiti we saw, I think my painting has a similar raw energy and vibrancy.

There must be something special about seeing your own design on fabric for the first time, as it is being printed. I am very much looking forward to working with the Liberty team. I’m excited about the idea of what I have made simply as a painting, which now within design can push the boundaries and possibilities further, developing it into something new and unique.

Natasha Coverdale

I

am a self-employed designer working from my studio in Hove, Sussex.

I have been in this glorious field for over 15 years;I have an MA in Design and I manage two websites - natashacoverdale. com for graphic design and studiocoverdale. com for delicious floral prints. I also dabble in Escape Room interior design…

I am fascinated with the folklore of plants, fashion history and swoon over any faded

88

grandeur. I love English Heritage and any authentically produced period drama.

I am mainly digital, and work with a Wacom Pen and tablet, drawing straight into Adobe Illustrator. But I am never too far away from a Posca Pen, paper and my Lino cutting tools. I would describe my style as joyous but seductive, luxury with a pinch of playful. A colourful escape from reality.

Having lived in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Texas I think that these bold and vibrant places have also proved inspirational to me.

My floral prints have a tiny hidden Iguana named Derek in them… he has punk hair and a heart tattoo.

I found out about the Open Call when it started, a good few years ago, and I queued up around the block from 5am with my portfolio. I was inspired to continue to enter because in my mind recognition by Liberty has always been like winning gold in the design Olympics. My winning piece is actually a crop of a print I was working on in the summer. Its scale and colours caught my eye - it was piece on its own. It’s an honour that someone would enjoy my work enough to buy it, and even more wonderful to be creative with it. The design is very versatile and so could work as a wild jacket or sumptuous cushion cover. Anything in large scale would really let the detail sing I’d love a quilt.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_June19_LIBERTY OPEN CALL.indd 88

24/05/2019 12:31

INTERIORS • SPOTLIGHT

SMALL GREEN TOWN BY DUNCAN GRANT

Duncan Grant

M

y style is eclectic and slightly deranged. A combination of pattern, impressionism and imagination bought to life on canvas / paper.

A friend said I should enter as I’ve heard before that my work could look good as fabric. My winning design is unique but is one of a family of over 50 designs called “Small Towns”.

I’m hoping that I will get more opportunities in fabric design and more commercial work that will allow me to spend time creating art. It will be great seeing the fabric coming off the mill and being used to create other Liberty pieces.

CATHERINE ROWE

Catherine Rowe

I

work with scraperboard - a medium that gives an engraving or relief print type of effect. The scraperboard artwork is black and white originally and so I scan it in and colour it digitally.

I like to hope my artwork style is difficult to place in time. I am hugely inspired by late 19th century arts and crafts movement artists, whose work has stood the test of time so remarkably. I hope mine will do the same. My work is quite traditional and classic, always involving wildlife and nature.

I have often received the very wonderful compliment that my works look as though it belongs in Liberty! I never thought it actually would make its way in though. A friend tagged me on instagram about the competition.

I created Palace Gardens specifically for the Liberty Open Call. I love my patterns to have a story behind them. Palace Gardens is all about a very beautiful British summer’s day in an amazing garden of a palace. The rabbit & dog are inspired by Staffordshire pottery figures from the early 20th century - I imagine them to be on the windowsill in the palace looking onto the beautiful gardens, which are full of all the other natural elements in the design - berries, blackbirds, tulips and fruit.

I’m very excited about going to Italy to see the fabric being printed. I’d love to see Palace Gardens made into a beautiful dress.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_LIBERTY OPEN CALL.indd 89

89

24/05/2019 12:32

bartholomewlandscaping landscape architecture & garden design

Concept to Reality • Creating & developing beautiful gardens for over 25 years

BL.indd 1

• Chelsea Flower Show medalists

+44 (0)20 7931 8685

• BALI multi award winners

gardens@bartholomewlandscaping.com

www.bartholomewlandscaping.com

23/05/2019 10:27

INTERIORS • ICONS

T H E L E G AC Y D E N BY P OT T E RY Wo r d s PENDLE HARTE

D DENBY’S CURRENT HALO COLLECTION

The strength and quality of Derbyshire clay led to the formation of Denby Pottery TIBOR REICH FOR DENBY, 1950S

enby Pottery is a British institution.

Everyone will find Denby pieces that remind them of their grandparents’ houses and their parents’ homes – while the new collections continue to build on the brand’s heritage to produce stylish pieces for contemporary homes.

In 1809, entrepreneur William Bourne discovered the strength and quality of Derbyshire clay and set up a factory employing local craftsmen, naming it after the village of its base and kicked off the tradition of jollying, fettling and handcrafting.

Over the years, Denby developed secret glaze recipes that when fired to the right temperatures give each piece its unique and durable surface. The Majolica glaze is over 100 years old. In the 1920s, as the nation emerged from the darkness of the wartime years, the vibrant Electric Blue glaze captured the cheerfulness of peacetime. More recently, Denby’s designers have reflected its captivating glaze effect in modern designs including Halo and Praline.

Into the 1940s, wartime restrictions meant that Denby ran out of all other glazes apart from Utility Brown, which was aptly named as craftsmen rallied together and filled the kilns with practical

CHEVRON, 1960S

teapots, rum bottles for the navy and even telegraphic insulators and battery jars to aid the war effort.

In the 1950s designer Tibor Reich, the son of a Hungarian ribbon manufacturer, created eclectic designs for Denby which graced the inside of No 10 Downing Street and Concorde, putting Denby firmly on the design map. Tibor’s pottery was often described as ‘Picasso-like’ and had its admirers and critics. Tibor also advised on colour and patterns for several of Denby’s other ranges at that time.

The Chevron collection, produced between 1962 and 1978, was an outstanding success in Britain and USA. Denby’s Natural Canvas collection, launched in 2016, takes inspiration and pays homage to Chevron and is every bit as alluring for a modern audience. It is made at Denby’s original pottery in Derbyshire, still made by skilled artisans using high quality, locally sourced clay. Each unique piece is individually and expertly glazed to give warmth as well as prevent chipping for enhanced durability and lasting appeal.

Denby’s current ranges Halo and Azure really come to life in the kiln. With tiny particles of glaze, exacting temperatures and a little specialist know-how, Denby continues to create pottery works of art. denbypottery.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_LEGACY DENBY.indd 91

91

24/05/2019 12:39

Enhancing the kerb appeal of the finest homes for over 30 years London Door Company has become synonymous with beautiful, handcrafted doors, that not only add value to our clients’ properties but are also exceptionally secure, providing total peace of mind. Each door is specified and installed by experienced, time-served craftsmen using the highest quality materials, including premium locking systems and exquisite ironmongery.

For a FREE brochure or a design visit go to LONDONDOOR.CO.UK or call 0845 646 0690 BATTERSEA SHOWROOM 153 St Johns Hill, London SW11 1TQ

PENGE SHOWROOM 67 High Street, Penge SE20 7HW

A member of BHID Group

LDC.indd 1 Jun_AbsolutelyLifestyle_D-ABSL01.indd 1

22/05/2019 16/05/2019 11:38 15:32

INTERIORS • TREND EDITOR’S PICK

IITTALA Kastehelmi vase, £42 iittala.com

MARIMEKKO Mini vase in green, £20 marimekko.com

ORLA KIELY HOUSE Layered vase in pink, £50 johnlewis.com

ANOTHER COUNTRY Brack Vase by Tanya Gomez, £285 anothercountry.com

KAHLER Omaggio vase medium, £43 nordicnest.com

COX & COX

BLOOMINGVILLE Handmade grey stoneware vase, £22 hurnandhurn.com

PRETTY STEMS

Tapered green vase, £30 coxandcox.co.uk

All the loveliest vases for summer blooms

By P E N D L E H A R T E

PRINTER + TAILOR Klevering vase Aya, £30 printerandtailor.com

HAY

LSA

Bubble vase, £24.90 connox.com

Canopy vase, £22 lsa-international.com

HILARY AND FLO Green Ceramic Ripple Vase with Brass Trim, £30 hilaryandflo.co.uk

ABS_June19_PRODUCTS - VASES.indd 93

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

93

24/05/2019 12:41

ART HOUSE 94

When architect Guy Stansfeld first saw this Victorian villa in Holland Park, it was divided into four flats. Absolutely quizzes him about its total transformation Words P E N D L E H A R T E

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME_Dec18_846 PROJECT .indd 94

24/05/2019 12:45

INTERIORS • FOCUS

T

his project involved the reconversion and extension of a semi-detached Victorian villa which had been carved up into four separate flats. Among the clients’ priorities was to have generous living spaces with ample room to display a large private art collection. A strong sense of light throughout was also desired, especially in the new basement rooms.

A simple pallet of materials runs through the house. There is a pale oak herringbone floor on the upper levels and a cast in-situ power floated concrete floor at the lower levels which, together with painted plaster walls, were chosen as a backdrop for more distinctive furniture and artwork throughout. Wall panelling was employed in the TV nook and ground floor study to create more intimate spaces. Extensive built-in joinery throughout makes efficient use of the space available as well as adding accent colours to various rooms.

The staircase features a simple ribbon of solid plaster balustrade with timber handrail, supported by bespoke cast brass brackets. At the rear of the house, new rear extensions make use of glazed terrace floors, which also act as rooflights, bringing in generous amounts of natural light.

Q The house is beautiful. How big was the project and where did you begin?

A Thank you. The house is not large by west London standards, but the project was a significant undertaking as it involved an

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

HOME_Dec18_846 PROJECT .indd 95

95

24/05/2019 12:45

D E S I G N | INTERIORS

almost total rebuild of the original house, including a large new basement, on a tight, tricky site.

Q What was the brief?

A The brief was to create a comfortable

family home, maximising available light and space and to accommodate an extensive art collection.

Q How did you change the building’s layout?

A The two really significant changes were the creation of a new basement and a total reworking of the original staircase. The house was divided into four flats when we began so there is pretty much nothing left of the original layout.

Q There are lots of glass doors and partitions. Can you tell us about them?

A We wanted to create a sense of openness throughout the house, in particular within and between the principal floors. There was some conflict between this desire and the need to create functional spaces that could be used separately and privately. Glazed partitions provide the best of both worlds, creating separation but retaining the strong visual connections that we sought.

Q How was the storage created?

A Storage has been created on every level.

It has all been integrated in such a way as to minimise its visual impact and use

‘leftover’ space as much as possible.

The brief demanded a large art store which has been incorporated into the basement behind a huge secret door.

Q The staircase is a beautiful shape - and the halls seem so wide. Can you tell us about that?

A The staircase is in fact very modest in size but the simple white sculptural shapes, huge window and skylight and the narrow double-height volume all make it feel larger than it really is. The rooms are all simple rectangular spaces so we wanted the circulation spaces to be a bit softer and more organic.

Q Can you describe the colour scheme and the materials used? a The materials palette has been kept very simple. White walls, a mix of polished concrete and oak parquet on the floors, black Crittal windows and subtle details highlighted in brass.

The idea was to make calm, beautiful spaces and to let the owners’ collection of beautiful art and furniture shine. We were lucky enough to have a client with a fantastic eye for style and colour. We worked very closely together to ensure a seamless continuity between the architecture and interior design.

318.studio

96

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME_Dec18_846 PROJECT .indd 96

24/05/2019 12:47

MS.indd 1

24/05/2019 12:54

98

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_June19_Anna_Burles.indd 98

24/05/2019 12:54

INTERIORS • SPOTLIGHT

N EW fo r OLD Anna Burles and Retro Living launch a collection of reinvented and reupholstered classic pieces. Absolutely admires it Words P E A R L B OY D

I

nterior designer Anna Burles from Run For The Hills has just completed a super cool and creative collaboration with Malcolm Russell of vintage store Retro Living. The duo have come together to curate a range of beautifully restored and collectable furniture pieces; reupholstered, reinvented and restyled using a selection of fashion forward fabrics and finishes selected by Anna.

Retro Living is a haven for mid-century design, ranging from renowned designers such as Niels Moller, Arne Jacobson, Dyrlund and Hans Wegner. Each object is personally chosen by Malcolm Russell, who founded the store.

Anna Burles runs award-winning boutique interior design studio Run For The Hills, specialising in the design of highly original and conceptual commercial and residential spaces. Her interiors are full of individuality, innovative surprises and hidden creative touches, styling modern and traditional spaces in conceptual ways, devising exciting schemes full of creative

The 1930s armchairs are finished in gorgeous patterns and colours

touches and artfully juxtaposing eclectic finds, vintage classics and antique s with modern next generation design and high street gems. Her client list includes wellknown and stylish private individuals, music stars and well-known hospitality and retail brands. She even designed for the Queen during the Coronation Festival.

She runs the business with her artist and graphic designer husband, Chris (aka “Dex”) and they also specialise in hospitality design, including concepting a new Boutique Cinema, Bar & Cafe in Bath, and Kricket’s new restaurant at the iconic Television Centre. On the residential side, they are currently refurbishing a huge, light-filled large apartment within an iconic shorefront grand hotel in Nice and styling the London home of pop star Ellie Goulding, with whom Anna’s worked for many years.

Anna and Malcolm’s first collection includes a range of 1930s Deco-style armchairs by Jindrich Halabala, finished in a gorgeous suite of patterns and colours from fabric company Arley House and

Linwood textiles. Also available is a range of single armchairs and pairs, all beautifully restored and re-upholstered in fabrics shot through with Anna’s trademark style, restored with care by Malcolm and his team of artisans.

RETRO LIVING 7a Church Street, NW8 retroliving.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_Anna_Burles.indd 99

99

24/05/2019 12:54

Start Your Adventure Part of the

family

Go Anywhere... micralite.com MICRALITE.indd 1 Untitled-5 1

23/05/2019 23/05/2019 16:57 16:37

INTERIORS • BEDROOMS

SLEEP TIGHT LOAF

Loaf's Smoothie bed takes the classic French bed and gives it a midcentury makeover. It comes in lovely light oak with a sandblasted finish and there's plenty of space for underbed storage. £995 for the king size. loaf.com

NIGHT WAT C H I M P R O V E YO U R S L E E P WITH THESE BEDROOM UPGRADES

SHEET MUSIC

RISE AND FALL

Rise and Fall's sustainable cotton bedlinen is super soft and comfortable, whether in the 100 or 400 thread count versions. The whole range is reasonable priced too. riseandfall.co A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_Sleep.indd 101

101

24/05/2019 12:57

Mayfield B OA R D I N G & DAY S CHO O L FO R GIR L S AGED 11 TO 18

OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC RESULTS • SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE EXTENSIVE CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME EXEMPLARY PASTORAL CARE & NURTURING ENVIRONMENT SET IN THE BEAUTIFUL SUSSEX COUNTRYSIDE FLEXI, WEEKLY AND FULL BOARDING OPTIONS WEEKEND RETURN BUS TO LONDON CLOSE PROXIMITY TO LONDON AIRPORTS MINIBUS SERVICE ACROSS SUSSEX AND KENT

Open Mornings

THURSDAY 19 TH SEPTEMBER 2019 TUESDAY 5 TH NOVEMBER 2019

TO ARRANGE A VISIT PLEASE CONTACT OUR REGISTRAR, MRS SHIRLEY COPPARD, REGISTRAR@MAYFIELDGIRLS.ORG

WWW.MAYFIELDGIRLS.ORG

MAYFIELD.indd A4 1 Ad (Sep & Nov).indd 1 MAY_TDA33119

01/05/2019 09:33 10:56 30/04/2019

INTERIORS • BEDROOMS T H E L O W D O W N

P I L LOWS SPRING FORWARD HERDY SLEEP

The herdysleep mattress blends the most natural fibres with advanced pocket spring technology for the ultimate night’s sleep.

Hand-crafted in the UK using traditional techniques, over 100 years of expertise goes into every lovingly made luxury mattress. herdysleep.com

BESPOKE NANU

Nanu's pillows are designed according to your size and sleeping position, to provide the optimum in comfort and support.

We love ours. £35 nanusleep.co.uk

COMFORT PURE URBAN COLLECTIVE

Urban Collective cotton/linen blend bedsheets promise to deliver the linen look with a softer feel, if that's possible. The duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases are designed to improve with use.

We love the set in Keepsake Lilac, pictured. urbancollective.com

WOOL HERDY SLEEP

Supportive, soft and quick to bounce back, a wool pillow draws moisture away from the skin for a steady temperature. It’s also naturally dust mite free. £69 herdysleep.com

LOVE LINEN CARAVANE

The beauty of Caravane's Selena bedlinen collection lies in its exceptional craftsmanship. These are fine linen fibres, harvested and woven in Europe and dyed using a special piece-dyeing technique that creates unique shades and ensures that no two pieces are ever exactly the same. The range comes in a vast array of shades for mixing and matching. caravane.co.uk

GOOSE DOWN SOAK & SLEEP

Both supportive and soft , Soak & Sleep's Ultimate Hungarian goose down pillow is rated by Which? and delivers all the comfort you could ever want. £80 soakandsleep.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_Sleep.indd 103

103

24/05/2019 12:57

Benenden School invites you to an evening discovering how to help teenage girls achieve their best

STRETCH WITHOUT STRESS ~ How a creative curriculum enables girls to thrive ~ How Modern Boarding supports academic success and wellbeing

We look forward to presenting two key messages about how modern boarding can help girls to achieve their very best: How to challenge girls so that they not only achieve excellent academic results but leave school with a love of learning and a set of skills that fit her to meet the challenges of her personal and professional life in the years ahead.

What boarding looks like in the 21st century, the benefits to pupils and to families and how boarding plays an integral part in a girl’s academic and cocurricular achievements as well as her health.

At Wotton House Hotel Guildford Road, Dorking RH5 6QQ Thursday 6 June 2019 at 6.30pm RSVP: www.benenden.school/wottonhouse or email Sarah Davies: registry@benenden.school Drinks and canapĂŠs

BENENDEN.indd 1

02/05/2019 09:33

INTERIORS • DESIGN

M e t a l

H E A D S

Absolutely discovers Italian family-run brand Formae: ‘a pop spirit and a design soul’ Words P E N D L E H A R T E

F

ree forms guided by wonderfully sleek aesthetics is what Formae is all about: furnishings with a lighthearted, yet distinctive influence.

Based in the heart of the Tuscan valleys, the Formae brand is a family company. Skilled metalworker Gennaro Tramonti creates unique objects made of metal together with his children, Simone and Laura, in the family’s true calling.

Formae’s pieces are characterised by design creativity and a search for beauty modelled into deliberately simple forms: pure geometries and linear surfaces in which the ideal of less is more is embodied and enhanced by artisan craftsmanship.

Formae’s range of furniture and accessories are designed to be functional domestic A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_CFORMAE.indd 105

105

24/05/2019 13:00

Patios & Brick Work | Fencing & Decking Summer Houses Victorian Pathways and much more

Kitchen & Bathroom | Fitting Kitchen & Bathroom CAD Design | Bespoke Wardrobes | Electrical & Plumbing phillip@acadia-homes-gardens.co.uk www.acadia-homes-gardens.co.uk

CALL NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION 0208 037 8615

AHAG.indd 1

25/04/2019 11:57

North America’s favourite designer paint brand now available at

Eltham DIY Ltd 3,500 stunning colours Exceptional quality Expert service

020 8850 1781 sales@elthamdiy.co.uk ELTHAM DIY.indd 1

• PCL HALVES/QUARTERS.indd 2

118-120 Westmount Road, Eltham, Royal Greenwich, London, SE9 1UT

Monday – Saturday 8am – 5pm 22/05/2019 11:43

24/05/2019 15:15

INTERIORS • DESIGN

“Pure geometries and linear surfaces enact the idea that less is more”

presences, with wonderfully sleek aesthetics which are unashamedly a little poppy.

The design cues reference Scandi style and lessons from Memphis, interpreted through a simple, contemporary design language.

The artistic director is Leonardo Fortino, a young designer who nevertheless boasts extensive experience in the metal production sector; his formal research process centres on geo-metry, revisited through a process of summary and simplification.

The collections feature a colour palette of pastel tones which are at the same time warm and vibrant, half-way between the North Sea and the Mediterranean.

Estensioni is the brand’s first collection, which officially marks its passage from Car-Met toFormae; It is composed of visually light objects, where geometric linearity and graphical accents are accentuated only by the artisan processes – laser cutting, welding, mechanical connection,manual bending and punching – used during their creation. The final painting process then confersa texture with a porous effect which allows the colour palette of neutral and pastel tones to maintain a warm, tactile note.

Part of the Estensioni collection, the products Engioi, Ambrogio and Half Moon can be considered illustrative of Formae’s entire production due to their style and manufacturing characteristics. formaecollection.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_CFORMAE.indd 107

107

24/05/2019 13:01

JUMEIRAH.indd 1

23/04/2019 15:24

TRAVEL

SUMMER IN SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA

From desert adventures to Old Town discoveries, a burgeoning culinary scene and a vibrant art district, the sky’s the limit in Scottsdale, Arizona. We explore the best of the city with Experience Scottsdale. experiencescottsdale.com

Desert Adventures in Arizona 112 • Coastal Beauty in Cornwall 116 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_Travel_Opener.indd 109

109

24/05/2019 13:02

CUTLASS.indd 3

22/11/2018 14:57

TRAVEL • LUGGAGE

1 C A S E S T U D Y ALL YOUR PACKING PROBLEMS SOLVED

1

HARD BARGAIN ANTLER

100-year old British brand Antler has launched a new website with stylish new ranges including Juno, a collection of hard cases that are strong, scratch resistant and ultralightweight. Super roomy and easy to manoeuvre thanks to 360 degree rotating wheels, these are practical and stylish too. From £159; antler.co.uk

2

WHEELS UP AWAY

Away's clever wheelie case contains two neat compartments with straps to compress your clothes, a hidden laundry bag and an assortment of travel plugs.

Best of all, there's a removable portable charger stashed in a special compartment. It comes in a wide range of sizes from carry on to large. From £225; awaytravel.com

4

2

3

LINE UP KIPLING

Kipling's new Travel Light collection includes a vast selection of totes, cabin bags and duffles – we love the Darcey, a soft four-wheel spinner with a handy front pocket that comes in the cool Scribble Lines print among other colourways. £126; kipling.com

4

MAKE ROOM BRIGGS & RILEY

5

3

The expansion-compression design of Briggs & Riley's Sympatico collection is the first of its kind and allows for 25% more packing space.

Available in a range of sizes, each case expands and compresses with zipless technology, making them the ideal choice for overzealous packers. From £449; johnlewis.com

5

LUXU RY T R AV E L GLOBETROTTER

A Globetrotter bag is the ultimate airport status symbol.

SS19's collection includes the hand-made Riviera range in candy shades and stripes, made from vulcanised fibreboard with leather belts and corners. There's a handy trolley case as well as a large suitcase and various other bags. From £1,260; globe-trotter.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_LUGGAGE.indd 111

111

24/05/2019 13:05

“A desert oasis of resorts with breathtaking vistas and outdoor activities” 112

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_June19_ ARIZONA.indd 112

24/05/2019 13:09

TRAVEL • AMERICA

The NEW

WEST We explore Scottdale, Arizona, a thrilling desert city where the Wild West meets the new West Wo r d s H E L E N B R O W N

A

s states go, Arizona is pretty spectacular. Of course there are the showstoppers - the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Cathedral Rock. But it’s the handful of localised micro-climates and the multiple terrains that make for such interesting travelling.

Within the near 300,000 square kilometers that make up the state, there are the blisteringly hot summers and desert climate of the south, the forests of pine and Douglas fir trees in the north and the large, deep canyons and craggy mountain ranges that crawl up from the south into the central region. On top of that, if you’re so inclined to risk your limbs in a pair of skis on a snowy mountain, there are three resorts to choose from.

It’s Arizona’s gorgeous climate and magnificent desert scenery that are the main draw. Buckets of southwestern soul can be soaked up in Scottsdale, a city located to the east of Phoenix. Known as Arizona’s luxury watering hole, Scottsdale has shaken off its Wild West façade, becoming an upmarket oasis of Sonoran mountainside resorts, outdoor activities and a vibrant food scene. One of the city’s standouts is its world-class spas; people flock to the area for some much-needed pampering. It’s the perfect escape during cooler months, with mild temperatures

and an enviable amount of sunshine - typically around 300 sunny days in a year. All this makes for endless opportunities for relaxation and adventure. You’ll sip tequila amongst the saguaro cacti, enjoy a smorgasbord of spectacular architecture and soak up the astounding beauty of the desert.

Some of Arizona’s best resorts can be found in Scottsdale. One such is the endlessly chic Mountain Shadows, so called for its location at the foot of Camelback Mountain. Here you’ll find a distinctly cool crowd; they breeze through the slick lobby before settling into a private pool cabana with a chilled bottle of rosé. The property dates back to the 1950s when it attracted the likes of John Wayne and Elizabeth Taylor. The resort’s glamorous past with Hollywood’s finest is documented in black and white pictures lining the walls. Another notable feature is the glass-walled shower which stands centre stage in each signature deluxe room.

Perhaps even more historically fascinating is the nearby Hotel Valley Ho. Aside from the flat screen TVs and internet access, the place is a midcentury timewarp. Spacious rooms have oak credenzas and Saarinen chairs, and the spa is a destination in itself. Located in downtown Scottsdale, the hotel was a celebrity hotpot when it opened in the '50s, playing host to Bing Crosby, Tony Curtis and Zsa Zsa Gabor – Richard Wagner and Natalie Wood even got married here. Revamped and reopened in 2005, the property remains a popular spot for visitors and locals, who come A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_ ARIZONA.indd 113

113

24/05/2019 13:12

S D N HOU he on t

H T A HE the ut for all o y a d e m A pawso

Each day, discovery

family!

14 July 2019 11am–4pm

Hampstead Heath Cricket Pitch, (opposite the Parliament Hill Café)

VIP-judged dog show Temptation Alley Agility Course Veggie and vegan food Refreshments Stalls

From September 2020 Eltham College will become a fully co-educational day school when we begin to welcome both girls and boys for entry in Years 3 and 7, as well as our existing co-educational Sixth Form.

For more information and to find out about our upcoming open days visit www.elthamcollege.london

FIND OUT MORE AT

www.themayhew.org/hounds-on-the-heath or call 020 8206 5872 Sponsored by

Grove Park Road, London SE9 4QF

EC.indd 1 • PCL HALVES/QUARTERS.indd 3

29/04/2019 10:22 24/05/2019 14:11

TRAVEL • AMERICA

HOTEL VALLEY HO

MOUNTAIN SHADOWS

You don’t visit Arizona without cramming in a taco or ten for the weekend pool parties and throwback glamour. The newer tower rooms offer a more contemporary design, while the historic hotel section is a paragon of midcentury design married with modern amenities. The Hyatt Regency is another resort worth writing down, most notably for its exemplary spa which has a Himalyan salt room, a French celtic mineral pool and a seamingly endless treatment menu. While the city thrums with adventure and high-end offerings, a glimmer HYATT REGENCY SCOTTSDALE RESORT

of the Wild West can be seen in Scottsdale’s Old Town. Museums and the Arts District celebrate the deep-rooted heritage of the Hopi, a Native American tribe who have populated the state for centuries. For a unique museum experience, visit Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West to engage in Arizona's cowboy culture. You'll also definitely want to visit the crown-jewel of Scottsdale’s architecture scene, Taliesin West. Situated in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, Taliesin West is the former winter residence and school of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It spans 600 acres and offers visitors a fascinating look into the life of Wright, who built this place as a sort of utopian desert paradise for himself and his students.

Scottsdale is best experienced by way of the outdoors, so be sure to pack your trainers. If you love hiking, head to Camelback Mountain for a challenging workout that rewards with amazing views from the top. Trails around the McDowell Sonoran Preserve are less taxing but rank just as highly on the nature front. Spanning nearly 30,000 acres, the preserve offers a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts: rock climbing, bird watching, horseback riding, and wildflower viewing, to name a few. By far the most superior way to explore the desert though, is from the lofty heights of a hot air balloon. The view from above really is astounding, especially when paired with a truly spectacular sunrise. Trust us when we say that the 4am wake up call is worth it. But there really is no limit to the ways in which you can get around when you’re back on the ground. If you’ve still not seen enough, with Stellar Adventures you can zoom through the landscape on a quad bike (but wear old clothes because the dust is extreme). You

can even paddle through the desert with a guided excursion on the Lower Salt River with Arizona Outback Adventures.

You don’t visit Arizona without cramming in a taco or ten; Mexican cuisine is a cornerstone of the state's culinary offering after all. The Mission is a kind of gothic Spanish Catina that dishes out modern Latin food. You must order the table-side guacamole, no one works an avocado like these guys - they've even given the classic margarita a spin with the stuff. You can enjoy traditional southwestern cuisine just about anywhere in Scottsdale, but for something special, FnB is a charmingly petite restaurant and arguably one of the state’s most well known culinary destinations. Chef Charleen Badman was named James Beard Foundation’s 2019 Best Chef: Southwest this month, following five consecutive nominations. Big in both flavour and creativity, her tasty and seasonal vegetable dishes make for a fabulous evening of eating. Ingredients are sourced from top local farmers, proving that Arizona has a robust agricultural sector, while the impressive wine menu showcases the state’s blossoming viticulture scene.

This catch-all destination really does make for a fascinating trip. From dining to adventure, scenery to spas, you’d be hard pushed to find a traveller who leaves Scottsdale unfulfilled.

Rooms at Mountain Shadows start from £126 per room, per night. mountainshadows.com • Rooms at Hotel Valley Ho start from £143 per room, per night. hotelvalleyho.com • Rooms at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch start from £133 per room, per night. hyatt.com • For further information on Scottsdale, visit experiencescottsdale.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_ ARIZONA.indd 115

115

24/05/2019 13:15

Go WILD Whether or not you have the weather, Gwel an Mor is an excellent Cornish family destination

By PENDLE HARTE

O

ne of life’s greatest happinesses is when your trip to Cornwall coincides with a heatwave.

The long tidal beach at Portreath is a wonderful place to spread out on the sand, or coast a wave on a bodyboard.

It’s a popular spot but less crowded than some of Cornwall’s hotspots and it’s easily worth the punishing drive from London.

At first, Gwel an Mor resort strikes us as alpine – clusters of wooden chalets with pitched roofs and cheery yellow painted window frames remind us of Switzerland, but we’re not staying in the main site.

Slightly set apart is the newer Residence Collection, whose single-storey, wood-clad lodges are spacious and slightly futuristic, not Swiss so much as maybe virtual reality.

Our wide decked terrace faces a wide open field and isn’t overlooked by anyone – immediately we throw open the bi-fold doors and the place is filled with sunlight.

116

While Gwel an Mor, like most places, is better in the sunshine, it’s not absolutely necessary – and of course you’re quite likely not to have great weather. No matter – they have thought of that. The interior is comfortable, complete with wood burner, squishy sofas and large television for when you’re indoors, and a bubbling sunken hot tub in the decking that makes the terrace useable in all weathers. And if you have small children to entertain on a rainy day, there’s a vast soft play barn with its own Clip’n’Climb franchise as well an indoor pool and an extensive programme of activities, including archery, fishing and more.

We’re signed in for Meet the Animals at 10am on Sunday and I’m expecting bunnies, maybe goats, probably chickens. We are slightly surprised to find adults with no children among the group, but when we get to the end of the tour, we’re amazed to discover that two hours have passed. This is no ordinary hamster-handling exercise. Gary is a real animal-whisperer, a charismatic fount

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_June19_TRAVEL_CORNWALLindd.indd 116

24/05/2019 13:17

TRAVEL • UK

of knowledge and enthusiasm about everything to do with animals – he’s less keen on the people who fail to look after them properly. We start with pygmy goats before meeting an emu (“she’s so attached to me that she won’t eat when I’m here” and some exotic chickens; then there are reindeer (it’s not even Christmas) and inside the barn ferrets and a weasel, rats and a snake, which we are all invited to hold. Gary’s menagerie is lovingly maintained, to the extent that it includes animals not usually thought of as tame or domesticated. Before we see the foxes we are told to keep our voices down and not

Gary’s menagerie is lovingly maintained, to the extent that it includes animals not usually thought of as tame or domesticated to frighten them. Yes, there are foxes – and under Gary’s expert guidance, we are all able to stroke them, hand-feed them and even – this is no joke – to be kissed by them.

We bend our faces and Mr Fox reaches out his nose and actually kisses us. For those of us used to the mangy zombie foxes that skulk around London, it’s a revelation.

No wonder fox fur coats used to be so popular, someone points out – the softness is amazing. After the foxes, we admire a whiter-than-white fluffy barn owl, which swoops over our heads and lands on its special glove.

It’s a short walk down a dreamy bluebelllined path to the beach, and a popular, unreconstructed beach cafe occupies the premium spot and serves up hearty burgers and chips. Dinner at Gwel an Mor’s Terrace restaurant is more refined while remaining acceptable for children

of all dietary persuasions (the kids’ menu is pitched just right). We enjoy seafood linguini and fish and chips, and the next day we order takeaway pizza to our lodge, after a lengthy massage at the relaxing spa. It’s hard to think of anywhere that caters better to families, with every detail taken care of – comfort for adults and entertainment for tots. Don’t let the drive put you off.

GW E L A N M O R LUXU RY R E S O R T Feadon Lane, Portreath, Cornwall TR16 4PE 01209 842 354 gwelanmor.com flybe.com flies from Heathrow to Newquay 3-4 times a day

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_TRAVEL_CORNWALLindd.indd 117

117

24/05/2019 13:17

t por sup est u lg cia spe

t oye M son Ali

O-H

Y LE R VE HT BE NIG K

L

SO

rt

po

up

hs

wit

T

U DO

Thu 11

Wed 10

Tue 9

C

LY BILEAN OC

ING

LIN

D EA

S ocke A K yL

rt

po

up

hs

wit

Sun 14

Sat 13

Fri 12

“London’s hottest picnic concerts” Metro

Y E L T tt

RIC h

wit

rt

po

sup

l

Bil

9 – 14 July 2019

kewthemusic.co.uk Royal Botanic Gardens

A magical outdoor tale for all the family

Life is suddenly turned upside down and everything becomes curiouser and curiouser…

20 July – 26 August

0844 871 8819 (calls cost 7p per minute plus network extras)

theatreonkew.co.uk

RAYMOND GUBBAY_KEW.indd 1

20/05/2019 10:19

THE HOTEL

T

his Georgian pub with rooms may be owned by a brewery but it’s far more stylish than that makes it sound. All painted in chic shades of darks and neutrals, it’s beautiful yet unfussy and not overdesigned, with an authentic feel. The bar downstairs, all stripped floorboards and mismatched tables, is busy with locals, while the restaurant is more formal.

This is somewhere that appeals to its community as well as to visitors, which gives it a lively vibe.

THE ROOM

M

ushroom-coloured walls, a vast fourposter bed, a stateof-the-art bathroom with rolltop bath and a lovely view of Corsham’s pretty high street makes our room cosy and stylish. Carpets are deep and curtains are thick; a Roberts radio, 100 Acres products and fluffy bathrobes create a luxe feel.

THE AREA

C

orsham is a pretty town with a charming high street; stately home Corsham Court lies behind the Methuen Arms and its beautiful landscaped grounds, populated by peacocks and – in spring – tiny lambs, make a lovely spot for walking. We’re only eight miles from Bath and the countryside around here is green and lush. Look out for Poldark locations.

T

his is a foodie destination and award-winning head chef Leigh Evans runs an ambitious kitchen. Highlights of our dinner included a halibut dish that was served in the style of deconstructed sushi with coconut rice wrapped in nori, crab and seafood broth, while traditional fish and chips from the pub menu was high class. Breakfast is impressive: home-made granola and pastries as well as flawless poached egg, smashed avocado and sourdough.

weekend

THE FOOD

D ESTINATI O N S

TRAVEL • UK GETAWAY

THE METHUEN ARMS CORSHAM, W I LT S H I R E

By P E N D L E H A RT E

A lively vibe makes this a community watering hole as well as a stylish spot to visit ROOMS FROM £140 2 High Street, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 0HB 01249 717 060 themethuenarms.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_May19_UK Getaway_2.indd 119

119

24/05/2019 13:20

HH.indd 1

14/01/2019 14:47

KIDS & EDUCATION

FLOWER POWER BONTON X ROSEANNA Two of our favourite French brands, Bonton and Roseanna, have joined forces to create the sweetest mama and mini collection. Expect colour-soaked florals and cool slogan prints. smallable.com

Small Talk 123 · Summer activities for kids 125 · London museums 129 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

June19_Kids_Opener.indd 121

121

24/05/2019 13:21

DISCOVERMORE

Embracing an innovative, modern approach whilst keeping traditional values at its core, Kew House School takes an exciting stance on 21st century education. With state-of-the-art facilities, a broad curriculum and excellent pastoral care, Kew House is a place where you would want to be – a place of learning and discovery, laughter and friendship.

Open Days

May 13th (9:45am) November 1st/7th (9.30am/ 9.30am) June 26th (9:45am) November 15th/21st (7.00pm/ 9.30am) July 2nd (9:45am) September 16th th (9:45am - specifically for Y5 & Y6) November 29 (9.30am) th October 8 (9:45am) October 16th (9:45am - specifically for Y5 & Y6) October 31st (9:45am - specifically for Y5 & Y6)

T: 0208 742 2038 E: info@kewhouseschool.com W: www.kewhouseschool.com An independent co-educational senior school for students aged 11-18 in West London

KHS_USE_2019.indd 1

@kewhouseschool

23/05/2019 10:54

KIDS & EDUCATION • NOTES

HOLIDAY WARDROBE

BRAND FOCUS

JET A PORTER KIDS

Net-A-Porter’s colourful vacation capsules and free-spirited pieces have been sizeddown with the launch of Jet-A-Porter Kids, comprising 21 brands and over 160 options for girls and boys. Key brands include Zimmerman, Doen, Marysia, Pippa Holt and Ancient Greek Sandals. net-a-porter.com

IZIPIZI

D

SMALL TALK Holiday wardrobes, eye protection, Moomin mania and more

SUMMER CHIC OUTSIDE THE LINES

For SS19, Outside the Lines has released a collection of embroidered dresses, playsuits, blouses, shorts, sweatshirts and tees, all finished with tassels, trims and pompoms to add a bohemian touch. outside-the-lines.co.uk

SNIFF OR SNORK

MOOMINS X ARABIA

EDITOR’S PICK

id you know that babies' eyes need to be protected from sunlight? The lens of a baby’s eye is permeable to UVA and doesn’t become impermeable until adulthood. Therefore it’s necessary to protect babies’ retinas with sun filters. Alarmingly, damage caused in childhood is cumulative and predisposes adults to pathologies. Plus, special attention must be paid to glare: if children still learning to walk are blinded by the sun, they may lose their balance and injure themselves.

So sunglasses for tots really are a must, and they need to fit properly.

Izipizi baby and kids' glasses have an ultra-resistant, soft frame and their straight arms allow them to follow the baby’s growth. They are BPA-free and hypoallergenic. Lenses are polarized and category 3. In addition, an ultra-flexible, resistant and adjustable silicone band ensures you won’t lose them. izipizi.com

SISTER ACT

N OT M Y FAU LT

by Cath Howe

Tove Jansson’s original Moomin stories have been reinterpreted as a 3D animated series, featuring Moomintroll as the protagonist.

Arabia is launching a collection of new mugs featuring scenes from the programme.

Maya and Rose won't talk to each other. Even though they are sisters. Now Maya and Rose have to go away together on a week-long school journey. But will the trip fix their relationship... or break it for good? .

 shop.moomin.com

 £6.99, Nosy Crow A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_KIds Notes.indd 123

123

24/05/2019 13:22

ieiess ss uubb inin eer r CCll rurunn uursrs ssoo NN alal lsls&& oo hhoo SScc

DATES

COURSES

Term-time & School holidays — Robotics — Python & Java Coding — Junior Python (New!) LOCATIONS London, Manchester, — All-Girls Coding (New!) Cambridge, Edinburgh, — Video Game Design Surrey, Reading, Winchester, — Creative Digital Design Windsor, Bristol & Oxford — Unity 3D & MORE!

BUILD+ _CODE CREATE_

LIttle house of science is a place to learn, experiment, explore & Play from 3-12 YEARS

UK’S #1

Age Age adjusted adjusted classes classes

TECH CAMP FOR 9-17 YEAR OLDS

£20 OFF* Promo Code AE25

Childcare vouchers accepted.

Scholarships available.

Book now at fire-tech.com *T&Cs apply

FIRETECH.indd 1

HOLIDAY CAMPS AT IMPERIAL COLLEGE OTHER LOCATIONS FOR TERM CLASSES:

Swiss Cottage Cottage Library, Library, NW3 NW3 •• St St John’s John’s Wood, Wood, NW8 NW8 Swiss Baden Powell Powell House House & & Imperial Imperial College, College, SW7 SW7 Baden Notting Notting Hill, Hill, W11 W11 •• Chelsea, Chelsea, SW3 SW3 t: 0800 0800 092 092 1062 1062 t:

e e

29/04/2019 10:35 LHOS.indd 1

AUSTRIA

GALAPAGOS

AZORES

GOZO

23/05/2019 17:03

BORNEO

CROATIA

PORTUGAL

SLOVENIA

MOMENTS SHARED, EXPERIENCES LIVED! This summer, pick Activities Abroad for your family-approved adventure and spend your time creating unforgettable memories in the great outdoors. Hear the kids screech in delight as you navigate the rapids on a rafting adventure; watch as your family dive into the sea and explore a mystical underwater world; join an expert and wander through rainforests to encounter some of the world’s most fascinating animals; or simply, enjoy stopping for ice-cream and soaking up local sights on a bike ride!

BOOK NOW FOR SUMMER 2019 ACTIVITIESABROAD.COM OR CALL 01670 333 091 ACTIVITIES AA.indd 1 ABROAD.indd 1

• PCL HALVES/QUARTERS.indd 4

25/04/2019 16:26 16:19 03/01/2019

24/05/2019 14:11

KIDS & EDUCATION • HOLIDAYS

O U T D O O R

F U N

1 HOW TO ENTERTAIN THE KIDS THIS SUMMER

1

SURF'S UP

AC TIVITE S AB ROAD

For sun, sea, sand and plenty of family fun this summer, spend a week in Portugal with Activities Abroad. Experiences everyone will adore include canoeing, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, cycling, abseiling and zip-wiring. activitiesabroad.com

2

S L I D E S H OW

A R C E L O R M I T TA L O R B I T

Designed by Sir Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond for London 2012, the ArcelorMittal Orbit slide is a 40-second journey with twists, turns and drops, a hair-raising experience that’s not for the faint-hearted. queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk

3

2

DA R K TA L E S

4

O P E N A I R T H E AT R E

In the unique environment of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, experience the Grimm Brothers' fairytale Hansel and Gretel anew in this operatic retelling, sung in English. 14-22 June. openairtheatre.com

4

CIRCUS SKILLS GORILLA CIRCUS

3

Put your trust in Gorilla Circus because after a two-hour session you'll be swinging, hands-free, from a trapeze, back flipping onto a safety mat and even grabbing a partner's hands in the air. This is the only professional trapeze school and their summer park pop-ups (Kensington Gardens and Regent's Park) are unmissable. gorillacircus.com

5

HANG AROUND GO APE

5

Go Ape offers a real adventure, requiring courage, strength and confidence, and once you've got over the initial shock of being much higher up than you thought, it's really fun – and the bravest ten-year-olds can join the even more challenging grown-up ropes if they like, while adults can join the juniors too.

London locations include Battersea Park and Alexandra Palace. goape.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ABS_June19_KIDS HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES.indd 125

125

24/05/2019 13:25

Richer Education INSPIRATION-LEARNING-FUN

Educational Holiday Camps in South Kensington at Baden Powell House for children aged 4-11 and at Imperial College London for children aged 9-14

www.richereducation.co.uk/camps www.richereducation.co.uk/summer-camps

www.richereducation.co.uk | T: +44 (0) 207 769 6732 | T: +44 (0) 753 522 5432

RE.indd 1

30/01/2019 16:08

KIDS & EDUCATION • OPINION LYCÉE INTERNATIONAL WINSTON CHURCHILL STUDENTS IN THE SCIENCE LAB

Best of

BOTH

Considering a bilingual education? Lycée International Winston Churchill is an 'Outstanding' option

H

ow successful can a bilingual approach be in the UK? Well, since Lycée International Winston Churchill was inaugurated in 2015 by the then President of France, François Hollande, we have grown rapidly to cater to in excess of 900 students.

We consistently deliver high standards for every student. Indeed, this year, 100% of students who applied to Russell Group universities received an offer, while 92% of students who applied to UCAS received an average of 3.5 offers out of a maximum of 5.

Our continued drive for excellence means that we are the only French international school in the UK to be rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted for Sixth Form provision. Plus, we were the first French international

“100% of Russell Group university applicants received an offer”

school in the UK to be authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer its prestigious Diploma Programme (IBDP).

The IBDP is an excellent example of how students can learn more broadly and deeply than with the British curriculum. It is focused on inquiry and concept-based learning, which means students do a lot of research; they can often choose their own topics and phrase their own questions themselves.

There are many other advantages to sending your child to a bilingual school. Most obviously, each child benefits from receiving the best of two curriculums.

In our Primary section, we deliver 50% of the curriculum in English, and 50% in French, which can see students in as little as one or two years able to speak with a level of competency and fluency that far exceeds pupils in British schools.

Indeed, by the age of 11, our students read Molière in French at the same time as Shakespeare in English.

While in our Secondary section, students are able to choose between a twin-track approach: the Bac Français Bilingue, which leads to the French baccalaureate during Sixth Form; and the English International Programme, which leads to the IBDP.

During their time in the Secondary section, students can also learn other languages like Spanish, German and Mandarin.

Another advantage of sending your child to a bilingual school is the international environment. We have 16 nationalities of teachers, 29 nationalities of staff and 45 nationalities of students. It means that pupils can flourish as the international citizens they will need to become in order to succeed in life beyond education. Our modern, progressive approach to teaching and learning is complemented by a holistic culture of wellbeing at the heart of our school. We have a dedicated team of counsellors and even a therapy dog to support our students.

The education landscape is changing.

The IB is eclipsing A-Levels and forcing schools to reevaluate how they educate their students. We urge any parent who is considering which type of school is best for their child to choose a bilingual one. The feedback we receive from our British families on the well-rounded education we provide, overwhelmingly says that we equip their children with a comprehensive education that will prepare them for life.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

Abs_May19_EDUCATION LYCEE.indd 127

127

24/05/2019 13:26

FIRML

Boys & Girls 3 - 11 years old

We are Confident, Creative and Kind

Please join us for our

Open Morning - Tuesday 4th June Tour our beautiful new building on Worship St (EC2A) and hear all about our wonderful school.

Book your place online today!

www.lyceumschool.co.uk LYCEUM.indd 1

23/05/2019 10:45

KIDS & EDUCATION • SUMMER MASKS AT THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM

MANGA AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM

Summer at the

MUSEUMS

London’s museums have your summer entertainment covered, with exhibitions and events to suit all ages and tastes. Here’s our round-up of highlights, including useful information on family-friendly facilities Wo r d s L I B B Y N O R M A N

L

ondon’s museums are worth visiting on any day of the year, but they become lifesavers over the brain-addling days of summer, when even a short visit to take in a single exhibition or display is welcome distraction from rainy-day boredom and solitary screen time. We’ve picked out summer highlights in the national museums, alongside other smaller gems that score highly for family-friendly attractions. .

British Museum Great Russell Street, WC1; britishmuseum.org Open: Mon-Thur & Sat-Sun 10am5.30pm; Fri 10am-8.30pm Entry: Adults free except special exhibitions; children free ou could spend a whole holiday exploring the British Museum’s ancient treasures, but new stars among permanent galleries include the Gallery of the Islamic World, offering a timeline of treasures from the 7th Century to the present.

Y

For glitter, check out the newly installed Waddesdon Bequest in room 2a and marvel at medieval and Renaissance prizes – alongside later fakes – amassed by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild. The summer draw is Manga (until 26 August), an exploration of Japan’s graphic novels and comics. It has brought a huge range of treasures to the Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery – from a 17-metre demon-decorated shabuki theatre curtain to a recreation of the oldestsurviving manga bookshop in Tokyo.

History is brought bang up to date with current superstars of the manga world and, since manga have had a massive influence on gaming, this might just be the summer show to tempt children away from their screens. They will also love the opportunity to be ‘manga-fied’ in the special photo booth.

Activities: The Families Desk in the Great Court is the place to pick up art materials, gallery backpacks and challenges to turn your visit into a treasure hunt. Breakout: Spread out your picnic at the Level 1 Ford Centre for Young Visitors (open weekends and holidays). Russell Square, north east of the museum, offers a great patch of green for letting of steam.

Horniman Museum 100 London Road SE23; horniman.ac.uk Open: museum 10am-5.30pm; gardens Mon-Sat 7.15am-sunset; Sun 8amsunset Entry: Free except aquarium, butterfly house and some special exhibitions f children were allowed to design museums, the Horniman is very likely what they would come up with. Eclectic and exciting, it’s packed with over 350,000 curiosities from across the planet. Children love the anthropology collection, especially the masks, and the world musical instruments. There’s also an extensive handling collection, including puppets

I

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

Abs_June19_Summer at Museums LN.indd 129

129

24/05/2019 13:37

KIDS & EDUCATION • SUMMER

object handling sessions happen around the museum. Breakout: The gardens are perfect for picnicking, nature activities and Plonk crazy golf, with a Dutch barn for when it rains.

London Transport Museum

and clothing. Crowd-pleasing highlight is the Brick Wonders Lego exhibition (until 27 October), with over 50 models ranging from an Egyptian pyramid to the international space station. It’s perfect for inspiring young builders – especially as there’s a hands-on play area. Claire Morgan’s ‘As I Live and Breathe’ installation in Gallery Square explores themes of waste and the impact of humans on their surroundings and is supported with displays in the Natural History Gallery. You can’t visit without taking in the gardens, with animal walk, butterfly house and aquarium. Newer attractions include the grasslands area masterminded by Olympic Park designer James Hitchmough and designed to flower all summer long.

Activities: Download activity packs before your visit. Hands On Base

Covent Garden Piazza, WC2; ltmuseum.co.uk Open: 10am-6pm Entry: £16.50 (online price, valid 12 months); under 17s free ne of London’s gems, London Transport Museum is a source of wonder to children who love anything with wheels, and with plenty to entice older ones who want to learn more about the operation and engineering of the capital’s transport system. Untangling the Tracks is the newest exhibition, looking at mass-communication supporting the huge Thameslink upgrade. The Family Fun open day at the museum’s Acton Depot (Sat 13-Sun 14 July, adults £12) is a summer highlight.

Open-day events are a chance to explore 320,000 rare and large collection pieces, including old trains, trams and buses, and this one is designed specially for children, with story time sessions and rides on heritage omnibuses and miniature steam trains.

Activities: The All Aboard play zone on the ground floor is designed for young

O

WHEELS GALORE AT LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM

130

visitors, with dressing up and train and bus-driving fun. Future Engineers gallery is the place to test problemsolving skills, with interactive exhibits focused round engineering and urban planning. Breakout: There’s a small indoor picnic area for packed lunches, and Covent Garden is all around you.

At Acton, you’ll find pop-up food stalls outside the depot on open days.

National Maritime Museum Park Row, East Greenwich, SE10; rmg.co.uk Open: museum 10am-5pm Entry: Free, except some special exhibitions reenwich can lay claim to be London’s second great museum quarter, packing in the National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House, Cutty Sark and Royal Observatory. But there’s more than enough fun in the National Maritime Museum to occupy a day or more, especially with the four brilliant new galleries that opened last year.

The first two focus on Pacific and Polar regions. Sea Things covers maritime tales and treasures – from whale’s teeth to Titanic relics – and, with many things on open display so children can get up close. The Pigott Family Gallery: Tudor and Stuart Seafarers contains objects that tell stories about this key period in our nation’s history – focusing on maritime heroes and villains, alongside ordinary seafarers. The major summer exhibition The Moon is in honour of 50 years since the Apollo 11 moon landings and brings together 180 objects, including lunar samples from the mission. The Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition (to 4 August) is well worth a visit, with awe-inspiring photographs taken over the past decade.

Activities: The interactive Great Map on the first floor is fabulous fun, letting children explore our world.

AHOY! for 0-7s is super-immersive and super-popular so remember to book your free ticket in advance. All Hands, suitable for older children, offers everything from cannon firing to ship’s galley cookery. Breakout: Greenwich Park is one of London’s finest. Or do the creepy echo-filled walk under the Thames through Greenwich Foot Tunnel to picnic at SUMMER Mudchute Par 2019 | 130 and Farm.

G

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

Abs_June19_Summer at Museums LN.indd 130

24/05/2019 13:37

NOW LAUNCHED NAVIGATOR WHARF AT ROYAL ARSENAL RIVERSIDE

ARRANGE A VIEWING TODAY

A new collection of contemporary 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments.

Beautiful private gardens and elegant architecture make this latest release a spectacular addition to this riverside neighbourhood. With its proximity to the River Thames and fantastic transport connections, Navigator Wharf is the ideal place to enjoy the London lifestyle.

Prices from £480,000

ROYAL ARSENAL WOOLWICH

020 3918 3593

CANARY WHARF 8 MINUTES*

LIVERPOOL STREET 14 MINUTES*

www.royalarsenalriverside.co.uk

BOND STREET 22 MINUTES*

HEATHROW 50 MINUTES*

Sales & Marketing Suite - Open daily 10am to 6pm (Thursdays until 8pm) Imperial Building, No. 2 Duke of Wellington Avenue, Royal Arsenal Riverside, Woolwich, London SE18 6FR

Computer generated image of West Quay is indicative only. Prices and information correct at time of going to press. *Approximate travel times for Crossrail taken from Royal Arsenal Woolwich. Source: www.crossrail.co.uk

Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

ROYAL ARSENAL.indd 1

20/05/2019 10:15

‘ Enjoying childhood and realising our imagination.’

“My favourite thing about Dallington School is that the teachers and students are very friendly and positive, there is a brilliant atmosphere in the classroom” - Johan “I think Dallington teaches you in a way no other school does and I really enjoy that” - Alex Dallington is a family-run co-educational independent school, with a nursery, in the heart of London.

Personal tours each day of the week, except Wednesday.

Next Open Evening: Thursday 3rd October 2019 from 6 to 8 pm

Headteacher: Maria Blake Proprietor and Founder: Mogg Hercules MBE Email: hercules@dallingtonschool.co.uk Phone: 020 7251 2284 www.dallingtonschool.co.uk

USE.indd 1

21/05/2019 13:51