The London Magazine December 2023 - Sample Issue

LUXURY CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDES

LU X U RY LIF EST Y LE , PR IME PROPERT Y

FESTIVE FINERY

LONDON’S CHRISTMAS MAKERS

Christmas recipes from top chefs • Bond Street living • Jewellery & watches • Spectacular homes of the year

DECEMBER 2023 £4.95

thelondonmagazine.co.uk

THE WISHLIST EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS Clementine’s Step into a whimsical Dickensian Christmas experience with Clementine’s special collaboration with floral artist Amie Bone, luxury caterer AP&Co and Shapero Rare Books. Enjoy an indulgent festive feast, a VIP shopping experience, and a wreathmaking masterclass, left.

Until 14 December clementines.alisonprice.co.uk

Dame Judi Dench x National Portrait Gallery Eight portraits of national treasure and actress Dame Judi Dench, will be on display to celebrate a decade of Sky Arts’ series, Portrait Artist of the Year, which has captured imaginations across the country.

Until 31 December npg.org.uk

ART & DESIGN TP Caring Spaces Carol Concert Held in St Luke’s Church, Chelsea, the London design community will come together in aid of TP Caring Spaces, founded by interior designers Bunny Turner and Emma Pocock of the Turner Pocock studio. Readers will include designers Nicky Haslam and Nina Campbell.

18 December tpcaringspaces.co.uk

Gucci Cosmos This immersive exhibition travels through the 102-year history of Italian fashion house, Gucci. See the brand’s most iconic designs, through a constellation of bags, shoes, clothing and accessories. Designed by artist Es Devlin, known for creating large-scale performance sculptures.

Until 31 December 180studios.com

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Bringing the alpine spirit to London, Skate Somerset House is partnering with Switzerland Tourism, for a truly wintry experience. Twirl round the rink, book at table at Chalet Suisse by Jimmy Garcia or indulge in a glass of Whispering Angel, below.

Throughout December somersethouse.org.uk

PHOTOGRAPHS: ALEXANDER PIPER; OWEN HARVEY; HUGO GLENDINNING; RAFFAELLA BICHIRI

Skate Somerset House

WHAT'S ON FOOD AND DRINK Festive Tablescaping Want to be the host with the most this festive season? In Petersham Nurseries Richmond, learn how to use seasonal foliage and colour to bring out the best of your table. Under the guidance of Thomas Broom-Hughes, director of horticulture.

12 December petershamnurseries.com/events

Christmas Day at The Langham

O N S TAG E The Motive and The Cue Transferring to the West End after an acclaimed run at the National Theatre, this new play written by Jack Thorne and directed by Sam Mendes will be at the Noel Coward Theatre. Starring Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton, Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud, and Tuppence Middleton as Elizabeth Taylor, the story delves into Burton’s role in a new production of Hamlet.

Opens 9 December noelcowardtheatre.co.uk

This Christmas, the hotel is partnering with luxury retailer Liberty London on everything from food to décor. The grand Palm Court restaurant is offering a five-course lunch of seasonal favourites. Feast on dishes such as Scottish scallops with Oscietra caviar and champagne sauce, below. langhamhotels.com

Guilty by Olivier Designed to satisfy all cravings, Guilty

by Olivier brings vibrant dining to the capital, guilt free. With dishes ranging from octopus carpaccio to ravishing ravioli with beetroot ricotta cheese, why not try a bit of everything? restaurantesguilty.com

Kaleidoscope Afternoon Tea Nutcracker Performers from the English National Ballet bring Tchaikovsky’s revered score to life. Set in Edwardian London, Nutcracker tells the world-famous story of Clara who receives an enchanted Nutcracker as a present on Christmas Eve, and subsequent adventures.

Opens 14 December londoncoliseum.org

A Christmas Carol The Dickensian classic stars Christopher Eccleston in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, above. An enduring tale of compassion and redemption, the production will raise money in aid of City Harvest London.

Until 6 January oldvictheatre.com

Kids for Kids Candlelit Christmas Concert Join actress and author Dame Joanna Lumley and friends in St Peter’s Church, Eaton Square. Accompanied by Queen’s Gate School Choir, the event is in aid of the charity's emergency work in Darfur, Sudan.

6 December eventbrite.co.uk

The new Pan Pacific afternoon tea takes place in the Orchid Lounge, overlooking the plaza. Enjoy bao buns, a siu mai basket and pastries with flavours of Biscoff, apple and pecan, among other treats. panpacific.com L

LOOK AHEAD ANDRÉ BUTZER By appointment only, Wednesdays and Saturdays, The Arts Club presents work by revered German artist André Butzer. The painter’s work delves into his 'Science Fiction Expressionism', fusing American pop culture with expressionist painting.

Dover Street theartsclub.co.uk CHRISTMAS AT KENWOOD With the trail partnering with Kilimanjaro Live, Christmas at Kenwood is more luminous than ever.

Take family and friends for a stroll on the sprawling Hampstead Heath grounds and see this London treasure transformed into a mesmerising display of light.

Until 1 January christmasatkenwood. co.uk MILOŠ & ARCANGELO ENSEMBLE Virtuosic guitarist Miloš Karadaglić returns to Cadogan Hall, to play a repertoire of Baroque scores from Handel to Vivaldi and Bach. The evening will feature music recently recorded by the musician, which will be released in 2024.

17 January cadoganhall.com

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

GIFTS FOR ALL PRESENT IDEAS FOR HIM AND FOR HER THAT WILL SPARK JOY THIS CHRISTMAS

T

is the season to gift in style. At Harvey Nichols, fi nd a heavenly host of inspiration from top names across fashion. Glam up with Sleeper, wrap warm with Loewe or give the gift of accessories from Chloé and Saint Laurent to make this year magical.

Harvey Nichols’ beauty hamper from Charlotte Tilbury is full of the brand’s classic products. For foodies, the Winter Warmers Hamper specially curated by Harvey Nichols in its iconic wicker basket, will keep the cold out with treats such as Tawny port, hot chocolate and Christmas pudding, great for sharing with loved ones during the festive period. L See the full range at harveynichols.com

Brought to you by

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

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AS ONE OF THE CAPITAL'S ULTIMATE FESTIVE SHOPPING STOPS, FIND THE PERFECT GIFT FOR LOVED ONES TO SLIP UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE 1. Leather wallet, £495, Loewe 2. Wool-blend wrap coat, £740, Aexae 3. Ribbed wool jumper, £895, Marni 4. Engraved leather bracelet, £190, Saint Laurent 5. Wool-blend scarf, £325, Loewe 6. Embellished satin mules, £940, Magda Butrym 7. Charlotte's Heroes hamper, £250, Charlotte Tilbury 8. Leather belt £350, Khaite 9. Monochrome oversized sunglasses £265, Prada 10. Oversized hooded cashmere sweater, £840, Extreme Cashmere 11. Suede sneakers, £450, Alexander McQueen 12. Winter Warmers hamper, £150, Harvey Nichols 13. Layered faux pearl necklace, £295, Simone Rocha 14. Feather-trimmed pyjamas, £275, Sleeper 15. Faux-pearl hoops, £415, Chloé 16. Leather bag, £1,440, Saint Laurent

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

CH R ISTM A S S H OP P I N G I N ST Y L E FOR A CHARMING EXPERIENCE THIS SEASON, VISIT BURLINGTON ARCADE IN MAYFAIR, WHERE YOU WILL FIND GIFTS FOR LOVED ONES AT THE WORLD’S OLDEST LUXURY SHOPPING DESTINATION

Brought to you by

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

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SERVING LONDON SINCE 1819, BURLINGTON ARCADE IS HOME TO FINE JEWELLERS, WATCHMAKERS, PERFUMERS AND LUXURY FASHION HOUSES

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JOY TO LONDON Main image: Tutamen collection, 886 The Royal Mint 1. Advent calendar £85, Ladurée 2. White and emerald CZ crystal drop necklace, £1,500, CIRO 3. Leather attachée case, £3,100, Swaine 4. Leather and suede shearling slippers, £495, Manolo Blahnik 5. Pepe kids' jumper, £270, Cashmirino 6. Vintage Rolex: The Largest Collection in the World book, £75, The Vintage Watch Company 7. Crystal vase, £2,490, Lalique 8. 18kt rose gold ring set with a 2.44ct Tundura garnet and sapphires, POA, Lily Gabriella 9. Eyeshadow palette, £47, Code8 10. Velvet loafers, £580, Baudoin & Lange 11. Burlington Arcade Special Edition: handbag, £770, carry-on case, £1,455, check-in case, £1,785, Globe-Trotter 12. Sheepskin boots, £215, Mou 13. Dog pouch bag, £135, Anya Hindmarch 14. Elysium EDP coffret (100ml), £265, ROJA London

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CHRISTMAS

THE

Christmas MAKERS

E PUTTING ON THE GLITZ Opposite:

Florist Neill Strain employs a heady mixture of Christmas tree ornaments, lush foliage, berries, fruit, cinnamon, fresh flowers and candles to create showstopping displays that will engage all of your – and your guests' – seasonal senses

mbracing the Christmas spirit is all well and good, but the preparation stress can often get in the way.

Happily, experts such as Sasha Baldwin, the founder of KUDO, a luxury lifestyle concierge (kudolifestyle.com), are on hand to help. “We start preparing from September, securing the Christmasfood delivery slots, getting tickets to the best festive shows, coming up with the gift of the season and booking winter sun trips or a last-minute ski holiday,” Baldwin says.

Some of London’s most exclusive companies can ensure the festive period is as magical – and stress-free – as possible.

Welcome to The London Magazine’s little red-and-white book.

THE FLORIST For fabulous flowers, royalty and celebrities have Neill Strain, the internationallyrenowned floral couture expert, on speed dial. Strain opened his first boutique in

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Belgravia in 2008, added a concession in Harrods in 2017, and unveiled his third outpost on Davies Street, in Mayfair, in mid-November this year.

Beautiful wreaths make the ideal festive first impression and Strain uses baubles, bows and berries to make his showstoppers.

This year, his Cherubim door wreath, inspired by the Netflix period drama series Queen Charlotte, has been especially popular.

Strain and his team will also come to a client’s home to deck the halls, quite literally.

“I strive to achieve a harmonious and balanced blend between the floral décor and the overall ambience of the home,” Strain explains.

He uses seasonal, scented foliage such as branches of birch, spruce and scotch pine and adds texture and bold colour with ilex berries, amaryllis, cymbidium orchids and large-headed roses. Dried oranges, limes and cinnamon sticks enhance the scent and festive appearance, while

PHOTOGRAPH: AURELIJUS VARNA

ALEXANDRA GOSS MEETS LONDON’S LUXURY YULETIDE HELPERS, FROM FLORISTS AND GIFT WRAPPERS TO CHEFS

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FESTI V E FE ASTING THE LONDON MAGAZINE SELECTS THE FINEST CHRISTMAS RECIPES FROM PROFESSIONAL KITCHENS FOR YOU TO TRY OUT AT HOME

SPICE UP For an indulgent drink at

winter house parties, après skate or during a carol service, nothing beats a steaming hot, fragrant mulled wine – try this vin brulé recipe by Gelupo

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