SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023 s ISSUE 108
Ha rvey N ichols Share their top wedding guest outfits
TRAVEL GU I DE: Mauritius Discover t he best of t he Ind ia n Ocea n pa r ad ise
Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine
F ind indii ng you yo u r
S o met meth h ing N ew Heading down the aisle for your sparkling moment is deserving of an extra special memento so James Coyle suggests his top picks for your ‘something new’
Over The Moon Capturing the essence of the eight-phases of the moon, Boodles latest collection introduces a sparkling tribute to the lunar month. Doubling up as your ‘something blue’, the suite features a statement platinum ring, with diamonds elegantly swimming in a pool of midnight blue enamel. Set with 1.57 carats of round brilliant cut diamonds, this latest addition is available in Boodles showrooms, with matching diamond pendant and earrings. From £15,000, boodles.com
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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style
A Match Made In Heaven The trend for layering jewellery is showing no sign of slowing, particularly amongst contemporary brides-to-be. Accommodating this modern request, Daniella Draper introduces a selection of bracelets that are perfect to be stacked alongside each other on your special day and beyond. Why not consider the eponymous designer’s signature diamond tennis bracelet, set with 3.8cts of round brilliant cut diamonds, accompanied by her Baby Heart Trace Chain Bracelet, both crafted from ethically sourced 9ct gold. From £625, danielladraper.com
Timeless Staples Over 150 years of quality craftsmanship are evident in the timeless classics at Prestons showroom in Wilmslow, a name associated with diamond jewellery since 1869. For the bride seeking a piece that will remain in use for generations to come, Prestons’ graduated tennis necklace in 18ct yellow gold is hand set with 3.97cts of diamonds. Retailing at £9,000, this elegant piece of jewellery is complimented by matching line bracelets and diamond studs, available in the brand’s UK showrooms. £9,000, prestonsdiamonds.co.uk
Hollywood Classic… When Patrick Swayze subtly confessed his love for Demi Moore in the iconic Hollywood movie ‘Ghost’, he did so with a single word - ‘Ditto’. It is from this sentiment, that David M Robinson’s newest collection takes its name. Featuring diamond pendants, rings, earrings and wristwear, ‘Ditto’ is now available in showrooms and online. From £1,750, davidmrobinson.co.uk
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Style | The CHESHIRE Magazine
The The Import mporta a nce of Tim imee T
o set a trend you need to know the classics and how to awaken their charisma with new interpretations and combinations. All the disciplines that express the value of time are confronted with the ability to evolve at every cycle in a refined way: a wine blend that carefully changes yet maintains its identity a painting that lends an original allure to primary colors a new pairing that updates familiar and natural flavours. In this spirit based on a careful study of codes and alert sensitivity to contemporary influences the Brunello Cucinelli Autumn Winter 2023 Collection was designed with a full focus on the importance of time: the time for experience that cultivates knowledge the time for artisanal creation the time in which every garment will have the opportunity to renew itself with combinations that enhance its inherent qualities. Just like a classic that thanks to strong roots can take on new and richer meanings day after day. Every look is characterised by a key garment that is its focal point that expresses the overall style but at the same time is defined by the harmony of combinations. A tailored cashmere coat a special hand-knit sweater or a suit made of a precious fabric can constitute this focus of attention which is then balanced in a contemporary way by overlays trousers and accessories. All the elements are always organized based on a search for balance between references proportions and style. A selection of the finest fabrics characterised by special textures and micro-effects such as Donegal chevron and broken twill weave epitomizes the quest for a new value through classic materials.
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The CHESHIRE Magazine | Style
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Travel | The CHESHIRE Magazine
Tra rav vel Gui uid de:
Mau Ma urit ritiius From beautiful landscapes and stunning spa resorts to cultural exploration and wildlife encounters, John Coyne discovered the best of the Indian Ocean paradise of Mauritius
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mbarking on a remarkable adventure to the enchanting island of Mauritius, I had the pleasure of immersing myself in its captivating beauty. Located in the Indian Ocean, just off the coast of Southeast Africa and renowned for its pristine beaches it offers the perfect sanctuary for those wanting to spend days lounging on the beach or on the ocean. It also has so much more to offer beyond the beach, this is truly a destination with something for everyone. During my stay, I had the pleasure of experiencing two luxurious resorts, Sands Suites Resort and Spa and Maradiva Villas Resort and Spa. Both resorts are located on the sheltered west coast of the island, offering magical sunsets over the Indian Ocean and providing the perfect base to make fond memories exploring the island’s cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes and wildlife encounters.
SANDS SUITES RESORT AND SPA
The Sands offers spacious and wellappointed suites with modern amenities. Each suite is designed with comfort and relaxation in mind, featuring a private balcony or terrace overlooking the lush tropical gardens and sparkling Indian Ocean. The resort boasts several dining options, including a main restaurant serving international cuisine, a beach restaurant offering seafood and grill specialities and a lounge bar where you can enjoy refreshing drinks and cocktails. A range of facilities and activities are offered to keep guests entertained. You can relax by the pool 78
SANDS SUITES RESORT AND SPA
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Travel
or beautiful beach, indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments, work out at the fitness centre or try a range of water sports such as snorkelling, diving and kayaking. The resort also offers a variety of excursions and tours to explore the island. Nestled along the pristine shores of Flic-en-Flac Beach, Sands offers a haven of serenity and natural splendour. From the moment I set foot in the resort, I was greeted with genuine warmth and exemplary hospitality. I had a first-floor suite which exuded elegance and comfort, adorned with modern amenities and breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. The infinity pool, surrounded by lush tropical gardens, provided an idyllic setting to unwind, while the private beach offered a serene escape. The resort’s restaurants showcased a fusion of international and Mauritian flavours tantalizing my taste buds with exquisite culinary creations. sands.mu
MARADIVA VILLAS RESORT AND SPA
Maradiva Villas Resort and Spa offers spacious and elegant villas with private pools. The resort has 65 villas in total, each designed with a contemporary yet traditional Mauritian style. The villas are divided into various categories including garden suites, luxury pool villas, beachfront villas and exclusive presidential suites. All villas come with modern amenities and offer a high level of privacy. There are several dining options to cater to different tastes. The main restaurant Coast2Coast, serves a fusion of international and Mauritian cuisine in an elegant setting overlooking the infinity pool. Cilantro is the resort’s fine dining Indian restaurant, offering authentic flavours and a refined atmosphere. You can also enjoy drinks and light bites at the Breakers Bar or in the comfort of your own villa through the in-villa dining service. 79
Drive | The CHESHIRE Magazine
With zero-emission power waiting in the wings, writes James Fossdyke, the days of the classic hot hatchback are numbered. But Honda is sending the cult Civic Type R out with a bang
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aving spent the past few weeks driving a hydrogen SUV, four electric cars (incidentally from Chinese or Chineseowned brands) and two hybrids from European manufacturers, the direction in which the car industry is heading is beyond question. But though some of the aforementioned cars were very good, the two cars that have stood out for me this month have been somewhat less futuristic. In fact, both were what we call ‘hot hatches’ – boring family hatchbacks that have been livened up with bigger engines and better suspension to turn them into bona fide sports cars. Both had turbocharged petrol engines, manual gearboxes and no hint of a hybrid system anywhere. I fell head over heels for them in a heartbeat. The first head-turner was the Ford Fiesta ST, a car that was recently discontinued just a few months after receiving a mild update. To be honest, I lost interest in the new grille and the digital instrument cluster pretty quickly, because I was just having too much fun. The 197bhp petrol engine is a riot, the steering is brilliant and the way it corners is remarkable. It’s a real shame the Fiesta – and by extension the go-faster ST version – has to die, but with the range-topping car’s price tag of just £29,000 including options, it’s no wonder Ford can’t make enough money to cover its costs. Fortunately, the other hot hatchback to catch my eye, and indeed my heart, is very much still alive and kicking. And God, does it have a kick. The Honda Civic might not be the most interesting car on the planet, but it is incredibly competent, so the new, high-performance Type R is built on incredibly solid foundations. Not that much of the foundations remain. Yes,
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the body structure is the same, the dashboard is broadly similar and the Type R’s suspension bears a vague semblance of the standard car’s set-up, but that’s about it. The standard car’s clever hybrid system is gone, replaced with a 325bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine and a sixspeed manual gearbox, while a massive rear wing has been applied, along with a triple exhaust outlet, flared wheel arches and huge brakes. If that sounds uncouth, that’s because it is. This is very much a car for Gary, rather than Greta. But the English dictionary does not contain enough superlatives to cover its brilliance. So I took it to Europe in the hope of finding some new ones over there, and even before I crawled onto the ferry I knew it was a good decision. Catching a ferry is stressful – particularly if there’s only one crossing a day – and trying to catch a ferry in a people-carrier is very stressful. But when you’re blasting through the Dorset countryside in a hot hatchback this good, it actually becomes good fun. While I should have been steely eyed and serious, I was grinning from ear to ear, pelting along open back roads with poise and elegance, despite the raucous soundtrack and the Fast and Furious bodywork. But it turns out the Civic isn’t just great on a back road at 6am. It’s also great on a French motorway, where the relative softness of the Comfort mode and the pulling power of the engine make it inherently agreeable. And because it’s a Civic under the skin, there’s plenty of space in the back and the boot is roomier than that of a Volkswagen Golf R or a Ford Focus ST. Even the visibility is good, because that rear wing is so big it sits above the rear window line. Where the Type R struggles, however, is when it’s parked outside your overnight halt and you begin comparing notes with your mates. The Civic Type R doesn’t come cheap – my test car cost almost £50,000 – and on paper, at least, it’s slower than any of its rivals. Because the VW Golf R and Audi RS 3 have four-wheel drive and quick-shifting automatic gearboxes, both are quicker in a straight line. And, if truth be told, they’re quicker around a race track. They have better in-car technology, too, and though the Civic’s interior is much plusher than
The CHESHIRE Magazine | Drive
Ju s t R T y pe
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