Belgravia & Knightsbridge Issue 191

ALSO INSIDE: Heston’s Fat Duck pop-up and White Lotus style inspiration for summer

HIGH SPIRITS

Singer Katherine Jenkins on crafting the world’s most luxurious gin

United Kingdom

A New Chapter Unfolds...

United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to announce the opening of a new experiential space in partnership with Diriyah Company: The Diriyah House Experience Center at One Hyde Park, Knightsbridge, . This landmark address brings together the heritage of London and the cultural legacy of Diriyah, the City of Earth, a unique crossroads of global excellence. We look forward to welcoming you this June.

sothebysrealty.co.uk | +44 20 3409 8923

customercare@sothebysrealty.co.uk

Disclaimer: The information contained herein, including the photographs and copy on this page, was accurate and valid at the time of issuance.

ELEGANT EXPRESSION

Børge Mogensen

Made for maximum durability from hard and strong teak wood, left untreated to patinate beautifully over time, the reclining wooden frame of the BM5565 Deck Chair with Footrest gives the chair a welcoming and honest look. Perfectly befitting a relaxing outdoor environment, the wooden slats follow the natural curvature of the body to provide optimal comfort as well as a light and elegant expression. Price £ 1.046 | Cushion £ 281

Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London W1J 6BD

Editor & publishing director

Jonathan Whiley 020 7259 1057 jonathan@pubbiz.com

Deputy editor

Bibi Cooper 020 7259 1055 bibi@pubbiz.com

Subeditor Kate White

Designer Katie Stafford

Advertisement managers

Bridget Rodricks 020 7259 1059

Richard Taylor 020 7259 1051

Circulation manager Julie Ward

Publisher Adrian Day 020 7259 1053 adrian@pubbiz.com

CROWNING GLORY

Forget hats. Up your social season headwear game with a Chaumet tiara – the Chaumet en Scène Voltige tiara will do just nicely.

£POA, Chaumet in The Fine Jewellery Room, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road

Hot list

The best buys this month

WORDS: BIBI COOPER

SWEET TREATS

OFF THE CUFF

Coiled and ready to strike, Theo Fennell’s snake cufflinks are made from gold, carved silver obsidian and ruby.

£13,500, 2 Garrison Square

DRINK UP

Tales of The Macallan Volume II is a tipple like no other. This exceptionally rare malt was distilled in 1949 to The Macallan founder Alexander Reid’s masterful standards. Encased in a hand-crafted Lalique crystal decanter and concealed within an 800-page tome that tells the story of The Macallan, this is one very special bottle.

£77,500, Hackstons, 3-4 William Street

BAG IT

Easily one of the most sought-after Hermès bags, the Kelly 35 Picnic Osier is available on your doorstep. Get it before your frenemy does.

£44,000, Designer Exchange, Ground Floor, 191 Brompton Road

TOP 3 HAMPERS

NOW IS THE TIME TO GET OUT AND HAVE A PICNIC

One for the sweet-toothed. Picnic on decadent truffles, chocolate strawberries and clotted-cream fudge among many other delicacies and delights, with the Harrods Luxury Sweet Snacking hamper.

£170, 87-135 Brompton Road

Picnic the Italian way with Daylesford Organic’s Antipasti hamper, stuffed full of treats such as truffle salami, manuka honey oatcakes, rosé wine and organic cheddar. £90, 44b Pimlico Road

OUTDOOR FEAST

Go big or go home with Bayley & Sage’s

The Big One, a heavenly hamper packed with caviar, foie gras, salmon, handcarved Ibérico ham, champagne, cheese, chocolates and so much more.

No one will go hungry with this one.

£520, 141 Ebury Street

LA DOLCE VITA

Beauchamp Place

BOURNE IDENTITY

Goldsmith and fine jewellery designer Jessie Thomas has opened her first standalone store. After previously occupying the Pimlico Road shop of her father – the celebrated goldsmith David Thomas, who recently retired after nearly 70 years in the industry – Jessie’s first store, at 84 Bourne Street, marks a new milestone for the business.

LUCKY CHARMS

In support of Make-A-Wish UK, which helps grant wishes for children with critical illnesses, three children supported by the charity were invited to Carolina Bucci’s studio in Belgravia to design lucky bracelets, reflecting their personal journeys, hopes and dreams and symbolising hope, courage and magic.

The limited-edition Art of Wishes Lucky bracelets are available to buy now for £195, with £100 from each sale going directly to Make-A-Wish UK.

ART CONTEST OPENS

Calling all artists: applications are now open for The Hari Art Prize. Held for the fourth year as part of the hotel’s annual rolling art programme, the prize was created to celebrate the global roster of artistic talent attracted to London.

The winning artist will receive £10,000, and there are further cash prizes for the two runners up. Last year’s winner was Libby Bove, a multidisciplinary artist and folklorist whose photograph Hedgers at Midday earned her the £10,000 cash prize.

The prize is open to applicants who have graduated within the last five years from UK art colleges and art students who are currently studying at an art college in Britain. Applications are open until June 29. Apply online at thehari.com/ london/the-hariart-prize

SOAMES’ HOME

The former home of Lady Mary Soames (below), the youngest daughter of Sir Winston Churchill, is up for sale. The spacious three-bedroom duplex apartment, which spans 1,980 sq ft, is located on the third and fourth floors of a grand end-of-terrace Cubitt townhouse on Eaton Place, and has a private roof terrace. It was bought by the Churchill family during the early 1960s when Lady Soames’ husband, Sir Christopher Soames, became minister of agriculture, fisheries and food under prime minister Alec Douglas-Home.

Listed for sale via sole selling agent Wetherell, the Eaton Place duplex is priced at £4.3 million.

FAREWELL LEO

Internationally renowned jeweller and liveryman of the Goldsmiths’ Company Leo de Vroomen has died after losing his battle with cancer. Growing up near Leiden in the Netherlands, Leo trained as a goldsmith in Switzerland before moving to Britain in 1965, where he met his wife, designer Ginnie. Together, they began a jewellery legacy, with a De Vroomen boutique located at 59 Elizabeth Street. Known for its bold and sculptural forms, De Vroomen jewellery has been worn by countless celebrities and royals.

A RIVETING READ

In need of a summer read? Jeremy Goring, managing director of The Goring hotel, has co-authored a book about the criminal underworld with his lifelong friend, Larry Blair, famed Australian surfer and son of Australia’s most notorious criminals. The Outside is a fast-paced, whirlwind memoir filled with stories of escaping planes, surfing and harbouring dark family secrets – proving that the truth is often wilder than fiction.

LEMON AID

Loquet has launched a delightful Lemon charm in collaboration with celebrated cookery writer and author Skye McAlpine. The collaboration is part of Loquet’s Charms for Change initiative, where a percentage of sales is donated to a chosen charity. Skye’s chosen cause is Chefs in Schools, which works to improve food and food education in UK schools.

Street, you’ll find a selection of Tavola’s signature collections alongside a series of seasonal in-store workshops with special guests, covering everything from creating beautiful table settings to painting your own menu cards. For more information, visit skyemcalpinetavola.com/pages/the-tavola-spring-

IMAGES: WETHERELL

INSIDE SCOOP

Possibly the most aesthetically pleasing ice cream shop ever, Anya Hindmarch’s summer concept store, The Ice Cream Project, will be returning to The Village for 2025. Serving a line-up of delicious and quirkyflavoured ice creams and sorbets – all inspired by Anya’s beloved cult food brands – there will be old favourites and new flavours this year and a few added extras, including an ice cream tasting menu and limited-edition merch. The Ice Cream Project will be open from June 7 until August 17.

The Garrison Chapel at Chelsea Barracks will have a whole host of artwork on display when The King’s Foundation diploma year students proudly showcase their work at this year’s Diploma Year Summer Exhibition. Throughout the year-long course, students explored different types of art concepts, blending traditional and unique practices. The exhibition will be running from June 6 to 14 and is free to attend.

June & July

BRUNCH, THE SACHI WAY.

EASE INTO SUNDAY WITH OUR NEW CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE BRUNCH. ENJOY A SELECTION OF SHARING STARTERS AND DESSERTS, WITH YOUR CHOICE OF MAIN. ALL WHILE SOAKING UP THE BEST VIEWS

JOIN US EVERY SUNDAY FROM 12 PM TO 6 PM FOR £55 PER PERSON.

HOLDING COURT

Game, set, match! Grab a deckchair and celebrate Wimbledon the right way by heading down to Eccleston Yards, where you can enjoy free openair live screenings of the Wimbledon tennis championships from June 30 to July 13. It’s the ideal spot to catch up on all the tennis action from the comfort of the many beanbags and picnic benches available to choose from, while enjoying delicious food and drinks from the courtyard’s restaurants, bars and cafes.

IN A SPIN

In need of some DJ vibes? Well get yourself down to The Goring, because every Thursday, between 5.30pm and 8.30pm, DJ Josh Parkinson will be spinning tracks in the hotel’s iconic Lounge. It’s the ideal accompaniment to pre-dinner or happy hour drinks.

Another

year, another Belgravia in Bloom –everyone’s favourite floral festival turns the town into a flowery wonderland

WORDS: BIBI COOPER

BLOOM

This year marked Belgravia in Bloom’s 10th anniversary and we witnessed the neighbourhood transform into a sensational floral paradise with its ‘Through the Seasons’ theme.

For 2025, the annual floral festival continued its partnership with spinal injury charity Horatio’s Garden – a charity that provides therapeutic gardens within NHS spinal injury centres around the UK – to create safe-spaces and healing environments for those affected by spinal injuries.

There were incredible displays and bursts of floral design across Belgravia (not to mention Chelsea and much of central London) with hundreds of visitors posing beside the floral displays and seasonal trails.

Over 50 businesses took part, demonstrating creativity and floral flair, as they showcased their own interpretation of the seasons. Over at Newson’s Yard, visitors were enchanted by ‘The Everlasting Garden’ – a multi-sensory installation celebrating the seasonal beauty and healing power of nature. Crafted by RHS award-winning designers – Polly Wilkinson and Hazel Gardiner – and in conjunction with

charity partner Horatio’s Garden, the installation was both moving and inspiring.

On Eccleston Street, Neill Strain’s ‘Crowned by Nature’ installation – a floral tribute to the lifegiving beauty of the seasons – was a big hit and everything was all a-flutter on Elizabeth Street with Moyses Stevens’ ‘The Butterfly Calendar’. Belgravia’s restaurants and cafes also joined in with the floral fun, with seasonal menus and floral-themed cocktails, ensuring that visitors were well-fed and watered.

THE WINNERS

BEST INTERPRETATION OF THE THEME Winner Pantechnicon Highly Commended The Peninsula

MOST INNOVATIVE DISPLAY Winner

Edward Bulmer Natural Paint Highly Commended The New Craftmaker

BEST OVERALL DISPLAY Winner

Chelsea Textiles Highly Commended Cleo Belgravia

MOST JOYFUL DISPLAY Winner

Summerill & Bishop Highly Commended Bonadea

Turning inward

Bill Brandt in Belgravia: a photographer, a flat and the ghosts of romance

WORDS: ADRIAN DAY

Amid the refined streets of Belgravia, where stuccoed facades conceal decades of quiet drama, one address in particular holds a curious place in British photographic history. It was here, in Eaton Place, that the great photographer Bill Brandt turned his lens from coal-streaked streets and foggy moors to something far more intimate: the drama of domestic space, of memory, and of lost love.

The year was 1948 and Brandt’s personal life was undergoing a transformation as striking as his artistic one. After 16 years of marriage, he parted ways with his wife, Eva Boros. Their relationship had long been unconventional. For a decade, the couple had lived in a complex arrangement with actress Marjorie Beckett, but when it came to a choice, Brandt chose Marjorie.

Eva, whose health had always been delicate – afflicted by bouts of tuberculosis since her teenage years in Hungary – was left unmoored. Rescue came, rather unexpectedly, from Brandt’s father, LW Brandt, a retired merchant from Hamburg who was living in the English countryside. Fond of Eva from the start, LW bought her a flat in Eaton Place and ensured she had a modest portfolio of shares to live on. It was, in every sense, a Belgravian solution: discreet, generous and quietly steeped in propriety.

Yet despite the separation, Brandt never entirely let Eva slip from his life – or his art. Instead, he paid tribute in the way he knew best: through a photograph.

Brandt’s Eaton Place Still Life is subtle and steeped in meaning. A pair of opera glasses and a musical score rest on a Victorian spoonback chair – an object Brandt had used time and again in his work, particularly in his atmospheric nudes. The score includes a line that lingers: “We still will cling to friends of other days.”

The chair becomes a stand-in for Eva, for other women, for memory itself. And for those familiar with Brandt’s wry visual language, the nod to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – with John Tenniel’s illustrations of Alice seated at the Mad Hatter’s table – adds a surrealist wink.

By this time, Brandt’s interest in photographing London’s streets had waned. His gaze turned inward, both personally and

artistically. The grand proportions and tall windows of the Eaton Place flat offered the perfect setting for his experiments with what he called “deep focus” – a cinematic technique inspired by Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane, which kept everything in the frame equally sharp from front to back.

In one image, taken in Eva’s flat, a model’s legs stretch across the foreground, while outside the window, the houses across the street appear unnervingly crisp, almost the same size. The effect is disorienting – hyper-real and dreamlike all at once. It was this ability to hold two worlds in a single frame, the real and the fantastic, that defined Brandt’s later style.

Though he photographed a number of women in that Eaton Place flat, Brandt’s connection to the space was never just visual. He had long believed, borrowing from his Parisian surrealist days, that rooms absorb the emotions of those who inhabit them. A chair, a window, a sofa – these were not just props but repositories of memory. In photographing a nude figure in Eva’s old room, Brandt was, in effect, capturing two women: the one who was present, and the one who lingered in absence.

Eaton Place also shaped Brandt’s approach to portraiture. He insisted on photographing subjects in their own “habitats”, believing that the interplay between person and place revealed more than a formal studio ever could. Portraits of Edith Sitwell, John Betjeman and Nicol Williamson were all staged in this manner: the subject, then the windows, then the outside world, far off and diminished.

When Brandt pivoted away from street photography, he didn’t abandon storytelling – he simply changed the set. Belgravia’s interiors became his theatre, and Eva’s flat, in particular, offered an elegant, melancholy kind of stage. It was here, among the high ceilings and filtered light, that Brandt began photographing not just people, but the spaces they inhabited – and the memories that lived with them.

To celebrate Father’s Day in June, we asked local people to share stories and memories of their dads

WORDS: SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS

Top of the pops

TATO GIOVANNONI, AWARD-WINNING BARTENDER AT THE EMORY’S ROOFTOP BAR

My father was an entrepreneur in the restaurant business in Argentina. My mother and father opened a restaurant when I was just born, in a hotel that my grandfather used to have from my mother’s side. They said I used to sleep in a cradle in the kitchen. My father was very creative, he was stubborn – he had Italian roots. I think the one thing I get from him is dealing with people and learning how to be informed about many things, because when you work in this industry, you need to be prepared for everybody. My grandfather was a hard-working human being, very generous. He passed away one month shy of being 100 years old. I said I was going to make a cocktail as a tribute to him. He used to love aperitivo, vermouth and negronis so I decided to make the Negroni Balestrini. The recipe represents my hometown, his house, his flavours, and I use my own gin that I produce in Argentina. In his chimney in his house there was always the smell of eucalyptus burning, because he used to have this little jar of water with eucalyptus inside. That was the smell of my childhood – so we smoke the negroni with eucalyptus. His name was Enrique Balestrini, but we used to call him Lelo. We put the drink on a menu in 2015 and it became the bestseller, and still is in different places. I feel like he is still travelling like he used to love to do.

JESSIE THOMAS, FINE JEWELLER ON BOURNE STREET

Growing up with my father David Thomas, who is a celebrated master goldsmith, meant living in a world filled with deep appreciation for craftsmanship. He has always approached goldsmithing with a rare combination of precision, humility and artistic intuition. A flat hammer is my jewellery-related memory; we all used to come down to the workshop and he’d give us bits of metal and we would stand there for hours flat hammering. He gave us, his children, his famous bangle, which is his most classic piece, for our 18th birthdays – and I make it now. My fondest memories were watching him work, it was like observing a kind of poetry unfold – his hands always steady, his eye for detail unmatched. He never rushed a piece; every creation had to be just right. Dad’s influence on me has been profound: he has never imposed his style on me but instead has offered quiet support, thoughtful critique and constant inspiration. He creates work that is far more advanced and skilled than anything I could make but is something I strive towards daily.

ANDREW ROBERTS, BARON ROBERTS OF BELGRAVIA

In Sir John Betjeman’s poem Death of King George V, there is a line about “men who never cheated, never doubted”, and such a man was my father, Simon Roberts. He was a natural leader who commanded universal respect and admiration, and deserved it. As in everything Daddy did in life, he was superbly supported by his wife Katie Roberts, to whom he was married for 50 years. I only ever heard them row once – over whether to bring back an almost lifesize terracotta warrior from Beijing. Mummy thought, quite apart from the exorbitant expense, that it would look weird and wouldn’t age well. Daddy loved his Zermatt holidays, and I’ll never forget the bemused and amused looks of the people on the Gornergrat train going up the Matterhorn when Daddy unscrewed his specially designed ski poles and, using a special funnel, filled them to the top with schnapps. Daddy led by example, and was thus the best kind of Christian, just as he was the best kind of army officer, the best kind of sportsman, the best kind of businessman and employer, the best kind of friend, the best kind of brother to Susan, Patricia and Christian, the best kind of father and grandfather, the best kind of husband and the best kind of Englishman. He was, he is, my hero.

DIMPLE AMANI, OWNER OF BEAUTY SALON DIMPLE AMANI AT 12 BEAUCHAMP PLACE

My dad, Suresh Pandya, has played a pivotal role in shaping who I am today. He emphasised the importance of our heritage, connecting me to my mother’s hometown in India. Through him, I learned Ayurvedic rituals from my grandma, which inspired my wellness brand. His business background taught me the art of multitasking, the courage to take risks and the confidence to pursue my dreams. Every day begins with gratitude, a practice he instilled in me, reminding me to stay spiritually strong. His unwavering belief in the power of a go-getter mentality has motivated me to strive for excellence in all my endeavours. He also taught me the importance of being giving and kind, values that I carry into my personal and professional life. One of my earliest memories is of him sharing stories of our family’s traditions, creating a deep connection to my roots. The values he instilled have empowered me to achieve my goals and navigate life’s challenges with resilience. I am incredibly grateful for his love, wisdom and the lessons he continues to share. These experiences have not only shaped my character but also fuelled my ambition as I carve my own path in the world.

ALAN GYLE, VICAR OF ST PAUL'S KNIGHTSBRIDGE

I grew up in the north of Scotland in a Presbyterian household with lots of churchgoing. In honesty, I feel I have been going to church ever since I was born! My father, Gordon Gyle, was a rebel and had not done especially well at school – but he was entrepreneurial, and whereas my grandfather wanted him to be a doctor, my father went to work for an agricultural agency and thereafter ended up as a very successful businessman, trading in seed potatoes with Europe and growing acres of potatoes in Morayshire. He was passionate about the land, and he loved early morning starts. I learned my love of the early morning from him! Isn’t the world at its best long before anyone else is awake, when you can get things done without interruption? He and I used to sneak out of the house early to walk the fields, and then to call in at the local baker – long before it opened to the public – knocking at the back door to pick up warm rolls straight out of the oven. All this before school. He taught me that what matters in life is trust. If you make a deal, it’s a deal. Your word is your bond. It’s what made him successful as a businessman. And I hope it has helped to shape me as a priest.

BARONESS SOUJATA DEVARIS, CELLIST AND BELGRAVIA RESIDENT

TISSA FONTANEDA, FOUNDER OF EPONYMOUS LABEL TISSA FONTANEDA ON MOTCOMB STREET

My father was one of those men who would never quite fit in to today’s society – not as a person, not as a professional and not even as a father. He never fed me, changed a diaper, or showed up to a parents’ day. My earliest memories are of a strikingly handsome, elegant man who spent his time reading in his exotically decorated study – if he was around at all. I do recall seeing him at breakfast occasionally, always served in bed, just the way he liked it. Was he an ideal father? Definitely not. Yet he profoundly shaped my way of thinking, and I loved him deeply. It was he who awakened in me my love for nature, during our long walks through the stunning Bavarian countryside. It was he who taught me that true happiness could be found in those fleeting moments of bliss – like watching the sun rise over the Alps, reflected in Lake Starnberg, where I grew up. He also gave me my love of books, which are now a constant in my life and travels. And he instilled in me the belief that life is all about energy – and that appreciating beauty is part of a truly cultivated mind.

I always remember my father, Denis Devaris, at the drawing board. He was always creating, building. That spirit shaped me deeply. For him, architecture was about lifting one’s spirit. After years designing schools and hotels, he began a more intimate project in his 50s: Finca Naranjas in Tenerife, where he constructed buildings around the natural environment. One house surrounds a palm tree that grows through the bedroom. At every turn, one encounters surprises; a salvaged fragment from his travels, thoughtfully repurposed, each evoking a sense of awe. He used volcanic stone, wood and salvaged old doors and beams, embedding the island’s heritage into his structures and giving old materials new stories, prompting us to reflect on conflicting impulses: the need to keep hold of things and the desire to change. He believed, like Renzo Piano, that architecture must “listen to nature”. His dream was to create a place of peace for those disconnected from the natural world, especially children surrounded by screens. Finca Naranjas still holds that atmosphere of tranquillity, where time slows and where guests can reflect on taking care of themselves, do yoga, exercise and eat nourishing food, away from a turbulent world. My father passed away in 2023 at 93. His spirit is still very much here. My tribute to him is continuing to create and striving for perfection throughout my life, as he did.

BISCUITS IN BED

A different kind of breakfast in bed, the Dad’s

Delights for dad

RAISE A GLASS

Definitely one to sit pride of place in the drinks cabinet, this Winston Churchill brandy balloon is crafted in sterling silver – ideal for the dad who likes something a little quirky.

£1,950, Theo Fennell, 2 Garrison Square

slippers are crafted in velvet and possess an extravagant plush quilted lining.

£495, Crockett & Jones, 155 Brompton Road

Reminding you that it’s Father’s Day on June 15. You’re welcome

VA VA VROOM

Become the favourite child and get your dad his dream

MASTER

BLASTER Is dad more of a music fan? Surprise him by taking him to BST Hyde Park music festival on July 12, where music legend Stevie Wonder will be performing as part of his Love, Light & Song UK tour. Tickets are on sale here: bst-hydepark.com/events/ stevie-wonder-sat-12-july

SOCKS APPEAL

Baby cashmere socks? It’s a dad thing.

Only Loro Piana will do.

£1,345, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road

More than a move

Pickfords Gold sets a higher standard for both domestic and international moving in and around the heart of London, offering a comprehensive range of services to ensure a seamless transition to your new home.

From meticulous packing of your belongings to specialised handling of antiques, fine art and highvalue items, our expertise caters to the unique needs of discerning homeowners.

Fully bespoke and tailored to suit owners of homes of distinction, Pickfords Gold ensures that every aspect of your move is handled with the utmost care and professionalism. Est.1646

Contact Pickfords Gold:

0203 188 2544

gold@pickfords.com

www.pickfords.co.uk/gold

Our dedicated on-site move executive acts as your personal representative throughout the process, overseeing every detail to provide peace of mind.

Additionally, our white glove home makers service goes beyond the move itself, offering bed-making, kitchen setup and wardrobe organisation to make your new house feel like home.

With its embroidered flowers and loose boho silhouette, this scenestealing dress is an essential summer piece.

£750, Lalage Beaumont, 28 Lowndes Street

BRIMMING OVER

beachside, you’ve still got to look your best. The exquisite Ephémère bikini top and matching bikini briefs are sophisticated and sensual.

Top £215, bottoms £215, Eres, 24 Motcomb Street

Whether it’s to protect your visage from the sun or a means to avoid people, a widebrimmed hat is a must for any summer look. This one has a detachable silk tie – ideal for when you’re feeling extra.

£150, Me+Em, 45 Elizabeth Street

SHE COMES IN LIKE A TORNADO OF JOY – AND IMMEDIATELY ASKS

Checking in

ARM CANDY

You need your eyes open when staying at The White Lotus. We love Schiaparelli’s Soufflé shoulder bag in this stunning turquoise ombré shade. It is embellished with the house’s signature anatomical hardware, forming a face around the handle.

£5,600, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road

THINK PINK

You can never go wrong with espadrilles. Cute and candy pink, these ones from Penelope Chilvers are crafted from velvet, making them just that extra bit unique.

£139, 75 Elizabeth Street

THE WHITE LOTUS

RED ALERT

WATCH OUT

This Rolex needs no introduction. The GMTMaster II, in gorgeous green and black with white gold, is sleek and waterproof to a depth of 100 metres.

£POA, Watches of Switzerland, 47 -51 Brompton Road

THE TRUST-FUND BABY

DON’T WORRY – HE CAN BE REDEEMED

GLIMPSE OF GOLD

A necklace adds a finishing touch to any outfit and looks great peeking out from beneath a shirt. Craftd’s goldplated pendant necklace features a hand-carved depiction of the archangel Saint Michael, a symbol of courage and protection.

£60, Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge

If you’re still recovering from the latest installment of Mike White’s (we’re still reeling), here’s some resortwear inspo

THROWING SHADE

Green and gold is an elite colourway. Which is why we love these vintage-inspired pilot sunglasses featuring dark green-tinted lenses – ideal for observing that suspiciouslooking couple from across the pool.

£175, Lacoste, 44 Brompton Road

HEADS UP

A cap is essential for staying incognito. The 100 cap, crafted from cotton, comes in a dapper ocean-blue shade.

£79, Les 100 Ciels, 79 Knightsbridge

ISLAND INSPIRATION

GET SHIRTY

Unless you’re poolside or on the beach, please refrain from going topless in public. The Los Enamorados shirt from SMR Days is an effortlessly cool and bohemian take on classic shirting – made from woven cotton and embroidered turtles, you’ll want to keep it on.

£795, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road

Counteract any beachside neon horrors with a pair of swim shorts from Derek Rose’s latest collection. We love the island-hopping print, filled with tropical plants and hidden details.

£210, 119 Walton Street

Spacious penthouse apartment

Eaton Square, Belgravia SW1W

Sloane Square Underground Station: 0.3 miles, Victoria Station: 0.7 miles

An incredibly light and well-proportioned lateral penthouse apartment, benefitting from a south-facing terrace and separate staff accommodation. Reception room, separate dining room and kitchen, study, 2 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, direct lift entry, separate staff/guest flat with bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, south-facing terrace, porter, and access to communal gardens (fees apply).

Leasehold (Lease Expiry 2121), | Ground rent peppercorn |Service charge £45,591 per annum (Reviewed annually) | Council Tax Band = H | EPC Rating = E 2,974 Sq Ft | Guide £9.5 million

R ichard Dalton V erity Wakley

Prime Sales

Savills Sloane Street 020 7824 9021 rdalton@savills.com

*pricing correct at the time of print

Prime Sales Savills Sloane Street 020 7824 9029 verity.wakley@savills.com

ALFIE’S AT ALFRED’S

The Alfred Tennyson has opened a dining room serving British and French classics. Alfie’s is on the first floor of the Motcomb Street pub and features British fabrics and antiques with crisp white tablecloths. Chef-director Ben Tish has worked with Alfie’s head chef Stevie Philip (previously at Blanchette and The Dorchester) to create a menu that includes the likes of Hereford beef tartare (served tableside), oysters and dressed Cornish crab. Mains include slow-cooked lamb shoulder and grilled monkfish with bouillabaisse, while puddings range from pistachio soufflé to baked Alaska. Wine plays a central role, with a “black book” of rare and exceptional bottles on offer.

Where to eat and drink this month

WORDS:

JONATHAN WHILEY

Word of mouth

TATO RETURNS

SIGNATURE NOODLES

The Peninsula has opened a noodle bar next to Canton Blue, the hotel’s celebrated Cantonese restaurant. Little Blue Noodle Bar has its own entrance on Grosvenor Crescent and sees Chef Hou serve up four noodle dishes, including dan dan noodles and spiced aubergine noodles, inspired by his heritage and training in China. Perfect for a light dinner alongside a pint of Hong Kong’s much-loved Gweilo beer, or for a late-night takeaway, there is also a “secret” off-menu dish – a rich Peking duck noodle bowl for those who know to ask. Open from 4-10pm daily.

Legendary Argentinian bartender Renato “Tato” Giovannoni has returned to The Emory’s stylish rooftop bar on a permanent basis following a two-month pop-up last year. The menu, El Mar de Tato, is inspired by his childhood in Buenos Aires. Cocktails include San Lucas, a take on the traditional mojito; Amoretti, inspired by a woman he fell head over heels for (and sent 100 bouquets of freesias to show his affection); and the Garua martini, made with distilled London rainwater.

CAPITAL GAINS

Acclaimed chef Tom Brown has opened the doors of his new flagship restaurant in Knightsbridge. Tom Brown at The Capital is located within the Capital Hotel on Basil Street, where Tom first rose to prominence as head chef at Michelin-starred Outlaw’s (which closed in 2019 after six years). The intimate 28-cover dining room offers refined tasting menus with innovation and sustainability taking centre stage. The menu includes dishes such as mussel with port and beetroot, tuna with soy, quail egg and crab custard, and cuttlefish tortellini, with guests able to choose from a three, six or eightcourse menu during lunch and 10 courses for dinner.

TIME TO SPARKLE

The Lanesborough has partnered with the world’s oldest champagne house, Ruinart, to unveil an exclusive pop-up bar in the hotel’s Great Hall. Guests can enjoy a selection of Ruinart’s finest champagne including the signature Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs – a rare cuvée made exclusively from grand and premier cru chardonnay –and the prestigious Dom Ruinart rosé. The bar will feature champagne pairings and gourmet small plates to complement the fizz such as Oscietra caviar. This summer, guests can also enjoy a Ruinart picnic, book a champagne-tasting masterclass with the hotel’s head sommelier or even hire the bar for an exclusive celebration.

SLICE OF AMALFI

Enjoy a taste of the Amalfi coast at Alba London. The restaurant at 70 Brompton Road has a colour palette of lemon yellow, with real citrus scenting the air as chefs work their magic from an open kitchen. Guests can choose fresh fish and seafood from a striking display, as well as Amalfi staples such as shrimp risotto. Other regions are represented too – try the tagliatelle with white Alba truffle, a Piedmontese classic. In the wine cellar, wine lovers will find a Château d’Yquem 6 litres Imperial 1991 – available by the glass. For a cocktail, try the Salento negroni made with extra virgin olive oil fat wash.

A TASTE OF WIMBLEDON

This summer, The Leopard Room at The Rubens plays host to Sweet Serve - a limited-time pop-up with an elegantly crafted dessert paired with Champagne Lanson and live screenings throughout the Championship. For private events, The Leopard Room offers an intimate setting with its own entrance, cocktails, canapés and live entertainment - just steps from Buckingham Palace.

Gin it to win it

Singer Katherine Jenkins and her husband Andrew Levitas tell us what inspired them to create the perfect gin

WORDS: SELMA DAY

Katherine Jenkins is best known as the UK’s most successful classical singer, so it may come as a surprise to discover that she launched her own gin brand in 2023 – Cygnet 22 – with her husband, the artist and social-impact film-maker Andrew Levitas. Following its success, the duo have now created Cygnet 77, another gin that made its debut exclusively at Harrods in April.

The story is a very personal one. “When I studied at the Royal Academy of Music, they warned us about the harsh effects of spirits on our voices, which meant my beloved gin and tonic became a no-no,” says Katherine.

“Ever since then, I had dreamt of creating a gin that was made of such high-quality products that even my singing teacher would approve. I wanted a female distiller who would understand what I was looking for and I wanted it to be made in Wales and, after extensive testing, trialling and sampling, we arrived at a liquid that was so silky smooth, it can be enjoyed neat on the rocks, delicious in its purest form.

“So, the truth is, it was somewhat of a selfish endeavour – to create something that fulfilled a personal need, but now, of course, I am thrilled to see other gin lovers enjoying it as much as I do.”

Andrew adds: “[The aim] certainly wasn’t to create a global luxury brand. We were very focused during the pandemic on supporting the organisations and foundations we work with but, at the end of each day, after the children were asleep, we found ourselves desperate to do something creative to lift our own spirits.

“Katherine performed free weekly concerts online from our living room, and we worked together to produce a film that would bring our extended teams and communities back to work but, beyond that, with film production

mostly shut down globally, my university holding all its courses online and Katherine’s touring all postponed, we sought out a creative bucket list project which we hadn’t had time for previously.

“Katherine had always felt that there was never a gin that spoke to her – or most women out there – and so this wild adventure began.”

Made near Katherine’s childhood home in Wales, each bottle blends the finest botanicals with the purest Welsh water, drawing inspiration from the valleys that shaped her early years.

“Wales is where I am from but, more so, it is who I am,” she says. “I am deeply passionate about where I come from, and grateful to what our precious land and culture has provided for me. Thus I make sure in everything I do, to proudly fly the flag for Wales and the UK more broadly.

“As a Great Campaign ambassador, I try to project the amazing creativity and craftsmanship coming from our country, which is why it was really important to me that we made Cygnet in Wales. We are a small but mighty nation and I believe we have bottled some of that passion.”

One of the gin’s signature ingredients is manuka honey – again influenced by Katherine’s own experience. She says she had been using it for her voice and her family’s health needs for many years because of its healing properties, and it was important to her that the gin embodied some of the botanicals that she swore by in everyday life.

“I wanted it to be an authentic and honest expression of who I am,” she says. “But we could never have imagined that manuka honey would be particularly key because of the way it changes the texture and mouthfeel of the liquid. Cygnet is uniquely smooth and, while all of the 22 botanicals are important, this one

for us was the game changer.”

The ageing process allows the gin to absorb the warmth and spice of the oak, resulting in a decadent spirit with exceptional complexity, featuring layered notes of juniper, chamomile and caramelised manuka honey, complemented by the subtle, woody character of the barrels.

The finish is full-bodied and smooth, with the lingering sweetness of the honey allowing the gin to be enjoyed neat, over ice, or as the perfect foundation for a classic cocktail.

“Cygnet 77 and Cygnet 22 are both built to be sipped on the rocks or enjoyed in a luscious martini, and that’s how Katherine and I enjoy them most. A 77 on the rocks for me, and a 22 on the rocks for her,” says Andrew.

Has it been a fun project to work on together? “Yes,” says Katherine. “While we don’t always agree, getting to be creative collaborators on Cygnet has been brilliant fun and I love working with my husband. It’s become such a passion

Continued overleaf...

“

The Cygnet journey is ultimately about pushing a wider conversation and furthering a trend towards true, uncompromising, sustainable luxury

”

project for us both that when our daughter did a recent school project on her family, she answered the question about her parents’ jobs with: ‘Mummy and Daddy make gin tonics!’ Oh well, at least she has noticed the dedication.”

Having launched exclusively at Harrods on Earth Day, I ask what the couple’s plans are for the brand. “We are deeply grateful that so many folks have embraced Cygnet for all the right reasons and, as a small luxury brand, we need all the likeminded support we can find,” Katherine says.

“But at its centre, the Cygnet journey is ultimately about pushing a wider conversation and furthering a trend towards true, uncompromising, sustainable luxury. Cygnet aims to empower consumers and entrepreneurs to lean into these ideals and become more considered in their offerings.”

Sustainability was a major consideration when designing the bottle. Katherine and Andrew worked with their partner and friend Eric Villency to create the hand-blown Eirlys decanter, crafted to reflect a perfect water droplet, reminiscent of the purest Welsh water used during the distillation process and of Cygnet’s Welsh roots. With a design that can be repurposed, the vessel can be reused over time as a decanter, vase or candlestick holder once the liquid has been enjoyed.

“It is very much representative of us, our ethos and values, says Andrew. “If you could manifest Katherine’s life, work and humanity into a bottle, Eirlys would be it. Timeless, honest, singularly beautiful and powerfully full of all the best things… if I do say so myself.”

Cygnet 77, priced £129, is exclusively available at Harrods

After 36 years serving the Belgravia community, you will have noticed that this magazine has been renamed Belgravia & Knightsbridge

With the continuing growth of Knightsbridge and significant connections between the two districts, we have broadened our circulation to give residents, businesses and visitors the best of both worlds.

We will also be increasing our pagination as we go forward to provide an even better and more fulfilling read wherever you are.

If you are seeing us for the first time, a very warm welcome, and if you’re a long-term supporter, we will continue to be proud to serve you.

If you run a business and want to amplify your message to our affluent and influential readership, then please do get in touch.

For editorial enquiries, please contact Jonathan Whiley jonathan@pubbiz.com

For advertising please contact Bridget Rodricks bridget@pubbiz.com or Richard Taylor richard@pubbiz.com

To subscribe to a digital edition of this or any of the other fabulous publications produced by Publishing Business just follow this link pubbiz.com/subscribe

SingerKatherineJenkins oncraftingtheworld’s mostluxuriousgin HIGH SPIRITS

INSIDE: Heston’s Fat Duck pop-up and White Lotus style inspiration for summer

BelCoverL1v3.2SUBBED.indd 1

Japanese jewel

As beloved Belgravia restaurant Uni reopens, owner and local resident Daniel Shamoon tells us about the exciting changes and how he has become the man behind some of the world’s leading hotels and restaurants

WORDS: SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS

“It’s something in between being inside a yacht and a nightclub,” says Daniel Shamoon as he shows me around his newly renovated Japanese fusion restaurant, Uni, on Ebury Street. I meet Daniel, a prominent figure in the luxury hotel industry, just days after the relaunch party that was attended by residents, local business owners and prominent personalities including James Argent of The Only Way is Essex fame.

The restaurant’s wood panelling screams luxury yacht – there’s an upper deck, a lower deck and cabin quarters with love seats for couples and intimate groups.

“It’s such a small restaurant that we wanted to make it perfect,” Daniel says. “I’m not a huge fan of the formal dinner – I like to pick, have a few things, a cocktail, so I thought, we’ll just do simple, easy to eat, all the favourite dishes from Uni but then a little twist.”

Daniel is talking about small sharing plates of Japanese Peruvian (or Nikkei) cuisine and other fusion food, including omakase sushi, tacos, salads and even make-your-own fatty tuna pani puri. It’s an ideal menu for people who like to go out for a cocktail and a light dinner, as much as it is for those who want to feast.

After a successful 10 years, Uni closed during the pandemic and its absence hadn’t gone unnoticed. “All the locals were saying, ‘I miss Uni’ and I hadn’t really paid much attention to it because we had so many bigger restaurants,” says Daniel.

But while there were originally three Unis – in Belgravia, Marrakech and Marbella – the latter two are now Nobu hotels, so it is up to the Ebury Street location to fly the flag for Japanese fusion cuisine.

Daniel chose the name Uni – the Japanese word for the edible part of a sea urchin – because he’s a “huge fan” of the dish. “It’s my favourite food – we make sure we always have it in stock,” he says.

“We’ve taken what was selling the best in Uni and tweaked it, and then took our bestsellers from other restaurants and put them on the menu to be the real star dishes. The chef’s philosophy is, maybe you’ve had this dish in another restaurant, be it tempura roll or tuna tataki, but I want everyone to eat that dish in our restaurant and say that’s the best one I’ve ever had.”

DANIEL SHAMOON

It’s fair to say Daniel had great training

in the hospitality industry; his father David came to the UK in the 1950s and acquired his own restaurants. “I grew up in that environment and then in the summer holidays I would work in the kitchen, in the bar. I enjoyed it and learnt a lot and it was fun. By the time I was 20 years old I had opened my own restaurant in Marbella – I thought I would do something for the summer with friends but then it went crazy.

“We opened the first, I don’t know if I can take full credit for this, but it was the first beach club, nightclub where you would go and have dinner or lunch and spend time there till six in the morning. There were DJs and performers and the whole idea behind it was that you didn’t have to leave.”

Daniel grew his portfolio around his restaurant knowledge, specialising in luxury hotels with restaurants, and then got involved with opening Nobu hotels. It’s this experience that he believes has helped to create an even better offering at Uni. “Nobu has given us a really great education in Japanese cuisine,” he says. “We’ve changed the formula – before it was very much a sushi all-day

restaurant, now it’s more of an experience where you go to have a drink, socialise.

“The other thing I realised is that [as a Belgravia resident], you’re always going into Mayfair to go out, but you can go to Uni any day and it has a really nice vibe – we went the other night and felt like we didn’t want to leave.”

Home, where Daniel lives with his wife and children, is conveniently a stone’s throw from the restaurant. “We were in Chester Row and then we bought down the road in Grosvenor Gardens Mews,” he says. “Belgravia has changed but it hasn’t changed. I love it here because firstly my kids are at school in Knightsbridge and secondly because I’m always travelling and it’s so accessible from Gatwick. It’s perfect.”

NITRO-POACHED APERITIF (2001)

This dish was inspired by the idea of preparing the palate – something that would cleanse the mouth and whet the appetite at the start of the meal. To do this, Heston turned to green tea for its tannins and polyphenols, which are great natural cleansers, and added lime for that acidic hit that stimulates hunger. He found, however, that using these ingredients was tricky because he wanted the foam to be light but still hold its shape. To solve this, he used liquid nitrogen to freeze the foam instantly, creating a delicate meringue that literally melts in the mouth.

BLACK FOREST GATEAU

(2006)

The inspiration for the BFG came from 1970s nostalgia, and the black forest gateaux that few remember particularly fondly. But Heston felt there was still something there, a memory worth revisiting and reinventing. He went to the actual Black Forest for inspiration, taking in the smell and feel of the place. The result was layers of rich chocolate in its different forms, with hidden griottine and amarena cherries on top to create the BFG’s signature sweet, bitter, salty taste. Finally, kirsch was added to the ganache and ice cream and spritzed at the table to evoke the smell of the forest.

SNAIL PORRIDGE (2003)

It came down to some very good timing. At the same moment that snails were being delivered to the kitchen at The Fat Duck, Heston’s head chef was telling a story about a trip to New York where he tried something called “fish porridge” at a Chinese restaurant. As it turned out, it was actually congee, but by that point the idea had already sparked something in Heston’s mind and he started imagining how he could combine the two – snails and porridge – into something that worked. To make it make sense to the diner, he added classic snail pairings such as parsley, fennel and Pernod. It became this quirky, comforting, yet completely unexpected dish.

Here’s to Heston

In celebration of The Fat Duck’s 30th anniversary, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – the two-Michelin-star restaurant at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park – will offer a limited-edition tasting menu this summer featuring eight iconic Fat Duck dishes from Heston’s three-Michelin-star Bray trailblazer. Adam Tooby-Desmond, head chef at Dinner, explains the inspiration behind three of the signature dishes

AS TOLD TO: JONATHAN WHILEY

The Fat Duck tasting menu will run for two weeks only, from July 1 to 15, from £195 per person. Bookings now open.

The Magic Future Foundation Shoot September 5 2025

Mark your calendars… Friday September 5th 2025, we return to Holland & Holland for another unforgettable day of camaraderie, competition and powerful purpose.

Thanks to your incredible support, last year’s event helped raise a mighty £32,000 - taking us to nearly 28 schools fundraised with our 100 Schools Project. This project is a long-term commitment to education as a path out of poverty, led hand-in-hand with the communities we support. Real places, in real communities, changing real lives.

Every shot you take brings us one step closer — not just to a fun day out, but to a fairer future.

This year’s event will include:

• A warm welcome and breakfast to start the day

• Competitive clay shooting in picturesque surroundings

• Champagne reception and fine wines

• A seasonal, locallysourced lunch by Michelin-trained Chef Joshua Hunter

• A live charity auction with exclusive, money-can’t-buy experiences, hosted by Jonny Gould

We do this in honour of Oli Wissenbach - a wonderful young man who passed at the age of 25. In his memory, Oli’s family launched the 100 Schools Project, a mission to build 100 schools in underserved communities where education can unlock opportunity. His legacy lives on in every classroom opened and every young life empowered. You can follow the journey at oliverwissenbach.com.

In light of the limited venue capacity and to ensure a smooth ticketing process, an exclusive opportunity is extended to secure tickets in advance. Those who sign up early will enjoy up to 35 per cent off ticket costs. Places are limited and go quickly.

For details visit hollandandholland.com/events/the-magicfuture-foundation-shoot

Sofa,

James Cook, co-owner of The Odd Chair Company, shares the story behind the Pimlico Road-based business

WORDS: BIBI COOPER

Don’t be fooled; The Odd Chair Company does a lot more than chairs. “The most unique request we’ve received from a client was when we were asked to upholster a massive staircase on a yacht,” says James Cook, who co-owns the business with his sister, Victoria James. “We do so much more in terms of original bespoke upholstery beyond chairs.”

James’s life in furniture began before he was born. “The business was started in 1969 by our parents,” he says. “They were antique and art dealers who started out restoring antique furniture. But there are only so many chairs you can sell, so we started hand-making them and from there and 420 designs later, it’s evolved. It’s a third-generation business as my great-uncle started the restoration side of it.”

James, who is the company’s design director, adds: “As a family, we all ended up migrating towards the family business – I was a lawyer before all this!”

Relying mostly on word-of-mouth recommendations, The Odd Chair Company has a longstanding reputation for producing handmade bespoke chairs that are exceptionally crafted and – most importantly –comfortable. “Comfort is the most important thing when it comes to chairs and sofas,” James says. “You have to take so many things into consideration – the height, width, everything custom-made to the client’s needs.”

“However, it meant that we were offered a larger space and a lovely side window display that now leads into Newson’s Yard,” says James. “The new showroom, which we moved into in 2022, is bigger and better. We have an array of different designs on show, including our collection of handmade dining chairs, sofas, armchairs, cabinet furniture, mirrors and much more.”

Indeed, the space is warm and welcoming, with The Odd Chair Company’s handmade furniture showcased artfully and elegantly across the large space, and wide windows boasting stunning views across Orange Square.

“It’s been an evolving process,” James says. “There’s a real sense of community and most of us share the same clients, so there’s a lot of bouncing off between us all. As it’s such a premier destination, a lot of people come here and are able to decorate their entire home in this corner of London, so we’re often recommending each other’s businesses in the area to clients.

“I’ve always championed hand-making and crafting. We control every level of production and make everything ourselves here – from selecting the tree to putting [the finished piece] in the client’s home. Meeting the client is part of the process. You learn their personality and tastes and all our clients are so detail-driven. It’s an amazing creative process.”

The Odd Chair Company’s first London showroom opened in 2006 on the King’s Road. But even back then, James knew he wanted to be on Pimlico Road. “I remember when we had the King’s Road showroom, I was always looking at Pimlico Road because it has this special community and we wanted to be somewhere where there were other makers,” he says. “The district was fast becoming the premier design quarter in London and we wanted to be a part of that.”

Eventually, The Odd Chair Company opened its showroom at 45 Pimlico Road in 2017, earning a reputation as the goto destination for anything bespoke and for its fully personalised relationship with each client. “Our reupholstery service is something we’re very proud of,” James says. “Some of our clients’ tastes change or a piece has been with the family for a long time and needs a new look.”

As the company evolved, so did Pimlico Road. When the Newson’s Yard development came into play, the design of the scheme meant that The Odd Chair Company’s old showroom had to be knocked down.

“ We control every level of production and make everything ourselves – from selecting the tree to putting [the finished piece] in the client’s home ”

The family’s commitment to quality has always been at the heart of the company, powered by the strength of the traditional upholstery and cabinet skills obtained by the artisan craftspeople they employ.

“We are probably the foremost largest traditional upholstery company in the UK,” says James. “We select the hairs used for upholstery, the best timber and our artisans are incredibly highly skilled. Pieces should last a lifetime. We’re also the only company of our size that traditionally polishes all our show wood.”

Of all the furniture choices that clients can make, James says that an “incredibly comfortable sofa” is the first piece he would recommend. “In my lounge there are three amazing sofas which have lasted over 25 years,” he says. “I built them myself, so they are custom-made to my comfort perfection.”

As for the future? James says The Odd Chair Company is in the process of launching “a new bed collection, TV ottomans and, best of all, dog baskets”. He adds: “Creating is what we love doing and we can make bespoke dog baskets however the client wishes. A client saw one and now we’re making one fit for their dog!”

GREAT OUTDOORS

Crafted from solid teak, this stylish outdoor table and bench combo is ideal for alfresco dining in the garden.

Table £1,502, bench £831, upholstery £268, Carl Hansen & Søn, 48a Pimlico Road

HOT PLATES

These hand-painted dinner plates feature Sicilian lemons framed with a blue and white rim.

£1,440 for four, Bonadea, 20 Pimlico Road

HAVE A SEAT

With its cheerful cushions and lattice insets, the Hurlingham chair adds charm and whimsy to any outdoor space.

From £6,800, Soane Britain, 50-52 Pimlico Road

EYE SPY

Your table linen says a lot about you. Go against the grain and swap the usual stripes and florals for something a little different. Designed in collaboration with John Derian, the Eye napkin from Summerill & Bishop is an excellent conversation starter at any outdoor soirée.

£35, 58 Elizabeth Street

SOFT TOUCH

Inspired by nature, the curves of Indian Ocean’s Organix Lounge sofa set sit perfectly in any natural setting.

Take a look

Our picks for summer entertaining

WORDS: BIBI COOPER

PERFECT PAIR

Unique and romantic, a few decorative antique pieces in the garden never go amiss. This pair of Regency cast iron and Campana garden urns are simply stunning.

£5,985, Robert Kime, 190-192 Ebury Street

£25,689, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road

Since the opening of her showroom on Pimlico Road in 2022, interior designer Anna Monich, continues working with Ukrainian artisans and artists not only in her projects but also at her studio and showroom at 39 Old Church Street in Chelsea where she relocated in 2024.

Anna Monich continues her mission –introducing carefully selected workshops, artisans, artists to the UK market and incorporating their works into the local interior design scene.

This time Anna has launched something exciting – unlike anything we have seen before. She is exhibiting works by Soc.i.a. – Ukrainianborn artist duo known for transforming movement, music, and street energy into layered, visual rhythm.

“Their art merges street with canvas, sound

experienced. They transcend traditional artistic boundaries, transforming movement and music into a visual language of its own.

The brothers’ creative journey began in the streets, where spray paint and beats merged into a new form of expression. Over time, they honed their craft into something more intentional, an artistic experiment where sound, body, and surface exist in perfect rhythm. Their process is as much a performance as it is a creation: music is composed, the body moves to it, and the act of painting becomes a response to this pulse. Spray cans, brushes, and raw motion translate rhythm into visual form, capturing energy in a way that words cannot.

Dont miss out on Soc.i.a. Summer exhibition at 39 Old Church Street where Anna curated a display of their works across the two floors of her gallery. She framed some pieces to appeal to more traditional folk and left others

ART WITH HEART

with sight. They pull you deep into the void of being, where time warps and identities shift. They tackle the heavy weights of displacement and endurance, painting and playing the essence of human struggle”

“I fell in love with the contrasts of their approach to art –application of street art to canvas, mixing music and video performance with painting. But most importantly their balanced compositions and colour combinations. I can see poetry in each of their art pieces and see them fitting into London interiors” – says Anna.

Soc.i.a. is a duo of multidisciplinary artists, brothers Artur and Igor Spaskyi. Born in Melitopol, Ukraine, currently occupied by Russia. Artur lives and works in Paris, Igor lives and works in Lisbon.

For Artur and Igor Spaskyi, art is not just something to be seen, it’s something to be heard, felt, and physically

unframed and open to imagination. The artworks are displayed in juxtaposition to Anna’s own furniture collection and ceramics – all made in Ukraine.

Exhibition will run during the months of June, July and August

ANNA MONICH Interior Design Studio & Showroom 39 Old Church Street, London SW3 4BS annamonich.com instagram.com/annamonich_/ annamonich.substack.com/p/welcome-to-anna-monich-39old-church

At home with the award-winning interior designer Fiona Barratt-Campbell

WORDS: BIBI COOPER

The award-winning designer and entrepreneur Fiona Barratt-Campbell needs little introduction.

“I always wanted to be a designer,” Fiona says. “Ever since I was a little girl. My grandfather was the founder of Barratt Homes, so I’ve always had him as this huge inspiration. And growing up, my parents were always building and restoring houses, so it became a natural passion. I then trained at Chelsea College of Arts, studied at Parsons School of Design in New York and eventually started my own business in London.”

Recognised as one of Britain’s leading figures in the world of interior design, Fiona launched her own

Estate of mind

interior design studio FBC London – whose flagship showroom is located at 66 Pimlico Road – in 2013. Since then, the business has been known worldwide as a proudly British studio, committed to working with UK artisans and craftspeople, with a focus on luxury furniture pieces that are creative, innovative and boast Fiona’s signature style of rich textures. “Unique, textural and timeless,” says Fiona when I ask her to describe the business in three words.

Design is very much rooted in the family’s DNA –Fiona’s grandfather is property developer Sir Lawrie Barratt, who founded one of the largest residential property development companies in the UK in 1958, Barratt Homes. But where does Fiona source her own inspiration from?

“I take inspiration from anywhere that’s open to receiving it,” she says. “Travel is a big one. Nature, of course. Everywhere I go, everything provides something different – whether it’s a city or a country landscape.”

The country is now where Fiona lives, along with her husband, Sol Campbell, the ex-England and Arsenal footballer. Home is just outside London, near Hungerford to be precise. In 2020, Fiona and her family decided to make the move and renovate an entire estate.

“It’s been five years of renovations now because we’re not just doing the house, but the entire estate,” Fiona says. “The gardens, the separate buildings on the estate, a pool, pool house, tennis court. So it’s really this whole vision. The previous owners had the property for 50 years and it needed to be brought back to life and put back together for the future. As it’s such an old house, we’re keeping all the heritage detailing, but mixing it with some modernity. It’s cool and unexpected.”

And the best part? “My greatest pleasure has been getting involved in the gardens. My grandfather had a 25-acre garden and he was just mad about gardens. He had everything! A rose garden, an orchid house, a tropical house…very much like The Secret Garden, so I’ve loved gardens from such an early age. And gardens really are the extension of your home, so it’s been fun to use that. We have an Italian courtyard between the gym and the orangery and I’ve placed a gorgeous Regency wrought iron bench to marry together some antique planters we picked up. And of course some outdoor FBC pieces, which are modern and strong in terms of design.”

But undertaking such a mammoth project naturally comes with its challenges. “It’s the first time we’re actually living in the property while doing it all up. So we’ve been living on the estate for three years while it’s been building and I’ve always got my interior design hat on. You can’t switch off. You wake up and there’s

“

Designers’ homes are a constant work in progress. I collect so many pieces when I travel, so I have a lot of things that have a very special meaning ”

no downtime – no peace or quiet! We’re close to finishing, though. We probably have six months left. It’s been a great process, but tough.”

When she’s in Belgravia, Fiona’s favourite spots include Daylesford and Oliveto, as well as Chucs on Eccleston Street. But Pimlico Road, naturally, is where her heart lies.

“Pimlico Road provides something different and I think that’s an important part of its success,” she says. “It’s more than a street, it’s really become this destination. The quality of the companies that are down here is phenomenal. Community is very important in design, and although we’re each so different, we all feed off each other, essentially. It’s so important to be surrounded by other companies in the same ilk as your own because it’s inspiring.”

As our chat draws to a close, I have one final question. If there were a fire and Fiona had to save one thing from her home, what would it be?

“My family first! That’s such a difficult question to ask a designer because our homes are a constant work in progress – they are never finished. I collect so many pieces when I travel, so I have a lot of things that have a very special meaning and so many gorgeous antiques from Parisian markets. But I have to say, it’s our Peter Lane coffee table. It’s one of 11 in the world and it’s such a cool and textural statement piece. People walk into the room and say, ‘Wow’.”

Sotheby’s International Realty’s new Knightsbridge office, opening in mid-June, is another landmark launch for a firm taking London by storm

Leader of the pack

WORDS: WILL MOFFITT

Modernist and glass-encrusted, the polished high-rise buildings of One Hyde Park have long been synonymous with wealth and status. This collection of rectangular retail and residential spaces houses luxury stalwarts Rolex and formerly McLaren. Kylie Minogue, the Candy brothers and assorted billionaires have lived on the premises too.

In so many ways that makes the site a fitting location for Sotheby’s International Realty’s new Knightsbridge office. Since George Azar, owner of Sotheby’s real estate franchises in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, acquired the UK branch, the firm has moved fast, disrupting and reclaiming the prime central London property market, where it now stands as the leading luxury property consultancy.

Building on the well-established reputation of the Sotheby’s brand as a seller and purveyor of rare goods and luxury items – and utilising a bespoke commission model that remunerates agents for individual performance – the agency secured the top market share in the £10 million-plus and £15 millionplus market segments in 2024. This year expansion has been a major focus – both in London and elsewhere – and the firm’s new Knightsbridge office will be a pivotal part of operations at home and overseas.

Scheduled to open on June 15, the office, which will initially house about 20 staff, will work in collaboration with the Saudi government’s public investment fund, working with clients from the emirate and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regions.

“The idea [is] to focus within the office on the Saudi client base and also on the UK market. We [will] have a team in the office that focuses purely on London,” explains George Azar, chairman and CEO at United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty.

“There will also be a team based in that office that focuses purely on the Saudi product,” Azar adds. “They will be trained and will be solely working on the Diriyah projects in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Sotheby’s has strong connections to Diriyah Company, the developer working on the ambitious project to preserve and revive the ancient Saudi city of Diriyah, which is an integral part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic and social reform blueprint. Forged in Riyadh, these ties are part of a broader effort to align prospective

“ London agents come with a very structured mindset... My mindset is to break these walls and let them think out of the box ”

Saudi buyers with London’s prime central property market.

Given its popularity as a holiday and lifestyle destination with GCC-based clients, Azar sees Knightsbridge as an ideal place to consolidate and build on that relationship and cater to the growing demand from Middle Eastern buyers.

“The GCC community loves the area. It’s traditionally been an area they [love] to shop in,” Azar says. “When you go there in the summer, you feel you’re part of the Middle East in a way, because it’s predominantly those people enjoying the area. The restaurants and F&B offering really resonates with them, and some of the bars coming to [Knightsbridge] are Middle Eastern.”

Strong links to Middle Eastern demographics have been facilitated and enhanced through Sotheby’s unique business model, which enables agents to be remunerated for deals done with overseas clients.

“Our London estate agents have done very big deals in Dubai this year,” Azar says. “You’re talking about 150, 100 and 80 million pounds’ worth of transactions in Dubai by UK estate agents, where the full fee was paid back to London.”

Endorsing a disruptive approach akin to the “move fast and break things” ethos most commonly associated with tech startups, Azar wants his firm to be a place where innovative thinking can thrive. “London agents come with a very structured mindset,” he says. “My mindset is to break these walls and let them think out of the box.” Given that Sotheby’s UK branch generated transactions worth in excess of £1.2 billion in 2024, this approach is clearly working.

Taking over the former McLaren showroom at One Hyde Park feels like an apt move for a firm that is careering at breakneck speed, leaving the rest of London’s super-prime real estate market in second place.

SICILIAN CHARM

FROM ANCIENT MOSAICS

TO THE WHITE LOTUS

Luxury tour operator Carrier offers “A bridge to the past”, a 14-night trip with an itinerary that takes in the natural and man-made wonders of the Italian island of Sicily, from Byzantine mosaics to Europe’s largest volcano. Activities include cooking classes in a Sicilian home, a 4x4 tour of Mount Etna, wine and granita tasting, tours of the Unesco world heritage sites and a walking tour of the filming locations of The White Lotus. On a city tour of Ragusa Ibla, there is also an opportunity to discover the Sicilian tradition of cart-making, while hotel stays include the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte hotel.

LA DOLCE VITA

ANDREA BOCELLI ON LAKE COMO

Villa d’Este, Lake Como’s grande dame five-star hotel, is now in its 153rd season. A highlight this summer is an exclusive concert with legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, who will perform in the hotel’s majestic Mosaic Gardens on August 20. The evening will begin with a welcome drink on the Colonne Terrace, followed by a concert by the maestro – who has sold a staggering 90 million records worldwide – and a gala dinner by Villa d’Este’s executive chef. It’s open to hotel guests and the public – for tickets, visit villadeste.com/summer-concert.

CULTURE CLUB

Time it right and this summer you can combine a glamorous European stay with a concert by Andrea Bocelli in Italy or an exhibition of 20th-century masterpieces in Monaco. We pick out some of the best cultural escapes

WORDS: JONATHAN WHILEY

ART ATTACK MASTERPIECES IN MONACO

This summer the Grimaldi Forum Monaco presents an exhibition dedicated to the modern history of colour through major 20th-century masterpieces. Colors! runs from July 8 to August 31 in the principality, featuring a showcase of more than 100 works. They include paintings by 30 key artists from the Centre Pompidou collection including Pablo Picasso, Sonia Delaunay, Wassily Kandinsky, Henri Matisse and JeanMichel Basquiat among others. Kick back in style by retreating into the hills at the beautiful Maybourne Riviera hotel – set above RoquebruneCap-Martin, it’s super-sleek (as you might expect from the group that also runs The Berkeley and The Emory).

GREEK CHIC SANI’S STAR-STUDDED FESTIVAL

The renowned Sani Festival returns this summer (July 12 to August 23) with another stellar line-up of music stars. Hosted by Sani Resort on Sani Hill – on the beautiful Greek island of Halkidiki – this year’s performers include the likes of Gloria Gaynor (inset), Norah Jones, Gipsy Kings and the original members of Buena Vista Social Club. Running for more than 30 years, the festival has seen performances from stars such as Jack Savoretti and Andrea Bocelli. Guests at Sani can enjoy more than 1,000 acres of forest, wetlands and beaches, with an impressive 10 swimming pools and 40 restaurants and bars, plus a Rafa Nadal tennis centre. For tickets, visit sani-resort.com/festivals/sani-festival-2025.

3 MORE ESCAPES FOR THE CULINARY CURIOUS

UP AND AWAY

Surrey hotel Beaverbrook’s now iconic balloons – designed by Summerill & Bishop – will make their debut at Royal Ascot this year (June 17-21). Set within the Royal Enclosure, they will offer alfresco dining spanning brunch, lunch and afternoon tea.

COUNTRY LIFE

Cubitt House (The Alfred Tennyson, The Thomas Cubitt) will host a summer feast at Nevill Holt festival in the Leicestershire countryside. A “Provence-style endless lunch” on June 7 will feature dishes cooked over an open fire, paired with rosé wine.

NONNA’S CUCINA

Palazzo Avino, the “pink palace” in Ravello on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, has a new cookery school set in the hotel’s enchanting gardens. It is inspired by childhood memories of the owners, with recipes rooted in the flavours of their grandmothers’ cooking.

THE

HVN HYPERBARIC OXYGEN CHAMBER WITH BODY BALLANCER LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

Don’t be alarmed by its appearance. Just 30 minutes in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber promises a ton of benefits, including increased energy levels, accelerated cellular repair, a boost in metabolism, immediate relaxation and reduced stress.

But how does it work? “The increased oxygen levels and enhanced oxygen delivery stimulate new cell turnover and massively boost the healing process, which makes this treatment perfect for those recovering from surgery or any injuries,” Xenia Mitsiou, therapist at The Hvn, explains. “In this space, oxygen is absorbed more effectively into the bloodstream.”

The structure is an enclosed but spacious chamber with comfortable bedding and a leather interior. Your therapist sits beside you, monitoring the entirety of your session. Aside from a bit of aeroplane-style ear popping, the experience is deeply relaxing. Choose between a 30-minute session (£75) or a 60-minute session (£140) and for optimum results, three to five sessions per week is recommended.

57-63 Knightsbridge

Biohacking. It can be alienating to even the most well-versed in the beauty and wellness community. But what even is it? Simply put, biohacking uses a mixture of science, technology and treatments tailored to upgrade physical and mental performance. From supplements, IV therapies and wearables to genetic testing and ice baths, biohackers aim to take control of their biology by “hacking” their body in order to optimise their health and wellbeing and push their potential to the max

WORDS: BIBI COOPER

Health hacks

BODYSPACE BODY ASSESSMENT

In just two hours, The Bodyspace Lifestyle Comprehensive Performance & Health Assessment (£450) can give you an in-depth evaluation of your cardiovascular efficiency, metabolic rate, body composition and functional movement. You’ll be put through a VO2 max test, a resting metabolic rate assessment, a training zone analysis and more. “This isn’t just personalised data,” Stephen Price, Bodyspace’s managing director, says. “It’s a hyper-personalised roadmap, strategised from a comprehensive understanding of your cardiovascular health, metabolism, body composition and movement. The treatment allows us to understand your health today with a clear view to optimising your performance and wellbeing tomorrow.”

Bodyspace at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge

REDEFINING LUXURY SENIOR LIVING

Loveday Belgravia is transforming the senior living experience, offering an exquisite blend of world-class hospitality and unparalleled care including residential, nursing, memory, day club and rehabilitation services.

Designed with sophistication and comfort in mind, our beautifully curated spaces provide everything you need to feel your best and elevate your every day. Enjoy access to a state-of-the-art gym and hydro treadmill, a wellness treatment

room, a creative art studio, a beauty salon and elegant lounges throughout the residence. Relax in our cocktail lounge while enjoying picturesque views of Belgravia and private dining experiences tailored to your preferences.

As a Loveday Founders Club Member, reserved exclusively for our first Members, you will receive luxury gifts from iconic British brands such as Fortnum & Mason and Aspinal of London. Our expert mixologist will craft a signature cocktail just for you and

a professional artist will paint your one-of-a-kind portrait. You’ll also have the opportunity to select from our most sought-after suites with breathtaking city views, enhanced by a bespoke interior design consultation to make your space truly your own.

Connect with our experts today to learn more:

020 4530 4740

www.lovedayandco.com

CABIN-BAG READY WHETHER IT’S SUN AND SEA OR A QUICK CITY BREAK, THESE MINIATURES HAVE YOU COVERED

DR SOMJI VITAMIN C DAILY DEFENCE MOISTURISER

SPF30 (50ML)

Free up bag space with two products – SPF and moisturiser – in one tube.

£75, Dr MediSpa, 18 Beauchamp

EAU D'ITALIE MYSTIC SUNSET (100ML)

Don’t forget the fragrance! Floral, fruity and exclusive to Les Senteurs, this is inspired by Italy’s Amalfi coast – perfect for any sunny getaway.

£150, 71 Elizabeth Street

TOLPA DERMO FACE LIPIDRIO NOURISHING REGENERATING CREAM-OIL FOR NIGHT (40ML)

Use this cream at night to maintain your skincare routine while on holiday.

£8.57, Boots, 147-149 Brompton Road

FLORA HAIR SPA SCALP DETOX

The secret to having a full, lush head of hair lies in the scalp – and the Flora Hair Spa at Harrods has come up with a groundbreaking bespoke hair spa treatment (£100) to restore the scalp and hair to their strong and healthy natural state. “Think about all the products we use in our hair. Eventually that gets built up,” George Akkad, elite stylist at the Harrods salon, says.

The treatment, which is designed to balance the scalp microbiome, is intense: an expert examines your scalp and hair before a bespoke cocktail of ingredients – keratin, ceramides, amino acids, microbiome boosters, hyaluronic acids and more – is made to address whatever your scalp and hair need. This is then paired with 30 minutes of massages and sensory techniques to stimulate stem cell renewal. The results are almost immediate: instantly the scalp is rejuvenated and refreshed and hair is shinier. Over the next few weeks, the hair fibre significantly strengthens as it repairs itself. 87-135 Brompton Road

ACCOUNTANTS

Enpeyz Chartered Accountants

Local accountants offering professional services at very competitive prices. Email info@enpeyz. com to book your free consultation. 158 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1 020 7259 9645

ART/CULTURE

Art Fancier

Privately guided bespoke art tours of the Wallace Collection, the Courtauld and the Royal Academy of Arts. artfancier66@gmail.com 07939 489 220

ESTATE AGENTS AND PROPERTY CONSULTANTS

Quintessentially Estates

An award winning, global, lifestyle real estate company, boasting a team of London and international specialists. quintessentiallyestates.com

51 Kinnerton Street, SW1X 8ED 020 7201 0700

Savills

International network of more than 600 offices and associates throughout the Americas, the UK, continental Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East, offering a broad range of specialist advisory, management and transactional services to clients all over the world.

Savills Sloane Street first opened in 1984 and has become synonymous with selling some of the finest properties in central London. It is also home to the London private office team, who have a vast experience and knowledge to help ultra-high net worth private clients and their advisors, family offices and wealth advisors, navigate the London property market. Over 100 offices in the UK, 35,000 staff. 139 Sloane Street, SW1 020 7730 0822

HOME MAINTENANCE

Quintessentially Home

Award winning specialists in home and vacant property management in central London, since 2007.

quintessentiallyhome.com

51 Kinnerton Street, SW1X 8ED 020 7201 0700

Focus SB

Finely finished premium electrical accessories manufactured in the UK including switches, sockets, lighting controls keypad faceplates. www.focus-sb.co.uk sales@focus-sb.co.uk 01424 858060

Pro-Cleaning

Professional cleaning services for domestic, commercial and short term lets. cleaningpro.lnd@gmail.com www.procleaninglnd.com +44 7925 168762

JEWELLERY

Elizabeth Gage

Internationally renowned British designer, Elizabeth Gage has sculpted the world of jewellery as we know it today and continues to do so with her avant-garde designs and boundless creativity. Elizabeth’s artistry knows no bounds. Every piece is unique and we have a vast collection of pieces to suit a wide range of preferences. We also offer an exquisite commissions service for those who wish to encase their own stones in an Elizabeth Gage design, redesign an existing piece of jewellery, or simply design a piece especially for that someone special. Our boutique is open from Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm, an appointment is not mandatory.

5 West Halkin Street, SW1X 8JA elizabeth-gage.com 020 7823 0100

LAW

Expatriate Law – Family Lawyers

Expatriate Law is an award winning divorce and family law firm advising international families living in London. Our experienced solicitors provide expert legal advice on high net-worth cross-border or complex divorce and related family law issues. Our expertise covers all areas of family law including pre and post nuptial agreements, separation agreements, child relocation, child arrangements and disputes, asset protection during divorce, same sex divorce, separation claims for unmarried couples, maintenance and asset claims on separation. Confidential and discrete consultations available at our Belgravia office. Contact us for confidential advice. www.expatriatelaw.com melissa@expatriatelaw.com 020 3096 7169

LIFESTYLE

Lifestyle & Design Project

“Refine your lifestyle through wardrobe management, exclusive luxury goods shopping, and event management, making a unique lasting impression.”

https://www.lifestyledesignproject.com/ Email: michela@lifestyledsignproject.com 07849 598 960

OFFICES / CO-WORKING SPACE

25 Eccleston Place

Private office and open plan co-working space in Eccleston Yards. All-inclusive memberships, eight private meeting rooms and 24/7 access. 25 Eccleston Place, SW1W 9NF info@25-ep.com

PICTURE FRAMERS F RAME DESIGNS

Frame Designs

Bespoke picture framing business, established 1985.

Quality and craftsmanship guaranteed. 57 Ebury Street, SW1W 0NZ www.framedesigns.london 020 7730 0533

SECURITY SERVICES

Westminster Security Ltd

London’s leading private security and investigations company, providing security and peace of mind to high-networth individuals and families, CEOs and Executives, royalty, and heads of state with our discreet personal close protection and residential security services. We provide our services globally for highrisk, high-profile Principals using ex-Military and Police security operatives of the highest calibre with exemplary backgrounds, training, and experience, ensuring your complete safety and confidentiality. Contact us today to discuss your security concerns or requirements.

16 Old Queen Street, Westminster, SW1H 9HP www.westminstersecurity.co.uk 020 7123 4544 or 07554 000 300

Askari Secure Ltd

Askari Secure Residential Security Officers aim to provide a secure environment to an individual or a family whilst in residence. You, your family or your property may require Residential Security for many reasons. A few of these could include a threat to your family, deterring criminal activity, trespassing or protection of privacy. Our Officers are unobtrusive and discreet but effective enough to provide a security screen that is appropriate to the perceived level of threat. Residential Security is not just restricted to your home. It could also be useful within your hotel, private apartment, office, and private yacht or even at hospital.

52 Grosvenor Gardens, SW1W 0AU www.askarisecure.com 020 7764 0708

TAILORING

Alterations & Bespoke Specialists

We are a highly experienced team of tailors specializing in clothing alterations, tailoring, bespoke, garment copy, wedding alterations, suits, leather, embroidery.

44 Moreton St, SW1V 2PB, London info@alterationsandbespoke.com alterationsandbespoke.com 07985 575 350

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LilaConnect

Experience lightning-fast connectivity with LilaConnect Full Fibre. Elevate your digital world with unbeatable speeds & reliability! lilaconnect.co.uk sales@lilaconnect.co.uk 0800 955 6670

Prime Fibre

Transform your online experience with Prime Fibre: Offering premium internet packages from a range of providers. primefibre.london info@primefibre.london 020 3151 5004

SPORTS COACHING

Boof Sports

The finest private sports coaching in Belgravia and Knightsbridge - coaching all ages and all standards.

Please contact Nick Poulton at Boof Sports on hello@booftennis.co.uk www.boofsports.co.uk 07816 55 88 77

WEALTH MANAGERS

Alex De Silva & Co Wealth Managers Your local financial and property finance advisors. First Floor, 158 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1 www.alexdesilvaco.com 020 4546 7823

Brompton Private Wealth

Working with a wealth manager can provide the opportunity to add value in a variety of ways:

• Helping to maintain financial security and to pass on wealth to loved ones

• Minimizing administration

• Creating a financial plan that enables access to tax effective income and capital

• Reducing exposure to Inheritance tax

• Providing risk management through genuine diversification in terms of investment management approach

In order to receive a complimentary guide covering, wealth management, retirement planning or Inheritance tax planning, contact us by telephoning: 020 8042 0055 or emailing Edward or Henry edward.thornton@sjpp.co.uk henry.parker@sjpp.co.uk 116 Brompton Road

Restaurant?

ABC Kitchens at The Emory – it’s like they built the menu just for me. Delicious, fresh and such clever dishes.

Shop?

Mayhew on Motcomb Street for the best selection of international print, and of course Rachel Vosper – my neighbour and candle-maker extraordinaire.

Cafe?

Carpo Knightsbridge is where I go for my coffee hit.

Glam?

Without a doubt Errol Douglas, with the wonderful Yolanda.

Hidden gem?

Cantinetta Antinori London for a bowl of pasta.

Alexandra Llewellyn is known worldwide for her bespoke game design. From her studio in Kinnerton Place South, she is regularly commissioned by luxury brands, celebrities and royalty. She tells us her favourite local spots

Hotel?

My clients love to stay at Beaverbrook Town House.

Favourite aperitivo hour spot?

The Aubrey for a dirty martini and some charcoal chicken karaage and gomae salad.

Work or workout?

Both – but I feel very lucky to walk into work every day.

Way to start the day?

Game on

My walk from Clapham, over the river, and through Chelsea and Belgravia to work on Kinnerton Street.

Fondest memory of Belgravia?

All of my neighbours – it is the most wonderful community.

Words of wisdom?

I wish I listened to myself a little more – but pop over the road to Hyde Park. There’s nothing better than sitting on a park bench watching the world go by on the Serpentine.

Follow @alexandrallewellynlondon on Instagram

Make this summer truly unforgettable at your neighbourhood hotel.

Savour our award-winning COMO Shambhala afternoon tea, enjoy a refreshing cocktail, or take flight with our bespoke Halkin Gin, served in three distinctive styles at The Halkin Bar.

Our Private Dining Room offers the perfect setting for family celebrations and intimate gatherings.

To make a reservation, please contact us at:

T. +44 20 7333 1000 E. thehalkin@comohotels.com W. www.comohotels.com/london/como-the-halkin

EBURY STREET, BELGRAVIA SW1

£2,550,000 | Leasehold (exp.18th June 2064)

• 2 Reception rooms

• 3 Double Bedrooms

• 2 Bathrooms (1 en suite)

• 2 Roof Terraces

• Carparking Space

• 16 hour Porterage & Lift

CHESTER ROW, BELGRAVIA SW1

£3,500 per week | Unfurnished

• Double Reception room

• 5 Double Bedrooms

• 3 Bathrooms

*

• Dining room

• Kitchen/Breakfast room

• Private Garden

• Approx. 1,596 sq ft (148.31 sq m)

• EPC (C)

• Council Tax Band (H)

• Approx. 2,648 sq ft (246 sq m)

• EPC (D)

• Council Tax Band (H)