Belgravia & Knightsbridge Issue 193

Nadja Swarovski on her stylish second act

ALSO INSIDE: The Mitfords’ Belgravia betrayal

DESIGN ICONS FOR DAILY LIFE

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Editor & publishing director

Jonathan Whiley 020 7259 1057 jonathan@pubbiz.com

Deputy editor

Bridget Arsenault 020 7259 1055 BA@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

020 7259 1053 adrian@pubbiz.com

Cover image: Andy Taylor

FANTASTICAL FUNGI

Bonadea’s mushroom salt and pepper set has arrived just in time for an autumn tablescape. It is made in porcelain and gold by Hungarian brand Herend, which has been hand-making luxury porcelain for nearly 200 years.

OVER THE RAINBOW

Ulysse Nardin’s Blast Sparkling Rainbow watch with 211 sapphires is a high-jewellery masterpiece. Only eight are available.

£419,270, Watches of Switzerland, 47-51 Brompton Road

TABLE TALK

£220, 20 Pimlico Road

Jo Loves founder Jo Malone has joined forces with master distiller Joanne Moore to create three bottles of vodka – The Purist 101, The Bohemian 102 and The Artist 103.

£49.99, jovodka.com

The Sleeping Beauty linen tablecloth, part of the Summerill & Bishop x John Derian collection, is available in three sizes and inspired by John Derian’s love of botanical imagery.

£295-£395, 58 Elizabeth Street

Hot list

The best buys this month

WORDS: SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS

SO SURREAL

, a “baby sumo” size book, is a collector’s edition on Salvador Dalí, released exactly 40 years after Taschen’s first book on the artist. They’re limited to 10,000 numbered copies for a reason, as this collection features rarely seen pieces, archive photos and personal writing.

£1,000, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road

CHARM-ING

Popular charms from Loquet are now available in pendant form, with designs including a rainbow, evil eye, four-leaf clover and smiley face.

From £530, 73 Elizabeth Street

TOP 3 TIPPLES

ENJOY A NIGHT IN WITH ONE OF THESE SPECIAL SPIRITS

GIN GIN

The Lanesborough London Dry Gin is inspired by the royal gardens of Hyde Park, St James’s Park and Green Park.

Hand-crafted by award-winning Hawkridge Distillers, the spirit has notes of juniper, citrus and a hint of rosemary.

£80, Hyde Park Corner

READY TO RUM-BLE

A blend from Venezuela, Trinidad and the Dominican Republic, The Hari Rum is a cask-aged rum with notes of orange, vanilla and tobacco. Try it in The Hari Mail cocktail.

£18, 20 Chesham Place

Sip timeless cocktails at The Stables Bar, The Milestone Hotel, or unwind in the intimate elegance of The Egerton’s Bar - two exquisite escapes in the heart of Kensington.

SILVER SUNDAY

A tea party celebrating the older generations will take place in Belgravia on October 5. Silver Sunday, held within Eaton Square gardens, is organised by local resident and committee member of the Belgravia Society, Marina Kaloghirou, in memory of her mother, Galateia, with the help of volunteers from the community. There will be tea and nibbles as well as the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Book your place by emailing Vivienne Mitchell at bookings@openage.org.uk.

Upfront

The latest local news

WORDS: SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS

ON THE MARKET

UAE-based property developer Binghatti has launched its first international sales boutique on Brompton Road. A big step in the brand’s global expansion, the London boutique will highlight Binghatti’s real estate offerings and serve as a dedicated investment platform for international buyers. Chairman Muhammad BinGhatti said: “Our presence in London marks a strategic evolution in our vision to make world-class real estate accessible to international investors. At Binghatti, we are committed to delivering architectural excellence and investment value to a global clientele, allowing them to connect directly with Dubai's most prestigious opportunities right from their own cities.”

WILD RIDE

Lady Sarah Aspinall, model, conservationist and wife of the zoo and casino owner John Aspinall, has died at her home in Cape Town aged 80. Formerly Sally Curzon, she married John – 20 years her senior – in 1972 and they lived at 1 Lyall Street in Belgravia, where they famously housed tigers and Himalayan bears. A member of the aristocracy, Lady Aspinall fully adopted her second husband’s interest in wildlife and was known to bottle-feed cheetahs and walk their tigers around Belgravia at night.

SWEET SIXTY

Peter Sweeney recently marked 60 years as a doorman at The Goring hotel. His career began aged 15, at a hotel near Kensington Gardens. Three years later, in 1965, he joined The Goring as a doorman, taking over the job from his brother Alan, who left to join the army. Now aged 82, Peter is still the smiling face who greets every guest. “Everyone asks me the secret to being a good doorman, and it’s simple: turn up to work with a smile and be kind to people,” he said. “The Goring has given me a career, a family and lifelong memories, and 60 years later, I’m still here every morning because I love the people I encounter. My motto in life has always been to keep working for as long as you can, or at least that’s what my girlfriend tells me!”

TEBBIT TRIBUTES

Tributes have been paid to Norman Tebbit, once at the heart of Margaret Thatcher’s political revolution, following his death at the age of 94. Lord Tebbit lived near Michael Heseltine on Belgravia’s Chapel Street for many years; the home was offered to him by the late Duke of Westminster for peppercorn rent after his wife was left paralysed and he was injured in the Brighton IRA bombing of 1984. Following Thatcher’s death in 2013, Tebbit –considered the Iron Lady’s right-hand man – wrote an obituary of the former prime minister for Belgravia magazine.

SCHOOL TIME

Francis Holland School, Sloane Square will host an open evening in October to welcome prospective girls and their parents. The 11-plus open evening event takes place on October 8 and includes an introduction to the school and a chance to hear from staff members and pupils, as well as a talk from headteacher Alexandra Haydon. It follows another year of outstanding exam results; on average pupils achieve a grade higher than their baseline predictions. To book a place, visit fhs-sw1.org.uk/admissions

IF THE SHOE FITS

The UK’s first exhibition honouring Marie Antoinette has opened at the V&A. The showcase of 250 objects looks at the style of the French queen and includes pieces never before seen outside France. This includes rare, personal items owned by Marie Antoinette including silk slippers and jewellery from her private collection. The exhibition is sponsored by Manolo Blahnik, who also designed shoes made for Kirsten Dunst for Sofia Coppola’s Oscar-winning Antoinette

September 20 to March 22, Cromwell Road

What’s on

BEHIND THE CURTAIN

Joss Graham Gallery is hosting Indigo Journeys:

A Selling Exhibition of Rare Indigo Textiles & Costume from Around the World. Part of London Textile Month, the exhibition will explore the rich cultural heritage of indigo dyeing. Be sure to catch the last few days. Until October 4, 10 Eccleston Street

October & November

WORDS: SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS

REACH FOR THE SKY

A space gallery is opening at the Science Museum this autumn. The free gallery will reveal stories of space exploration, showcasing new technologies from the UK space sector for the very first time, including prototype electric propulsion technology from Magdrive, objects such as a piece of the moon, the capsule that carried astronaut

Tim Peake and the space suit worn by astronaut

Helen Sharman. Exhibition Road

PORTRAIT DE MARIE-ANTOINETTE À LA ROSE, ÉLISABETH-LOUISE VIGÉE LE BRUN

IMAGE: CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES, DIST GRAND PALAIS RMN CHRISTOPHE FOUIN

Betrayal in Belgravia

Infamous, intriguing and impossibly glamorous, the Mitford sisters still fascinate to this day. We take a look at their lives

WORDS: CORRIE BOND-FRENCH

During the latter days of the 1930s, on an elegant sweep of stuccoed townhouses where wisteria now blooms and withers with the seasons, a blonde, pale-eyed Nazi sympathiser welcomes visitors behind blackout curtains, doors closing firmly as “Heil Hitlers” skitter on air heavy with subterfuge.

Smoke billows into the smog as papers burn in grates and plans are hatched. But this isn’t Berlin – it’s Belgravia. And there’s no blue plaque to commemorate these former residents of Eaton Square.

Later, during the Blitz, a novelist – a future CBE recipient no less – houses Polish Jewish refugees in her aristocratic family’s Knightsbridge home, 26 Rutland Gate: the townhouse to which she and her sisters had returned, giddy and triumphant, from their coming-out balls in happier times.

Nancy Mitford, the eldest and best known of the six Mitford sisters, had already penned Love in a Cold Climate, The Pursuit of Love and, indeed, the very damning denunciation of her fascist sister Diana, the most notorious of the clan, to the Churchill government.

A June 1940 MI5 memo described Diana as “a public danger at the present time. She is said to be far cleverer and more dangerous than her husband and will stick at nothing to achieve her ambitions – she is wildly ambitious.”

The sole sister born in Belgravia, Diana knew the area better than most and had partied in many of its grand houses. She then scandalised the family, leaving her first husband, Bryan Guinness, and their marital home at Buckingham Place. She moved to 2 Eaton Square to be close to the Ebury Street flat of her married lover, fascist party leader Oswald Mosley. Following the early death of Mosley’s first wife, the pair wed secretly in Joseph Goebbels’ drawing room. Adolf Hitler was guest of honour. And this was just two days after the 1936 Battle of Cable Street, when Mosley’s British Union of Fascists Blackshirts had been faced down in the East End.

When they were eventually arrested, Diana stuffed their wedding gift from Hitler, a framed photograph of himself, under her baby’s cot mattress. The couple were eventually reunited in Holloway prison, where Diana, an unrepentant fascist in furs, grew vegetables in enforced faux domesticity.

“

Unity (almost unbelievably conceived in the town of Swastika in Ontario) was the ardent Nazi who stalked and befriended Hitler, recording 139 meetings with him in her recently discovered diaries with fangirl fervour.

Her botched suicide attempt when war with Britain was declared saw Hitler arrange her return to England amid rumours of a secret baby. The bullet that remained lodged in her brain caused her early death.

[Diana is] a public danger at the present time. She is said to be far cleverer and more dangerous than her husband and will stick at nothing to achieve her ambitions ”

TOP: OSWALD MOSLEY AND DIANA MITFORD

The Mitfords were a notorious clan of contradictions, idealogues and countrywomen, appalling and intriguing in turn. They – and their parents – took tea with Hitler and had family ties to Churchill, not least through one sister’s elopement to marry his nephew.

Diana was considered the most intellectual by her sister Deborah; Jessica (Decca), the communist runaway, was a noted academic and respected figure in

LEFT: THE MITFORD SISTERS FROM LEFT: JESSICA, NANCY, DIANA, UNITY AND PAMELA IN 1935. THE YOUNGEST, DEBORAH, IS ABSENT

IMAGE: ALAMY

BELOW: ASTHALL MANOR IN THE COTSWOLDS, THE CHILDHOOD HOME OF THE MITFORD SISTERS

Then there was Deborah (Debo), the Duchess of Devonshire who knew JFK and set up shop on Elizabeth Street to sell produce from the Chatsworth estate that she had guided into the 21st century. And what of frugal countrywoman Pamela, described by poet John Betjeman as “gentle Pamela, the most rural of them all”? She eventually lived quietly in the Cotswolds as what her sisters described as a “you-knowwhat-bian” (a lesbian). And there was Nancy, who briefly attended Francis Holland School, was encouraged to write by Evelyn Waugh and who was happy to secretly observe and report on her fascist sister.

In writing her books, Nancy turned them all into characters and myth. A new series, Outrageous, airing on BritBox, proves that the pursuit of Mitford history continues. But it was Diana’s granddaughter Charlotte Mosley who published a book of the family’s letters that was manna for so-called Mitfordians.

“They were like a chemical experiment,” says Laura Thompson, author of Take Six Girls and Life in a Cold Climate, a biography of Nancy Mitford. “Six total individualists, put them all together, give them that

CULTURE

“The letters are an unparalleled window on to a period of history that still fascinates us, but I do think we’d see them very differently without Nancy’s writing; the family’s image would be stark. They all meant what they were doing, they were politically serious – and yet also desperately competitive with each other.”

Laura met Debo, as well as Diana the year before she died at 93. “Debo was more down to earth, but marvellous. Very frank, very direct. They’ve all got this wonderful directness, which comes from pure self-confidence. She’s a very appealing figure.”

Debo famously said “you love the person, not the politics”. Laura says: “She didn’t go in for emotional complications. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t wise. That quote – it’s how she navigated the storm and survived them all.

“Diana said, ‘I’ve had a fantastic life’. I can still hear her saying it. And really, objectively, she hadn’t in many ways. She went to prison, became a social pariah because of Mosley. But she still spoke extremely highly of him.” It seems extraordinary when he was continually unfaithful to her, including an affair with his first wife’s younger sister.

“I do think they’ve got this thing whereby something happened, so pretending it didn’t is pointless, and pretending to feel a feeling you don’t feel is pointless. She just didn’t really care what people said. She said, ‘Oh, the Mitford family’s become a terrible bore’. She did say that. She was extraordinary.”

In 1999 and 2002, our managing director, Adrian Day, interviewed Diana and Debo, the last two surviving sisters. Diana happily reminisced in 2002, the year before she died: “I remember my years at Eaton Square well, it was a charming little house looking on to the whole length of the gardens –very light and sunny. My sister Nancy called it ‘the Eatonry’. She stayed with me there very often.

“Eaton Square was not fashionable in the 1930s, it became much more fashionable after the

Did Diana divulge anything surprising? “She was angry with Nancy because she’d not long found out that Nancy had denounced her in the war. It wasn’t even as recent as all that, but I think she was still trying to process it. Nancy sent her books; she sent her letters. And then eventually Diana found out she’d reported her. She never got over it.”

A Belgravia betrayal that came back to bite after death, sisterly bonds cracking under the weight of history, yet to some the sisters are curiously modern. “There’s a reason young women and gen Z are fascinated by them,” Laura says. “They’re like a manual. Bold, funny, autonomous – even when completely wrong. They didn’t just signal. They did. And then they lived with the consequences.” Perhaps, but it

IN THE ARCHIVES…

war. The only politician I remember there was Leopold Amery, though there may have been others.”

Amery’s “In the name of God, go!” speech in 1940 saw the downfall of the prime minister Neville Chamberlain. His eldest son John was a Nazi sympathiser, hanged for treason after the war.

Debo, the Duchess of Devonshire, revealed her passion for Elvis and spoke of JFK, her relative through marriage in 1999. “When he came into a room the whole place lit up. He was so funny – he was the only

politician I’ve ever known, and I’ve known many, who could laugh at himself, and he did.”

She also lamented reductive characterisation. “I’m meant to be a duchess and nothing else, and my sister Diana is meant to be a fascist and nothing else, which is ridiculous because everyone has a rounded character, don’t they?”

Labelled as unrepentant in reviews of her biography and appearance on Desert Island Discs, Diana told Adrian: “I have never gathered what I am supposed to be repentant about.”

DEBORAH

Reimagining The Macallan’s Timeless Collection

There is no shortage of storytelling in today’s ever-more competitive premium spirits market. Indeed, in the rarefied world of single malts, the imagery and branding can often overshadow the liquid itself.

Not so at storied distillery The Macallan, where evolution arrives with a whisper rather than a fanfare. Synonymous with playing the long game, the brand has just made what might appear a bold visual statement –but in typically quiet, considered fashion.

Without altering a drop of its classic single malt, The Macallan has reimagined the presentation of its signature Timeless Collections. The result is a new aesthetic that speaks of heritage and modernity in the same breath, via a significant visual shift, but one that is resolutely grounded in substance.

The quiet, symbol-rich reimagining has been led by graphic designer David Carson. Best known for his subversive, intuitive approach, Carson brings an experimental sensibility that, somewhat counter-intuitively, sits well against The Macallan’s 200-year-old narrative. So the bottle forms now echo the contours of The Macallan’s Speyside distillery, while a triangular shoulder label nods to the Sherry Triangle of southern Spain, where the distillery’s oak casks are seasoned.

Inside the bottle, nothing has changed. And it is the Sherry Oak Collection, matured

solely in this signature wood, that is the archetypal expression of The Macallan: assertive and rich with dried fruits, spice and a long, contemplative finish. The Double Cask Collection, meanwhile, is a masterclass in duality, drawing from both American and European oak to create a warm, harmonious dram. And the Colour Collection, introduced in 2023, offers a brighter, more citrus-led profile, with American oak providing a natural palette of golden hues and vanilla notes.

Those identities are reflected in Carson’s designs, which he describes as being ‘like whisky – all about balance’. And therein lies the key to this new chapter. It honours the past without being beholden to it. Instead, the new look works in quiet service to the liquid, offering visual context without diluting the focus. Elegant, tactile and steeped in meaning, it is smart, sharp and unmistakably of its time.

www.themacallan.com

Stockists – The Whisky Shop & Harrods for The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Years Old, 2025 Release

WRITTEN IN THE STARS

Reach for the sky with Coach’s Star crew-neck sweater, £395. It’s a great piece for throwing over dresses or to wear with skirts and boots for a number of seasonal

ON THE FRINGES

Made from 100 per cent linen, Labeca’s Harley navy linen fringe pocket pants, £210, are in a flattering flare cut with waist pleats, and a great accompaniment to a crisp white shirt.

MOVIE MAGIC

Fritz Lang’s 1927 film Metropolis has inspired Tissa Fontaneda’s latest collection. The large Gizmo in blue jean, £650, made in soft nappa bubble lambskin with double tassels, is the

BLUE VELVET

A great wardrobe staple for dressing up and down, NRBY’s Leena denim velvet top, £165, is from the latest AW25 collection. Great with jeans, smart trousers or a skirt, it’s a timeless piece.

34 Elizabeth Street

COSY ON UP

For chilly autumnal getaways, the Pony shearling-lined boot in ink, £389, from Penelope Chilvers will keep your feet toasty warm and grounded, with a rubber non-slip sole on everything from ski trips to woodland walks.

75 Elizabeth Street

After dark

When it hits October, a time in the calendar when there is more mystery and magic in the air, it’s time for midnight blue

WORDS SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS

FLIP REVERSE IT

Les 100 Ciels has the Arlo reversible gilet, £389, for all types of excursions. The wool and cashmere side is paired with a lightweight waterproof alternative for rain protection. The navy and smoke colour combination makes this a versatile piece for the season.

79 Knightsbridge

EYE TO EYE

Educating FEARLESS GIRLS

NEVER MISS A COPY

We understand that our readers are people that are often on the move.

Business and leisure commitments can mean that the day the magazine is delivered you might not be around and then the magazine may be taken by someone else!

So please sign up for our digital edition – we’ll send each issue to your email account so you’ll always be up to date.

And if you are a local business or resident and feel that our magazine could have benefitted from a story about your brand (or neighbour) please do let our editor know.

Going wild

FHaving transformed her family’s crystal business into a global fashion empire, Nadja Swarovski has turned her focus to British heritage label Really Wild – and she has grand plans

WORDS: BRIDGET ARSENAULT

or her second act, Nadja Swarovski has gone country. Having spent 26 years transforming her family’s Austrian crystal business into a $2 billion glitterverse – adorning Chanel and Dior and worn by the likes of Rihanna and Kim Kardashian – last year she bought a majority stake in the British heritage label Really Wild, with her hedge fund manager husband. Launched in 2002 by Natalie Lake, a family friend of the Middletons (more later), the focus is on sustainability and design – waterproof wools, breathable cottons and finely spun tweeds. “We don’t want to be trend driven. We are

style driven,” says Nadja, who is both owner and chief creative officer. Really Wild, which has a sole store that straddles Belgravia’s Cliveden Place and Sloane Square (next to Colbert) is the opposite of fast fashion. “This is style you should keep,” says Nadja, who used to live in Eaton Terrace. “I think we all know those companies with huge logos that look ridiculous on people. You might as well have a sticker on your forehead saying ‘fashion victim!’”

Nadja speaks candidly and never shies away from a challenge. “When I started, Swarovski was really only

known for its figurines,” she says. “And I would ask all these designers to come to the showroom to look at the crystals. I’d get these answers like, ‘No, why would I want to work with Swarovski who make the swan and the duck?’”

As it turns out, responding to this criticism was simple. “I would always say, ‘But do you understand how hard it is to even make a crystal?’” says Nadja. “That’s what I learned from my personal interaction with A-list designers. You have to make them understand where things come from.” It worked and the industry started listening.

“We started to make specific crystals for major designers like [Giorgio] Armani, who, you know, was the king of fashion.” Together with Armani, Nadja designed a brilliant stone called the Diamond Leaf. “I was able to make it about the design and not about Swarovski. We were just the sparkling ingredient.”

It’s this ethos of craftsmanship that drew Nadja to Really Wild, a brand better known for weekends spent shooting clays than Hollywood red carpets. But as Nadja explains, her takeover of the company speaks to a natural evolution. “Luxury means quality. It means craftsmanship. The involvement of people who truly care about what it is they are making.”

says Nadja. “‘Mom. That’s boring.’ ‘OK, great. We’ll change it. Stay tuned.’”

It’s also this authenticity that drew Nadja to her brand ambassadors: Maye Musk (Elon’s mother and a successful author and prominent spokesperson against domestic violence) and the glamorous Spencer twins Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza (nieces of the late Princess Diana).

Turning Really Wild into a global brand requires a focus on the quality of fabric. “Some of the mills that we employ also are used by Chanel. So, it’s the same fabric, but the price point… You get a jacket from us for £500 and from Chanel, you get it for £8,000.”

Supply chain and impact are also crucial. “There’s absolutely no excuse why any company should not be sustainable,” says Nadja. “That’s a matter of strategic will, of wanting to invest financially and taking the time.”

Its tweeds – shooting jackets, riding jackets, walking trousers – are designed for use; the opposite of throwaway fashion. “My daughters [Thalia and Jasmine, pictured] give me feedback,”

“ My daughters give me feedback ‘Mom. That’s boring.’ OK, great. We’ll change it. Stay tuned ”

“Maye and the twins show that [Really Wild] is generational. I’m trying to think outside of the paradigm of the fashion industry. They really are people, you know what I mean? They’re not just supermodels. We’re not here to intimidate our customers. We want to give them people to aspire to.”

Catherine, Princess of Wales, is a prime example.

“We have a form-fitting piece called the Kate coat, named after our dear beloved Kate,” says Nadja. “Kate worked at Really Wild. And we still see photos.” (Including a recent cover of Hello magazine sporting the Lindsay baker boy cap.)

Under Nadja’s direction, the brand is converting and attracting a new wave of fans. An increased awareness means more footfall – it is currently looking for a second bricks-and-mortar site beyond its current Sloane Square address – and it is considering an expansion into the men’s market too. To date, Really Wild has only offered women’s collections. “We have these couples coming to our store and the men are like, ‘Where’s this, where’s that, where are the men’s jackets?’” Then an appearance by Duran Duran’s lead singer really gave Nadja pause for thought.

“Simon Le Bon stormed into the store and said, ‘Where are the men’s shirts?!’”

Creating a brand that is both “hardcore country” and “hardcore city” is no easy task but Nadja has grand plans. “We want to be elevated,” she says. “We want to be up there with Hermès.” reallywildclothing.com

IMAGES:

ANDY TAYLOR

EXPERIENCE A TASTE OF TUSCANY

AT COMO THE HALKIN

From November 6th to 8th and November 13th to 15th

This season, embark on a culinary journey as Michelin-starred Chef Giovanni from COMO Castello Del Nero brings the authentic flavours of Tuscany to London.

Savour a specially curated menu celebrating Tuscan heritage, paired with fine wines in an intimate setting. A rare opportunity to enjoy world-class gastronomy in the heart of Belgravia.

To make a reservation, please contact us at:

T. +44 02073331000

W. www.comohotels.com/london/como-the-halkin

Laura Romanin tells us about These Girls Ride, a groundbreaking subscription service to get more girls on bikes

WORDS: SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS

Laura Romanin is on a mission to get girls riding. The Belgravia resident tells me about her eureka moment as we sit in Wild by Tart – the point she decided to start These Girls Ride (TGR).

She was going about her daily commute on one of the capital’s many bikes, looked around and thought, ‘where are all the other women?’

It seemed like a simple observation, but then she embarked on a four-year journey of research into this subject and realised there was a need to empower the next generation of female riders.

“By empowering them through movement and community, we’re helping create lasting cultural change for the next generation.”

Laura hails from Canada, where starting an organisation works slightly differently. “In Canada, there’s more space, literally and figuratively, to explore social impact ideas, whereas in the UK, things move faster and are often more network-driven. London offers an incredible mix of energy, urgency and creative possibility, but you have to work harder to carve out room for experimentation, especially when the focus is on community rather than commerce.”

Riding high

Creative and cultural strategist Laura says: “We’re reimagining how girls and women move through their cities, with confidence, community and climate in mind.

“As someone who has felt first-hand the confidence that comes from motion, I wanted to create something that not only helps women get around but helps them feel seen, strong and supported while doing so.”

TGR is a subscription platform to empower women to embark on short city travel. Members receive a quarterly ride subscription for £29.99, which includes perks such as an anti-bac product from Laura’s partner brand WeKleen, access to community rides and monthly drops from brand partners.

The data says it all: 92 per cent of women in the UK know how to ride a bike, yet fewer than half cycle regularly, attributed to factors such as safety, lack of community, cleanliness and even outdated narratives around micro-mobility.

Laura says her young daughter, Valentina, has inspired her decision to create change.

“Having a daughter profoundly changed my perspective and fuelled my passion,” she says.

“It made me acutely aware of the subtle and overt messages girls receive about space, safety and freedom, messages that often teach them to hold back rather than move boldly.

“TGR is both a personal mission and a political statement: it’s about building a world where girls and women, including my daughter, can navigate their cities with confidence, joy and without hesitation.

“

She’s really been making waves in a short space of time – in just 60 days, TGR grew from 1,500 to 5,500-plus subscribers. It is also in talks with aligned councils, creators, brands and strategic investment partners to expand and build TGR into a scalable, city-shifting model.

It’s about changing how girls and women feel in the city – seen, safe, connected and confident ”

“It’s about changing how girls and women feel in the city – seen, safe, connected and confident,” Laura adds.

“There’s still a significant gap in terms of safety, accessibility and intuitive usability for those who move differently or cautiously. The infrastructure may exist, but the culture hasn’t caught up.

“We don’t just need more bike lanes, we need environments that feel welcoming, empowering and safe. Until we design with lived experience at the centre, public transport and shared mobility will continue to fall short for too many.”

Laura is currently pitching a pilot programme to the City of Westminster to launch the TGR platform, which she believes aligns with the borough’s commitment to sustainability and smart city initiatives focused on micro-mobility and data-driven transportation.

Belgravia, where Laura has lived for more than four years now, is home.

“Belgravia offers a surprising mix of calm and connectivity,” she says. “Being close to green spaces, cycle-friendly routes and a mix of diverse communities helped shape the TGR ethos.

“These neighbourhoods remind us that change doesn’t always start loud – it can begin with something simple: showing up, riding with purpose and being seen.”

BOURNE STREET

SHANGHAI NIGHTS

Transport yourself to a sultry 1920s Shanghai townhouse at the new Shan Shui Social, the third venture by Ellen Chew’s Chew On This group. Located at 14 Buckingham Palace Road, the two-storey restaurant has plenty of art deco aesthetics and a speakeasy-style basement. The food comprises freshly prepared dim sum and small plates, roast meats and wok-fried creations. Dishes include pan-fried Chilean sea bass, roasted pork belly char siu, Sichuan crispy chicken, Cantonese braised beef noodles and crispy aromatic duck. The

Autumn eats

Treat yourself to delicious dim sum and raise a glass at the negroni salon

WORDS: JONATHAN WHILEY

MICHELIN MEN

The Peninsula has launched a collaborative dining series, bringing together Michelin-starred chefs and renowned industry names at its two-Michelin-star rooftop restaurant, Brooklands by Claude Bosi. Three Chefs, Three Feasts unites the Michelin-starred talents of The Peninsula’s three European hotels for three one-off meals, with chefs Claude Bosi, David Bizet and Fatih Tutak taking turns to present a course. The second in the series takes place at Brooklands on September 30, with the last at The Peninsula Istanbul on October 22.

FRENCH FLAIR

Princess Eugenie and Lady Kitty Spencer are among the regal names that have been spotted dining at La Maison Ani in recent weeks. The FrenchMediterranean restaurant, located in the Jumeirah Carlton Tower (in a space once home to the Rib Room), was opened last year by restaurateur Evgeny Kuzi and chef Izu Ani. A celebration of French culinary heritage with a modern twist, the dining room has a touch of Parisian elegance, with a menu that includes French onion soup, snails, grilled beef tenderloin and vanilla crème brûlée. Breakfast is also available daily.

This award-winning Michelin-starred restaurant presents an unmistakable experience for lunch and dinner in Belgravia.

Enjoy a scintillating range of grills, including all manner of seafood, poultry, meat and exotic vegetables, and salads made to order.

Theatrical show kitchen | Great tropical cocktails | Glamourous private dining room

Halkin Arcade, Off Lowndes Street, London SW1X 8JT

reservations@amaya.biz | amaya.biz

BITTERSWEET

SYMPHONY

The Lanesborough has unveiled a Negroni Salon for lovers of the bittersweet Italian cocktail. In celebration of Negroni Week, the salon has opened its doors as an intimate new bar concept against the backdrop of the Great Hall. The menu features the classic cocktail (equal parts gin, vermouth rosso and Campari) as well as a coffee-driven breakfast negroni, spiced negroni, smoked negroni and a long negroni. A negroni flight – a trio of small serves – is also available. Italian-inspired snacks and a wider selection of Italian bites complement the drinks.

LET US EAT CAKE

In celebration of the V&A’s hotly anticipated Marie Antoinette: Style exhibition, The Kensington (109-113 Queen’s Gate) has launched a new afternoon tea. Fittingly named Let Us Eat Cake, it pays tribute to the opulence, artistry and enduring style of one of history’s most iconic figures. The tea draws inspiration from the fashion, gardens and lavish court life of Marie Antoinette, with intricate patisserie including Le Gâteau du Jardin, a strawberry genoise sponge layered with vanilla chantilly and fresh strawberries, and Le Brisé de la Dauphine – a delicate lemon shortbread shaped like a fan. Refined finger sandwiches include French chicken tarragon and pastrami with horseradish cream. A vegetarian and vegan menu is also available. Priced £59 per person or £73 with a glass of champagne.

BEST OF BRITISH

Modern British pub Ganymede has been reimagined as The Elizabeth, reflecting its address on the corner of Belgravia’s Ebury and Elizabeth streets and its proximity to nearby royalty at Buckingham Palace. It is run by the same restaurateur, Hubert Beatson-Hird (of The Lunar Pub Company). He is joined by culinary director Anthony Demetre of Michelin-starred Wild Honey renown, who is regarded as one of the founding fathers of British bistronomy. “After three wonderful years of Ganymede, we wanted to reimagine our beloved Belgravia site to reflect the fastchanging hospitality environment,” said Hubert. The menu includes British bistro classics and Sunday roasts alongside a wine list of old and new world favourites supplied by Liberty Wines.

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Visit our Spirits Shop to discover which whisky, rum or mezcal will be the start of your

BASQUE FLAIR

PRINCE ARTHUR

Gastropub barely cuts it for this chic, Basque-inspired bar and restaurant, brought to life by a group of local friends. It opened in January this year on Pimlico Road following an extensive refurbishment in a corner spot formerly occupied by 11 Pimlico Road. There is a fresh fishmonger’s counter showcasing the best seafood from the shores of Spain and Cornwall, and the pub even has its own Royal Imperial and Siberian Baerii caviar, created in partnership with the London Caviar Company. Head chef Adam Iglesias showcases his Basque roots with a menu of exceptional cuts such as Galician Blond beef and wild turbot, cooked on a custom-built grill.

Tipple of choice? There is an extensive wine list and what many regard as the best pint of Guinness outside Dublin, dispensed with a specialist gas system used in Ireland.

Called to the bar

From a Gatsby-inspired cocktail den to a Basque-infused pub, we take a look at some of the best bars in Belgravia and Knightsbridge

WORDS: JONATHAN WHILEY

REGENCY CHARM

THE LIBRARY BAR

Regal surroundings, bags of atmosphere and killer cocktails – The Lanesborough’s Library Bar is one of the neighbourhood’s best for good reason. Charming bar manager Mickael Perron is a warm and welcoming presence who sets the tone, as does the live music, with acoustic performances and singers on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and a pianist on Thursdays and for “martini Sundays”. The cocktail menu includes a selection of champagne cocktails and classics such as a Bond Vesper martini, one of the capital’s very best. The food menu includes a British cheese board and “oysters Belgravia”.

Take flight: A Hennessy discovery flight (£130), Dalmore sensory flight (£60) and Glenfiddich Grand Series flight (£335) are all available for something particularly punchy.

GATSBY GLAMOUR THE FRANKLIN BAR

Combining the elegance of a Victorian townhouse with the splendour of an Italian palazzo, stylish five-star hotel

The Franklin has a glamorous 1920s Great Gatsby-esque bar with Venetian églomisé mirrors and velvet chairs. Award-winning bar manager Salvatore Maggio is at the helm and guests can enjoy views of the private Egerton Gardens as they enjoy a cocktail selection that includes a gimlet, Gin Gibson or The Franklin 75 Twinkle (all made with No 3 Gin).

Local pour: Old sport, try The Knightsbridge, made with Malfy Gin, sweet vermouth, Grand Marnier, bitters and whisky.

MARTINI HOUR THE EGERTON

Have you attempted the “Egerton slurp”? Punchy, ice-cold martinis take centre stage at this cosy, in-the-know bar, part of The Egerton House Hotel in Egerton Terrace. Gin or vodka (Tanqueray and Ketel) is served straight from the freezer at -22C and poured to the brim of a frozen glass; with an “infinity edge” the first sip has to be a hands-free slurp. Wet or dry, each is poured on a vintage tableside trolley with a choice of garnish; olive, caperberry, pickled onion or a twist of lemon. Experienced Italian bar manager Gianfranco Spada recently took on the role of bar manager, proudly continuing the bar’s martini legacy (the cocktail accounts for 80 per cent of all drinks). There are plenty of alternatives too; the cocktail menu is concise and classic and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. “This is not a place people come to be seen,” Spada says. “It’s a place for people to be themselves and have a chat with friends; it’s a private and intimate space.”

Did you know? There is a two martini limit and a martini masterclass is also available.

FOOD & DRINK

FIRST CLASS THE RÉUNION BAR

Once the first-class lounge of the legendary Brighton Belle (Britain’s first all-electric Pullman train), The Réunion Bar – part of The Clermont London Victoria hotel – recently unveiled a fresh new look with updated furnishings throughout, from curated artwork to sleek panelling. The bar at 101 Buckingham Palace Road features a selection of English gins from distilleries close to Victoria, from Silent Pool to Hayman’s Old Tom. Signature cocktails include a cognac negroni sour and Vesper 1863, while there are also mocktails and a “conductor’s cellar” selection of wine. Small plates are available alongside a selection of dim sum.

Feeling adventurous?

Try the unique tribute to absinthe, a spirit rich in history and ritual.

MEXICAN RAVE LUUM

RAISE THE ROOF

THE EMORY ROOFTOP BAR

Offering some of the most spectacular panoramic views of London’s skyline, this relative newcomer on the rooftop of The Emory hotel was initially only open to hotel guests. Mercifully the rules have been relaxed and you too can now enjoy the 360-degree views from the 10th floor, amid sleek decor by acclaimed interior architect Rémi Tessier. Renowned Argentinian bartender Renato “Tato” Giovannoni is the man behind the vibrant cocktail menu; try a martini made with local rainwater and coffee oil or a negroni made with seawater and eucalyptus, all set to an Argentinian playlist with dramatic tango tracks. Don’t miss: the Jean-Georges Vongerichten black truffle pizza or caviar with blinis.

The flavours and flair of Mexico take centre stage at this late-night lounge bar, part of the Pantechnicon at 19 Motcomb Street. Open Thursday to Sunday from 6pm until 3am, expect private snugs, live DJs and creative cocktails served in bespoke glassware and earthenware.

Signature creations include El Pastor, with saffroninfused Cuban rum, and Prickly Fingers, with prickly pear house marmalade.

With Diwali, the festival of lights, approaching, we discover how Amaya’s crystal chandeliers transform

the space into a place of energy and harmony

WORDS: SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS

ACRYSTAL

CLEAR

chandelier is not just ornamental; it is a focal point of a room. At Amaya, the Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in Halkin Arcade, bespoke crystal chandeliers are integral to the invigorating atmosphere, creating a sense of harmony. Hand-designed crystal light fixtures dangle from the ceiling above the larger tables, which seat between eight and 12. These two installations are newly commissioned – clusters of crystal lamps resembling clouds, they transport you to a celestial space where the worlds of design and cuisine meet. Downstairs, above the private dining table for 14 guests, is a chandelier of epic proportions, with droplets of crystals falling from a rectangular frame evoking raindrops.

Crystals are known for their healing qualities and rechannelling energy flow. In a room they can raise vibrations and provide clarity and harmony. Amaya’s co-founders, sisters Camellia and Namita Panjabi, worked with a designer to create the most eye-catching pieces as well as consulting with a feng shui expert when designing the space.

Lighting plays a crucial element in feng shui – it is the fire yang energy, believed to stimulate positivity, enhance mood and promote wellbeing. What is more, the table of eight below one of the crystal chandeliers even overlooks the open kitchen with its theatrical wood fire on display.

Dining has always been about more than the food, and Amaya’s eye-catching crystal elevates those special-occasion gatherings and lunchtime meetings. Some people believe crystal brings good fortune, so it makes sense to include it in a space where guests are making memories.

In the daytime, the crystals reflect and catch the natural light for a softer quality, while at night they transform into seductive talismans when they mirror the mood lighting.

Amaya, which has retained its Michelin star since 2006, has always been trailblazing from the moment it opened 20 years ago. Whatever the occasion, it has the food and atmosphere for an unforgettable experience while sitting beneath the radiant crystal lights.

Whether gathering for Diwali – the festival of lights – in October or for any number of special moments, Amaya’s crystal centrepieces create a space worthy of celebration.

Bourne identity

Christopher Howe’s historic home at 36 Bourne Street is steeped in stories. We dropped by to find out more

WORDS:

CORRIE BOND-FRENCH

There are houses that feel lived in and then there are houses that feel alive. Christopher Howe’s home at 36 Bourne Street is emphatically the latter: a breathing, layered palimpsest of rooms and stories.

Step inside and the building bristles with history and the secrets of centuries past; Georgian families living cheek by jowl in each room, stories of a ghost in the back window, of drunken sons sleeping in the delivery cellar when their greengrocer father locked them out.

And then there was the 1986 midwinter opening party: no running water, no electricity. Guests warmed and gently lit by flickering fires and candlelight from chandeliers begged and borrowed by Christopher, while a masterful French accordionist squeezed every tune they requested into life.

Now notching his fifth decade as an inhabitant of 36 Bourne Street, Christopher’s stewardship has recently come full circle. He is now the building’s proud owner.

“It’s just a much nicer feeling to walk through the door for the first time and know you own the place,” he says. “It’s secure. It’s good for the area, and it means my daughter is in the business.

It’s a family business, and you can put your heart into it.”

It’s a move that marks a new chapter in a long and circuitous loop of fate. When he first arrived in 1986, fresh from Goldsmiths with sculpting ambitions, he wasn’t looking for a shop at all. He wanted a studio. “It was a restorer’s workshop, with dusty curtains hanging in the window. When my girlfriend walked in to see it, it smelled like her grandfather’s workshop and she said, ‘We’re going to get this’.”

Then Grosvenor told Christopher he could only have it if he turned it into a shop. “So I lied and said I was an antique dealer. I’d done a bit of antique restoration, but I wasn’t a dealer. I made it look like an antique shop and I borrowed things from people.”

We’re sitting in that same back room, Christopher framed by the sash window overlooking the garden. The back door is open to the sun and scents of a lingering summer, with a neighbour’s unruly jasmine tumbling behind. There’s a punnet of freshly picked tomatoes and plump figs he’s just harvested, although a squirrel appears to have filched the humdinger fig he was saving for best.

It’s a lovely, grounded room, chock full of items both meaningful and

interesting. Shelves are stacked with treasures accrued over the decades. Everything has a story, even the fully operative outdoor privy, blessed with an original Thomas Crapper loo.

“I told David Linley about it the other day and he said, ‘Oh, I’ll tell the king, because the king’s very interested in restoring and he’s trying to improve the [palace] loos’. I sent him the link. Isn’t that such good news?”

A deep fascination with how things were made ensured that Howe became a global byword for craftsmanship.

“I suppose I had a natural instinct for design, then I learned about antiques through buying them. In those days you had to get out there into the fray and get into the markets. I discovered one of the best things I ever bought that way, a pair of recumbent Talbot hounds from the 16th century that were covered in white Sandtex paint, which had actually gone through Christie’s as reconstituted stone but were white marble underneath.

“I found those while I was whizzing around on my bicycle, and I just caught a glimpse of them through the door. I wouldn’t have found them otherwise.” It transpired the hounds came from Henry VIII’s vanished palace of Nonsuch.

Another great find was George III’s state bed, which Christopher discovered in pieces, had fully restored, and which now sits in the very room the monarch slept in at Hampton Court Palace.

Now, as the longest standing inhabitant of the area’s antique dealing community, with a shop on Pimlico Road, the longevity of his tenure is something Christopher cherishes.

Two elderly sisters who grew up here would visit and tell him stories about their father’s greengrocers. “When the sisters came in once, my daughter was sitting on the steps into the shop watching me, and one of the sisters asked how old she was. I said she’s five, and she said, ‘When I was five, I was sitting in exactly the same spot watching my father serving’.

“I wish I’d made more of that. I wish I’d made more of those times and the memories. When I think back to things like that, it makes me weep how precious those moments were.”

There’s a sense that 36 Bourne Street conspired in its own fate, that the sculptor who bent the truth in 1986 was somehow always meant to be caught in its orbit. There’s a curious alchemy at play here; history is still in the making.

3 MORE HOWE TREASURES

HUNTLEY & PALMERS MOORISH TABLE BISCUIT TIN

The things I tend to like are really silly things. This is from the famous biscuit company Huntley & Palmers. It’s from the early 1900s, the days when Liberty and Co had that amazing furniture department and all the oriental and aesthetic movement furniture. This is modelled on a Moorish table but it’s actually a biscuit tin. You can tell it was produced when the exotic interiors of the late 19th century were popular.

STEIFF LEOPARD

We all know Steiff are famous for their teddy bears, but this is a leopard. I fear for its life with all the moths, but I leave it in this room, which has got lots of nice natural daylight. Moths don’t like the light. You need to pick him up because then you understand what all the excitement about Steiff is. There was a famous Steiff teddy bear called Alfonzo that was dressed in a pink robe and was a present to a Russian princess. That was the most expensive Steiff teddy bear ever sold, I think.

I bought this at auction at Phillips. Elizabeth David’s shop was still here when I moved in, down there on the corner, but I never really appreciated what it was. In those days the mothers who dropped the children off at Francis Holland School raced each other to Elizabeth David’s. You’d go in and it was quite a narrow corridor between three aisles of kitchen stuff. I just thought it was lovely French country kitchen stuff – nice but I wasn’t into that. It wasn’t until this sale came along and the shop had gone that I really understood her influence.

ELIZABETH DAVID TABLE

A bulletin from the Blitz

From bombs to blackouts, Maureen Rubichon recalls life in Belgravia with the scars of war

WORDS: ADRIAN DAY

Now in her late 80s, Maureen Rubichon still remembers the Blitz like it was yesterday. Speaking from her home in Bayonne, south-west France, the former Belgravia resident has written a memoir capturing her childhood in Eaton Place during the Second World War – a time of bombs, blackouts and blooming wildflowers.

Maureen was just two years old when war broke out in 1939. Her family lived in a basement flat in Eaton Place, where her mother managed apartments for property firm Mellersh & Harding. It was a building buzzing with people from all over Europe. “We had a Polish Jew, a French lieutenant and others from every walk of life. It was cosmopolitan before anyone used the word,” she says.

Her father worked in an antique shop in Kensington while her mother oversaw the comings and goings of tenants, many of whom were fleeing bombings or being evacuated. “By the end of the war, there were children everywhere,” Maureen recalls. “Houses were being requisitioned to shelter bombed-out families.”

Although she was briefly evacuated to Surrey, Maureen didn’t stay long. “I was too unhappy. My

father came and got me. I stayed in Belgravia for the rest of the war.”

It was a surreal time. Maureen remembers standing on the roof with her father, watching searchlights sweep across the sky. “It was frightening, but also strangely beautiful,” she says. Despite the chaos, there was a sense of unity.

“We were all in it together – upper class, working class, families who had lost everything. That time changed society.”

Life in Belgravia bore the marks of war. Air raid shelters were built, the elegant iron railings around gardens were stripped away to help with the war effort and children played freely where once only keyholders could go. “I loved that,” she smiles. “Before the war, you needed a key. After the railings went, everyone was welcome.”

Maureen recalls walking past roadworks near her house, where a night watchman sat toasting bread over a coke fire. “Inside his little tent was an oil-lamp, a tin of condensed milk, a plate, a teapot, a mug and a newspaper. There were a lot of night watchmen like that – guarding roads full of holes and broken cables.”

Another break from life in Belgravia came in 1944, when Doodlebugs (pilotless flying bombs)

MAUREEN RUBICHON WITH HER MOTHER ON THE STEPS OF 77 EATON PLACE AND LATER (POST SHUTTERS)

started raining down on London. Maureen was evacuated again, but soon returned. One morning, as she left for school, the air raid siren began its familiar, eerie wail. She barely made it back inside when a bomb exploded nearby, flattening houses in Cliveden Place and blowing a crater in the road. “It was some time before I could use that route to school again,” she says.

Despite the destruction, nature found a way. The bombsite became a wild garden. “For years, that space gave us beautiful bouquets of mauve and yellow wildflowers. I was sad when new houses were built there in the 1950s.”

Her memories paint a picture of a very different Belgravia. She remembers watching a blacksmith shoe a horse in his forge on Pavilion Road, and an organ-grinder playing his barrel organ at weekends outside the Lowndes Arms pub. She recalls the six gardens of Eaton Square being dug up to grow food, and a tank park in Belgrave Square.

Even the houses looked different. “Each one had its own colour scheme – ours was yellow with dark green trim, others were painted grey, blue or brown. Some, more traditionally, were white with black railings and doors, like today.” Maureen’s next-door house stood empty at the start of the

AT

UNDERGROUND

79 PEOPLE WERE KILLED WHEN A BOMB HIT THE STATION THIS IMAGE: MAUREEN PAINTED BOMB-DAMAGED BUILDINGS IN LYALL MEWS FROM THE STEPS OF 77 EATON PLACE

war but it was soon requisitioned, like many others, to accommodate families who had lost everything in the Blitz.

However, the familiar is never absent – well illustrated by a trip to Walden Chymist, which is still to be found on Elizabeth Street.

After the war, Maureen studied French at the Sorbonne and visited the Basque region, where she met her future husband. To keep the romance alive, she became an air hostess. “It was the only way I could keep flying back and forth to see him,” she laughs. The couple married in 1960 and settled in Bayonne, where Maureen taught English, ran a choir and still lives today.

Now retired, she has penned her memoir and is searching for a publisher. “It’s not just my story, it’s a piece of Belgravia’s story,” she says.

Maureen’s daughter is translating the memoir into French. “If I can’t find an English publisher,” she says with a smile, “maybe the French will take it!”

She remains passionate about preserving these memories, especially as the world once again contemplates conflict. “Younger generations don’t know what war really means. I hope my story reminds them,” she says.

“ Younger generations don’t know what war really means. I hope my story reminds them ”

LEFT: AIR RAID DAMAGE

SLOANE SQUARE

STATION.

“We are proud to stand alongside individuals and organisations who are making a meaningful impact by championing greener choices, preserving our environment and nurturing the neighbourhood we call home

With our prestigious community awards fast approaching, now is the time to nominate a person or business that you feel deserves recognition

WORDS: ADRIAN DAY

Francesco Sardelli, general manager, The Hari

In these days of rampant commercialism and spreadsheets ruling budgets, it’s always very heartening when we embark on the coverage of our community awards in Belgravia and Knightsbridge. It shows us clearly that there is a deep-seated desire of businesses to be an integral part of our local community. This is endorsed in turn by our readers, who have already nominated many worthy businesses and individuals for an award.

The awards also give us an opportunity to consider wider issues beyond our borders, such as sustainability and the general health of the planet.

It is no surprise that The Hari has stepped forward to sponsor the Friend of the Earth award. After all, the Chesham Place hotel is marked out by its commitment to sustainability.

Francesco Sardelli, general manager of The Hari, said: “We believe that true luxury must also be responsible. We are proof that you don’t need to start from scratch to be sustainable –housed in an older building, we’ve made remarkable strides regardless, showing that meaningful change is always possible.

“That is why sponsoring the Friend of the Earth category is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and to our local community. We are proud to stand alongside individuals and organisations who are making a meaningful impact by championing greener choices, preserving our environment and nurturing the neighbourhood we call home. These efforts may start locally, but their influence extends far beyond.”

Of course, being environmentally aware can take many forms, and we have already seen support for retail brands such as Milk Kids on Ebury Street, which retails the best sustainable and ecofriendly children’s brands that produce clothes from organic or recycled materials. It also tries to ensure that production does not cause damage to the environment.

Then there’s Designer Exchange on Brompton Road, which has been buying and selling preloved luxury fashion in Knightsbridge since 2013. Its journey started with a simple goal: to make designer fashion more accessible to all, not just the few.

We can make a difference by creating more tranquil places to be, but also by creating more sustainable retail offerings, which can make us better people without compromising our desire to live life to the full.

COMO The Halkin is the sponsor of the Bright Young Thing award. It is a category that the Halkin Street hotel has supported in the past and certainly strongly believes in. Alain Martzolff, the hotel’s manager, said: “COMO The Halkin is delighted to sponsor the Bright Young Thing award. It aligns deeply with our values of nurturing innovation, celebrating talent and supporting the local community.

“As a proud member of the Belgravia and Knightsbridge neighbourhood, we believe in recognising the emerging individuals who are shaping the future, whether it’s through creativity, entrepreneurship or social impact.”

The dedication and enthusiasm of young people in the hospitality industry is often on display, so it’s no surprise that we’ve seen previous winners in that area. However,

we’ve also received support for young people working in other industries, such as Yolanda Douglas at Errol Douglas hair and beauty salon on Motcomb Street.

If you have been lucky enough to receive exceptional service, you can help a young person‘s career through recognition. And don’t be afraid to make a nomination if you are that young person’s manager – sometimes good attitudes and commitment are displayed in jobs and workplaces that are less visible to the public but the benefit is nonetheless enjoyed by them. Just imagine how many bright young things there must be at vast retail emporiums such as Harrods or Harvey Nichols.

Our host, The Peninsula London, put on an amazing event when our 2025 awards were presented and we are determined to

“As a proud member of the Belgravia and Knightsbridge neighbourhood, we believe in recognising the emerging individuals who are shaping the future, whether it’s through creativity, entrepreneurship or social impact

Alain Martzolff, hotel manager, COMO The Halkin

create an even more spectacular evening in January 2026. The hotel’s commitment to the community extends beyond food and beverage though – it is sponsoring the Lifetime Achievement award again this year.

The award has previously been bestowed upon culinary kings Anton Mosimann and Marcus Wareing as well as characters who have made a significant difference locally, such as Reverend Canon Alan Gyle from St Paul’s church in Knightsbridge, James Wright from the Belgravia Residents Association and Nainesh Shah from local newsagent Mayhew. This shows that whether you’re a household name or not, the community is well able to recognise gold when it sees it.

Rolf Buehlmann, managing director of The Peninsula London, said: “At The Peninsula London, we believe that celebrating those who have made remarkable contributions to their fields is essential for inspiring future generations. Supporting the Belgravia & Knightsbridge Awards’ Lifetime Achievement award aligns with our own commitment to excellence and dedication to uplifting exceptional talent.

“We have proudly partnered with the Belgravia Awards for the past five years, and in 2026 we are absolutely delighted to host the event here at our hotel for the second time. We look forward to crafting an unforgettable experience to honour the many accomplishments of individuals and businesses in our vibrant neighbourhood.”

Nominations are now open. Please visit the website below or scan the QR code to make your voice heard and shine a spotlight on those making a valuable contribution to the neighbourhood.

pubbiz.com/belgravia-awards-2026

We are absolutely delighted to host the event here at our hotel for the second time. We look forward to crafting an unforgettable experience to honour the many accomplishments of individuals and businesses in our vibrant neighbourhood

OUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS WITH THANKS TO

OUR HEADLINE SPONSOR

Rolf Buehlmann, managing director, The Peninsula London

More than a move

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BELGRAVIA & KNIGHTSBRIDGE MAGAZINE’S SUMMER SOIRÉE

Residents and business owners enjoyed champagne and canapés as we hosted a summer soirée at storied Knightsbridge restaurant Sale e Pepe. The iconic Pavilion Road Italian was a fitting venue as we toasted our recent expansion into Knightsbridge after 36 years of serving the Belgravia community exclusively.

IVANA STOKES, JO STEVENSON, TESSA SHREEVE AND AMBER SCOTT-THOMAS

ANNA PILCHER, MARY CLARK AND ALBERTO CORDERO

FRANCESCO SARDELLI, CATHERINE GAYLER, LIZ HEALEY AND ROLF BUEHLMANN

ALEXANDRA LLEWELLYN, DENIS TRUSHIN AND JOANNA WOOD

SUZIE JADERBERG AND KANYIHA MBOGORI

PAUL DIMOLDENBERG AND SIMONE DE GALE

JESS BATH, ANTONELLA DE LUCA AND CHARLES LLOYD

LIZ BREWER, VICKI FIELD AND ADRIAN DAY

ABBIE WARD, GABRIEL RASSOW AND ZOE VAUGHAN DAVIES

LALAGE BEAUMONT AND ALEXIA GENTA

ALIX ROBSON AND JAYNEE TREON

DR GALYNA SELEZNEVA AND ADEM OYGUR

SUZIE

THOMPSON, PAUL

DIMOLDENBERG, ISABELLE THOMAS AND ANTON RICHARDS

MARK FIELD AND ANGELA HAY

ADEM OYGUR AND SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS

EDWARD THORNTON, DUNCAN PALMER AND IAN SHACKLETON

DUNCAN PALMER AND STUART GEDDES

PHOEBE MINNEY, GUEST AND LINDSEY HARPER

VICKI FIELD, SELMA DAY AND MARK FIELD

Remembrance Sunday will see a small group of about 50 veterans and serving military personnel take their place in the parade marching past the Cenotaph.

On many of their heads will be berets from a variety of squadrons, regiments and ships, but they’ll have one thing in common: they’ve all been helped by a Belgravia-based charity called The Not Forgotten.

Founded in 1920, a year before the Royal British Legion, this organisation based in unassuming premises above the Shan Shui Social restaurant on Buckingham Palace Road makes a positive difference to about 10,000 people living with injury, illness and isolation every year.

It’s estimated that more than a million men and women have benefited from the work of The Not Forgotten over the past 105 years, although the precise number will never be known as all records from before 1941 were lost in an air raid.

The charity was founded by an American opera singer, Marta Cunningham, (pictured). This remarkable woman made her debut as a soprano soloist at the coronation of King Edward VII in 1901 and spent most of her working life in London and Europe.

Alongside her glittering career as a performer, she was a devoted charity worker. One day, shortly after the First World War had ended, she went to one of London’s many war hospitals to ask the matron if there were half a dozen men she could sing for or take out to tea. She was shocked to be told there were hundreds of such people, largely abandoned by society and struggling.

From that point on, Marta made it her mission to reach out to the war wounded to provide “comfort, cheer and entertainment”. Many of her intended beneficiaries were resistant

Forget me not

Founded by an American opera singer, The Not Forgotten has provided a lifeline to veterans for more than 100 years

WORDS: SUE BRADLEY

at first but she persisted, describing how they had sacrificed everything but society had forgotten them.

In 1937 she wrote: “As long as there are sufferers so long will The Not Forgotten be needed.”

Marta’s singing talents led her to become a leading light in British society and she used her position to encourage many influential people to get involved in the work of the charity, including members of the royal family.

The Princess Royal is its current patron and beneficiaries are invited to special garden parties at Buckingham Palace and other residences.

Marta was able to secure theatre and concert tickets and admission to events such as the Wimbledon Championships – a tradition that continues to this day.

“The Not Forgotten transforms the lives of injured, ill and isolated veterans and serving personnel and their families by bringing people together, lifting spirits, restoring confidence and fostering camaraderie and support,” says Louise Coopman, its head of engagement and communications.

“Just an afternoon in the company of people, with the banter and sense of camaraderie, can turn a life around. We provide a caring and genuinely personal service, with our small team getting to know our beneficiaries

personally, developing real relationships and listening to their needs and worries.”

Other forms of entertainment and recreation over the years have included river picnics, individual and group holidays, skiing and canoeing, Snowdon hikes and tours of battlefields. At the same time the charity has always sought to make the most of new technologies, securing grants to provide televisions for veterans isolated at home, the first of which were given out in 1952, followed by remote controls, teletext sets and video recorders from 1986. The Covid pandemic demanded a new approach to supporting veterans, with special “drive-in” events and online concerts, along with Forgot You Not gift boxes for isolated Second World War veterans.

The links between The Not Forgotten and influential business people, well-known families and grant-giving trusts remain strong today, and it collaborates closely with other military charities and organisations to provide entertainment and recreation opportunities for army, air force, navy and merchant navy veterans and injured personnel, and those with terminal illnesses.

In recent years there has been a push to shine a light on the work that’s been quietly happening since 1920 and raise further funds to support it, whether through reaching out on social media to its 1.5 million-plus followers, or initiatives such as the Anyone for Tea bus travelling throughout the UK in 2022 and the Tour de Not Forgotten cycle challenge in 2023, which covered more than 400 miles in 14 counties and raised in excess of £10,000.

Marta Cunningham died in 1965, 45 years after founding The Not Forgotten, but her proud legacy lives on in the charity bearing the logo of an elephant holding a sword and the thousands of lives made better by its work every year.

Supporters of the charity Pilgrim Bandits gathered at Sicily Restaurant on Elizabeth Street to cheer off 103-year-old Chelsea Pensioner John Gomer Morris as he set off from his favourite restaurant on a fundraising “walkabout” around London. John is the last surviving member of the Raiding Support Regiment, a Second World War unit that supported British Special Forces on dangerous missions. John fell on hard times during the Covid pandemic while living in Australia and, at the age of 98, made an extraordinary move back to the UK with the help of Pilgrim Bandits, a charity set up and run by veterans to help comrades facing adversity.

Barbie meets Wes Anderson at Palazzo Avino on the Amalfi coast, home to a lobster and martini

bar

and plans for a new cookery school

WORDS: SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS

Pink palace

The plate in front of me reads “Questo albergo è una casa”. Co-owner Attilia Avino says it means “this hotel is a home”. Attilia’s sister and co-owner Mariella designed these plates for this 12th-century pink palace, which sits in Ravello at the top of the hill. It’s as if Barbie met Wes Anderson and had an Italian love child, with vivid pastels and symmetrical lines. At dinner, Attilia tells us of plans to open a cookery school at the hotel next year. The

school will take recipes from the sisters’ grandmothers: pastas, desserts, the works.

Palazzo Avino is a place to eat, from the addictive breakfast pastries to the best parmigiana you will taste anywhere at Terrazza Maraviglia and Michelin-starred Rossellinis with two, yes two, bread courses, and dishes including the Raviolo “Ravello” pasta filled with lemon bread (the pith of Amalfi lemon). There’s even a lobster martini bar, with more than 100 martinis.

The dramatic Amalfi coast is the backdrop for all these memorable meals, whether at the

TWO MORE CULINARY ESCAPES

beach club with its candy-stripe umbrellas (transfer is a 15-minute drive down to a cliffside spot) or rooftop sundeck to watch the sunset.

The beauty of Palazzo Avino is in the details – the Pink Closet, a curated line of dream destination-wear, the spa with pink-trimmed gowns, the rooms with snacks adorned with the hotel’s lion’s head emblem.

Palazzo Avino is exclusive yet unpretentious – Attilia and Mariella’s dad Giuseppe (who bought the hotel) can always be found somewhere with dachshund Richard in tow. Another plate reads “Quando siete felice fateci caso”, or pay attention to when you’re happy –and I am.

Burgundy’s first fivestar hotel set within a vineyard will open this November in one of the world’s most storied wine regions. Château de la Commaraine is a historic estate that dates back to 1112, located in the Premier Cru vineyards of Pommard. The opening is part of Champagne Hospitality – the group behind Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa – and will see guests take part in exclusive wine activities, from daily viticulture workshops and cellar tasting to bespoke “wine safaris” exploring Burgundy’s vineyards. There will be two restaurants overseen by Christophe Raoux, an 18-metre heated outdoor pool and a spa.

HIGHLAND FLING

Glenmorangie House has unveiled a new travel experience inspired by the whisky brand’s latest campaign with Hollywood star Harrison Ford. The new package offers guests the chance to explore the Highlands in Ford’s footsteps, with a two-night stay at the boutique hotel, a private tour of the Glenmorangie distillery, a whisky tasting, mixology masterclass and guided excursion to the shores of Loch Glass. There is also a Highland dinner with traditional music and bagpipers and an opportunity to commission a bespoke kilt. Priced £1,800 per room, it includes a welcome bottle of Glenmorangie The Infinita 18 Years Old, described by Ford as “the greatest 18 of all time”. October 3-5.

Set in the heart of Switzerland’s serene landscapes, just 20 minutes from Geneva Airport, Clinique Nescens offers a unique, science-led approach to longevity, health optimisation, and rejuvenation.

CLINIQUE NESCENS:

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Longevity therapies

At Clinique Nescens, longevity is approached as a comprehensive, science-based experience. Rooted in four pillars of longevity, the clinic offers a wide range of therapies designed to promote lasting well-being and healthy ageing.

Comprehensive medical check-ups

Focused on early detection and personalized care, this comprehensive medical check-up offers a complete overview of your health status. Developed in collaboration with specialists from Clinique de Genolier, it grants you exclusive access to world-renowned Swiss medical experts. The evaluation includes advanced diagnostic assessments supported by state-of-the-art imaging and radiology equipment, ensuring precise and thorough analysis. Throughout your visit, a dedicated doctor specialized in preventive medicine will guide you in a private and confidential setting, tailoring the approach specifically to your health needs.

Invest in your future health today

The Nescens Elixir Stem Cell program offers you the ultimate in proactive health: the collection, analysis, and cryopreservation of your own stem cells in Switzerland. These precious cells hold the potential to regenerate and repair your body as medicine advances, a unique form of “health capital” you can draw upon tomorrow. Backed by

Nescens is recognised as a leading European destination for those seeking to live better, longer, and healthier. “ ”

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Tel: +41 22 316 82 00

Sitting atop rolling Tuscan fields and cinematic landscapes, Castelfalfi is a 2,700-acre working estate steeped in history. A 50-minute drive from Pisa and Florence, it’s a stretch of Italy surprisingly free from crowds.

Over the course of Castelfalfi’s some 2,000-year history, the land has been owned by, among others, Etruscans, Romans and Florentine nobility. Most recently it was bought in 2021 by the Indonesian entrepreneur Sri Prakash Lohia, who has reportedly invested more than £200 million into the region. Castelfalfi has been reimagined and restored.

Built on a hill overlooking 40 hectares of olive groves and 25 hectares of ancient vines, so much life converges. Centred on a terracotta-roofed medieval village, Castelfalfi occupies about 20 per cent of the town of Montaione, with more than 40 on-site experiences including archery, falconry, axe throwing, olive picking and truffle hunting.

Elsewhere, active travellers can make use of two tennis courts and two exceptional golf courses (the largest in Tuscany) and afterwards, you can explore the organic kitchen garden or

pause for a wine tasting at the vineyard.

The new state-of-the-art RAKxa spa (a Thai wellness brand building a serious following) is served alongside views thick with cypress trees and a kaleidoscope of blue sky. RAKxa has upped the ante with its holistic offering and its facilities include a spectacular indoor-to-outdoor heated pool, two saunas, a Turkish bath and a hydrotherapy suite. For tired, overindulged minds and bodies, the spa offers an extensive menu of treatments featuring ESPA and Maria Galland products.

Despite the estate’s considerable size, Castelfalfi is remarkably easy to navigate. There are 146 rooms including 20 suites and four signature suites, alongside a series of private Tuscan-style villas that blend with the surroundings. The interiors are best described as traditional meets au courant, where craggy beams and rustic furniture are paired with polished marble bathrooms and arresting aerial photographs of Castelfalfi. In the land of wine and pasta, the team grows or raises much of what is used. Yet each of the three key restaurants has a distinct point of view. La Rocca di Castelfalfi is otherworldly. Located inside a medieval castle, it’s a fine-dinning blend of Tuscan and Mediterranean cuisine. Think handmade orecchiette pasta, or whole salt-crusted branzino and spoonfuls of justplucked tomatoes. Il Rosmarino is a smart trattoria, bar and pizzeria, while Olivina is the elegant all-rounder serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. With so much to take in, it’s hard to think of a reason not to visit Castelfalfi.

The otherworldly La Rocca di Castelfalfi restaurant and a state-of-the-art spa are just two reasons to visit Castelfalfi

WORDS: BRIDGET ARSENAULT

La dolce vita

This five-star boutique hotel in beautiful Bath blends heritage with hip

WORDS: JONATHAN WHILEY

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Bath never shies away from its Jane Austen connections. This year it’s leaning in more than ever; it’s the 250th anniversary of the author’s birth, which means “peak bonnet”. At The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, located on the city’s iconic Royal Crescent – Bath’s elegant sweep of Georgian townhouses – there is plenty to make you swoon in the absence of Mr Darcy.

The Grade I-listed five-star boutique spans two townhouses in buildings that date back to 1775. There are now 45 stylishly decorated (and recently refurbished) rooms and amid the period portraits and chandeliers, pops of tasteful colour throughout. It’s a masterclass in how to balance heritage without kitsch and the relaxed atmosphere reflects that; it’s tranquil without any rattling tea cups and saucers formality.

The sense of space is impressive; a drawing room to read and relax, The Library with a selection of complimentary drinks and an acre of beautifully kept private gardens.

At The Spa & Bath House, kick back in the steam room, salt-infused sauna or relaxation pool or book in for a treatment (with award-winning skincare, Ground Wellbeing). Breakfast and dinner is served in Montagu’s Mews, named after Elizabeth Montagu, who once used the building to run a women’s literary discussion group. Now a three AA rosette restaurant, Martin Blake’s locally sourced modern British food is worth the trip alone; our six-course tasting menu was very memorable.

For a city-wide culinary fix, book in for a private culinary tour with Savouring Bath. It’s one of many partnerships and activities available, from a hot air balloon ride to a Victorian penny farthing experience or cinematic “Bath on screen” tour, discovering the backdrop to Austen adaptations and Netflix’s Regency romance, Bridgerton and don’t miss the Roman baths and its natural hot springs; this city has made its name from steamy encounters.

Period charm

AUSTEN-TATIOUS

This year marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth and as celebrations take place across Bath – the novelist lived in the city between 1801 and 1806 and used it as the primary backdrop for Northanger Abbey and Persuasion – The Royal Crescent is offering a one-night Jane Austen experience. It includes a two-hour private walking tour with an expert guide, a Jane Austen-themed afternoon tea and a Jane Austen novel.

PROPERTY

Market moves in Belgravia and Knightsbridge

WORDS WILL MOFFITT

EATON LANE TO LAUNCH EARLY NEXT YEAR

Belgravia’s hotly anticipated 8 Eaton Lane project is set to be completed early next year. Originally designed by architect Thomas Cundy and inspired by the French Second Empire style – with tall mansards and pavilion roofs –the Grade II-listed building was inaugurated in 1863 by the Marquess of Grosvenor to be London’s first-ever serviced apartment building.

At the start of the Roaring 20s it became the Belgravia Hotel, before finding a new lease of life in the 1930s as Grosvenor Gardens House office. Now its heritage residences are being reimagined for the modern age, with occupants enjoying access to a pool, gym, spa treatment rooms, cinema and a business suite.

According to residential agent Savills this collection of 42 residences is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2026.

sales@8eatonlane.com

HOME WITH A TV TWIST

A flat in Belgravia on the same street where the television series Upstairs, Downstairs was filmed is for sale.

Located on Eaton Place, this firstand second-floor home is valued at £5.25 million and is stucco-fronted, featuring floor-to-ceiling French windows in both reception and family rooms.

A property on the same street served as the setting for the iconic ITV television show that ran for 68 episodes from 1971 to 1975 and depicted the division between servants and their masters as well as the decline of the British aristocracy. Contact Best Gapp on 020 7730 9253

LUXURY LETTINGS MARKET SOARS

The market for luxury homes across central London has surged during the first six months of 2025, as the super-rich choose to rent rather than buy in areas such as Belgravia and Knightsbridge. A report by ultra-prime estate agent Beauchamp Estates with data from LonRes found that the lettings market for luxury homes across prime central London more than doubled in size during the first six months of 2025, growing by 154 per cent compared with the same period in 2024.

An elegant and spacious two bedroom apartment in The Knightsbridge Apartments

The Knightsbridge Apartments, SW7

A beautifully presented two-bedroom apartment in a prestigious Knightsbridge development featuring 24-hour concierge, residents’ gym, spa, and swimming pool. The spacious accommodation extends to approximately 1,050 sq ft (97.5 sq m) and comprises a generous reception/dining room, fully fitted kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, second double bedroom, and a separate bathroom. Comfort is enhanced by an integrated air-cooling system throughout. The apartment also includes secure underground allocated parking. Residents enjoy access to a recently refurbished leisure complex, which includes a swimming pool, spa, gym, and dedicated exercise rooms. The building also offers 24-hour concierge services and comprehensive security. Ideally located opposite Hyde Park and within walking distance of Harrods and the world-class boutiques, restaurants, and cafés of Knightsbridge, the property combines luxury living with unparalleled convenience.

GUIDE PRICE

£3,500,000 subject to contract

TENURE

Share of Freehold

SERVICE CHARGE

£36,328 which includes 24 hour concierge & security, access to leisure suite including swimming pool, gym, spa and treatment rooms.

GROUND RENT

Peppercorn

EPC RATING C

COUNCIL TAX BAND H

SIZE

1,050 sq ft / 97.5 sq m

CONTACT

+44 (0)20 7225 6506

michael.harte@harrodsestates.com

Caring for cavalry

Suzanne Gould, welfare officer at the Household Cavalry, tells us why hers is the best job in the world

WORDS: BRIDGET ARSENAULT

Colourful as it may be, the Household Cavalry also has a sense of purpose. Formed by direct order of King Charles II, these soldiers have acted as the public face of the British military at home and abroad for more than 300 years. With its flagship pageantry, the Mounted Regiment is one of those distinctly British traditions –marrying the Life Guards, known for the brilliant red tunics under their cuirasses (and, in winter, dashing red cloaks with blue collars), and the Blues and Royals, who, as the name suggests, pair blue tunics with blue cloaks.

Beyond the 300-plus soldiers and 100 exquisite black geldings smack in the centre of Knightsbridge, you will find Suzanne Gould, a bright-eyed and empathetic civil servant who proudly joined the Household Cavalry as its welfare officer six years ago. “I’m like a Swiss army knife,” says Gould. “I’m not a psychiatrist. I’m not an analyst, but I’m like a one-stop shop. I have at my disposal all the resources of various charities, the higher welfare services, civilian private companies, contacts, mentors... all these different entities that I can reach out to.”

The soldiers Gould supports, many of whom are 18, 19 and 20 years old, are simultaneously navigating an exacting military career, life away from friends and family, boisterous central London living in the hallowed Knightsbridge Barracks and, perhaps most unusually, a burgeoning relationship with a 16-hand-high Irish draught horse.

A robust career for these soldiers begins with a 12-week riding course in Windsor Park, followed by another month wearing (and cleaning) the astronomically heavy ceremonial state kit – helmet, sword and all. Eventually, they’ll “pass out”, marking the next stage in an extraordinary career – cantering and jangling through royal weddings, musical rides and, among others, the annual state opening of parliament.

No two days in the cavalry are alike.

“When there’s a massive parade like Trooping the Colour then we’ve got rehearsals that start off at one o’clock in the morning,” says Gould of the soldiers dutifully clip-clopping through the streets in tight formation.

For Gould, whose background is in recruiting, it’s as if the job found her. “I still get excited when I think about where I work,” she says. “It’s the perfect fit for me. From a young age I loved writing letters to the royal family.”

In the 1990s, working for a recruitment firm off the Old Brompton Road, Gould would try to match her outfits to those worn by the Princess of Wales.

“It’s the tradition, the glamour,” says Gould of what she loves about the royal family. But it was a volunteer position at the Prince’s Trust that helped Gould find her calling: face-toface time with young people, attending fairs and events, listening and learning.

Bubbly, passionate and effervescent, looking into someone’s eyes and hearing their story is something Gould excels at. And this “press the flesh” approach was increasingly missing from recruiting in the internet age.

“It doesn’t feel like a job to me. I absolutely love it,” says Gould. “I never have Monday morning blues.” It’s that compassion and openness (something that extends to an office door that never closes) – and the impulse to spontaneously deliver a big-flavoured toastie –that makes Gould such

LEFT: JACK BOOT NAMED BECAUSE THE LEATHER WAS “JACKED” OR STIFFENED TO PROTECT AGAINST SWORD BLOWS

IMAGES FROM TRUSTED GUARDIANS BY GLENN RØKEBERG, PUBLISHED BY UNICORN IN NOVEMBER (AVAILABLE TO PREORDER ON KICKSTARTER)

BELOW: SUZANNE WITH DRUM HORSE ATLAS

an asset. “I want people to know that they can always come in. I’ve made my office supercomfortable with lots of sofas.” Gould brings a new lightness and modernity to this most ancient of institutions, reducing stigma around mental health in the military and removing shame in asking for help.

“If someone hits a road bump in life – and we all do – I want them to know they have support.”

Day to day, it’s little things that stand out. “I’m looking at other ways to get the soldiers off their phones and out of their rooms. So it’s family visits, or setting up clubs.” Recently, Gould has launched a Warhammer club, a chess club and a reading club. But perhaps the biggest joy is watching a parade, plumes fluttering, gold breastplates clinking and boots polished like glass. “Look, it’s...” she starts to say, spotting one of the soldiers she knows so well.

OPPOSITE PAGE: HARRY THE DRUM HORSE WITH RIDING INSTRUCTOR ANDY DRUMMOND, HYDE PARK, MAY 2024

Starry nights

Sale e Pepe has long been a magnet for the in crowd – and after a sleek makeover, its raucous spirit is still going strong

WORDS: JESSICA BURRELL

When restaurateur Markus Thesleff was 16, he had a secret. He and his school friends would regularly go for “sneaky dinners” in the “hottest restaurant in town” and when the bill came, they would put it on one of the accounts some of their parents held there. The restaurant, of course, was Sale e Pepe, Knightsbridge’s original high society Italian, which has played host to rock stars and royalty as well as furtive offspring for more than half a century.

It was opened in 1974 by legendary owner Toni Corricelli, who would remain at its helm at the top of Pavilion Road for 45 years. When Thesleff and his friends were dining out on their unwitting parents in the late 1980s, they were certainly in fine company. The cocooning, cigarette smoke-filled dining room welcomed an improbable array of famous faces; Roger Moore (top left ), Ringo Starr or Priscilla Presley may have been settling in with a martini at the next-door table, while Mick Jagger perked up with a postprandial espresso opposite.

“There were three iconic Italian restaurants in London in those days,” says Thesleff. “There was San Lorenzo, where the English crowd – Princess Diana and Elton John – used to go. There was La Famiglia in Chelsea, if you wanted to go for something more family-friendly and old school. Then there was Sale e Pepe,

which appealed to the international jet-set crowd with all its glitz and glamour.”

The 1990s brought a new cross-section of divas to the Knightsbridge institution. In that era, you could just as easily find Noel Gallagher (centre left ) as Mariah Carey (bottom left ) there, ordering dishes that remain on the menu to this day – chicken milanese, lobster linguine, branzino al sale.

In 2022, when Thesleff quietly took the reins from Corricelli, the former was tasked with leading a renaissance of sorts for a restaurant that had, by his own confession, somewhat faded under the spotlight. Now, its bronze-mirrored, marble-topped elegance has brought back regulars from back in the day, who have returned with the next generation

in tow. It’s also big with American titans of business, Middle Eastern royalty and, naturally, celebrities.

Its raucous spirit is still alive and well. Thesleff says they get “crazy” requests (including guests wishing to arrive on large live animals) and have to foot “unbelievable” dry-cleaning bills. Some VIPs want to redecorate the space for events, which is understandably a straight no given the recent full-scale spruce-up that included convincing a small Italian chair company to go back into business 10 years after shutting up shop.

Thesleff is tantalisingly tight-lipped about some of the wilder stories he has been privy to in his role as custodian, as he sees it, of this storied spot. “There are things I’ve heard that I can’t talk about because it’s some truly outrageous stuff and, as you can imagine, it’s things you could not be doing today,” he says. “It was rock and rollers doing what they did best, you know.”

But there was always more to Sale e Pepe than its party atmosphere and star power. As well as a menu of great Italian classics, there’s the omniscient service and the transportative glamour of the interiors, designed to feel half rustic southern Italian, half luxe Milanese townhouse. It’s a winning combination, whether you visit on a buzzing Friday night or a sleepy Sunday afternoon.

“

I’ve heard some truly outrageous stuff and, as you can imagine, it’s things you could not be doing today ” Markus Thesleff

And then there’s the thing that has made this place catnip for high-profile names for more than 50 years – the ultimate luxury, discretion.

“I think the reason we get all these amazing people is that we don’t go running to the press about it every time it happens,” says Thesleff. “If you’re in the room, you’re in the room. We still get a lot of faces, we just don’t talk about it.”

With the best part of an hour’s persuasion, he does eventually offer two names – Leo and George (presumably DiCaprio and Clooney, respectively). But the best thing about this place is that it’s capable of making any mere mortal feel like a VIP indulging in a taste of la dolce vita. “It’s all about doing whatever we can for our guests,” says Thesleff.

“We want to make people happy.” The only thing that might make a visit to Sale e Pepe an even more exhilarating affair? The benefit of a parental account to foot the bill. Some things, it seems, have to be consigned to the history books.

IN YOUR ELEMENT

New to the Spa at Mandarin Oriental is the Four Gates Ritual: A Journey Back to Centre. The treatment for the hands, feet, neck and head uses shiatsu acupressure, Chinese medical massage, elemental oil flow and craniosacral therapy. Focusing on the four elements – earth, water, fire and wind – it’s perfect for a nervous system reset.

£330 for two hours, 66 Knightsbridge

SHHHH…

Head into the mews and look for the khaki green door – that’s where you’ll find Abi Oleck from the Amanda Caroline Secret Door clinic. The Y Face with Crystal Clear Skinstorm treatment includes massage, lymphatic drainage and Skinstorm, an allin-one machine that can decongest, oxygenate and infuse the skin with vitamins.

FRENCH FANCY

£550, 32 Grosvenor Gardens Mews North

Feeling good

The latest health and beauty news from Belgravia and Knightsbridge

WORDS: SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS

Revealing its architectural concept for the first time in Harrods, the new Givenchy boutique is inspired by English libraries and French savoirfaire, with a display that includes a miniature replica of Hubert de Givenchy’s grand house on Avenue George V in Paris. The boutique will be home to makeup, fragrance and a Harrods exclusive, the Collection Particulière range, made with precious raw materials.

87-135 Brompton Road

CENTRE FOR HEALING

Cleveland Clinic

HAIR TODAY

Singapore-based scalp centre Papilla London has opened in Belgravia. Specialising in scalp treatments for hair regrowth, founder Kim Lim has created one of the leading scalp care centres in Asia. The comprehensive 10-step treatment, Qi Flow Scalp Revival, created exclusively for the London clinic, is what you’ve got to try, to promote hair growth from the inside out using scalp stimulation for thicker, fuller hair.

11 Grosvenor Place

London will open a dedicated oncology and haematology centre in Belgravia. The 81,000 sq ft facility will offer systemic cancer therapies, including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies and radiotherapy.

Construction is starting now, with completion due at the end of 2027.

40 Grosvenor Place

OUR PHILOSOPHY IS SIMPLE; GIVEN THE RIGHT RESOURCES, OUR BODY HAS THE INNATE WISDOM TO HEAL ITSELF. EVERY THERAPY IS CHOSEN FOR ITS CLINICAL CREDIBILITY AND ABILITY TO ENHANCE THE BODY’S NATURAL REPAIR SYSTEMS.

HE ALTH AND WELLNESS REJUVENATE, REGENERATE, RESTORE

Whether you are looking to optimise your health as a prevention or longevity enthusiast, or dealing with a health challenge and are tired of searching for solutions without side effects, The Wellness Lab offers curated therapies that work with your immune system to upregulate mitochondrial function and reduce systemic inflammation — the primary cause of most chronic diseases.

Our philosophy is that the body has an innate ability to heal itself when given the right resources. It is hardwired for survival, vital functions, repair, and detoxification. At The Wellness Lab, we use natural resources at therapeutic doses, believing that the body needs extra energy and support when it is healing itself.

These therapies work in synergy to reduce inflammation, improve mitochondrial efficiency, protect against oxidative stress, and support long-term regeneration and recovery — delivering benefits that last well beyond each session. All of this is supported by a team of experienced doctors and nurses who guide each protocol with clinical precision and care.

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This is not about temporary solutions, but a dedicated space for meaningful, long-term improvements in health, wellbeing, and longevity.

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Instagram: @the.wellness.lab

DR SOHÈRE ROKED, A GP AND HORMONE SPECIALIST AT OMNIYA, 3A MONTPELIER STREET

“Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro can indeed influence hormones, though often indirectly. Any significant weight loss affects our hormonal balance because fat cells actually store hormones such as oestrogen. As we lose fat, these stored hormones are released, which can temporarily disrupt our natural balance and potentially affect menstrual cycles. Additionally, these medications can impact the absorption of oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT), so patients taking both require careful monitoring to ensure their

DR CHRISTOPHER ROUGHLEY, A GP WITH CLEVELAND CLINIC LONDON, 33 GROSVENOR PLACE

“There is a place for medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide (GLP1s: glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) in supporting a patient with weight management. They increase insulin sensitivity and secretion, suppress glucagon secretion and slow down gastric emptying. However, they need to be used alongside the support of a doctor. Evidence shows as soon as these medications are stopped the weight frequently bounces back. There are also side effects and risks to these

Worth the weight?

HRT remains effective. While it’s challenging to predict definitively, these medications likely have staying power. What’s particularly promising are the emerging studies suggesting additional benefits beyond weight loss – including potential treatments for inflammation and various addictions. However, we still need comprehensive research on the long-term implications of extended use for weight management specifically.”

SHANE COOPER, A WORLD-RENOWNED SKINCARE AND TREATMENT EXPERT AND AESTHETICIAN AT 5 KENDRICK MEWS

Weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are swiftly rising in popularity. But what do the experts think?

WORDS: SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS

“While medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro can be hugely effective for weight management, they can also bring unexpected changes to the skin. When weight loss happens quickly, the skin does not always contract at the same pace. This can lead to concerns around skin laxity, texture and firmness, particularly on the body. At my clinic, we see these changes every day and treat them regularly. As the use of GLP1 medications continues to rise, I

medications that must be clearly explained and understood, such as pancreatitis, nausea, vomiting, hair loss and dizziness. I see these medications as just one part of my arsenal of options to help my patients. You need the support of a medical team to provide a holistic overview and encourage and support a comprehensive strategy for success in maintaining long-term weight and health goals.”

believe it is important that we talk more openly about the aesthetic changes that can come with weight loss. My goal is to support clients holistically, offering tailored, non-invasive treatments that help you feel confident in your skin at every stage of your journey. We also manage each client’s expectations and if we feel it’s not the suitable route, then we can always refer to other specialists if we feel that surgery would be the option.”

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

BEAUTY

Belgravia’s best-kept beauty secret

Nestled in the heart of Belgravia, just minutes from Victoria and Sloane Square stations, Bijoux Medispa is a doctor-led, non-surgical aesthetics clinic. We specialise in natural looking facial rejuvenation, fat reduction, body contouring, and holistic wellness. Our transformative treatments include regenerative skin boosting injectables such as polynucleotides and Profhilo, and cutting-edge technologies like Sofwave, Thermage FLX, and Emsculpt Neo. Whether you’re seeking a radiant glow or sculpted silhouette, our no-downtime treatments fit seamlessly into even the busiest lifestyle. And with discreet, expert care, you will discover why Bijoux is the go-to destination for Belgravia’s most discerning women.

Call today to book your consultation. 020 7730 0765 | www.bijoux-medispa.co.uk

ESTATE AGENTS AND PROPERTY CONSULTANTS

Elevation 88 LLP

Independent Prime & Super Prime residential search agents for the UK and UAE London Property Management www.elevation88uae.com www.elevation88.com 08442 88 88 88

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

PLS Studio

“Refine your home and personal lifestyle through bespoke interior design, curated styling, and tailored project management for modern living.”

https://www.projectlifestyle.net

Email: michela@projectlifestyle.net 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-net-worth 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

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

Restaurant?

La Môme [at The Berkeley] is more than just a restaurant, it’s an experience. From the moment you walk in, you’re transported to the French Riviera. The setting is pure glamour, with art deco elegance and the perfect balance of intimacy and energy. The food is bold, flavourful and beautifully executed. What truly sets it apart is the theatre of it all, from tableside finishes to live entertainment. It brings dining to life.

Fondest memory?

On a quiet day in 1998, walking hand in hand with my wife, our daughter nestled in her pram. As we wandered down the elegant curve of Motcomb Street, we stumbled upon a space that instantly spoke to us: 18 Motcomb Street. We’d been searching for a place to call our own for over a year and in that moment, it felt like the street chose us. Belgravia isn’t just where we work, it holds a piece of our soul.

Words of wisdom?

Never take shortcuts in life; they always have a way of catching up with you and smacking you in the face when you least expect it. Do the work, stay true to your values and walk the long road with integrity.

Errol Douglas

The celebrated hair stylist, awarded an MBE in 2008, is a champion of traditional hairdressing at his salon on Motcomb Street. After nearly 30 years in the area, he reveals his favourite spots

Casual or smart?

Smart 100 per cent, every time. Dressing smart gives you confidence. It lifts your energy, sharpens your mindset and shows you’re ready for anything. I remember early in my career walking into a room full of industry legends. I was young, nervous, but smartly dressed and that alone gave me the edge to stand tall.

Hotel?

The Berkeley of course. It’s timeless, elegant and effortlessly luxurious. The service is exceptional, the attention to detail is flawless and there’s a sense of calm sophistication the moment you walk through the doors.

Favourite bridal hairstyle?

Something up, always. But it has to be sexy, soft and effortlessly elegant – think Princess of Monaco glamour meets modern romance. I love creating shapes that frame the face, with a touch of undone texture that still feels polished.

What makes Belgravia unique?

Belgravia has a charm that’s impossible to replicate: it’s elegant, refined and steeped in history yet always evolving. The architecture is stunning, the streets are peaceful, and there’s a sense of quiet luxury that makes it feel like a hidden gem in the heart of London. What truly makes it unique is the community; it’s discreet, welcoming and full of character.

LA MÔME AT THE BERKELEY LEFT: GRACE KELLY, AMERICAN ACTRESS AND PRINCESS OF MONACO

HYDE PARK

ELIXIR STEM CELL JOURNEY

NESCENS, LEADING SWISS DESTINATION FOR LONGEVITY

EATON PLACE, BELGRAVIA SW1

£5,250,000 | Leasehold – 165 years

2 Reception Rooms 2 Double Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms (En Suite)

Every detail of this Belgravia maisonette speaks of quiet grandeur. Extending to 1,771 sq ft (165 sq m) across the first and second floors, it combines classical proportions with refined contemporary comfort.

The entrance hall leads to a formal reception and family room, both with 3.5-metre ceilings and floor-to-ceiling French windows, while the vaulted kitchen incorporates a discreet utility area. A spiral staircase elegantly links the two floors, with a guest cloakroom positioned off the entrance hall. Both principal and secondary bedrooms are complemented by exceptionally generous bathrooms, refurbished to an exacting standard. Air conditioning is installed throughout.

Perfectly placed just behind Belgrave Square, the apartment enjoys close proximity to Motcomb Street, Knightsbridge, Sloane Square, and Hyde Park Corner.