ROX Woman AW18

DIAMONDS & THRILLS

AW18 | £4.50

WINTER STREET STYLE WRAPPED UP YOUR DAILY DIAMOND FIX

CHOPARD’S SUSTAINABLE LUXURY

AUDEMARS PIGUET GOES TO INFINITY & BEYOND

TAG HEUER’S SNOW QUEEN INSIDE THE BLYTHSWOOD PENTHOUSE

ETERNAL DECADENCE

STEP INTO A WORLD OF EXCESS WHERE POWER AND STYLE REIGN SUPREME

BAR REFAELI

by Chen Man

T

H

E

A

R

T

O

F

F

U

Big Bang One Click Pink Sapphire Diamonds.

Scratch-resistant pink sapphire case. Bezel set with 42 diamonds. Self-winding movement.

Interchangeable strap using patented One-Click system. Limited edition of 200 pieces.

S

I

O

N

hublot.com

HAPPY SPORT COLLECTION

TAG HEUER CARRERA LADY

‘Lions to me symbolize bravery’, Cara Delevingne Shot in real conditions by David Yarrow Discover more on Youtube and on tagheuer.com/cara

L A D Y

F R E E L A N C E R

The Lady freelancer is the ideal watch for women juggling a career, a family and a social life. For Ladies wishing to express their femininity with a touch of sparkle, the freelancer collection offers diamond set dial and case options. Available in 26mm or 29mm case - the Lady freelancer proves to be the ideal timepiece for the modern and dynamic lifestyle of today.

raymond-weil.co.uk

lady freelancer collection

CONTENTS

ROX MAGAZINE

CONTENTS

21

CATWALK REPORT

Step into a season of style as we wander down the AW18 runways.

32

HOT RIGHT NOW

The definitive guide to the luxury watches and jewellery you should be wearing this season.

76

CHOPARD’S GOLDEN ETHICS

A spotlight on the renowned brand’s commitment to sustainable luxury.

88

STREET STYLE

Every day style is all wrapped up with a little help from effortlessly cool fashionista and lifestyle blogger Lucy Florals.

40

102 ETERNAL DECADENCE

A celebration of fierce and powerful femininity.

DIAMOND EARRINGS 4.35CTS £12,000 (69992), DIAMOND COLLAR 21.20CT £50,000 (71114), DIAMOND RING 2.38CTS £19,995 (68292), LOVE DIAMOND WEDDING RING 0.38CTS £1,995 (63356), OSMAN FEATHERED BOLERO FROM JANICE DAVIDSON, DIANE VON FURSTENBURG SLIP FROM JANICE DAVIDSON

WINTER WEDDINGS

Say ‘I do’ to the coolest trends, venues and dazzling diamonds this wedding season.

130

INSIDER GUIDE

Our resident insider this season is TV starlet Jean Johansson who is talking all things television, mastering the perfect balance between work and family life as well as her favourite Glasgow hotspots.

126

BE OUR GUEST

We step inside the new Principle Penthouse at the Blythswood Hotel.

14

www.rox.co.uk

ROX MAGAZINE

EDITOR’S WELCOME

editor’s WELCOME D espite writing this sitting in a shaft of sunlight, I’m becoming more aware that autumn is fast approaching. Leaves haven’t fallen yet and the evenings are still light but there’s a darkening around the edges.

The ethereality of summer, long and hot as it has been, has solidified into something more substantial. In fashion, darkly exotic blooms from the likes of Balenciaga and Saint Laurent take the place of delicate florals; tweed coats replace silk kimonos; shades of coffee and chocolate instead of ice-cream. And in the cultural and political landscape, it feels as though the optimistic young woman has been supplanted by someone more dramatic, fiercely independent and glamorous.

And it’s that woman we’re celebrating with this latest issue of ROX Woman.

She is there in the entrepreneurship of the likes of skincare visionary Sue Y Nabi who left a high-profile role as president of Lancôme to disrupt the skincare world with her own brand that

harnesses the power of biotechnology.

She is the woman who takes control of her own body through the fast-growing world of fem tech.

She is most definitely our cover model who isn’t afraid to wear her style or her ambition on her sleeve.

If summer is about the outside, winter feels more internal; a time for the mind rather than the body. When it comes to expanding horizons, no one does it better than Semiconductor, an artistic duo from Brighton whose installation for this year’s Audemars Piguet Art Commission at Art Basel is a visual and acoustic immersion into matter formation in the early universe via the ATLAS experiment taking place in the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. We also have jewels to lust after when the nights draw in and there’s even a diamond primer so you can be fully clued up on carats, cuts and claws next time you want to splurge on something that sparkles.

At its essence, we like to think that this issue of ROX is a celebration of the snow queen in every woman.

Laura McCreddie-Doak

EDITOR’S PICKS

ROX Diamond Ring 1.34cts 69318. | £4,500

BALENCIAGA

Hublot Watch 70138 | £13,900

GIANVITO ROSSI

ROX Diamond Earrings 0.76cts 70942 | £1,995

www.rox.co.uk

15

WISH LIST

ROX MAGAZINE

Exuding timeless elegance these ROX Honour diamond earrings are champions of effortless style.

Beautifully crafted in Canadian white gold these diamond darlings are a must have to bring a touch of sparkle to the dark nights of AW18.

70941 | £1,195

Hublot is brand known for pushing the boundaries of watch design with its Art of Fusion philosophy and this diamond-encrusted Classic Fusion is a champion of exactly that. This 33mm titanium model is new to the range and set with 36 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing 0.76cts.

70111 | £8,800

Pledge your allegiance to the double G this season as we celebrate branding in all of its glory. This 18ct yellow gold Gucci pendant is making us swoon – we guarantee it’ll be a staple accessory for you this AW18.

70631 | £1,530

Eternally graceful this ROX oval cut halo diamond engagement ring promises to leave a twinkle in your eye as well as on your finger. A timeless design perfect for those looking for an engagement ring that is classic yet still stands out from the crowd.

69033 | £12,000 available from £2,200

Step into classic style this season in these Giovanto Rossi Scarlett boots.

Known for creating distinctive designs that leave a lasting impression, this pair is the perfect anchor to leopard print dresses this AW18.

STEP BACK IN TIME AW18 is the season you’ll remember taking a step back in time thanks to this Seventies-inspired yellow doublebreasted Bianca jacket, crafted in corduroy. Pair with wide-legged trousers to really show off that 70s style.

16

www.rox.co.uk

BLUE BEAUTY Dive into the blue this AW18 with this 32mm Tudor Black Bay. Combining the technical sophistication of a tool watch in a similar refined model for women, this stainless steel model exudes classic style.

70083 | £1,960

ROX MAGAZINE

Mastering the art of being both stylish and sophisticated this black leather Bottega Veneta clutch bag is a wardrobe staple this season. Featuring snakeskin patterns it’s a colourful update on the brand’s respected Inrecciato weave.

WISH LIST

Dare to dazzle with this ROX diamond circle pendant. Pave set with brilliant cut diamonds weighing 0.54cts and set in hallmarked 750 18ct white gold, this pendant isn’t afraid to make a lasting impression.

70955 | £1,495

Keeping it simple but significant is the key to style success sometimes and these ROX Orbit earrings are a shining example of exactly that. Crafted in sterling silver they make the perfect accessory no matter what the occasion.

70809 | £60

This ROX Adore trilogy ring gives you three reasons to smile this season. Part of the exclusive Adore collection this handcrafted beauty is set with three brilliant cut diamonds held delicately in place with platinum claws. That’s not all, this engagement ring also features a hidden arch of diamonds under the mount, offering unbelievable sparkle.

70329 | £11,995 available from £4,995

Let’s be honest when it comes to luxury watches it doesn’t get more iconic than an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. This model, crafted in 18ct pink gold, is proud to add a little extra shimmer to your style this season with 40 brilliant cut diamonds weighing a total of 0.73cts adorning the bezel.

70320 | £33,500

TRUE CLASSIC AW18 style is all wrapped up in this Saint Laurent scarf. Made using black wool, in a square bandana shape, it’s sure to become one of your most trusted accessories this season.

There’s no escaping the timeless elegance of a diamond tennis bracelet.

Set with 67 shimmering brilliant cut diamonds, weighing a total of 1.06cts, this ROX design is a celebration of impeccable design and craftsmanship.

67062 | £1,995 What a pear! These captivating ROX pear-shaped diamond halo earrings are the perfect way to bring a vintage touch to your style this season.

69362 | £1,075

www.rox.co.uk

17

WISH LIST

ROX MAGAZINE

It’s no secret that jewellery makes us happy but this Chopard pendant makes us particularly happy. Part of the Happy Diamonds range 18 dazzling diamonds surround one playful diamond in the centre of the piece to create a classic piece of jewellery which will never fail to make you smile.

67947 | £2,390

Let your wild side run free this season with these Altuzarra's 'Davidson’ mules.

Animal print is big news this AW18 with these mules offering the perfect way to embrace the bold trend without being too over the top.

Dazzle against the dark AW18 nights with this TAG Heuer Formula 1 watch.

A master of elegance and precision this is a timeless model, with mother of pearl dial and round brilliant diamonds on the bezel, promises to inspire.

70126 | £1,750

Whether you’re an old soul or simply have a passion for vintage-inspired jewels this ROX diamond dress ring is sure to become a treasured part of your jewellery collection. Set with 10 dazzling baguette cut diamonds weighing 0.50cts and eight brilliant cut diamonds weighing 0.13cts it’s proof that classic style never fades.

70945 | £1,495

Oozing with grace, this ROX diamond pendant is making us swoon. Delicate and charming, the white gold pendant features baguette cut and brilliant cut diamonds weighing 0.53cts.

70947 | £1,495

BEST OF BOTH Torn between a steel and a rose gold watch? Embrace both with this Raymond Weil Tango Diamond Dot watch. Stainless steel and 18ct rose gold combine to create a case that offers a world of stylish opportunities.

68046 | £1,095

18

www.rox.co.uk

AW18 is the season you’ll wear your style not only on your sleeve but in every possible way as brands go loco for logos.

We’re showing our love with this sweater with signature metallic GG jacquard.

ROX MAGAZINE

WISH LIST

We can’t get enough of this new sparkling ROX Boho ring.

Now delicately embellished with glistening crystals it’s the perfect way to leave a little sparkle everywhere you go!

71093 | £60

Your style is written in the stars this season with the ROX Celestial collection. Created in collaboration with renowned British designer Catherine Zoraida this range features each astrological star sign constellation in delicate Swarovski crystals.

70707 | £125

A guaranteed showstopper this season we’re obsessed with this Givanchy chevron shearling coat.

Made in Italy this beauty, designed in 100 per cent soft shearling, is the perfect way to wrap-up your style throughout AW18. Take your style to the next level by clinching in the waist with an oversized belt.

Guaranteed to make your heart skip a beat this mother of pearl and diamond Chopard Happy Hearts bangle is a showcase of playful creativity. A modern jewellery icon, we’re obsessed with this charming design.

70543 | £2,230 Forget wearing your heart of your sleeve, you’ll want to wear it around your neck with this ROX diamond heart pendant. Set with 28 brilliant cut diamonds, weighing a total of 0.11cts, this yellow gold piece is a design we promise you’ll fall in love with.

70953 | £595

Dreaming of your perfect proposal?

Make it a reality with this handcrafted ROX Adore cushion cut diamond engagement ring. A design unique to ROX this ring is accentuated with a sparkling row of hidden diamonds underneath the four-head claw.

70182 | £11,950 available from £3,495

TIMELESS STYLE

Beautifully crafted in soft Italian leather we guarantee this Prada belt won’t leave your waist this season. Wear over coats for extra drama.

Classic elegance doesn’t come better than this 29mm Chopard Imperiale automatic watch. Crafted in stainless steel and 18ct rose gold this is a celebration of timeless design at its finest.

67689 | £7,390

www.rox.co.uk

19

M I C HA E L KO R S . C O M

TOM FORD

DOLCE & GABBANA

Images © IMAXtree.com

ETRO

CONFIDENT

GLAMOUR Step into a world of mesmerising fashion this season as we shine a light on some of our favourite trends from the AW18 catwalks.

From shimmering sequins to flowing silk designs now is the time to indulge in truly incredible style that reflects your personality.

ROX MAGAZINE

Images © IMAXtree.com

CATWALK REPORT

BALMAIN ETRO

Let’s be honest, there’s nothing quite as flattering as a synched-in waist and a statement belt.

AW18 is proud to help add a little extra wiggle to your strut with designers such as Givenchy and Giorgio Armani all pulling their style into line with the humble belt. Whether it’s adding a belt to a classic winter coat to accentuating your waist with a pair of high waisted trousers, make AW18 the season you buckle up.

ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER

BUCKLE UP

ROX Diamond Bracelet 0.32cts 69191 | £695

Chopard Happy Sport Watch 67619 | £4,980

ROX Diamond Ring 0.25cts 64276 | £750

BALMAIN

ROX Diamond Earrings 0.42cts 69156 | £1,095

ROX Diamond Pendant 0.29cts 69562 | £995

JOSEPH

ROX Diamond Ring 1.00cts 62360 | £6,200 available from £2,175

ROX MAGAZINE

Images © IMAXtree.com

CATWALK REPORT

MAX MARA

GIVENCHY

TOM FORD

URBAN JUNGLE Let your inner fashionista roar by embracing animal print this season. The world of high fashion has gone wild with bold and daring prints, with designers such as Dolce and Gabbana, Max Mara and Victoria Beckham fully encouraging rocking the look from head to toe. From zebra stripes to leopard spots we promise this is the season you’ll take a walk on the wild side.

ROX Tiki Diamond Ring 0.34cts 63707 | £3,495

ROX Tiki Diamond Pendant 0.26cts 63701 | £1,695

ROX Diamond Ring 1.20cts 62015 | £6,995

GUCCI

ALEXANDER WANG

ROX Diamond Earrings 0.34cts 69153 | £1,095

Gucci G-Timeless Watch 70216 | £780

ROX Tiki Diamond Bangle 1.79cts 63708 | £9,995

www.rox.co.uk

23

ROX MAGAZINE

Images © IMAXtree.com

CATWALK REPORT

GIVENCHY

LOEWE

Winter style is wrapped up this season with a little help from layers. We know what you’re thinking, layering is hardly a ground breaking look at a time when the mercury drops but stick with us.

As we celebrate a season of over indulgence taking your layering to the next level, inspired by fashion houses such as Balenciaga and Givenchy, is a must. More is more, after all…

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

MORE IS MORE

ROX Diamond Earrings 0.38cts 70941 | £1,195

ROX Diamond Bangle 0.32cts 69177 | £795

ROX Diamond Ring 0.54cts 69171 | £1,295

SAINT LAURENT

BALENCIAGA

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Watch 69930 | £1,750

ROX Diamond Necklace 0.37cts 71003 | £1,495

ROX Love Diamond Ring 1.08cts 70690 | £7,995

M I C HA E L KO R S . C O M

ROX MAGAZINE

Images © IMAXtree.com

CATWALK REPORT

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

DOLCE & GABBANA

No longer confined to the hedonistic discotheques of the Seventies, sequins are a must have this AW18. Heralded by designers such as Paco Rabanne and Christopher Kane this trend celebrates opulent glamour this season. Ranging from full glitter-ball inspired ensembles to delicate embellishments it’s a look that keeps on giving.

ALBERTA FERRETTI

SHIMMERING STYLE

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

Chopard Happy Hearts Bangle 68297 | £4,610

Chopard Happy Hearts Earrings 68165 | £6,640

Hublot Big Bang Watch 55616 | £8,600

ROX Diamond Ring 1.35cts 69130 | £3,695

ROX Honour Diamond Ring 0.90ct 69122 | £5,895 available from £1,295

SAINT LAURENT

ROX Diamond Pendant 0.39cts 70957 | £1,295

ROX MAGAZINE

Images © IMAXtree.com

CATWALK REPORT

GIVENCHY

CHRISTIAN DIOR

ROCHAS

PERFECT PLEATS Classic style is taking centre stage this season as pleats dominated the AW18 runways with an unyielding charm and attitude. Think pleats are just for older, matronly ladies? Think again. The perfect all-rounder look pair a knife pleated skirt with an adorable fluffy jumper or with a pair of sleek tailored trousers for a look that masters being both smart and casual.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Watch 62987 | £33,500

ROX Honour Diamond Ring 0.71cts 61777 | £5,295 available from £1,495

ROX Diamond Necklace 0.30cts 69368 | £995

GUCCI

ROX Diamond Bacelet 0.50cts 64938 | £995

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

ROX Diamond Ring 1.53cts 61906 | £4,295

ROX Diamond Earrings 0.44cts 69363 | £1,195

www.rox.co.uk

27

ROX MAGAZINE

Images © IMAXtree.com

CATWALK REPORT

BOTTEGA VENETA

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Oozing femininity silk is proof that glamour truly is timeless. As we continue to see women across the globe celebrate their independence and character through their style there has never been a better time to slip into silk designs. From bold patterned blouses to simplistic but slinky dresses it’s a trend guaranteed to make you swoon.

ROKSANDA

SULTRY SILK

AQUAZZURA

ROX Honour Diamond Ring 0.70cts 61797 | £6,300 available from £2,195

ROX Diamond Earrings 0.35cts 68792 | £795

ROX Diamond Pendant 0.53cts 68793 | £1,495

ROX Diamond Bracelet 4.04cts 69143 | £5,295

THE ROW

Hublot Classic Fusion Watch 66407 | £7,900

ROX Diamond Ring 1.18cts 69321 | £3,995

CATWALK REPORT

Images © IMAXtree.com

ROX MAGAZINE

ALBERTA FERRETTI

ALTUZARRA

EMILIA WICKSTEAD

CHECKS, PLEASE Remember when everyone’s favourite Clueless teen Cher Horowitz stepped out in that iconic yellow checked mini and blazer? Well we’ve been obsessed with checks ever since then and you will be too as the AW18 catwalks celebrate the charm of the humble crosshatch. Look to brands such as Stella McCartney and Erdem to make sure that, in the worlds of Cher, you never have to choose between being a ‘fashion victim’ or ensemble-y challenged’.

BALENCIAGA

ROX Diamond Earrings 0.75ct 68487 | £1,995

ROX Diamond Pendant 0.53cts 68391 | £1,795

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Watch 65505 | £25,300

ROX Diamond Ring 1.05ct 66160 | £4,995 available from £1,995

ROX Diamond Ring 0.40cts 70944 | £1,295

AGNELLE

ROX Diamond Bangle 0.20cts 69164 | £1,495

www.rox.co.uk

29

MARRY ME

WWW.ROX.CO.UK

the JEWELLERY & WATCH edit

THE JEWELLERY EDIT

ROX MAGAZINE

A STYLISH

SHOWCASE

Whether you’re in the mood for a cocktail (ring that is) or simply want to embrace timeless glamour, there are plenty of ways to give make your jewellery look an AW18 makeover.

64105 | £325 65807 | £250 65821 | £450

LAYER THOSE BRACELETS The SS18 catwalks were full of oversized jewellery from earrings that could take out the person next to you if you moved your head too quickly to cuffs that took up half your arm. While statement cuffs are still around, it appears Tom Ford has decided it’s time for a change. For his AW18 show he sent models down the catwalk wearing layered bracelets to create a more detailed and showstopping look. And if Tom Ford decrees that this is the way forward, then that is all we need to know.

66698 | £495

COCKTAIL HOUR IS BACK

69318 | £4,500

The rise of the cocktail bar shows no signs of waning, but things are getting more glamorous. Forget the dingy speakeasys that kickstarted the trend, now it’s all about the kind of opulent bar at which you’d imagine the cast of Gossip Girl getting drunk. Now that we’re more likely to be found sipping an Old Fashioned somewhere fabulous than chugging back Chardonnay at the local, you need the ring to match. There’s really no rules – diamonds are always in style but coloured stones work just as well – the only thing you need to remember is go big or go back to your local.

69319 | £6,895

32

www.rox.co.uk

ROX MAGAZINE

THE JEWELLERY EDIT

71058 | £2,795

VINTAGE INSPIRATION Dig out your kilts and start watching Downtown Abbey on repeat, because tweed is back. The woollen fabric beloved of the upper set featured heavily on the catwalk. It was in coat form over floorskimming skirts at Calvin Klein, draped mannishly as a suit at The Row and flamboyantly Gaucho at Marc Jacobs.

When it comes to accessorising, a material with that sort of heritage demands vintage-inspired design, like this gorgeous pendant, that can hold their own against this rather attention-seeking fabric.

69314 | £4,995

SPARKLE LIKE MARKLE We’ve all stopped obsessing about who was going to design the wedding dress of Meghan Markle, the now Duchess of Sussex, so now we can get back to the business of analysing everything else she wears. Those with eagle eyes, and long lenses, have noticed that her signature jewellery style is to wear delicate diamondstudded rings on more than one finger.

The Duchess favours yellow gold, which is making a slow but certain comeback, however rose gold is a better choice as it will flatter sun-starved winter skin better.

67980 | £595 69324 | £650 67160 | £695 67841 | £395

www.rox.co.uk

33

THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE Osaka sofa from £1,069

Customisable Danish design. Delivery throughout Scotland.

BoConcept Edinburgh, 0131 226 6367, Rose St, 2 minutes from Jenners BoConcept Glasgow, 0141 341 4920, NEW PRINCES SQUARE STORE NOW OPEN

ROX MAGAZINE

THE JEWELLERY EDIT

71090 | £125

71085 | £65 71087 | £65

CHOOSE YOUR TRIBE Apparently it’s all Hedi Slimane’s fault the current vogue for incorporating elements of tribal art into fashion and jewellery. He added some African accents to the private salon at Saint Laurent’s Faubourg SaintHonoré boutique and everyone decided to follow.

Word to the wise – don’t go full on with this one or there’s a risk you’ll be accused of cultural appropriation. However, a few pieces worn alongside the jewellery you usually wear and it’s an instant style injection that will bring your look straight into 2018.

GOING FOR GOLD There’s no denying the unmistakable charm of ice white diamond jewellery, however, this season there is a demand to turn up the heat in the form of golden pieces. Gold jewellery has never really been out of style, however, 2018 has seen the biggest gold rush in recent years. From dramatic statement collars to dainty and delicate pendants, there’s no "one size fits all" rule when it comes to adding a golden touch to your style.

70711 | £125

70703 | £95

www.rox.co.uk

35

FEATURE

ROX MAGAZINE

RINGING

THE CHANGES

It almost seems wrong to talk about something as fickle as fashion when you’re looking to buy a piece of jewellery that you should love for a lifetime. However, we are all swayed in some way by what we see on celebrities or the eye-catching displays in the window of a jeweller. Thanks to Meghan Markle this year was all about the three stone ring but what’s next year going to bring?

SIX CLAW Think of an engagement ring and the first thing that more than likely springs to mind is a glistening round brilliant cut. The ultimate symbol of the proposal, the round brilliant cut has long been the most popular engagement ring style for decades and this season is no exception. The six claw solitaire is one of the most popular engagement ring trends of the season and it doesn’t get more perfect than a six-claw brilliant cut. A classic celebration of love in all of its glory, the beauty of a solitaire round cut lies in its brilliance and unbelievable sparkle.

70572 | £6,995 70322 | £9,995

NORTH AND SOUTH

70192 | £11,500

For those looking for an engagement ring that stands out from the crowd without straying too far from the status quo, an elongated cut makes the perfect choice.

While the unconventional East West setting may be turning heads, the North South setting never fails to inspire. Oval and marquise cut diamonds are making a real impression this season, exuding a classic appeal while still boasting a unique character. Elongated cuts, such as a solitaire marquise, can look more impressive than a cut of the same carat weight due to its long proportions and excellent spread making it a popular cut for those who dare to dazzle.

61928 | £7,100

36

www.rox.co.uk

ROX MAGAZINE

THE JEWELLERY EDIT

62008 | £6,995

NOT GOING ROUND AGAIN Like it or not the best place to look to gauge what will be popular is in the gossip pages because celebrities spark trends and this year it is all about the unusual cuts. When Ariana Grande got engaged her ring was a 3.03ct pear-shaped diamond that reportedly cost nearly $100,000. Also opting for pear was Paris Hilton. Never one to shy from excess, this particular diamond was a whopping 20ct and was rumoured to cost around £1.5 million. The pear-shaped diamond is one of the more unusual cuts despite its elongated shape being very flattering. If you’re thinking of opting for this sort of stone, the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) recommends checking the stone for symmetry and to pay attention to something called the “bow-tie”. This is a dark pattern resembling said neck accessory that can be seen across the width of the stone. In a good stone, the bow-tie should be minimal; the darker it is the more it detracts from the face-on appearance of the stone. You might not be able to avoid it altogether but make sure it is subtle.

61807 | £6,300

TRILOGY

70175 | £8,500

The three-stone engagement ring is continuing to enjoy a moment in the spotlight and there’s one woman to thank for that – Meghan Markle. Since the now Duchess of Sussex announced her engagement to Prince Harry with her bespoke ring demands soared for the trilogy cut and shows no sign of slowing down.

Three-stone engagement rings celebrate a truly momentous concept – the passing of time. Each stone represents the past, present and future with the centre stone often being the biggest in honour of sharing the current moment with a loved one. Yes the "Meghan sparkle" effect may have played a part in the surge of popularity for this cut but its symbol as an emblem of commitment will never fade.

70328 | £6,995

www.rox.co.uk

37

LUXURY WATCH EDIT

ROX MAGAZINE

THE ONES

TO WATCH

As winter nights draw in and temperatures drop, warm things up with decadent precious metals and glittering diamonds.

HUBLOT

CLASSIC FUSION When you think of Hublot, you generally think of chunky, masculine pieces with vibrant primary-coloured dials, so it’s lovely to see it getting in touch with its feminine side. This watch is an exercise in restrained elegance for a brand that usually makes a feature of its brashness. The diamonds around the bezel are given an extra luminosity thanks to the blue sunray brushed dial; something which is enhanced by the use of titanium rather than super-bright steel for the case and bracelet. It’s as though the whole watch has been Instagram-filtered through Gingham. And that’s a compliment.

70139 | £8,800

AUDEMARS PIGUET

ROYAL OAK

There’s a reason the Royal Oak hasn’t changed since 1972 when its octagonal bezel and integrated steel strap got the watch world talking. While the now-iconic design is still present, this version is allout luxury. The bracelet and case are both 18ct pink gold – definitely the most flattering shade for any skin tone – while the bezel has been set with 40 brilliant-cut diamonds. The grey of the grande-tapisserie dial lends a softness, rounding off those sporty edges to make for something far more sophisticated. 68295 | £43,200

38

www.rox.co.uk

CHOPARD

HAPPY SPORT It’s hard to believe that the Happy Sport was a bit of a gamble for Chopard when it first came out. It’s such a clever, yet simple, premise you wonder how no one thought to do it before. Although the original was controversial for its pairing of diamonds with steel, this option puts the precious stones back with their natural bedfellow – lush, warm rose gold. Five diamonds are left to freely dance around the inside of the dial, while 38 brilliants frame the outside.

And it’s not just beautiful to look at, it is also an automatic so no need to worry about pesky battery changes.

67628 | £28,200

ROX MAGAZINE

LUXURY WATCH EDIT

BELL & ROSS

BRS DIAMOND EAGLE If you were a betting person then it would have been safe to assume that, when Bell & Ross decided to launch a brand-new women’s collection, it would be something different from the usual. And that is certainly true of the Diamond Eagle. Firstly, it’s square, which very few women’s watches are, and it also has the Aquila constellation mapped out on the dial using seven diamonds. Aquila is Latin for “eagle” and the constellation represents the bird that carried Zeus or Jupiter’s thunderbolts, depending on whether you’re opting for the Greek or Roman version. It’s a fabulous detail that could only have come from the likes of Bell & Ross. 71226 | £1,900

GUCCI

G-TIMELESS

TAG HEUER AQUARACER

Darling of the fashion set and Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele can do no wrong, it seems. His ready-to-wear shows are the highlight of every fashion week and luckily he also finds time to sprinkle his particular brand of pixie dust on the watches and jewellery too. This watch has all his hallmarks. There’s the bees, stars and hearts that have become his new iconography, while his sense of fun is evident in the moving of the rather pedestrian descriptions of the watch – water resistance, Swiss made and stainless steel – from the caseback to make them a feature of the dial. It’s a wonderful flash of levity in a world that can sometimes seem to take itself a little too seriously.

70215 | £850

The Aquaracer remains one of the most impressive women’s sports watches on the market. It looks great and also has a water resistance to 300m, which means that you don’t have to take it off should you fancy a quick Scuba dive session. This 32mm version is powered by TAG Heuer’s quartz movement, which is considered to be one of the most reliable in Switzerland, and while some options are just simple steel designs, this one has been given a little pizazz thanks to the diamond-set unidirectional bezel. Perfect for impressing any giant spider crabs you might come across.. 70113 | £3,500

www.rox.co.uk

39

ETERNAL

DECADENCE A celebration of the ROX Woman who feels deeply, loves fiercely and is armed with audacious ambition.

TINE BEK SHAUN LAVENDER HAIR: PADDY MCDOUGALL LOCATION: MOUNT STUART HOUSE MODEL: AINARA MEDINA – NEVS FASHION ASSISTANT: JENNY CREE PRODUCTION/ART DIRECTION/STYLING: I’LL BE YOUR MIRROR PHOTOGRAPHY:

MAKEUP:

DIAMOND TWIST RING 2.12CT £5,195 (71129), DIAMOND BRACELET 17.44CTS £52,000 (71146), DIAMOND COLLAR 10.34CTS £24,500 (71149), CRISSCUT HALO DIAMOND RING 1.91CTS £21,000 (68834), DIAMOND EARRINGS 2.01CTS £3,695 (71127), VICTORIA BECKHAM JACKET FROM CRUISE

DIAMOND BRACELET 17.44CTS £52,000 (71146), DIAMOND COLLAR 10.34CTS £24,500 (71149), DIAMOND EARRINGS 2.01CTS £3,695 (71127), VICTORIA BECKHAM JACKET FROM CRUISE

DIAMOND TWIST RING 2.12CT £5,195 (71129), DIAMOND BRACELET 17.44CTS £52,000 (71146), DIAMOND COLLAR 10.34CTS £24,500 (71149), CRISSCUT HALO DIAMOND RING 1.91CTS £21,000 (68834), DIAMOND EARRINGS 2.01CTS £3,695 (71127), VICTORIA BECKHAM JACKET FROM CRUISE

DIAMOND TWIST RING 2.12CT £5,195 (71129), DIAMOND BRACELET 17.44CTS £52,000 (71146), DIAMOND COLLAR 10.34CTS £24,500 (71149), CRISSCUT HALO DIAMOND RING 1.91CTS £21,000 (68834), DIAMOND EARRINGS 2.01CTS £3,695 (71127), VICTORIA BECKHAM JACKET FROM CRUISE, DRIES VAN NOTEN SKIRT FROM JANE DAVIDSON

DIAMOND EARRINGS 1.92CTS £3,995 (71126), DIAMOND RING 5.00CTS £10,500 (71092), DIAMOND COLLAR 15.07CTS £34,995 (71147), DIAMOND BRACELET 16.25CT £43,000 (71094), DIAMOND TRILOGY RING 8.13CTS £115,000 (70835), DIANE VON FURSTENBERG JACKET FROM JANE DAVIDSON, GUCCI TROUSERS FROM CRUISE, MIU MIU SHOES

DIAMOND RING 5.00CTS £10,500 (71092), DIAMOND BRACELET 16.25CT £43,000 (71094), DIAMOND TRILOGY RING 8.13CTS £115,000 (70835), DIANE VON FURSTENBERG JACKET FROM JANE DAVIDSON, GUCCI TROUSERS FROM CRUISE

DIAMOND EARRINGS 1.92CTS £3,995 (71126), DIAMOND RING 5.00CTS £10,500 (71092), DIAMOND COLLAR 15.07CTS £34,995 (71147), DIAMOND BRACELET 16.25CT £43,000 (71094), DIAMOND TRILOGY RING 8.13CTS £115,000 (70835), DIANE VON FURSTENBERG JACKET FROM JANE DAVIDSON, GUCCI TROUSERS FROM CRUISE

DIAMOND BANGLE 5.11CT £9,295 (71136), DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING 5.31CT £67,200 (71121), DIAMOND ETERNITY RING 1.00CT £2,995 (54068), DIAMOND EARRINGS 3.13CTS £7,200 (71134), DIAMOND CLUSTER RING 2.49CT £4,195 (71130), DIAMOND NECKLACE 8.19CT £17,295 (71148), DIAMOND BANGLE 5.04CT £7,850 (71141) OSMAN SILK COAT FROM JANE DAVIDSON

DIAMOND BANGLE 5.11CT £9,295 (71136), DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING 5.31CT £67,200 (71121), DIAMOND ETERNITY RING 1.00CT £2,995 (54068), DIAMOND EARRINGS 3.13CTS £7,200 (71134), DIAMOND CLUSTER RING 2.49CT £4,195 (71130), DIAMOND NECKLACE 8.19CT £17,295 (71148), DIAMOND BANGLE 5.04CT £7,850 (71141) OSMAN SILK COAT FROM JANE DAVIDSON

DIAMOND BANGLE 5.11CT £9,295 (71136), DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING 5.31CT £67,200 (71121), DIAMOND ETERNITY RING 1.00CT £2,995 (54068), DIAMOND EARRINGS 3.13CTS £7,200 (71134), DIAMOND CLUSTER RING 2.49CT £4,195 (71130), DIAMOND NECKLACE 8.19CT £17,295 (71148), DIAMOND BANGLE 5.04CT £7,850 (71141) OSMAN SILK COAT FROM JANE DAVIDSON

DIAMOND COLLAR 9.10CTS £19,995 (71112), DIAMOND RING 3.96CT £39,900 (70854), DIAMOND BRACELET 6.33CT £11,750 (71151), DIAMOND COCKTAIL RING 2.25CTS £4,995 (63186), BALMAIN COAT FROM CRUISE, DOLCE & GABBANA DRESS FROM CRUISE, MIU MIU SHOES

DIAMOND EARRING 8.05CTS £124,000 (71056), DIAMOND COLLAR 9.10CTS £19,995 (71112), DIAMOND RING 3.96CT £39,900 (70854), DIAMOND BRACELET 6.33CT £11,750 (71151), DIAMOND COCKTAIL RING 2.25CTS £4,995 (63186), BALMAIN COAT FROM CRUISE, DOLCE & GABBANA DRESS FROM CRUISE, BERET FROM WALKER SLATER

DIAMOND RING 3.96CT £39,900 (70854), DIAMOND BRACELET 6.33CT £11,750 (71151), DIAMOND COCKTAIL RING 2.25CTS £4,995 (63186), BALMAIN COAT FROM CRUISE

DIAMOND COLLAR 48.49CT £500,000 (71116), DIAMOND DRESS RING 1.40CTS £2,995 (71124), DIAMOND EARRINGS 2.52CTS £3,995 (71135), HONOUR DIAMOND RING 4.04CTS £39,000 (70781), DIAMOND BANGLE 5.11CT £9,295 (71136), VICTORIA BECKHAM OVERCOAT FROM CRUISE, DOLCE & GABBANA DRESS FROM CRUISE, BERET FROM WALKER SLATER

DIAMOND COLLAR 21.20CT £50,000 (71114), DIAMOND RING 2.26CTS £4,995 (69133), LOVE DIAMOND WEDDING RING 0.38CTS £1,995 (63356), DIAMOND TENNIS BRACELET 17.03CTS £110,000 (69991), DIAMOND ARTDECO BRACELET 7.86CTS £12,500 (71144), DIAMOND EARRINGS 4.35CTS £12,000 (69992), DIAMOND RING 2.38CTS £19,995 (68292), DIAMOND BRACELET 18.19CTS £137,500 (68738), OSMAN FEATHERED BOLERO FROM JANICE DAVIDSON, DIANE VON FURSTENBURG SLIP FROM JANICE DAVIDSON

DIAMOND COLLAR 21.20CT £50,000 (71114), DIAMOND RING 2.26CTS £4,995 (69133), LOVE DIAMOND WEDDING RING 0.38CTS £1,995 (63356), DIAMOND TENNIS BRACELET 17.03CTS £110,000 (69991), DIAMOND ART-DECO BRACELET 7.86CTS £12,500 (71144), DIAMOND EARRINGS 4.35CTS £12,000 (69992), DIAMOND RING 2.38CTS £19,995 (68292), DIAMOND BRACELET 18.19CTS £137,500 (68738), OSMAN FEATHERED BOLERO FROM JANICE DAVIDSON, DIANE VON FURSTENBURG SLIP FROM JANICE DAVIDSON

DIAMOND EARRINGS 1.63CTS £2,695 (71125), ADORE BRILLIANT CUT TRILOGY DIAMOND RING 3.05CTS £19,500 (70331), ADORE DIAMOND WEDDING RING 0.27CTS £1,995 (70574), DIAMOND BANGLE 8.94CTS £19,500 (71140), DIAMOND RING 9.10CT £76,900 (71120), DRIES VAN NOTEN KNIT AND SKIRT FROM JANICE DAVIDSON

FEATURE

ROX MAGAZINE

62403 | £8,995 63412 | £1,295

SHINE ON Diamonds are no longer for after dark, the new way to wear them is every day.

“

Diamonds, including diamond watches, are not for the daytime. You may only frost yourself after dusk, when the stones add lustre and twinkle to a woman's eyes. Engagement rings are clearly exempt. And if you are so honkingly rich that you own a diamond hair clip, then we salute you and you may chuck it on whenever you like.”

This piece of style advice from Tatler from 2015 seems laughable now. In just three short years, it feels outmoded, stuffy and just a bit ridiculous.

If 2018 symbolised anything, it was the year diamonds came out of the jewellery box and into the light. If you want an indicator of the zeitgeist then take a look at Tiffany & Co’s latest advertising campaign. There’s Elle Fanning dancing around the streets of New York to a hiphop inspired version of Moon River wearing a hoodie in that unmistakable shade of blue.

The jewellery she is wearing is platinum and diamond with a starting price of just over £2,500.

While it is statistically unlikely that most 20 year olds will have a spare £2,500 sitting in their bank account to spend on jewellery, Tiffany is acknowledging that more women are choosing diamonds for their everyday pieces rather than saving them for best.

74

www.rox.co.uk

And it’s all down to a subtle shift in who is buying jewellery for whom.

For the average woman, by which we mean one without access to a trust fund or the family jewels, diamonds, thanks to De Beers, meant engagement. It was generally speaking, the first, and for some the only, time when that particular precious stone would have been given to them.

Fast forward a few decades and, as Anne Fulenwider, editor-in-chief of US Marie Claire says in De Beer’s 2017 Diamond Insight report: “Today nearly half the workforce is comprised of women... Do you know what that means? That means women aren’t waiting around for men to give them little boxes! They’re buying them for themselves. And they are wearing those statement pieces and handbags and shoes like the Olympic medals that they are. They’ve been earned. And when you earn something, you prize it, you delight in it, you savour it.”

And there are the stats to prove it.

The De Beers Diamond Insight Report found that 73 per cent of the overall diamond jewellery market came from non-bridal pieces, with 23 per cent of that being from women self-purchasing.

While according to Forbes, the team at Lyst, the world’s largest fashion search platform, found

ROX MAGAZINE

that whether as a result of greater economic empowerment, the temptations of online shopping or the power of social media, it has seen “the percentage of women compared to men on Lyst who purchase women’s jewellery increase 14 per cent from 2016 to 2017,” explains Sarah Tanner, Lyst’s US public relations director.

Granted it still doesn’t topple gift buying but it proves that there is a significant number of women who are buying for themselves and buying diamonds.

But why diamonds specifically? Well, for all the reasons diamonds made for popular engagement ring stones – they are incredibly hard wearing, don’t depreciate in value and, if we’re honest, have an allure that you just don’t get from a coloured stone. Marilyn didn’t sing about sapphires being a girl’s best friend, did she?

Self-purchasing is also booming because, as the age of marriage rises and also ceases to be a significant milestone in a lot of women’s lives, other occasions take precedent.

“So the traditional emphasis on a series of linear life ‘milestones’ – including graduation, engagement and anniversaries – is evolving to incorporate what might be called ‘multiple moments,” as the De Beers report explains.

That means new jobs, new flats, promotions or even “I’ve had a dreadful week and need cheering up” are all

FEATURE

NEW DIAMOND THINKING

Want to splash out on something sparkly, here’s some of the best demi-fine pieces available at ROX now.

Delicate diamonds always make the ultimate accessory without seeming over the top. This ROX diamond drop pendant is a jewellery box staple. 63341 | £2,295

MARILYN DIDN’T SING ABOUT SAPPHIRES BEING A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND, DID SHE? occasions when women might consider splashing out on something sparkly.

Catering to that is the rise of demi-fine jewellery, which further compounds the notion that diamonds are for every day. This is a specific category that sits in between silver and fine with prices that are typically around the £300 mark made from precious stones and metals but not in the quantity that would push it up into the realms of fine.

And you can’t dismiss the influence of the likes of Maria Tash, the US-based jewellery designer and piercer who has made her name by adorning the ears, septums and navels of the A-list (and mere mortals through her London, Rome and New York salons) with delicate gold and diamond designs that can cost as much as a grand, rather than the bar bells and studs reminiscent of 1990s piercings.

As Tash said in an interview with the Telegraph: “There are centuries of precedence in other cultures for beautiful jewellery being worn all around the ear. Now we have developed the tiny and durable jewellery to match our taste in beauty, and co-exist with our modern active lifestyles.”

Which is the key to this new way of wearing diamonds.

Gone are the full collars and ear-lobe stretchers of yore and in their places are delicate, beautiful pieces created to ensure that whatever your budget or your lifestyle you can always wear something that sparkles.

Step into a world of Diamonds & Thrills at www.rox.co.uk, or visit your local ROX boutique.

Diamond halo earrings are the perfect way to add a classic touch to any look and these ROX earrings exude natural beauty and style. 70996 | £1,495

There’s no escaping the beauty of an impeccably crafted right hand ring when it comes to adding a touch of sparkle to your everyday routine. Dazzling diamonds are all right with this ROX cocktail ring. 69325 | £2,800

Bangles are all the rage this year and this is a beautiful piece that, like a classic white shirt, will go with everything. 69166 | £1,495 www.rox.co.uk

75

FEATURE

76

ROX MAGAZINE

www.rox.co.uk

ROX MAGAZINE

FEATURE

SUSTAINABLE LUXURY PLAYS A STARRING ROLE Chopard has made more in roads into sustainable luxury than any other watch or jewellery brand. And things just got even more ethical. Words by Laura McCreddie-Doak.

B

ack in 2011, while attending Paris Fashion Week, the then-editor of Italian Vogue, Francesca Sozzani, took a moment to muse in her editor’s blog about what luxury meant having just attended the Dior and Lanvin shows.

“Luxury is research, the chance to experience new routes, to find new and not predictable or already seen solutions,” she said.

“Experimentations are luxury.”

was also the first year Chopard participated in the Green Carpet Challenge; an ethical fashion initiative aimed at changing what A-listers to wear on the red carpet, which was set up by Livia Firth, founder and creative director of Eco-Age, a specialist sustainability and communications consultancy. By 2014, the L.U.C Tourbillon QF Fairmined was launched. The case was made from gold mined by the Coodmilla Cooperative, which is located in the Nariño region of Colombia and

“LUXURY IS RESEARCH, THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE NEW ROUTES, TO FIND NEW AND NOT PREDICTABLE OR ALREADY SEEN SOLUTIONS” It seems as though watch and jewellery Maison Chopard working with this concept of luxury with its most recent commitment to using 100 per cent ethical gold in its watches and jewellery as of July 2018.

Chopard has been a pioneer in this field.

Although there are smaller brands who use Fairmined gold, the big names have yet to adopt such an ethically rigorous approach.

“It started back in 2010 when we had our 150th anniversary of Chopard coming up and Caroline had designed a beautiful collection called Animal World,” explains Karl Friedrich Scheufele, co-president of the brand, at a press conference at Baselworld back in March. “We connected with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and then we realised that we were really not perfectly in line with sustainability.”

To address this the brand introduced Fairmined gold into the company in 2013, which

which Chopard worked with to help them achieve Fairmined certification. Working with Eco-Age, Chopard committed to, what they termed, a Journey to Sustainable Luxury – a multi-year and ambitious programme of sustainable change that will set new environmental and social standards for jewellery and watchmaking.

This year sees its most ambitious step yet.

“I think we say we're looking at our biggest milestone being that we are going to use 100 per cent ethical gold which is responsibly sourced either accredited by Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) or by the Swiss Better Gold Association (SBGA), which we have been a part of since the end of last year,” explains Scheufele.

These radical developments have been possible thanks to a new partnership with Swiss gold refinery company PX Précinox, which was announced in 2015 and led to the establishing of the first commercial export route for Fairmined www.rox.co.uk

77

FEATURE

ROX MAGAZINE

gold from Bolivia. Then in 2016, Chopard created unique partnership with Gemfields to ensure the traceability of its stones.

Although this is all incredibly inspirational, Karl Friedrich is keen to point out that the family nature of the business and its vertical structure has been integral.

“We should pay credit to the vertical integration that we have in our company, which really allowed this this to happen”, he says. “It started with my grandfather who convinced my father and me when I was still very young that we needed to have a foundry in house. It is part of our philosophy in our company to be independent and this foundry allows us to do what we do with Fairmined gold.”

Actress Julianne Moore, who has worn Chopard’s ethical creations on many of her red carpet appearances thinks this move to go 100 per cent ethical is sets Chopard apart from its competitors.

“What Chopard has done by taking the lead and sustainability has made their products so much more attractive than anybody else's,” 78

www.rox.co.uk

she says. “It makes a huge difference as a you know as an actress and on the red carpet to be in a position where I can choose things that have been ethically sourced.

“I don't want to be wearing anything where a human being has been harmed and certainly, as a feminist in terms of supply chain, I want to make sure that every woman who's worked along the way has been treated fairly. This gives me the opportunity to wear something and wear it responsibly.”

At a time when it feels as though the change in terms of ethical jewellery is coming from smaller brands, it is incredible to see such a storied and respected Maison as Chopard admitting it needs to changing and making the steps to do so.

If, as Sozzani believed, the luxurious is now defined by such qualities as research and experimentation, then this 100 per cent ethical version of Chopard must be absolute definition of luxury in the modern age.

Chopard is available online or at ROX Argyll Arcade

ROX MAGAZINE

FEATURE

CHOPARD STARLETS

Chopard Happy Diamonds Pendant 4.61cts 67817 | £23,900

Chopard Happy Diamonds Earrings 2.26cts 67819 | £11,900

Chopard Happy Diamonds Ring 1.92cts 67818 | £11,100 www.rox.co.uk

79

FEATURE

80

ROX MAGAZINE

www.rox.co.uk

ROX MAGAZINE

FEATURE

TO INFINITY AND

beyond Audemars Piguet’s partnership with Art Basel has always yielded interesting results but this latest with its commissioning of scientific artists Semiconductor.

Words by Laura McCreddie-Doak.

“

Halo is a sculpture, which transcends the way the scientists use the data into becoming an experience that is quite humbling. We like to call this technological sublime,” explains Ruth Jarman, one half of the British artistic duo that is Semiconductor. Described sometimes as scientific artists, the pair, which is completed by Joe Gerhardt, make large scale, often movingimage based artworks that explore the material nature of our works and how that is experienced through the lens of science and technology; questioning how one is mediated by the other.

And this year, they were the star attraction at Art Basel, thanks to Audemars Piguet. The Le Brassus-based watch brand has been a partner of the international modern art fair since 2013, putting its name to series of installations. These free-standing areas and artworks are always the result of a carefully partnering of a selected curator and artist.

Past commissions include Lars Jan’s mechanised immersive installation in a two-level structure on the Miami Beach ocean front featuring floating model buildings, a serious of largeformat light boxes and a film, with the intention of blurring the difference between built and wild

landscapes and exploring notions of time and ephemerality. While Sun Xun’s Reconstruction of the Universe featured woodblock prints shown alongside animated films projected onto both flat and spherical surfaces, rendering them two or three dimensional all of which were presented under an incredible S-curved shaped pavilion that was built alongside the beach.

All the Art Basel commissions by Audemars Piguet tend to be a musing on temporality and man’s place in the universe but this was the first time it has worked with CERN. Back in 2011, Ariane Koek created the Arts@CERN programme to encourage a dialogue between the worlds of art and science. She was succeeded by Mónica Bello, who Audemars Piguet approached to curate this year’s Art Basel commission.

“My role is to understand how a science of great complexity can inform artistic expression,” Bello explains. “I don't think artists are going to transform the way science progresses but there is something definitely important about creating this conversation and opening it up.

Philosophically we want to know why we are here and what the world is made for.”

If the philosophical drive to know our www.rox.co.uk

81

FEATURE

ROX MAGAZINE

purpose is being presided over by artists, then the people at CERN are looking for the physical evidence of how we’re here; using the Large Hadron Collider the team of scientists there are probing the fundamental structure of the universe and attempting to find the Higgs boson – a theoretical particle smaller than an atom, which may hold the key to the universe as we know it.

It is the data produced by this, which is known as the ATLAS experiment, that is at the heart of Semiconductor’s halluncinatory work of art.

“We're interested in working with scientists who work with physical matter, so what was really appealing about CERN to us is it’s matter that's completely invisible,” says Jarman. “You can never totally just observe nature, there would always be having the hand of man in there somewhere and so it would be mediated through the science and so we started asking more philosophical questions about science and became more interested in questioning our place in nature and looking at that through the lens of science and technology.”

“Halo is thinking about the idea of placing the viewer within the centre of this scientific experiment,” continues Gerhardt, “where 82

www.rox.co.uk

you're surrounded by a ring of light. In a way you become the source of the event the protonproton collisions.”

The images and sound are created by using the raw data from the ATLAS experiment, which is a particle detector that weighs around 7,000 tonnes. Superconducting magnets force protons to circulate around the Large Hadron Collider in different directions so that they collide in the centre of the ATLAS experiment. The collisions reveals the particles allowing them to be measured and analysed by the over 3,000 physicists from around the world who work with CERN. It is these clashes – slowed down somewhat because they usually occur at faster than the speed of light – that can be seen when you step inside Halo – a 10-metre wide cylindrical structure surrounded by vertical piano wires. As the particles hit the screen one of the hammers hits a piano wire, giving the particle collision its own sound and making the experience sonically as well as visually immersive.

It is at once simplistic and mind-blowing, this idea of making these invisible collisions visible; showing the human mind something it struggles to comprehend. It is a visual and acoustic installation creates an immersive experience of matter formation in the early universe, turning it

ROX MAGAZINE

into a starscape and creating an experience that blends the technological and the sublime.

“We’ve taken this data from this video complicated experiment and reshaped it so that we can place the viewer inside,” says Gerhardt. “We like to work with the raw data partly because it has all the artefacts and the noise of nature still inherent in there. In a way it's closer to what nature is; it's messy it's also more beautiful.”

With its emphasis on science and the beginnings of life itself, this can seem a long way from watchmaking, however Semiconductor were as inspired by their trip to Audemars Piguet’s manufacture in Le Brassus.

“We had never seen chimes in watches before,” says Jarman. “They are incredible to see operating and they sound amazing. Whether we were influenced by this or it was just serendipity, it can’t be ignored that we have made a giant instrument which is played very similarly to them.”

To make the soundscape that accompanies the visual feast inside Halo, 24 strings were controlled to resonate in sync with the raw data coming from the server.

“We had to do this without there being any speakers,” explains Ashley Brosnan, technical director from Brighton who helped with this side of the project. “It's a mechanical linkage that just picks up the vibrations of the string and then it's amplified through circuits, which we control via the computer and it goes to a resonant sound box so what you're actually hearing is the string itself vibrate.”

WITH ITS EMPHASIS ON SCIENCE AND THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE ITSELF, THIS CAN SEEM A LONG WAY FROM WATCHMAKING, HOWEVER SEMICONDUCTOR WERE AS INSPIRED BY THEIR TRIP TO AUDEMARS PIGUET’S MANUFACTURE IN LE BRASSUS. In many ways, the fusion of art and science that is so much a part of Semiconductor’s work has a correlation with the way Audemars Piguet has moved into the 21st century.

Through its Concept collection, which has included a Supersonnerie (minute repeater) featuring a mathematically and sonically exact gong, it fuses its rich artistic history with cutting edge science.

Between them Semiconductor and Mónica Bello have created something that uses science to give us an insight into the inner workings of the universe; using the hand of man to exert some sort of control over the transient and unfixed. Rather like a watchmaker using the tools at his disposal to try and control something as fickle as time.

Audemars Piguet is available online and at ROX Argyll Arcade

FEATURE

THREE AP WATCHES THAT BLEND SCIENCE AND ART

MILLENARY

The proportions of the off-set dial have to be perfectly calculated to ensure it works aesthetically. 69711 | £41,600

ROYAL OAK QUARTZ

Specially created computer operated machines are used to create AP’s iconic petit tapisserie dial pattern. 63270 | £18,200

ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE

Strap integration is an Audemars Piguet signature and makes the watch sit more securely on your wrist. 69959 | £38,700 www.rox.co.uk

83

FEATURE

84

ROX MAGAZINE

www.rox.co.uk

ROX MAGAZINE

FEATURE

snow

QUEEN

Aimee Fuller is one of the world’s best on a snowboard, she is also an ambassador for TAG Heuer. Laura McCreddieDoak grabs some time with this very busy sports star.

I

t’s hard to imagine what Aimee Fuller would have been had she not strapped on a pair of skis aged four. Such is her energy, her high-octane “force-of-nature” personality that you get the sense that she couldn’t be contained by the relative mundanity of an everyday life.

BBC broadcasting regulations certainly couldn’t contain her. Her emotion-filled, completely partisan commentary of her friend and Team GB snowboarding compatriot Jenny Jones winning bronze in the snowboarding final at Sochi in 2014 elicited 300 complaints; something about which Aimee was sanguine but not entirely apologetic.

It is this unbridled enthusiasm for her sport that has taken her from Bromley via Virginia to the world stage.

“It was Mum and Dad that got me skiing at the local dry slope when I was four,” she says, talking at a speed best described as rapid while walking to meet friends for lunch. “We were a sporty family but no one actively pursued it; I was just someone who always loved a little mission.”

As well as skiing, the pre-teen Aimee quad biked, then did motorcross; gymnastics was added to the list at 12 but it was seeing a snowboarder

coming down the dry slope, getting air thanks to the moguls, that made her think she had found her calling.

When Aimee was 12 her family moved to Virginia, which meant the snow-mad twelve yearold had the Appalachian mountains on her door step. It was the snow park there, with its jumps and rail features, that saw her swap skiing for snowboarding.

However, it was going to snowboarding camp at Mount Hood in Oregon – a 16th birthday present before the family moved again to Belfast – that cemented Aimee’s future.

“While I was there I was coached by a Roxy [surf and snowboard clothing brand] rider called Erin Comstock,” says Aimee. “I came home, went to Belfast then got a phone call from Roxy to head out to [Swiss resort village] Saas-Fee just before I was due to start my A-levels. From there the dream started.”

The way Aimee tells the story, it seems like a story of luck but push a little and she admits that she was a natural talent.

“I guess there was ability in the air,” she says somewhat reluctantly. “I also had the passion and enthusiasm to progress. When I find something I like I go all in and if you want to push yourself www.rox.co.uk

85

FEATURE

ROX MAGAZINE

to the next level in a sport, then finding something you love will help you pursue it. It gives you that dedication.”

Aimee’s speciality on a board is slopestyle, which she describes as being as close to gymnastics as snowboarding gets. The dictionary, or rather Wikipedia, definition is that it is a “ winter sport in which athletes ski or snowboard down a course including a variety of obstacles including rails, jumps and other terrain park features. Points

We asked Aimee for her top three places to snowboard in the world so you too can feel like a pro.

ABSOLUT PARK, AUSTRIA Now one of the biggest and best-known parks in Europe, this is one for the freestyle junkie. There are more than 100 obstacles that are kept in perfect conditions by a professional crew. You can take flight at the Kicker Line,

“ I LOVE THE TAG HEUER CONNECTED; IT’S ON MY WRIST NOW,” SHE SAYS. “IT’S SUPER HANDY TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT CAN DO EVERYTHING.” are scored for amplitude, originality and quality of tricks.”

It is a particular type of snowboarding that values the ability to execute complex moves rather than making a virtue of speed and has only been an Olympic sport since Sochi in 2014, which was also Aimee’s first inclusion in Team GB. Though Aimee has talked about feeling slightly unprepared for Sochi, despite getting to the semi-finals, at this year’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang she was feeling good. Sadly things conspired against her and she crashed out in her second run of the final.

“I was in a great position physically and mentally and felt on top of my game,” she says.

“Unfortunately I didn’t have the best weather. It was really windy and not ideal. Our sport is based in an ever-changing environment, so it is what it is.”

When not trying to convince other women to embrace their sporting potential through her ambassadorship of This Girl Can or filling her Instagram feed with pictures of all the other activities she seems to have mastered from yoga and weight-boarding to skateboarding and cycling, she is also an ambassador for TAG Heuer. “ I love the TAG Heuer Connected; it’s on my wrist now,” she says. “It’s super handy to have something that can do everything. It’s a stopwatch, the Apple Pay is great for when I’m out for a run. It lets me know the weather when I’m out for a ride and it’s mega handy for emailing.

I just like that everything’s simmering away just there, while I'm getting on with something else.”

And with that this bright, brilliant whirlwind of energy is off to tackle whatever life throws at her next.

86

www.rox.co.uk

practise your creativity at the Rail Yard or simply start learning on the Beginner Line – there’s something for every level from international level to absolute beginner. Fly to Salzburg then take the shuttle bus to Flachau and enjoy some of the most varied and amazing boarding in Europe. www.absolutpark.com LAAX SWITZERLAND With 224km of slopes, four snowparks, 28 lifts and more than 30 restaurants, this is less a ski and snowboarding resort and more a winter wonderland. It is one of the most reliable winter sports regions in the world so you won’t be left kicking your heels wondering where the snow is. Fly to Zurich then take the train to Chur.

Grab yourself a drink and a window seat, then sit back and enjoy a two-hour ride through some of the stunning scenery Switzerland has to offer. www.laax.com PERISHER, AUSTRALIA If the idea of chasing the snow appeals then book a trip to Perisher to experience the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere. The season runs from June to October with the best snow being July-August. You can drive to this five-square mile resort but it’s more fun to take the Skitube – a Swiss-designed rack-rail train that is also Australia’s only underground rack railway.

Fly to Canberra then get a connecting flight to Snowy Mountains Airport. An airport shuttle will then take you to Perisher. www.perisher.au TAG Heuer is available online and at ROX Newcastle

ROX MAGAZINE

FEATURE

THREE TAG HEUER WATCHES TO ADD SOME SPORTY STYLE TO YOUR WARDROBE

TAG HEUER AQUARACER 69940 | £3,150

TAG HEUER FORMULA 1 69887 | £2,150

TAG HEUER CARRERA 69955 | £2,450

www.rox.co.uk

87

FEATURE

ROX MAGAZINE

STREET

STYLE

Mastering effortless street style is made easy as ROX takes to the streets with fashionista and lifestyle blogger Lucy Florals, shining a light on the best AW18 has to offer.

ROX Tribal Silver Pendant £55 (71088), ROX Boho Torque Silver Bangle £185 (71099), ROX Celestial Silver Bangle £75 (69623), ROX Celestial Gold Vermeil Bangle £90 (69624), ROX Celestial Gold Vermeil Bracelet £50 (69611), ROX Yellow Diamond Halo Ring 0.99cts £3,695 (63800), Zodiac Gold Vermeil Ring ROX x Catherine Zoraida £95 (70702), ROX Tribal Silver Ring £55 (71082), ROX Diamond Stacking Ring 0.27cts £695 (67162)

88

www.rox.co.uk

ROX MAGAZINE

FEATURE

www.rox.co.uk

89

STREET STYLE

ROX MAGAZINE

COSY CHIC AW18 style is streets ahead with a little help from ever so soft roll neck sweaters and woollen coats. Eternally stylish this look promises to be one of your favourites this season as the nights grow darker and the weather colder. Pair with statement jewellery to bring an edge to the look.

ROX Celestial Gold Vermeil Pendant £80 (69605), ROX Orbit Silver Pendant £60 (70808), ROX Boho Silver Ring £60 (71091), ROX Yellow Diamond Halo Ring 0.99cts £3,695 (63800), ROX Tribal Horn Silver Bracelet £125 (71090)

90

www.rox.co.uk

ROX MAGAZINE

STREET STYLE

STYLE TIP: Pair daring silver jewellery with delicate golden pieces to create a look that leaves an impression.

ROX Boho Silver Ring 71091 | £60

ROX Celestial Gold Vermeil Pendant 69605 | £80

ROX Tribal Horn Silver Bracelet 71090 | £125

ROX Orbit Silver Pendant 70808 | £60

www.rox.co.uk

91

STREET STYLE

ROX MAGAZINE

STYLE TIP: Make a stylish statement of your very own with stacking rings.

ROX Orbit Torque Silver Bangle 70752 | £95

92

www.rox.co.uk

ROX Celestial Gold Vermeil Ring 69614 | £60

ROX Diamond Ring 0.14cts 69208 | £495

ROX Tribal Silver Ring 71081 | £55

ROX MAGAZINE

STREET STYLE

EFFORTLESS STYLE Chunky knits are true winter classics and really come into their own when teamed with a leather mini skirt. As for jewellery, don’t be afraid to mix your metals and collections to bring varied textures to the look.

ROX Boho Torque Silver Bangle £185 (71099), ROX Diamond Stacking Ring 0.09ct £275 (67978), ROX Tribal Silver Ring £55 (71081), ROX Yellow Diamond Halo Ring 0.99cts £3,695 (63800), ROX Boho Silver Ring £60 (71093), ROX Celestial Gold Vermeil Ring £60 (69614), ROX Diamond Dress Ring 0.14cts £495 (69208), ROX Celestial Gold Vermeil Bangle £95 (69624), ROX Orbit Torque Silver Bangle £95 (70752)

www.rox.co.uk

93

STREET STYLE

ROX MAGAZINE

ROX Orbit Silver Choker £45 (70760), Zodiac Gold Vermeil Pendant ROX x Catherine Zoraida £125 (70714), ROX Diamond Love Pendant 0.12cts £395 (57668), ROX Tribal Silver Pendant £65 (71087), ROX Orbit 3 Row Silver Ring £50 (70814), ROX Yellow Diamond Halo Ring 0.99cts £3,695 (63800), ROX Orbit Silver Ring £25 (70769), ROX Orbit 5 Row Silver Ring £65 (70811), ROX Celestial Star Silver Bangle £75 (69623)

URBAN ELEGANCE Ripped jeans, a Persil white shirt and slinky heels join forces to create a look that is a real style chameleon. Moving effortlessly from day to evening is no trouble for this look – especially when paired with striking silver stacking rings.

94

www.rox.co.uk

ROX MAGAZINE

STREET STYLE

STYLE TIP: There’s no such thing as over accessorising with simple yet sleek styling.

ROX Orbit Silver Choker 70760 | £45

ROX Orbit Silver Ring 70811 | £65

ROX Tribal Silver Pendant 71087 | £65

ROX Celestial Silver Bangle 69623 | £75

www.rox.co.uk

95

STREET STYLE

ROX MAGAZINE

STYLE TIP: Can’t decide between your two favourite pendants?

Wear both.

ROX Tribal Silver Pendant 71085 | £65

96

www.rox.co.uk

ROX Diamond Ring 0.05cts 67984 | £195

ROX Orbit Silver Pendant 70761 | £50

ROX Diamond Ring 0.09ct 67978 | £275

ROX MAGAZINE

STREET STYLE

ROX Tribal Silver Pendant £65 (71085), ROX Orbit Silver Pendant £50 (70761), ROX Diamond Stacking Ring 0.05cts £195 (67984), ROX Diamond Dress Ring 0.15cts £595 (69150), ROX Bamboo Diamond Ring 0.04cts £195 (67988), ROX Diamond Eternity Ring 0.33cts £1,875 (69773), ROX Yellow Diamond Halo Ring 0.99cts £3,695 (63800), ROX Diamond Ring 0.09cts £275 (67978)

STAYING NEUTRAL The Seventies revival is unmistakable this season with beige tones taking on the mantle as being the new black. Polished yet relaxed a camel jacket paired with simple yet significant jewellery is the perfect way to rock the look every day.

www.rox.co.uk

97

STREET STYLE

ROX MAGAZINE

ROX Tribal Silver Pendant £55 (71088), ROX Boho Torque Silver Bangle £185 (71099), ROX Celestial Silver Bangle £75 (69623), ROX Celestial Gold Vermeil Bangle £95 (69624), ROX Celestial Gold Vermeil Bracelet £60 (69611), ROX Yellow Diamond Halo Ring 0.99cts £3,695 (63800), Zodiac Gold Vermeil Ring ROX x Catherine Zoraida £95 (70702), ROX Tribal Silver Ring £55 (71082), ROX Diamond Stacking Ring 0.27cts £695 (67162)

ALL BLACK Keeping it simple but significant has never been easier than with a trusty black blazer, skinny jeans and a pair of chunky boots. Synch in the waist with a chunky belt and pair with gold and silver jewellery to make this street style look really pop.

98

www.rox.co.uk

ROX MAGAZINE

STREET STYLE

STYLE TIP: Think rocking gold and silver in the same look is a fashion faux pas?

Think again!

ROX Boho Silver Torque Bangle 71099 | £185

ROX Tribal Silver Pendant 71088 | £55

ROX Celestial Gold Vermeil Bracelet 69611 | £60

ROX x Catherine Zoraida Ring 70702 | £95

www.rox.co.uk

99

STREET STYLE

ROX MAGAZINE

STYLE TIP: Don’t be afraid to mix and match silver and diamond pieces. More is more after all.

ROX Diamond Necklace 0.11cts 68634 | £450

100

www.rox.co.uk

ROX Bamboo Gold Pendant 64846 | £245

ROX Diamond Bracelet 0.14cts 66697 | £450

ROX Orbit Silver Pendant 70745 | £95

ROX MAGAZINE

STREET STYLE

ROX Diamond Necklace 0.11cts £450 (68634), ROX Bamboo Gold Pendant £245 (64846), ROX Orbit Silver Pendant £95 (70745), ROX Orbit Torque Silver Bangle £95 (70752), ROX Diamond Bracelet 0.14cts £450 (66697), ROX Diamond Eternity Ring 0.33cts £1,875 (69773), ROX Yellow Diamond Halo Ring 0.99cts £3,695 (63800), ROX Diamond Ring 0.14cts £495 (69208)

THE CLASSIC Let’s be honest, there’s no escaping the charm of a denim shirt. The ultimate all-rounder a dreamy denim shirt offers a whole world of style opportunities. Take your look to the next level by layering necklaces for a unique look.

www.rox.co.uk

101

ROX MAGAZINE

© www.1500Photography.co.uk

FEATURE

102

www.rox.co.uk

ROX MAGAZINE

WEDDINGS

A VENUE

LIKE NO OTHER Maxine McCreadie steps into a world of wonder at exclusive wedding venue Mount Stuart House.

T

he beauty of falling in love is that no two stories are the same. A moment when time stands still, the day you meet ‘the one’ is truly unforgettable.

That’s why when the time comes to take your relationship to the next level that it is vital to find a wedding venue that tells your story – capturing just how unique your love really is.

And there’s nowhere quite as unique as Mount Stuart House.

Nestled within 300 acres of lush landscaped gardens on the scenic Isle of Bute, Mount Stuart House truly is a wedding venue like no other.

Capturing the spirit of 19th Century innovation every corner of Mount Stuart House exudes a charm and charisma of its very own.

Celebrated as one of Britain’s most spectacular Victorian Gothic houses, Mount Stuart is the architectural fantasy of the 3rd Marquess of Bute and his architect Robert Rowan Anderson.

It is their power of imagination, innovation and ingenuity that is behind the remarkable venue that is unashamed in its flamboyant decadence.

From the cosmic charm of the Marble Hall, impeccably crafted with Italian and Sicilian marble and alabaster, to the breathtaking Marble Chapel, Mount Stuart House promises to provide a wondrous backdrop for your big day.

Every wedding at Mount Stuart House starts with you.

From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave as a happily married couple, ready to take on your next adventure, the passionate and welcoming team at Mount Stuart will be by your side to ensure that it really is a day like no other.

Not simply another faceless venue which plays host to a myriad of different weddings every year, staff are honoured to play a part in a day that will go down in history.

So, just what exactly can you expect from exclusive hire of the jaw dropping venue?

A warm welcome awaits at Mount Stuart House on the day of your arrival as private staff

will guide you and your guests to their quarters before offering a glimpse into the majestic world of history and art throughout the house. Every nook and cranny of the mesmerising Gothic venue has its own tale to tell, just like you, with the tour offering the opportunity to discover the many unbelievable secrets behind every door.

Once you’ve had a chance to explore the house and the grounds, you and your guests are invited to unwind and tuck into the best of Scottish fare in a mouth-watering feast before enjoying a nightcap in front of the roaring fire of the Purple Sitting room ahead of the big day.

The beauty of exclusive use at Mount Stuart House is the lack of time constraints. Time slips away at your own pace, with the evening’s dinner finishing as early or indeed as late as you wish – creating precious memories to last a lifetime.

The day you say ‘I do’ also promises to be a relaxed affair with the Mount Stuart team dedicated to ensuring every little detail is nothing less than perfect – from your hearty breakfast in the morning to your last sip of champagne at night.

As your guests gather in the astounding Marble Chapel your wedding party will make their way down the grand Marble Stairs, accompanied by a piper, as you make your way towards your ceremony and next exciting chapter. The Marble Chapel, featuring white Carrara marble from floor to ceiling, takes the concept of a white wedding to the next level, perfectly complementing the wonder of your love story.

And of course, the magic doesn’t stop following the ceremony. Mount Stuart House offers endless unique opportunities for your evening reception. From woodland banquets to your own private military tattoo on the front lawn or simply an evening of dancing under the stars in the Marble Hall Mount Stuart is a one-of-akind venue for your one-of-a-kind day.

Step into a magical world and begin planning your big day at www.mountstuartweddings.com www.rox.co.uk

103

WEDDINGS

ROX MAGAZINE

WINTER WEDDINGS

From ice cool décor to cosy favours winter is one of the most magical times of year to get hitched. Here we shine a light on some of the wedding trends and venues guaranteed to make you swoon this AW18.

HOUSE FOR AN ART LOVER

JENNY PACKHAM

Nestled in the heart of Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park's House for an Art Lover is a venue with a distinct charm of its very own.

Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh as an elegant country retreat for a person of taste and culture the venue is a celebration of the art deco inspired work that made Macintosh famous. As Glasgow celebrates 150 years of the architect’s work there has never been a better to consider House for an Art Lover as a winter wedding venue. The beautifully landscaped grounds provide the perfect backdrop for photographs on a crisp winter’s day.

ROX Adore Diamond Ring 0.75cts 70191 | £6,995 available from £3,995 104

www.rox.co.uk

ROX Adore Diamond Ring 0.27cts 70574 | £1,995

ROX Diamond Earrings 1.33cts 68621 | £2,995

ROX Diamond Bracelet 3.00cts 69145 | £4,995

ROX MAGAZINE

WEDDINGS

DOXFORD BARNS

MONIQUE LHUILLIER

For those looking for a unique venue whilst retaining a chic vibe to the occasion Doxford Barns is a popular choice. The award-winning venue can be found within a 550 acre country estate along the Northumberland coast near Alnwick offering a secluded spot to tie the knot.

Bespoke, rustic and full of quaint romance and character it is the perfect setting for a beautiful barn wedding where rural charm blends seamlessly with modern elegance.

ROX Classic Diamond Ring 1.00cts 57542 | £6,495 available from £1,295

ROX Diamond Wedding Ring 69853 | £1,595

ROX Diamond Necklace 1.54cts 69168 | £2,995

ROX Diamond Earrings 1.00cts 62474 | £4,995

www.rox.co.uk

105

WEDDINGS

ROX MAGAZINE

JESMOND DENE HOUSE

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Enjoy the charm of a country wedding in the city at Jesmond Dene House. As Newcastle’s only independent hotel it is a venue that proudly offers couples the chance to plan a day like no other. Whether you’re planning a lavish affair or an intimate gathering with those who matter most, the whimsical hotel has a setting for everyone.

From the flamboyant Great Hall – a grand room for a grand occasion – to the beautifully private John Dobson suite every wedding at the leading venue is as unique as each couple tying the knot.

ROX Diamond Halo Ring 0.86cts 61927 | £4,295 available from £2,900 106

www.rox.co.uk

ROX Diamond Ring 0.50ct 68370 | £1,885

ROX Diamond Earrings 0.76cts 70942 | £1,995

ROX Diamond Pendant 0.43cts 70943 | £1,295

ROX MAGAZINE

WEDDINGS

WATERTON PARK HOTEL

SUZANNE NEVILLE

Say ‘I do’ to an isolated paradise at Waterton Park Hotel. The award-winning venue, voted regional winner for Most Romantic Venue at the English Wedding Awards as well as holding the North of England Wedding Award for Outstanding Customer Service, the Georgian mansion proudly calls a secluded island home.

Nestled in a valley of rolling parkland the Yorkshire venue, just over an hour from Leeds, can be found in the middle of a 26 acre lake with only a charming iron footbridge offering entry.

From outlandish to private ceremonies it’s the ultimate venue for couples looking for a setting as unique as their love story.

ROX Diamond Ring 1.50cts 70329 | £9,995

ROX Wedding Ring 50253 | £695

ROX Diamond Pendant 0.50cts 69850 | £1,195

ROX Diamond Earrings 0.49cts 69851 | £995

www.rox.co.uk

107

FEATURE

ROX MAGAZINE

A LASTING

IMPRESSION Grandeur meets tradition at the iconic Hopetoun House, writes Maxine McCreadie.

F

illed with promise and hope there’s no day as beautiful as a wedding day.

A moment to celebrate and cherish love in all of its glory, a wedding is an opportunity to stop and appreciate the moments which matter most with those closest to you – offering a reminder that love is a privilege.

Planning a wedding is understandably one of the most exciting endeavours a couple will ever take on – a chance to tell their love story in their own way – with finding the perfect venue one of the most important considerations.

Step into a world of tranquil magnificence at Hopetoun House.

Nestled within 6,500 acres of lush parkland on the outskirts of Edinburgh the 17th century masterpiece is proud to provide a unique and magnificent wedding venue. Heralded as 108

www.rox.co.uk

Scotland’s finest stately home Hopetoun House is an architectural marvel at the heart of a thriving community. Home of the Hope family since the 1600s and still the home of the present Lord Hopetoun and his family, Hopetoun House extends a warm welcome to all.

Designed by William Bruce and extended

by William Adam Hopetoun is one of the most exquisite examples of Georgian architecture in Britain – leaving a truly unforgettable impression.

With its breathtaking panoramic views and aweinspiring interiors, which have remained virtually unchanged for three centuries, the iconic Scottish venue makes for the ultimate setting to say ‘I do’.

Elegance and romance are at the heart of every wedding at Hopetoun. If the walls could talk they’d tell of whimsical love stories, stolen kisses and tales of "happily ever" after as the house is celebrated as one of Scotland’s most

ROX MAGAZINE

WEDDINGS

charming wedding venues.

The experienced and dedicated wedding manager and events team appreciate that every wedding has needs to reflect the personality of the bride and groom. It is such a distinctive event they understand just how important planning a truly magical wedding day is and are honoured to offer a professional and dedicated service that is second to none.

With so many spectacular settings to choose from among the splendour of Hopetoun House, there are endless opportunities to plan a celebration like no other. The Hopetoun Wedding Experience is an all-inclusive offer designed to help couples make the most of the splendour of the stately home on their big day, as well as work alongside respected Scottish wedding suppliers to make the planning process just that little bit easier. From offering reception venue hire within the Adam Ballroom, Tapestry Room and Tiger Hall to bringing a floral touch to the day with flower centrepieces from Planet Flowers and providing a professional piper and master of ceremonies for the day – the package is specifically designed to help make the process of wedding planning just that little bit easier for brides and grooms-to-be. Working alongside the award-winning caterers Heritage Portfolio, the Hopetoun Wedding Experiences also promises to serve up a truly memorable experience, with the package including canapés and drinks reception, three course wedding breakfast with wine and toast drink from a specially selected menu as well as a complimentary menu tasting for up to six guests ahead of the big day.

It is the personal touches offered by the Hopetoun House team that leave a lasting impression, not just for the couple tying the knot but also guests, family and friends. Speaking of weddings at Hopetoun House, director of sales and marketing Joanne Greenaway said: “Every wedding at Hopetoun House is a truly magical affair.

“The beauty of helping couples plan their big day is that no two are ever the same and it’s an honour to play a part in helping bring their love story to life and share it with those closest to them. Our wedding co-ordinator and events team are proud to offer a service that is second to none ensuring every detail, no matter how big or small, is perfect.

“We understand that planning a wedding is one of the most exciting tasks a couple will ever take on, but it’s understandably one of the most daunting too. That’s why we’re with our couples every step of the way to make sure their wedding is everything they’ve ever dreamt of.”

To find out more about weddings at Hopetoun House, visit www.hopetoun.co.uk www.rox.co.uk

109

NATURAL WOMAN Vegan skincare used to be all hemp and hair shirts but a new breed of brands are proving that you don’t have to give up on luxury if you want to keep your ethics. Words by Laura McCreddie-Doak.

B

ack in 2013 when Beyoncé announced she was going vegan for nearly a month, people rolled their eyes before going back to their bacon sandwiches. It was difficult to correlate the perceived view of militant, preachy world of veganism with the fabulous force of Nature that is Ms Knowles.

A lot has changed in five years – vegan restaurants that don’t look like stands from Glastonbury’s Healing Fields are opening in every city (yes, even Paris) and Stella McCartney’s no animal approach is starting to filter down to other brands wanting to cash in on this new plantbased eater who doesn’t have hemp as a primary wardrobe material.

This new glossy vegan has also started to influence the skincare market, with new luxury brands emerging that have all the shelf appeal of the likes of Crème de La Mer along with some thoroughly modern ethics.

110

www.rox.co.uk

One of the women leading the charge is Sue Y Nabi. You might not know her name but, in her previous capacity as worldwide president of Lancôme, you’ll certainly be familiar with her work and, if you have its Visionnaire Serum, Teint Miracle Foundation or Hypnose mascara, you’ll be aware of her ability to know what women want when it comes to their beauty regime.

Nabi is now the brains behind Orveda (the “or” means “origin” while “veda” is inspired by Ayurveda and the philosophy of encouraging the skin to heal itself).

“I listened to many women during the last five years – understanding their needs, concerns, desires,” she explains. “I also talked to some of the most famous plastic surgeons and they confirmed my thinking and research: that injections are becoming less and less popular, along with lifted, over-filled cheeks and an unnatural look that goes against what beauty is – and is fast becoming today. Today, beauty (and the desire for beauty)

ROX MAGAZINE

is all about glow, light, luminosity, and not only looking but feeling healthy, in ways that go beyond a smoother-looking or tighter skin. Glow is indeed the new lift, and it is here to stay.”

How Orveda’s products aim to achieve that glow is not through chemicals but through biotechnology.

“Bacteria, yeast and enzymes – made possible through the power of biotechnology – is to beauty what electricity is to the modern-day cars such as Tesla,” says Nabi. “Not only is it a renewable energy source that is easily replicated and propagated – with no harm to or impact on the natural environment – but also it has a proven efficacy in a way that is kind to skin by considering the skin as an eco-system. We call it the me-cosystem.”

Rather than working on the traditional “problem-solution” way of choosing the right products for each individual woman’s skin, it works by adopting what Nabi calls a 360-degree approach.

The first thing the products do is heal the

BEAUTY

to skin, self, others and the planet, we want to help shift the mindset of beauty from one that is obsessional and built around anxiety to one of health; of happiness; of mental positivity and self-esteem,” explains Nabi.

Also going the naturally scientific route is Susie Willis who set up eco luxe skincare and perfume brand Romilly Wilde. Rather than use the natural product, however, Willis’s ingredients are bio-identicals. These lab-grown ingredients are created by taking a cell from a particular plant, say algae for example, then stimulating its natural environment in a laboratory so it can be sustainably reproduced without any further depletion of its natural source.

It wasn’t science but spots that caused Sophie Thompson to launch her 100 per cent natural (and 100 per cent luxurious) beauty and skincare range. While holidaying in India, her skin flared up and a local woman gave her raw coconut oil to wash her face. It worked miracles but, when Thompson returned home she couldn’t find anything comparable. A worldwide search and

“WE WANT TO HELP SHIFT THE MINDSET OF BEAUTY FROM ONE THAT IS OBSESSIONAL AND BUILT AROUND ANXIETY TO ONE OF HEALTH; OF HAPPINESS; OF MENTAL POSITIVITY AND SELF-ESTEEM” skin’s natural moisture barriers – something that preservatives in some face creams can break down thanks to killing off good bacteria – which it does through a combination of marine enzymes and a natural prebiotic; ingredients that also help promote good skin microflora.

Skin luminosity, transparency and texture also get a boost thanks to the use of biofermented kombucha black tea. Fermented skincare got a publicity boost thanks to Gwyneth Paltrow, although it has been used in Korea for some time. Apparently, it makes products more nutrient dense with the right kind of bacteria and, for once, science has been positive about these claims, though hard proof hasn’t yet been conclusive.

It is skincare that is still scientific but, rather than going the cosmeceutical route, it has headed down the green and vegan path.

“The fact that we were able to formulate high-active products that are clean, green and vegan and achieve clinically-measured results that can rival make-up proves that there are alternatives available to skincare formulation,” says Nabi. And it’s not just the products that are kinder, the way Orveda is marketed and presented is mentally kinder too.

“In addition to finding new ways to create clean formulations that are ‘fearlessly kind’

the discovery of a small organic farm on the Sri Lankan coast later and Sister & Co’s Coconut Oil was launched.

Frustrated by an inability to find truly natural products, Thompson, along with a team of cosmetic chemists decided to expand the Sister & Co brand by formulating her own.

“We don't use any synthetic preservatives or fragrances, fillers, chemical dyes or toxins of any kind,” she says. “Our raw, or minimally processed ingredients, are able to remain as potent as they are found in nature at source. We carry out frequent production runs in small batches and bring these to market straight away meaning that every product you will come across is at its peak efficacy.”

It may take a while for this type of thinking to overturn the reliance on acids and injections that has dominated the beauty landscape for over a decade. However, when even the likes of beauty behemoth Elemis is helpfully alerting customers to which of its products are vegan, you know there is a shift occurring.

And with the likes of Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Lopez making going plantbased look pretty damn glamorous, who wouldn’t want to sign up to the vegan revolution? Even if, in this case, it’s only skin deep.

www.rox.co.uk

111

A WORLD OF

RELAXATION AWAITS The Old Course Hotel is proud to play host to the first Kohler Water Spa out with America, offering a truly unique experience to guests. Maxine McCreadie shines a light on a trip like no other to the respected spa.

112

www.rox.co.uk

ROX MAGAZINE

C

an you remember the last time you didn’t feel lost without your phone in hand?

That gut-wrenching feeling that the whole world could be crumbling around you simply because your mobile isn’t within touching distance. There’s no denying the wonders of ever evolving technology – we’re more connected than ever before, with the world literally at our fingertips – but it also comes with its pitfalls and the ability to no longer switch off has to be top of the list.

As fun as counting likes and swiping through stories is, at what point do you realise that you’re watching life through a camera lens rather than being in the moment yourself? For me, that moment came the second I stepped through the doors of the Old Couse Hotel.

Classically elegant yet with hints of contemporary design the Old Course Hotel, bordering the 17th hole of the renowned links course and overlooking the West Sands Beach, is a haven of tranquillity. Heralded as being one of the finest resorts in the world there’s little wonder why guests continually fall under its charm. The 144 rooms and 35 suites, most of which were designed by French designer Jacques Garcia, provide haven from the realities of real life.

Time slips away at the Old Course. There’s no rush, just a sense of presence and belonging to something special and nowhere is this felt more than in the hotel’s Kohler Water Spa. The first Kohler experience outside America, the spa has recently undergone a multi-million pound renovation at the hands of architects Sedley Place and has been designed with one simple goal in mind – to provide sanctuary for those who are simply too connected.

With the pace of life continually increasing, my friend Pamela and I were thrilled to be invited to discover more about the newly refurbished spa.

Busy planning her impending nuptials at the time of our visit, Pamela was looking forward to an afternoon of uninterrupted bliss while I was keen to enjoy time away from the continual buzz of social media - and we were not left disappointed.

Featuring all of the usual spa staples, including a hydrotherapy pool, steam room and sauna, plunge pool, experience showers, 20ft swimming pool and rooftop hot tub, you’d be forgiven for assuming the Kohler Spa couldn’t possibly offer anything further. That’s where you’re wrong.

The Kohler experience offers a chance to discover the therapeutic benefits of water and enjoying re-mineralising experiences, which recreate the healing properties of the Earth’s natural mineral waters.

A truly unique experience, the Lavender

BEAUTY

Rain signature treatment is a must for all visitors.

This 74-minute treatment offers the chance to inhale the calming benefits of fresh lavender in this completely balancing and rejuvenating spa experience.

To begin, a nourishing body scrub with marine salt crystals is combined with lavender in an invigorating full body exfoliation. Next as you relax inside a warm cocoon, a scalp massage, pressure point facial massage and foot massage are performed. The treatment is concluded with the application of lavender body lotion to leave your skin radiant and your body deeply relaxed.

It’s a moment of bliss.

However, for those looking for more traditional spa treatments the dedicated team is proud to offer an extensive range of massage therapies, facials, body treatments and much more.

Speaking of the launch of the new facility spa director Kirsty Maccormick, said: “I was thrilled and delighted to have had the opportunity to open one of the best spa in the country after working so many years in Asia and being involved in numerous spa openings around the world.

“Kohler is a fantastic company to work for and I look forward to the exciting development plans they have for the future of the Kohler Waters Spa division” Meanwhile Old Course Hotel general manager Stephen Carter added: “We are very lucky to have owners that keep investing in the property, following a major refurbishment in 2017, which included a soft refurbishment of our bedrooms and suites. In 2018 we completed a multi-million pound expansion of the Kohler Waters Spa – taking our total square footage of the spa to 25,000sq ft.

“We have created two separate experience areas within the spa – a luxurious spa experience and a re-energising leisure and fitness experience – offering guests more choice. We have installed the latest Technogym equipment, we offer various fitness classes including virtual classes, 13 treatment rooms, including a treatment room for couples, a lap pool and an adults-only spa pool and have introduced some fantastic new spa treatments – we are delighted with our new facilities.”

There’s no denying that it’s all too easy to get caught up in the stresses of life and stop to take a moment to appreciate what matters most. We may have been originally invited to discover the Kohler Water Spa, however, our journey offered so much more than expected – a reminder that it’s important to log-off once in a while.

Find out more at www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk/spa/ kohler-waters-spa www.rox.co.uk

113

HEALTH

ROX MAGAZINE

THE DIGITAL

WOMAN

Apps and tech specifically created for women is the latest technological revolution as Laura McCreddie-Doak finds out.

I

n 2014 Apple released its health tracking app HealthKit. It was a handy way of keeping all the data pertaining to your personal wellbeing in one place, such as exercise, mindfulness, nutrition and sleep. To 49.2 per cent of the population that all seemed perfectly fine. The other 50.8 per cent pointed out, rather vocally, that it failed to track one of the most important aspects of their lives – their period.

It’s a glaring example of how tech has, for so long, taken the male experience for the human one. As short-sighted as this was of Apple, it was also a galvanising force for one of the fastest growing areas of tech around today – technology that is specifically geared towards making things better for women.

Since 2014, a scene that was burgeoning has skyrocketed featuring everything from smart breast pumps and connected kegel-muscle exercisers to period tracker apps.

US-based consultancy and market research 114

www.rox.co.uk

firm Frost and Sullivan has predicted that by 2025 femtech will be worth around $50bn thanks to the fact that women are 75 per cent more likely than men to use technology to track their health and will willingly spend more – 29 per cent more in fact – on their health than men.

One of the leaders of this connected revolution is Ida Tin who launched periodand-hormone tracker app Clue back in 2013 (and coined the term “femtech”) along with her partner, tech entrepreneur Hans Raffauf.

Now based in Berlin’s trendy Kreuzberg, the city’s start-up capital, it has 10 million active users worldwide and has been the beneficiary of around $30bn in venture funding.

The reason for Clue’s success is its ease of use, its clean, non-frilly design and its ungendered approach, which means it doesn’t isolate the trans community.

“I think the main reason Clue has become so popular is because it is something that was needed,” explains Tin in an interview with

ROX MAGAZINE

menstrual health education site Code Red. “When I dreamed up the idea of Clue, I felt that there had been very little innovation in family planning since the pill came out. I was wondering how it could be that we managed to walk on the moon but that most women still don't know which days they can or can’t get pregnant. I personally needed such a tool to manage that very important part of my life, and I was convinced that many other women would find an app like Clue not only very useful but also very empowering.”

Clue doesn’t just tell you when you need to rush out and buy tampons, it also allows you to monitor your period’s length and heaviness – so you can easily spot anomalies that may indicate an underlying medical condition – what particular types of menstrual pain you’re experiencing and where, your sleeping patterns, your sex-drive and more. It then uses this data to provide you with research-based information on your reproductive health and its wider implications. So influential has Clue, and by extension Tin, been in the

“I WAS WONDERING HOW IT COULD BE THAT WE MANAGED TO WALK ON THE MOON BUT THAT MOST WOMEN STILL DON'T KNOW WHICH DAYS THEY CAN OR CAN’T GET PREGNANT” woefully under-researched and under-studied world of the female body that she has been using the data – entirely ethically, of course – to help academic study at the likes of Columbia, Stanford and Oxford Universities, as well as the Kinsey Institute for Sex, Gender and Reproduction in Indiana.

Also getting into the hormone-tracking game is Moody, currently a website but an app by September that was co-founded by entrepreneur Amy Thomson alongside nutritionist Lola Ross and London’s ES Magazine’s editor Laura Weir.

“Most women, like me, don't comprehend the massive impact that hormones have, so I wanted to give women back the knowledge and power to better understand their moods, hormones and cycles. Shared experiences and more conversations is the starting point for Moody,” explains Ross in an interview with Hello!

It was actually Thomson who had the idea for Moody after she became so stressed running her own marketing agency she stopped having periods. After spending a fortune on pregnancy tests, she discovered it was a result of cortisol and adrenal stress. Stunned by the effect her mental well-being and stress had on her body, and because there is so little information about how this pertains to women specifically, she started to do her own research which is how she met Ross,

HEALTH

who specialises in woman-centred research into hormones and vitamins.

At the moment it is a website filled with articles, tips and tech to help you understand the effects your hormones can have on everything from productivity and creativity to sex drive.

As from September it will also be available as an app that will allow you to track your moods and cycle as a way of becoming more in tune with how these fluctuations can be harnessed.

However, hormones aren’t the only hot topic when it comes to femtech. GDM-Health is an app approved by the NHS to help monitor gestational diabetes – a condition where pregnant nondiabetic women develop high-blood sugar levels while pregnant. The app remotely tracks glucose levels so women can reduce the number of clinic visits they have to make.

For post-partum women who may have pelvic floor issues, there’s Elvie. She is a kegel trainer that connects to your phone with two sensors inside and an accelerometer so you can see if you’re doing those exercises properly. It was created by Tania Boler, who has a PhD in women’s health and who, after having her baby, was shocked that no one was medically discussing pelvic floor issues – something that can cause life-long problems for women. The final straw for Boler was when she learnt more about how to tone it from her Pilates teacher than from her doctor. Elvie has been such as success that the NHS has picked it up so women can now access it for free from their GP. The other major reason for femtech suddenly gaining traction is thanks to US-based venture capitalist (VC) firm Halogen Ventures, which was set up by Jesse Draper – former TV show host and daughter of a famed VC called Tim Draper, whose father was an early investor in Skype.

Draper noticed that female VCs were thin on the ground, which meant a lot of femtech companies were being bypassed because men didn’t understand the need for them. Since setting up her company she has championed the likes of HopSkipDrive, a California-based rideshare app that is billed as Uber for kids, and Naya – the smart breast pump that uses water for a more comfortable express and connects to your smart device so you can track milk supply and workout when you need to pump next.

While it could be easy for the 49.2 per cent to dismiss all these apps as worrying about the small stuff, the emotional and intimately physical things that come with being female, it is apps like these that are empowering the 50.8 per cent to a better understanding of how to harness the things that have always been deemed hinderances. And once we stop needing to worry about those, well, who knows what we could do.

www.rox.co.uk

115

ROX MAGAZINE

FOOD & DRINK

AN AROMATIC

infusion Spice up your recipe collection with this mouthwatering saffron and halibut broth by Michelin starred chef Martin Wishart.

HALIBUT WITH GEM LETTUCE AND A SAFFRON SHELLFISH BROTH

until the vegetables are softened.

Add the white wine and reduce by two thirds on a high heat.

Add the fish stock and bring to the BABY GEM boil. Add the clams and mussels to the 300g washed baby gem with the stalks broth and cook for 3-4 minutes with removed the lid on until they have opened up.

50ml extra virgin olive oil Discard any that are still closed. Add 1/2 lemon juiced the tomato and adjust the seasoning with the lemon juice and salt.

In a large pan pour the olive oil and warm it up until it is hot.

Add the baby gem and cook for 30 COOKING THE HALIBUT seconds while stirring. Add the lemon 6 x 120g fillets of juice. Season lightly with salt.

Olive oil Salt SAFFRON AND SHELLFISH SAUCE Olive oil A pinch of saffron 1 carrot peeled and diced 1 celery stalk peeled and diced 1 fennel bulb peeled and diced 150ml white wine 300ml fish stock 18 fresh clams e.g. Venus clams 18 fresh mussels 2 plum tomatoes peeled, deseeded and diced.

1 lemon

Heat a pan with olive oil and wait until it is extremely hot.

Season the fish with salt on both sides. Cook the halibut for about one minute on each side, until you get a lovely golden colour on the fish and then finish cooking it in the oven if required.

TO SERVE Place the lettuce in the centre of a bowl. Place the Halibut on top. Divide the saffron and shellfish broth between the 6 bowls.

Pour the olive oil in to a warm pan add the diced vegetables and saffron, Visit the Restaurant Martin Wishart in cook on a gentle heat for 4-5 minutes Leith and The Honours in Edinburgh. www.rox.co.uk

117

FEATURE

ROX MAGAZINE

SPIRITED AWAY From steampunk copper stills to mind-blowing mixology, Scotland’s booming craft gin scene is a heady alchemy of craft, innovation, fashion and fortune. Words by Alex Doak.

T

he nation’s hipsters are growing up, it seems. Until recently, and still going strong, it was all about the craft breweries – taking their cues from the hopped-up West and East Coast pioneers across the Pond, and boosted generously by a tax break levied by Gordon Brown during his Prime Ministerial term, which halved the duty on beer for small producers.

But there’s only so much beer you can drink before middle-age spread catches up, and there are only so many draughty brick rail arches you can perch under during the British winter, squeezed between a dripping tank and a tattooed unicyclist called Felix.

So the rebirth of our nation’s famed gin industry in “craft” or “artisan” form, and latterly the appearance of exciting new whiskies (having undergone their statutory maturation period) shouldn’t come as a surprise. Much as many seasoned Stella drinkers have completely readjusted their entire notion of what beer can 118

www.rox.co.uk

be, Mother’s Ruin has benefitted from a renewed integrity at the hands of passionate entrepreneurs who place the process and product front and centre, rather than hide behind marketing or hype. This explains both craft scenes’ ubiquity of tap rooms, tours and tasting rooms (neatly ticking those other hipster boxes: the rough and ready industrial tropes, and lack of kitchen facilities necessitating street-food stalls or resident pop-ups).

Contrary to what you might assume, the typical “London gin” nomenclature doesn’t mean it’s all happening in the English capital – that simply refers to a style of spirit (dry, unsweetened and steeped in more subtle aromatics) that used to be common to London’s distillers. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that 70 per cent of gin produced in the UK is actually made north of the border.

It all began way back in the 1700s when the first bottles of fiery Dutch Jenever were traded in the Port of Leith in Edinburgh. Maybe it was

ROX MAGAZINE

the Scottish junipers used in the drink’s creation, but the tipple became so popular that Scottish distilleries soon appeared and began making their own versions.

Scotland has been home to many of the world's best-selling brands such as Gordon’s, Tanqueray and Hendricks for years. But recently, a more artisanal style of Scottish gin has enjoyed

FEATURE

The Botanist Gin is silky smooth, gliding over the palate. You first notice sweet, delicate menthol, quickly followed by apple mint, spring woodlands, juniper, coriander with aniseed undertones, with hints of lemon and orange peel, a bouquet of flowers from Machir Bay, honey from thistle, coconut from gorse, water mint and summer meadows. Offering a true taste

“A PROGRESSIVE EXPLORATION OF THE BOTANICAL HERITAGE OF THE ISLE OF ISLAY THE BOTANIST GIN IS DELICATELY CRAFTED WITH 22 HAND-FORGED LOCAL BOTANICALS ” the attention it richly deserves, with a 50 per cent spike in producers in the last year alone, adding up to over 50 producers across the country, from Newton Stewart in the south to Unst, the most northerly of the Shetland Islands, all infused with some wonderful natural and locally sourced organics and botanics.

The Botanist Gin is a brand fiercely proud of its Scottish roots and it is a gin of layered complexity. A progressive exploration of the botanical heritage of the Isle of Islay the Botanist Gin is delicately crafted with 22 hand-forged local botanicals which augment berries, barks, seeds and peels during and achingly slow distillation process.

of the spirit of Scotland, The Botanist Gin is a magical melody of Islay’s natural bounty, from the Atlantic washed beaches to the summit of heather covered hills.

Pubs may be closing at a worrying rate, with the clubbing scene undergoing a worrying shift back underground, plus British wine and whisky still find themselves in sore need of some decent PR. But when it comes to good-old gin, thirty and forty-something discerning cocktail drinker has never had a better reason to drink local and be merry.

The Botanist Gin is served in all ROX boutiques. www.rox.co.uk

119

Enjoy sophisticated luxury in one of Glasgow’s most celebrated hotels. Overlooking a private garden, this stunning Georgian landmark has recently undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment, with the addition of a new two-bedroom penthouse.

11 Blythswood Square Glasgow, G2 4AD T: 0141 248 8888

Experience a true taste of five star in the heart of the city at Blythswood Square.

blythswoodsquare.com

Find us on:

winter

TRAVEL

FEATURE

ROX MAGAZINE

ALTA Getting back to nature has never been cooler than with a trip to Norway’s Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel – literally. Located on the banks of the Alta River a stay at the unusual venue, a 2,500 m2 structure made entirely from snow, guarantees to be a trip like no other. Relax as serenity and silence wraps around you like a cloak as you take in the spectacle of the hotel’s 30 bedrooms, ice chapel, sculptures and outdoor Jacuzzi.

NORWAY WHAT TO PACK WINTER WARMERS

GIVENCHY

Insider Tip:

Explore Norway’s great outdoors on a snowmobile safari.

ROX Diamond Earrings 1.00cts 52616 | £3,995

ROX Diamond Ring 1.53cts 69138 | £5,200

MONCLER

ROX Synchro Silver Bangle 66835 | £250

Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Watch 70138 | £13,900 ALEXANDER WANG

122

www.rox.co.uk

TRAVEL

ROX MAGAZINE

FEATURE

ZERMATT Sitting on the Swiss / Italian border at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn Zermatt is a bustling cosmopolitan resort with something always going on. From skiing to musical extravaganzas the picturesque spot has something for everyone. Unwind after a day on the slopes at Europe’s highest ski resort at the Firefly Hotel.

Nestled in the heart of Zermatt the modern hotel represents Fire, Water, Earth and Air throughout each of its 15 suites.

SWITZERLAND WHAT TO PACK MODERN CHIC

CHLOÉ ROX Diamond Earrings 0.50cts 53442 | £895

ROX Diamond Ring 1.05cts 61939 | £6,900

Insider Tip:

Don’t forget to pop into the cosy mountain-side restaurants for a meal with a unbelievable view.

ROX Diamond Bracelet 4.02cts 58823 | £5,995

JASON WU

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Watch 71155 | £33,500 CHLOÉ

www.rox.co.uk

123

EACH MOMENT AN OCCASION From sailing up narrow waterways right into the beating heart of a city to travelling the globe from top to toe, indulge in the perfection of Silversea.

Enjoy exclusive opera and ballet performances by the soloists of the Bolshoi Theatre or Accademia Teatro alla Scala. Sip cocktails on deck and dine under the stars. Participate in a cooking class with a Michelin starred chef, or learn the beauty of oenology with world-class sommeliers. Relax in your sumptuous ocean-view suite, sipping champagne from a huge complimentary selection of drinks.

Although we cover over 900 destinations, there is still only one way to travel.

For more information or to book please call Edinburgh Cruise Centre on 0131 221 1709 or email www.edinburghcruisecentre.co.uk

ROX MAGAZINE

TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS

FEATURE

MOSCOW

Undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary journeys in the world the Trans-Siberian Express offers the chance to encounter the weird and the wonderful.

An experience unrivalled by any other, the Express offers the chance to take part in three journeys – the principal of each of course being the breathtaking vistas along the way. Whether you opt to travel from Moscow to Vladivostok, Moscow to Beijing via Harbin, Manchuria or Moscow to Beijing via Mongolia it promises to be a train journey you’ll never forget.

WHAT TO PACK

TRAIN-LINE TREASURES

ROX Boho Silver Torque Bangle 68438 | £165 ROX Boho Silver Pendant 67136 | £95 ROX Adore Diamond Ring 0.93cts 70689 | £7,495

Insider Tip:

Trains run to Moscow time when in Russia, regardless of local time, so knowledge of the time zone you are in and a calculation are necessary when consulting the timetable.

MAX MARA

ROX Diamond Ring 0.59cts 63178 | £1,495

3.1 PHILLIP LIM

BALENCIAGA

www.rox.co.uk

125

FEATURE

ROX MAGAZINE

VIEW FROM

THE TOP Maxine McCreadie steps into luxury at the Blythswood Hotel's Principle Penthouse.

I

t was once home to wealthy merchants of the 19th century and now Glasgow’s leading five-star hotel, The Principle Blythswood Square, is leading luxury to new heights after opening the doors to its new penthouse suite.

Unveiled earlier this summer following a multi-million pound refurbishment the latest addition to the respected hotel has been hailed as ‘a striking design’ which promises to impress.

Overlooking one of Glasgow’s most celebrated postcodes the two bedroom Principle Penthouse stretches over 1,850sqft, comes with a private entrance and lift ensuring discretion for any high profile guests.

The breathtaking suite also comes complete with an outdoor sun, and dining, terrace that provides views across the city, while also

126

www.rox.co.uk

offering access to a fully equipped kitchen, bar and dining room. Meanwhile the master suite has been designed to cater for every need and offers a world of relaxation with a full marble bathroom, double steam shower, sunken bath with integrated TV and dressing room. The latest wireless technology has been seamlessly installed to ensure an impeccable sound system that flows to every room.

Designed by the distinguished team at Graven Images, careful consideration has been given to every aspect of the new penthouse.

Bespoke timber and marble furnishings combine with locally sourced fabrics while every piece of furnishing and artwork has been hand-picked to create a sophisticated, contemporary abode with a Glasgow twist.

Speaking of the Principle Penthouse,

Blythswood Hotel general manager Murray Thomson, said: “This penthouse has been months in the planning and the finished product is even more spectacular than I could have imagined.

The property has been completely remodelled to make best use of the indoor and outdoor space resulting in a striking design that will be sure to impress any guest.”

“There is a perfect balance between sleek lines and soft furnishings and the private roof garden looks out at the Glasgow skyline delivering one of the best views in the city.”

Jim Hamilton, creative director of Graven Images, added: “The penthouse is a cool, sophisticated space, and one we are very proud of.”

a family of veneers that you can’t get off the shelf, and that ultimately form the main backdrop canvas to all of the spaces. Knowing the Glasgow climate like we do, this was to try and ensure a rich, warm backdrop in all areas.

“We walked the journey from arrival at the hotel up through the penthouse lift and so on through all of the spaces to get an intimate understanding of what each guest would experience. The richness comes out from the family of materials that we developed from the rich veneers, to a variety of high end marble finishes, a series of interesting light installations and an artwork collection that we sourced further afield. We then carefully selected a

“THE PRIVATE ROOF GARDEN LOOKS OUT AT THE GLASGOW SKYLINE DELIVERING ONE OF THE BEST VIEWS IN THE CITY.” “Guest experience was key to working out how to approach the breakup of the previous internal spaces. We looked closely at all aspects of usability, what points of difference the space could offer for A-list celebrities as well as all other guests, how does the space change when it is booked for a private event with 50 people using the terrace and how does it present itself on a cold, wet Tuesday in November.

“All of these factors were fundamental in forming the final layouts before we started to develop a rich palette of materials. We experimented with various veneer types, to get to

collection of interesting furniture pieces that were complimented by a few little treats – the open terrace, steam shower in the master ensuite, watch winders in the bedrooms and a walk in dressing room amongst other things.

“We feel that we have helped to create a space that brings a smile to people’s faces, as an unexpected treat in our own wee town.”

Prices start at £2,500 per night. Event packages can be created on request including a personalised butler and chef. For more, or to book, visit www.blythswoodsquare.com. www.rox.co.uk

127

TRAVEL

ROX MAGAZINE

3

REASONS TO EMBRACE YOUR

SCOTTISH SPIRIT Maxine McCreadie shines a light Scotland’s hotspots you need to visit this AW18.

THE V&A, DUNDEE More than a decade since whispers of establishing a V&A in Scotland began the time has finally come for Dundee to take centre stage in the world of art and design. Scotland’s fourth city is hoping to recreate its very own Guggenheim effect - the V&A Dundee is the first design museum in the country and the striking centrepiece of the £1 billion regeneration of Dundee’s waterfront. Designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma the museum officially opened its doors on September 15, with thousands of visitors making the journey to catch a glimpse of the new institution.

Celebrating the influence of Scotland’s design at home and abroad is at the heart of the V&A Dundee, from the Beano to Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s famous Oak Room which has been painstakingly reconstructed for the first time in 50 years, the opening has been heralded as a monumental moment not just for the art and design scene but also life in Dundee.

Visit www.vam.ac.uk/dundee

128

www.rox.co.uk

©HuftonCrow

ROX MAGAZINE

TRAVEL

FIFE ARMS, BRAEMAR Heralded as one of the hottest 18 hotel openings in 2018 by CondĂŠ Nast Traveller the Fife Arms in Braemar is a celebration of Scottish hospitality at its very best. Owned by art-world power couple Iwan and Manuela Wirth the boutique hotel is proud to extend a warm Scottish welcome to weary travellers. With interiors by Russell Sage, the maestro behind the Zetter Townhouse and The Goring, the Fife Arms honours its highland heritage whilst continually looking to the future. The hotel has been sensitively restored to offer guests 46 individually designed bedrooms alongside a pub, restaurant, cocktail bar and spa breathing a fresh lease of life to the former 17th century hunting lodge.

Attention to detail is key with the hotel proud to ensure the landscape and culture of Upper Deeside remain at the philosophy of the project.

Visit www.thefifearms.com

KILLIEHUNTLY, BY KINGUSSIE Recently named as one of Scotland’s best boutique hotels by the Telegraph Killiehuntly has secured itself a reputation as the ultimate Highland get away. Dating back to 1850 the farmhouse is the perfect blend of Scottish craftsmanship and Scandinavian style. Taken over by Anne Storm Pedersen and her husband Anders in 2011 the duo have painstakingly and lovingly restored the farmhouse and its surrounding properties to create an exclusive hideaway from the realities of everyday life. Step inside the sturdy stone walls and discover a palette of soft greys, white drapes and a roaring fire.

Guests are offered the chance to experience the spirit of a simpler time whilst having the freedom to make full use of the 4,000 acre countryside surrounding the house. From walking through the heather clad hills to tucking into the best of Scottish fare Killiehuntly is a place that recognises that time is precious.

Visit www.killiehuntly.scot

www.rox.co.uk

129

FEATURE

ROX MAGAZINE

Jean Johansson You probably recognise this edition’s resident insider as Disney Channel starlet, BBC One Animal Park and One Show presenter to name just a few high profile roles. Maxine McCreadie caught up with Jean Johansson to discover more about her favourite Glasgow hotspots.

How did you start your career in TV and broadcasting?

I started my TV career through modelling, I was doing a lot of shoots in Glasgow when an open audition came up at BBC Scotland. There was a new children’s show looking for a gang of presenters and I beat off 300 people to get the role.

What advice would you offer budding presenters or students / graduates who want to work in the TV industry?

Honestly? Get on a reality TV show as a contestant. Big brother, Love 130

www.rox.co.uk

Island, Goggle Box – they’re all routes into the TV industry. I read recently a role on Love Island can be more lucrative than a degree from Oxford University - and I believe it.

The other route is really hard work, starting from the bottom like I have, building a show reel, getting an agent, constantly auditioning, getting knock backs and having to promote yourself and constantly reinvent yourself.

The good news is that you can film a show reel now on your phone and edit it on your lap top, so that's a good place to start.

How do manage splitting your time between Scotland and London?

I just about manage it. It's not easy but it's do-able. Unfortunately all my work is based down south at the moment, so I just use my travel to write and learn scripts and read books. My son is a good age where he understands mummy works away and he's adaptable and confident and cool with it but I have my moments when I feel guilty about missing out on important things in his world. This year I have found myself saying no more and prioritising Junior a bit more. I go with my gut and do what feels right.

ROX MAGAZINE

INSIDERS GUIDE

QUICKFIRE How do find the perfect work/social balance?

I have really cut down on going out socially. I'm away so much that my time at home has to be spent with my husband and son. It has to be a major party or gathering or I have to be working at it for me to go out. I live one hour from Glasgow and two from Edinburgh, so it takes a lot to get me out of the house.

You’ve recently appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, tell us about the experience?

Celeb MasterChef was one of THE best experiences of my career. To stand in the kitchens with John and Greg liked I've watched so many others doing was a huge thrill. I'm a massive fan of the show, so being there was like an outer body experience. I loved cooking, I thrived on the pressure and I laughed a lot. It was so much fun.

FAVOURITE SPOT FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH? Gusto

FAVOURITE GIRLS NIGHT OUT DINNER LOCATION? Hutchesons

FAVOURITE SHOPPING DESTINATIONS IN GLASGOW? Good old Frasers

Has it made you a better cook?

It has definitely made me a better cook. I think so much more about the produce I'm using. I season everything.

I leave my meat to rest after cooking now and I like to whip up a sauce on the side. All things I learned on Celeb MasterChef.

What other projects are you working on at the moment?

I have a very big show coming out later in the year and I start filming in September. It involves a lot of travel and I can't wait to get started. So sorry I can't share with you yet.

We know you love to run, how important is fitness and wellbeing to you?

I love running. I’m not fit at all but running has helped with my mental health. Just calming my head and setting it straight. Sometimes I look at my schedule and I want to cry and I feel a bit overwhelmed, then I go out for a run and I work it all out on my jogging route and by the end, everything is clear. It also works wonders when I'm in a bad mood. I always feel great after a run.

DREAM DATE NIGHT DESTINATION? Manhattan or Merchant City!

ALL-STAR LINE UP

Hublot Classic Fusion Watch 65292 | £13,900

ROX Diamond Ring 1.53cts 69317 | £3,995

ROX Diamond Earrings 1.28cts 64253 | £5,995

www.rox.co.uk

131

ROX MAGAZINE

TREATS FOR HER

TREATS FOR HER You may not need more convincing, but just in case, treat yourself to a sparkling winter must have.

ROX Celestial Gold Vermeil Pendant 69636 | £80

Olivia Burton Artisan Dial Watch 70618 | £95

ROX Diamond Ring 0.13cts 69323 | £650

Gucci Marmont Quilted Leather Gloves

Mulberry Textured Leather Cardholder

ROX Boho Torque Silver Bangle 71099 | £185

ROX Diamond Pendant 0.18cts 69556 | £950

Emporio Armani Watch 70738 | £279

ROX Classic Infinity Silver Pendant 68811 | £50

Chloé Roy Leather Bucket Bag

Michael Kors Pyper Watch 70787 | £199

ROX Diamond Bracelet 0.12cts 69466 | £325

Hugo Boss Symphony Watch 70155 | £199

ROX Orbit Silver Earrings 70748 | £40

Burberry Checked Cashmere Scarf

ROX Diamond Earrings 0.46cts 69364 | £995

www.rox.co.uk

135

ROX MAGAZINE

GIFTS FOR HIM

GIFTS FOR HIM We love the men in our lives - they're good us, so treat them to something special from our carefully selected gift guide.

ROX Classic Cufflinks 63863 | £125

Emporio Armani Renato Watch 70753 | £319

Brioni Cashmere And Silk-Blend Scarf

Gucci G-Timeless Watch 70217 | £850

Hugo Boss Trophy Watch 70678 | £349

Francesco Maglia Wood-Handle Twill Umbrella

Gucci Men Interlocking G Tiebar 70642 | £200

ROX Man Brown Leather Bracelet 69328 | £50

Givenchy Leather Belt

Bell & Ross Vintage Watch 70009 | £1,700

ROX DNA Cufflinks 65852 | £125

Mulberry Pebble-Grain Leather Holdall

Vivienne Westwood Watch 70042 | £235

ROX Leather Card Holder 68907 | £39

Paul Smith Silk-Twill Pocket Square

Raymond Weil Tango Watch 70272 | £1.095

www.rox.co.uk

137

GUESTLIST Here at ROX we’re lucky to be part of the hottest events around, we take a look back at some of our favourite celebrations from the past season…

HOW TO SHOP

ROX MAGAZINE

HOW TO SHOP Every piece you see in this magazine is coded to make it easy for you to shop - just search the five digit number at rox.co.uk. Alternatively you can shop instore - all the details you need are below.

GLASGOW

EDINBURGH

ABERDEEN

Immerse yourself in a truly decadent shopping experience at Glasgow's historic Argyll Arcade. Also at Braehead Shopping Centre.

Located within the iconic Assembly Rooms on George Street, Edinburgh’s luxury shopping destination.

Since opening in Union Square in autumn 2009, ROX has quickly established a reputation as Aberdeen’s most stylish jeweller.

Argyll Arcade / 0141 221 0550

Assembly Rooms / 0131 541 2209

Union Square / 01224 587 275

LEEDS

NEWCASTLE

SHOP ONLINE ANYTIME

Relax in the heart of the City Centre at Trinity Leeds, the newest and most stylish shopping destination in Leeds.

Situated at Monument Mall, our Moët & Chandon Champagne Bar upstairs is Newcastle’s little known hidden gem.

Where closing time never comes – at rox.co.uk our doors are always open.

Shop weekly for new arrivals.

Trinity Leeds / 0113 887 9213

Monument Mall / 0191 300 9470

rox.co.uk

The materials in this publication may not be reproduced in any format without permission. Please email requests for permission to pr@rox.co.uk.

Unsolicited manuscripts will not be accepted. Editorial material and opinions expressed in the ROX Magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of ROX (UK) Ltd. ROX (UK) Ltd do not accept the responsibility for the advertising content.

Jewellery shown may not be actual size and/or set to scale. Carat weights shown are approximate and

140

www.rox.co.uk

may vary in-store. When buying online, please check our website for full terms and conditions. The contents of this magazine were correct at the time of going to print (October 2018). ROX and the brand owners featured reserve the right to change prices and specifications without notice.

For more information about ROX, or to request a brochure, please call our Customer Services team on Freephone 0800 0124 363. © Copyright ROX (UK) LTD 2018

ROX MAN Find more luxury style inspiration in ROX MAN

TO BREAK THE RULES, YOU MUST FIRST MASTER THEM.

THE VALLÉE DE JOUX. FOR MILLENNIA A HARSH, UNYIELDING ENVIRONMENT; AND SINCE 1875 THE HOME OF AUDEMARS PIGUET, IN THE VILLAGE OF LE BRASSUS. THE EARLY WATCHMAKERS WERE SHAPED HERE, IN AWE OF THE FORCE OF NATURE YET DRIVEN TO MASTER ITS MYSTERIES THROUGH THE COMPLEX MECHANICS OF THEIR CRAFT. STILL TODAY THIS PIONEERING SPIRIT INSPIRES US TO CONSTANTLY CHALLENGE THE CONVENTIONS OF

+44 (0) 207 409 0782 | AUDEMARSPIGUET.COM

FINE WATCHMAKING.

ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE CHRONOGRAPH IN STAINLESS STEEL