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06.03.13 14:57

Editor’s Letter | The mayfair Magazine

From the

Editor ‘I’m leaving because the weather is too good. I hate London when it’s not raining’ – Groucho Marx

igh summer equals high times in Mayfair as we put the long days and balmy nights to good use and let our collective hair down. The monarchy and the royalists certainly have much to celebrate over these fair weeks, with the 60th anniversary of HM The Queen’s coronation and the long-awaited arrival of the newest heir to the throne. Royal expert Phil Dampier looks back at the history of this remarkable family and hints at what the future may hold for the legacy of this ever-advancing institution (p. 10). If you feel like sharing in the celebratory spirit, turn to page 15 where we show you how to turn a gathering into an event, using the very best that Mayfair has to offer; from stiff, embossed invitations to truly fabulous seasonal wine to serve, all you need to do is pick the date. One woman who has certainly been dusting off her dancing shoes is Daily Telegraph journalist Sophie Campbell who documented every step of her hilarious initiation into the Season, from Royal Ascot to Cowes Week. Find out why she became a convert to this most English of traditions on page 20. And despite the rare good weather in England, there will be some who insist upon leaving it. To help you with looking as glamorous by the pool as you do in Mayfair, Stephen Doig reports on some of the most stylish versions of what the late, great Diana Vreeland once termed ‘the most important thing since the Atom Bomb’ (p. 68). And if you’re looking for a place to show off your new sartorial summer style, Raffles in the Seychelles is rather fabulous at this time of year. Turn to page 102 to find out why.

Elle Blakeman Editor Follow us on Twitter @MayfairMagazine

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Contents

July 2013

015 020

Features

Art

Food & Drink

010 | The modern monarchy Royal writer Phil Dampier explores the future of the British monarchy 015 | Planning the perfect Mayfair party From canapés to Champagne, we bring you the ultimate guide to hosting a summer soirée 020 | Surviving the season Sophie Campbell reports from the front line of the season’s top social engagements 022 | Rising from the ashes Nick Hammond dons his whites and reports on the ones to watch at the Ashes 030 | Cloud of steel Sou Fujimoto’s mesmerising work arrives at The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 096 | A thing of beauty The sleek Jaguar F-Type proves it is a worthy successor to its infamous sibling

034 | Exhibition focus Dame Laura Knight at the National Portrait Gallery 037 | Art news 039 | Prize lots

081 | Food & drink news 082 | Below deck Kate Racovolis ventures into the kitchen at Scott’s to spend a day with the chefs of the iconic restaurant 086 | Restaurant review: Benares, Berkeley Square

Interiors 045 | Interiors news 046 | Technicolour dream India Mahdavi talks to us about fashion and interiors in her new book, Home Chic

Collection

Regulars

051 | IWC races into Selfridges 052 | Watch news 054 | The power of the written word We catch up with Christian Rauch, director of writing culture & leather at Montblanc 059 | Mix and match It’s a brightly coloured summer for men’s accessories 061 | Green with envy Be inspired by rich emeralds in fine jewellery 063 | Jewellery news

065 | Style spy 067 | Style update 068 | Dive in Stephen Doig charts the journey of pool-side chic from Coco Chanel’s leisurewear to Heidi Klein 072 | A place in the sun White hot beachwear in this month’s fashion shoot on location in Greece

Fashion

Beauty 089 | Beauty news 090 | You better shape up Two dramatic new ways to trim down for summer 093 | Spa review: Gentlemen’s Tonic

Travel 101 | Travel news 102 | A villa with a view For your next long-haul escape explore the new Raffles in the Seychelles 106 | City break: Berlin The perfect historic getaway

Property 132 | High society A property for sale on Upper Grosvenor Street comes with an exciting history 134 | Man about town We meet Harvey Cyzer – the man who heads up Knight Frank’s Mayfair office 146 | Boom and bust David Adams of John Taylor talks to us about the global property market 158 | Property news 160 | Brave new world A new development is completed in Monte Carlo

Contributors | The mayfair Magazine

The contributors JULY 2013 s issue 022

Editor Elle Blakeman Assistant Editor Kate Racovolis Art Editor Carol Cordrey Food & Drink Editor Neil Ridley Collection Editor Annabel Harrison Editorial Intern Josh Minopoli Brand Consistency Hiren Chandarana Laddawan Juhong Senior Designer Lisa Wade Production Hugo Wheatley Alex Powell Oscar Viney Editor-in-Chief Kate Harrison Client Relationship Director Kate Oxbrow General Manager Fiona Fenwick Communications Director Loren Penney

Stephen Doig Stephen is an award-winning fashion writer who has worked for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. This month, he explores Berlin and eases his cares away at one of Mayfair’s finest spas. richard yarrow Richard is a freelance motoring journalist and a former associate editor of Auto Express. This month he test drives the new Jaguar F-Type to see if it can possibly compete with its predecessor.

Head of Finance Elton Hopkins

Carol Cordrey Carol is an art critic and editor. She organises the annual London Ice Sculpting Festival and is permanently on the art scene bringing us the latest happenings. RICHARD BROWN Richard is deputy editor of Canary Wharf, The City and Collection, our dedicated watch and fine jewellery section. He specialises in men’s style, popular culture, timepieces, travel and finance.

Associate Publisher Sophie Roberts

Sophie Campbell Sophie is a freelance journalist who writes for The Daily Telegraph. She has recently published her first book, The Season, and has written about why she has become a convert to this most English of pastimes. rebecca wallersteiner Avid art, health and travel writer, Rebecca contributes regularly to The Times, The Lady and The Telegraph. This month, she meets renowned Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto to discuss his new London project.

nick hammond Nick specialises in luxury writing, with an emphasis on cigars, shooting and travel. He has written for Country Life and the FT’s How to Spend It among others and this month he reports on the ones to watch at this year’s Ashes. kate racovolis Kate is an alumnus of Columbia University’s Journalism School and has written widely on luxury interiors, fashion and lifestyle. This month she dons some chefs whites and heads below deck at Scott’s restaurant.

Managing Director Eren Ellwood

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magazine

m a g a z i n e

july 2013

the city

DISTRIBUTION: The Mayfair Magazine is distributed in Mayfair, St James’s and Belgravia as well as selected parts of Knightsbridge, Chelsea and Marylebone.

canary the city wharf

built to last

sailing through

Residents

JOURNAL

as he turns 80, we celebrate the work of controversial city architect sir richard rogers

It’s the sailor’s life for me, says Sir Ben Ainslie

let the games begin The great summer pastimes of yore: croquet, boules, skittles & ping pong

Strike a

POSE

poolside glamour for bathing beauties

cover

On the

Image courtesy of Discover & Deliver (discoverdeliver.com) Illustration by Yoco Nagamiya (see page 15).

strike a pose poolside glamour for bathing beauties

sailing through 69

it’s the sailor’s life for me, says sir ben ainslie

Written for residents by residents JUNE 2013 • IssUE 2

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11/06/2013 12:01

The modern

monarchy As one of the UK’s most respected royal writers, Phil Dampier has enjoyed privileged access to the monarchy across almost three decades. Here, he describes how old age and modern day Britain is demanding a revised approach from the nation’s most recognised family

lead image: dutourdumonde / Shutterstock.com

hey’re changing the guard at Buckingham Palace – but this time we’re talking about the royals themselves, not the bearskin-helmeted sentries outside. As The Queen celebrates the 60th anniversary of her Coronation, and the world looks forward to the birth of the Duchess of Cambridge’s baby in July, the British monarchy is rapidly adapting to life in the 21st century. Evolution not revolution has always been the modus operandi of this ancient institution. But a flurry of events and announcements has brought into sharp focus how quickly the pragmatic Queen and her family are shuffling the royal pack, changing their roles and duties and planning for the future. In the last two years we’ve suddenly realised that The Queen and her loyal husband Prince Philip are human after all, and are not getting any younger. First the ‘Iron Duke’ was rushed to hospital with a heart condition around Christmas 2011 and had a stent inserted, and then he went down with a bladder infection at the height of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee, missing some of the key events in the process. In March this year, the rarely ill Queen was hospitalised by gastroenteritis and had to cancel a two-day visit to Rome. We’d forgotten, of course, that they are 87 and 91, because of the extraordinary rate at which they work. But almost overnight they seemed older and more vulnerable. So perhaps we shouldn’t have been surprised when it was announced that Her Majesty – still head of state in 16 countries – won’t be attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka this November. 

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

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FROM TOP: Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh (PHOTO: Featureflash); Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II (PHOTO: SHAUN JEFFERS); ALL SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

‘We are reviewing the amount of long-haul travel that is taken by The Queen,’ said a Palace spokesman, adding hastily that she was ‘fighting fit’. Her Majesty has not missed one of these summits for 40 years, and has been the glue holding the Commonwealth together all these decades, so the decision would not have been taken lightly. Prince Charles will represent her, and just two days after the announcement he and his wife Camilla sat next to The Queen and Philip at the State Opening of Parliament. It was the first time Charles had attended the ceremony for 17 years, and the message was clear – he is a King-in-waiting, ready to take on more responsibilities and some of the burden off his parents. Charles and Camilla had just come back from attending the investiture of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, following the abdication of Queen Beatrix. So would The Queen ever do the same? The answer is a resounding ‘No’. On her 21st birthday in 1947, the then Princess Elizabeth said in a broadcast: ‘I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family, to which we all belong.’ Deeply religious, The Queen considers the vows she took during her Coronation to be sacred before God, and of course the ‘A’ word is anathema to her after the chaos caused by her uncle Edward VIII in 1936. But if the Pope can quit at the height of his authority, couldn’t The Queen change her mind? ‘There is talk in fashionable circles of a soft regency,’ says constitutional expert Dr Robert Morris of University College London. ‘The Queen would slip into retirement with Charles taking over major duties, but she wouldn’t abdicate and he wouldn’t be a Prince Regent.’ As if to emphasise the handing over to younger generations, Prince Harry’s trip to the USA just a few days later attracted headlines around the world. Lurid details of his naked drunken antics in Las Vegas a year earlier were forgotten as Harry met First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House, paid tributes to fallen servicemen at Arlington National Cemetery and played sitting volleyball with disabled veterans in Colorado. ‘I’m sure Harry has learnt from his mistakes and he was superb on the US tour,’ said royal author Robert Jobson, who covered the trip. ‘Everywhere he went he had time for people, and you could see how much the various causes, particularly ones involving wounded servicemen, meant to him.

‘He is a King-in-waiting, ready to take on more responsibilities and some of the burden off his parents’

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

‘Harry is a serving officer himself of course, and has friends who were killed or injured in Afghanistan, so he speaks and acts from the heart. He has finally grown up, and will be an amazing asset to the royals in the future. In every way, now is the time for the young royals to step up to the plate. ‘Prince Charles is ready and the public now accepts and likes the Duchess of Cornwall. She is much more popular and people can now see her as Queen Camilla when the time comes.’ And then, of course, there is William and Kate. When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s baby is born in mid-July, this golden couple, already global superstars, will be catapulted into the media stratosphere. For years William has tried to lead as normal a life as possible, working as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot, and living in remote North Wales to shield Kate from the paparazzi. But soon he will have to leave his sanctuary, perhaps transferring to a military desk job or even leaving the armed forces altogether to take up full-time royal duties. ‘William knows that he, Kate and Harry are young, glamorous and full of energy, and that the Queen needs their help,’ says Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine. ‘The Queen is 87 and Philip is 92 in June, and they just can’t do it anymore. ‘I think they will scale back on their engagements, and she will spend more time at Windsor Castle, which is her favourite home. ‘During the Diamond Jubilee The Queen appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony with just the hard core of the family: Charles and Camilla, William and Kate and Harry. It was a clear signal that they were the future – and I would say the future has now arrived.’ As William, Kate and Harry take up more patronages, their media-savvy staff are using Twitter, YouTube and other modern tools to generate interest in the royals among the young. ‘The royal wedding was seen by two billion people and many teenagers got interested in the royals for the first time,’ says Robert Jobson. ‘Twenty years ago you might have thought the power and influence of the monarchy would start to die out after the death of The Queen. But with William, Kate and Harry all becoming superstars and with the popularity of politicians at an all-time low, the future looks bright for the monarchy.’ And don’t forget Harry has still to find a bride! When he does, that girl will become another big plus for the House of Windsor and she will be able to carve out a role as well. At the end of a long reign The Queen can look back with pride on a job well done. But she can also now start to relax and see that her family’s future is in safe hands.

FROM TOP: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William (PHOTO: Featureflash); prince charles (photo: Marc Burleigh); PRINCE HARRY (Mr Pics)

www.bachet.fr

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

Planning the perfect

Mayfair You’ve set the date and written the guest list, so now it’s time to start checking off your to-do list with our glamorous guide to throwing the ultimate Mayfair-worthy soirée

party

W OR D S : e l l e b l a k e m a n a n d k at e r a c o v o l i s

l a new roya nd there’s es – what a n o ti a n ad coro e Queen’s er three dec rs since Th r the first time in ov a ye 0 6 ’s fo , it It’s summer ect line to the throne) ir d ill they n (i y? y rt bab a pa ple come, w y in w eo p ro l th il w to ; e d rt el a better tim be a minefi rowing a p ywhere can e and so on – but th wd, with world-class n a y rt a p ing a u serv seurs gh cro Now, throw lves, what should yo at. Mayfair is a tou residents are connois se s th it em n , a oorstep enjoy th so much more th ress them? ies on the d Mayfair is , theatres and galler rth how do you imp . rming host restaurants er ything – how on ea ch as a cha and be u m ev so st t o en ts of alm of e Boy Scou otes enjoym thing prom to take a tip from th have compiled a list fect o n ; x la re er e is u p w g yo e , y in th is x tl th m rs la t, fro Well fi you do ey to re quisite even urse, the k g. To help And, of co repared for anythin party into a truly ex and dancing. p r ready and you need to turn you ill get your guests up w g t in a h th sic ur guests ever yt e to the mu is make yo glass of rv o d se to to e d ee in a n w er yone has ed, all you basics coverwallflowers, ensure ev e th t o g e Once you’v , watch out for any e good times roll … comfortable t all times and let th a something

top: Image courtesy of Discover & Deliver (discoverdeliver.com). Illustration by Yoco Nagamiya; from left: THE mount street printers; Grosvenor Stationery Company above: personal stationery from Smythson (smythson.com); coco cherry cocktail from The coburg bar at the connaught

r by Rizzoli Book image: Roger Vivie d by Roger Vivier Launch Party hoste lery 24/04/13 at the Saatchi Gal

RIGHT: THE MOUNT STREET PRINTERS. Below: Grosvenor Stationery Company

Stationery

Never underestimate the importance of stationery – a good stiff card dropping onto the doorstep can make all the difference in these socially overstretched days. The Mount Street Printers is one of our local favourites, as is Smythson for its engraved and dyestamped stationery (mountstreetprinters.com; smythson.com). Henrietta McCausland, owner of the Grosvenor Stationery Company says, ‘Gorgeous events, whether they are parties or weddings, need time to mature... If you want an exquisite event in your home, garden or other venue, then start planning and allow the creative types time to work their magic. Our invitations take three to four working weeks. So when a timetable is considered you need to work back from the event to the mailing date and then work four weeks back from that point.’ Engraved invitations from Grosvenor Stationery Company start from £770 for 100 Pre-party primping… (grosvenorstationerycompany.com)

‘Never underestimate the importance of stationery – a good stiff card dropping onto the doorstep can make all the difference in these overstretched days’

BELOW: Wildabout for Matthew Williamson (Photo: Juliet McKee)

Women: Blow-dry at Nyumba, Michael Charalambous’ House of Hair and Beauty, Mount Street (nyumbasalon.com) Men: Groom and finish at Pankhurst (pankhurstlondon.com)

Flowers

2 16

A fresh flower arrangement can say as much about you as what you wear to your party. Take your cue from Wildabout Flowers; the fashion pack’s favourite recently adorned L’Wren Scott’s A/W13 catwalk show with stunning, multicoloured blooms. Their flowers are also favoured by Matthew Williamson and Kate Moss. ‘Peonies are the most popular flowers for the spring-summer season,’ says managing director Leanne Roberts-Hewitt. ‘Dahlias are a wonderful summer flower as they come in such a rainbow of colours. For something different, my absolute favourite is trailing amaranthus – great for events when you would like some colour trailing out and down over the vase. In winter, look out for anemones and I love cyclamen – the winter version of sweet peas. Hydrangeas come in lovely deep greens and reds during the autumnal months.’ But it’s key to remember that less is often more. ‘One flower en masse keeps the design simple and chic,’ she says. Flowers, from a selection (wildabout.co.uk; 020 7404 2541)

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

Making sure that your guests are properly fed is key to throwing a good party (the last thing you want is people getting drunk too quickly or – God forbid – ordering a midnight feast on the way home). But how do you compete with Mayfair’s restaurants? Well, you don’t: you join them. Or rather, have them join you. Urban Caprice, the catering company from Caprice Holdings, can bring you beetroot starters from Le Caprice, oysters from Scott’s and the legendary Annabel’s chocolate cake, should you so wish. ‘It’s about being anything but pedestrian,’ says Matt Peat, CEO of Urban Caprice. ‘We love the interactivity of what we do. One of my favourite things is our ‘edible garden,’ which is great for outdoor events. We make edible soil, have jersey potatoes as pebbles and make flowers out of goat’s cheese and herbs – it looks and tastes amazing.’ Prices start from £79 per head. Urban Caprice (020 7286 1700; urbancaprice.co.uk)

Music

THE Fashion crowd: The band: The XX The album: Frank Ocean – Channel Orange The DJ: Cyril Hahn THE Literary crowd: The band: The Maccabees The album: Alt J – An Awesome Wave The DJ: Four Tet THE Corporate crowd: The band: Bloc Party The album: Daft Punk – Random Access Memories The DJ: Duke Dumont

Cocktails

LEFT: Director of Mixology, Agostino Perrone AT the Connaught Bar

Food

LEFT: urban capriceI; BELOW: Ladurée

When it comes to cocktails, no one beats The Connaught’s bar team. We ask them for their top recommendations for the summer ahead.

William’s Punch Punch is a fantastic way to celebrate the summer and best enjoyed surrounded by friends. This drink was created by Rusty Cerven and was the winning drink for the world final of Bols Around The World 2013 Competition. For one portion: • 35 ml Bols Genever • 10 ml Crème de Violet • 20 ml homemade lemon sherbet • 20 ml fresh rhubarb juice • 50 ml Champagne TO MAKE: Pour all ingredients into a punch bowl, multiplying the amounts to suit the amount of cocktails you’re making. Add ice and gently stir. Grate nutmeg on top and garnish with lemon zest.

Betty is Back One of our most popular cocktails with Champagne, this drink is light, refreshing and easy to make. • 5 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice • 10 ml elderflower cordial • 15 ml Aperol • Top up with Champagne TO MAKE: Stir lemon juice, elderflower cordial and aperol in mixing glass with ice, strain into a flute and top up with Champagne. Garnish with a fresh cherry. 17

Feature | The mayfair Magazine

Wine

‘You need a good fizz to kick things off,’ says Tom Harrow of luxury online retailer Winechap (winechap.com). ‘In summer, go for a crisp, fresh Blanc de Blanc such as Leclaire-Thiefaine NV Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru; it’s great on its own or served with strawberries or summer fruit. It’s also great with canapés and seafood.’ (From £150 for six bottles) If you want a name, go for Gosset Rose Grand Reserve NV, one of our favourite houses – small production, still family run and the oldest in Champagne, founded in 1584. We like to think of the Blanc as a more feminine version of Bollinger (due in part to the higher percentage of Chardonnay) but with great resonance and structure, due to high percentage of reserve wines. (£300 for six bottles) ‘However you could always choose to support English sparkling wine, Nyetimber Classic Cuvee 2008, is a fabulous option and was the drink of choice at last month’s London Collections: Men. (£156 per six bottles) ‘Finally Prosecco increasingly making a splash at parties – it’s less acidic and alcoholic than Champagne, which makes it very drinkable, and it has a touch of sweetness that makes it very moreish.’ WineChap’s favourite is Dal Hostess gifts Bello Prosecco NV. (£90 for six bottles) If you’re the one attending a

image: jo loves candle £75 (JOLOVES.COM)

Fragrance

‘Fragrance is such an important feature when you’re hosting an event,’ says Jo Malone of Jo Loves (joloves.com). ‘The scents you choose can instantly transform the venue and the mood. Fresh, clean citrus scents work best throughout the day, during the summer or if the climate is hot and sticky, while heavy florals and spices such as gardenia, tuberose or oud are perfect for an evening event and create a wonderful feeling of intimacy. ‘If you’re eating al fresco, place soirée, make sure you turn up on time a handful of fresh rosemary and (but never early) and come bearing a peeled orange skin onto the thoughtful gift. These are a few of our barbeque to delicately scent the favourites, which always go down well: food and the air around you.’ #1 Feu de Bois candle, £40, Diptyque If you really want to show off, (diptyqueparis.co.uk) Tom Harrow, Winechap you could even create your own #2 Playing cards, £25, Tiffany (tiffany.com) bespoke fragrance for the event. #3 Faces-print ballpoint pen, £60, Jonathan Ward’s bespoke service Lanvin (net-a-porter.com) allows you to either personalise the  Rosé packaging of one of his scents, or you can We’re really excited about the ‘Brad and Angelina’ go one further and have your own fragrance Chateau Miraval 2012 rosé, taken from their own vineyard custom-made (for this, Ward will meet you with – it’s actually a great wine, it has that lovely salmon colour; plus a moodboard to discuss your vision and concepts it’s not every day you get to drink like an A-lister! before mixing up your perfect scent). Packaged (£108 for six bottles) to perfection, this is a surefire way to impress. (jonathanward.com)  White Alvarinho 2011 is ideal for summer drinking. From Melgaço at the northern tip of Portugal, it has much more character than many Vinho Verde, but carrying no extra weight. (£108 for six bottles)

‘In summer, go for a crisp, fresh Blanc de Blanc’ –

Finishing touches #1 Hand wash, £27, Aesop (aesop.com)

 Red

You need a couple of reds; firstly a lightish, chillable red – a Beaujolais or Burgundy rouge (ignore the idea that red should always been served at room temperature – better to break the rules stylishly than follow them slavishly). Great-value red Burgundy is a wine lover’s Holy Grail, and Bourgogne 2009 (£210 for 12 bottles) is the closest we’ve found since a 1999 Santenay. For a richer, earthier red Portuguese wines are excellent this year. Try Outeiro Tinto 2010 for a real mix of modern glamour and old-world élan. (£171 for 12 bottles) 18

#2 Coffee-table book A Gentleman At The Table By John Bridges and Bryan Curtis, £35 (mrporter.com)

#3 Guest towel, £15.50, Monogrammed Linen Shop (monogrammedlinenshop.com)

Surviving

the season The author of a new book on the English season’s events, Sophie Campbell, looks back on a year of front-line social reporting

BELOW, FROM LEFT: chelsea flower show; royal ASCOT © Featureflash; cowes boat race; wimbledon Stuart © Slavicky; chelsea flower show

hat on earth was I thinking? I was sitting in a sunny study near Woking, talking to a lovely man called Michael Church about the Derby. Church is the official Derby historian. He has several books under his belt to prove it. He was looking at me with some anxiety. ‘You really don’t know anything, do you?’ he said gently, fixing me with penetrating blue eyes. What could I do but nod? I don’t know one end of a horse from another. Nor did I know about rowing, sailing, flowers, art, or indeed any other aspect of the English social season I was supposed to be nailing. ‘The Season’ is a run of events that starts in late May with the Chelsea Flower Show and canters in a leisurely fashion through to early August and sailing at Cowes Week. These occasions are very, very English. They are fuelled by Pimm’s and strawberries. They often feature quaintly uniformed officials. You may have to wear a hat. My two areas of expertise were tennis – reserve for the firsts on a good day with the wind behind

me at a very small convent in Dorset, which means at least I know the rules – and swimming, which I do a lot, in cold water, year round. However when I entered the Henley Classic, an open-water swim down the rowing course in the middle of the night the week before the Henley Royal Regatta, I came in the last 20. So if one more fellow journalist looks at my book cover and makes a joke about hardship postings and front lines I will probably punch them. Make no mistake, The Season – or the events often loosely referred to as its main components these days, from Royal Ascot to Cowes Week – is an endurance event. It is like triathletes having to do cycling, swimming and running, but in heels and a hat. And the transitions: hat to fascinator, Windsor to West Cowes, horses to hydrangeas. It’s never ending. You may be wondering why I wrote it. It all started because about three years ago I was asked by The Daily Telegraph to do a feature about getting into season events at the last minute.

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

Oh no, I thought, same old. Feathers. Faded aristocrats. Silly sports. Like most people, I go to the odd one of these each year, usually Wimbledon in the queue (or ‘The Queue’ as they like to call it) and the Chelsea Flower Show with a gardening mate. I’ve been to occasional others over the years. But I knew nothing about them or why they existed and began to find my limited research intriguing. Why are there Travellers at the Derby every year, for instance? Why do only two boats race at a time at Henley? Why are black silk top hats worth a fortune and grey ones not? Could the Royal Meeting at Ascot really be only a year younger than St Paul’s Cathedral? Why were all

codify itself with increasing rigidity. Dress codes, anyone? Etiquette? Behavioural quirks and identifiers? They are all displayed in The Season. People are often puzzled about its relationship to the debutante season, when young aristocratic girls went through a series of trials-by-hostess that culminated in their ‘coming out’ – a formal appearance at court, involving long trains, deep curtseys and an introduction to the monarch – and it’s probably easiest to describe it as the nursery slopes for the adult events. Once you’d come out – and not before – your hair went up, your skirts went down and off you went to Ascot et al. So that’s the history. The good news is that

‘These occasions are very, very English. They are fuelled by Pimm’s and strawberries. You may have to wear a hat’ these events arranged in a radius around London? So I found out more and then I got hooked and now, two years and two seasons on, I have come out, like an elderly debutante, as a secret Season fan. I even have hats. What I found, as I trotted from one occasion to the next, was that the things we do today are like the tops of mountains left exposed when the seas have risen. Beneath the waves are the remains of a lost civilisation that evolved roughly in tandem with our famous English class system – really, I can’t go into it here, but believe me, it’s complex – and, as the top of the class system went through a glorious Golden Age in the eighteenth century and later began to wobble with the agricultural depression of the late nineteenth, it began to

The Season – incredibly – still exists and is still a hoot. I had no idea that all the things it does, all the things I didn’t know about, are of superlative quality, whether polo or petunias. These are, despite the frivolity, serious sporting or cultural events. It still looks fabulous. And perhaps better still, it has long since lost its social teeth and, unlike most paid-for events of the summer, its offerings are extraordinarily accessible. You don’t have to dress up. You don’t have to have lots of money. But every so often, oh dear, it is fun if you do. Sophie Campbell’s book, ‘The Season: A Summer Whirl Through The English Social Season,’ Aurum Press, £20. Available from independent bookshops or amazon.co.uk

left: THE SEASON: A SUMMER WHIRL THROUGH THE ENGLISH SOCIAL SEASON BY SOPHIE CAMPBELL

Two auld enemies, one tiny urn, centuries of tradition and arguably the biggest rivalry in international sport. It can only mean one thing; Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an Ashes Summer. Nick Hammond dons his whites...

rising from

the ashes 22

The mayfair Magazine | Feature

witnessed my first live Ashes summer back in 1985, when Beefy Botham’s hair still bounced and David Gower flitted nymphlike from hundred to hundred. Teak-hard Aussies like Boon and Border wilted in the glory of a proper English summer. Shortly afterwards, the fun dried up. The Aussies discovered a set of twins from New South Wales that were every bit as hardbaked as their homeland. For the best part of the next 20 years, Steve and Mark Waugh and friends ground us into the dust. Then salvation came in the form of Michael Vaughan’s Barmy Army in 2005; the thunderous Freddie Flintoff, the beanpole Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard the King of the Swingers and the debut of the irrepressible Kevin Pietersen. Since that glorious, victorious series, the Ashes urn has passed back and forth. Battle is rejoined every couple of years; new warriors, old themes. This summer, Australia are back in town and desperate to get their hands on that little vase they lost so devastatingly at home two seasons ago. For once, it is the Australians who are riven with uncertainty, wracked with self-doubt. Are they good enough? Who should they pick? Do they have a spinner fit to apply Shane Warne’s fake tan? And can someone please please try to hold one end up while Michael Clarke gets enough runs to be competitive at the other? The sides look a mismatch on paper. England have reassuringly solid batting, the high-class swing bowling of James Anderson, the pace and bounce of Steve Finn and the icing on the cake of Graeme Swann’s spin. Yet when it comes the Ashes, it pays to not count one’s chickens. How could we forget that ridiculous Headingley Test of 1981 when, against all odds, Botham slogged his way to a century and a deranged Bob Willis tore down Aussie resistance to complete the most unlikely of victories? This year, there are rumours the Aussies have even allegedly resorted to fast-tracking citizenship for Pakistani-born spinner Fawad Ahmed in an attempt to level the playing field. And this after years of scorn from Aussie terraces for England’s prevalence of South African-born players! The Ashes circus comes to town firstly on August 1, when Lord’s – the home of cricket, no less – is the venue for the Second Test. And the grand denouement, as always in an Ashes summer, is at the Fifth Test at The Kia Oval, from 21-25 August. In between, the teams fight it out up north at Old Trafford and Durham, with the battle commencing at the delightful Trent Bridge in early July. Whichever ground you’re able to get to, you must try to catch this essential slice of English Summer. Our finest game, played in our finest weather; civilised, compelling, brutal yet beautiful. Let battle commence. 

image: Lance Bellers / Shutterstock.com

Feature | The mayfair Magazine

‘The Ashes legend began after a match in 1882 when Australia beat England at the Oval, the first time on an English ground’

O n e s t o wat c h Australia

England

 Skipper Michael Clarke must feel like the

 Just like his counterpart, Alastair Cook has revelled in the captaincy. If anything, his God-like batting has reached new heights and he became the youngest batsman to pass 7,000 Test runs – before even legends like Lara and Tendulkar. A strong showing from the captain at the top of the order will set the tone for the rest of the team.

boy on the burning deck at times. He’s been single-handedly holding his side together with his incredible batting since being made captain, but he can only paper over the cracks for so long. Do the rest of the Aussie side have enough skill and belief to compete with the deep and powerful England squad?

 David Warner: A powerful batsman who was among the first to engineer a Test career after first appearing as a T20 specialist. Just two Test Matches in and a century was his. Soon he was opening the batting and scoring 100 off just 69 balls against India. The traditionalists will be weeping into their beer. He needs to kick on and prove himself further in the long form the game, but he can change the course of a game in an hour.

 James Pattinson: With past bowlers going down like flies, the boys in yellow will be hoping this young quick will stay fit. He’s already taken 40 wickets in his 10-Test career, with three fivefours. And his brother played once for England in the most bizarre selection in recent years.

 Graeme Swann: Having recovered from

elbow surgery, Swanny has fizzed back into international cricket with a bravura display in early Summer versus New Zealand. The cocky off-spinner will play a key part in deciding where this year’s Ashes trophy will end up. Expect turning pitches, fielders surrounding the bat and Swanny bowling in sunglasses.

 Steve Finn: The enormous fast bowler just loves to bowl at Australians. A controversial pick for the series down under when team regular Stuart Broad dropped out injured, he was soon peppering batsman with his steepling bouncers and sharp-popping seamers. A nastier side to this nice young man has brought out the best in his fast bowling.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE ASHES, ANYWAY? The Ashes legend began after a match in 1882 when Australia beat England at the Oval, the first time on an English ground. A newspaper subsequently reported that English cricket had died and the ‘body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia’. On the return tour to Oz, a small terracotta urn was presented to England Captain Ivo Bligh. It was reputed to contain the ashes of a bail and the iconic trophy was born. 24

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My life in MAYFAIR KEVIN LANSDOWN Joint general manager, scott’s

K ‘I once had to act as a bodyguard for Dolph Lundgren’ – Kevin Lansdown

from top: kevin lansdown (image courtesy of Caprice Holdings); martini trolley at the connaught; martini from the connaught; scott’s (image courtesy of Caprice Holdings); oysters

evin Lansdown is a very important man, not that he’ll admit it. Proving this point, he was once voted one of GQ’s 100 Most Important Men in Britain. ‘Well, that tells you how relevant the list is really, doesn’t it?’ he laughs. We are at Scott’s, where Lansdown has worked since it reopened in 2006, following a huge refurbishment (‘the air conditioning alone cost £1 million,’ he says). Usually known as the maître d’, he has recently taken over as joint general manager with Stephen Hutchings. Although he misses the interaction of being on the floor: ‘I didn’t start in catering so that I could spend time in an office, I did it specifically so that I could work with people.’ He almost didn’t do it at all, but a job he took at Le Caprice in 1981 (when it was owned by Chris Corbin and Jeremy King) while he studied Interior Design and Cabinet Making, led to a lifelong career at London’s most famous collection of restaurants. In 1990, Lansdown left Le Caprice to work at The Ivy, presiding over the restaurant during the height of its notoriety. ‘In the 1990s, The Ivy was a huge commodity; there was a real desperation about it, because it was also the beginning of the paparazzi culture. Suddenly the entire world changed, people were just desperate to be in the same dining room as David and Victoria Beckham.’ Being maître d’ at London’s most sought-out restaurant must have had its moments. ‘Oh definitely,’ he says. ‘I once had to act as a bodyguard for Dolph Lundgren! He was about six foot five and the world heavyweight kickboxing champion and I had to go in one day to stop somebody getting to him to take photographs!’ And then there’s the blagging: ‘My other half once had a friend from university who phoned up and said, “I haven’t seen him for years and years and I just want to know if he can get me a table at The Ivy”. She told him where to go in no uncertain terms… I never heard from him again.’ His taste for oysters came after an early introduction to the delicacy for which Scott’s is known. ‘I was raised in a new town in a working-class family and consequently restaurants were something of foreign culture, unless I came to see my grandfather in London. He’d take me to an Italian restaurant or he would bring me to Scott’s at nine years old to sit at the bar and have oysters. It was the first time I ever had oysters and I loved them! He said: “Everybody will always tell you to just throw them back, but you don’t – you chew them two or three times, then you swallow them.” A bit of lemon juice on each one and that was it.’ So does working in a restaurant leave any time for life outside it? ‘When I leave I either go for a drink with some of the guys from here: I go to The Connaught or I’ll probably head down to The Coach & Horses just off Berkeley Square.’ And does he get recognised? ‘If I’m here it’s quite often because Mayfair is a really social environment.’ If you see him do say hello, just don’t try to blag a table. 27

agenda

books

Reading room Take a step back from your iPad and rediscover the joy of the printed page with one of the stunning hardcover books from Assouline’s new boutique at Claridge’s. Stepping inside is like entering a dream library, with titles from De Beers to Elie Saab and books about sailing stacked from floor to ceiling. Pick up one of their Library Candles while you are there; the woody, bookish scents have been designed to smell just a like a library. And if you can’t bare to leave, you can even have Assouline create a similar space in your own home. Assouline, Claridge’s, 49 Brook Street, WIK (assouline.com)

Couture culture Visit the new Assouline boutique at Claridge’s, add some new titles to your reading list or revisit a classic film – but if you’d rather be outdoors, indulge in a picnic

theatre

Sweet Bird of Youth

n unmade bed, cigarette-saturated ashtrays and endless bottles of cheap vodka, conjure up the seedy, claustrophobic world of Tennessee Williams’ acidic comedy reflecting an era of racial bigotry and a desperation to stay young. Alexandra Del Lago is an ageing star who prefers to be called Princess Kosmonopolis, played by the fabulous Kim Cattrall. Left bruised by the insensitive world of stardom, Del Lago oscillates from a confident granddame to an anxious, frail woman. Seth Numrich and Kim Cattrall (PHOTO: Jay Brooks)

She wakes up, semi-clad, with the very handsome Chance Wayne (Seth Numrich) who sees Del Lago as his meal ticket to help retrieve his young sweetheart, Heavenly. As his dreams of stardom give way to life as a professional gigolo, Wayne is willing to go to extreme lengths

‘Tennessee Williams’ acidic comedy reflects an era of racial bigotry and a desperation to stay young’ to capture the attention of his first love. Thick with significance and regret, Marianne Elliott’s production powerfully brings the racist world of 1950s South America to life; dramatic flashes of light and the unbearably loud transmission of a prejudice rally, convey a brutal yet inescapable political reality. DANIELLA ISAACS At The Old Vic Theatre until 31 August (oldvictheatre.com)

THE creative read Change Your Mind by Rod Judkins £8.99, Hardie Grant Books Witty and concise, Judkins offers 57 tips on how to be more creative at work, home and play. THE debut read The Carriage House by Louisa Hall £12.99, Penguin Viking A novel about family life, love, expectations and loss, and rebuilding relationships. the historic read The Garments of Court & Palace: Machiavelli and The World That He Made by Philip Bobbitt, £22, Atlantic Books Immerse yourself in this account of Machiavelli’s Italy, during the Renaissance. THE epic NOVEL TransAtlantic by Colum McCann £18.99, Bloomsbury Follow the journey of four generations of women during the Irish potato famine in 1845, the American Civil War and the more recent troubles in Northern Ireland. THE political read The Art of Controversy by Victor S. Navasky, £18.35, Knopf, New York This book pays tribute to political cartoons and their lasting power to provoke. THE ECONOMIC read Money: The Unauthorised Biography by Felix Martin, £20, Bodley Head Martin takes a closer look at one of man’s greatest inventions – money.

The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

5 top picks

Picnic pieces

Spend treasured summer days in the great outdoors with a game of backgammon, fabulous food and good company

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film

Dial M for murder

or proof that thrillers do not need to be gory in order to send chills down your spine, we remember Sir Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M For Murder this month. The classic, starring the eternally magnificent Grace Kelly (who still looks glamorous even in murder scenes), Ray Milland and Robert Cummings, has been restored into a 3D version at BFI Southbank. Although the 1954 film was made before the days of special effects that are now a part of most productions from this genre, its ability to have you hanging from the character’s every word is a lasting one – a testament to Hitchcock’s talent. The majority of the film is set inside Tony (Milland) and Margot Mary Wendice’s (Kelly) apartment in London. Following

the revelation of Margot’s affair with American crime writer, Mark Halliday (Cummings), Tony plots to kill his wife in a seemingly foolproof plan. But his alibi quickly falls apart as Mark – the expert in crime stories – comes to the rescue. Long monologues can sometimes be dry, but not in this film where the script is highly intense. There is a noticeable lack of violence in the film (compared to today’s gruesome thrillers), instead, Hitchcock places the emphasis on dialogue, fewer settings and a faultless storyline to carry the film; it is one that has remained one of his many cinematic triumphs for decades later. Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Dial M for Murder’ opens at BFI Southbank and selected cinemas nationwide from 26 July

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Cloud of

steel Delicate, latticed and elemental – prepare to be dazzled by Sou Fujimoto’s Steel-cloud Serpentine Summer Pavilion w o r ds : r e b e c c a W a l l e r s t e i n e r

‘The delicate quality of the structure enhanced by its semi-transparency will create a geometric, cloud-like form, as if it were mist rising from the undulations of the park’ – Sou Fujimoto

The mayfair Magazine | Art

n enchanting steel cloud will appear in Hyde Park this summer, when the 13th Serpentine Summer Pavilion – this year, designed by award-winning Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto – opens its doors. One of the highlights of the summer art scene, the Pavilion is a temporary structure, designed by a new, internationally renowned architect each year for the grounds of the Serpentine Gallery, showcasing the work of contemporary artists, both homegrown and international. At 41, the boyish-looking Fujimoto is the Serpentine’s youngest architect to design this

‘It was inspired by the natural forms of forests, nests and caves’ and blends with the surrounding park’ – Sou Fujimoto prestigious project. When I arrive to interview him on the roof of the Serpentine gallery, he beams with joy as sunshine lights up his breathtaking structure, which sparkles like some mythical, fairytale palace. ‘It was inspired by the natural forms of forests, nests and caves and blends with the surrounding park – rather as rising mist,’ says Fujimoto. Whatever your taste, his translucent, intricately latticed, three-dimensional structure, built from delicate 20mm steel bars and occupying 350 square metres of the gallery’s garden, is bound to enchant. From certain vantage points, the Pavilion will appear to merge with the classical structure of the Serpentine Gallery – almost floating beside it like a cloud – with visitors suspended in space. ‘It is a great challenge to create a new form of environment where the natural and the man-made merge,’ says Fujimoto. What if it rains? ‘A strong glass roof protects visitors from the elements, while providing a feeling of being part of the landscape,’ says Fujimoto, clearly prepared for this question. You will able to gaze at the falling rain through

the latticed structure. ‘Like the surrounding Royal Parks, the Pavilion inhabits a space between nature and artificiality,’ he adds. The lightweight and semi-transparent qualities of the structure enable it to blend into its natural surroundings, with an intricate matrix of interlinking grids suggesting a digital aesthetic that resonates with our age. ‘One of the main aims of my work is to blend architecture and technology harmoniously with nature,’ he says. Stepped terraces will enable visitors to climb up and sit comfortably on his structure, experiencing it from different angles. ‘We only work with architects who have not previously designed a building in the United Kingdom,’ says Julia Peyton-Jones, the Serpentine’s director. ‘And as we are situated in a Royal Park, there are considerable limitations.’ Last year’s cork subterranean dug-out Summer Pavilion was created by dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, working with Tate Modern architects Herzog and de Meuron, the team behind the greatly acclaimed Beijing National Stadium. In 2011, under the influence of Peter Zumthor, the Pavilion resembled a Swiss monastery, with a black enclosed space offering a wild flower garden and place for contemplation. Fujimoto is the third Japanese architect to accept the invitation to design the Pavilion, following Toyo Ito in 2002, and Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA in 2009. An architect graduate of Tokyo University, Fujimoto is well known in Japan, where his high-profile buildings – including everything from the Children’s Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centre in his native city of Hokkaido and the Musashino University Art Museum and Library, to organic wooden homes – have won prestigious prizes. In 2008, he won the JIA (Japanese Institute of Architects) Grand Prize for the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre and the highest award at the World Architectural Festival for the Private House 

LEFT: EXTERIOR OF THE SERPENTINE SUMMER PAVILION BY SOU FUJIMOTO; BELOW: SOU FUJIMOTO (PHOTO: DAVID WINTINER

Art | The mayfair Magazine

BELOW: INTERIOR OF THE SERPENTINE SUMMER PAVILION BY SOU FUJIMOTO; RIGHT: SKETCH FOR THE DESIGN

division. In 2012, he was awarded the Golden Lion at the Venice Architecture Biennale, along with Kumiko Inui, Akihisa Hirata and Naoya Hatakeyama. ‘I initially work from simple, lightly sketched line drawings and then create small-scale models by hand, which enable me to understand the potential of new structures,’ he explains. Fujimoto is widely regarded as being the leader of an exciting new generation of architects coming to prominence worldwide, who are reinventing our relationship with the environment by taking a more organic approach: ‘I aim to merge the natural with the man-made, thus creating buildings that are not solely architectural, nor solely natural, but a unique meeting of the two,’ he says. Despite being one of the world’s most exciting cutting-edge architects Fujimoto philanthropically took on the designing of this year’s Pavilion as an unpaid challenge, something that is much appreciated in the team at the Serpentine Gallery. ‘I am thrilled to be working with one of the most fascinating architects in the world today,’ says Peyton-Jones. This year’s Pavilion is bound to be a huge hit with Londoners, tourists and fellow architects alike. Locals like to use the Pavilions’ cafés to meet for coffee. The first Pavilion had to be erected and dismantled in the space of a month, but owing to their huge popularity they are now allowed to remain standing on the gallery’s

front lawn for four months, from June to October. ‘As in previous years visitors will be encouraged to interact with the Pavilion in different ways throughout its tenure in Kensington Gardens,’ says Peyton-Jones. She has planned a varied programme of events, including talks and exhibitions to entertain people. Visitors will be able to gaze through the latticed cloud-like structure at the sky and elements, and experience nature all around them. They will be encouraged to enjoy art outside against the landscape of the surrounding leafy park and lake. The Pavilion has a very peaceful feeling – ideal for meditation and writing poetry. Last year’s Serpentine Pavilion attracted around 300,000 visitors and was in the top ten most visited architectural and design structures in the world. Fujimoto’s transparent pavilion promises to be a breath of fresh air this summer. The Summer Pavilion will be open from 8 June – 20 October (serpentinegallery.org) Serpentine Pavilions, by Taschen, 2012

Just a couple of hours from home. And yet a world away.

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Exhibition Focus:

Laura Knight

portraits As the National Portrait Gallery hosts a new exhibition of works by Dame Laura Knight, we remember her as a pioneering, female British artist words: carol cordrey

lthough not an ardent femininst, I have had the benefit of spending many years as a working wife and mother pursuing my particular labour of love, namely – writing about fine art. The fact that I have had the opportunity to do so has left me indebted to the working women who blazed a trail before me, women such as Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970) whose immensely long and successful career propelled her to the status of one of the most important British artists of the last century and the first

woman to be elected a Royal Academician (1936), since the institution’s foundation in 1768. I am therefore delighted to tell you that Knight’s distinctive paintings and drawings, which brought her that recognition, can be admired all over again at this summer’s major exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. Her prodigious talent revealed itself in childhood, and at the tender age of 13, she was admitted to the Nottingham School of Art. She went on to marry artist Harold Knight in 1903, creating a home together in the Newlyn artists’

The mayfair Magazine | Art

community in Cornwall, where the wonderful light and landscape brought fresh inspiration to both of them. Knight produced some of her greatest portraits at that time, in particular her Self Portrait (1913) in which she is depicted standing upright and determined while paining a nude female model, her friend, the ceramicist Ella Naper. This image demonstrated Knight, then a successful professional, defying conventions still prevalent at art school that restricted women from painting nudes. Further bulldozing of conventions was obvious in her decision in the 1920s to seek permission to go backstage at London’s theatres to paint actors and dancers preparing for performances that included those of the Ballets Russes. In 1926, she accompanied Harold to Baltimore, USA, where he was to undertake several artistic commissions at the John Hopkins Memorial Hospital. While there, she managed to gain access to the strictly racially segregated wards where she produced tender portraits of adults and children. In 1929, Knight was made a Dame of the British Empire and, aside from her portraiture, established a reputation for painting strongly coloured, richly detailed scenes of life; both at the circus and amongst gypsies (Gypsies at the Epsom Races) and in one of their

communities in Iver, Buckinghamshire. She spent much time getting to know the various characters and families and as a result, her much acclaimed lively or psychologically penetrating depictions brought both circus and Gypsy people, temporarily at least, from the periphery of society into the centre of the establishment. Knight was also famed for her highly realistic and atmospheric War Artist works that included portraits of women in the Auxiliary Air Force and munitions factories suddenly taking on roles traditionally occupied by men, Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech Ring being a perfect example. Some of the women she chose to feature and actually name in her paintings had achieved considerable distinction in their fields of work, or had been decorated for great acts of courage. Often, they illustrate Knight not just contributing to the war effort but to a ‘sisterhood’ in her promotion of female achievement and the overturning of gender norms. Her ability to record life like events and insightful portraits led to what must have been one of her most emotionally and artistically

‘Knight was famed for her highly realistic and atmospheric War Artist works’ challenging commissions, which she undertook in her late 1960’s, The Nuremberg Trials. An example of her work produced at the trials will be included in the exhibition and it shows an unusual composition of a multi-figure scene, one in which a plethora of emotional responses are evident in the faces and body language of the individuals present. This joins with her other many paintings and drawings to give us an overview not just of 20th century Britain, but of a remarkable, trailblazing 20th century woman. Laura Knight Portraits, 11 July – 13 October, National Portrait Gallery (npg.org.uk)

FROM LEFT: Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech Ring, 1943; Corporal J. M. Robins, 1941; Take Off, 1943 (all images by dame laura knight, courtesy of Imperial War Museum © Imperial War Museum, London)

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The mayfair Magazine | Art

Q&A with…

Eleanor Cardozo, whose sculptures will stun visitors to the Four Seasons Hotel and the Henley Festival

Art news

Go back to a more elegant era with this month’s art offerings – a tribute to the Jubilee at London’s Silver Vaults and Mayfair’s Mallett recreates a stunning 18th-Century townhouse wor d s : caro l cor d r e y

Silver lining Silver has always held a timeless appeal, but this year, the London Silver Vaults have a special reason to celebrate this magnificent metal, because 2013 marks the 60th birthday of the Vaults themselves. A picture exhibition will depict key moments and visits by royalty, celebrities and film stars throughout the history of the Vaults, and a special selling exhibition will reveal the wonderful variety of antique, vintage and modern silver and jewellery that the Vaults’ 27 shops offer today’s visitors. Of particular note will be collectable, commemorative pieces from past jubilees and coronations, sporting trophies, ceremonial commissions, statuary representing the natural world as well as pieces suited to current christenings, weddings and anniversaries. ‘60 Lustrous Years: The London Silver Vaults 1953-2013’ Chancery Lane, WC2A (thesilvervaults.com)

The age of elegance Mallett and Colnaghi, two of our most distinguished art and antiques dealers, invite you to their recreation of the classic 18th-Century London town house in Mallett’s Mayfair premises, Ely House. The finest furniture and paintings of appropriate style and scale will be displayed in a series of room settings, evoking the ideal salon, cabinet and dining room of the period. The highlights are many, and include a still life by Jan Brueghel II (1601-1678) and a George III giltwood settee (c1775). This exhibition will take you back to a elegant era filled with beauty and grace. ‘The Age of Elegance’ is at Ely House, 37 Dover Street 18 June – 20 July (mallettantiques.com; colnaghi.co.uk)

Q: Your Olympian sculptures at Terminal 5 and in London caused great excitement last year; is sport a major inspiration? A: Definitely! Athletes train for up to eight hours a day so their muscle definition and toned bodies are a great inspiration for me. Also, I believe strongly in the Olympic philosophy of building a peaceful, better world through sport and culture to create a life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal, fundamental ethical principles. Q: What other commissions have you received recently? A: I am sculpting a twice-world-champion gymnast dancer from Cirque Du Soleil who I photographed and sketched in Los Angeles last month. Whilst there, I delivered my completed full body, bronze sculpture of Petra, Bernie Ecclestone’s daughter. Q: Which sculpture will be at the Four Seasons Hotel and for how long? A: A three-metre rythmic gymnast balanced on the world – a smaller version of my monumental gymnast that was outside Westminster Abbey during London 2012. She will be on the Amaranto terrace throughout the summer. Q: How did the invitation emerge to exhibit at the prestigious Henley Festival and what will you exhibit? A: The Hay Hill Gallery that represents me in London works with the Henley Festival and I have been chosen to exhibit my bronze gymnast collection, as well as various bronze nudes and dancers. (eleanorcardozo.com; hayhill.com) 37

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bonhams | PRIZE LOT A sketch by John Constable

Particulars: Expected Value (item): £60,000 - £80,000 Expected Value (auction): £2 million - £3 million Estimated Range: £4,000 - £350,000 No. of Lots: 81 Place: New Bond Street Date: 3 July 2013

his charming sketch of the grandiose Coleorton Hall in Leicestershire features in a collection of lost drawings by English Romantic painter John Constable. Coleorton was the seat of Sir George Beaumont – the founder of the National Gallery – and is where Constable briefly resided in 1823 to recuperate following a bout of illness, during which time he took to sketching his stately lodgings. The drawing would be the reference point for a watercolour painting that remains preserved in Bristol’s Central Library in an album compiled by Edith Southey, the wife of Poet Laureate Robert Southey, both of whose stay at Coleorton coincided with Constable’s. On 26

November 1823, just before his departure, Constable wrote of his regret of spending little time outside and that he ‘only made you one little sketch of the house, which is all I have done from nature’ – a sketch that now finds itself being auctioned at Bonhams. Depicting a view from the south, Constable’s drawing captures the Hall’s impressive gothic architecture and looming windows as designed by George Dance the Younger. We observe the quaint terrace wall to the artist’s left; and the Winter Garden by Dorothy and William Wordsworth in the far-off distance sitting just beside St. Mary’s church, masked by elm trees. (bonhams.com)

image: courtesy of bonhams

The mayfair Magazine | Art

CHRISTIE’S | PRIZE LOT A George II silver coffee pot by Paul de Lamerie

his supreme George II silver coffee pot is the work of Paul de Lamerie – the pre-eminent silversmith of 18th-century Britain – and is anticipated as the most important and expensive piece of English silver in history to be auctioned. Lamerie worked under Huguenot Pierre Platel as an apprentice in 1703, became a master in 1711 and generated enough prestige to be described as the King’s Silversmith in just six years. This masterpiece hails from the artistic movement of that period, Rococo, and demonstrates remarkable crafting, detail and design by Lamerie’s hand. Owing to such esteem, Lamerie’s silver pieces have been the most admired for 250 years. The piece was created in 1738 as commissioned by Sir John Lequesne: a director of the Bank of England and an Alderman of the City. As a coffee pot, imagined in a French style, it located itself in Lequesne’s ancestry – he had been a Protestant refugee who had fled Rouen. Its timeless appeal also made it the highlight of the recent Metropolitan Museum of Art’s British Silver exhibition in New York. (christies.com)

Particulars: Expected Value (item): £3.5 million - 4.5 million Expected Value (auction): £15 million Estimated Range: £3.5 million - £4.5 million No. of Lots: 40 Place: King Street, London image: courtesy of chrISTIe’s

Date: 4 July 2013 41

578 KINGS ROAD LONDON SW6 2DY WWW.GUINEVERE.CO.UK

+44 (0)20 7736 2917

The mayfair Magazine | Art

SOTHEBY’S | PRIZE LOT Literary works by Joseph Conrad

private Joseph Conrad collection from the library of the late Stanley J. Seeger is to be auctioned in what has been described as the most expansive single author sale in recent history. As a prolific collector in the 20th century, Stanley J. Seeger amassed an extensive collection of pottery, books, art and manuscripts. The acclaimed author Joseph Conrad became the centre of Seeger’s focus, and over 50 years he built the most exhaustive private collection of first editions, manuscripts, inscribed works, letters and annotated proofs by Conrad.

A highlight of the collection is the autographed draft manuscript of Conrad’s famous work, Typhoon: a depiction of a seaman’s struggle against a relentless, tumultuous sea. Fastidious revisions to almost every page shed light on Conrad’s rigorous developmental process – one that led him to create a masterpiece. (sothebys.com)

Particulars: Expected Value (item): £900,000 - £1,300,000 Expected Value (auction): £100 - £500,000 Estimated Range: £300,000 - £500,000 No. of Lots: 193 Place: Sotheby’s, London Date: 10 July 2013 43

A WOLF IS JUST AN OVEN, LIKE A DIAMOND IS JUST A STONE Iconic design. Enduring quality. Superior performance

www.subzero-wolf.co.uk

251 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW3 2EP 0845 250 0010

The mayfair Magazine | Interiors

Luxurious linen There is something rapturous about the comforts of fresh, luxurious linen bedding in the height of summer. If you aspire to such pleasures, the one homeware range you need to discover is the sophisticated S/S13 Left Bank collection by Ralph Lauren. The Lyons 100 per cent linen sheeting from the range is crisp white and finished with soft stripes in stone grey – an airy, soothing addition to any bedroom. The pattern takes reference from a vintage fabric acquired at a French flea market; and will punctuate contemporary spaces with the same ease that it would a traditional setting. From £110, Ralph Lauren Home (ralphlaurenhome.com)

Interiors news

Keep it simple this month, as clear crystal and light linens are brightening our interiors this summer W O R D S : j os h m i n o p o l i

Crystal clear

FINISHING TOUCH At the heart of every beautiful home is an exceptional dinner and tea service. With sculptural lines and geometric design, Wedgwood’s new Ashlar range takes its cue from Robert Adam’s Neo-Classic architectural works. The collection will take centre stage at any dinner party. Wedgwood Ashlar range, from £12 (wedgwood.co.uk)

‘Waste not, want not’ seems to be the mantra for Lee Broom, who has incorporated unused decanter stoppers from a previous venture into the design of a ping-perfect new glassware collection, Half Cut. Each glass variation – our favourite is this cavernous Martini style – has a base morphed from a stopper that has been cut, polished and moulded to the crystal drinking well, and emblazoned with a crest à la Broom. Cocktail parties will never be the same again. Glass, £120, Lee Broom (liberty.co.uk)

Wall to wall Rupert Bevan has been designing bespoke furniture and performing specialist finishes for 20 years and his penchant for creating antique-effect mirror panels that emulate original mercury glass has become his distinguished signature. The antiqued mirror glass technique draws on the ingenuity of its creator, and a distinct versatility allows panels to be applied to furniture and erected as overmantel fixtures. When used as wall panelling, the aged mirroring lends a truly period slant, establishing an inscrutable authenticity. No one mirror panel is the same and each is hand-finished at Bevan’s beautiful glass workshop in Shropshire. (rupertbevan.com)

Technicolour

dream

We talk to interior designer India Mahdavi about her new book and how home decoration is a lot like fashion wor d s : kat e racovo l is

hen Paris-based interior designer, India Mahdavi, sojourns in London and stays at Claridge’s, as she often does, she prefers not to check in to one of the 20 rooms she designed. ‘It’s true that my mind works the whole time,’ she says. ‘If I don’t stay in my rooms, I’m far more relaxed. But I don’t think, “Should I have

done this, should I have done that?” I think that once you design something you have to let go of it. It has its own life.’ Claridge’s is just one of the many projects that Mahdavi has undertaken since she opened her own design firm in Paris in 1999. Among the smaller objects she has designed, her ever-colourful, quirky style has hallmarked pens

The mayfair Magazine | Interiors

for Caran d’Ache, an eyeshadow palette for Guerlain and Champagne glasses for Ruinart Rosé. She also remodelled the Coburg Bar at The Connaught and worked on Bungalow 8 in London. Then there is an impressive list of private residences, commercial projects, exhibitions, bars and restaurants and hotels around the world, to which her name and style is attached. Born in Iran but raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Mahdavi went on to study in New York for a year and also Paris, where she now lives. She originally studied as an architect, something that has almost certainly influenced her life as a designer. ‘Architecture is a fantastic education. It gives you a sort of vision,’ she says in her soft, distinctly French accent. ‘[With] architecture you have to grow with large scale. You have to have one idea, you have to think of a concept, you have to tell a story, you have to understand. You must take into consideration where you are, what country, what street; all of these constraints. This is something I do the whole time with my interior design. I ask, “Where do I feel like sitting? What do I want to look at? Where

are the views? What are my perspectives?”’ It was no wonder then, that she is a go-to designer for her friends for advice about decorating their homes. After working with Soline Delos, a journalist for French Elle and Elle Decoration, Mahdavi’s next project came in the form of a book. A ‘recipe book’ Home Chic, Decorating With Style to be precise, written with Delos. But we shouldn’t expect a prescription for how our homes should look. Whether Mahdavi gives a nod of approval to kitchen rugs (to hide imperfect floors) or an emphatic ‘No!’ to cow-hide throws or rugs, it was still Mahdavi’s intention to leave plenty of room for interpretation. ‘Really this was about style,’ she says. ‘It’s not about interior design, it’s not even about decoration; it’s about putting style into your home. I can compare the whole thing to fashion: you mix vintage and you mix new things, cheap and expensive.’ The book is more coffee-table calibre (its gold leatherette cover would look glamorous anywhere), or a travel companion for those who are passionate about design or simply need 

TOP, FROM LEFT Vintage armchair, cushion, Petits Objets by India Mahdavi (© Derek Hudson); Sculpture by Lamberto Corregiari (© Derek Hudson); Diagonale table by India Mahdavi, Vintage lamps (© François de Font-Réaulx); Armchair by Don Carlos, Lollipop lamp by India Mahdavi (© Philippe Chancel, photo: Aurore de la Morinerie); image © Derek Hudson; image © Jean-François Jaussaud/Lux Productions; OPPOSITE PAGE: PORTRAIT OF India Mahdavi (© Paolo Roversi)

a nudge in the right direction on how to make a home a haven, than a dictionary of decorative pieces. If you have ever found yourself stopping at the window of an interiors showroom to take down the name of the shop, then this is a dossier you will treasure. We are invited to look at our homes with a fresh perspective, and shown how to make the most the space that we have. The advice is practical: ‘Stick to objects and furniture from no more than three different decades,’ for example, which is particularly helpful for those who are less confident in their own style of decorating. If you already happen to be well-versed in interior design, there are tips that offer broader counsel as well. Mahdavi’s playful (and usually brightly hued) style resounds with her signature vivacity from start to finish – some of which is not for the faint at heart. But are people afraid to be more daring when decorating their homes? ‘Yes they are afraid to do the wrong thing,’ she says. ‘But I’m telling them, “Do whatever you think is wrong, and move things around.” It only takes a couple of friends to move some furniture around, to put a carpet in or to change things. The effect it can have on you when you have a home that you really like, for me, is so important because it makes you so much happier. I think we’ve underestimated the value of the aesthetic. Being surrounded by beauty is really important.’ Home Chic is like Mahdavi’s personal address book, beautifully wrapped up, edited and presented in book form. There are blank pages at the back for your own scribbling, as well as city guides to design hubs including the usual suspects: London, Paris, New York and Milan, and some unexpected ones including Cape Town and Rio de Janeiro. In each, the duo share their insider knowledge of the places to visit for the best interiors, art, artists’ materials – even flowers and also many

hidden gems. ‘What I tried to do with these addresses is not put them into national brands. Because you can find them everywhere and I didn’t want to go in that direction,’ Mahdavi says. ‘I just wanted to give the places that I thought were super interesting and sometimes it’s very irregular. So there’s no real rule. ‘What I’m trying to do is teach people how they can be playful, how they can use colour, how they can bring sunshine into their homes,’ she says. ‘One of the reasons that I work with people is because I realise that a lot of people

‘It’s not about interior design, it’s not even about decoration; it’s about putting style into your home’ – India Mahdavi are afraid of space. They don’t take any risks; they’re scared of it because they assume they don’t know. As much as when you’re dressed, you can look at yourself in the mirror and you see an image of yourself. You can say, “Yes this works, or no, this doesn’t work.” But in a space you can’t do that. The only way you can do it is take a photo: that’s what I’m teaching in the book.’ But like Mahdavi’s personal style, which is constantly changing in her own home and at her studio, shop and showroom in Paris, she says that so should ours in our homes. ‘You have your own style, like when you dress. Do you follow the fashion the whole time? Should you? I think everyone has their own style but you evolve, right?’ she says. ‘The feeling you have when you go shopping and you’ve bought this bag or a perfume, or something you can wear really easily, and you wear them and you feel really cool,’ she says. ‘That’s the feel you can get from [interiors] also.’ Home Chic by India Mahdavi with Soline Delos £19.95, Flammarion. Available from Amazon. (india-mahdavi.com)

left: home chic, decorating with style by india mahdavi with soline delos, available from amazon and all good bookshops; right, top: Four-poster bed by Maria Pergay, Bishop bedside tables, Vintage lamp and Fitted carpet by India Mahdavi (© Jean-François Jaussaud/Lux Productions); far-right: Bedside lamp by Arne Jacobsen, La Maison du Danemark Screen and Bishop occasional table by India Mahdavi (© Studio IMH); right, from top: Mirror and Cupboard handles by India Mahdavi, Wall light by PSLAB (© Derek Hudson); Carpet by Manufacture de Cogolin, Wall lamps by .PSLAB, Ceiling lamp by Frères Bouroullec, Galerie Kreo, Paris Screen by Zoé Ouvrier Zebra skins and stuffed peacock by Deyrolle, Embroidered leopardskin by Lindell, Furniture by India Mahdavi (© Jean-François Jaussaud/Lux Productions)

The mayfair Magazine | Interiors

E N G I N E E R S O F Q UA L I T Y SA F E S

FINE SAFES FOR WATCHES, JEWELLERY AND MORE. A Stockinger safe will make you realise that you have done the best for your valuables. Enjoy this good feeling every day of the year, wherever you are and whatever you do. Stockinger bespoke safes combine security, creativity and craftsmanship to form exclusive safes for you as a discerning collector of high-quality jewellery and timepieces. Ask us for details. Telephone: +49 (0)89 7590-5828

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The mayfair Magazine | Collection

IWC races into Selfridges A

fter becoming the Official Engineering Partner to Mercedes AMG Petronas earlier this year, last month saw IWC announce the appointment of two new ambassadors in the shape of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Now, to coincide with the British Grand Prix which takes place on 30 June, the Swiss watch manufacturer continues its commitment to the sport by hosting a three-week exhibition within the Watch Gallery at Selfridgesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wonder Room. This will celebrate the completely remodelled 2013 Ingenieur range, a collection that itself draws inspiration from the materials typically used in motorsport, including carbon-fibre, ceramic and titanium. Expect the concept store to be transformed into a virtual wind tunnel that IWC promises will take consumers on a behind the scenes journey into the synergies that exist between watches and automotive engineering. Complete with a Formula One simulator, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sure the pop-up will appeal to petrol heads and watch geeks in equal measure. The exhibition runs from 24 June until 14 July. (iwc.com)

Collection | The mayfair Magazine

Watch news Treasured timepieces, horological heirlooms and modern masterpieces WORDS: RICHARD BROWN

The Jewels in the Crown It’s the world’s oldest diamond company with a history that stretches back to 1789. Only fitting, then, that when Backes & Strauss stepped into the watch world in 2006, it should do so with timepieces dedicated to the world’s most valuable minerals. Drawn from the Backes & Strauss archives, a 19th century brooch with two linked hearts was the starting point for today’s Victoria Princess diamond watch. Inspired by the story of Queen Victoria, who was so smitten with Albert that she proposed the second time they met, the watch features a pink mother of pearl dial and is set with 604 ideal cut hearts and arrows diamonds. Should you find Backes & Strauss’s signature designs reminiscent of a certain other watchmaker, then there’s a reason for that: each of the brand’s watches is crafted entirely in the Geneva workshop of a one Franck Muller. (backesandstrauss.com)

ONE TO WATCH Each month we select our product of the moment from the world’s most exciting innovations

When it comes to smartphones, the new Vertu Ti – with symphonic sound, tuned in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen, and musical punctuation from the London Symphony Orchestra – really is the last word in luxury Ti, £6,700, Vertu (vertu.com) 52

Window into the Watch World Anyone bemused at the astronomical prices commanded by mechanical wristwatches could have done worse than pay a visit to Harrods last month. With the help of master craftsmen from Jaeger-LeCoultre, visitors were invited to witness the internal workings of an intricate timepiece, from the smallest pinion to the largest barrel, via a series of watchmaking and engraving workshops. Jaeger-LeCoultre has also been mesmerising us with their Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3 Jubilee. Visually stunning, the watch is the first JLC to be equipped with a Flying Gyrotourbillon. We want one. (jaeger-lecoultre.com) BOND STREET FOR BREITLING It’s the address every luxury brand dreams of calling their own. Now, joining the likes of Chanel, Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana, Breitling boasts its very own Bond Street boutique. The flagship store opened last month in a location likely to appeal to both domestic and international consumers. In addition to Breitling’s Emergency II that wowed us at Baselworld in April, expect the store to display a selection of limited edition pieces. Breitling 130 New Bond Street

Swiss movement, English heart

The high-tech, high quality ceramic of the Coral’s bezel and bracelet creates a watch of both ethereal beauty and astonishing durability. The 24ct PVD gold accents add a delicate luxury to a timepiece as vibrant and precious as the “rainforests of the sea” from which it takes its name.

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The power of

the written

word

Annabel Harrison speaks to Christian Rauch, director of writing culture & leather at Montblanc, about the company’s global Signature for Good campaign in support of UNICEF and why we should all make time for writing

here is every chance that you possess a Montblanc pen yourself, that you’d like one or that you know someone who does. The company has been producing pens, or ‘writing instruments’ (as I learnt was the preferred, and more suitably evocative, term when speaking to CEO Lutz Bethge two years ago) for 104 years and in the time since, it has become the luxury brand synonymous with writing instruments, as Hermès is to handbags, Rolex to watches or Louis Vuitton to luggage. You may have used your pen to sign a birthday card or write a note to your husband or wife. However, one thing is certain; you can read and write. These skills, which many of us take for granted every day in our privileged lives, as simple as speaking or eating, are skills that are not as commonplace in other parts of the globe. In fact, whole swathes of countries are home to millions of people who have not mastered these skills or, rather, have not been taught them. Montblanc is a company which has been inspired by its very raison d’être to help those as far removed from the luxury industry, and of the worlds of owners of Montblanc products, as could be. Its Signature for Good campaign entered its tenth year at the start of 2013 and its driving force is the belief, shared by Montblanc and UNICEF, that all children should be given access to good education. The campaign has raised more than $5 million to date.

This was the first project Christian Rauch worked on when he joined Montblanc and he is passionate about it, employing the scrupulous politeness, eloquence and mild humour that I have come to expect from the company’s senior management. He enquired at first if it would make more sense for Montblanc to buy medicine or build a hospital, but UNICEF’s goal was clear: it is important to have medicine but as soon as you leave it with people who cannot read the instructions, then the value of the medicine is zero. ‘The most important value you can give to people is the ability to read and to write, because only then will they be able to lead a life which is not dependent on others. Therefore we support UNICEF in this fight by building schools together. You would not believe how difficult it is, or how long it takes, to convince parents that it is worth sending their kids to school.’ The campaign this year is based around the Meisterstück, which is for Montblanc ‘the eponym for the ability to write your own destiny and your own thoughts’. The new version is ‘very discreet but it has a nice little story. It has a ring on top which is engraved with little bricks, and one of the bricks is marked with an individual number. You will be able to go online, enter the number then see the area where your personal donation is helping to build a school in Africa. We’re also doing small leather goods and jewellery like cufflinks, all with the brick detail, but of course the main object is the writing instrument because the 

The MAYFAIR Magazine | Collection

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;These skills, which many of us take for granted every day in our privileged lives, as simple as speaking or eating, are skills that are not as commonplace in other parts of the globeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

campaign supports the fight against illiteracy.’ Rauch himself has a history with Montblanc, a brand he has always loved: ‘My parents gave me a Meisterstück fountain pen for my graduation and I’m still using it, even though I now have a nice selection of others, as you can imagine, but I still love it.’ Lutz Bethge also uses his oldest Montblanc pen; Rauch smiles and explains that he tries to convince his CEO to use one of the current editions. Mr Bethge tests them and he likes them ‘but at the end of the day he’s always travelling with his Meisterstück. He’s so much in love with this pen, which is a very typical Montblanc story.’ In addition to his existing affinity with the brand, Rauch is cut from the right cloth for Montblanc; he is multilingual and enjoys music, arts and literature, fitting for a director of writing culture. His career trajectory is

fountain-pen-smudged essays than I may have cared to. However, by the time I went to university, every piece was typed. Examinations of three hours which required putting pen to paper took my peers and I by painful surprise as our hands adjusted. My grandparents may be email and text savvy, but I know a handwritten card means much more to them. Rauch confirms that while gadgets are in constant daily use, a pen seems to be where people turn ‘whenever they want to write a personal note, a thank you or a love letter.’ At Montblanc, employees always write the first sentence of every letter by hand and having received one such letter, in fact entirely handwritten, I can testify to this. ‘People really appreciate the value of the handwritten word because the amount of impersonal messaging we get is crazy... If I receive something

‘At Montblanc, employees always write the first sentence of every letter by hand’ interesting; before joining Montblanc in 2009, Rauch had spent nine years working for Sony and he was ‘the master of making sure that the quality and standards fit to the highest expectations. That ultimate search for quality often reminds me of what I’m doing today.’ Followers of fashion may have seen Burberry’s Art of the Trench website, tapping in to its consumers’ emotional attachment to its iconic coat, and Montblanc has a similar offering in its My Meisterstück platform, asking owners; ‘What’s your story?’ It may have been inspired by Rauch’s comment that “all over the world, everybody is telling me his or her story about their Meisterstück, even if I haven’t asked for it!’ To my mind, in this fast-paced technological age where iPhones and BlackBerrys reign supreme, I feel drawn to a company which champions the art of writing. As a child with a vivid imagination and a voracious appetite for reading, I wrote numerous stories in careful, curly script; as a teenager I laboured over more

handwritten, I know this person did it just for me; he or she took the time to sit down and write. There is no delete; you have to think beforehand about what you write and the effect is totally different from an email.’ Does this concern unite Montblanc customers? ‘They all care about their own character and cultured lifestyle, so people who spend money on a fountain pen all appreciate the moment when they sit down and enjoy watching their thoughts become reality on the piece of paper.’ Montblanc as a luxury brand is discreet, which sits well in this post-recession climate; it is not, in Rauch’s words, a ‘bling bling’ company and products aren’t immediately identifiable from afar. ‘Those who fall in love with our objects don’t purchase them to impress their peers but because they appreciate the objects for themselves. So it’s about self-indulgence, connoisseurship and knowledge, rather than just impressing

The MAYFAIR Magazine | Collection

somebody else by showing what you can afford.’ Brand values are well established and one of the most important is the idea of the lifelong companion. ‘We want to create products which accompany you for your life and for the life of your kids.’ This must apply as equally to a Montblanc watch as a piece of jewellery or a wallet. ‘There are consequences of this, of course,’ Rauch concedes, ‘and one is that the brand does not create fashion products. We would never do a leather good in the “colour of the season”.’ Limited editions fall on the other side of the fence; the opposite of a ubiquitous, seasonal must-have, they each appeal to a small group of people interested in longevity and history. ‘We try to honour people who really changed something in their field. Einstein is an easy one because he was in all matters a great human being. It’s about the heritage these people left which is still with us today.’ The concept and design stages of the limitededition process particularly appeal to Rauch. ‘It’s really fun because we also – for a German at least – try to be funny sometimes, like we did with the Hitchcock. We tried to simulate the Vertigo effect on the writing instrument, so if you turn it you really have the same feeling, or we have a knife as a clip, the same one which was used in Psycho.’ Attention to detail is of paramount importance, as is going the extra mile. Rauch’s favourite part of his job is being with passionate collectors; ‘It’s a lovely feeling. You see how happy they are and you discuss with them what they like and what they don’t; this is what brings the most happiness to me.’ I have a feeling that even if I were the twelfth person to stop Rauch that day to tell him my Meisterstück story, he would listen just as graciously as if I were the first. For every Signature for Good piece sold between March 2013 and 31 March 2014, Montblanc will donate part of its proceeds to raise at least $1.5 million for UNICEF’s education programmes; unicef.org (montblanc.com)

We prefer not to be measured by dimensions. Unless it’s a new dimension of accuracy.

No fewer than four exceptional mechanisms enhance the precision of the RICHARD LANGE TOURBILLON “Pour le Mérite”: the tiny fusée-and-chain transmission, the delicate tourbillon, the ultra-thin Lange balance spring, and – not least – the patented stop-seconds device for the tourbillon which makes it possible to

set the watch with one-second accuracy in the first place. Never before has an A. Lange & Söhne watch been endowed with so many complications that simultaneously enhance its rate accuracy, settability, and readability. And so, this remarkable timepiece truly deserves the honorary attribute “Pour le Mérite”.

Arije 165, Sloane Street London • George Pragnell 5 and 6, Wood Street, Stratford-upon-Avon Hamilton & Inches 87, George Street, Edinburgh • Harrods 87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London Watches of Switzerland 16, New Bond Street, London • Wempe 43-44, New Bond Street, London Lange Uhren GmbH • Tel. +34 91 454 89 82 • www.lange-soehne.com

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08.02.2012 15:52:48 Uhr

The mayfair Magazine | Collection

#1 #5 #2

#11

For him

mix &

match Embrace all things bright and beautiful this summer

#10 #7 #9

#1 Coated backpack, £65, Fred Perry (fredperry.com) #2 Eterno Chrono Watch, £475, Brera (breraorologi.com) #3 Silver monkey cufflinks, £230, Deakin and Francis (deakinandfrancis.co.uk) #4 Lenon stripe acetate sunglasses, £227, Tom Ford, (matchesfashion.com) #5 MRG watch, £6,000, CASIO Concept Store London, Covent Garden #6 Eagle logo scarf, £99.95, Armani Jeans, Harrods #7 Pop Quiz backpack, £75, Herschel (selfridges.com) #8 Tri-print suede backpack, £1,495, Pierre Hardy (selfridges.com) #9 Hartsfield leather and organic cotton-canvas holdall bag, £290, WANT les Essentiels De La Vie (mrporter.com) #10 Matchstick cufflinks, £89, Paul Smith Accessories (paulsmith.co.uk) #11 El Primero Chronomaster 1969, £6,300, Zenith (zenith-watches.com) 59

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From the Honeycomb Eternelle Ring Collection

33 Albemarle Street - Mayfair, London WIS 4BP - Tel. 020 7629 5616 MILANO, VENEZIA, FIRENZE, CALA DI VOLPE, CAPRI, PARIS, MONTE CARLO, LONDON, MOSCOW, NEW YORK, CHICAGO,ASPEN, BEVERLY HILLS, TOKYO, OSAKA, HONG KONG, SIDNEY WWW.BUCCELLATI.COM

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#2 #3 #5 #15

#14

#13

Green with envy

Pantone’s Colour of the Year has been translated into this season’s ultimate statement jewellery trend

#7 #12

#9 #11

#10

#1 All white gold and emerald diamond pendant with platinum chain, £3,400, Lucie Campbell (luciecampbell.com) #2 Platinum emerald and diamond cluster ring, from a selection, Lucie Campbell (luciecampbell.com) #3 Double surround emerald ring, from a selection, Jessica McCormack (jessicamccormack.com) #4 White wedding gold-plated Swarovski crystal necklace, £830, Erickson Beamon (net-a-porter.com) #5 18-karat white gold, uvarovite garnet and diamond earrings, Kimberly McDonald, £4,250 (net-a-porter.com) #6 Glittering Grape fancy brooch, from a selection, Michelle Ong (harryfane.com) #7 Jade Embrace brooch, from a selection, Michelle Ong (harryfane.com) #8 Fly By Night Couture bracelet set in 18-karat white gold with black diamonds and Gemfields emeralds, £52,300, Stephen Webster (stephenwebster.com) #9 Oxidised silver, amazonite, quartz and diamond ring, £1,225, S&R Jewellery (talismangallery.co.uk) #10 Emerald ring, from a selection, Gemfields: Monica Vinader (harrods.com) #11 New World sterling-silver large pear bloodstone earrings, £2,222, Armenta (talismangallery.co.uk) #12 White gold, emerald and diamond ring, £7,100, De Grisogono (degrisogono.com) #13 Uvaronite garnet, black diamond triangle earrings, £6,880, Kimberly McDonald (farfetch.com) #14 Alhambra pendant in yellow gold and malachite, from a selection, Van Cleef & Arpels (vancleefarpels.com) #15 Hanging Gardens of Babylon necklace, from a selection, Nourbel & Le Cavelier (nourbel-lecavelier.com) 61

CONTESSA To own a rare Argyle pink diamond is to own a truly magnificent heirloom. Contessa, beautifully handcrafted in Platinum and 18ct Rose Gold, features an exquisite combination of stunning craftsmanship and the rarest of Australian Argyle pink diamonds. Simply, they are the rarest diamonds in the world and are revered for their unique provenance and intrinsic beauty.

UNITED KINGDOM The Royal Arcade, Old Bond St, Mayfair London W1S 4SW AUSTRALIA Sydney Gold Coast calleija.com

Calleija-CountryTownUK-298x225mm_v1.indd 1

25/01/12 11:51 AM

The mayfair Magazine | Collection

Jewellery news This month, be dazzled by ocean-inspired jewellery and a diamond tribute to dance from Van Cleef & Arpels WORDS: OLIVIA SHARPE

Drop in the ocean Brazilian jewellery house H. Stern recently blew much of its competition out of the water with its new Iris collection, which was inspired by the depths of the ocean. The study of detailed accounts of aquatic specimens discovered on the 1873 H.M.S. Challenger expedition, and then translating these shapes into 18-karat noble, yellowand rose-gold pieces, has resulted in a collection which captures the rich and vibrant life found in the ocean. The sultry Katie Holmes stars as the Greek goddess of the sea and sky for the summer campaign. (hstern.net)

CUTTING EDGE To celebrate its partnership with L.A. Dance Project and founder Benjamin Millepied, Van Cleef & Arpels recently unveiled four unique High Jewellery pieces drawn from the world of dance:

Van Cleef & Arpels has had a strong association with dance ever since choreographer George Balanchine formed an artistic partnership with the house following a trip to the boutique. Three ballerina clips and a Zip necklace have been created in tribute to‘Reflections’, a new ballet by Millepied Ballerina clip in white gold and diamonds and Zip Ballerina necklace in white gold and diamonds; from a selection, Van Cleef & Arpels (vancleefarpels.com)

Kiss from a Rose On the same day she was honoured with her royal title, Princess Grace was given another special christening: a pink rose was created and named after her to commemorate her marriage to H.S.H. Prince Rainer III in 1956. This rose was the influence behind Montblanc’s Princesse Grace de Monaco fine jewellery collection, launched in 2011, and this year, new pieces have been added to the two lines: the Pétales de Roses and the Pétales Entrelacés. These additions are available in Montblanc stores. (montblanc.com) Pandora’s Box Before the arrival of the clutch bag, fashionable ladies would take out beautifully bejewelled boxes to contain their evening essentials. As much a work of art as a practical accessory, these boxes were all the rage from the 1920’s until the 1970’s, and many will soon be on display at Goldsmiths’ Hall. The Ultra Vanities exhibition will showcase more than 300 minaudières from some of the most revered jewellery houses including Chaumet, Cartier and Boucheron. Worth visiting, if only to appreciate the serious levels of craftsmanship involved. Ultra Vanities: Bejewelled Boxes from the Age of Glamour; 31 May – 20 July (thegoldsmiths. co.uk)

The Themayfair mayfairMagazine Magazine| |Regulars Fashion

Winning formula

style spy

A new travel accessories collection from Dom Reilly fuses luxury fashion and technological innovation to showcase some determined resilience. Collaborating with the Williams Formula 1 Team technicians, the brand has ensured that the range is seriously hard working, incorporating such elements as high-density foam to absorb impact and hydrophilic coatings to repel water. Along with its lightweight qualities and svelte aesthetic, we predict the collection – which includes a beautiful weekender – is going to take off among the international jet set. (domreilly.com)

nopoli W O R D S : j os h m i

Work it

A sting in the tail The draw of Mayfair’s Dover Street has become all the more infallible thanks to the opening of Jimmy Choo’s flagship store for men. The label peppers its shoes with exuberant detailing, catering for the outlandish foot fiends among us. To mark the occasion, its luxurious Sloane slipper has been reimagined with a rather fabulous embroidered scorpion – quite the sting. Jimmy Choo, 35 Dover Street, W1 (jimmychoo.com)

Serious business accoutrements go hand-in-hand with serious business. Whether it is entering the boardroom with that finely made briefcase or taking notes on that understated yet attractive jotter; the impression you create with masterful embellishment goes far. Asprey – a stalwart of refined luxury since 1781 – an ideal place for those looking for such sartorial sagacity. The cinnamon calf leather Grosvenor briefcase or indigo Hanover briefcase with hand stitching are inspired choices from the collection, as is the smooth saddle leather agenda. (asprey.com)

Sartorial saviour There have been a number of books on the musings of men’s style over recent years, but none that quite capture its essence like Quintessentially Gentleman. This dapper tome navigates the semaphores of modern men’s fashion with discernment, delving into gentlemanly pursuits, bespoke tailoring and some of menswear’s best-known brands, as well as the rules of lifestyle etiquette. Quintessentially Gentleman, £30 (quintessentiallypublishing.com)

Shoe in Berluti’s first maison in London was welcomed to Conduit Street with Champagne, cocktails garnished with roses and the likes of Natalia Vodianova, Antoine Arnault and Eva Herzigova this month. The former boutique, which housed only shoes and accessories, has been given a Berluti-style makeover to stretch over three leather-clad levels to showcase its famed shoe, small leather goods and ready-to-wear collections. Berluti, 43 Conduit Street London W1S (020 7437 1740; berluti.com) 65

mayfair

Resident’s Journal

Image: rumi verjee

From the Editor Dear Resident, In borrowing the infinitely wise words of philanthropist and Mayfairian Meera Gandhi, I can illustrate the mood of the Journal this month: ‘We are to the universe only as much as we give back to it.’ I had the pleasure of meeting Meera, a driven individual, to discuss her work in the local community and across the globe with her charity The Giving Back Foundation. And because one international altruist is never enough, Jennifer Bradford-Davis speaks with Rumi Verjee (above). This Mayfair-based entrepreneur is the proprietor and chairman of one of Jennifer’s favourite W1 institutions, Thomas Goode & Co., and is actively involved in giving back to young people and to charitable causes all over the world. We have also perused all of the events in the area for the month of July and have selected our highlights for your enjoyment, as well as providing a few snippets of news on our Notebook page. As the sun begins to shine, Grosvenor Estate is planning an exciting festival of events entitled Summer in the Square (11-28 July), which will truly ring in the summer in style. Attendees can look forward to musical and theatrical performances, fashion tours around Mayfair and, for little ones, a classic Punch & Judy show – now there’s a blast from the past! Until next month, Katie Randall, Editor The Mayfair Residents’ Journal

The Residents’ Society of Mayfair & St James’s Committee Members Chairman Anthony Lorenz (Events & Traffic)

Secretary Richard Cutt (Crossrail & Finance)

Planning Applications Ronald Cottee (Planning)

Membership Pol Ferguson-Thompson (Membership & Website)

Traffic Lois Peltz

Police Mary-Louise Burrows

Licensing Derek Stratton

The Notebook The most local of events happening in the heart of the area this month

Art in the great outdoors Italian artist Aron Demetz will be making his mark on St James’s Square this summer as Westminster City Council unveils two of his sculptures, each reaching over two and a half metres in height. ‘The Burning Man’ and ‘Heimat’ will preside over the public square until December. Initially working in wood before being cast in bronze, Demetz uses this material to highlight both the harmony and conflicts that exist between man and nature. The Square is open to the public Monday – Friday, 9am-4.30pm

Little thespians Perform Drama School has recently launched its popular classes in Grosvenor Chapel due to demand from local parents. The weekly workshops on South Audley Street will be led by Samantha Urry and will involve a mix of singing dance and drama, specially formulated for 4-8 year olds to discover their confidence, improve communication and concentration, and to develop coordination. The teacher on this journey, Samantha, graduated from the London College of Music and is a professional actress, appearing in musicals such as Rent and an original Shakespeare musical, entitled Shake it Down. Perform Workshops was founded more than 13 years ago in Primrose Hill with only three children participating. Now the company works with more than 4,000 children, combining theatrics with fun-filled personal development for kids. Workshops run on Thursdays from 4pm-5pm and 5pm-6pm. For a free trial session at one of Perform’s venues, call 0845 400 4000 (or 020 7255 9120) or email: enquiries@perform.org.uk. Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley Street, W1K 2PA (perform.org.uk)

3 July Street Party

28 June - 20 September Story time

11-28 July Summer in the Square

Everyone loves a good community street party; therefore the Residents’ Journal was excited to hear about the Portman Village Wimbledon Tennis Street Party on 3 July (5pm-10pm). Get into the spirit of summer with live entertainment, fun and games for little ones and plenty of Pimms for the grown-ups. This year’s Wimbledon themed event, will see the street transformed with artificial grass. New Quebec Street and Seymour Place, W1 (portmanvillage.com)

Vittorio Corsini and Kyung Woo Han are exploring the blurred boundaries between reality and imagination in their exhibition Once Upon a Time at the Gazelli Art House this month. The artworks explore the theme of narrative. Viewers are called upon to decide the beginning and end of the narrative as they peruse the pieces. Each narrative is personal, having been created through the viewer’s interaction with the artworks. 39 Dover Street, W1S 4NN (gazelliarthouse.com)

Following a hugely successful event last year, Grosvenor Square will once again be transformed into a haven for the fun and frolics of the local community. Grosvenor Estate is planning a summer soiree with games, foodie pop-ups and theatre, as well as ballet and musical performances. Fashion walks will promenade through Mayfair’s streets and theatre groups will perform timeless Shakespeare classics, all as a part of the celebrations. 11am-8pm (grosvenorlondon.com)

mayfair RESIDENTS’ JOURNAL | The Notebook

The Host with the Most First of all, I would like to know how you arrived to London and do you now identify yourself as a Londoner? I have an interesting background; I am from Uganda originally and I also lived in Kenya. I came to this country first in 1963 and arrived in London at the age of six to attend boarding School in Sussex. Identity is always a tough question. I am a Londoner, I am British, but I am of Indian origin. My family migrated from India to Africa as traders in British colonial times, landing in Mombasa in Kenya and established themselves in East Africa over four generations. They were then tragically expelled by Idi Amin from Uganda in 1972. How did you come to purchase Thomas Goode & Co. on South Audley Street 18 years ago? I was in my twenties throwing my first dinner party and I needed to purchase a dinner service. I was told to go to Thomas Goode & Co. When I arrived it was a completely new world to me; I never knew about the wide variety of chinaware and glassware available. As usual, my eye always wanders to the most exquisite pieces. It is a lovely end to the story to say that many years later, the company came up for sale. Even though I could not afford the very best table service when I first visited the store, I was now in a position to purchase the company. It was the tradition, the history and the royal warrants that really interested me. We have warrants from The Prince of Wales and Her Majesty The Queen. It is a privilege and a great responsibility to be able to steer a business that has been around for 185 years. I really see Thomas Goode as a British institution and it is my responsibility to protect and preserve it for future generations. Do you find that you express your background and traditions through entertaining? Yes my parents entertained a lot and it was cross cultural Indian, African and Western European entertaining. Thomas Goode & Co. combines design and hospitality and I come from that Eastern tradition of great hospitality. I think entertaining and breaking bread at the table is very symbolic and spiritual. I love the art of entertainment and being a good host – making your guests feel very welcome.

Do you feel that the art of entertaining has been somewhat compromised in modern society? With the immediacy and busyness of modern-day life, we are entertaining less frequently at home and families do not sit at the table together. So in answer to your question, I think that entertaining has changed certainly, but there is still a magic and graciousness to being entertained in someone’s home. You understand them much better because you are being invited into their private environment which creates kinship and friendship. How often do you entertain in Thomas Goode & Co.? We entertain a lot here. I remember a special day when Sir Elton John came for dinner. I like to use the beautiful premises to entertain our customers and we also give the space out for charitable causes. As a family we have our own charitable foundation, The Rumi Foundation. Next week we have President Bill Clinton coming in for dinner as we support his foundation, the Clinton Foundation. We help to build rural schools in Uganda. It is a wonderful opportunity to use this space and to hopefully raise funds for very worthy charitable causes. Rumi you are very philanthropic and your work to promote education has been impressive, to say the least. What has been the driving force behind all of your accomplishments for charity? It really makes me so happy to create opportunity for young people, which is the umbrella of our foundation: education. We create a platform for nourishing ideas and help young people to develop these ideas for the purpose of education. We are currently funding research at Cambridge University for detecting early stages of cancer in children. We also work with the Royal College of Art and sponsor their annual Innovation Night. Our hope is to have

left: Rumi Verjee; Historical books, photographs by Saskia Rumbelow

Two hosts share party tips over tea as Jennifer Bradford-Davis teases the secrets to successful entertaining from Rumi Verjee, philanthropist, entrepreneur and proprietor and chairman of Thomas Goode & Co.

inspiring guest speakers address the students so that we can inspire them to achieve their goals. Previous speakers have included Chad Hurley, the founder of YouTube, Christopher Bailey, the Chief Creative Officer at Burberry and will.i.am, Director of Creative Innovation at Intel. I really do believe that opportunity exists everywhere but people need to recognise it and learn how to take advantage of it. My mission is to create an environment, through the medium of entertaining, that provides a platform to discuss charitable causes and the art of giving. Rumi Verjee is a member of the Chief Executives Organisation, the Global Leadership Foundation, the Advisory Board of the British Olympic Association and in 2009 was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for charitable services. You can view Rumi’s tasteful tablescapes in Set with Style a photography book by Caroline Clifton-Mogg (thomasgoode.com)

mayfair RESIDENTS’ JOURNAL | Residents’ Culture

Residents’ Culture A platform for the voices of our local residents

A Helping Hand

With all of the trappings of success apparent, it’s refreshing to meet Meera Gandhi, a resident who cares so much about giving back

hilanthropist, mother, public speaker, wife, fundraiser, community activist and organiser of various family nests across the globe, I am amazed that Meera Gandhi even has time to breathe. I am not sure what to expect as I knock on the door of her townhouse, but she sweeps me into her home with the calm regularity of an old acquaintance, and conversation flows freely. Meera settles on her pristine cream sofa, the picture of elegance in a simple orange kaftan and white trousers; the vibrancy of her personality is evident through her choice of shoe, a killer golden heel. We are here, not to talk about fashion (although Meera admits she does have a soft spot for couture), but about

‘I met Mother Teresa … That is when I realised the joy of giving’ her charity The Giving Back Foundation. The daughter of an Irish mother and Indian father, Meera credits her upbringing for the person she is today: ‘My mother was a role model; she was really the ultimate giver. Being Irish and being in India I think she had to navigate deep waters and she lived her life on her own terms.’ A young and ambitious Meera

studied economics at university and was the vice president of the students’ council. She admits that she has always been attracted to leadership roles, but ones based around giving. It was a project at the age of 16 that first inspired the future entrepreneur. ‘I met Mother Teresa and worked with her helping children. That is when I realised the joy of giving. You don’t need to go back to Charles Dickens’ London to know that if you hold everything for yourself life is a misery,’ she chirps. With this mindset firmly installed, Meera leapt into life. She has three children with her husband Vikram Gandhi and splits her time between London, New York, Miami, Hong Kong, Delhi and Dubai. When her husband, founder and CEO of VSG Capital Advisors, had to move the family to Hong Kong for work, with the kids all at school, Meera found herself at a loose end. She set up The Giving Back Foundation, an organisation that supports selected charities worldwide, to channel her energies into positive change. ‘I am very big on female leadership because of the role models in my life: Hillary Clinton, Cherie Blair and my mother,’ Meera begins, ‘I really want the next generation to be empowered so we give a lot of money to leadership workshop programmes and to the Cherie Blair foundation and the Loomba Foundation, who run International Widows Day.’ Helping people is not about always about

above: Meera with the Maharaja of Jodhpur (Photo: Susan Shin) ©Brain Trauma Foundation India; right: Meera receiving the Global Corporate Award for her Foundation (Photo: Mrs Ajay Bohora) © corporate Global Awards NY

Meera Gandhi by Shaun Mader

grand gestures, says Meera, but engaging with people. She recalls one visit to her daughter’s apartment in the US where she complimented the work of an artist living in the same building. When she bought a piece of this struggling creative’s work, he gained the confidence to push his career to the next level. Closer to home in Mayfair, Meera has been approached by St George’s School. The partnership has been fruitful thus far, with a programme on the cards that will see St George’s working with a school in India. ‘I think it’s important for children to be nurtured and for their ideas to be explored. This is the time when their confidence is being set,’ she explains. The children will be able to Skype each other, sharing ideas and expanding their horizons. Meera sings the praises of the area in which she lives and is an active member of the Mayfair community. She says of London: ‘It’s such a great city, a unique mixture of the old and the new and it is very international.’ Just as Meera is inspired by the international dichotomy of London, I left our meeting feeling quite enlightened myself. Certainly I was aware of exactly what a rare breed Meera Gandhi is: a lady with undoubtable wealth, power and influence, who also has a conscience and the determination to act upon it. (thegivingbackfoundation.net)

mayfair RESIDENTS’ JOURNAL | Planning & Society

Planning & Society Ground-level developments and societal structural changes in the area

Planning applications in the local area

Stylised Property Planning permission has been granted by Westminster City Council for a new-build black-fronted housing scheme in Park Place. The new development will be designed by SHH, a UK-based architectural practice. (shh.co.uk)

Address: Upper Brook Street Proposal: Partial demolition and rebuilding of the main house and mews house, excavation of a basement to accommodate swimming pool and a sub basement under garden to accommodate plant equipment. Internal and external alterations and extensions associated with use as a single family dwelling Date received: 24 May Address: Piccadilly Proposal: Cleaning of facades using facade gommage process, repairs to the stonework and refurbishment of windows Date received: 23 May Address: Bruton Street Proposal: Installation of three air conditioning units on flat roof at rear third floor level Date received: 21 May Address: South Molton Street Proposal: Display for a temporary period of six months of a non-illuminated ‘to let’ board located on the face of the building at a height of between 3m and 4.6m above pavement level and measuring 1.2m x 0.9m Date received: 20 May

image: park place

A Cleaner Mayfair Westminster City Council’s waste and recycling consultation is ongoing until 26th July; have your say on the manner in which the council keep our streets clean. For more information, visit: westminster.gov.uk/services/environment/ rubbishwasteandrecycling. Prime Purchase PropertyWeek.com reports that the Abu Dhabi Investment Council and Finchatton have recently completed the £250 million purchase of the former US Navy headquarters at 20 Grosvenor Square, W1K. (propertyweek.com)

Planned road works and closures in and around July STREET

PLANNED WORK

DATES

WORKS OWNER

Grosvenor Street (Opposite 129 New Bond Street to opposite 48 Grosvenor Street)

Install cables (approx depth 600mm). Excavation of trench in carriageway, 27 June – 30 installation of ducts and cables, jointing and reinstatement August

UKPN East & Lon LTD (formerly EDF Energy Networks) 0800 028 4587

Grosvenor Street

Connection projects

1-12 July

UKPN East & Lon LTD (formerly EDF Energy Networks)

Oxford Street (Between Orchard Street and Harewood Place)

Capital Footway Programme 2013

17 July – 30 September

City Of Westminster 020 7641 2000

Park Street (Junction with Green Street and Park Street)

Safe access to Underground structure: cabling for new customer connection

10-12 July

British Telecommunications plc 0800 800 150

The Mayfair Concierge Some of the most interesting requests made to Mayfair’s most experienced concierges

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FIX IT QUICK

Dry cleaners/repairs Buckingham Dry Cleaners 83 Duke Street, W1K 5PF 020 7499 1253

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Electric cars The Electric Car Corporation 1st Floor, 5 Aldford Street, W1K 2AF 020 7495 5270

Luxury car rental Mayfair Prestige 0845 862 2142 Luxury yachts Princess Yachts 64 Grosvenor Street W1K 3JH 020 7499 5050

Sunseeker London 36 Davies Street, W1K 4NF 020 7493 3441 www.sunseekerboats.co.uk Rent a Rolls Royce Hanwells 86-91 Uxbridge Road, W7 3ST 020 7436 2070

LAST MINUTE BUSINESS

Audio Visual hire AV2hire.com 020 3130 0401

Local courier City Sprint 0844 888 4111

Buy / Sell shares Artemis 57 St James Street SW1A 1LD 020 7399 6000

Prestige Taxi Crown Security Chauffeurs 0800 731 5675

International Courier DHL 0844 248 0844

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Watch repair Marcus Watches 170 New Bond Street, W1S 4RB 020 7290 6500

LAND, SEA AND AIR

Charter a helicopter Emjets 23 Berkeley Square, W1J 6HE 0845 3888 248

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IT/Tech support Mike Will Fix It 020 7564 7171 07762 647547

Sartoria This undeniably chic restaurant brings authentic Italian flavours, Milanese-inspired interiors and a touch of London style to its equally stylish clientele. 20 Savile Row, W1S 3PR 020 7534 7000

Private Dining Room Corrigans 28 Upper Grosvenor Street W1K 7EH 020 7499 9943

Translator Central Translations 21 Woodstock Grove, W12 8TX 020 7493 5511

DENTIST Aqua Dental Spa 25 Manchester Square, W1U 3PY 020 7935 5332

Doctor Lees Place Medical Centre 11 Lees Place, W1K 6LN 020 7036 6060

The Mayfair Dental Practice 71 Park Street, W1K 7HN 020 7499 2168

The Mayfair Medical Centre 3 - 5 Weighhouse Street, W1K 5LS 020 7493 1647

LIFE SAVERS

Baby sitter Rockabye Babysitters 9 Wimpole Street W1G 9SR 020 7624 0060 Findababysitter.com 020 7580 6403

mayfair RESIDENTS’ JOURNAL | Concierge

Florist Wild Things of Mayfair 47 Davies Street W1K 4LY 020 7495 3030

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fine brokerage concierge TLG The Ultimate Boutique Fine Brokerage Bureau Expertise Exclusive Yachts and Private Jets Brokers’ Elite Selection. By Appointment only. 125 Mount Street W1K 3NS www.throughthelooking-eigen-glass.co.uk

PARTY TIME

Casino The Palm Beach Casino 30 Berkeley Street, W1J 8EH 020 7493 6585

Late night food Hakkasan 17 Bruton Street, W1J 6QB 020 7907 1888

Fancy dress Pantaloons 020 7630 8330 www.pantaloons.co.uk

Freggo Ice-cream Bar 27-29 Swallow Street W1B 4QR 020 7287 9506

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Massages Mayfair Spa - The Mayfair Hotel Stratton Street, W1J 8LT 020 7915 2826

Maddox Club A boutique sanctuary in which to party, with a DJ booth within a restaurant, successfully creating a venue, where partying and dining co-exist under one roof. 3-5 Mill Street, W1S 2AU 020 7629 8877

Party planner Concorde Media 020 7297 3344 G&D Events 020 7682 2682 Henry Bonas 020 3214 2099

Michael John Boutique 25 Albemarle Street W1S 4HU 020 7629 6969

Spa & beauty Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa 29 Davies Street, W1K 4LW 0870 787 6626

Men’s hair Atherton Cox 18 New Cavendish Street, W1G 8UR 020 7487 4048

Women’s hair Janet Ginnings Hair and Beauty Salon 45 Curzon Street W1J 7UQ 020 7499 1904

Sassoon Salon Sassoon believes that great hair design begins with the client, and creates sophisticated looks that are technically precise, effortlessly chic and easy to recreate day after day. 60 South Molton Street, W1K 5SW 020 7491 8848

SAMPLE THE FINEST

Backgammon board Aspinal of London 0845 052 6900 Caviar Caviar House & Prunier 161 Piccadilly, W1J 9EA 0871 961 9577 Cheese La Fromagerie 2-6 Moxon Street W1U 4EW 020 7935 0341

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Members’ clubs

RECHARGE AND RECUPERATE

Dog grooming Mayfair Mutts Upper Brook Street, W1 020 7409 7739 mayfairmutts@hotmail.co.uk

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Personal shopper Gabrielle Teare 07985 319300 info@gabrielleteare.com

Chocolates Rococo Chocolates 45 Marylebone High St, W1U 5HG 020 7935 7780

Humidors Linley 46 Albemarle Street, W1S 4JN 020 7290 1410

Luxury hamper Fortnum & Mason 181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ER 020 7734 8040

Cigars Sautter of Mount Street 106 Mount Street, W1K 2TW 020 7499 4866

hot chocolate Ladurée 71-72 Burlington Arcade, W1J 0QX 020 7491 9155

Luxury liquor Gerry’s Wines & Spirits 74 Old Compton Street, W1D 4UW 020 7734 2053

Fine wine Jeroboams 20 Davies Street, W1K 3DT 020 7499 1015

INTERIORS Ligne Roset at Harrods 87/135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL 020 7225 5974

Vintage watches David Duggan 63 Burlington Arcade, WIJ 0QS 020 7491 1675

Rent a double decker bus London Heritage Travel 01353 863273 This Bus.com 0845 4652 394

Shotgun repairs James Purdey & Sons Ltd 57-58 South Audley Street W1K 2ED 020 7499 1801

WEIRD AND WONDERFUL

Bespoke perfumes Miller Harris 21 Bruton Street, W1J 6QD 020 7629 7750

Diamonds valued Armour Winston 43 Burlington Arcade, W1J 0QQ 020 7493 8937

mayfair

Residentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Journal mayfair@residentsjournal.co.uk 020 7987 4320

If you have a view that you would like to share with the Residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Journal team, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact the Editor Katie Randall, on the above email address.

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

Custom travel Since 1854 Louis Vuitton has been the ultimate purveyor of luxury; and luggage was its founder’s forte. Cue modern-day Louis Vuitton’s Mon Monogram – a service that allows the travel-savvy to customise luggage with initials and colourful striping on magnificent monogram. If stand-out luggage was a far-off fantasy, the age of personalisation is the ideal time to embrace it. (louisvuitton.co.uk)

e t a d p u e l sty nopoli W O R D S : j os h m i

Prints charmimg Scarves are fail-safe accessories. Women can rely on them to steer an outfit towards a look of both empowered chic and ladylike enchantment in mere nanoseconds. Never one to undervalue, Harrods is now championing the humble scarf with its new scarf room on the lower-ground floor, with promises of beautiful pieces from the likes of Givenchy and Peter Pilotto. For those not in the scarf revolution, capes, kaftans and neckerchiefs will also be vying for the limelight. Scarf, Peter Pilotto, £275 available at Harrods (020 7730 1234)

Hat-trick No summer journey would be complete without an extravagantly brimmed hat; a must-have accessory thanks to Hedi Slimane, who put a fedora on each of his Saint Laurent runway models for spring. For a strategic colour injection, try Eugenia Kim’s sun hat range; in soft pink with a quaint feather trim or stick with monochrome with chic, knot detailing, each hat is a super-stylish way to remain impenetrable to the sun’s rays. Twin your creation with an elegant silk dress and a pair of heels for an effortless summer look. Hat, £270, Eugenia Kim (net-a-porter.com)

Ruffle it up Voluminous ruffles were seen in abundance in the womenswear S/S 13 collections. Cascades of feminine frills adorned brightly hued sleeves at Gucci, flirted around necklines at Givenchy and added some buoyancy to dramatic skirts in monochrome at Balenciaga, while mere glimpses of ruffling also rippled through looks at Burberry Prorsum, Chloé and Marni. The flounce factor must be worn with playful boldness and a frisson of impulse; and will take you earnestly from day to night. (givenchy.com; gucci.com) 67

Dive in Making a sartorial splash; Stephen Doig charts the rise of fashion-forward swimwear

w e h t r o f d e r e t a c l e â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chan 68

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

hen Diana Vreeland, the legendary Vogue editor, featured a model in a bikini in the elegant pages of Harper’s Bazaar, the magazine she edited in the 1960s, the effect was nothing short of shocking; she received hate mail from middle America and was criticised for lowering the rarified tone of the fashion bible. Unrepentant, she steadfastly championed the two-piece in the magazine, declaring it ‘the most important thing since the Atom Bomb’. The concept of ‘beachwear’ as an afterthought, an unmentionable segment of the fashion world, was pushed firmly to the fore, in a move that only served to make the bikini and contemporary swimwear in general that little bit more laden with frisson and allure. Today, beachwear as stylishly informed pieces might be second nature, but the journey from functional to fashionforward has been far from simple. From St Barths to Antibes, the wealthy migrate yearly – and there’s a breadth of elegant swimwear to ensure that poolside posturing is eternally chic. Coco Chanel was one of the first to champion a certain kind of leisurewear, although to term it ‘beachwear’ would be misleading. Opening her Biarritz store in 1915, to cater to the wealthy set that she was riding with at the time (via her relationship with the debonair playboy Boy Capel), Chanel catered for the well-heeled Riviera set, creating summer-appropriate attire. The Riviera life even led to one of her signature sartorial discoveries; she incorporated the sailor stripes and cotton jerseys of the sailors’ outfits into her collections. And it was while sunbathing that Chanel fell asleep under the coastal sky and caught a tan, something that had previously been shunned in high society. Thanks to the theatrical aesthetic of Esther Williams and her contemporaries, the former US Olympic swim team athlete who went on to star in a series of MGM aquatic-themed movies in the 1940s and 1950s, swimwear evolved as an object

less of functionality and more of stylistic soignée; immortalised in celluloid, her pin-up girl silhouette poured into form-fitting, beautifully cut pieces. The 1960s ushered in a new era of undress, not only thanks to the mini skirt, but to the bikini and swimwear pieces of Paco Rabanne and cutting-edge American designer Rudi Gernreich. The latter’s futuristic, sculptural swimsuits, modeled by his muse Peggy Moffitt, came with directional cut-out paneling, which was unheard of at the time, and one rather boundary-pushing piece meant exposed breasts. In 1962, Sports Illustrated noted: ‘He has turned the dancer’s leotard into a swimsuit that frees the body. In the process, he has ripped out the boning and wiring that made American swimsuits seagoing corsets.’ The swimsuit as a conceptual, visionary piece of fashion became fair game, and a cult arose around the jet set who were soon fleeting from Mustique (Pucci caftans and one-pieces) to Morocco (Missoni’s bikinis or YSL’s draped silks). Norma Kamali is one of the most celebrated designers who, along with her body-conscious aesthetic, womanly dresses and avant-garde coats, created the cherry-red swimsuit that Farrah Fawcett wore on the cover of the Charlie’s Angels movie poster. Echoes of timeless 1940s pin-up iconography dominate her swimsuits, with bandeau wrapping and wraparound elements designed to sculpt and form the body. The pieces are unashamedly sensual – Chanel may have dabbled in a gasp-inducing bikini formed of two tiny circles to cover the nipples (in the mid-1990s on Stella Tennant) and Gucci in the late 1990s created bikinis that consisted of little more than slithers of fabric – but in the 

FAR LEFT, FROM TOP: LA PERLA; MELISSA ODABASH; LA PERLA; LEFT: LA PERLA; BELOW: kaftan, £270, Adriana Degreas (HARRODS.com)

’ t e s a r ie iv R d e l e e h e well 69

Fashion | The mayfair Magazine

 world of Norma Kamali, the only aim has ever been to make a woman as utterly glamorous as she can be while lounging at the pool side. Evolving into an advocate for women’s health and fitness, her pieces are a veritable love letter to women. Today, the summer travel trunk isn’t complete without a piece or two from designers that have made swimwear their USP – Melissa Odabash, Liza Bruce, Heidi Klein, La Perla, Lazul, Seventh Wonderland and a range of beach-centric brands package the life of elegant poolside lounging. Odabash, who launched her range in 1999, adds a sense of after-dark glamour to her pieces – lavish embroidery or vivid prints in animal spots or painterly splashes – have been filed away in the summer beach bags of Gwyneth Paltrow, Cindy Crawford, Beyoncé and Kate Moss. Liza Bruce takes her love of wanderlust as the starting point for her ornate, richly decorative bikinis and swimsuits – dividing her time between homes in London, Morocco, Jaipur and Puglia – to inform her rich colour palette. #2 Weave clutch, Happily for the men who £180, Heidi Klein long to ditch the painfully (heidiklien.com) printed Bermudas or horrifying Speedos and opt for something a

#1 Bikini top, £99.95; Bikini

little more sleek and sophisticated, bottoms, £79.95, both Lazul the rise in luxury travel has also seen (Harrods.com) a rise in impeccably made, intelligent men’s swim pieces, with a focus on technology and shape. Vilebrequin, founded in 1971 in St Tropez, frequently names its sleek, smart trunks after artists, with the trunks decorated in signature designs. At Orlebar Brown – launched by photographer Adam Brown in 2007 as a result of his dismay at the existing range of stylish beach options for men – the cut is paramount, so the trunks are modelled on men’s tailored suit trousers. Side fastenings mirror that of a well-tailored trouser, and they are cut precisely to look sharp while temperatures soar. At Pink House Mustique (which has an aesthetic thankfully more masculine than the name would suggest), the brand – based on the famed Caribbean island – works with a fabric that’s deliberately engineered to be fast drying in the sun; making the move from the sand to a lunchtime Sangria that little bit easier. From kaleidoscope-print bikinis to swim trunks emblazoned with sea turtles, the path to sea style has never been more laden with choice, or so utterly covetable.

#4 Swimsuit, £145, Lazul (Harrods.com)

#3 Travel wallet, £190, Heidi Klein (heidiklien.com)

#5 Chain canvas bag, £320, Heidi Klein (heidiklien.com)

‘Mazzy’ cut-out swimsuit, £225, Agent Provocateur (agentprovocateur.com). Ring, £190; bangle, £485, both Mawi (mawi.co.uk)

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

A place in

the sun Turn up the heat this season with high-glamour beachwear. Combine daring cut-out swimwear with oversized accessories for a look that is white hot s t y l i s t: s i o u x s i e p h o t o g r a p h e r : j o n a tt e n b o r o u g h

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

ABOVE Bandeau bikini, £180, Melissa Odabash, (mywardrobe.com). Resin bracelets, £55 each, Pebble London, (pebblelondon.com). Sunglasses, £190, Miu Miu, David Clulow (0844 264 0870)

LEFT ‘Tanga’ top, £59; matching bottoms, £50 Calvin Klein, 170 Regent Street, W1B 5BQ. Sunglasses, £237, Matthew Williamson for Linda Farrow Gallery (lindafarrow.com). Bracelets, £48 (each), Heidi Klein (heidikleinlondon.com). Sheer shirt, stylists own

The mayfair Magazine | Fashion

ABOVE ‘Bridget’ swimsuit with metal belt, £275, Moeva (moeva.com). Sunglasses, £320, Linda Farrow (lindafarrow.com). Leather with gold front box clutch, £270 Sophie Hulme (gift-library.com)

left ‘Mumbai’ bikini, £215, Heidi Klein (heidiklein.com). Straw hat, £490, House of Flora for PPQ (houseofflora.net). Sunglasses, £190 Heidi at Wolf & Badger, Dover Street. Silver ‘dish’ ring, £120; silver ‘nugget’ ring, £75, Pebble London (as before)

Fashion | The mayfair Magazine

ABOVE Bikini top, £66; matching bottoms, £56, Calvin Klein (as before). Silk scarf, £79, Aspinal of London (aspinaloflondon.com). Sunglasses, £146, Dolce & Gabbana, Sunglass Hut (0844 264 0860). Cuff, £198, Butler & Wilson, 20 South Molton Street, London, W1K 5QY. Gladiator heels, £485, Salvatore Ferragamo, (020 2838 7730)

right ‘Mansfield’ bikini, £205, Moeva (moeva.com). Organza and silk parka, £1,400, Swash (swash.co.uk). Gold and silver bracelets, £55 each (worn one on each wrist) Pebble (as before)

credits Hair & make-up: Charlotte Gaskell using Mac pro and Kiehlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (lharepresents.com) Stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assistant: Daisy Bunyan Model: Agnieszka Gwara at Nevs Models Location: Villa San Stephanos, Corfu, Greece at Simpson Exclusive (020 3411 4399; simpsonexclusive.co.uk)

escape A tranquil oasis amidst the hustle & bustle of Mayfair. A unique dining experience begins as you walk down a tree-lined pathway to reach The Greenhouse. London fades away and calm descends. Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Bignonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acclaimed light touch with highly flavoured dishes brings a thrilling dimension to classic French cuisine. Make your reservation today at

The Greenhouse, 27a Hayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mews Mayfair, London, W1J 5NY 020 7499 3331 www.greenhouserestaurant.co.uk reservations@greenhouserestaurant.co.uk

The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

Food & drink news Godiva strawberries dipped in chocolate, Christopher’s is revamped and the launch of a wine shop at Selfridges and all in time for summer WORDS: JOSH MINOPOLI

Strawberry dream Dipping strawberries in an array of decadent substances reaches its zenith during the summer months and like clockwork, Godiva has begun its trademark service in this very art. Until September, chocoholics can have their strawberries plunged into 72 per cent Perles de Chocolat Noir at any Godiva store and choose from a tantalising assortment of toppings. Plump for our favourite, Speculoos, a Belgian biscuit, or try the coconut shavings and honey-roasted almonds – all equally gratifying. (godiva.com)

Shop ‘til you drop

Manhattan Martinis Covent Garden’s steadfast American restaurant and bar, Christopher’s, is back on the radar following a spectacular refurbishment. The dose of vitality has reinvigorated the venue’s Stateside sumptuousness and celebrates American decadence in all its glory. New menus recite dishes such as Po’boys, beignets and cured bresaola with a Waldorf infusion – what could be more American? At the clink of a Martini glass and the swirl of an olive, you will relax into a new-found aurora of glamour. (christophersgrill.com)

Next time you’re in Selfridges, be sure to check out the new Wine and Cigar Shop. The lower-ground floor emporium houses a spectacular 200 new products, 330 fine wines, 200 beers and 300 Champagne varieties. Best of all, customers can try any wine on display – so you never need to take a risk again. And while you’re there, stop by Harry Gordon’s Bar, which sits perfectly at the venue and boasts a mean cocktail menu whisked up by expert, Ryan Chetiyawardana. (selfridges.com)

Tea off So much can be cured over a timely cup of cha, especially at this level of sophistication Steeped in tradition and expertise, Mariage Frères has been a luxury retailer of French tea since 1854 and should be your fail-safe supplier. They pour an unwavering savoir faire into their blends and remain dedicated to discovering new aromas and perfumes. Vibrant boxes housing fine leaves are every tea-lover’s dream, and shall endure in timeless splendour. Available at Harrods (harrods.com) 81

Below

deck Catch a rare glimpse into the inner workings of one of Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most iconic restaurants, as we spend a day in Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s busy kitchen on Mount Street W o r d s : K at e R a c o v o l i s

The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

efore the chefs, front-of-house managers, waiters and guests of Scott’s arrive, a different, rather important guest of the restaurant has already made their entrance to the kitchen below Mount Street. The lobsters – still so fresh that their claws must be taped together – have been delivered ready for the chefs to begin their mise-en-place when they arrive at 7am. The restaurant’s kitchen, which is headed up by chef director of Caprice Holdings, Tim Hughes and head chef Dave McCarthy, reopened on Mount Street in 2006, bringing with it the famous and fashionable, including Madonna, Nick Candy and members of the royal family among its A-list guests. But today, the white tablecloth and oyster forks are out of my reach. As I descended the stairs on a muggy Friday, through the side entrance to the left of the front door, the

‘We are working for the customer. The customer is King. Or Queen.’ – Tim Hughes glamour was set aside, as I arrived to spend the day in the kitchen to see what it is like behind the scenes of one of the busiest seafood restaurants in town. Here, 500 covers are usually served every day (including the private dining room, which can add another 20-40 mouths to feed), 40-50 lobsters are served, and there are four types of oysters, of which 200 of each are delivered daily. One hundred dover soles are always in the house daily as well. I am handed a set of newly pressed chef whites and go upstairs to meet

Hughes and McCarthy, who were annotating the menu with a felt-tip pen, amending and confirming what would be served in the coming weeks. ‘Our menus are almost like engineering,’ says Hughes, against the background noise of the clanging of cutlery being counted and copper pots being polished. It’s true; there is much to consider in terms of produce, with its quality and availability depending on the season. The fearsome duo begin to evaluate my outfit and immediately stop at my footwear. ‘Are those the only shoes you have?’ asks Hughes, looking in disbelief that I would walk into his kitchen wearing Converse (they are only ‘sensible’ pair of shoes I own). I am immediately given a pair of black rubber clogs to wear for the day, not my finest sartorial moment. There is, I found out, a good reason for this attire – because trainers are dangerous, if not only for the slippery factor, but if a sharp knife were to unexpectedly drop, you can say goodbye to your toes. Hughes is interviewing an apprentice this morning, so there is not much time before I plunge down into the kitchen, where the chefs have already been preparing for two hours. ‘I’m really keen to get more apprentices back in,’ he says. ‘You know within the first five minutes whether they’re cut out for it,’ adds McCarthy. ‘They’ve never had to stand on their own two feet for more than five minutes and now they have to do it for 85 hours a week,’ says Hughes. ‘The first six months are the hardest.’ I am about to find out why. Usually, a single shift means their work day stretches from 7am to 5pm for lunch, or 2.30pm to around 11pm for dinner. Or a double shift will swallow up all this time. ‘It is not an office environment,’ says Hughes. ‘We are working for the customer. The customer is King. Or Queen.’ Noon is the final deadline. And every chef seems to have that time tattooed into their memory. ‘You’ve got to be ready. If you’re not, by 12 o’clock, the whole service is a mess,’ says Elliott Grover, chef de partie. ‘Every day there is a challenge from the kitchen, whether you are down a chef, or if the product is different.’ 

FAr left: preparing the fish; left: scott’s shellfish cocktail

The morning is reserved for mise-en-place : broad beans need peeling, triple-cooked chips need to be boiled and blanched in oil and velvety chocolate fondant must all be as close to being ready to serve as possible. ‘Mise-enplace is monotonous,’ says McCarthy. ‘[We] look forward to service because it is always different.’ The temperature in the kitchen is akin to a sauna, as steam spills out of the Rational ovens, which make domestic appliances look like toys. Chickens are lined up, ready to be made into an enormous stock in a steel cauldron, and fresh asparagus spears are rested lushly on top of each other in white Styrofoam boxes, ready for the stems to be trimmed. Laszlo Nagy, also a chef de partie, works in a separate corner of the kitchen preparing the seafood. Cock crabs, turbot, sole and monkfish are being gutted and washed. The hand-dived scallops are cleaned, and neatly lined up in a row – the flesh within is salty and perfectly sized for a mouthful. Hughes drops by to check the produce. Prodding a turbot’s bumpy, scaly skin, he says noting its firmness: ‘That’s too fresh.’ Even fish need a little time for the muscle to relax – as with meat – after it has been caught. As a stranger to this kitchen, it is hard to learn where to stand to avoid colliding with boiling pots or trays full of pastries. It is a compact space, but luckily, everyone shouts ‘backs’ when they are coming through, and I quickly learned that this mean to get the hell out of the way. The chefs did not find my presence disconcerting – my intrusion was small compared with the intensity of the watchful eyes of Hughes and McCarthy, who ensure every plate that leaves the kitchen is no less than perfect. At 10.45am I was summoned upstairs for the staff briefing, which happens before lunch and dinner, where the front-of-house stafff are given a pep talk. Don Scott-Horne, the day doorman, jots

from top: Setting up the Crustacean bar; crab at scott’s; shellfish at scott’s; tim with fish

The mayfair Magazine | Food & Drink

down all of the names of the guests for lunch in his Smythson diary, and Eleanor Coles, head of reception, calls the meeting to order. The staff, dressed in black waistcoat uniforms, gather round. Today, a few steak knives and coffee spoons seem to be missing and the staff are reminded: ‘Quick is not always better,’ to ‘always check your stations’ and that ‘someone should always be around’. The final deadline arrives. Guests are greeted at the door, and the first order quickly follows: Shellfish cocktail. At the seafood bar, the scene is calm to begin with as Hughes shucks a few oysters to make sure they’re not cloudy or milky. While the oysters on ice are on show on the marble centrepiece of the seafood bar, there are drawers full of fresh produce at the ready. Hughes pulled open one drawer, revealing a selection of fruits de mer, of periwinkles, cockles and clams – I had no idea that mollusks could be so mesmerising, the underwater equivalent of a jewellery box. Grover attends to the cocktail. The iceberg lettuce has already been julienned, as has the cucumber and spring onion, and they are all added to a little silver bowl. A touch of dill and salt finishes the plush green bed for the prawn, lobster and crab to be added and layered with just the right of amount of cocktail sauce (very important not to overdo, I’m told with reverence). A sprinkling of cayenne pepper and a langoustine proudly propped up on top makes the dish complete. Although it is initially quiet, within half an hour the pace picks up. ‘One crab,’ says Hughes. ‘Make it three,’ he says seconds later. He means the dressed crab salad – a delicate dish – topped with a deep-fried egg. Hughes, after fussing over the placement of the leaves and crabmeat for a moment, releases it to be

served. A couple of orders of Oscietra caviar, at £300 per serving means Scott’s business is off to a good start today. By 1.30pm, the restaurant is noisy with laughter, pouring from every corner while kisses are placed from the left cheek to the right. But the kitchen is at its busiest and timing is crucial; the cold food must be prepared in time with the hot dishes coming from downstairs. Downstairs, McCarthy, in total control of his kitchen, seems

‘A couple of orders of Oscietra caviar, at £300 per serve, means Scott’s business is off to a good start today’ unfazed by the little black box spitting out dockets. It is the peak of lunch service. It is intense. And hot. And the orders keep arriving. ‘Hot asparagus,’ he shouts. ‘Get on it.’ ‘Yes chef!’ is the answer, every time. But there is a remarkable sense of respect for McCarthy and Hughes as everyone makes the food their focus. ‘Organised chaos, is what I like to call it,’ says McCarthy. As service settles into a steady but frantic rhythm, desserts are still being prepared. The sweet scent of mango ice cream being made draws me to the pastry chef’s section – an idyllic corner of filled with crunchy honeycomb and bakewell tarts. If you arrive at 10pm, you won’t have a pie from the morning – it will have come out of the oven just hours before. As lunch service draws to a close, there still is not a moment to rest in the kitchen. The chefs have already been prepping for dinner. And they will keep working into the night, one dish at a time. Scott’s, 20 Mount Street, WIK (scotts-restaurant.com)

above: preparing a dish (all images courtesy of caprice holdings)

Food & Drink | The mayfair Magazine

DINING W OUT Benares, Berkeley Square W O R D S : K at e r a c o v o l i s

hen Atul Kochhar opened Benares at the edge of the lush Berkeley Square a decade ago, he set out to redefine Indian cooking in Britain. Quite a task, you might say. He decided to fuse two unlikely types of food – British and Indian – on one plate. Kochhar’s restaurant earned its Michelin star in 2007 and it must have come as no surprise, since he also won his previous restaurant Tamarind one in 2001, when he headed up the kitchen before opening Benares. But Michelin-fuss aside, the food Benares has been plating up for the last ten years is clearly deserving of its reputation. For the summer, the restaurant has designed a tasting menu of seven courses, celebrating the most popular and classic dishes. Admittedly, I was sceptical that British cooking could be adapted to incorporate and revolve around Indian flavours, but when the amuse-bouche arrived – an utterly smooth chicken tikka mousse in a crunchy waffle cone – my reservations disappeared. The classic Indian dish with a Western twist left my taste buds yearning for more and was the perfect forerunner to the menu. The crunchy batter of the crispy soft-shell crab that followed was so perfect, it would be easy to order another ten. But the dish that I sat forward in my seat for was the Meen Moilee – a pan-roasted sea bass with a thin, crispy skin, sitting atop a bed of vermicelli, coconut and curry leaf sauce. It was comfort food at its best. I did wish for a moment that I had ordered the Palak Paneer – a dish I lived off almost entirely when I once travelled to the subcontinent, but it’s good to try new things, and this is definitely a place to expand your horizons. Even though Benares is the only Indian restaurant I’ve been to that serves petits fours, the spices and flavours stay true to their origins, whether in a sauce or an entire dish. The 10th anniversary tasting menu at Benares, £78. 12a Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London W1J (benaresrestaurant.com)

LEFT, FROM TOP: Atul Kochhar’s Rose Bhapa Dhoi, the dessert featured on the Benares 10th Anniversary tasting menu; The Chef’s Table at Benares, Mayfair

Captivate Your Senses The first internationally-acclaimed Chuan Spa in Europe is now open at The Langham, London. Rediscover your source with luxurious treatments inspired by the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The Langham, London 1c Port land Place, Regent Street, London W1B 1JA T 44 (0) 20 7973 7550

tllon.info@chuanspa.com

www.chuanspa.co.uk

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Love your heart I was concerned about my heart, especially at my age, so I went for a check up at a HCA Hospital. Now I’m back gardening and playing with the children and would recommend HCA for your heart healthcare and all heart concerns.

For more information about HCA Hospitals’ Heartcare or to book an appointment call 0843 249 7523

HCA Hospitals – World-Class Healthcare www.heartcarelondon.co.uk

Model used for illustrative purposes only

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10/04/2013 16:17

The The mayfair mayfair Magazine Magazine | Regulars | Beauty

Rahua Omega 9 Pro Treatment This season can be murder on hair – sun, swimming, constant expectation for an effortless ‘boho’ look – which, as we all know, takes maximum effort – leading to some seriously stressed-out follicles. Bring your hair back to life with New York favourite Rahua, which has a new treatment with omega 9-rich ungurahua oil, which promises to flush out any toxins and repair damage from the roots. You’ll leave with mirror-shiny, bouncing locks. £30, Urban Retreat at Harrods (Harrods.com)

3 of the best… self-tanning products

1 2 3 #1 Clarisonic Plus Face and Body, £179, (SpaceNK.com)

#2 Self Tanning Hydrating Body Care, £72, Sisley (Harrods.com)

#3 Terra Nerolia Bronzer, £44, Guerlain (johnlewis.com)

Beauty news Things are hotting up this month – effortless self-tanning, bold, colour-pop blush and a new era in the quest for perfect hair WORDS: ELLE BLAKEMAN

A new dawn Very few brands become shorthand for the product itself, but ghd – the Bentley of hair straighteners – is one of them. After a decade at the top, being one of the few products that is universally ‘must have’, the brand has taken on a new global creative director, stylist Sam McKnight and released the new ghd eclipse®, much to the delight of its ever-loyal fan base. ‘A ghd styler has been an essential in my kit bag for many years,’ says McKnight. The new eclipse® features six smart sensors, which ensure a perfectly controlled temperature and make it easier to style thick, curly or afro hair than ever before. It can also handle larger sections so you can save time and energy. ghd eclipse® styler, £195, available from ghdhair.com and Selfridges

Complexion perfection Our obsession with the alphabet soup of make-up continues with the launch of the new BB cream from Clarins. With a penchant for make-up that behaves like skincare for us time-starved modern women, Clarins has hit the nail on the head with this fabulously light cream. It smooths skin tone, shields from harmful UVA/B rays and protects against environment damage – what more could you ask for? BB Skin Perfecting Cream, £28, Clarins (clarins.com)

In the summertime Sheer, buildable and ultra light, Estée Lauder’s new Cheek Rush tubes are just the ticket for cheering up a British summertime complexion. A little goes a long way, so pump sparingly for a youthful pop of colour. For a more intense finish, simply layer the gel. Who needs the sun? Pure Color Cheek Rush, £24, Estée Lauder (Harrods.com) 89

Your Health

in Your Hands When you lead a busy life, health matters can be pushed to the bottom of your priority list. In support of Movember, we are urging busy men with unresolved health issues to visit their GP. The Wellington Hospital has an international reputation for excellence across the medical spectrum, including a private GP service.

020 7483 5004 www.thewellingtonhospital.com

The mayfair Magazine | Beauty

Spa review Gentlemen’s Tonic, Bruton Place W O R D S : S TE P H E N D O I G

enturing inside the inner sanctum of Gentlemen’s Tonic, tucked away just a stone’s throw from Berkeley Square, makes the hubbub of the city seem to melt away. All chocolate leather sofas, wood panelling, calm cream interiors and hushed reverence, this sanctuary for the modern man has a touch of gentlemen’s club style, acting as the ideal haven for Mayfair’s alpha males to unwind and reload. Founded in 2004, this barber and spa has evolved to also encompass a standalone section inside Gieves & Hawkes and launched in the Emirates and Hong Kong. When the international stealth wealth businessman needs respite, Gentlemen’s Tonic is there.

The lower floors of the Bruton Place emporium reveal a warren of rooms lit by scented candles and seemingly staffed by smiling, serene angels; the Swedish massage is bracing and thorough, working out the daily knots and tensions that life in central London undoubtedly leads to. It’s a challenge to want to avail yourself from the massage table. The 30-minute Express Facial also acts as the ideal pit stop for reviving weary visages – a gel that replicates the effect

‘This sanctuary for the modern man has a touch of gentleman’s club style’ Botox® is employed to eradicate dark circles and wrinkles around the eyes, and the effect is instant and remarkable. I must look well rested as later that evening I am asked if I’ve been on holiday. The ground floor is devoted to a barber shop, with booths lending a private quality. Each wood-and-marble booth comes with LCD screens and music consoles. Here, you can have your hair snipped and reworked by Gentlemen’s Tonic’s expert team of barbers as you sip a beer and catch up with the news. The close shave experience is one that every man has to experience at least once in his life, an Old School hark back to the days when grooming was a decidedly Mad Men affair. Venturing out from the tranquillity of the surroundings into the day, coiffed, unknotted and clean-shaven, it’s all you can do not to immediately run back in and schedule your next appointment. Wet Shave £35; Hair Cut £48; Facial from £42; Massage from £43; Gentlemen’s Tonic, 31a Bruton Place, W1J (gentlemenstonic.com; 020 7297 4343)

Knowledge It is well documented that men visit their doctors less frequently than women, but biting the bullet can mean getting expert help in treating common ailments, such as hair loss, with ease, Dr Tim Lebens explores

en generally find it difficult to discuss intimate problems – particularly in relation to sexual difficulties, mental health issues (such as stress and depression) and physical problems related to genitals, bowel habits and general physique. Sharing personal information with even the closest of friends can be uncomfortable for anyone. We are simply not used to it. For some men, having an illness or being unable to cope can be wrongly perceived as a weakness. Within today’s society women are more ‘in touch’ with their health needs, many women’s magazines and online forums offer a platform for guidance and reassurance, particularly in regards to health and embarrassing matters. Indeed circulation figures of women’s magazines far outstrip men’s titles. Characteristically men are more likely to ‘Google’ their symptoms where they can ask questions and seek answers without a one-to-one

The mayfair Magazine | Health Promotion

scenario. The risk of this is it can frequently invite anxiety-provoking information and the sources of information are inaccurate or unreliable. Even early behavioural patterns related to visiting doctors in adolescence can contribute to a man’s avoidance attitude. From around the age of 16, girls will see their doctor regularly for gynaecological reasons, whereas men have very little desire to seek advice from their doctors. Fortunately times are changing and society is becoming more accepting of highlighting men’s health issues. The rise of men’s health awareness campaigns such as Blue September and Movember for prostate cancer are providing a source of clear, easily accessed, impartial and reliable information encouraging men to visit their doctors if they notice key changes or symptoms.

Too anxious to ask? Not all health problems that cause men concern are as grave as cancer. Male-pattern baldness: Hair-loss is described by many men as more of a concern than heart disease or cancer, causing untold distress and unduly denting self-confidence. The by-product of testosterone (DHT) is responsible for ‘androgenic alopecia’ (male-pattern baldness). However it is not the levels of the hormone but the response that the hair follicles have to the DHT. Up to 40 per cent of men have some degree of hair loss by the age of 35. Initially the hairline begins to recede forming an ‘M’ shape and will eventually meet the hair thinning from the crown at the top of the head. Two main pharmaceutical treatments (which have been FDA approved) are currently on offer through a GP: • Minoxidil (Regaine). Over the counter, no prescription needed, two to five per cent topical solution used twice daily. Few side effects other than possible irritation of the scalp. It tends to be more effective on the crown than frontal hairline and helps to reduce hair loss (in up to 60 per cent of men) more than re-growth.

• Finasteride (Propecia). Once daily tablet, prescription only. Most effective in retaining hair with some re-growth, this is best for men who still have enough hair to retain and would rather take a pill than apply a topical solution twice a day. An uncommon side effect is impotence which is generally reversible. It has been shown to slow hair loss in 83 per cent of men and achieve re-growth in 66 per cent of men. Both these treatments can take up to four months to show any effect. Stopping them will cause hair loss to return to the state it was when treatment started but no worse. There are also several surgical options available but the most favoured is the hair transplant. Newer techniques using individual hair follicles have better results but are more expensive and time-consuming. The results do not always reach expectations and can be costly. The alternative is to embrace baldness and go for the ‘Vin Diesel’ or ‘Billy Zane’ cut. You can always opt for acceptance and explain that ‘grass doesn’t grow on a busy street!’ For further information or if you would like to arrange a private GP appointment at The Platinum Medical Centre, please contact the hospital enquiry helpline on 020 7483 5004 or visit theplatinummedicalcentre.com

Meet the Specialist Dr Tim Lebens BM, DFFP, MRCGP is a Private GP at The Wellington Hospital’s Platinum Medical Centre in St John’s Wood. He has trained at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington and has also worked in Psychiatry at The Priory Hospital, London. His special interests include sexual medicine, psychiatry and general medicine.

A thing of

beauty

Engaging, refreshing and just a little bit fabulous, the Jaguar F-Type can more than compete with its supermodel siblings W o r d s : R i c h a r d Ya r r o w

The mayfair Magazine | Motoring

here are people who are interested in cars and there are those who are not, and that’s fine. But even the latter can recognise certain models from Britain’s glorious motoring past. Who couldn’t look at an original Mini and put a name to it? The Morris Minor is another example and the classic Land Rover. Any more? Definitely one – the Jaguar E-Type. Often voted the most beautiful car of all time, it came to symbolise London and the Swinging Sixties. It was launched in 1961, production of the Series III ended in 1974 and that was that. It came, it saw, it conquered. There was no replacement. Ever since, enthusiasts have asked the obvious question. A number of Jaguar concept cars that hinted at an all-new two-seater sports model appeared to great fanfare at motor shows, but for various reasons, usually to do with the state of the company’s finances, none ever made it to production. Finally, in 2012, such a glorious year for British success, Jaguar did what it should have done four decades earlier. At the New York Motor Show in April it announced that the car was on its way and would be called the F-Type. Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar’s global brand director, acknowledged at the time that it was a conscious but carefully considered choice of name. He said the decision followed extensive research with Jaguar traditionalists and more progressive fans.

‘Everyone gets it, it needs no more explanation. Of all the badges considered, it had by far the most resonance,’ he explained. But it was also a risk; calling the car the F-Type left no one in any doubt about its credentials. Crucially, there would be nowhere to hide if it was a flop. Six months later at the Paris Motor Show, Jaguar’s chief designer Ian Callum revealed a road-ready convertible version to near-universal acclaim. And in spring 2013, the car’s launch took place on the stunning roads of the Navarra region of northern Spain. The world’s motoring media finally got what they had waited so long for. Hallmark told them: ‘This company has been built on sporting cars and a sporting pedigree. We are founder members of the sports car segment. It’s at the centre of our DNA and without one we are not complete.’ The F-Type enters a segment where there is serious competition. The Porsche 911, ironically launched as a rival to the E-Type and this year celebrating its 50th anniversary, is an exceptional car. The smaller Boxster isn’t bad either. Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage is a rival from another iconic British brand, while Audi was late to the party with the R8 but set a new standard for design and technical brilliance. There are three F-Type models, all supercharged. The standard car is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 with 340bhp, while the V6S has the same engine but cranked up to 380bhp. The flagship is the 5.0-litre V8 with a mighty 495bhp.

The mayfair Magazine | Motoring

Early indications are for an even sales split between them, with the UK, USA and Germany taking around 85 per cent of sales. On paper, the car looks impressive. No Jaguar has ever had faster and more responsive steering, nor a stiffer chassis. Drivers sit 20mm lower than in any of the brand’s previous products and weight distribution is close to 50:50 over the two axles. While the car is a two seater, the interior is very much 1+1. The cabin is very driver-oriented, with separate zones for each occupant. A grab handle built into the centre console for the passenger helps make the distinction. So has it been worth the wait? Oh yes, and then some. The F-Type is sensational and I’ve rarely had more fun on four wheels. Each of the trio has a lightness and agility on the road that’s grin-inducingly good, even the heavy-weight V8. The F-Type is exceptionally quick, flat and grippy through the corners and provides a supple ride on the straight. The eight-speed automatic paddleshift gearbox is lightning quick through the ratios, up or down. The Z-fold canvas roof drops fuss free in 12 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 30mph. Perhaps the most refreshing thing about the car is the way it engages with the driver, like nothing else I’ve experienced. There’s an aggressive little snort every time you change up the gears, while the exhaust emits a wonderfully spirited ‘pop, pop, pop’ on the over-run. This isn’t shoddy engineering but deliberately there; examples of the attention to detail that Jaguar

has taken in developing this vehicle. At any speed and in any of the three versions, the F-Type makes a wonderful noise. That said, the howl from the V8 as you take it up past 4, 5 and 6,000 revs is just glorious. Talking of detail, designer Callum is famed for his theatrical touches when a car is first fired into life. Witness the rising gear selector dial and rotating air vents on the Jaguar XF. He’s done it again on the F-Type; the flush-fitting door handles pop out at the push of a button and have ‘Jaguar’ beautifully printed on their upper faces.

‘Perhaps the most refreshing thing about the car is the way it engages with the driver’ Inside the car, the central air vents rise from the dashboard as needed. The car is a triumph and will unquestionably be a sales success. It’s priced £58,520 for the V6, £67,520 for the V6S and £79,985 for the V8S. But one question remains – why now, why after such an extended break? Hallmark explained the time was right for Jaguar to grow its portfolio, saying it was now in a ‘breakthrough’ phase that would take it from being a niche brand to a serious premium player. ‘It’s like Apple and its products. We don’t want people to like it, we want people to lick it. That’s how we feel about the F-Type.’ Car enthusiasts should be salivating.

Left Sitting

Courtside?

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The mayfair Magazine | Travel

Short haul

White lodge, Turkey This villa pays homage to a purified and pristine aesthetic, with glossy white interiors breathing uncluttered bliss into your getaway. The setting, just 20 minutes walk away from the stunning Turkish town of Kalkan, is ideal; close enough to the restaurants and shops, but far enough from civilisation to allow you to truly unwind. The views here are spectacular, with far-reaching seas and hilltops speckled with porcelain-like villas all around. Enjoy them from your sun terrace or lavish infinity pool. Meanwhile, evenings are balmy and bewitching, with ravishing sunsets practically demanding an elaborate dinner and wine served al fresco. (simpsonexclusive.com)

TRAVEL TIPS DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT… Time is precious – or at least the watches that measure it are. Invest in a calf leather Thomas Lyte watch roll to protect your timepieces en route to far-away shores, in honey yellow, soft nude or fuchsia. £195, Thomas Lyte (thomaslyte.com)

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT… BLUX CAMERA PRO Holiday snaps will be forever polished with the Blux Camera Pro app, which uses intelligent PEAR technology to gauge the lighting conditions, weather, time of day and suggest the appropriate scene setting. £0.69 from the iTunes App Store

Travel news Enjoy the height of summer with Turkish villas or a beachside haven in Sri Lanka WORDS: JOSH MINOPOLI

Long haul

Amanwella, Sri Lanka

Amanwella in Sri Lanka, of the renowned Aman Resorts, boasts an idyllic location, facing a crescent-shaped beach with radiant sand, sprawling ocean and an extensive coconut grove, from which wafts the blissful scent of nature. The destination derives its name from the Sanskrit for peace (aman) and the Sinhalese for beach (wella), and it is easy to see why. Each of the 30 suites – accented with earthy tones – has access to its own plunge pool and capacious terrace. For those coveting tranquil afternoons admiring the landscape while languidly basking in the sun, a 47-metre infinity pool with a sweeping terrace beckons. The town of Tangalle is also close by for further exploration. (amanresorts.com)

‘If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears’ – Cesare Pavese 101

A villa

view

with a

As Raffles celebrates 125 years of hosting glamorous globe-trotters, Alice Tozer discovers its new Body & Soul journey at its Seychelles resort

here is a palpable tussle for attention between Mauritius, the Maldives and the Seychelles. With all three frequently plugged as the ultimate island paradise, confusion quite forgivably arises over the differences between the Indian Ocean trio. The three island hotspots form a sort of overstretched upside-down triangle to the east of Madagascar, with Mauritius (the sole island anomaly) at the bottom pinnacle, the Seychelles archipelago at the top-left and the Maldives island cluster at the top-right. With Mauritius being the closest to Africa, and a handy short hop from Johannesburg, it experiences a steady flow of tourist traffic from the mother continent, not to mention the rest of the world. The Maldives, in turn, is thought to be the quintessential landing strip for couples. As for the Seychelles, it has hitherto had an overarching reputation for mere exclusivity. No one really knew what happened here because few were perceived to be able to afford to find out. Such a view is one that the extensive 115-island entourage is striving to shed. And rightly so.

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The mayfair Magazine | Travel

Open minded about the Seychelles you should be, but if privacy and exclusivity is any small part of what you’re looking for – as a group of girlfriends and I were – then Raffles Seychelles should be your partner in pleasure. The set-up hides away on Praslin, the secondlargest island of the Seychelles after Mahé. Praslin is an incredibly clean island. Its natural beauty is immense and goes far beyond floury beaches and crystal-clear waters, to encompass a rich wildlife interior, giant granite boulders weighing in on the coast and the greenest, most fertile-looking of palms. Praslin is, after all, a World Heritage Site with a third of the area protected. Unfortunately there are no longer any direct flights from London to the Seychelles, and so the reality was a seven-hour leg to Abu Dhabi with the impeccable Etihad. This, followed by four-and-a-half hours to Mahé in the company of Air Seychelles – ‘flying the Creole Spirit’ in their own words, and this they did, fully clad in cheery floral uniforms and serving fresh fish to get you in the mood, even if it was four in the morning. The finale came after a 15-minute propeller plane ride, when we were deposited on Praslin. Shipwrecked, diverted, or deported, I wasn’t quite sure, but we had made it. When we arrived at Raffles (a 30-minute drive), I was in no fit state to take in my surroundings, a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean and a full-angle shot of the green, regal, neighbouring island, Curieuse, and frankly, couldn’t see beyond the flower-enhanced coconut, complete with fresh milk and straw bequeathed me by the staff. The staff loaded up golf buggies, efficiently ferrying us to our villas without troubling us to walk (heaven forbid) and soon we were settled in, sleeping off the jet lag and looking forward to our time here. Waking up at Raffles Seychelles is something else: king-size bed facing the sea: tick; private infinity plunge pool: tick; breakfast on the outdoor cushion-lined veranda: tick (the bread toasted by your butler in situ: big tick). Later, a

quick rummage in drawers revealed before my very eyes elevenses with Raffles’ own jars of M&Ms and banana chips and a personal tea salon in the kitchenette. We were signed up for the Body & Soul package at Raffles, a recent addition to the hotel and one that meant our week would centre around trips to the spa, gentle fitness activities (such as 7am sunrise Pilates on the beach – what an experience) and healthy but fine food. Add in a little romance on the final night, in the form of a freshly drawn bath sprinkled with rose petals, and I’m not sure life gets more harmonious. An individual assessment with the spa manager determined my personalised regime spread over the course of my stay. I enjoyed a deliciously long ‘Transformation Treatment’ based on the lotus flower and including foot cleanse, foil body wrap, body scrub, massage and bath – an entirely acceptable prelude to dinner. The spa here has won multiple international awards, some must be due to its pièce de résistance, the outdoor pavilion setup: treatment spaces dangling with mother-of-pearl shell chandeliers and where the gentle waves of the ocean couldn’t be closer. Special note must be made of the Brazilian fitness instructor, who even had a loyal following of local residents attending her euphoriainducing Zumba classes. These took place in an open-air studio less than 50 metres from the shore; never before have I seen gym balls blend so convincingly into natural flora and fauna. Raffles Praslin’s policy is to be open to a reasonable level of interaction with locals. When the resort was first planned, the locals were reportedly nervous about the eyesore they thought it may create. Two years on and the place, as seen from the island of Curieuse opposite, blends into the natural landscape really quite cannily, due to the hotel’s commitment to mellow grey hues and palm trees alongside the villas (which also handily affords privacy to the inhabitants). Fitness options extend to the fully equipped 

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 gym (which, yawn, faces the ocean just as beautifully as everything else) and the two infinity pools, which are supposedly the longest in the Indian Ocean. However, downtime by the pool must be indulged in; order some sushi and Champagne on ice, and lounge on the swathes of towel-lined double sunbeds. Do not make the mistake, however tempting, of never leaving the resort; Raffles organises highly efficient ferrying services to and from various sites of interest. High on the list of recommendations would be a guided tour of the jungle land that is the Vallée de Mai, less than half an hour’s drive away. It was the most stimulating guided tour I have experienced in recent times, thanks both to the nature of the exhibits on show (the coco de mer palm, the spices, geckos and vanilla pods among them) and the zeal of the native guide. The coco de mer – a towering palm endemic to Praslin and Curieuse, and which has fascinating habits – used to be a culinary delicacy but now it is a protected species and eating the stuff could land you in jail. Bernard, the charismatic group activity leader at Raffles who guests ask after when they return, will be only too happy to whisk

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‘Take a guided tour of the jungle land that is the Vallée de Mai’– less than an hour’s drive away’

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

you the half-mile distance via speed boat over to the uninhabited Curieuse. Here, you can pump up a sweat under the sultry African sun as you trek across the undulations of the island, noticing all the while giant tortoises, cone-shaped snails, bizarre frogs and coves a-riddle with the spaghetti-esque mangrove trees. All this happens to the tune of Bernard’s trivia and the promise of a Raffles signature beach picnic on the other side (delivered by speedboat). Afternoons whiled away at Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette beaches should also be on the agenda. Both beaches have been counted among the top ten in the world. Budding cyclists may want to request a visit to another nearby island, La Digue. The culinary options at Raffles are biblical in their abundance, freshness and quality. We splashed out on a candlelit private beach barbecue, which was exquisite. (I’m a sucker for a foil-wrapped barbecued jacket potato and charred lobster). For pre-dinner drinks, Takamaka Terrace is the place to don your linens and enjoy a couple of cocktails. When tearing yourself away from the tempting in-villa dining options in the name of dolling yourself up a little, one dining option is Losean Restaurant; mediterranean cuisine with influences from the Indian Ocean and the occasional entertainment. We witnessed spectacular African tribal dance and a mixture of live bands. The other is Curieuse Seafood Restaurant; the fresh red snapper bouyon goes down a treat). My time here has taught me that sometimes we actually need to be told how to relax. The Body & Soul package is fantastic for taking you by the hand and forcing you to unwind. Of course, you can take or leave as much or as little of it as you wish, which some would say is the ultimate luxury. ITC Classics offers four nights at Raffles Praslin Seychelles from £3,339 per person based on two adults sharing a Bay View Pool Villa including breakfast, Raffles Body & Soul package, return economy class flights and private car transfers (01244 355 527; tcclassics.co.uk)

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‘T

he greatest cultural extravaganza that one Where to stay could imagine’, was David Bowie’s famous Sofitel in the comment on the city he adopted as his home fabulous downtown in the 1970s, Berlin. It’s easy to see why he Mitte district. was so enamored with the German city; a simple walk Boosting a truly becomes a veritable history lesson, the architecture is beautiful bar and awe-inspiring, and the art and fashion offerings exciting restaurant area, an and innovative. Not for nothing did Mark Twain, in easy location for some 1892, declare it ‘the newest city in the world’. of the most historical An impressive starting point to a trip to Berlin is the sites in the city and TV tower, the sci-fi-esque structure that offers the most pillowy beds panoramic views as the city sprawls beneath you; drink in existence, this in views of the Brandenburg Gate, the imposing hotel is a great place Museum Island and the Reichstag as sun sets (and to set up camp while sample the bar’s phenomenal cocktail menu too). you’re here in Berlin. Somewhat more sobering, it’s in Berlin that the impact Sofitel Gendarmenmarkt of World War II comes vividly to life – the incredible Charlottestrasse 50 Holocaust Memorial, designed Peter Eisenman as 10117 (sofitel.com) series of giant grey concrete cubes that take up an entire block, is an essential pit stop, as is the memorial Eating & drinking in the Teirgarden park opposite which commemorates You simply must vist the gay men and women killed in the Holocaust. Burgermeister – a Berlin Renowned sights such as Checkpoint Charlie, the foodie institution. This Berlin Wall and the DRR museum nod to the open-air eatery might troubled history between East and West Berlin. not look like the height Berlin may have evolved since Bowie’s day, but the of fine dining, but its city’s cultural clout is still as forceful. East Berlin’s burgers have garnered warehouses have been taken over in recent decades praise from chefs and by artists and musicians and re-invented with graffiti food bloggers the art and sculptures. In Schoneberg, literary obsessives world over. can see the house where Christopher Isherwood Burgermeister penned some of his most famous works. Museum Oberbaumstrasse Island packs a world of culture into one area, sitting 10997 (burger-meister.de) as it does on a peninsula by the river and playing host to five historical museums. Mayfair recommends Along with the city’s evolution as an art hub, a Take a river cruise. A quiet stealth movement in fashion has also seen a fabulous and easy way to range of designers relocate to Berlin. The see the city, the sprawling streets of Mitte, near Hackescher Market, contemporary play host to a range of designer boutiques, concept architecture of Berlin’s stores and vintage emporiums. Food wise, this city parliamentary buildings is an Atkins lover’s dream – meat is king here and take on a completely sampling the famous currywurst is almost different view when seen obligatory. For a rather more opulent take on from the river, and are dining, head to the darkly glamorous Michelin utterly jaw-dropping in star restaurant Reinstoff – wickedly decadent. their scale.

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History lessons; Stephen Doig takes a tour of Berlin

[ city break]

berlin oberbaum bridge

THE Reichstag dome © Jessmine

sofitel sofitel

sofitel

The mayfair Magazine | Travel

SUITCASE E S S E N T I A L S #1 Lancome Genific HD, 50ml, £56 (Harrods.com)

#2 Sunglasses, £321, Tom Ford (tomford.com)

Leysieffer Chocolaterie shop © Alicar

sofitel

#3 Green leather tote, Gucci, £1,610 (gucci.com) Brandenburger Tor

#4 Jacket, £1,355, Rick Owens (matchesfashion.com)

Alexanderplatz IN BERLIN CITY CENTRE © Bastian Kienitz

Friedrichstrasse shopping mall

Berliner Dom AND Humboldt-Box

sofitel

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{

classic dishes, beautifully cooked. cosy, rustic, informal and incurably romantic

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{

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The mayfair The mayfair Magazine Magazine | Regulars | Art

Suite

dreams

… Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons W ords : k a t e v a nd y

aymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is a magical place in the native land of Lewis Carroll and C.S. Lewis. It doesn’t take long to see why inspiration would abound in this part of the world. Le Manoir, in Oxfordshire, is a perfect vision of the English countryside ideal – the 15th-Century manor house, the enormous grounds, the croquet lawns, and of course, the restaurant with two Michelin stars. You’d be mad to venture from the hotel’s grounds during your stay. Arrive early afternoon, check in, and enjoy afternoon tea in your enormous, exquisite room. There are 32 rooms and suites, all of which are designed individually, from oriental opulence (Jade) to calming white (Lace), each one transports you to another world. All are indulgently spacious and the attention to detail is impeccable. Some suites even come with an in-room sauna and I recommend taking one before the dining experience that awaits. Refreshed and rejuvenated, head over to the grand but relaxed lounge for a pre-dinner cocktail. The Cucumber Collins is particularly refreshing. Nibble on delicious canapés while you peruse the evening’s menu options. The

Notre Menu Découverte, the nine-course tasting menu, is the best choice. Le Manoir’s menu changes constantly and is based on ingredients from the acclaimed gardens. The seasonality, freshness and creativity of the menu will astound you. After your three-hour dining extravaganza, enjoy a digestif in the bar and return to your suite to enjoy accommodation every bit as decadent as the food and wine you’ve just tasted. After a great night’s sleep in the peaceful surroundings, make your way to the beautifully high-ceilinged conservatory for breakfast. A fine spread will behold you, as will an à-la-carte menu (the Eggs Benedict is to die for). You’ll be thankful for your big breakfast before you take to the 20-odd acres of garden. You can have a guided tour of the grounds, or you can get lost in the fields yourself if you so wish. Le Manoir’s estate is part of a conservation area, which sits in green belt land. The grass field, vegetable and herb gardens are certified as organic. Explore the tranquil Japanese tea garden and admire the 17th-Century lake. The highlight, though, has to be a stroll up Lavender Walk. After your exploring, what could be more delightful than to finish off your stay with a game of croquet on Le Manoir’s front lawn? If boules is more your style, then there’s a pitch for that too. Double rooms from £545; Notre Menu Decouverte £154 per person. Church Road, Great Milton, Oxford, OX44 (01844 278 881; manoir.com)

‘Explore the tranquil Japanese tea garden and the 17th-century lake’ 109

New Zinc showroom now open 1 Chelsea Wharf, 15 Lots Road, London SW10 0QJ

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The mayfair Magazine | Regulars

Remembering

MAYFAIR T he female n y mph , BERKELEY SQUARE

erkeley Square is a popular haven in the midst of busy Mayfair, and on a warm day you will find the gardens filled with Londoners stealing quiet moments during their busy schedules. Today, the gardens are often used as a temporary exhibition space for sculptors, but at the southern end is the earliest sculpture to grace the Berkeley Square Gardens, the female nymph drinking fountain. It no longer pours water, but the sculpture, also known as the Woman of Samaria, was first erected in the 19th century. It is commonly quoted as having been finished in 1858, but The Illustrated London News in 1867 states the sculpture was completed after the death of the 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne in 1863. When completed, it was described by one critic as ‘superior to the Venus de Milo’. The drinking fountain was commissioned by Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne, a renowned statesman who held many prominent positions including chancellor of the exchequer and home secretary. He was also involved in the campaign for the abolition of slavery. Petty-Fitzmaurice was also a distinguished patron of the arts and he commissioned Alexander Munro to create the new water fountain for Berkeley Square. Munro was a celebrated Victorian sculptor, close friends with many famous artists of the day, including William Holman Hunt and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. His works are found across the country, including Boy and Dolphin in Hyde Park, and the statue of Queen Mary in the Old Bailey. Munro’s water fountain was originally placed

outside the railings and provided running water to the public. However, the female nymph, as one historian describes it, ‘did not always command the respect she deserved’, and was later moved to within the railings. Many visitors to Berkeley Square will recognise the central gazebo, but may not realise that it actually hides the water pump

‘It was described by one critic as ‘superior to the Venus de Milo’ that formerly provided the water to the fountain. The central position of the gazebo was also originally the site of a lead statue of King George III, depicted as Marcus Aurelius on horseback, by French sculptor Beaupré. It was commissioned by the King’s daughter, Princess Amelia, and completed in 1772. However, rather embarrassingly, the statue was removed by 1827 as the legs of the horse were beginning to buckle under the weight of the king. Melanie Backe-Hansen, House Historian (house-historian.co.uk)

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Property Property| |The Themayfair mayfairMagazine Magazine

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HED MANSION F MAYFAIR 112

KAY & CO

Hyde Park & Bayswater 24-25 Albion Street, W2 2AX 020 7262 2030

Marylebone & Regents Park

20a Paddington Street, W1U 5QP

penyards

Winchester 21 Southgate Street Hampshire, SO23 9EB 01962 860300

Brockenhurst

66 Brookley Road

For Estate Agent Listings please contact Sophie Roberts at: s.roberts@runwildgroup.co.uk

NTACT THE JOINT SOLE SELLING AGENTS

W.A. Ellis 174 Brompton Road, SW3 1HP 020 7306 1600 www.waellis.co.uk

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image: hamptons www.hamptons.co.uk

Charles Street Mayfair W1

Situated in an elegant period building and approached via its own private entrance, a contemporary three bedroom, two reception room apartment of approximately 2,898 sq ft / 269 sq m ( including vaults) benefiting from high ceilings and two entrances from Hays Mews and Charles Street.

Charles Street is one of Mayfairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier addresses running West from Berkeley Square and is within walking distance of Mount Street and Bond Street as well as the open spaces of both Hyde Park and Green Park.

Accommodation and Amenities: Master bedroom with en suite bathroom • 2 further bedrooms with en-suites • 2 reception rooms • Kitchen/breakfast room • Study • 2 guest WCs (one with a shower) • Courtyard/patio • 2 vaults • EPC-D

Share of freehold

Guide Price: £5,500,000

Joint Sole Agents JONATHAN ARRON RESIDENTIAL

020 7604 4611 jonathanarron.com

KnightFrank.co.uk

Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair W1K Freehold Georgian townhouse

A rare opportunity to acquire a recently modernised Grade II listed Georgian townhouse in one of Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most exclusive addresses. Steeped in history, this impressive house has held residence to high society for over 200 years. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, cinema room, gymnasium with shower room, utility room, garden, passenger lift. Approximately 575 sq m (6,194 sq ft) Freehold Guide price: ÂŁ17,500,000 (WER110115)

KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7482

KnightFrank.co.uk Mount Street, Mayfair W1K

Prime Mayfair address A newly refurbished two bedroom apartment situated on the third floor of an attractive red brick building on this extremely desirable street. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen, guest WC, lift. EPC rating: C. Approximately 135 sq m (1,449 sq ft) Leasehold approximately 47 years Guide price: ÂŁ3,550,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7482 (WER100082)

Chesterfield Gardens, Mayfair W1J premier portered black

Enviably situated in a quiet cul de sac north of Curzon Street, this well-appointed three bedroom lateral flat stretches to over 1,250 sqft and boasts 24 hour porterage and security. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen, porter. EPC rating: D. Approximately 117 sq m (1,257 sq ft) Leasehold approximately 95 years Guide price: ÂŁ3,000,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7482 (WER130010)

KnightFrank.co.uk

Charles Street, Mayfair W1K Elegant apartment in portered block

A light and elegant two/three bedroom apartment on the fourth floor of a prestigious Mayfair block and boasting a studio flat and garage for two cars. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, study / third bedroom, kitchen, lower ground floor studio, double garage, porter, lift. EPC rating F. Approximately 192 sq m (2,069 sq ft) Share of freehold Guide price: ÂŁ4,950,000 (WER130085)

KnightFrank.co.uk/mayfair mayfair@knightfrank.com 020 8166 7482

KnightFrank.co.uk

Connaught Place, Hyde Park W2

Exceptional penthouse apartment with amazing views A magnificent duplex penthouse apartment interior designed by Candy & Candy. Magnificent roof terrace, master bedroom with en suite dressing room and bathroom, 4 further en suite bedrooms, reception room, dining room, kitchen, media room, study, direct lift access. Approximately 577 sq m (6,219 sq ft) (includes terrace)

KnightFrank.co.uk/hydepark hydepark@knightfrank.com 020 3544 6140

Leasehold: 126 years and 7 months remaining

(HPE130072)

300

Bryanston Square w1

An exceptional opportunity to purchase an unusually wide unmodernised freehold Grade II listed townhouse comprising some 7,868 sq ft located on one of London’s finest squares. The property is currently arranged as three separate units and includes a roof terrace, private patio garden and passengers lift. Planning consent exists to revert it back to a single family home.

ACCOMMODATION: LOWER GROUND FLOOR FLAT: RECEPTION ROOM, KITCHEN, STUDY, ONE BEDROOM WITH EN SUITE, ONE FURTHER BEDROOM, ONE FURTHER BATHROOM, UTILITY ROOM, THREE VAULTS AND PATIO TERRACE. GROUND/FIRST FLOOR FLAT: ENTRANCE HALL, DINING ROOM, KITCHEN BREAKFAST ROOM, TWO BEDROOMS WITH ENSUITE, TWO BEDROOMS/STUDIES, ONE FURTHER BATHROOM, GUEST CLOAKROOM AND ROOF TERRACE. SECOND/THIRD FLOOR FLAT: TWO RECEPTION ROOMS, KITCHEN, ONE BEDROOM WITH EN SUITE, THREE FURTHER BEDROOMS, TWO FURTHER BATHROOMS AND GUEST CLOAKROOM. £12,500,000 FREEHOLD

300677_Mayfair_KFBeau.indd 1

17/06/2013 12:45

KnightFrank.co.uk

Upper Wimpole Street, Marylebone W1 Magnificent family town house

A beautifully restored Grade II listed family home. 8 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, 5 reception rooms, bespoke kitchen/breakfast room, gym, cinema room, 2 terraces, 2 storage vaults, Lutron lighting, CCTV security system. Approximately 745 sq m (8,019 sq ft)

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings marylebonelettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5853

Available furnished or unfurnished Guide price: ÂŁ12,000 per week (mrq179594)

(All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, administration fees will apply when renting a property. Please ask for details of our charges.)

KnightFrank.co.uk Davies Street, Mayfair W1K

Well appointed apartment to rent A beautiful bright and spacious three bedroom lateral apartment to rent in this superb location, in the heart of Mayfair. 3 double bedrooms, 3 en suite bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, dining room. EPC rating D. Approximately 224 sq m (2,411 sq ft) Available furnished Guide price: ÂŁ3,850 per week KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings

mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7647 6600 (maq163944)

Green Street, Mayfair W1K

Prime Mayfair location A stylish two bedroom flat for rent in Mayfair, situated on the second floor of an imposing red brick period building. 2 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, dual aspect reception room, kitchen. EPC rating D. Approximately 140 sq m (1,511 sq ft) Available furnished Guide price: ÂŁ1,650 per week KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings

mayfairlettings@knightfrank.com 020 7647 6600 (maq84737)

com

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, administration fees will apply when renting a property. Please ask for details of our charges.

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Montagu Mews West, W1H A very attractive, generously proportioned mews house in a pretty cobbled mews in central Marylebone. Set over two floors, this four bedroom house has been stylishly designed throughout. Featuring a magnificent sweeping French staircase and a recently updated kitchen. The property also benefits from a garage and a patio garden. EPC: E

Hamptons Mayfair Office Sales. 020 7717 5465 | Lettings. 020 7717 5467

£3,650,000 Freehold • • • • •

Four bedrooms Two bathrooms Private Parking Patio Garden 2,085 Sq Ft

North Audley Street, W1K A spacious and bright two bedroom split level apartment located in the heart of Mayfair within moments of Hyde Park and Oxford Street. Offered fully furnished, this apartment is ideal for professional sharers or a couple looking for excellent space and a good level of finish throughout. EPC: E

Hamptons Mayfair Office Lettings. 020 7717 5467 | Sales. 020 7717 5465

£1,100 per week Furnished • • • •

Two bedrooms One bathroom Separate guest toilet Excellent location

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Cleveland Square, W2 An interior designed maisonette on this sought after garden square bordering Hyde Park. Unique features of this stunning apartment include a private entrance, grand entrance hallway, and gymnasium/games room. This property also has a fantastic double reception room which offers high ceilings and an excellent entertaining space. Additional features include a luxurious master bedroom with dressing area and en-suite shower room, three further bedrooms (all en-suite) plus a guest cloakroom. EPC: F

Hamptons Paddington Office Sales. 020 7717 5473 | Lettings. 020 7717 5343

£4,300,000 Share of Freehold • • • • • •

Private entrance Ground floor double reception room Indoor swimming pool Bespoke kitchen Four bedrooms (all en-suite) Access to residents garden square

Ashley Gardens, SW1P A rare opportunity to buy a mansion apartment overlooking the Piazza of Westminster Cathedral. The apartment has been tastefully modernised while retaining its period charm including the original ceiling mouldings, a period fireplace and beautiful mosaic floor tiles based on Greek and Roman motifs in the entrance hall. EPC: C

£2,450,000 Leasehold • •

• •

Hamptons Pimlico & Westminster Office Sales. 0203 281 7214 | Lettings. 020 7717 5345

Three bedrooms Three bathrooms (one en-suite and one with steam room facility) 2,067 approx Sq Ft Dressing room

Local know-how. Better results.

0 % Commission 100 % Local know-how And a commitment to getting you the best possible result …on the house! > Maximum exposure to the best buyers > London’s best negotiators* > Unequalled customer service* > Award-winning marketing > Over 150 years’ experience To celebrate the opening of our newest office in Marylebone, we are offering to sell your property for free! For full Terms and Conditions, call us or visit marshandparsons.co.uk/sell-your-home-for-free

* Voted ‘Best Customer Service 2012’ by The Sunday Times and ‘Best UK Estate Agent 2012’ by The Negotiator

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Norland Square W11 £6,400,000 Enjoying wonderful light and retaining a wealth of original features, this beautifully balanced home offers excellent family accommodation and an abundance of period charm. The reception space is arranged over the lower three floors and includes a magnificent drawing room on the first floor, with southerly views towards the garden square. The bedroom accommodation includes a master suite and five further bedrooms served by a bathroom and a shower room. A private mature, walled garden and access to Norland Square. EPC=C. Sole Agents. PRIME SALES: 020 7313 2891 PrimeSales@marshandparsons.co.uk

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SALES

See all of our properties online: marshandparsons.co.uk

Warrington Gardens W9 £2,250,000 This beautiful Victorian conversion comprises an impressive dual aspect reception room with high ceilings, period features and fantastic views over the communal gardens, a modern semi open plan kitchen and a charming study area leading off the main reception room. The property further benefits from a large master suite served by a well proportioned bathroom and built-in storage, two further double bedrooms, a single bedroom and a family bathroom. Leasehold. EPC=D. Sole Agents. LITTLE VENICE: 020 7993 3050 sales.lve@marshandparsons.co.uk

Marylebone High Street W1 £1,275,000 A gastronome’s delight. This light, airy flat is set within a fine early Edwardian mansion block in the heart of Marylebone Village. Located on the second floor with access via a lift or a lovely stone staircase, the accommodation has a rather Parisian feel with its open and light reception room at the front and two bedrooms located to the rear of the building. The property has high ceilings and good natural light throughout, as well as period features including fireplaces, doors and cornices. Leasehold. Sole Agents. MARYLEBONE: 020 7935 1775 sales.mar@marshandparsons.co.uk

High

society We visit a Georgian townhouse on Upper Grosvenor Street to explore its heritage and find out why this property is causing a stir on the local residential sales scene

132

The mayfair Magazine | Property

t’s not often that a property quite like number 48 on Upper Grosvenor Street arrives on the market for sale. The impressive provenance of the Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse sets the tone for what lays in wait. This is a property appointed in a rather regal fashion throughout each of its six storeys, sitting as it does on one of the most prestigious locations in Mayfair – Grosvenor Square is directly across the road and South Audley and Mount Street are a few steps away. Beyond the charming entrance, a wrought-iron front door leads you into an abundance of space – making this ideal for family life in Mayfair. The main staircase gracefully winds up, lined with a deep-red carpet as the centrepiece of the house. Six bedrooms, a library and a reception room (and bathrooms) surround it, and on the ground and lower-ground floors, there is a professional-size kitchen (perfect for large families dining together) and dining area, in addition to a garden, a cinema and gymnasium. Thankfully, there is also a lift that will carry you from floor to floor. The property has been home and host to high society for over two centuries, and was the location of a notorious scandal in the early 1960s involving a duchess, a man (who was not her husband) and a famed – and rather spectacular – bathroom. Its heritage has been smartly adapted to fit our modern requirements with the latest technology to control everything from the lights to music. A sophisticated Crestron multi-room media system, Banham security and data-and-voice cabling throughout bring this historic property well and truly into the present day. ‘The atmosphere of this house is very delightful; it has to be seen to be understood,’ says Harvey Cyzer, partner and head of Knight Frank’s Mayfair and St James’s office. ‘I think that it’s extremely hard to find a house with a garden of this size and to have such voluminous rooms just off Grosvenor Square. In that respect it’s a very, very rare product.’ Guide price, £17,500,000. For further enquires contact Harvey Cyzer at Knight Frank, 120a Mount Street, W1K (020 7499 1012)

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Property | The mayfair Magazine

Man about town We catch up with Harvey Cyzer, partner and head of Knight Frank Mayfair and St James’s to discuss the latest in local property and what to expect in property trends for 2013

or Harvey Cyzer, working with London’s prime residential property seems to run in his family. The charismatic head of Knight Frank’s office on Mount Street grew up with both his father and uncle working as commercial developers in the 1970s. However, Cyzer decided to break away from the commercial market and into the residential one instead: ‘I have always been drawn to residential property, I find it fascinating,’ he says. ‘I love the international diversity of central London, the people you meet are incredibly interesting. And as a company, we sell to over 70 nationalities, in fact our buyers are often international.’ A resident of St James’s all his life, Cyzer pledged his allegiance to Knight Frank eight years ago, when he joined their Ascot office. The Mayfair office (one of the brands 244

come out strong as one of the top performers in prime central London. ‘The sub £3,500,000 market is performing well; there is a real demand for pied-a-terre’s and unmodernised properties in need of renovation,’ Cyzer says. ‘In the prime/super prime market we are fortunate to have many of the best-in-class properties on our books and we are achieving record-breaking prices. Recently, we set new records for a ground and lower-ground floor apartment with £2,549 per square foot and an unmodernised apartment on Mount Street at £3,781 per square foot.’ As prices in Mayfair continue to strengthen, more space is also in demand from purchasers looking for properties over 3,500 square feet. In the past six months, the Market Insight reveals, that 45 per cent of Knight Frank’s buyers come from overseas, and another 45 per cent from within

‘When you think of Mayfair, you think of quality’ – Harvey Cyzer offices spanning five continents) is an intriguing hub of trade, and has been since its inception in 1896. So what is it that draws people to Knight Frank? ‘Firstly, we break records. We are the market leaders and we often will achieve more money for the sale of property than any other agent, and we hold records in Mayfair,’ says Cyzer. ‘Secondly, I think that the people who work for the firm have exceptional integrity. It’s a company that has lasted because it has integrity. Thirdly, anyone walking through our doors is looking to buy the very best in class. When you buy through Knight Frank, you are expecting to see the very best within your price banding. We’ve got the best register of instructions in the market and we offer terrific variety to applicants. We are instructed on properties of £800,000 and properties that exceed £50 million, we can accommodate any budget.’ In a newly released set of data from Knight Frank – the Snapshot Summer 2013 Market Insight – Mayfair has

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London, while nine per cent come from the rest of the UK. Looking forward, the trend indicates that even more international purchasers will be registering. ‘Owning a home in one of London’s world renowned districts is the aspiration of people globally,’ says Cyzer. ‘Mayfair offers purchasers a secure investment as London’s super prime residential property is seen as a gold standard and will continue to attract investment. ‘Mayfair has an atmosphere that is not replicated anywhere in the world. When you think of Mayfair you think of quality: Quality restaurants, high-quality shops. You see it as a place that represents the finest quality in everything whether you’re buying shoes or clothes, whatever it is when you come to Mayfair you expect the best and you expect to pay for it. I think that in some respects, Mayfair can have a slightly unreal atmosphere about it, but it’s a very wonderful place.’ For further enquires contact Harvey Cyzer at Knight Frank, 120a Mount Street, W1K (020 7499 1012)

below, from left: harvey cyzer; A threebedroom lateral apartment with rare secure underground parking on Mount Row, Mayfair W1. Guide price: £7,250,000

Marylebone Village, at its best.

Kay & Co are delighted to offer the entire Howard de Walden Estate residential portfolio. Over 700 properties, from studio apartments to luxury period homes, in the heart of fashionable Marylebone Village. For information on currently available homes to rent please contact a member of our lettings team today.

Hyde Park & Bayswater 020 7262 2030 Marylebone & Regentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park 020 7486 6338

kayandco.com

W2 Hyde Park Place, Hyde Park ÂŁ5,250,000 Leasehold A spectacular penthouse apartment within this period purpose built block offering panoramic views across Hyde Park. The property boasts just under 2,500 sq ft of accommodation with a further 750 sq ft of private roof terraces. The property is now in need of refurbishment and offers five bedrooms, three bathrooms and two reception rooms.

020 3394 0012 sales.hydepark@kayandco.com

kayandco.com

W1 Bryanston Square, Marylebone ÂŁ3,800,000 Leasehold A highly desirable three bedroom, three bathroom garden apartment facing Bryanston Square, close to both Marylebone High Street and Marble Arch. This spacious apartment features a large reception/dining room, a separate kitchen and a beautiful conservatory/private patio garden room.

020 3394 0012 sales.marylebone@kayandco.com

MAGNIFICENT FAMILY HOME IN THE HEART OF ST JOHNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WOOD

CGI: FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY

Built circa 1860 as an elegant Italianate villa the house benefits from reconstruction and complete internal refurbishment undertaken in 1999 to designs by renowned Paris architect India Mahdavi Hudson. Planning has been secured to provide a substantially enlarged residence over lower ground, ground and first floor levels, complete with driveway, garage and off-street parking for 3-4 cars.

Rare opportunity to acquire a substantial family house, set in private spacious south facing grounds on the corner of Norfolk Road and Woronzow Road: one of the best addresses in St John’s Wood.  House can be arranged to provide six bedrooms  Galleried entrance hall with 30’ high ceiling designed by Eric Schmidt  Dual aspect reception room and study with 10’ high ceiling overlooking rear garden  16-18 seater dining room overlooking Parisian style cobbled courtyard  Family room with bay window  Spacious kitchen/breakfast room with separate utility room  Master bedroom suite, with twin walk-in dressing rooms & en suite bathroom  Three bathrooms  Maid’s bedroom & bathroom with separate entrance  Consented basement extension scheme provides for a magnificent swimming pool, home cinema, lounge/bar, spa area with gymnasium, sauna, Hamam, changing room, shower and cloakroom  Electronic security shutters to all principal windows

Freehold: Price Upon Application

Savills St John’s Wood 15 St John’s Wood High Street London NW8 7NG

020 3043 3600 savills.co.uk

S T E P H E N L I N D S AY

G A RY H E R S H A M

E slindsay@savills.com T +44 (0) 20 3043 3605 M + 44 (0) 7870 999 579 15 St John’s Wood High Street, London, NW8 7NG

E gary@beauchamp.co.uk T +44 (0) 20 7499 7722 M +44 (0) 7785 725 036 24 Curzon Street, London, W1J 7TF

Letting Agency of the Year 2013

Mount Street Mayfair W1K

ÂŁ9,750,000 leasehold

A rare opportunity to acquire one of the largest & most luxurious apartments ever available on the world famous Mount Street, Mayfair. This exquisite interior designed, duplex apartment extends to approximately 3,810 sq ft. Comprises entrance hallway, 4 magnificent reception rooms, high specification kitchen, 4 double bedrooms, 3 luxurious bathrooms, guest cloakroom & utility room. Long leasehold of approx 110 years.

EPC rating E

Mayfair & St Jamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

020 7629 4513

sales.mayfair@chestertonhumberts.com

chestertonhumberts.com

Shepherds Close Mayfair W1K

ÂŁ4 ,000 per week

A recently refurbished & interior designed low built house in the heart of Mayfair. Benefiting from a large private garden & patio. Finished to exacting standards the house has a integrated Crestron system operating heating/cooling, door entry system, lighting, TV & Audio. Accommodation comprises of reception room, TV Room, large eat-in kitchen, master bedroom with dressing area & en-suite bathroom, 2 further double bedrooms (one en-suite), further bathroom, staff quarters & small office.

Mayfair & St Jamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

020 7288 8301

lettings.mayfair@chestertonhumberts.com

EPC rating E

chestertonhumberts.com

South Audley Street, Mayfair, W1 In a most prestigious location, a sophisticated period house of elegant proportions with marvellous architectural details combined with stunning interiors styled in a contemporary fashion. Accommodation is arranged over six floors complemented by a passenger lift and consists of double reception room, dining room leading onto a further reception room, fully fitted kitchen/breakfast room, master bedroom with en suite bathroom, guest bedroom with en suite bathroom, two further double bedrooms with shared en suite bathroom, maid’s room with en suite shower room, three guest cloak rooms, utility room and courtyard. Please note: photos are for illustrative purposes only.

Freehold £9,500,000 020 7409 9047 robert.cox@harrodsestates.com

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: +44 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: +44 020 7409 9001 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: +44 (0) 20 7225 6700 HARRODSESTATES.COM

Hyde Park Square, Hyde Park, W2 With a stunning interior, this apartment is arranged over the top two floors of this period building with sunny southern views over the communal gardens. Features exposed beams, the flat has been designed with great attention to light and storage and also has gas fireplaces in both the reception and master bedroom. The accommodation comprises a reception room, kitchen, master bedroom, bathroom and a second double bedroom with en-suite shower room. The property also benefits from access to the well maintained communal gardens. Available, furnished.

ÂŁ995 per week 020 7409 9158 robin.boghhenrikssen@harrodsestates.com

Boom and bust Are we are now experiencing another property boom and bust? Three factors started the global boom in property and specifically the boom in the UK from 2000.

irst, on arrival in government, New Labour rapidly hiked the tax on property transactions from one per cent stamp duty (above £500,000) to four per cent. As with any tax raise, this immediately put pressure on supply and transaction volumes. As house prices rose, it became cheaper to add a bedroom through an attic conversion than it was to move to a larger house. Secondly, between June 1998 and September 2001, interest rates around the world eased, allowing property buyers to borrow more for their purchases. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) reduced base rates from 7.5 per cent to 5 per cent. As we shall see, reaching this level started the property price bubble in the UK. Further reduction in base rates to four per cent in November 2001 provided a perfect stimulus for a housing price bubble. The low interest rate environment worldwide caused realignment in the ratio of earnings to borrowings for loans, as well as the ratio in equity to borrowings for a family house. High property tax in the UK contributed to the under supply of homes and this coincided with a government-driven increase in immigration, which rapidly increased the demand for housing. Prime house prices in London doubled over the period 2003-2007. Then in May 2007, something disastrous happened in the UK. The Bank of England’s MPC interest rate-setting committee moved base rates from five per cent in November 2006 up to 5.5 per

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cent in May 2007 to curb potential inflation, well above a sustainable level for mortgage payers in the property industry and to the highest rate since the start of the boom in 2001. At that point I predicted a fall in house sale volumes of 20 per cent, as well as a fall in house prices, over a couple of years by 20 per cent. It was very apparent to me, that we were about to be hit by the spreading global asset price correction, and that high interest rates in England would make it particularly hard and sharp. The collapse and run on Northern Rock in September 2007 heralded the start of the first banking crisis which dented consumer confidence and began a steep reduction in the number of bank lending products. In 2008 it

‘High property tax in the UK contributed to the under supply of homes’ was clear that we were in for a property price and sales volume free fall in the UK, one that would take the prime market down in volumes by 50 per cent and in price by up to 30 per cent, in one year alone, the largest ever one-year correction. Between February 2008 and February 2009, base interest rates fell from five per cent to one per cent. This was an all-time record low for base interest rates and has set in place one of the criteria for the next property bubble. In April 2009, it became clear that London prime property was on track for a V-shaped recovery. While many others were predicting further dramatic falls and W-shaped recessions, my prediction was based on the fact that more

The mayfair Magazine | Property

than 50 per cent of London buyers were from overseas. They were being driven to London for a number of reasons but principally because the pound had been devalued by around 25 per cent against the Euro. This meant that they were buying 40 per cent to 50 per cent below peak. By 2012 the influx of overseas capital had driven prime central London prices above those of 2007 by as much as 20 per cent. At this point the prices should have levelled out as London was showing far more rapid growth than other European capitals and New York, and houses were becoming seriously out of line with house prices outside London. However, the March 2013 confiscation of depositors’ money in Cyprus driven by European politicians is a game changer, one that the investment world is only just waking up to. Once European politicians see confiscation of funds as a way to solve their debt crises, keeping cash in banks is no longer safe. Nor are bonds safe, as they can also be confiscated. Pensions are not safe either, and the gold price took a 15 per cent tumble following the Cyprus affair. Was this due to fear that banks would sell gold to recover their positions following the confiscation? Or because some investors are realising that gold is no longer safe? At the height of the 1930s depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 6102 requiring investors to hand over much of their gold to the Federal Reserve before 1 May, 1933, in exchange for $20.67 per troy ounce. A violation of the order was punishable with fines or with up to ten years in prison. So which investment cannot be part confiscated? You own the front door key and the title to your property. This is a key to understanding the unprecedented influx of overseas money which will come to London property this summer.

The coalition government has just raised stamp duty above £2 million to seven per cent. It now no longer pays to move home. A £5 million terraced house in London will cost you £350,000 in stamp duty and a further £120,000 in moving costs. It is far more sensible to keep the house and buy a small pied-à-terre near work. Hence this summer, I predict we will see one of the greatest shortages of prime property ever. Combined with low interest rates and the low pound, this will inflate another property price bubble. Prices are already up this year by more than six per cent. There could be another 15 per cent to go over the next 18 months. However all bubbles must burst and there are two looming price corrections on the horizon. One is the potential election of a Labour and Liberal government two years away, with a policy to produce a mansion tax. I predict that this would cause a drop in prices of at least a 20 per cent, with a corresponding failure in consumer demand for all products. The second threat to this boom is a second banking crisis. At this point I predict most financial investments, including gold, will fall because of the threat of confiscation, so it is a matter of which investment will drop the least. My hunch is that prime London property will drop the least. That’s why I am investing in property even though I am predicting a sharp rise and then a price correction, much as I did in May 2007. David Adams, Managing Director, John Taylor 48 Berkeley Square, Mayfair. 020 3284 1888; Mobile 07876545986

147

Hook park

Warsash, Hampshire • • • •

5 bedrooms 4 bathrooms 5 reception rooms Double garage

This truly impressive residence is situated in an outstanding location along a quiet private lane a stone’s throw from Southampton Water and is set amongst stunning landscaped gardens of 0.60 of an acre. The property is in immaculate presentation throughout with a wealth of character features. EPC rating D.

01329 844812 TITCHFIELD

£1,500,000

WEBSITE EMAIL

WWW.PENYARDS.COM INFO@PENYARDS.COM

kEnT oak

Awbridge, Hampshire • • • •

In excess of 3,000 sq ft Set in 1.75 acres 5 bedrooms 3 bathrooms

A rare opportunity to acquire this meticulously presented accommodation set within superb mature gardens. This sizeable property has been the subject of refurbishment by the current owners who previously operated it as a successful B&B facility which could be reinstated if required. EPC rating D

01794 516613 roMSEY

£900,000

Chelsea Fulham & Parsons Green Kensington & Holland Park Knightsbridge, Belgravia & Mayfair Notting Hill & Bayswater West Chelsea & South Kensington

Sales 020 7225 3866 Sales 020 7731 7100 Sales 020 7938 3666 Sales 020 7235 9959 Sales 020 7221 1111 Sales 020 7373 1010

Lettings 020 7589 9966 Lettings 020 7731 7100 Lettings 020 7938 3866 Lettings 020 7235 9959 Lettings 020 7221 1111 Lettings 020 7373 1010

City Office Professional Valuations UK Commercial & Residential Residential Investment Property Management

020 7600 3456 020 7318 5039 020 7629 7282 020 7318 5196 020 7052 9417

struttandparker.com

Chester Street | Belgravia | SW1 1,405 sq ft (130.53 sq m) EPC rating D

Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 bertie.hare@struttandparker.com

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Holbein Place, off Sloane Square | Belgravia | SW1 1,903 sq ft (176.8 sq m) EPC rating E

Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 JSA W.A.Ellis 020 7306 1610 charlie.willis@struttandparker.com

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Montagu Mansions, Marylebone, W1U - ÂŁ795 per week, long let A bright and spacious apartment located within a sought after portered mansion block in Marylebone. The property benefits from two bedrooms, en-suite bathroom and separate kitchen and reception area. Close to Baker Street and has good transport links.

The Regent Lofts and Penthouses, Soho, W1F - ÂŁ2,500 per week, long let Stunning, contemporary, recently completed apartment in this much sought after private gated development, moments from the shopping and restaurants of Carnaby Street, Soho and Oxford Circus. Offering three double bedrooms and impressive open plan reception room with high specification open plan kitchen. Furnished. 24 hour concierge.

30 Warwick Street, London, W1B 5NH

020 7087 5557 joneslanglasalle.co.uk

Marconi House, The Strand, WC2R - ÂŁ1,950 per week, long let A spectacular three bedroom, interior designed apartment in the newly completed Marconi House development. Comprising of an impressive reception room with open plan and fully integrated kitchen, wooden flooring, air conditioning and an integrated media system. Moments from great transport links to the City and the buzz of Covent Garden with its wide range of amenities including popular bars, restaurants and shops. Marconi House benefits from 24 hour concierge and offers the very best in contemporary living.

Westend.let@eu.jll.com

A development by

• Situated in Zone 1 on Park Road, overlooking The Regent’s Park • 2, 3 & 4 bedroom apartments, with en suite bathrooms • 4 & 5 bedroom duplex penthouses, with en suite bathrooms • Balconies and private rooftop terraces • Local property market has strong rental demand • Minutes from the West End shopping and leisure quarter • International level specification with designer fittings • Lift access to all apartments • Gated underground parking • 24-hour concierge • EPC Rating B and C • 40% SOLD

LUXURY APARTMENTS & PENTHOUSES FOR SALE OVERLOOKING LONDON’S REGENT’S PARK

PRICES FROM

£2.8m - £9.75m Correct at time of printing

Joint sole selling agents Savills St John’s Wood 15 St John’s Wood High Street London NW8 7NG

020 3043 3600

Dukes Mews Marylebone LONDON W1J £2,495,000 leasehold A rare and delightful mews house situated in a gated complex with seven other mews houses. Built ten years ago this charming property has been tastefully interior designed and boasts 3 double bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, state of the art kitchen, large reception/dining area and ample storage space. This property also has the added benefit of underground garage. Ideally situated minutes walk from exclusive boutiques, shops, restaurants and bars of Bond Street, Oxford Street and the green spaces of Hyde Park.

Claridge House Mayfair LONDON W1 £2,950,000 leasehold or £2,000 per week furnished An attractive three bedroom apartment located in the heart of Mayfair adjacent to Claridges between Grosvenor Square and Bond Street. The property is in a classic Mayfair building with 24 hour porterage and a lift.

Picton Place Marylebone LONDON W1U £3,000,000 leasehold This wonderful 3 bedroom, 4 bathroom duplex apartment on the second floor has a luxurious warehouse feel and a contemporary finish. It is a stone’s throw away from shopping at Selfridges and Marylebone. The building has a day porter, lift and long lease and an early viewing is highly recommended.

ALDFORD HOUSE PARK STREET LONDON W1 £8,000,000 leasehold A luxurious three bedroom apartment of 2,201 sq ft located on the third floor of this sought after portered building. Boasting stunning views over Hyde Park from the reception room and overlooking Mayfair village and Grosvenor Chapel from the master bedroom. The property has been meticulously refurbished to the highest standard and boasts a large terrace that spans the length of the apartment.Enviably situated on Park Lane, Aldford house is an impressive 1930’s building with 24 hr Porterage.

Property | The mayfair Magazine

Vantage point If you love the grandeur of Park Lane, but tend to shy away from major thoroughfares when choosing a home, then a property on Park Street, which runs parallel to Park Lane, could be the perfect investment. With three-bedrooms, each of which has en-suite bathrooms, a reception (or dining) room and bespoke kitchen, the space is ample for a family. The apartment was developed by luxury property experts Fenton Whelan, and at present, there are plans for the common areas of the building to be extensively refurbished to include a new spa floor, a new lobby and lifts. There is also a balcony that stretches the length of the apartment, and from the reception room there are views of Hyde Park, so that you can enjoy living in the area from one of the best vantage points. £8,000,000. Leasehold approximately 87 years remaining. For further enquiries please contact Jennifer Marwick at Harrods Estates (jennifer.marwick@harrodestates.com; 020 7409 9346)

Property news This month we take a look at the latest prime properties to arrive on the market

Size matters Twenty-two months redeveloping a property really pays off. For evidence of this, a new house on Charles Street – once an apartment building – has been converted into one, sizeable complex with eight bedrooms and bathrooms. With wooden, dark fumed oak floors, a contemporary interior and a 6.6-metre-high ceiling at the entrance, you can expect a very decadent style of living on one of Mayfair’s stunning residential streets, just off Berkeley Square. This property also boosts a 12.5-metre swimming pool, a gymnasium and integral garage – why leave the house? £45 million. For further enquiries contact Savills Mayfair office (020 7578 5100)

Kay & Co celebrate Turning 30 is a momentous occasion for anyone, so estate agents and property consultants Kay & Co have decided to mark three decades in the business with a new look, harking back to the glamorous 1930s with a 21st century take. Their website has been revamped, while two of their offices (Marylebone and Bayswater) have been given a facelift, based on a historic aesthetic. Managing director Martin Bikhit says, ‘Investing in this forward-looking technology clearly differentiates and reinforces the name and brand of Kay & Co online and on the high street. As a company, we are excited to have committed the company to a new era of real-estate marketing and by investing in this, be able to offer our existing and new clients a smarter, more efficient way of navigating and experiencing the buying process.’ (kayandco.com) 158

WESTBOURNE TERRACE, W2 - ELEGANT HOME FOR ENTERTAINING A grand 3 bedroom maisonette situated on the first and second floor, with it’s own private entrance on the ground floor, period features and high ceilings, a double reception room and parking space for 2 cars.

£4,250,000 Share of Freehold Approximately 2,691sqft

CHELSEA CRESCENT, SW10 - LUXURY PENTHOUSE This magnificent penthouse with sweeping panoramic River Thames views enjoys brilliant light and offers an outdoor lifestyle with terraces from both floors. With 2 underground car parks, a long lease and full concierge services this 3 bedroom apartment has great open plan spaces under high ceilings for entertaining in style.

John Taylor UK 48 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5AX dadams@john-taylor.com 020 3284 1888

£3,600,000 guide price Leasehold Approximately 2,840sqft MEGEVE

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www.john-taylor.com

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ST-PAUL-DE-VENCE

David Adams Managing Director 07876 545 986

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Brave new world A new landmark has arrived in Monte Carlo by the name of Residence Le Simona – a glamorous way to make the most of Monaco throughout the year

onaco has a sleek new addition to its iconic cityscape. In contrast to the often more classic or Belle Époque architecture dotted around it, this new development – Residence Le Simona – heralds a move towards a new, stand-out style of ultra-modern buildings in the city.

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The newly built property is split into two visually stunning towers, connected by a glass footbridge and was designed by the worldrenowned architect, Jean-Pierre Lott. There are just 24 apartments in the 179-metre building, most of which are duplexes. However, you will find that many of the spaces feel like stand-alone

The mayfair The mayfair Magazine Magazine | Food| & Property Drink

homes, with sun-drenched terraces and its own private swimming pool â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as well as unobstructed views over the sparkling Monaco Bay. Its stark white contemporary design is softened by the entrance through the Boulevard du Jardin Exotique and a lush, planted walkway as well as the use of natural materials throughout â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from wooden floor features to marble staircases. However, this property also has a futuristic feel, combining geometric lines that call for hi-tech interiors. Each apartment is also impressively guarded by a sophisticated surveillance system, so rest assured that the property has been designed with security and safety at the fore. For further enquiries contact Pastor Real Estate, 48 Curzon Street, London W1J (0044 20 3195 9595; contact@pastor-realestate.com; www.pastor-realestate. com) or Pastor Immobilier, 13, Avenue des SpĂŠlugues, 98000, Monaco (00377 97 70 20 70; contact@ pastor-immo.mc; www.pastor-immobilier.mc)

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M AY FA I R W 1 Rarely on the market, a superb beautifully refurbished 954 sq ft (87.79 sm) one bed apartment with a stunning private terrace quietly located close to Hyde Park and Oxford Street. Double bedroom with (en-suite) bathroom, reception/dining room with floor to ceiling windows leading to terrace, fully fitted kitchen, security system, video entry phone. Price: ÂŁ810 per week - Furnished

M AY FA I R W 1 Modern and exceptionally spacious recently decorated, carpeted and interior designed apartment with original features and access to a private patio located moments from Green Park. Double aspect reception/dining room with feature fireplace and high ceilings, fully fitted kitchen, double bedroom, 2nd bed/study, new bathroom with separate shower. Price: ÂŁ700 per week - Furnished

E. lettings@pastor-realestate.com

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MONACO MAYFAIR TO

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London

Monte-Carlo

48 Curzon Street, London W1J 7UL

13 avenue des Spélugues MC 98000

T. +44 (0)20 3195 9595

T. + 377 97 70 20 70